Chancellor Kent Syverud (left) receives the Distinguished Citizen of the Year Award from Scout Executive/CEO of Scouting America, Longhouse Council Edwin Theetge at the 57th Annual ScoutPower event on May 7.

Chancellor Syverud, a native of Irondequoit, New York, has long been involved in the mission of scouting, achieving the rank of Eagle Scout and previously serving on the board of the Longhouse Council. Chancellor Syverud and his wife, Dr. Ruth Chen, professor of practice in the College of Engineering and Computer Science, have three grown sons, Steven, Brian and David, all of whom participated in scouting.

“I am honored to be named the Distinguished Citizen of the Year by Scouting America,鈥� says Chancellor Syverud. 鈥淪couting has been a meaningful part of my life for as long as I can remember鈥攆irst as a scout and now as a member of the Longhouse Council. I鈥檓 grateful for the friendships, bonds and connections I鈥檝e made, and I appreciate everyone who supports Scouting America and encourages young people to participate in scouting programs.鈥�

This year鈥檚 ScoutPower event featured another Orange connection: NBC sports commentator Mike Tirico 鈥�88 delivered the keynote. Tirico, an alumnus of the University鈥檚 Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs and College of Arts and Sciences and well-known sports commentator, delivered an engaging and inspiring address. Tirico’s career includes notable coverage of 鈥淪unday Night Football,鈥� the Olympics and other high-profile sports broadcasts.

Mike Tirico delivers the evening’s keynote speech.

果冻传媒 was the presenting sponsor of the event, along with JMA Wireless. SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry President Joanie Mahoney 鈥�87, L鈥�90, who herself has a notable history with scouting and was named Distinguished Citizen of the Year by the Longhouse Council in 2023, served as this year鈥檚 event chair.

The University’s presence in Washington, D.C., helps provide students with an up-close look at the workings of the nation’s capital.

Fourteen student-athletes will experience Washington, D.C., next week as part of a new Maymester program hosted by the (IDJC).

The one-week program, Democracy Playbook: DC Media and Civics Immersion for Student-Athletes, will give students an up-close look at the inner workings of the nation鈥檚 capital and prompt them to explore how they can use their skills as athletes to bring visibility to important issues.

鈥淎thletes are born leaders and team players,鈥� says , Kramer Director of IDJC. 鈥淭his program will guide them as they take their talent, discipline and passion off the field to develop their civics muscles, with a playbook for how to navigate media, politics and policy.鈥�

Students will arrive in Washington having chosen a policy or issue that matters to them, with the goal of learning to support and advocate for that issue. A series of instructional modules will cover topics like Representing Your Community, Media Literacy and Engagement, and Social Media, Traditional Media and Your Brand. Students will also participate in media/advocacy training sessions, and hear from various civic and business leaders based in D.C.

The week will also include tours the U.S. Capitol Building, the Department of State, the National Archives and ESPN studios, as well as social activities like the , a and a game at Audi Field.

The new program helps expand opportunities for student-athletes, whose training and game schedules often prevent them from participating in traditional semester-long programs.

Jing Lei

That is a major area of focus for , a 果冻传媒 School of Education professor whose research interests include technology integration in schools and emerging technologies for education.

Dr. Lei says that overall, integrating AI into K-12 education is the right direction to go. 鈥淢any other countries have started integrating AI into their K-12 education systems several years ago. For example, South Korea unveiled a plan to integrate AI deeply into their public education system in 2023. Japan鈥檚 AI Strategy 2019 called for AI integration into the whole education system,鈥� Lei says.

Dr. Lei also offers some ways that educators can think about integrating AI into their classrooms.

Q: Are there currently any accepted standards for how to incorporate AI from either a learning perspective or as a tool for educators?听

A: Organizations have published guidelines on how to incorporate AI in education, and researchers have made various suggestions on effective strategies in using AI to improve teaching and learning. For example, UNESCO published in 2023. This guidance emphasizes a human-centered approach and provided suggestions on a comprehensive framework for integrating generative AI tools into educational and research settings. In August 2024, UNESCO also published , which outlined the necessary knowledge and skills for teachers and students to work with AI technologies.

AI is not just a tool for education. It is also the curriculum, an assistant to teachers and students, and a learning environment.

Q: What should districts be thinking about beyond the popular large language models like ChatGPT?听

A: In addition to the popular LLMs such as ChatGPT, there are many diverse and education-focused AI tools and AI-integrated platforms. These AI resources can help teachers with their teaching and school administrators with their daily tasks and education management. School districts can look into the various and ever-growing AI technologies to decide what would work the best for their community.

In addition to providing resources and support, it鈥檚 the school district鈥檚 responsibility to provide guidance and policies to set clear ethical guidelines on AI use, regulate data use and protection, and ensure equity and access in the use of AI in the classrooms.

AI is not just a tool for education. It is also the curriculum, an assistant to teachers and students, and a learning environment. And all is evolving fast as AI technology continues to develop. School leaders need to consider the multi-faceted and fast-evolving nature of AI in their adoption of AI technology.

By working complementarily with AI, the teachers鈥� role focuses on helping students make meaning of their learning, supporting students鈥� overall development, and sustaining students鈥� interest and motivation to learn.

Q: Are there ways AI is helping teachers that people may not know about?

A: AI certainly can help teachers improve their current practices, however, the best way that AI can help teachers is for the teachers to work complementarily with AI technology to personalize education. This means that AI and the teacher each contribute in ways that enhance the other鈥檚 strengths. AI can take on the more routine and time-consuming tasks to free teachers up to focus on more human-centered and creativity-focused aspects of education. For example, AI tools can provide immediate feedback on student performance, scaffold customized practice based on students individual differences, and support students to learn at their own pace; While the teacher can review AI-generated reports to identify areas where students need more support and guidance, help students make connections and meaning of the content, and, most importantly, build human connections and offer emotional and psychological support to students in their learning process.

By working complementarily with AI, the teachers鈥� role focuses on helping students make meaning of their learning, supporting students鈥� overall development, and sustaining students鈥� interest and motivation to learn.

To request interviews or get more information:

Chris Munoz
Media Relations Specialist
cjmunoz@syr.edu

The newly named Distinguished Professors are , David M. Levy Professor of Law in the ; , Al Berg Chair and professor of entrepreneurship and emerging enterprises in the , and , professor of sociology in the .

鈥淭hrough their research and scholarship, these professors are a key part of the vibrant academic community here on campus, and this honor is well-deserved,鈥� says Interim Vice Chancellor, Provost and Chief Academic Officer Lois Agnew. 鈥淛ust as important, they are making real and important contributions to society, with work that has the potential to change people’s lives.鈥�

Candidates are nominated by their deans and reviewed by the vice provost/faculty affairs, who seeks input from external referees and a committee of Distinguished or University Professors. Formal nomination packets are then reviewed by the vice chancellor, provost and chief academic officer and the vice president for research before being forwarded to the Board of Trustees.

Nina Kohn

Nina Kohn

Kohn is an internationally recognized leader in elder law, known for prolific, impactful work in the areas of guardianship, long-term care, advance planning, decision-making in the face of incapacity and elder abuse. She is the author of 鈥淓lder Law: Practice, Policy & Problems,鈥� the leading text in her field, and has helped shape elder law-related legislation through her involvement with the .

Kohn鈥檚 work centers on the civil rights of older adults, and she has a strong scholarly presence in health law. She is a member of the American Law Institute.

Kohn joined the Syracuse faculty in 2005 and has served in multiple leadership roles, including associate dean for research, associate dean for online education and faculty director of online education.

Johan Wiklund

Johan Wiklund

Wiklund is an internationally recognized leader in the study of entrepreneurship, having transformed the field through attention to neurodiversity and well-being, among other topics. He is widely praised for his ability to anticipate emerging trends and his willingness to take risks in his work as a journal editor.

In 2022, Wiklund was recognized as the third most-published entrepreneurship scholar in the world and as being among the top 2% most impactful researchers globally. His scholarship has won multiple awards, particularly from the Academy of Management, and he has also been honored for mentoring both graduate students and early-career scholars.

Wiklund joined the Syracuse faculty in 2008 and has held several honorific titles at universities in the United Kingdom, Canada, Norway, Australia and Sweden. He has also served in multiple leadership roles, including as editor-in-chief of the flagship journal Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice and as associate editor or board member at a number of academic journals.

Janet Wilmoth

Janet Wilmoth

Wilmoth is director of the 听and a leading scholar on the relationship between veteran status and aging. She is best known for her work on living arrangements in later life and the well-being of veterans, especially the unique impacts of military service on health. Wilmoth鈥檚 scholarship laid the foundation for approaching veteran status as the 鈥渉idden variable鈥� in aging research.

Wilmoth is widely published in the top journals in her field and has secured significant external funding. She has held national-level leadership positions in the American Sociological Association and the Gerontological Society of America.

Wilmoth joined the Syracuse faculty in 2002 and has served in several leadership positions on campus, including director of the Gerontology Center and chair of the Department of Sociology.

Rick Burton

With the 30th anniversary of Major League Soccer (MLS) fast approaching, it鈥檚 obvious MLS has come a long way from its modest beginning in 1996. Once considered an underdog in the American sports landscape, the league has grown into a global player. MLS now draws international stars, record-breaking crowds and major media deals.

It鈥檚 also become home to a number of former Syracuse student athletes, with Kamal Miller, Deandre Kerr, Alex Bono and Miles Robinson all suiting up for MLS teams. But behind the headlines and highlight reels is a deeper story.

鈥淭here鈥檚 a long history of failed soccer leagues in North America,鈥� says Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics Professor Rick Burton, who has spent years studying the evolution of MLS. 鈥淢any investors, owners and even players lost a lot of money before MLS finally found its footing. That context is important鈥攊t shows just how remarkable the league鈥檚 success really is.鈥�

This success has taken 30 years to grow. The league started in 1996, with professional soccer returning to the states for the first since 1984, when the North American Soccer League ceased operations.

鈥淲hat amazed us was just how much MLS had evolved,鈥� Burton says. 鈥淲hen the Apple deal was announced and Inter Miami signed Lionel Messi, the numbers鈥攁ttendance, rising team values, internationality of players鈥攔eally stood out.鈥�

Burton, along with Norm O鈥橰eilly, a professor at the University of New England, have studied the rise of soccer鈥檚 popularity in the United States, specifically MLS, one of the most diverse leagues on the planet, O鈥橰eilly says. 鈥淚t鈥檚 been that way for years, and that diversity is a huge part of its appeal both domestically and internationally,” he says.

That success is the focus of a new book, “The Rise of Major League Soccer,” co-authored by Burton and O鈥橰eilly and released this week. It offers a comprehensive and research-driven look at how MLS has grown into one of the world鈥檚 most dynamic sports leagues, drawing on a wide range of sources, including exclusive demographic data provided by MLS itself.

Both Burton and O鈥橰eilly have also explored how the league has strategically positioned itself for long-term success. Soccer-specific stadiums, a global media partnership with Apple and the arrival of global icons like David Beckham and Lionel Messi have all played a role in reshaping how MLS is perceived.

With the U.S. set to host the FIFA Club World Cup in 2025 and the FIFA World Cup in 2026, the timing for MLS couldn鈥檛 be better. 鈥淢LS is no longer just a league with potential,鈥� says Burton. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a case study in how vision, strategy and persistence can build something truly global.鈥�

鈥淭here are key takeaways, learnings and best practices that sport business professionals can apply in their own work,鈥� says Burton. 鈥淲e wanted this to be both a compelling story and a useful resource.鈥�

果冻传媒 Athletics continues to demonstrate its commitment to academic excellence, as shown in the latest release of National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Academic Progress (APR) data. The University earned a single-year score of 989 (out of 1,000) for the 2023-24 cohort鈥攖he highest score achieved in the past four years.

Syracuse’s score of 989 is once again above the national average听and marked the 13th-straight year with an APR score of 982-or-better.

APR, which began in 2006, is the NCAA’s academic metric that tracks the eligibility, retention and graduation of student-athletes. A score of 989 not only reflects the sustained efforts of student-athletes, coaches and academic staff, but also reaffirms Syracuse’s position as a leader in student-athlete academic success.

“This achievement is a reflection of the dedication our student-athletes bring to both their sport and their studies,” says Tommy Powell, assistant provost for student-athlete academic development. “We’re incredibly proud of this collective accomplishment and grateful for the support from faculty, coaches and staff who make this success possible.”

