Murray State’s Humanities+ Series returns with an engaging event calendar for fall 2026

By Dr. Carrie Jerrell | Aug 5, 2026

MURRAY, Ky. — The College of Humanities and Fine Arts (CHFA) at Murray State University is pleased to announce its fall 2026 event lineup in the Humanities+ Series.

Designed to help students connect academic passions with professional success and personal resilience, the fall 2026 schedule offers hands-on opportunities ranging from career readiness intensives to creative, screen-free community encounters.

Through innovative programming and community engagement, the Humanities+ Series fosters creative, intellectual and educational opportunities. It showcases the work and achievements of Murray State faculty, students and alumni, as well as invited professionals in the arts, humanities, social and behavioral sciences. The series encompasses public lectures, teaching workshops and cultural events focused on cultivating the skills individuals need to live and learn well.

Dr. Josh Adair, professor in the Department of English and Philosophy and Humanities+ coordinator, believes the program will continue to make a positive impact on campus and beyond.

“Thanks to the Office of the Provost and the CHFA Dean's Office, we're very excited to offer an expanded Humanities+ Series again this year,” said Adair. “Its events will appeal to the entire campus and Murray community, featuring an outstanding lineup of talks, Skill Shares, Life Labs and a brand-new career readiness day-long conference for College of Humanities and Fine Arts students.”

The series kicks off on Thursday, Sept. 3 at 4:30 p.m. in Faculty Hall room 208 with "Stage Ready: A Guide to Mastering Presence in Interviews, Presentations and High-Stakes Moments," a practical session designed to build public speaking confidence and professional presence. Dr. Ashley Cumming, associate professor in the Department of Music and a seasoned performer, will share tips and tricks that anyone can implement during high pressure situations.

On Friday, Sept. 11 at 2 p.m. in Faculty Hall 208, Dr. Kathy Callahan from the Department of History will lead the session "Passport to Discovery: Student Research Abroad" to share strategies and insights for making the most of research opportunities across the globe.

Creative self-expression takes center stage on Monday, Sept. 14, from 4-5:30 p.m. in the Waterfield Gallery with the debut of Life Lab, a new series of technology-free encounters co-hosted with Murray State University Libraries. Led by artist Ann Gosser from the Department of Art & Design, this inaugural session guides students through art journaling to encourage reflection and resilience.

To close out the month, Humanities+ will host a comprehensive, all-day Career-Ready Student Conference for Murray State students on Friday, Sept. 18, from 8:45 a.m. to 4 p.m. Session topics include resume prep and job search skills, writing personal statements, crafting a personal brand and professional headshots.

October begins with “Community as Classroom: Connecting, Serving and Learning” on Thursday, Oct. 1 at 4:30 p.m. in Faculty Hall 208. Dr. Ali Hendley, professor in the Department of Political Science and Sociology, will speak on the benefits of experiential learning and civic engagement.

Just in time for Halloween, Dr. Megan St. Peters from the Department of Psychology will present “The Science Behind the Scare: Physiological Responses to Horror Films” on Thursday, October 29 at 4:30 p.m. in Faculty Hall 208, exploring how individuals’ minds and bodies react to fear produced by the scary movies that everyone loves to watch.

The tech-free Life Lab series returns on Tuesday, Nov. 3, from 4-5:30 p.m. in the Breathitt Room at Pogue Library. In this second installment, students will step away from their screens to explore local archival materials and reflect on their own hometowns and histories, with the guidance of Dr. Jeff McLaughlin, associate professor and special collections and exhibits director for the Murray State University Libraries.

The fall lineup wraps up with a hands-on Student Skill Share, “Ink, Paper, Power: ‘Zine Making 101,” led by Dr. Sara Cooper from the Department of English and Philosophy, on Wednesday, Nov. 11, from 3-5 p.m. in Fine Arts room 735. Participants will explore the history of the do-it-yourself publication while crafting their own zines.

All events in the series are free. Life Lab, Career Conference and Student Skill Share events are reserved for Murray State students, but speaking events are open to all. Event details can be found at murraystate.edu/humanities. 

Area teachers interested in receiving professional development credit for attending any Humanities+ Series event can contact Kristen Swisher, College of Humanities and Fine Arts educational placements coordinator, at kswisher@murraystate.edu or 270-809-4527. 

“Our speakers promise to entertain and instruct, tackling everything from fighting stage fright to understanding why we love to feel the fear inspired by horror movies,” said Adair. “We hope you'll join us on this adventure—and be sure to come early as the seats fill up fast!”