Community Engagement | ��Ƶ

Change Makers: Social Work Alumni Who Turned Passion Into Purpose

ahassan — Fri, 10 Apr 2026 12:50:05 +0000

She went on to acting school after graduation but, as a former foster child, she was always drawn to helping kids. In 2016, she combined her passions by creating , a nonprofit with chapters in New York and Atlanta, Georgia, that helps children heal from trauma through performance-based practice, turning their experiences into plays, films and photography.

Centeno isn’t alone in using her ��Ƶ social work experience to create an organization outside the clinic, and the Master of Social Work (MSW) program is a key ingredient in their process. One of the nation’s highest-ranked social work programs, the ��Ƶ MSW infuses human rights, racial justice and anti-oppressive practices throughout its curriculum, which includes classes focused on using law and legislation to promote policy change. A social action initiative each spring works with area nonprofits in antiracist and criminal justice advocacy work—perhaps serving as an inspiration to alumni who end up creating their own paths.

Healing Trauma Through The Arts

The Playbill for Somewhere Between, a Foster Care Unplugged stage production exploring the journey of foster youth, performed at the Mark O’Donnell Theater in Brooklyn on March 27 and 29, 2026.

Centeno cites ��Ƶ’s program as a formative part of her career. When taking acting classes, she realized that performance wasn’t all that different from group therapy. “Acting is responding to something that is not real, so you have to tap into your emotions to get there,” she said. At the same time, foster children are often deeply skeptical of traditional therapy, worried their words will be used against them or their family. The performance-based practice, Centeno said, can help them overcome mistrust by recognizing that others feel the same way they do, and working together to produce a creative project.

“I remember one girl who wouldn’t speak to anyone when she first came in, but by the end of the program, she would not be quiet,” said Centeno. The proof is in the numbers: Foster Care Unplugged has a 93 percent retention rate—a level virtually unheard of in foster care programs—and surveys have found a rise in self-esteem of 23 percent after the 12-week program. In leading the program, Centeno draws upon the hands-on training she got at ��Ƶ. “So many classes weren’t just ‘read this text, write this paper,’” she said; rather, they put students in the shoes of clients through journaling and other experiential activities to develop empathy. “They taught me to actually live out the journey of the clients I was about to serve.”

Cynthia Jean celebrates the Spring Forward Hope for Pink Event, held at Kendra Scott SoHo in New York City.

Expanding Breast Cancer Education

Cynthia Jean, MSW ’12, also draws upon personal passion at her nonprofit, . In 2014, Jean was diagnosed with breast cancer, yet struggled to find accurate information about her options for treatment and recovery, especially as a young woman of color. “I didn’t find a lot of information provided for women who look like me or who are in my age group,” said Jean, who is Haitian American. “You had to dig for it.” After her cancer went into remission, Jean founded to offer information and guidance to other women through health fairs and other events and organizations, empowering women to advocate for themselves. Too often, for example, doctors immediately propose mastectomy when less invasive treatments are available or don’t adequately inform patients about genetic testing or the importance of monitoring after treatment.

Founding Hope for Pink in 2024 has further expanded Jean’s mission to advocate for policy changes on a higher level to expand treatment for underserved populations. At ��Ƶ, she took courses in political social work, and attended a certificate program at

Participants gather at the Spring Forward Sweat Fete, a pink awareness health and fitness event celebrating breast cancer awareness and community wellness.

the University of Connecticut’s that focused on influencing government policy. She has since drawn upon that background as part of the , which advocates for more equitable access to cancer screening tools, and , which facilitates free or low-cost screening for uninsured women. “I was always interested in having a broad impact, knowing that policy is important, because that’s where change happens,” she said.

Music in Dementia Care

Dan Cohen, MSW ’78, similarly focused on the political aspects of social work during his time at ��Ƶ. “My goal was not to be a counselor or do clinical social work, but more about what systems I might be able to help change,” he said. After earning his degree, his life took a detour into the technology field for four decades, but he always remained interested in social justice. When he heard about a new device called the iPod in 2006, he began volunteering in nursing homes, setting up elderly residents with music from their youth. He was amazed at the results. “You could have residents who were out of it for weeks or months, and then all of a sudden they spring to life,” he said.

At the same time, he struggled with red tape, eventually creating a nonprofit, , to cut through it, training teams in some 5,000 hospitals and assisted living facilities to integrate music as part of residents’ treatments. As he dug into the science, he found that exposing elderly patients to music is associated with a 48 percent decrease in depression. “If you had a pill that did that, every doctor would want to prescribe it,” he said. In addition, music results in dramatic decreases in falls and choking by dementia patients who show improved attention, as well as decreased burden on caretakers.

A woman responds joyfully to personalized music as part of the Right to Music program, which uses individualized playlists to spark connection and engagement in older adults.

As wonderful as music can be as a treatment, Cohen said, it struggles for recognition amid the deep-pocketed advertising budgets of pharmaceutical companies. He has since started a new organization, , to advocate on an international level, raising awareness and seeking to change policies to facilitate the introduction of music in gerontological settings. Among other endeavors, he’s been involved in work through the to expand access to music in care settings around the world, as well as efforts to free up money from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to devote to music and dementia efforts in the United States. “At ��Ƶ, I found some smart, passionate people who helped me focus my own skill set and understand a bit more about the paths to systems change,” he said. “My social work degree certainly laid the foundation for me to move confidently as I now try to make change.”

The ��Ƶ MSW program is available in three locations—Garden City, Hauppauge, and Poughkeepsie—and, this fall, will also be part of the University’s new Manhattan Center.

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A Magical Year for Alice Hoffman ’73, ’02 (Hon.)

cscala — Mon, 06 Apr 2026 17:19:31 +0000

It has been more than 30 years since Alice Hoffman introduced the Owens sisters to the world in her magical realism novel Practical Magic, but for the 1973 graduate of ��Ƶ, who received her degree in English from ��Ƶ’s College of Arts and Sciences, the magic just keeps getting stronger. As the literary community prepares for the third annual Writers & Readers Festival at ��Ƶ’s Garden City campus on April 15 to 17, Hoffman is at the center of a creative whirlwind that spans the page, the stage and the silver screen.

From launching a new trilogy set in the 1950s, to bringing Practical Magic to Broadway with help from a musical icon, Hoffman is proving that her storytelling is as potent as ever.