In addition to the overall department success, 11 teams earned a perfect single-year APR score of 1,000, including women’s basketball, men’s cross country, women’s cross country, women’s ice hockey, men’s lacrosse, women’s lacrosse, women’s soccer, softball, men’s track and field, women’s track and field and volleyball. It’s the seventh-straight year that Syracuse has seen at least four of its programs receive perfect APR scores.

The NCAA also tracks multi-year APR scores, with volleyball achieving a perfect 1,000 for the sixth-consecutive year to lead all programs. Women’s basketball, women’s cross country and women’s lacrosse also received perfect multi-year scores.

All Syracuse Athletics programs remain comfortably above the NCAA’s minimum APR standards, underscoring the University’s holistic commitment to the academic and personal development of its student-athletes.

Through a research project funded by the (SOURCE), School of Education (SOE) seniors Denaysha Macklin ’25 and Emma Wareing ’25 are continuing research to investigate barriers women of color face in advancing from K-12 teachers to school leaders.

The project鈥攃alled “Pipeline to Educational Leadership Positions for Women of Color,鈥� now in its fifth year鈥攗tilizes qualitative interviews with minority women who serve or have served as district-level administrators, examining the adversities they have overcome in obtaining their positions.

Timely Research

Both Macklin and Wareing earned a SOURCE fellowship after Professor encouraged them to apply. The pair started their research over the summer of 2024 with guidance from Theoharis, who has been a SOURCE advisor since the project began.

SOURCE offers a range of programs to foster and support undergraduate participation in faculty-guided scholarly research. Since summer 2021, 12 SOE faculty have mentored undergraduates through SOURCE grants and programs. Director Kate Hanson says student participants build research skills, learn to design and revise projects, present their work and produce timely contributions to their discipline.

鈥淭hey are able to connect their knowledge from their own education to innovative and cutting-edge research,鈥� Hanson says, noting that SOE students can use their new understanding of the broader landscape in both their future classrooms and educational leadership roles.

Macklin and Wareing began their portion of the project by reviewing previous years鈥� transcripts before connecting with educational leaders to request and conduct interviews over the spring 2025 semester. 鈥淯sing qualitative methods allows us to fill the gap of literature that highlights these shifts to leadership roles,鈥� Theoharis says.

Each year, students have sought to speak with at least two women, conducting two-part interviews to inquire about career experiences, paths and transitions to administration, as well as any racial and gender barriers they faced. As the project continues, with future undergraduate researchers adding more first-person accounts, Theoharis says at some point all the interviews will be combined and published.

Inspirational Women

Professor George Theoharis discusses the SOURCE-funded research project “Pipeline to Educational Leadership Positions for Women of Color鈥� with Emma Wareing ’25 (seated left) and Denaysha Macklin ’25.

Wareing and Macklin will join Theoharis to present their findings at the American Education Research Association (AERA) conference, April 23-27 in Denver, Colorado.

鈥淎ERA is the biggest, most prestigious education research conference,鈥� Theoharis says. 鈥淪ince Emma and Denaysha are focused on school leaders, they will present in the division on administration and leadership, sharing the project with researchers, faculty and doctoral students.鈥�

At past conferences, student research has been well received. 鈥淚t鈥檚 typically not a space for undergraduates, so when attendees hear from them, they鈥檝e been very impressed,鈥� Theoharis says. 鈥淚鈥檝e been pleasantly surprised several times how gender and racially affirming the space has been for our students.鈥�

Theoharis notes that the presentations overwhelmingly attract women of color whose own experiences resonate with students鈥� findings, which, Theoharis says, helps the young researchers see a potential future in such spaces, affirming that they belong.

鈥淚 don’t remember having a Black woman as a teacher, let alone [in] leadership,鈥� Macklin says, 鈥淕etting to talk to people who were in these positions and still are, it makes me able to see myself there, whereas before I couldn’t really see myself doing anything more than being a teacher.鈥�

A goal of the project is to document the stories and experiences of women of color because, Theoharis says, too often teachers don’t reflect the diversity represented in the student body. Within school administration, he adds, there is an even more disproportionate lack of minority women.

鈥淧art of the research is to understand their experiences,鈥� says Theoharis, who notes students use a critical race theory framework and incorporate the idea of counter narratives, listening to the voices of marginalized processionals. Those interviewed are specifically asked about barriers they鈥檝e faced around sexism and racism.

A surprising theme Macklin discovered in her interviews is resilience: 鈥淭hey are such inspirational women and have so many lessons to share. Hearing their stories and hearing how positive they still are is motivating,” Macklin says.

Intergenerational Sharing

Wareing, who is Asian, says the project also has helped her imagine herself in such roles: 鈥淚 can finally see myself there鈥攊n actuality, not just in theory,” says Wareing, who, like Macklin, had little exposure to non-white teachers or administrators.

For her interviews, Wareing chose to focus on Asian women, who reported that their experiences with forms of oppression were often less explicit than what past interviewees shared. 鈥淏ut racism did play a factor and impacted how they carried themselves in these positions because of Asian stereotypes and expectations placed onto them,鈥� says Wareing, whose subjects spoke about being immigrants and growing up and being educated with different cultural norms and how each impacted their leadership styles.

The students鈥� personal and professional realizations are a key benefit of the SOURCE fellowship, according to Theoharis. 鈥淚t connects them with people in the field and helps sets their sights on potential leadership roles. The intergenerational sharing is a really nice part of this.鈥�

In addition to introducing undergraduates to research, SOURCE pays an hourly rate for the work and funds conference travel. 鈥淚t raises the profile of our students and the school,鈥� Theoharis says. 鈥淏ecause our students consistently get these grants, it says the School of Education has undergraduates who are engaging in serious research. … Our School can do research at the highest level.鈥�

The project鈥檚 original premise developed from a proposal made to Theoharis by Jenny Gines 鈥�21, now an eighth-grade teacher. Previous student researchers included SOE alumnae Ashanti Hunter 鈥�22, Michelle Ho 鈥�22, Savannah Stocker 鈥�23, Emily Peterson 鈥�23, Amanda Feliz 鈥�24 and Kamille Montgomery 鈥�24.

Theoharis says SOURCE applications were submitted this winter by juniors Vera Wang 鈥�26 and Eliani Jimenez Merino 鈥�26, who will start their part of the research endeavor this summer.

Thinking of the time when all the 鈥淧ipeline to Educational Leadership鈥� interviews are curated into a publication, Macklin says she hopes such a collection can widely inform about barriers to professional growth and help remove them: 鈥淚 feel the project鈥檚 goal is to identify the problems. Then we can expose those problems and attack them before they become a problem for the next generation,鈥� Macklin says.

Story by Ashley Kang 鈥�04, G鈥�11

Chloe Britton Naime plans on studying neurodevelopmental and learning differences among individuals with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder to better understand how the neurodivergent brain operates. (Photo by Amy Manley)

Chloe Britton Naime 鈥�25 is about to complete a challenging and rare dual major program in both mechanical engineering from the and neuroscience from the .

Even more impressive? Britton Naime will conclude the rigorous dual major in four years instead of the customary five years, which is 鈥渙ne of the biggest reasons I wanted to attend Syracuse,鈥� says Britton Naime, who will begin their Ph.D. program in neuroscience at Florida State University in the fall.

Chloe Britton Naime

It鈥檚 the latest chapter in Britton Naime鈥檚 lifelong love affair with learning. Specifically, studying why their brain functions differently as a neurodivergent individual who struggled to read鈥擝ritton Naime was diagnosed as dyslexic at the age of 8. They have also finally been diagnosed with autism and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

鈥淚 remember thinking, 鈥榳hy does my brain work differently than everyone else? Why is this task much more challenging for me?鈥欌�� says Britton Naime, who is graduating summa cum laude and is a member of the .

鈥淚鈥檓 interested in how we can improve our diagnostics, but I’m also interested in what treatments or interventions can be done,鈥� Britton Naime says. 鈥淔iguring out what can help support meeting this individual鈥檚 needs. Figuring out the possibilities and how we can continue to improve the outcomes for neurodivergent people.鈥�

Changing the Narrative

Britton Naime considers themselves honored to have a strong support system, including their mother, Katrina Britton, who encouraged self-advocacy at an early age. But knowing not everyone who is neurodivergent has these advocates has fueled Britton Naime鈥檚 career aspirations.

Chloe Britton Naime is an undergraduate research assistant in the Center for Autism Research and Electrophysiology (C.A.R.E.) Lab鈥攚hich studies how typically developing children, children with developmental disabilities and children with autism perceive, process and integrate sensory information.

As a peer coach in the physics department, Britton Naime engages with students with an accommodation from the Center for Disability Resources to ensure the student鈥檚 needs are being met. If a student needs accommodations but doesn鈥檛 have them, Britton Naime will make sure the student understands the resources available to them on campus.

鈥淲hen I have a place where I can advocate for someone, I take that opportunity. Thankfully, 果冻传媒 provides a great infrastructure for supporting students with disabilities,鈥� Britton Naime says.

Britton Naime is also an undergraduate research assistant in the 鈥攚hich conducts behavioral and neurophysiological research to understand how typically developing children, children with developmental disabilities and children with autism perceive, process and integrate sensory information.

Through lab studies focused on measuring and recording the brain鈥檚 electrical activity, Britton Naime says the CARE Lab鈥檚 work represents progress in reducing the historically negative stigma around autistic individuals.

鈥淭he CARE Lab focuses on the strengths and capabilities of our autistic population and identifies the reasons why they鈥檙e succeeding at something. It鈥檚 really rewarding work,鈥� says Britton Naime, who also did a Fulbright Canada-Mitacs Globalink Research Internship at the University of British Columbia in the Baby Learning Lab with Lauren Emberson, Ph.D.

How 果冻传媒 Laid the Foundation for What鈥檚 Next

The technical skills Britton Naime learned through the mechanical engineering program, including as a data processor, helped accentuate their work as a neuroscientist, specifically when it comes to processing and interpreting the neuroimaging data to comprehend how brain activity relates to our behavior, cognition and mental processes.

The foundational nature of the mechanical engineering program also allowed Britton Naime to seek out the aspects they wanted to learn more about as they honed and built up their skills as a researcher.

At Florida State, Britton Naime plans on studying neurodevelopmental and learning differences among individuals with ADHD to better understand how the neurodivergent brain operates.

By gaining a deeper understanding of how neurodivergent brains function鈥攑articularly through the use of neuroimaging technology鈥擝ritton Naime aims not only to improve quality of life through enhanced diagnosis and tailored interventions, but also to help unlock the full potential of individuals whose strengths may be overlooked in systems built for neurotypical learners. Their research challenges deficit-based narratives and seeks to reframe how success and capability are understood in academic and developmental contexts.

鈥淚 hope to be a professor and have my own lab where I can produce quality research related to this topic. But I also want to continue serving as a vocal advocate for my community,鈥� Britton Naime says. 鈥淪yracuse prepared me to go to grad school and to go into this industry, which is important because I didn鈥檛 know where I wanted to go. I had all these avenues available and received the support I needed to go down this path.鈥�

Graduates get ready to celebrate! (Photo by Jeremy Brinn)

It鈥檚 time to celebrate, 果冻传媒 Class of 2025! Bring your family and friends and join in all the excitement and pomp and circumstance during .

The University鈥檚 Commencement exercises will be held in the JMA Wireless Dome Sunday, May 11, beginning with the degree candidates鈥� procession at 9:30 a.m.

Carmelo Anthony, the 10-Time NBA All-Star who guided the men’s basketball team to the 2003 NCAA Championship, will deliver the Commencement address.

School and college convocations and Commencement will also be livestreamed. Visit the May 8-11 to view the ceremonies online.

At Sunday鈥檚 Commencement, around 6,900 students are expected to graduate.

果冻传媒 Chancellor and President Kent Syverud will address the graduates and confer degrees. Interim Vice Chancellor, Provost and Chief Academic Officer Lois Agnew will give the welcome.

The University will recognize three honorary degree recipients:

• Robert 鈥淏ob鈥� Mankoff 鈥�66, influential cartoonist with a decades-long career as cartoon contributor and editor at The New Yorker;
• Ali Meders-Knight, executive director of California Open Lands and Mechoopda tribal member; and
• Judith Greenberg Seinfeld 鈥�56, 果冻传媒 life trustee and president of Heritage Management Co.

Bea Gonz谩lez G鈥�04, former vice president for community engagement, special assistant to the chancellor and dean of University College, will serve as mace bearer.

