Texas Southern University

Tigers United Gaming, Texas Southern University's official on-campus esports club, is returning to Dream Con 2026 with expanded opportunities for students and exciting events for the community.

Join TUG for a rollerskating experience titled "Skatercade 3: Glow in the Dark Edition" at the TSU Recreation Center on July 9, then experience Yapathon inside Dream Con's Gaming Hall, where participants have five minutes to passionately discuss any topic while enjoying interactive gaming experiences. Tickets for Skatercade are available on TUG's Instagram.

Through the collaboration, nine TSU students and recent alumni will work alongside Esports Foundry, a national esports production company. They'll gain hands-on experience in tournament operations, live production, and event management while supporting one of the country's premier gaming conventions.

Read more about TUG's presence at DreamCon here: https://texassouthernnews.com/texas-southern-universitys-tigers-united-gaming-returns-to-dream-con-with-expanded-professional-opportunities-for-students/

Dion Johnson Jr. is a junior aviation science management major from Stockton, California. He is an Environmental Justice Climate Corps Intern with the renowned Bullard Center for Environmental and Climate Justice at Texas Southern University. He’s conducting research on environmental and climate justice issues, participating in community engagement activities, assisting with outreach and educational programs, supporting projects focused on sustainability, public health and climate resilience, and more.

Dion is working toward a career in the aviation industry. Specifically, he aspires to work in aviation logistics, management or airline operations. His ultimate goal is to become a firefighter.

Tune in Saturday at 1:00 p.m. for a KTSU exclusive.

Jaia Smith is putting her graduate studies in English to work this summer in her internship with the National Park Service’s HBCU Internship program. Based in Put-In-Bay, Ohio she is conducting archival and secondary research on African American contributions to the Battle of Lake Erie, collaborating with park historians and staff to ensure historical accuracy.

Her work includes developing and implementing interpretive programming concepts, including pop-up tables, educational materials and presentations.

Jaia plans to work at the intersection of archival studies, African American literary and cultural history and public humanities. As a professor and museum curator, she hopes to ensure Black history is preserved and made accessible. Her ultimate goal is to establish a nonprofit to promote literacy and self-sufficiency.

From exploring the minds of industry leaders to preserving the legacy of a historic HBCU, Texas Southern University School of Communication Professor Vincent Powell is earning recognition for storytelling with purpose.

Powell recently received two Silver Telly Awards for his work directing *The Athena Project* and a thought-provoking trailer for a forthcoming documentary on Bishop College, an HBCU that closed in 1988. The honors add to a growing list of national accolades recognizing filmmakers who use their craft to educate, inspire, and preserve important stories.

"Winning two Silver Telly Awards this year means more than international recognition," Powell said to The Defender. "I'm grateful for the confirmation that the work is landing."

Congratulations to Professor Powell on this remarkable achievement and his continued commitment to impactful storytelling. Keep making us Professor Powell!

Our aviation students are soaring all over the country. This summer, junior Aviation Science Management major Aaron Wilcox is working at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta as a college intern with ATL Workforce Development.

He conducts research on future workforce trends and helps identify the skills needed for careers in aviation and airport operations. Through his internship, he supports stakeholder interviews, analyzes findings, and assists in developing recommendations that help prepare students for the airport workforce of the future.

Aaron aspires to be a wide-body airline pilot for one of the major airlines and operate long haul international flights.