A Return to Her Roots

Founded by Hoffman herself two years ago, the Writers & Readers Festival returns to ��’s Garden City campus from April 15–17. The event has become a staple of the New York literary scene, and this year’s lineup is no exception.

Hoffman will headline a keynote conversation with fellow No. 1 New York Times bestselling author Jodi Picoult, focusing on the resilience of storytelling in an era of increasing book bans. She is also set to appear in a discussion of the writer-editor relationship alongside novelist Jessica Knoll and Scribner Books publisher Marysue Rucci.

Practical Magic 2, the Movie Sequel 27 Years in the Making

The phrase “midnight margaritas” is trending once again. Production has officially moved into the final stages for Practical Magic 2, scheduled to hit theaters nationwide on September 11. The film serves as a generational bridge, reuniting the iconic “aunts”—Stockard Channing and Dianne Wiest—with stars Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman. While the plot remains largely under wraps, it is confirmed to be inspired by Hoffman’s 2021 novel, The Book of Magic. Newcomers like Joey King, Game of Thrones star Maisie Williams and The Hobbit trilogy star Lee Pace join the coven, promising a sequel that explores the legacy of the Owens curse for a new era.

Published in 1995, Practical Magic was the basis for the 1998 film adaptation starring Kidman and Bullock as sisters descended from a long line of witches. The film became a cult classic, a supernatural drama blending romance with a story of sisterly bonds. The book went on to spawn a media franchise of the same name, which in addition to the film includes a 2004 television pilot (Sudbury), two prequels—2017’s The Rules of Magic and 2020’s Magic Lessons—and a sequel, 2021’s The Book of Magic.

From Page to Stage: The Practical Magic Musical

The most surprising development in the Hoffman universe is the leap to the theater. A stage musical adaptation of Practical Magic is currently in development. In a powerhouse collaboration, Hoffman is writing a book/script for the stage with playwright Peter Duchan (Dogfight), while 10-time Grammy winner Norah Jones will provide the music and lyrics in a collaboration with Grammy-nominated record producer Gregg Wattenberg. The project marks the first stage musical by Jones.

“This story of love and sisterhood is meant for the theater. Music is the heart and soul of Practical Magic,” Hoffman said of the project. “You can hear it as you read the book, even though it isn’t there. Now you will finally hear the story as I always imagined it. You will hear magic.”

Celebrating a Different Kind of Magic

Amid the witches and Broadway lights, Hoffman has also found time for a more personal project. She recently edited a new anthology titled The Best Dog in the World: Essays on Love.

The collection features 14 celebrated authors—including Isabel Allende, Amy Tan, Roxane Gay and Bonnie Garmus—sharing stories of the canine companions that changed their lives. Hoffman will discuss the collection at the April festival, offering a “love letter” to the loyal animal friends who teach us about empathy and unconditional love.

A New Era of Witchcraft

Hoffman is already inviting readers back into the world of the supernatural. Her latest novel, The Witches of Cambridge, is slated for release on September 8.

The book, which kick-starts a new trilogy, was inspired by Hoffman’s own recent academic pursuits. Set on a college campus in the 1950s, the story follows two students, Ava and Lauren, who find refuge from the shadows of McCarthyism within a secret society of witches. Early praise from authors like Leigh Bardugo describes the work as “rich with history, heartbreak, and magic.”

“I went back to school and what began as my term paper ended up as a novel about witches, love, magic, sorrow, betrayal, sisterhood and best friends,” Hoffman said.

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Growing Knowledge: How ��’s “Keanu Leaves” Tower Garden Is Nourishing Students and Community

tshah — Thu, 26 Mar 2026 19:04:30 +0000

In Fall 2025, a new addition quietly took root in the offices of the ��Ƶ Ruth S. Ammon College of Education and Health Sciences: a tall, leafy indoor garden known as a Tower Garden. Affectionately named “Keanu Leaves” after a campuswide naming contest, it offers fresh herbs and salad greens to students, faculty and staff who stop by to admire it. But Keanu Leaves is more than a conversation piece. It is a grant-funded initiative that serves as both a working classroom and a community resource.

Improving Access to Healthy Foods

The Tower Garden project was born out of a real community need. In 2022, Clinical Assistant Professor Rachel Taniey, PhD, director of the MS in Nutrition and Dietetics program in the Ruth S. Ammon College of Education and Health Sciences, surveyed users of ��’s on-campus food pantry, Panther Pantry, to better understand what students needed. “We learned that students want to see fresh produce and an extended variety of items,” she said.

Armed with that insight, Dr. Taniey saw an opportunity to create a hands-on learning experience for graduate students. Through a , she received a to supply the fresh produce.

“The grant focuses on changing systems, policies and environment to improve access to affordable nourishing food, healthy food access and physical activity,” said Karyn Kirschbaum, PhD, ��Ƶ adjunct professor of nutrition, who has coordinated the CHSC grant through Western Suffolk BOCES for nearly 20 years.

At the center of the project is a novel piece of food technology: an aeroponic growing system that allows you to cultivate fruits, leafy vegetables and herbs in a single vertical column. Seedlings are placed into pods along the outside of the tower, with their roots exposed at the center. A reservoir at the base holds water and a mineral blend, which a submersible pump continuously pushes to the top of the structure. From there, the nutrient-rich water cascades downward, misting the exposed roots before returning to the reservoir below. The result is a full harvest in as little as five to six weeks—and because the system grows indoors, it produces continuously throughout the year.

A Hands-On Learning Experience

Growing fresh produce for the Panther Pantry is only one component of the project—education is the other. Every semester, graduate students can fulfill the required 130 hours of supervised community nutrition fieldwork through the Tower Garden.

That’s exactly the opportunity graduate students Alexis Provenz and Ellie Cohen were looking for. In addition to maintaining the garden, they assemble salad kits for Panther Pantry and organize educational events for the community.

The salad kits are a more recent innovation, born out of a simple realization. “We realized that maybe just bringing over bags of produce isn’t the most appetizing way to encourage college students to eat vegetables,” Dr. Taniey said. “So we put it all together in little to-go containers with a package of olive oil and a label that says ‘Just add protein from the pantry.’”

The food demonstrations take that mission a step farther. On March 10, Provenz and Cohen led a station at ��’s Nutrition Fair, where they prepared dishes made entirely from Tower Garden and pantry ingredients. “We came up with two balanced and healthy recipes so students can replicate the recipes free of charge,” Cohen said.