Tadodaho Sidney Hill, of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, will give the ceremonial opening. The Rev. Dr. Brian E. Konkol, vice president and dean of Hendricks Chapel, will give the invocation. Peter A. Gianesini Jr. 鈥�94, president of the 果冻传媒 Alumni Association, will welcome the newest alumni.

Student Marshals and Scholars

Representing the Class of 2025, Mark Nzasi and Yifan 鈥淚van鈥� Shen are the senior class marshals and will lead graduates during the ceremony.

The University鈥檚 Commencement exercises will be held in the JMA Wireless Dome Sunday, May 11. (Photo by Jeremy Brinn)

Along with the all-University marshals, 23 student marshals represent the 13 schools and colleges at the University. The marshals will lead the degree candidates of their respective schools or colleges.

Twelve seniors have been designated as 果冻传媒 Scholars. This is the highest undergraduate honor the University bestows. University Scholar Jonathan Collard de Beaufort, College of Arts and Sciences, was selected as the student speaker on behalf of the Class of 2025.

Retiring faculty members who have been recommended to receive the title of emeritus by the University Senate to the 果冻传媒 Board of Trustees will be recognized by Jamie L. Winders, vice provost for faculty affairs.

The University Marshal is Kira Reed, associate professor of management, Whitman School of Management. Associate University Marshal is Tula Goenka G鈥�86, professor and graduate program director, S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications.

Also during the ceremonies, Army and Air Force ROTC cadets will present the colors.

The 果冻传媒 Wind Ensemble will perform under the direction of conductor Timothy W. Diem.

The national anthem will be sung by Olivia Scanzera 鈥�25, College of Visual and Performing Arts, and Enzo Cupani 鈥�25, College of Visual and Performing Arts, will sing the alma mater.

Security and Other Important Information

To ensure a safe and enjoyable event, all guests and degree candidates will go through , including metal detection, prior to entering all Convocation and Commencement venues. The University鈥痟as a , which will be in effect for Commencement weekend. Bags larger than 10鈥� x 10鈥� will not be allowed into Convocations or Commencement.

Get the OrangeNow App for the Commencement Experience

Download the and choose the 鈥淐ommencement Experience鈥� for easy access to Commencement weekend details and to receive push notifications related to the weekend鈥檚 events.

(Photo by Marilyn Hesler)

Update Your Email Address

Congratulations, Class of 2025! You鈥檙e Forever Orange, and the wants to stay in touch with you. It鈥檚 especially important to so we can reach you!

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Syracuse alumni are standing by to help as you take the next step. Make career connections without any app, sign-up or login information to remember. Just !

Class of 2025 Giving Campaign

听产别蹿辞谤别听Thursday, May 8, to receive special orange, white and silver cords to wear at Commencement!

Fill up the Wishing Well!

Are you a soon-to-be grad or a friend or family member of someone graduating? Mark the milestone with a gift in honor of the Class of 2025 and to have it featured on our Wishing Well website!

Instagram Stickers

There will be new Instagram Stickers available for the 2025 Commencement Weekend, which can be found by searching SUGrad25 on Instagram starting Thursday, May 8.

More information about Commencement 2025 can be found at .

Senior researchers (pictured from left to right) Morgan Opp, Lucy Olcott, Jesse Buck and Isabella Chavez Miranda helped advance Professor Robert Doyle’s cutting-edge obesity and diabetes treatments.

When Jesse Buck 鈥�25, Isabella Chavez Miranda 鈥�25, Lucy Olcott 鈥�25 and Morgan Opp 鈥�25 started as student researchers in medicinal chemist Robert Doyle鈥檚 lab, they hoped to hone their research skills.

It quickly became evident this would be unlike any other lab experience. The collaborative environment in the Doyle Group cultivated confidence in their abilities and led to constructive conversations about how to achieve the goals of their projects.

As they were producing, purifying, synthesizing and redesigning the peptides that eventually helped lead to Doyle鈥檚 breakthrough weight loss and diabetes treatments, they discovered their meaningful interactions transformed them into a family, as well as putting them on a path to becoming scientists.

鈥淭hey are future stars, an incredible quartet that matches great intelligence with as hardworking of a student group I鈥檝e ever had the privilege to work with,鈥� says Doyle, the Jack and Laura H. Milton Professor and Dean鈥檚 听in the .

The quartet will now take the lessons learned and apply them to their master鈥檚 and Ph.D. programs at prestigious graduate schools:

• Buck, a medicinal chemistry major (Arts and Sciences) will pursue a Ph.D. in chemistry at the University of California, Berkeley;
• Chavez Miranda, a double major in medicinal chemistry (Arts and Sciences) and business management (), will pursue a master’s in health administration at the University of Southern California;
• Olcott, a chemistry major (Arts and Sciences), will pursue a Ph.D. in pharmacology at the University of Pennsylvania; and
• Opp, a double major in medicinal chemistry and biology (Arts and Sciences), will pursue a Ph.D. at Yale University.

After spending hundreds of lab hours together, Buck, Chavez Miranda, Olcott and Opp sat down with SU News to reflect on a bond that will continue beyond graduation.

How did you become passionate about this research?

Lucy Olcott

Lucy Olcott: My interest in health science was sparked at 15 when my grandmother was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Watching her struggle to adapt to a new lifestyle while managing new treatments opened my eyes to the importance of health care.

After I took Honors General Chemistry with Professor Robert Doyle, the path became clear. The Doyle lab has given me the opportunity to explore translational medicinal chemistry focused on unmet clinical needs of various metabolic diseases.

Morgan 翱辫辫:听I’ve always had a passion for research that’s translatable, where I can directly see the work I’m doing on a day-to-day basis and how that work has the potential for real-world impact on people who need it. I was in Dr. Doyle’s class freshman year. I knew I liked metabolism and technology, and he took a chance on me and allowed me to begin my research.

Isabella Chavez Miranda:听I’ve always had a deep love and passion for chemistry. Both my parents are chemical engineers. Since I was young, I’ve watched them do research. It was a no-brainer that I wanted to be involved when I came to Syracuse.

I was lucky to be in Dr. Doyle鈥檚 class my freshman year. He saw the potential in me and allowed me to grow in his lab for the past four years.

Jesse Buck

Jesse 叠耻肠办:听I came in as a chemistry major but transitioned to medicinal chemistry and joined this lab as a junior. Dr. Doyle took a chance on me, and I appreciate that because I learned so much about what it means to be in a lab. I love doing chemistry research with implications in biology that you can use to make an impact and create something helpful for patients.

What is your proudest moment/biggest lesson learned from the lab?

叠耻肠办:听Being accepted into our respective graduate programs. That is concrete evidence that our hard work has paid off. We have an opportunity to grow and become impactful scientists.

翱辫辫:听Going to the Mid-Atlantic Pharmacology Society meeting [in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania] with Isa鈥攊t鈥檚 a big deal for undergraduates to present their research at a national conference like this.

翱濒肠辞迟迟:听Patience in research. It鈥檚 easy to get frustrated when experiments don鈥檛 go as planned. Being able to identify where things might have gone wrong and go back to the drawing board is just as important as producing and collecting novel data.

Isabella Chavez Miranda

Chavez Miranda:听The first time I was able to synthesize a peptide that had the exact correct mass and was usable was an amazing feeling. That showed that I鈥檓 learning and growing as a scientist.

How will your graduate work advance your career ambitions?

Chavez Miranda:听I鈥檝e loved making these potential drugs that could have a big impact on patients but if the people who need the drugs the most can鈥檛 get them, what real value do they bring? I want to bridge that gap between the patients and the drugs they need.

Morgan Opp

翱濒肠辞迟迟:听I鈥檓 interested in pursuing research in drug discovery and development for centrally mediated diseased states and hope to pursue a career in academia as a principal investigator, conducting high-impact research while mentoring the next generation of scientists.

叠耻肠办:听This is the perfect opportunity to discover what niche I want to work in. I鈥檓 hoping to find the perfect lab to mesh my love of chemistry and biology.

翱辫辫:听To continue exploring my passion for endocrinology and metabolism. I’m looking at labs that bridge both analytical chemistry, cell biology and medicinal chemistry. I’m leaning toward a future in biotechnology and want to remain on the cutting edge of research.

In case you missed it: Check out episode #175 of the 鈥溾�機use Conversations鈥� podcast, 鈥淪triving to Improve the Efficacy of Obesity, Diabetes Treatments.鈥� In the , medicinal chemist Robert Doyle discusses his breakthrough weight loss research, the important role students play in advancing his research, and how, through philanthropy, his work has come to life.

Robert 鈥淏ob鈥� Mankoff 鈥�66, influential cartoonist with a decades-long career as cartoon contributor and editor at The New Yorker; Ali Meders-Knight, executive director of California Open Lands and Mechoopda tribal member; and Judith Greenberg Seinfeld 鈥�56, 果冻传媒 life trustee and president of Heritage Management Co., will be honored for their outstanding achievements in their professional careers and the contributions they have made to society in significant and meaningful ways.

Robert Mankoff 鈥�66
Doctor of Letters

Robert Mankoff

Mankoff is a distinguished cartoonist whose sketches reveal a deep, insightful knowledge of the human experience and societal issues, all played with a satirical wit. Through his expansive body of work, he has explored cultural trends to craft cartoons that are thought-provoking and have brought smiles and laughter to generations. Along with his decades-long career as contributor and editor with The New Yorker, his published works have been featured in prominent publications, including The New York Times, Harvard Business Review and The Wall Street Journal.

Born and raised in Queens, New York, Mankoff attended the prestigious Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music and Art before choosing 果冻传媒, where he earned a psychology degree in 1966 from the College of Arts and Sciences. He briefly pursued doctoral studies before focusing on cartooning.

His creativity and persistence paid off after submitting about 2,000 cartoons to The New Yorker. He then embarked on a long career with the magazine, contributing nearly 1,000 cartoons. His most famous (and the best-selling New Yorker cartoon of all time) was of a harried businessman at his desk on the phone, telling the person on the line: 鈥淣o, Thursday鈥檚 out. How about never鈥攊s never good for you?鈥� He later went on to serve as The New Yorker鈥檚 cartoon editor for 20 years, editing thousands of cartoons and nurturing emerging talent and fostering a new generation of cartoonists.

His innovative work at The New Yorker also included new features, such as the cartoon caption contest, and the integration of digital media to the magazine鈥檚 cartooning landscape. He pioneered the archival digitalization of single panel cartoon art both at The New Yorker Cartoon Bank and as co-founder and president of Cartoon Collections/Cartoonstock.com, which archives and licenses the work of cartoon artists. He continues to innovate in the time of artificial intelligence, and his masterful approach to humor and creativity has been part of his time lecturing, on TED Talks and through articles, including a piece for The Atlantic, 鈥淎 Bot Walks Into A Bar.鈥�

Following his time at The New Yorker, Mankoff was cartoon editor at Esquire and is currently the cartoon editor at the online newsletter Air Mail. He co-runs Botnik Studios, a network of writers, artists and programmers who create software that augments human creativity with big data analytics, and has authored several books, including his New York Times bestselling memoir 鈥淗ow 果冻传媒 Never鈥擨s Never Good For You?: My Life in Cartoons.鈥�

Mankoff will also deliver the alumni keynote address at the 2025 College of Arts and Sciences | Maxwell School undergraduate convocation on Saturday, May 10.

Ali Meders-Knight
Doctor of Humane Letters

Ali Meders-Knight

Meders-Knight, a Mechoopda tribal member, is committed to healing the land and restoring its ecosystems through traditional Indigenous knowledge in collaboration with community, government and organizations鈥攖o sustain thriving communities.

As the executive director of California Open Lands, she works to form partnerships for federal forest stewardship contracting and tribal restoration programs on public lands. California Open Lands seeks to enhance and preserve natural resources in the conservation of Northern California鈥檚 flora and fauna, including the restoration and cultivation of California native plants using Indigenous Traditional Ecological Knowledge, and to foster ways people can connect with the natural resources and open lands.

A Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) practitioner for 20-plus years, Meders-Knight has collaborated on environmental education and land restoration projects with, among others, California State University, Chico; the City of Chico, California; and Tehama County Resource Conservation District. Her work to improve social and environmental welfare through education has also included working closely with faculty, students and community partners at 果冻传媒, Oberlin College and Conservatory, and other land management and conservation organizations, including the Traditional Center for Indigenous Knowledge and Healing in Ithaca, New York.

