News

Here are some of the stories recently published featuring Southern Illinois University Edwardsville faculty and students:

1. WalletHub: Best Credit Cards to Build Credit
   
   WalletHub featured Riza Demirer, PhD, Graduate Program Director and professor at SIUE, in a guide to credit-building. Demirer emphasized the value of responsible credit card use, smart budgeting, and utilizing secured cards to build strong financial foundations. 
   
   Read the feature on WalletHub.
   
   Photo: Riza Demirer
   
   
   
2. Nepal Raibar: From Earthquake Rubble to Engineering Resilience 
   
   The media outlet Nepal Raibar profiled SIUE graduate student Kridip Amgai, who survived the 2015 Gorkha earthquake in Nepal and now studies transportation engineering at SIUE. Raised in the rural village of Bungkot, Amgai overcame significant barriers to pursue research in seismic-resilient infrastructure, transportation modeling, and climate adaptation.
   
   Read the full profile on Nepal Raibar.
   
   Photo: Kridip Amgai in Nepal
   
   
   
   
   
   
3. The Edwardsville Intelligencer: Three SIUE Students Receive National Recognition
   
   The Edwardsville Intelligencer featured Glory Omole, Abigale Kambarian, and Maryam Musa, three SIUE students recognized nationally for public health education excellence by Eta Sigma Gamma and the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing:
   
   
   1. Outstanding Undergraduate Major of the Year: Abigale Kambarian 
   2. Outstanding Graduate Major of the Year: Maryam Musa 
   3. Loren B. Bensley Jr. Gamman of the Year: Glory Omole
      
      “This highlights not just my work, but our entire chapter’s dedication,” said Omole. 
      
      Read the article on the Intelligencer
      
      
      PHOTO: Glory Omole, Abigale Kambarian, and Maryam Musa with awards
      
      
4. SIU System Podcast – Office Hours with Dan Mahony
   
   Andy Benoit, SIUE’s Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Management, appeared on “Office Hours,” the podcast hosted by SIU System President Dan Mahony. Their discussion focused on modern college admissions, highlighting new trends and practical advice for prospective students navigating today’s application landscape. 
   
   Listen on the SIU System Website.
   
   
   

   PHOTO: Portrait of Andy Benoit
   
   

5. KSDK News: Moon Tree Planted at SIUE on Earth Day
   
   KSDK News broadcast SIUE’s planting of a Moon Tree—grown from seeds that orbited the Moon aboard NASA’s Artemis mission—in celebration of Earth Day. The event drew regional media coverage and highlighted SIUE’s long-standing commitment to sustainability and science education.
   
   Watch the coverage on KSDK.
   
   
   PHOTO: Tree planting ceremony at SIUE
    
   
   
6. WSP: From Classroom to Career: Journey of Connections and Growth
   
   WSP, the global engineering firm, published a feature article highlighting SIUE alumni Hamid Rostami, Suraj Bhandari, and James Kore-Quaye, who launched their careers at the company’s St. Louis office. Their story illustrates how academic ties, mentorship, and professional conferences helped them transition from SIUE’s geotechnical program into impactful infrastructure roles.
   
   
   Read the full article on WSP.
   
   
   PHOTO: Hamid Rostami, Suraj Bhandari, and James Kore-Quaye
   
   
7. Journal of Environmental Engineering and Design: Evaluating Plant Coverage and Thermal Benefits of Green Walls
   
   The peer-reviewed Journal of Environmental Engineering and Design published research by SIUE faculty Mark Ostendorf, Susan Morgan, William Retzlaff, and Serdar Celik on the thermal benefits of green retaining walls. Their study supports the role of vegetation-based infrastructure in urban heat mitigation and environmental resilience.
   
   Read the full study.
   
   
   PHOTO: Green infrastructure on campus