The experience has already proven to be a valuable complement to classroom learning. “We learn what truly goes into planning and organizing events behind the scenes, how to troubleshoot problems creatively, and how to collaborate with professionals and peers in a real-world setting,” Provenz said. “It has given me a much deeper understanding of the work that goes into community nutrition programs and the impact they can have.”

What’s Next for “Keanu Leaves”

The Tower Garden project achieves two major goals of the MS in Nutrition and Dietetics program: increasing access to healthy food for ��Ƶ community members and preparing students for a career in nutrition.

“Our program is definitely rooted in community nutrition,” Dr. Taniey said. “We are increasing access for our community members, and we are also increasing knowledge of community nutrition for our dietetics students and really preparing them for a career in community nutrition.”

For Provenz, the project has shifted how she thinks about her field entirely. “This project has shown me that nutrition and dietetics is so much broader than simply ‘eating healthy,’” she said. “Dietetics is deeply connected to community health, food access, education and sustainability.”

And the project is still just getting started. Dr. Taniey recently submitted a research proposal for a case study of pantry users as they interact with the Tower Garden, food demonstrations and nutrition education materials. If approved, the study would bring a formal academic lens to an organic, hands-on initiative.

She also hopes to expand what the garden grows, adding more herbs and eventually vine plants like tomatoes. “We’re excited to explore what we do next,” Dr. Taniey says. “We’ll be thinking of new recipes and ways to get students involved.”

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The Science of Winning: Inside ��’s Human Performance Lab

tshah — Tue, 24 Mar 2026 20:02:53 +0000

Behind the steady hum of treadmills and the gentle whir of metabolic testing machines stands ��Ƶ’s Human Performance Lab—a lab dedicated to exploring the human body’s limits and capabilities for more than four decades. Serving as a rich resource for both education and innovation, the lab has become a pivotal space for students in the Ruth S. Ammon College of Education and Health Sciences, researchers and endurance athletes alike.

“With a mission focused on students first, we enhance academic learning in health and sport sciences, facilitate groundbreaking research and assist individuals eager to elevate their physical potential,” said exercise science professor Robert Otto, PhD, who has worked in the lab since 1981.

For Exercise Science Students, a Living Lab

Nestled within ��’s exercise science facilities, located in the lower floors of Woodruff Hall, the lab transcends traditional textbook education. Here, exercise science students immerse themselves in hands-on learning experiences, actively measuring crucial physiological concepts such as metabolism and muscle function with state-of-the-art equipment.

The lab helps prepare students for careers in strength and conditioning and personal training, and it remains the only university-based adult fitness cardiac rehabilitation program in the New York tristate area.

Students earning their MS in Exercise Science, in particular, leverage the lab for critical research projects required for their degree. Current investigations are wide-ranging, spanning from evaluating compounds that enhance oxygen efficiency during exercise to analyzing the effects of beetroot juice on muscle blood flow.

Initially centered on metabolic testing, advancements over the years have introduced new equipment and innovative testing.

“We built this lab from the ground up,” Dr. Otto reflected. “Over time, we’ve incorporated body composition testing, force measurement and muscle activation analysis.”

For Elite Athletes, Machines and Measurements to Boost Performance

Today, exercise science students and researchers can assess body composition in the lab using tests like:

Skinfold measurements
Hydrostatic underwater weighing

These assessments provide vital insights into the balance between fat and lean muscle mass—essential information for high-performance athletes, and the health students who work with them.

Among its many features, the lab boasts a specialized cycle ergometer that measures physical work output with unparalleled precision. “It can range from zero to 2,500 watts in one-watt increments,” Dr. Otto explained. “This allows us to measure the force each leg produces with pinpoint accuracy.”

For high performance athletes like triathletes, that makes an impact on performance.

Dr. Otto shared the example of a competitive triathlete who consistently ranked among the top regional contenders. After undergoing efficiency testing and refining their training approach, the athlete saw a performance improvement of approximately 2 percent, a seemingly minor gain for some. But even 2 percent can make a tremendous difference in the field of elite-level competition.

“In fact, for elite athletes, a 2 percent improvement is monumental,” Dr. Otto noted, emphasizing the athlete’s subsequent success on the national stage.

Metabolic testing is another feature of the lab. By measuring oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production during exercise, researchers can gauge how the body metabolizes fuel. Dr. Otto further elaborates, “Understanding caloric expenditure at specific paces enables athletes to precisely plan their nutritional intake for competitions.”

Boosting Health and Wellness in the Community

While primarily dedicated to exercise science student education and research, the lab directly assists the broader community. Members of the public can schedule tests to assess resting metabolic rate, body composition and maximal oxygen consumption; valuable measurements for anyone looking to enhance fitness or manage weight.

“A resting metabolic rate indicates the minimum caloric intake needed for basic survival,” Dr. Otto explained, reinforcing the lab’s role in promoting health and wellness.

The lab’s long-standing presence on Long Island has set it apart from similar facilities, and Dr. Otto noted that students from other universities often visit to observe demonstrations and familiarize themselves with the innovative equipment.

Ultimately, the Human Performance Lab is more than a collection of machines and data charts. It embodies the intersection of scientific inquiry and human aspiration, empowering students, athletes and community members to gain deeper insights into the body’s performance and explore pathways for improvement.

Dr. Otto explained the mission of the lab with just a few words.

“We measure how the body works,” Dr. Otto concluded. “Then we use that information to help individuals perform better. “

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��’s New Manhattan Center: Helping NYC Meet Its Workforce Needs

cscala — Tue, 03 Mar 2026 16:11:55 +0000

��’s Manhattan Center is coming to New York City with a mission: to prepare career-minded adults for leadership roles in fields the city needs and depends on.

Opening in early summer at the corner of Fifth Avenue and 44th Street, the Manhattan Center is offering graduate and professional programs in nursing, technology, business, education, social work, human resources and creative writing.

All courses at the conveniently located center are designed to fit the schedule of busy working adults. The 51,000-square-foot space includes smart classrooms, healthcare and science labs, library, computer and STEAM labs, private study spaces, and a student lounge.

Learning will extend beyond the center’s walls, as students can take advantage of ��’s connections to nearby Fortune 500 companies, healthcare organizations and community partners for internships, clinical rotations and employment opportunities.