In 2023, she developed a partnership with Haudenosaunee leaders and environmentalists in New York through her contribution to the University鈥檚 annual Ray Smith Symposium in the Humanities, 鈥淚ndigenous Resilience, Climate Change and the Environmental Humanities.鈥� Her symposium discussion with local Indigenous leaders highlighted the relevancy of her initiatives to the ancestral Haudenosaunee homelands where the University stands.

Meders-Knight serves on the Tribal Relations Strategic Planning and Implementation committee for the U.S. Forest Service in Region 5. In March 2022 she testified to the U.S. House of Representatives Environmental Oversight Subcommittee on the merits of TEK and tribally led workforce development to restore California forest resilience and address the problem of catastrophic wildfires. In 2009, she helped plan and establish Verbena Fields, a unique 17-acre interactive food forest and interpretive park in North Chico, to educate about the rich ecological heritage of the Mechoopda people.

In 2019, she was named Environmentalist of the Year by the Butte Environmental Council for her advocacy and initiatives for wildfire recovery and Indigenous land stewardship after the Camp Fire destroyed Paradise, California, and several other communities within Mechoopda Territory. She was also a tribal instructor who taught TEK-based seed sovereignty strategies as part of the Intertribal Agriculture Council鈥檚 inaugural Intertribal Nursery Training program in partnership with University of California, Davis.

An artist and craftsperson immersed in the cultural traditions of her heritage, Meders-Knight is also a traditional basketweaver.

Judith Greenberg Seinfeld 鈥�56
Doctor of Humane Letters

Judith Greenberg Seinfeld

A leader in business and in service to others, Seinfeld has made extraordinary contributions to social causes, communities and the arts and has had a transformative impact on the University through her tireless commitment to education and improving the world.

Seinfeld is the fourth-generation head of Heritage Management Company LLC, a long-standing real estate investment, development and management company based in Ridgewood, New Jersey. She has been involved with the purchase, sale, land-use planning and financing of office and industrial properties throughout the country since 1989.

Before joining Heritage, Seinfeld, a talented photographer and jewelry designer, was the founder and president of Judith Greenberg Gallery, a jewelry design and manufacturing company. Her creations were displayed and sold at galleries throughout the U.S. from 1983-96. She was also an executive vice president at Balenciaga Perfumes International.

A longtime patron of the arts and veteran of the stage, she is the co-founder of the Nantucket Comedy Festival and the producer of several plays, including 鈥淭he Ferryman,鈥� winner of the 2019 Tony Award for Best Play, and 鈥淟eopoldstadt,鈥� winner of the 2023 Tony for Best Play.

Seinfeld earned a bachelor鈥檚 degree from the School of Education in 1956, and a master鈥檚 degree in administration from Teachers College, Columbia University, in 1957. She was elected to the 果冻传媒 Board of Trustees in 2002. In addition to her current role as a life trustee participant on the Academic Affairs and Facilities committees, Seinfeld鈥檚 service to the University includes previous positions on the boards of the School of Education and the School of Architecture.

Her leadership and financial support of 果冻传媒 has created lasting opportunities for countless students and faculty members. She has provided lead gifts for the establishment of the Seinfeld Housing Initiative, the Judith Greenberg Seinfeld Scholar Awards, the Judith Greenberg Seinfeld Prize for Creative Teaching Endowment and the Judith Seinfeld Ambassador Scholar Program in the College of Professional Studies (CPS). She has supported other initiatives in CPS, the School of Architecture (including a book series on modern American housing), the School of Education, the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, the College of Visual and Performing Arts, University Lecture Series and alumni engagement programs.

She has served as president of the Women鈥檚 Division of the Federation of Northern New Jersey; served as a board member of Human Rights Watch鈥揅hildren鈥檚 Division; was trustee of Nantucket Cottage Hospital; and served as a trustee of the Atheneum Library and the Nantucket AIDS Network.

Three student lawyers with the Betty and Michael D. Wohl Veterans Legal Clinic meet with a local veteran.

Service members injured in active duty are entitled to receive disability benefits and associated medical care from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). But navigating the process can be intimidating.

Beth Kubala

Thanks to the efforts of the (VLC) within the , hundreds of area veterans have received their benefits or successfully upgraded their military discharge through the pro bono, student-offered legal services since its founding in 2015.

鈥淥ur law students get a chance to get into the legal practice, taking everything they鈥檝e learned and put it into practice working on real cases with real clients with real challenges,鈥� says , executive director of the Office of Clinical Legal Education, director of the VLC, teaching professor in the College of Law and a U.S. Army veteran. 鈥淭his is a chance to make a tremendous difference, helping veterans get the VA medical care and the disability benefits they earned.鈥�

Collaborating With Community Service Partners

Veterans are referred to the VLC through organizations like the Onondaga County Veterans Service Agency, which provides a yearly grant to help facilitate the VLC鈥檚 efforts, and the Syracuse VA Medical Center. The community partner organizations will often refer veterans who have had their medical claims denied multiple times.

Knowing that new evidence is needed for the VA to consider reopening a claim, Kubala鈥檚 students study pages of military documents and health care records to learn everything they can about the tasks the client performed and the injuries or illnesses the veterans suffered while serving that contributed to their current health issues. Comprehensive medical exams are conducted to verify the disabilities being claimed.

Annie Mancilla

鈥淭here鈥檚 a great collaboration between our teams,鈥� says Annie Mancilla, director of the Onondaga County Veterans Service Agency and an Army veteran. 鈥淲e know how to handle new and initial claims, and Beth鈥檚 team comes in, handles those trickier claims and succeeds at getting intricate cases adjudicated quickly and fairly.鈥�

When she was training as a veteran service officer, Mancilla says veterans service agencies partnering with clinics like the VLC were rare. She hopes the collaborative work on display in Syracuse can inspire other partnerships across the country between university-led student law clinics and veterans service agencies.

鈥淲e have to work together to help our veterans,鈥� Mancilla says. 鈥淭his partnership is so beneficial and we鈥檙e at the beginning of something special that is going to continue to grow and have a tremendous impact on our veterans.鈥�

Helping Veterans at Risk for Homelessness

Two years ago, the VLC received a听, a first-of-its-kind grant opportunity from the VA to fund legal services providers. The VLC is one of just four University-affiliated veterans legal clinics to receive grant money.

Once a week, VLC students go over cases at the Altamont House, a facility that provides transitional housing to veterans facing homelessness. Kubala says this grant has enhanced and solidified the VLC鈥檚 partnership with the Syracuse VA while showing how the clinic can help those veterans receive access to health care and their benefits.

鈥淲e鈥檙e able to make such a significant difference in the lives of so many homeless veterans in and around Syracuse,鈥� Kubala says. 鈥淥ur students not only gain expertise while strengthening their legal skills, they gain confidence and a better ability to relate to others, and they understand how they can help others with their law degree.鈥�

Beth Kubala (center) meets with two student lawyers in the Betty and Michael D. Wohl Veterans Legal Clinic.

Using Law Degrees to Do Good

VLC student lawyer Sarah Simon-Patches 鈥�24 took on the case of a veteran who filed his own claim with the VA after suffering medical hardships stemming from his time in the military.

Sarah Simon-Patches

Oftentimes, veterans who file their claims on their own don鈥檛 fully understand the criteria and can be denied a portion of their benefits. With a rating of only 20% of his disability benefits, the veteran, a self-employed mechanic from Kansas City, Missouri, was unable to return home to his sons, lost his job and experienced homelessness.

After Simon-Patches combed through the evidence to understand why the veteran fell short of the VA鈥檚 criteria, she successfully helped him obtain his full share of benefits and he has been reunited with his family.

鈥淚t felt like a huge relief. Here was someone who was experiencing homelessness, unemployed and anxious about his future being separated from his family and came to us for help,鈥� says Simon-Patches, who has a brother and grandfather who served in the military.

鈥淭he average veteran, especially our homeless veterans, would not have access to these resources otherwise,鈥� Simon-Patches says. 鈥淥ur clinic is well-equipped to successfully navigate this system and handle the different needs of our veterans.鈥�

Fighting to Make a Difference

Before Seth Owens enrolled in the College of Law, he spent 13 years as a physical therapist, treating many veterans and active-duty service members. He started in the VLC in the spring of 2023 and realized he was meant to be there.

Seth Owens

鈥淵ou have to bring this mindset to every interaction with a client that I鈥檓 going to know everything I can about your case,鈥� says Owens, the LSV-H program manager and a Veterans鈥� Health and Disability Law Fellow with the VLC. 鈥淧rofessor Kubala鈥檚 reputation for having an amazing clinical experience and producing students who do such a high quality of work is well known in the veterans鈥� community.鈥�

Simon-Patches was so inspired by the impact her work was making, she applied to and was accepted into the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General鈥檚 Corps, a government law organization that defends the Army and its soldiers in all military legal matters.

鈥淭his work has meant so much to me and this program wouldn鈥檛 be what it is without the work that Professor Kubala does,鈥� Simon-Patches says. 鈥淲e make a difference in the lives of our veterans and we want veterans to know we鈥檙e here for them as a resource.鈥�

鈥淚t amazes me every day the work that comes out of the clinic,鈥� Kubala says. 鈥淚 like to think that I inspire the next generation of veteran advocates. There are ways to use a law degree for the greater good, and this is one of those ways.鈥�

Beth Kubala (center) leading a classroom discussion in the Betty and Michael D. Wohl Veterans Legal Clinic. (Photo by Angela Ryan)

At the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, Benita Fitzgerald Mosley won the gold medal in the 100-meter hurdles by 4/100th of a second over the favorite, Shirley Strong from Great Britain.

Olympic gold medalist and visionary executive says it has been her lifelong mission to help people win gold medals in business鈥攁nd in life.

鈥淢y gold medal is the gift that keeps on giving,鈥� Fitzgerald Mosley says. 鈥淚 am forever grateful, so I want to pay that gift forward.鈥�

To get there, Fitzgerald Mosley highlights five 鈥淥lympic rings鈥� to help people achieve their goals: Have a good start, set high goals, run your own race, power through hurdles and have a strong finish.

鈥淵ou have to ask yourself, why not me?鈥欌�� Fitzgerald Mosley says. 鈥淲hy can鈥檛 I be the best in the world at what I do?鈥�

From becoming the first African American woman to win the 100-meter hurdles at the 1984 Olympics to her current role as chief executive officer of Multiplying Good, Fitzgerald Mosley has persistently broken barriers and advanced the idea that sport has the power to inspire and change the world.

Her enormous impact as a results-oriented leader in the Olympic, non-profit, and corporate worlds is why Dean asked Fitzgerald Mosley to be the keynote speaker at the Convocation at 12:30 p.m. May 10 in the John A. Lally Athletics Complex.

鈥淏enita鈥檚 鈥榳hy not me?鈥� message encourages us to challenge societal expectations and embrace our potential, while Multiplying Good is helping people bring about positive change and inspiring them to do more,鈥� Jordan says. 鈥淭he life lessons and insights that Benita will share May 10 will provide valuable inspiration to our graduates and all of us.鈥�

Using Fitzgerald Mosley鈥檚 five Olympic rings, here is her remarkable story:

Have A Good Start

Fitzgerald Mosley often uses a quote from former American politician and motivational speaker Les Brown, who said, 鈥淵ou don鈥檛 have to be great to get started, but you have to get started to be great.鈥�

After trying gymnastics and softball, Fitzgerald Mosley started running track in the seventh grade and soon became a star hurdler.

Fitzgerald Mosley鈥檚 parents, Fannie and Rodger Fitzgerald, were both educators and they encouraged Fitzgerald Mosley to get started in as many extracurricular activities as possible in their hometown of Dale City, Virginia. By participating in gymnastics, softball, majorettes and track, and learning the piano, violin, flute and piccolo, Fitzgerald Mosley discovered what she loved and was good at and where to focus her attention.

鈥淭hey were very supportive and stood by me in every aspect of my life,鈥� Fitzgerald Mosley says of her parents. 鈥淭hey celebrated my every achievement, large and small, and I loved to make them proud.鈥�

While she became the first chair flute for the Gar-Field High School symphonic band, Fitzgerald Mosley says she wasn鈥檛 very good at softball and grew too tall to be a gymnast. But middle school physical education teacher, family friend and gymnastics coach Gwen Washington was also the coach of the track team and when it became obvious that Fitzgerald Mosley had outgrown gymnastics, Washington suggested she join the track team because she had seen Fitzgerald Mosley outrun the boys in gym classes.

