<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><item href="/news/mountain-east-conference-extends-invitation-shawnee-state-university.html" dsn="news"><featured/><pubDate>06/27/2025</pubDate><title>Mountain East Conference Extends Invitation to Shawnee State University</title><categories>Visit SSU</categories><description>The Portsmouth, Ohio-based school will transition from NAIA; aims to begin competition in 2026-27.</description><author/><image><img src="/news/images/ssu-welcome-mec.png" alt="&#34;Mountain East, Shawnee State Bears&#34; above the logos of all schools in the conference"/></image></item>