The Manhattan Center will open with these highly sought-after programs that address the city’s workforce needs:

The center will also offer doctoral programs in Learning Sciences and Global Higher Education Leadership during its launch year.

Learn more about these programs—and their value to students and to New York City—from their respective academic leaders:

Accelerated BS in Nursing

Deborah Hunt, PhD ’12

Betty L. Forest Dean, College of Nursing and Public Health

The decision to lead the new Manhattan Center with our Accelerated BS in Nursing program reflects our commitment to health and wellness of populations across the lifespan. The nursing shortage has continued to be cyclical due to myriad factors. Although the outlook in New York has improved, we are still experiencing a shortage that supports the need to prepare a high-caliber pipeline of professional, caring, dedicated RNs. Leveraging our strategic location, students can gain hands-on experience in our state-of-the-art simulation center and New York City’s diverse clinical settings, bridging the gap between theory and practice. Students will complete their coursework in just 15 months in the heart of New York, taught by expert and compassionate faculty—and the average starting salary for our graduates is over $100,000. The program’s history of exceptional NCLEX performance proves that while the pace is accelerated, the quality of our nursing education and our students remains second to none.

MS in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

Kees Leune, PhD

Associate Professor, Chair, Department of Mathematics and Computer Science

��Ƶ’s mission to graduate job-ready students extends into the Manhattan Center. By relocating the existing MS in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning program to the new center, we leverage the depth and the breadth of the best New York City has to offer. The center will be used as a base for expanding industry partnerships and for improving access to this program for students who work in the city during the day but wish to pursue a graduate degree after hours. ��Ƶ’s Manhattan location is also ideally situated for students traveling by public transportation.

Flex MBA, Advanced Certificate in Business Analytics

Raghida Abdallah Yassine, PhD

Assistant Professor and Academic Director, MBA programs, Robert B. Willumstad School of Business

New York City maintains its status as a worldwide business center, which leads companies to search for employees who demonstrate adaptability, analytical abilities and strong leadership skills in the face of rapidly changing technologies. The Manhattan Center’s graduate business programs provide flexible educational paths that combine essential business skills with analytical and technological expertise. Our Flex MBA and Business Analytics certificate are designed to prepare graduates not just for today’s jobs, but for the future of work.

Master of Social Work (MSW)

Joanne Corbin, PhD

Dean, School of Social Work

The ��Ƶ School of Social Work is excited about our move from Brooklyn to the new Manhattan Center in August 2026. This increases accessibility to our program’s course offerings and positions students at the center of one of the nation’s most dynamic social work markets.

The profession of social work continues to be in demand, with positions projected to grow by six percent over the next decade in New York—exceeding the rate for all other occupations. Social workers with a master’s degree in social work (an MSW) may work across diverse settings, including healthcare, behavioral health, mental health, substance abuse and school social work. They have opportunities to work with individuals across the developmental lifespan, from young children to older adults. Employment opportunities span all major segments of the economy—healthcare, education, community services, vocational rehabilitation, nursing and residential care, and government agencies.

Social work’s mission is to improve the conditions of life for individuals, families, groups, communities and organizations. At the ��Ƶ School of Social Work, we prepare students to promote social justice and human rights for a diverse society by addressing unmet and emergent needs and by promoting equity in access, information and provision of services. We look forward to inviting new students to join us at the Manhattan Center in achieving this mission.

MA in STEAM Education–Math, Science, Computer Science

Tracy Hogan, PhD

Professor, The School of Education, Ruth S. Ammon College of Education and Health Sciences

In our programs, students will learn creative methods of using art and design concepts to increase learning in STEM classes. ��Ƶ has partnered with New York City Public Schools for decades—a relationship that has grown stronger since establishing our STEAM MA teacher preparation program in New York City. As NYC schools—and New York State more broadly—face a persistent shortage of certified teachers in computer science, mathematics and the sciences, our program has responded and is positioned to do even more through our expanded presence and new space in the city. With more than $4 million in grant funding through the , ��Ƶ supports and prepares teacher candidates entering the program, while also offering traditional certification pathways and a non-certification MA. What makes our Manhattan-based model distinctive is its integration of collaborative spaces like and our new makerspace, which bring educators, researchers and community partners together around research-supported STEAM teaching and learning.

MFA in Creative Writing

René Steinke

Professor, Department of English, and Director of the MFA in Creative Writing Program

The Low-Residency MFA in Creative Writing Program offers week-long intensive residencies and semester-long creative mentorships with faculty who are award-winning, acclaimed authors and devoted teachers. The residencies are held at the Manhattan Center, offering students a chance to explore the literary richness of the city. At each residency, MFA students meet with authors, editors, literary agents and representatives from the many literary nonprofits that sustain the cultural life of New York City. The residency, which precedes each semester, is the anchor for the curriculum and a crucial part of the program’s design. The hybrid nature of a low-residency MFA program is one of its major draws for our students, and it’s where a lively community of writers thrives. Many of our students work full-time in their professions, but have decided they want to be part of an academic program that helps them to seriously pursue their goals for writing. Until now, residencies have been housed at the Center for Fiction in Brooklyn, and the student responses to the curriculum and to the residency experience have been overwhelmingly positive.

We offer concentrations in fiction, poetry and creative nonfiction, with workshops that culminate in the final course, when students complete a book-length manuscript. Our program focuses intently on craft, with an emphasis on revision and close reading.

MA in General Psychology–HR Management

Errol Rodriguez, PhD

Assistant Dean, Director of Master’s Degree Programs in General Psychology and Mental Health Counseling, Gordon F. Derner School of Psychology

We decided to bring the master’s degree program in general psychology with a concentration in human resource management to the new Manhattan Center to participate in the evolution of work and to promote all that we have learned about psychology and wellness in the workplace. It is clear, given the high demand in industries and sectors, as well as the influence of AI, that work is rapidly changing. New York, being the epicenter of work and the hustle and bustle of city life, is prime real estate for our flagship program training psychologically skilled HR professionals. The program draws on expertise from our renowned faculty in psychology and business, with the goal of translating psychological principles and concepts into business applications. By training with us in the heart of the city, we aim to influence both current and aspiring human resource professionals. Using psychology as the foundational anchor of the training, we believe our graduates will lead with empathy, hire with vision, and have a unique voice in the transformation of work life in New York City and globally.