鈥淪o I went out for the track team and started winning races from the very beginning,鈥� Fitzgerald Mosley says. 鈥淚t wasn鈥檛 until I was 12 years old and in the seventh grade that I even discovered my athletic prowess.鈥�

Set High Goals

As a high school freshman sprinter and hurdler, Fitzgerald Mosley helped the track team win its fourth consecutive Virginia state championship. She was a teammate of senior Paula Girven, who represented the United States in the high jump in the 1976 Olympics and qualified for the team in 1980. Their high school track coach, Anne Locket, also led the girl鈥檚 gymnastics and basketball teams to state championships.

During a visit to Falk College in early April, Benita Fitzgerald Mosley met with students to share her experiences in the sport industry.

鈥淐oach Locket said to me, 鈥榊ou know, you can be an Olympian someday just like Paula,鈥� and I looked at her like she was from Mars,鈥� Fitzgerald Mosley says, smiling. 鈥淏ut having a coach believe in you and say that to a youngster at 14 years old, it set me up for great things to come.鈥�

By 1980, Fitzgerald Mosley was 18 and already a track star鈥攁nd an industrial engineering major鈥攁t the University of Tennessee, where she would become a 14-time All-American and four-time NCAA hurdles champion. Like Girven, she made the 1980 Olympic team but didn鈥檛 participate because the United States led a boycott of the 1980 Summer Games in Moscow to protest the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan.

Fortunately for Fitzgerald Mosley, she was still in college and had the benefit of having access to coaching, training equipment and the highest level of competition in college. This was a time when Olympic athletes were strictly amateurs who couldn鈥檛 make money off their athletic achievements, and many athletes who qualified for the 1980 Games, like Girven, weren鈥檛 able to return for the 1984 Games.

鈥淎t that point, people didn鈥檛 have these long careers spanning three and four and five Olympic Games that started with my generation because they started to allow us to make money while we were competing,鈥� Fitzgerald Mosley says. 鈥淭he two other hurdlers that were on the Olympic team with me in 1980 didn鈥檛 make it again in 1984, so that was their one and only chance to be an Olympian.鈥�

For the complete story, please visit the .

V-E Day celebration photo: Soldiers hold up the Stars and Stripes newspaper in celebration of the end of WWII in Europe May 8, 1945. (Photo by Spc. Tyrell Boyd)

This week marks the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe (V-E) Day, when Nazi Germany formally surrendered to Allied forces on May 8, 1945, bringing an end to World War II in Europe. While it signaled the collapse of Hitler鈥檚 regime and a hard-won victory across the European continent, it did not mark the end of the war globally鈥攆ighting in the Pacific would continue for several more months.

Still, V-E Day was a moment of profound relief, reflection and celebration, and it laid the foundation for the post-war world order.

To better understand the meaning and legacy of V-E Day, Professor , the Dr. Walter Montgomery and Marian Gruber Professor of History in the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, offers his insight on what the day represented then, why it still matters today and how its impact continues to shape modern global affairs.

For any media who wish to schedule an interview with Allport, please reach out to Vanessa Marquette, media relations specialist, at vrmarque@syr.edu.

The Libraries recognize these students through the generous support of Kathy and Stanley Walters, the family of Patricia Kutner Strait and the many donors to the Libraries Dean鈥檚 Fund.

Graduate student employees and librarians at the Student Employee Awards Celebration at Bird Library on April 23

鈥淎s dean of the Libraries, I am continually reminded of the vital contributions our student employees make. Across Bird, Belfer, Carnegie, Law and the King+King Architecture Libraries, plus the SU Press, our students help safeguard our facilities, support the growth and care of our collections and uphold our commitment to exceptional service鈥攂oth in person and online,鈥� says David Seaman, dean of Libraries and University Librarian.

2025 student award recipients and their respective Libraries departments are:

听Kathy and Stanley Walters Student Employee Scholarship Awards

• Sophia Fiumano G鈥�25 (School of Information Studies), Information Literacy
• Dyana Gales 鈥�25 (Newhouse School of Public Communications), Access and Resource Sharing
• Mian Hamid 鈥�25 (School of Information Studies), Facilities and Security
• Ainsley Hoemann 鈥�25 (College of Arts and Sciences), Law Library
• Megan Noba 鈥�25 (Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics), Facilities and Security
• Elizabeth Paulin 鈥�25 (College of Arts and Sciences), Blackstone LaunchPad
• Coral Silver G鈥�25 (College of Arts and Sciences), Special Collections Research Center
• Ella Whicker 鈥�25 (College of Arts and Sciences and Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs), Special Collections Research Center

Patricia Kutner Strait Student Scholarship Awards

• Taylor Chen 鈥�25 (College of Arts and Sciences and Maxwell School), Facilities and Security
• Brian Chiao 鈥�25 (College of Arts and Sciences), Facilities and Security
• Aditee Malviya G鈥�25 (College of Engineering and Computer Science), Blackstone LaunchPad
• Rebecca Mejia-Garzaro 鈥�25 (College of Arts and Sciences), Access and Resource Sharing
• Rumini Nguyen 鈥�25 (College of Visual and Performing Arts), Access and Resource Sharing
• Amira Salihovic 鈥�25 (College of Engineering and Computer Science), Facilities and Security
• Kiley Smith G鈥�25 (School of Information Studies), Access and Resource Sharing
• Jeremy Wollman G鈥�25 (School of Information Studies), Special Collections Research Center

Dean鈥檚 Commendations Awards

• Anneisha Anorbaah 鈥�25 (College of Arts and Sciences), Facilities and Security
• Nana Camara 鈥�25 (College of Arts and Sciences), Facilities and Security
• Kayla Fyock G鈥�26 (School of Information Studies), Access and Resource Sharing
• Gentry Huddleston G鈥�26 (School of Information Studies), Access and Resource Sharing
• Emma MacDowell G鈥�25 (School of Information Studies), Special Collections Research Center
• Anjaneya Padwal G鈥�25 (School of Information Studies), Blackstone LaunchPad
• Telly Sow 鈥�25 (School of Information Studies), Facilities and Security
• Emily Warfield G鈥�25 (School of Information Studies), Information Literacy

Honorable Recognitions:

• Carolina Aguayo-Pla 鈥�27 (School of Information Studies), Blackstone LaunchPad
• Celes Buffard 鈥�27 (School of Information Studies), Blackstone LaunchPad
• Alexandro Frimpong 鈥�25 (School of Information Studies), Facilities and Security
• Antonio Goncalves 鈥�27 (College of Engineering and Computer Science), Blackstone LaunchPad
• Meagan Gregg G鈥�26 (School of Information Studies), Access and Resource Sharing
• Lars Jendruschewitz 鈥�27 (Newhouse School), Blackstone LaunchPad
• Renee Kurie 鈥�26 (Newhouse School), Blackstone LaunchPad
• Alexander Schulz 鈥�26 (School of Information Studies), Learning and Academic Engagement and Information Literacy
• Aidan Turner G鈥�25 (School of Architecture), Blackstone LaunchPad
• Mary Visco G鈥�25 (College of Arts and Sciences), Special Collections Research Center

Hannah Kang

While Hannah Kang 鈥�25 was growing up in Houston, Texas鈥攂y way of South Korea, where she was born鈥攑ursuing a degree at 果冻传媒 was never on her radar.

Then, a high school internship course found her shadowing renowned architect Jesse Hager of CONTENT Architecture, known for designing some of the most iconic cultural and institutional buildings in the Houston metropolitan region. An interest in the field was ignited, inspired by her mom鈥檚 study of architecture in college, and before long she found herself Googling 鈥渢op-10 architecture schools鈥濃�攖he results led her to the high-ranking and NAAB-accredited 果冻传媒 .

鈥淚 realized that architecture was my calling because it really combined the aspects of STEM I liked best (mathematics, physics) with the arts, allowing me to work through creative challenges and utilize both the left side and right side of my brain,鈥� Kang says.

Before she walks the stage with a bachelor of architecture (B.Arch) degree at Commencement as a member of the Class of 2025 on Sunday, Kang reflects on five years at Syracuse and the many makings of her uniquely Orange experience.

Army ROTC + Architecture = A Rare and Disciplined Path

When considering how to fund her education at a private, out-of-state university, Kang didn鈥檛 have to look further than her own father鈥檚 story for encouragement.

Army ROTC cadet Hannah Kang at the 108th Chancellor’s Review and Awards Ceremony at the JMA Wireless Dome in March.

Back in South Korea, her dad completed his two years of mandatory military service and ultimately parlayed his military experience into an engineering degree. 鈥淗e encouraged me to look into the Army ROTC [Reserve Officers鈥� Training Corps] pathway to fund my education, and I found out in short order how well-resourced and supportive Syracuse is of its military community,鈥� Kang says. Connecting with the University鈥檚 and helped her navigate the scholarship process and getting contracted into the Army ROTC program.

鈥淚t is not a common path to enroll in the ROTC while also pursuing architecture here, just because both programs are so rigorous and time-intensive,鈥� Kang says, noting that she may be one of the only undergraduate architecture students in the school鈥檚 history to do both programs simultaneously.

鈥淭here was an adjustment period for sure鈥攍ife in the architecture program and life in ROTC are two very different things,鈥� Kang says, recalling the juxtaposition of late nights spent in Slocum Hall, home to the School of Architecture, doing design work and her early-morning ROTC workouts.

But the payoff was worth it and helped fuel her success at Syracuse. Her participation in Army ROTC taught Kang the importance of both resilience and time management, while lifting the financial burden and allowing her to participate in such memorable Syracuse offerings as study abroad without a second thought.

Broadening Perspectives With Study Abroad/Study Away and Internships

Kang, right, poses with a student collaborator during her semester studying away at the Fisher Center in New York City.

While Kang spent a majority of her undergraduate career within the four walls of Slocum, she also felt drawn to explore her passion for architecture off campus, leveraging study abroad and study away opportunities to immerse herself in the architectural gems of London, England, and New York City.

In spring 2023 she spent the semester studying at Faraday House, the University鈥檚 London home base, and spent her free time taking walking tours of the city and making use of easy travel throughout Europe to further expand her horizons.

Kang spent fall 2023 at the Fisher Center in New York City, an immersive semester that includes guest lectures, professional development and experiential learning opportunities in addition to course and studio work. She also had the specific goal of securing an internship based on her time in New York.

鈥淚 knew New York was the hub for architecture and design, and I also wanted to network during my time in the city,鈥� says Kang, who landed a store design internship with URBN, a portfolio of global consumer brands that includes Urban Outfitters, Anthropologie and Free People.

Before that, she also interned with Whole Foods Market as a store design and development intern in summer 2023, sourced with support from the Career Services team within the School of Architecture.

Kang says her internship experiences working with high-profile global and national brands have been invaluable to determining her future path within the architecture profession. 鈥淚 learned that while I enjoy store development and planning on the commercial side of things, I鈥檇 like to do it in a more holistic manner and across various brands, so that I鈥檓 not quite as confined to these specific brand identities,鈥� she says as she prepares to enter the job market.

Kang, second from right, with her Whole Foods Market internship cohort.

The Future Is Bright

As she seeks to secure a full-time position with an architecture or design firm, Kang is tapping into connections made through the co-ed professional fraternity she joined through the School of Architecture, Alpha Rho Chi, which has boosted the number of Syracuse Architecture alumni in her professional network.

鈥淩ushing Alpha Rho Chi and tapping into the network of Orange alumni has made a huge difference because I actually know them鈥攖hey鈥檙e not just connections on LinkedIn,鈥� Kang says. 鈥淚鈥檝e been able to go to my brothers for career advice and while seeking internship opportunities through the years. They give it to you straight because you are their friend or mentee, and they are eager to help the next generation of architects.鈥�

She intends to return to school for a master鈥檚 degree at some point once she has a few years of professional experience, and will enter the ROTC Alumni Association and commission into the New York National Guard as a finance officer, continuing to provide service to her nation.

When asked about a uniquely Syracuse moment that stands out, Kang鈥檚 memory travels to the JMA Wireless Dome on a game day.

鈥淎s ROTC, we do the big flag at the [JMA Wireless] Dome for the football and basketball games and I love getting to be on the field and looking up to see all of the students in the student section and then all of the fans and alumni in the stands,鈥� Kang says. 鈥淎 big part of what drew me to Syracuse was the school spirit and seeing that in person in the Dome just gives me intangible pride鈥攑roud to be a cadet on campus and proud to be part of an institution like 果冻传媒.鈥�

Hannah Kang

Robert Terrell, assistant professor of history, is shown with members of the CHRONOS editorial board, front, from left, Abbey Fitzpatrick, Jorge A. Morales, Gillian Reed, Kanye Shelton, and Max Baker. Not shown: Orla Lacey, Andrew Cole, Max Sype and Meira Liebman.

