MURFREESBORO, TN (WGNS) - Middle Tennessee State University is rolling out another alumni perk tomorrow, and this one sounds like it came straight from a sci‑fi script. The Quantum Shift—a free lunchtime webinar on Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2026

—promises to explain what quantum technology actually is, why it matters, and how MTSU has become a national player in this fast‑moving field. For many alumni, though, the first reaction is honest and universal: Quantum what?

That’s exactly the point of the session. It’s designed for the rest of us—the people who don’t spend our days thinking about atoms, qubits, or the mysteries of subatomic physics. Instead, the webinar breaks down how quantum technology will eventually shape everyday life, from cybersecurity and banking to medical imaging and artificial intelligence. It’s not about turning alumni into physicists; it’s about helping them understand the next big technological shift before it arrives on their doorstep.

Leading the conversation is Dr. Hanna Terletska, an associate professor in Physics and Astronomy and one of the country’s rising voices in quantum information science. She has secured more than $5.5 million in external funding, built statewide educator training programs, launched quantum STEM camps for high school students, and helped position MTSU as a national model for quantum workforce development. Her work through the Quantum Research Interdisciplinary Science and Education Center (QRISE) connects MTSU with the National Science Foundation, the Department of Energy, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and industry partners preparing for a quantum‑powered future.

If you’ve already registered, just use the link in your confirmation email at noon CST.

And if quantum still feels like a foreign language, don’t worry—MTSU’s next alumni webinar on Feb. 24 hits much closer to home: Cybersecurity & Scams Awareness. That one tackles the very real threats that target older adults, busy professionals, and anyone who uses a phone or computer. It’s practical, immediate, and something every alum can relate to.

Quantum may shape the future, but cybersecurity is shaping your inbox today.

MTSU alumni CLICK HERE to sign-up for the lunchtime webinar.