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Leading the Longevity Revolution at ��Ƶ’s College of Nursing and Public Health

ahassan — Mon, 02 Feb 2026 20:53:23 +0000

The aging of the baby boom generation is generating a boom in the need for nurses trained in geriatric care. The ��Ƶ College of Nursing and Public Health is not only responding aggressively to this need, but also leading the way in developing programs to train students to provide both acute and long-term care across the patient lifespan.

“With the population living longer and the onset of new diseases, older people may become vulnerable. Managing patients with comorbidities demands more care and more specialized care,” said Deborah Hunt, PhD ’12, dean of the College of Nursing and Public Health. “In the current landscape, there are myriad job opportunities for nurses and advanced-practice nurses in long-term care. Our healthcare partners frequently reach out to share these opportunities and the challenges they face in filling some of these positions.”

The College’s increasing focus on longevity is attracting attention and support, including a $54,000 grant from New York-based nonprofit Aging in America, Inc. to enhance education in gerontology and geriatric care. This grant will open up new opportunities for immersive learning in ��’s undergraduate nursing program as well as graduate, doctoral and certificate programs in adult gerontology for nurse practitioners.

This work scales beyond the College of Nursing and Public Health, too. ��’s School of Social Work and Ruth S. Ammon College of Education and Health Sciences are hosting forums, offering fellowships and pioneering research in the evolving field of aging.

Where Nursing Students Learn Skills—and Compassion—for Older Adults

The Aging in America grant will support equipment upgrades to ��’s Clinical Education and Simulation Lab (CESiL), along with faculty training and curriculum development. Most notably, it will introduce a new resident to the lab: a geriatric manikin—complete with realistic wrinkles, joint stiffness and simulated emotions—which students will use to engage in simulation-based learning scenarios that enhance their skills.

“By including geriatric scenarios and simulation manikins that realistically portray older adults, students can practice assessing, communicating with and caring for elderly patients in a safe and controlled environment,” said Anthony Egan, director of the simulation lab.

The geriatric manikin will join ��’s current manikins representing infants, children, and young and middle-aged adults—allowing students to simulate compassionate care across the entire lifespan. For example, students can use the geriatric manikin to prepare for clinical assignments in long-term care facilities like rehab centers. They can practice transferring and positioning older patients, performing hygiene care with sensitivity, and safely responding to high-risk scenarios like falls.

A University-Wide Focus on Aging and Longevity

Beyond the field of nursing, the School of Social Work offers a unique resource that prepares students to assist an aging population: the Goidel Gerontology Fellowship in Social Work, the first of its kind in New York state. The fellowship includes a $2,000 stipend, electives focused on gerontological care, monthly colloquia with guest speakers, and opportunities to gain field experience.

“We need to prepare our students for the world of work they will be facing as professionals,” said Daniel Kaplan, PhD, associate professor of social work. “Teaching them to deal with an aging population has benefits that help all of our society.”

The College of Education and Health Sciences and its Institute of Lifelong Wellbeing and Longevity is hosting a leadership forum on successful aging and longevity in April 2026. In the full-day workshop, global experts will discuss everything from cognitive health and loneliness to innovation in the science of aging. Hariklia Proios, PhD, professor and chair of the College of Education and Health Sciences Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, will share information about her efforts as president of the Stroke Alliance for Europe (SAFE) and its programs supporting stroke education and early detection.

The forum event ties in with recent research at the College of Nursing and Public Health that tackles a complex question: What does “successful aging” look like, and how can we achieve it? After interviewing 175 adults over the age of 65, the research team found that staying socially and mentally active will increase positive health outcomes. And, to ensure successful aging, care environments must focus on older adults’ specific social and physiological needs.

As Professor Marilyn Klainberg ’63, MS ’77, EdD, first author on the article, which appeared in the July 2025 issue of The Journal of the New York State Nurses Association, said: “Our role as nurses and educators is to help older adults find ways to stay engaged, whether that’s joining an organization, going to the library or getting out to see friends. Now we have more data to explain why.”

Looking ahead, the College of Nursing and Public Health will continue advancing its work in this evolving field and providing students with next-level resources to further their careers.

“By introducing the geriatric manikins, in particular, we are hoping to get more nursing students interested in gerontology and research in older adults,” said Dr. Hunt.

Since one in six people will be over 60 in just four years, ��Ƶ nurses will be providing leadership in an essential area of healthcare—helping people live longer, healthier lives.

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��Ƶ Breast Cancer Program Creative Arts Workshop Returns in March

ckatz — Thu, 22 Jan 2026 15:48:16 +0000

The ��Ƶ Breast Cancer Program will once again host its popular Creative Arts Workshop, Resilience Through Art: The Healing Journey. This four-week virtual workshop empowers participants to use creative expression as a healing modality while offering a supportive, safe space designed to foster emotional well-being and connection.

The workshop will be delivered entirely via Zoom and will meet weekly on Thursdays from 10–11:30 a.m. on March 5, March 12, March 19 and March 26.

Resilience Through Art: The Healing Journey will be facilitated by Angela M. Papalia, LMSW, Assistant Director of the ��Ƶ Breast Cancer Program, alongside Kimberly Newman, BFA, Marketing and Communications Specialist for the ��Ƶ Breast Cancer Program. The workshop is open to individuals coping with a breast cancer diagnosis, survivors, and caregivers, and is free to attend.

“This workshop has become one of our most requested programs,” said Kimberly Newman, Marketing and Communications Specialist for the ��Ƶ Breast Cancer Program. “Participants value the opportunity to come together, explore their creativity, and receive meaningful support from others within the breast cancer community.”

Whether participants are new to creative arts or have previous experience, the workshop encourages exploration of new perspectives, strengthens personal resilience, and builds community. Guided by experienced staff, participants will engage in relaxation and breathing exercises, learn creative techniques for stress relief, and develop problem-solving and coping skills.

“We know that art can be deeply therapeutic, but accessing those benefits isn’t always easy,” said Angela M. Papalia, LMSW, Assistant Director of the ��Ƶ Breast Cancer Program. “Through this workshop, our goal is to help participants reconnect with themselves while fostering authentic connections with others.”

For more information, please call 516.877.4329 or email apapalia@adelphi.edu. Space is limited to 20 participants, and registration is required. Participants must commit to attending all four sessions. Once registered, workshop materials will be provided free of charge.