Morales鈥� interest in the topic was sparked by childhood memories of watching the competitions for hours on television. Referring to a well-crafted PowerPoint, he shared his argument that the marginalization of Rio’s urban poor by infrastructure projects supporting the Olympics was part of a century-long pattern by the Brazilian elite to project an image of modernity to the world.

His was one of six student presentations during the 4th Annual CHRONOS Undergraduate Research Conference. The day-long event in Bird Library was held in early April in support of the undergraduate history research publication .

In addition to student presentations, it featured a panel discussion exploring the theme, 鈥淲hat Does it Mean To Be a Historian?鈥�

The conference was also a celebration. CHRONOS was revived in 2024 after a few years鈥� hiatus following the COVID pandemic. In addition, the publication recently marked the 20th anniversary of its founding and received a major honor: The Syracuse Office of Undergraduate Research and Creative Engagement (SOURCE) Award for Innovation in Undergraduate Research Support.

The SOURCE award, presented at the Spring Showcase Orange Talks and Award Ceremony on March 27, honored CHRONOS for building new opportunities for undergraduate research and creative activity.

鈥淐HRONOS is a long-established student-led journal providing opportunities for students to learn about academic publishing and share their work,鈥� writes SOURCE Director Kate Hanson in a letter informing the eight-member student editorial board of the award. 鈥淭he revival of CHRONOS in 2024 with a rich new volume and engaging day-long conference event, activities which are continuing in 2025, builds a vibrant community around historical research.鈥�

Robert Terrell, assistant professor of history, serves as CHRONOS鈥� faculty advisor. He says the publication and related research conference is 鈥渕eaningful and important鈥� for students for the hands-on learning experience it provides and because undergraduates are not often provided opportunities to publish their work.

Cassidy Snyder presents her research on Ronald Reagan at the 4th Annual CHRONOS Undergraduate Research Conference. A history major, Snyder is an 1870 Scholar and member of the Ren茅e Crown University Honors Program.

鈥淭his experience is something they can look back on and remember,鈥� says Terrell. 鈥淚t’s really the fruit of their own labor.鈥�

Though Terrell provides mentorship, the publication is entirely student-run. Students have the freedom to pursue research on the topics they care about most and build the skills to share it with others.

鈥淚n general, history students do most of their work independently, but on CHRONOS they learn the fine art of teamwork,鈥� says Norman Kutcher, professor of history and Laura J. and L. Douglas Meredith Professor for Teaching Excellence. 鈥淭ogether they produce a product that they can be proud of. For our faculty, and especially for our CHRONOS faculty advisors, it is exciting to watch.鈥�

Kutcher and Samantha Herrick, associate professor of history, founded CHRONOS as a way for students to engage with faculty research. It evolved into a platform for undergraduates to publish original work, complete with a peer-review process鈥揳 hallmark of the journal publication process.

Morales attended his first CHRONOS meeting last year. He was taking a class with Albrecht Diem, professor of history, who helped revive CHRONOS after its COVID hiatus.

鈥淚 loved everything about it,鈥� says Morales of the publication and its editorial board. 鈥淚t’s a community of people who are dedicated to having tough conversations about the world because we each have very different backgrounds and very different perspectives.鈥�

Abbey Fitzpatrick, a junior studying political science and history, serves on the editorial board and likewise appreciates the sense of community.

鈥淭here are spaces for undergraduate research, but I feel like sometimes it can be very daunting. With CHRONOS, we really try to help guide people, even if they’re not a history major,鈥� says Fitzpatrick.

Gillian Reed, a junior studying history and psychology, emphasized how rare it is for undergraduates to have this opportunity. 鈥淣ot a lot of universities have places for history students to publish their work,鈥� she says, noting that fewer than 10 active journals exist for undergraduate history research across the country.

This year, a student traveled from SUNY Binghamton to present her research鈥攖he first non-果冻传媒 student to participate in a CHRONOS conference. Isabelle Aiken鈥檚 talk, 鈥淎 Movement Divided: How the 1977 IWY Conference Exposed Intra-Movement Conflict and Fueled STOP ERA,鈥� dealt with the fragmentation of the women鈥檚 movement in the U.S.

The CHRONOS conference featured a panel discussion exploring the theme 鈥淲hat Does it Mean To Be a Historian?鈥� Participants included, from left, undergraduates Sara Park and Abbey Fitzpatrick, history faculty Robert Terrell and Gladys McCormick, and graduate student Cameron Kline.

Other topics at the conference included Ronald Reagan鈥檚 ties to the FBI during the Iran-Contra Affair, legal responses to the opioid crisis in Onondaga County, New York, and an exploration of how children鈥檚 entertainment served as propaganda in Nazi Germany.

The panel discussion was moderated by Morales and included Fitzpatrick and fellow undergraduate Sara Park along with Terrell, Associate Dean Gladys McCormick and graduate student Cameron Kline. Their focus on the diverse roles of historians built on concepts raised by last year鈥檚 theme, 鈥淗istory Under Attack,鈥� and aimed to reflect on the responsibilities of studying history today.

鈥淭he idea was to try to continue that conversation about the stakes of doing historical work, especially at a moment when there’s so many claims to different kinds of histories,鈥� says Terrell.

Volume 16 of CHRONOS will be printed this fall.

鈥淚t鈥檚 a legitimate publication, complete with DOI and ISSN numbers,鈥� says Terrell. 鈥淚t鈥檚 something that will last and continue to have impact beyond the moment of its publication, and it testifies to the strength of the history program and history students at Syracuse.鈥�

Story by Mikayla Melo

STARS consists of four categories: academics, engagement, operations, and planning and administration. Each section within these four categories has a set number of points and the final rating (bronze, silver, gold or platinum) is determined based on total overall score. The University earned a silver rating based on an overall score of 64.57, an improvement compared to a score of 61.55 given in 2022. The minimum overall score to reach gold is 65.

果冻传媒 earned points due to an increase in sustainability-related academic courses and expanded sustainability research efforts across departments. Additional points came from conducting a 2023 sustainability culture and literacy survey for students, faculty, and staff, which helped establish a knowledge baseline and inform future initiatives. A new peer-to-peer student education program was launched to raise awareness, and the University participated in a peer review exchange of STARS reports with Florida State University. These initiatives helped increase the overall score.

Carbon Neutrality

Sustainability Management continues to work towards the University鈥檚 goal of carbon neutrality by 2032. New exterior LED lighting fixtures have been installed outside Graham Dining Hall, Flint Hall and Day Hall. New LED lighting fixtures will be installed on the first floor of Bird Library in the coming months, cutting the energy use from lighting in half.

Phase I of an energy recovery project is in its final stages at the Life Sciences Complex. The project will recover energy from exhaust air and use it to heat the incoming air. This will reduce the building鈥檚 need for steam in the heating months. Phase I will impact heating for the research wing of the building, parallel to Comstock Avenue, while the second phase will impact the teaching wing. Phase II is expected to be complete in the fall.

Plastic Reduction

The University is also in the process of drastically reducing its use of single-use plastics by the 2027-28 academic year. Food Services has done a great job swapping out plastics for alternative reusable items such as bulk condiment and coffee creamer dispensers in dining areas across campus. You can visit to view progress on the plastic reduction dashboard

In the Schine Student Center, Halal Shack, Panda Express and CoreLife Eatery have also converted to compostable cutlery and containers. Sustainability Management worked with Slice Consulting to design effective composting signage and potential solutions to the waste receptacle issues in Schine. The goal is to review these recommendations and implement updates this summer or fall.

Food Waste Audits

Sustainability Management interns conduct a food waste audit in the Sadler Dining hall.

Sustainability Management interns hosted numerous food waste audits throughout Sadler, Ernie and Graham Dining Halls this semester. As students brought their plates up at the end of each meal, interns would ask students to separate the remaining waste into three separate bins. One was for untouched food (a full slice of pizza), one for non-edible scraps (banana peels, apple cores) and one for food scraps (half-eaten bowl of rice). Surveys were also issued to students to gain a better understanding as to why they may have had leftover food on their plate.

Sustainability Management intern Diana (Jiarong) Zou compiled the survey data and found two main reasons why students had leftover food. Food scraps accounted for the highest amount of waste, followed by non-edible scraps and untouched food. The food waste audits helped bring awareness to food waste and encouraged people to be more thoughtful when making their food selections.

Earth Month

Several events were hosted throughout the month of April for Earth Month and Earth Day. Sustainability Management partnered with the WhitmanSchool of Management for an undergraduate mixer held in the Grand Hall. Students learned about the Sustainability Management department and were given seeds to take home. On Earth Day, student interns hosted a plant propagation event on the Einhorn Family Walk. Students learned about the benefits of compost and were able to take home their own propagated plant. On Friday, April 25, a Sustainability Walking Tour was held. Attendees learned about past, future and currently underway projects to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Check out the in the fall for the next round of events. If you happen to be around this summer, volunteer hours for Pete鈥檚 Giving Garden will also be posted on the Community Calendar.

This new system will allow the University to move from its current manual processes to an electronic workflow that increases transparency and efficiency. It will manage the production, execution and storage of contracts by automating workflows, standardizing processes and providing stakeholders with a way to search for and review various University contracts.

Over the last several months, staff from the Comptroller鈥檚 Office have coordinated with campus partners for their input and implementation support.

The rollout of the new system will occur in multiple phases. Phase 1 is designed to support contracts for goods and services that are purchase order-based, non-purchase-order-based and Fiscal Affairs-related. The anticipated launch date for Phase 1 of the project is July 1, with full usage of the system anticipated by the end of fiscal year 2026.

, led by , will be the lead contact for purchase order-based contracts for goods and services, while the Comptroller鈥檚 Office will be the lead contact for non-purchase order contracts (i.e., performers, athletics games, liquor licenses and other similar agreements). The Office of Fiscal Affairs will be the lead contact for affiliating school partnership agreements or memoranda of understanding (MOUs) with other institutions.

As the system matures, future phases will include onboarding of sponsored-related grants and contracts and other related contracts.

To help users prepare for the new system, the Comptroller鈥檚 Office will offer demonstrations and training sessions beginning on Thursday, May 15, and continuing through the end of fiscal year 2026. Although the new system will go live on July 1, the full transition to the new system is expected to take a longer period of time and will not be complete until the end of fiscal year 2026.

Those with questions can reach out to the Comptroller鈥檚 Office at 听comptroller@syr.edu or 315.443.3765.

鈥淒ean Seaman is a committed leader with a strong, modern vision for the Libraries,鈥� Provost Agnew says. 鈥淒uring his time as dean, he has fostered a positive culture and high staff morale, raised resources and served as a capable advocate for the Libraries on campus.鈥�

David Seaman

Under Seaman鈥檚 leadership, the Libraries has become a driver of discovery and research excellence, with well-curated that align with the needs of University researchers and expert library staff who are engaged broadly across campus. Use of Libraries facilities has also been transformed, with interdisciplinary spaces like the and .

Seaman鈥檚 term as dean also saw the Libraries鈥� Association of Research Libraries ranking rise from 83 to 56 (out of 118 North American research libraries). Additionally, the Libraries was awarded Insight Into Diversity magazine鈥檚 2025 Library Excellence in Access and Diversity Award, and the U.S. Government Publishing Office recognized the Libraries for the best website in the Federal Depository Library Program in 2024.

Seaman鈥檚 outreach and representation of the Libraries has served to raise awareness, expand collaborative partnerships on and off campus, drive fundraising, increase innovation and showcase the key role the Libraries plays in the life of the University.

鈥淚 am delighted to be reappointed as dean and to continue to ensure that the Libraries are a core element of the Syracuse student experience, a driver of discovery and research excellence and a communal hub for innovation,鈥� Seaman says.听鈥淚 am fortunate to work on a campus that values its libraries, and to have such wonderful library colleagues who are committed to our shared mission to catalyze collaborations, foster curiosity and create spaces and services that are welcoming to all.鈥�

Seaman came to Syracuse following library leadership positions at Dartmouth College, the Digital Library Federation and the University of Virginia. He has lectured and published extensively in the fields of humanities computing and digital libraries, and for many years taught a summer course at the University of Virginia鈥檚 Rare Book School.