��Ƶ New York Statewide Breast Cancer Hotline and Support Program

The ��Ƶ New York Statewide Breast Cancer Hotline and Support Program offers clinical support and resources to people with and/or concerned about breast cancer. To reach the Hotline, which is staffed by volunteers who are breast cancer survivors, call 800.877.8077 or go to adelphi.edu/breast-cancer. You are not alone.

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Thank You for a Record-Breaking GivingTuesday

cscala — Mon, 08 Dec 2025 13:46:44 +0000

Dear ��Ƶ Community,

I am filled with gratitude for the extraordinary generosity you have demonstrated. Together, we broke ��’s fundraising record—a bar we’ll challenge ourselves to pass next year!

This year, we surpassed our $100,000 goal by more than double, raising $228,471.38 from 356 donors, who made 403 gifts in support of many vital causes.

Our ��Ƶ family of students, alumni, faculty, staff, parents and friends showed such enthusiasm in support of some of . We expanded access to emergency financial assistance, food and basic necessities, scholarships, breast cancer support services and other important resources our students rely on to thrive.

I want to thank Interim President Chris Storm for kicking off GivingTuesday in October with to support the Student Emergency Support Fund. That matching challenge was satisfied before GivingTuesday even started!

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Rooted in Care, Rising in Impact

yigarcia — Tue, 18 Nov 2025 20:28:39 +0000

��Ƶ alumni are improving the lives of their neighbors in schools, clinics, hospitals, child centers, research laboratories, and both business and nonprofit organizations—leaving an indelible mark on our world.

In these pages, we celebrate extraordinary endeavors and profound achievements of ��’s leaders and alumni, showcasing the countless ways our university is building stronger, healthier communities across our region, our nation and the globe.

Leaders in Healing and Caregiving

A Nationally Ranked College of Nursing and Public Health

As many patients have reported over the years, there is something special about an ��Ƶ nurse. The level of preparation, precision and skill—infused with empathy, patience and thoughtfulness—sets them apart in any healthcare setting. Their strong reputation is reflected in this College’s exceptional national rankings:

College Factual: #4 in the nation
Niche.com: #5 in New York State
U.S. News & World Report: 2025 Best Nursing School

Thanks to ��’s world-class undergraduate, graduate and doctoral programs, graduates of the College of Nursing and Public Health (CNPH), well over 300 each year, are making a profound impact in this critical field of care.

Going Beyond the Classroom

It’s not surprising that CNPH faculty are accomplished researchers, enthusiastic teachers and tireless advocates for healthcare issues. Among them is Clinical Assistant Professor Daniel Mcweeney ’07, DNP, a nursing faculty member who still dons scrubs to work in the emergency department at NYU Langone Hospital-Long Island (formerly NYU Winthrop Hospital). Jennifer McIntosh, PhD ’21, MS ’24, is an ��Ƶ adjunct faculty member and researcher who earned her PhD in nursing from ��Ƶ and returned to complete the psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner graduate program in December. She noted that her doctoral dissertation, focused on nursing and caring for those with mental illness, was sparked by her experiences in hospital emergency departments and inpatient behavioral health units.

Leaders in the Business of Healthcare

��Ƶ graduates also excel on the business side of the healthcare field. Leonard Achan ’99 began his transformative career as a nursing student at ��Ƶ, became the president of the Innovation Institute at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City after serving in several other c-suite roles across hospitals in Manhattan, and is now president and CEO of LiveOnNY, the federally designated Organ Procurement Organization for the New York metro region.

Leonard Achan ’99, trustee and president and CEO of LiveOnNY, a nonprofit organization committed to helping people in the New York City area live on through organ and tissue donation

Achan was the first nurse appointed to the ��Ƶ Board of Trustees and he established the Leonard Achan Sr. Scholarship in 2017, for students pursuing health sciences degrees, and the Sozia “Gigi” Levine Scholarship in 2025, for students pursuing the field of mental health counseling.

��’s Executive Fellows Program, designed to engage and leverage the expertise of accomplished industry leaders in mentoring and guiding current students, boasts notable alumni. These include Clifford Friedman, MBA ’87, who is the managing director and head of Northwell Health Strategic Venture Group, and infectious disease doctor Pranay Sinha ’09, MD—a former 10 Under 10 honoree who credits his Honors College humanities courses with much of his professional success. He is currently working nationally and internationally to cure tuberculosis.

Creating New Pathways

To ensure multiple pathways to healthcare careers for ��Ƶ students, the Early Assurance and Joint Degree Programs accelerate the journey for future healthcare professionals. These combined programs offer direct paths to prestigious graduate programs at any of nine partner universities around New York state. “These programs offer ��Ƶ students the opportunity to move smoothly into rewarding careers in dentistry, medicine, optometry, podiatry, physical therapy, veterinary medicine or pharmaceutical sciences,” noted David Oroza, director of the Office of Pre-Professional Advising and Fellowships.

Championing Mental Health and Helping People Live Happier Lives

Two Landmark Schools, Dedicated to Changing Lives for the Better

For more than 70 years, ��Ƶ has been at the forefront of social work education. Our School of Social Work (SSW) trains students who go on to transform families, organizations and communities. The Gordon F. Derner School of Psychology has been recognized as a center for psychoanalytic thought and a leading contributor to the practice of psychotherapy for more than 50 years.

Both have been making a powerful impact on communities in the greater New York area through groundbreaking programs and services.

��’s School of Social Work: A Distinguished 70-Year History of Social Justice

The ��Ƶ School of Social Work delivers real-world impact on our communities.

Investing in the Next Generation of Social Workers

Alumna Molly Dyson-Schwery, MSW ’14, is just one example of the many ��Ƶ graduates who help to strengthen the communities in which they live. Through her work with the , Dyson-Schwery is helping social work students in New York’s Mid-Hudson Valley achieve lifetime goals with scholarship support.

(From left) Molly Dyson-Schwery , MSW ’14, and recent graduate Olivia Smith, MSW ’25. Smith received a life-changing scholarship to attend ��’s Hudson Valley Center.

Dyson-Schwery understands the unique challenges individuals, such as veterans, adults returning to school or individuals from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, face. Scholarships are life-changing for these students, enabling them to earn their master’s degree in social work and begin a meaningful career that improves the lives of residents in their local communities.