鈥淒ean Lodato took the helm of an already strong school and managed to make it even stronger,鈥� Provost Agnew says. 鈥淗is energetic and collaborative leadership and his emphasis on innovation, industry partnerships and an exemplary student experience have marked his five years as dean and led to many wins for Newhouse.鈥�

Mark Lodato

Lodato became dean in July 2020, and his tenure has been marked by dynamic forward motion, expansion and success in several key areas for the school.

He was one of the driving forces behind the establishment of the (IDJC) in Washington, D.C., to create new knowledge, foster a more informed and engaged citizenry and better equip students for success in media, communications, policy, governance and citizenship. He also established the undergraduate program, which dovetails with the work of IDJC and further strengthens Newhouse鈥檚 robust study away offerings, which also include and .

Under Lodato鈥檚 leadership, the school , making a Newhouse education more accessible to new populations and serving as a model for other Syracuse schools and colleges looking to expand online undergraduate education.

Lodato also spearheaded the creation and renovation of several learning spaces at the school. These include the , which provides co-working and co-location space to media and tech startups who want to work with talented Newhouse students, and the new , a hub for undergraduate and graduate students interested in a career in sports communications.

He has increased investment in research and creative activity, which has resulted in more than $7.3 million in sponsored research funding, and articulated the goal of strengthening the connection between communications and technology, particularly through .

Early in his time at Newhouse, Lodato implemented salary equity across Newhouse professional and support staff and faculty. He also has overseen a 17% growth in the faculty, representing a more diverse population.

鈥淲orking with the stellar faculty and staff of the Newhouse School has been an incredibly rewarding experience, and it has been my honor and privilege to serve as dean for the past five years,鈥� Lodato says. 鈥淚 am excited to continue our work together as we expand and realize our shared vision for the future of the school as a place that provides students with the best possible education and training for careers in communications. And I know that collective work is what makes Newhouse the top communications school in the country!鈥�

Lodato joined the Newhouse School after more than 14 years at Arizona State University鈥檚 Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication, where he served as associate dean and associate general manager at Arizona PBS. He previously spent 16 years as an award-winning television reporter and anchor for network affiliate television stations in Washington, D.C., San Francisco, Phoenix and Fort Myers, Florida.

Students explain their board game 鈥淢ayhem Matchup鈥� during the 2025 Intelligence++ Inclusive Design Spring Showcase.

The cross-campus 听 initiative held its inclusive design showcase on April 29 in Bird Library.听A collaboration between , the College of Visual and Performing Arts鈥� (VPA) , and the , Intelligence++ is an interdisciplinary initiative focused on inclusive entrepreneurship, design and community.

The initiative is open to both undergraduate and graduate students across the University, including students with intellectual disability from ,听an initiative from the听.

Hosted by Brittany Berry, instructor in the School of Design, the showcase was joined remotely by Gianfranco Zaccai 鈥�70, H鈥�09, co-founder and chief designer of Continuum Innovation, who founded Intelligence++ through his .

The following projects were showcased:

TextPal
Carter Rice ’25 (VPA) and Julia Weinreich ’26 (VPA)
-A peer mentorship app connecting high school students with college students who share similar disability experiences to provide academic, social, and emotional guidance; build community and reduce isolation; and foster long-term support networks and mentorship.

Mayhem MatchUp
Matthew Pass ’26 (College of Arts and Sciences), Dan Zarro ’28 (InclusiveU) and Pinyi Wang ’26 (VPA)
-An inclusive, intuitive board game aimed at developmentally disabled players that has potential both as entertainment and as a tool for recreational therapists.

Sensory ToolKits
Isaac Munce ’28 (VPA) and Andrew Baum ’28 (InclusiveU)
-Build-your-own sensory calming kits that help build “calm, confidence and community for a world that too often forgets sensory needs.”

Solace
Aidan Turner ’25 (School of Architecture), Lucas d鈥橭elsnitz ’25 (Martin J. Whitman School of Management), Carolyn Fernandes ’25 (VPA) and Aphrodite Gioulekas ’25 (VPA)
-A design company addressing physical discomfort, sensory overload, cognitive disruption and social confidence for neurodivergent individuals through inclusive clothing options. Prototype clothing includes concealed and participatory fidgeting features, clasping cuffs and light and airy (not scratchy) fabrics.

Students from the Utica City School District spent a day on the 果冻传媒 campus as part of an event with a Falk College Sport Management class.

Over the past two months, students from the Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics, under the guidance of Sport Management Assistant Teaching Professor , Ph.D., collaborated with the Integrated Community Alternatives Network () to host a campus visit for middle and high school students from the Utica City School District. The April 18 event aimed to introduce higher education as a future path, while also showcasing the .

A panel of 果冻传媒 student-athletes shared insights into the opportunities and challenges associated with playing sports at the collegiate level (both club and NCAA). The event emphasized experiential learning through the lens of sport for development, highlighting the potential of sport to drive positive social change and empower youth in the local community.

From left, sport management majors Cooper Feldstein and James Tait, Otto the Orange, Sport Management Assistant Teaching Professor Alexia Lopes and ICAN Director Jesenia Wright celebrate their successful April 18 event.

ICAN, a nonprofit organization based in Utica, provides an array of support services to meet the needs of students. Services include a comprehensive program providing behavioral and mental health support within special education classroom settings.

More than 25 Utica students took part in the event, where they enjoyed lunch, games and tours across campus, and even had a photo opportunity with Otto the Orange.

Sport management majors and co-led the class project.

鈥淲e spent months working with Dr. Lopes to make this event a success,鈥� Feldstein says. 鈥淚’m also incredibly thankful for (ICAN Director) Jesenia Wright for her inspiring work and tireless effort in bringing this vision to life. This event was so special, and I鈥檓 excited to see how this partnership grows in the future.鈥�

As Central New York gears up as an advanced manufacturing hub, local and state government, development organizations, educators, unions and tech companies are collaborating on plans to educate and train a workforce capable of making these industrial investments a long-term success.

The employment requirements for alone are 9,000 people over 20 years. The company observes it chose the Syracuse area 鈥減artly because of the region鈥檚 鈥榓ccess to talent.鈥欌��

Among area initiatives designed to prepare this talent are the , which includes 果冻传媒; the University鈥檚 Center for Advanced Semiconductor Manufacturing; Empire State Development鈥檚 (ON-RAMP); the , developed by teachers unions, Micron and New York State; and Syracuse City School District鈥檚 .

Heather Lavender

One scholar deeply invested in how a high tech workforce is trained and how STEM subjects are taught in schools鈥攅specially to students from marginalized groups鈥攊s , who joined the School of Education in August 2024 as assistant professor of inclusive STEM education.

A microbiologist, Lavender moved from the laboratory to the classroom to explore and improve how children receive science education. Here, Lavender weighs in on discrimination, resourcing schools, how marginalized groups foster innovation, and teaching teachers about equitable STEM education.

Tell us a more about your journey from microbiology to teaching to becoming a professor who researches equitable STEM education.

When I was a researcher among doctoral students who were women and women of color, I saw the abuse they endured. Throughout those years, I watched the tears and held their hair when they were sick due to a demoralizing experience.

I began to think, I could mentor better, and not just to women. I could offer equity of mentorship 鈥� Then at some point I thought, there is a space where you could reach even more people, further down the chain of education鈥攊nfluence how children learn.

I have always said, when it comes to education, I鈥檓 鈥済irl crazy!鈥� As a black female who worked in STEM, I鈥檓 all in for girls of color. That鈥檚 not to say I am not into helping others, but it鈥檚 a juggling act.

How do you address equitable STEM education among pre-service teachers?

Recently, I had my elementary education students read 鈥溾�� 鈥� from “Rethinking Schools.”

In the essay, a teacher tells of one of her first graders鈥擜llison鈥攚ho dresses in clothes more typical of a boy and who wants to be called Allie. She is obviously uncomfortable in class. The teacher writes about her journey to make Allie feel like she belongs.

鈥淚 realized,鈥� writes the teacher over again as she strives to make all her children feel comfortable with their choices and thus be more accepting of Allie. These lessons including having the class think about the toys they play with: are Legos only for little boys? What if a boy feels like playing with a doll?

Children鈥檚 activities with toys leads to STEM activity that is marketed and labeled by gender. My research shows that if a girl is prevented from playing with a toys labeled for boys, that girl can be hindered from following a path toward STEM.

鈥淲hen you say nothing, you say something,鈥� I tell my students. There are times when the nothing you say is louder.

Current criticisms of DEIA initiatives in education might suggest that equity in STEM fields has been achieved鈥攊s that really true?

During the Super Bowl in 2022, a addressing women and STEM careers. PSAs are for matters of public urgency. They run for free, and this is the most expensive airtime of the year. Tell me, if more women choosing STEM was a matter of public urgency in 2022, do we think that urgency has dissipated?

The marginalization of women and women of color in STEM is still urgent. It鈥檚 important for pre-service teachers to know this. I want them to have been in an education class in which it is important to discuss these matters.

Women, women of color and individuals within marginalized communities have uniquely different challenges. When they bring these challenges, they bring additional solutions. That is innovation, and it helps to fuel innovation.

What is the biggest barrier to marginalized children taking up STEM learning and careers?

Resources. That includes the science and technology resources inside of schools, as well as the social capital that comes with neighborhoods and families.

I have seen this barrier in my teaching career. When I worked with visually impaired students, I found their lack of access was similar to that of girls and women. It鈥檚 not that these students didn鈥檛 want to be in STEM, they didn鈥檛 have access to the resources that would help them. You want to make sure these students can do experiments, but even converting a book into braille is a lot of work.

My research shows that children of color and of lower socio-economic status are not funneled into advanced math and science courses. It鈥檚 not that those students are uninterested; they are not funneled toward those resources. My research aims to shed light on these inequities.

What is your advice for companies looking to develop the high-tech workforce in Central New York?

I have heard that we should look at these things from the company鈥檚 perspective, which is to think about the return on investment.

But if you are a company that is only interested in workforce development for high school students, you are not entirely helping. By the time kids get to high school, they may have made up their mind to do STEM, so you might be looking just to convert a kid from chemistry to technology.

You have got to look at the kid who wants to do neither at that age. Look at the kid who is getting straight Ds or the kid who wants to drop out. Those are the students a tech firm needs to capture, but you are fighting a significantly harder battle to capture their interest.

Manufacturers need to step back and question the length of return on their investment. They should continue to attract high schoolers, but don鈥檛 just fertilize the plant already grown, fertilize the seed in elementary school.

They need to find a team of collaborators to help them grow the workforce. They need to invest in resources and people already here. We have local nonprofits and researchers at 果冻传媒 that are working with younger populations. These individuals are all trying to cultivate elementary aged kids into STEM, but they might not know each other.

Imagine the impact on Central New York if we all came together.

As the University鈥檚 celebrates 30 years, Heintz, associate vice president and the center鈥檚 founding director, is preparing to retire from the career that has been her passion. Looking back on the past three decades鈥攁nd the legacy she is leaving鈥攆ills her with pride, awe and gratitude.

Pamela Kirwin Heintz (Photo by Amy Manley)

Heintz brought a trove of lived experience to the reboot of her educational journey鈥攁s a mom, a real estate agent, a community volunteer and an elected member of her town鈥檚 planning board. She met with Bea Gonz谩lez, former dean of University College (now the ) and an advisor at the time, who told her policy studies might be a better fit for her than the economics studies she had started at Smith. Gonz谩lez connected Heintz with Bill Coplin, professor of policy studies in the . Heintz remembers being the only adult student in Coplin鈥檚 PAF 101 class.

鈥淚 loved the work,鈥� Heintz says. 鈥淚t gave me an academic framework around the actual work I’d been doing, and it helped me understand much more how to think about doing this kind of work.鈥� Under Coplin鈥檚 mentorship, Heintz finished her degree and continued to dive deeper into community-focused work.

Planting Roots for Community Work

Around the same time, Kenneth and Mary Ann Shaw came to Syracuse as Chancellor and associate of the Chancellor. In a for a recent 30th anniversary celebration, Mary Ann Shaw said there was a feeling on campus that students and faculty wanted to be involved in work that extended into the community.

鈥淢y husband and I knew we needed to corral this initiative and desire,鈥� she said. The students needed to be involved in something that was meaningful and something that would contribute to their growth and learning as students but also prepare them for a world that was quickly changing.