Dyson-Schwery notes, “The Dyson Foundation is committed to improving the lives of Mid-Hudson Valley community members. We support ��’s School of Social Work with scholarship grants because we believe the school is providing a valuable educational resource, as well as a mental health resource, to the community through its student social workers and well-educated social work graduates.”

The Dyson Foundation also partners with ��Ƶ’s Center for Nonprofit Leadership, providing scholarships and grants to individuals working in nonprofits throughout the region, further strengthening social services within the Mid-Hudson Valley.

Derner School of Psychology: Improving Mental Health in Our Communities

Derner’s mission for mental health goes far beyond campus walls.

The Derner Hempstead Child Clinic (DHCC) is a school-based, University-run community clinic that was developed in 2015 to offer mental health services to children and families in the underserved neighboring community of Hempstead, New York. Co-founded by Francine Conway, PhD ’99, and Catherine Holder, PhD ’17, and currently under the direction of clinical supervisor Nicole Daisy-Etienne, PhD ’05, the Hempstead Clinic not only provides care to children who otherwise would have limited access to psychotherapy; it also offers training to Derner doctoral-level students. Generous Derner graduate alumni, including Sally Keller, MA ’96, PhD ’01, proved their dedication to the clinic by providing emergency funding when a key grant was discontinued.

Another Derner community program is the Institute for Parenting. The institute helps ensure the mental health and well-being of young children and developing families.

Two Exceptional Schools, Working Together for the Health of Children

��’s Interdisciplinary Education and Training Experience (IDEATE) program was launched in 2021 using a $1.92 million grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration. The objective was to create a “bridge” between social work students and nursing students to provide both medical and behavioral healthcare for children— rather than one or the other. IDEATE won the prestigious 2023 John L. Blackburn Award from the American Association of University Administrators. Only one university a year receives this national honor. The program is led by Chrisann Newransky, PhD, an SSW associate professor, and her colleagues. “We’re sending our graduates out to be innovators in these jobs,” Dr. Newransky said. “That’s the ��Ƶ way.”

The Institute for Adolescent Trauma Treatment and Training, which began in 2013 through the School of Social Work, has become a national leader in treating trauma. The institute provides free workshops to help children and families recover from the often lifelong side effects of trauma on mental health. Clinicians are working with refugee children, families experiencing homelessness, and youth with alcohol and substance use problems.

Building Healthier Communities for All

Igniting Potential: Bridges to ��Ƶ and the Learning Resource Program Inspire Unprecedented Student Success

��Ƶ is building a world where every unique mind has the chance to shine.

��’s Learning Resource Program, established in 1979, is one of the first academic support programs in the nation for students with learning differences. Brian McGovern ’87, MSW ’90, CEO of the North Jersey Community Research Initiative and a member of the President’s Advisory Council, shared his gratitude. “The Learning Resource Program is an incredibly warm and welcoming space for students with learning disabilities who are facing unique challenges. It helped launch my successful career.” McGovern gives back by providing two annual scholarships for students in the program.

Launched in 2014, Bridges to ��Ƶ offers transformative academic, social and vocational support for students on the spectrum.

These programs are national models, championing equity and access to higher education for talented neurodivergent students.

A Sanctuary of Serenity: The Sensory Room

In 2018, ��Ƶ unveiled the nation’s first university sensory room. This calming refuge helps students with sensory needs alleviate hyperstimulation, enabling them to focus.

Unlocking Life’s Doors: Empowering Independence Through Skill Development

Our Bridges students gain vital life skills. Our groundbreaking drivers’ education program with Gersh Drivers Ed, the first for neurodivergent college students on Long Island, provides invaluable freedom. In 2024, the Metropolitan Golf Association (MGA) launched its Adaptive Golf Initiative with Bridges. Additionally, Love Serving Autism teamed up with USTA Eastern for a tennis coaching event. These programs foster new connections, freedom and belonging.

All three programs are doorways to new connections, new freedom and a deeper sense of belonging.

A Parent’s Passion: Putting Career Success Within Reach

The dedication to Bridges extends far beyond our campus, championed by our families. Katy Cochrane Carey, parent of an ��Ƶ alumnus and chair of the Bridges to ��Ƶ Board of Advisors, and her husband, Greg Carey, a current University trustee, exemplify this commitment.

Katy Cochrane Carey, parent of a Bridges alumnus and chair of the Bridges to ��Ƶ Board of Advisors

The Bridges to ��Ƶ Board of Advisors was founded in 2024, comprising a powerful collective of alumni, parents and friends. The Board of Advisors is a force for good, providing unwavering support through advocacy, fundraising, program development and career guidance, all to ensure long-term student success and inclusion. The Careys generously funded $250,000 to spearhead an endowment for postgraduate career success, affectionately named “Bridges From ��Ƶ”—a true testament to their belief in our students’ career potential beyond graduation.

Others have joined our mission:

Northwell Health, the largest healthcare system in New York, provides valuable summer internship opportunities to Bridges students.

Next for Autism’s Next Connects mentoring program is pairing our neurodivergent students with alumni for career guidance and support.

RVC Blue Speaks, in nearby Rockville Centre, offers scholarships for our neurodivergent students in the Bridges to ��Ƶ program.

Brilliant Minds, Bright Futures: Neurodiversity in Focus

Bridges students find role models on campus, like Stephen Shore, EdD, clinical associate professor and an adviser for PBS KIDS’ Carl the Collector, which celebrates neurodivergent potential. Sophie Breslow ’24, a summa cum laude graduate and current MSW candidate, credits ��’s Learning Resource Program for her remarkable journey. She became a peer mentor, supporting other neurodivergent students.

Empowering Individuals With Disabilities to Enrich Our Communities

Trustee Works With Disabled Veterans

Nicholas K. Iadevaio Jr., MBA ’00, an ��Ƶ board of trustees member, has a deep passion for supporting U.S. veterans and military families. In his role at L’Oréal, he spearheads their veteran and military strategy, focusing on hiring, development, retention, supporting veteran-owned businesses and aiding homeless veterans. For more than 15 years, his organization has hosted “Have a Beautiful Day,” providing a day of beauty and care to military service members, veterans and their caregivers, ensuring they feel seen, celebrated and valued.

Honors College Alumna Fights for Disability Awareness

As an undergraduate student at ��Ƶ, Emily Ladau ’13, discovered her calling as an activist. She let her English professors know she wanted to write about the challenges facing those with disabilities. They supported her—and a disability rights star was born. Recognized with ��’s 10 Under 10 Young Alumni and various leadership and diversity awards, Ladau is the founder of Words I Wheel By communications, author of Demystifying Disability: What to Know, What to Say, and How to Be an Ally, and editor of Able News. A member of ��’s board of trustees, she was invited to the White House in 2022 by President Joe Biden to celebrate the 32nd anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Building Healthier Communities Abroad

Speech-language pathology graduate students and faculty traveled to Kingston, Jamaica, to work with residents of Mustard Seed Communities, a home for children with disabilities, providing much-needed services for individuals with communication disorders.

Healthcare students participated in a Service Learning for Future Healthcare Professionals trip to the Dominican Republic, working directly with teachers, families and local children to provide educational opportunities.

��Ƶ students also engage in community building through alternative spring or winter break programs, changing lives in Tobago, Argentina, Portugal, Vietnam, Thailand, and many more areas.

Finding Her Future at ��Ƶ

“As soon as I rolled on campus, I immediately felt at home,” recalls Peri Finkelstein ’22, MBA ’23. She went on to found the Team Peri Foundation with her family, promoting disability awareness in the corporate, healthcare and academic sectors. Finkelstein, a 2024 10 Under 10 honoree, is the host of the Team Peri Step Out of Line podcast, and learned leadership as a Levermore Global Scholar at ��Ƶ. “The Levermore Global Scholars program taught me to think differently …. I saw my potential flash before me on how I could be a leader and create social change,” she said.

This story was featured in the 2025 Issue of the ��Ƶ Magazine.

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The 2nd Annual ��Ƶ Writers & Readers Festival

yigarcia — Tue, 18 Nov 2025 18:53:00 +0000

But for the book fans who attended the second annual ��Ƶ Writers & Readers Festival featuring Alice Hoffman ’73, ’02 (Hon.), on April 4 and 5, the Garden City campus was where they got an exclusive read on all those stories and more. The two-day event included panels and keynotes with bestselling authors; professional development workshops with literary agents, book editors, writing coaches and ��Ƶ professors; and conversations with writers and publishing insiders about the art and business of publishing.

The festival drew approximately 400 to ��Ƶ during the two-day event, including 70 high school students, ��Ƶ students, community members, professors and high school teachers.

A Shared Love of Reading

In his opening remarks before Friday’s keynote in the ��Ƶ Performing Arts Center (��Ƶ PAC), Thomas Kline, EdD, vice president of University advancement and external relations, acknowledged Hoffman “as the visionary behind the Writers & Readers Festival and acclaimed author, devoted alumna and passionate advocate for storytelling.”

Then Hoffman, who is the author of more than 40 works of fiction, shared that she became a reader—and a writer—in part because her mother had bookshelves in their house filled with novels. “I’m very interested in today’s talk because I’m interested in the way in which mothers can pass down their love of reading to change children’s lives and how librarians keep the world open even in the darkest times,” she said. “We need people like our panelists, who are dedicated to books.”

It was the perfect segue to a lively discussion between Parker, her mother, Barbara Forste, and moderator and author Adriana Trigiani in a session billed “The Books That Built Our Souls.” Forste shared the thrill of getting her first library card as a child. Parker spoke about the ways in which Forste made sure she and her seven siblings had exposure to books and the arts. She also talked about the documentary she produced, The Librarians, which highlights librarians across the country who have been fighting against book bans.

From YA to Memoirs

But the keynote wasn’t the only attraction that morning. Students and educators were drawn to a panel about how censorship is impacting the work of young adult writers, which was moderated by Robert Linné, PhD, senior adjunct faculty in education and cultural studies at ��Ƶ. There was also a discussion “On Reaching Young Adult Readers,” for which the high schoolers filled the room to capacity. The “Public Poetry Project” with Raisa Tolchinsky had a line to the door with attendees of all ages who were eager to have her write a personalized poem on her typewriter.

In “From Short Stories and Memoir to First Novels,” moderated by Louise Geddes, PhD, associate dean for student success and an English professor in the College of Arts and Sciences, authors Matthew Klam and Joseph Earl Thomas, PhD, shared their work and their methods. Other panels that day included the “The Editor-Author Relationship,” “I’ll Have What She’s Having” and “Lines of Connection: What Poetry Provides.”

Inspirational Sessions

On Saturday, René Steinke, director of the Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Creative Writing program, first introduced author Scott James ’84, who was there to interview Lisa Genova, PhD. In “The Power of Storytelling” Dr. Genova, a neuroscientist, shared that her bestselling novel Still Alice was rejected by several agents who said no one would want to read about a character with Alzheimer’s.

A poignant conversation between author Alvin Hall and Ed Mabrey, a student in ��’s MFA program, followed. Hall spoke about the stories he learned from Black Americans who had been impacted by the Green Book used for safe travel across the country.

“The Scientist and the Serial Killer” discussion between Chee Gates, also a student in the MFA program, and investigative reporter Lise Olsen, revealed the determination of both the reporter and a forensic scientist to restore the identities of teenaged victims murdered in the early 1970s by a serial killer.

Movie Nights

A film festival capped both nights with screen time examples of the discussion “Book to Film: Behind the Scenes With Alice Hoffman, Ann Leary and Lisa Genova.” The Friday movie was The Good House, based on Leary’s novel, and Saturday’s double feature was based on Hoffman’s book Practical Magic and Nelson DeMille’s The General’s Daughter. There was also a tribute to DeMille, featuring personal recollections from his son, Alex DeMille, author Susan Isaacs, and personal friends Mary Jane Poole ’62 and Dave Westermann. It was moderated by Blyth Daylong, executive director of the ��Ƶ Performing Arts Center.

Afra Masud, a first-year sociology major, said she enjoyed learning in the “Book to Film” session that “the film is no longer the author’s work.” Masud said, “It was so great to see three amazing women who have changed the world in many great ways on stage together sharing their wonderful memories and stories that bring us, the reader, closer to them.”

It’s that type of student feedback that means the event is fulfilling its mission, said Amy Harrison, MA ’93, festival coordinator and assistant vice president of University advancement. “Many authors remarked that the ‘vibe’ of our festival is one that will make them want to return in the future,” she said. “And we had dozens of inquiries about our new low-residency MFA program. Alice’s vision for ��Ƶ becoming a literary center on Long Island is taking shape.”

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