The Shaws soon found the right person to lead this new initiative. 鈥淚 then had the great opportunity to meet Pam Heintz. I just thought, 鈥榯his is the woman,鈥欌�� Shaw said. 鈥淭he center would not be what it is today without Pam Heintz. She really made it happen and developed this legacy.鈥�

The early years were filled with strategic work, building collaborations with faculty members and community organizations to incorporate service learning into coursework. Over the years, the center has worked with as many as 70 courses and collaborated with the to pair teaching faculty with undergraduate student consultants for an exchange of perspectives on teaching and learning in a particular course.

The first Shaw Center cohort, which engaged in literacy work in the community, numbered 13. Currently, the Shaw Center has 351 student tutors and volunteers who work more than 10,000 hours with two thousand students in Syracuse city schools. The center also supports 96 community organizations, collaborates with 150 campus partners and coordinates student volunteers connected to 17 service-learning courses.

Outreach includes literacy initiatives; Balancing the Books, a Whitman School of Management collaboration that teaches students financial literacy; a STEM initiative; and a nutrition initiative. Public relations and service-learning interns work collaboratively to build connections between the Shaw Center, the University and the community.

Since 1993 the University, through Parking and Transit Services, has collaborated with the Shaw Center to support a detailed daily transportation network to get all Syracuse students to their tutoring and community placements. In 1993, the service transported 15 students and in 2024 transported 875 students.

To make this all happen takes a strong leader who can think strategically and find solutions. At the 30th anniversary celebration, Chancellor Kent Syverud said Heintz has led the Shaw Center quietly, effectively and loyal to the values of the University. 鈥淚 think Pam has been a treasure to this university,鈥� said Syverud, who chose Heintz as this year鈥檚 recipient of the Forever Orange Award, which she received at the One University Awards ceremony on April 11.

Fostering a Sense of Belonging

In addition to building and guaranteeing the quality and efficacy of Shaw Center programming, Heintz has played a huge role in nurturing the center鈥檚 interns and tutors.

Maria J. Lopez 鈥�05, G鈥�12, assistant director of scholarship programs in the Office of Multicultural Advancement, served as a leadership intern at the Shaw Center during her undergraduate years. As such, she supported the entire office.

鈥淚t was there that I first learned what it meant to work in a place with real purpose,鈥� Lopez says. 鈥淭he Shaw Center provided me with an invaluable window into how civic engagement, nonprofit organizations and public policy intersect to influence educational access. Through my work, I had the opportunity to meet community leaders, build relationships with local organizations and gain a deeper understanding of the Syracuse community.鈥�

Lopez says Heintz and the Shaw Center staff were instrumental in fostering her sense of belonging on campus.

鈥淔or nearly 25 years, Pam Heintz has remained a mentor, advocate and supporter,鈥� Lopez says. 鈥淪he spoke my name in important rooms and fought for me when my financial aid package was insufficient to keep me enrolled. Pam believed in the Shaw Center as a living-learning classroom where, if students are given the space to develop their ideas, they will thrive.鈥�

As a mentor, Heintz always reminds her students that they will never truly know the impact they are having on the children they work with.

鈥淲e’re just doing it one kid at a time鈥攁nd that’s all you can do,鈥� she says.

What鈥檚 next for Pam Heintz? She is still deciding that. But you can be sure that whatever it is, it will involve making the community a better place.

In case you missed it: Check out episode #176 of the “鈥機use Conversations” podcast, “Celebrating 30 Years of the Shaw Center Being the Hub for Academic Community Engagement.” In the , former Shaw Center volunteer Derek Wallace 鈥�00 and current student volunteer Claire Ceccoli 鈥�25 discuss how their involvement with the Shaw Center transformed them into leaders in their communities.

What attracted you to come to 果冻传媒 to complete your doctorate?

Qingyang Liu (Photo by Amy Manley)

I was drawn to 果冻传媒 by its strong emphasis on rigorous research and the opportunity to work with Dr. Rachel Razza (associate dean of human dynamics in the Falk College and a professor of human development and family science), a nationally recognized scholar in self-regulation research. Her pioneering work deeply aligned with my own interests in how early poverty shapes children鈥檚 self-regulation. From the beginning of my application process, I was intentional about finding a program and mentor that supported both high-quality scholarship and meaningful community impact, and Syracuse offered the ideal environment to pursue both.

Tell me about your area of study within human development and family science in the Falk College.

As a developmental scientist, I adopt a lifespan perspective and use a strength-based approach to understand how children develop self-regulation throughout childhood, especially in the context of early poverty-related stressors. I study how these stressors interact with family dynamics and broader social environments, particularly among racially and ethnically minoritized families living in poverty. As an applied quantitative methodologist, I use advanced statistical methods, such as growth mixture modeling and latent profile analysis, on large-scale national and community-based datasets. These methods help identify critical periods in development when tailored interventions can make the greatest impact for vulnerable populations.

You were recently honored with the Chancellor’s Citation for Excellence in Research at the One University Awards and have appeared in 25 peer-reviewed publications. What can you share about your research and how it has developed during your time at Syracuse?

Qingyang Liu receives the Chancellor’s Citation for Excellence in Graduate Research from Chancellor Kent Syverud at the One University Awards on April 11. (Photo by Amy Manley)

I developed a research program focused on how early poverty-related adversities, such as material hardship, parenting stress and household chaos, shape children鈥檚 self-regulation from early childhood into adolescence. My three-paper dissertation, supported by the Graduate School Summer Dissertation Fellowship and the Dean Edith Smith Endowed Dissertation Grant, uses advanced longitudinal methods to examine how the timing, co-occurrence and chronicity of material hardship influence behavioral self-regulation development.

Across 25 peer-reviewed publications, including six first-authored papers in leading journals, I鈥檝e drawn on large-scale national datasets (e.g., Future of Families and Child Well-being Study, Early Head Start) and community-based mindfulness intervention data to investigate self-regulation pathways among underserved children and youth. At the University, I received rigorous methodological training from faculty mentors, which enabled me to apply person-centered approaches to capture developmental heterogeneity and inform the design of targeted interventions.

What has been most meaningful is how 果冻传媒 has fostered my interdisciplinary and community-engaged scholarship. I collaborated with faculty across human development and family science, social work and education, contributed to research-practice partnerships and supported local preschool mindful eating workshops, translating findings into actionable insights for families facing adversity. 果冻传媒 has provided the mentorship, research training and collaborative environment that shaped me as a developmental scientist and applied quantitative methodologist.

What does it mean to you to be the Graduate School’s Class Marshal?

It is a huge honor and a deeply meaningful recognition of the past five years of dedication, perseverance and growth. This milestone reflects the collective support that has carried me through, from the steadfast mentorship and community within to the Graduate School鈥檚 commitment to graduate student success. I am incredibly grateful for those who have believed in me along the way. I carry this honor with pride and renewed motivation to continue advancing research, equity and community well-being.

What is next for you after graduation?

I will begin a postdoctoral scholar position at Arizona State University, where I’ll continue my research on poverty-related adversity and children鈥檚 self-regulation development. I鈥檓 excited to expand my methodological training, collaborate with interdisciplinary teams and work closely with community partners to develop research that informs equitable interventions for children and families. I carry the mentorship, training and values I gained at 果冻传媒 with me into this next chapter.

Participants in the New York Business Plan Competition, back row left to right, were Anja Padwal, Tosin Alabi, Jonathan “J” Wess, Jack Venerus, Lindy Truitt and student from University of Buffalo. Front row, Carolyn Fernandes and Tony Goncalves.

Carolyn Fernandes G鈥�25 (College of Visual and Performing Arts), founder of Solace, won $2,000 as second prize winner in the Products and Hardware category. Solace designs fidget products into clothing for neurodivergent people.

Lindy Elizabeth Truitt 鈥�25 (College of Visual and Performing Arts) and Anjaneya Sanjay Padwal G鈥�25 (School of Information Studies), founders of SipSafe+, also won a $2,000 second place prize in the Food and AgTech track. SipSafe+ uses a ring or stir stick that glows when drinks have been spiked with drugs.

Jack Venerus 鈥�27 (School of Information Studies), founder of WingStat, won a $500 concept stage award. WingStat helps airplane brokers have reliable data about the aircraft they are buying or selling.

果冻传媒 teams received the most awards of any single school in the statewide competition. The NYBPC attracts some of New York state鈥檚 best student entrepreneurs. The competition promotes entrepreneurial opportunities for college students from across the state who pitch their business plans to seasoned investors. They also receive the opportunity to engage with mentors and judges from the business community. The finals event connects students with business professionals, provides experiential learning opportunities through competitions, connects entrepreneurs with resources at the Entrepreneurship Expo, and awards up to $100,000 in cash prizes to help seed new ventures.

听

鈥淚鈥檓 excited to spend some of my last moments on campus celebrating with the people who have made my college experience so special,鈥� says Chloe Langerman 鈥�25. 鈥淚t鈥檚 going to be bittersweet, but I can鈥檛 wait to move forward as an Orange.鈥�

Senior Sendoff Checklist

1. : Celebrate the incredible achievements of the 果冻传媒 Class of 2025 on Thursday, May 8, from 1-4 p.m. on the Quad. Spend the afternoon making lasting memories before you head into your next chapter. Enjoy lawn games, a DJ and giveaways for all graduating students!
2. : Leave your legacy and support the future of 果冻传媒 students. When combined with gifts from your classmates, your class gift of $25 or more makes a real difference.
3. : Celebrate your next adventure and complete the First Destination Survey as soon as possible. Students can find your First Destination Survey by logging into and visiting their Career Center page.
4. : A memento for graduating seniors, the yearbook is filled with senior portraits, academics, sports and much more. Visit the to purchase your 2025 yearbook from Jostens. Orders are due Friday, May 9.
5. : From preparation, a complete schedule of events, accessibility information and more, this is your one-stop for all your Commencement Weekend information needs.
6. : Graduation marks the start of the alumni experience! Be sure to stay in touch through the Alumni Association鈥檚 expansive events, services, clubs and more!

鈥淚鈥檓 looking forward to attending the Senior Celebration alongside my best friends and soaking up every last minute we have on campus and taking them down in some lawn games,鈥� says Maggie Anderson, 鈥�25. 鈥淐heers to the Class of 2025 and all of the incredible opportunities awaiting us in the future!鈥�

Resources for Families and Supporters of Seniors
The Orange families and supporters of seniors have played an important role in the successes of the Class of 2025! Explore the helpful resources highlighted below.

• : Visit and learn more about Commencement Weekend, find campus maps, hotel and restaurant information.
• : From , , receiving communications with the , to learning what items are permitted or not to bring and the University鈥檚 Clear Bag Policy, the is available to answer .
• : Family and friends are welcomed to make a gift, share a congratulatory message and photo of their student to further celebrate the amazing accomplishment of graduation.

A new collaboration with Advance Local will provide Newhouse School journalism students opportunities to write and report on investigative projects with local impact for newsrooms across the country.

The David Newhouse Investigative Reporting Fellowship program, which launched this year in conjunction with , will allow recipients to pursue individual reporting projects, partner with local reporters and take part in national investigative stories. Finn Lincoln, a senior majoring in , has been named the inaugural fellow.

The program is named for the late David Newhouse, who led The Patriot-News in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, to a Pulitzer Prize in 2012 for at Penn State University. As editor of The Patriot-News, Newhouse burnished the newspaper鈥檚 reputation for tough-minded investigative reporting, publishing work that landed some of Pennsylvania鈥檚 most powerful politicians in jail and freed several wrongly convicted people from prison after decades of incarceration.

Later in his career, Newhouse worked as editor at large for The Patriot-News鈥� parent company Advance听Local, where he helped establish a culture of excellence in digital journalism as the newspaper industry grappled with profound changes brought on by the shift to online publishing.

鈥淒avid was a fearless leader and an enthusiastic champion of the exciting opportunities that digital platforms provide local journalists,鈥� says John Hassell, senior vice president and editorial director at Advance Local. 鈥淚t is fitting his legacy should be celebrated with a fellowship that recognizes excellent young journalists and work that makes a difference in people鈥檚 lives.鈥�

The program is the latest collaboration between Advance Local and the Newhouse School that provides student journalists with valuable experiences to work alongside professional reporters and editors. Most recently, Newhouse students through coverage of the 2024 election campaign and other investigative reporting projects, along with social media strategy.

The new fellowship program reinforces the Newhouse School鈥檚 commitment to partnering with media platforms in support of comprehensive local news coverage, says.

鈥淲hile exhaustive investigative projects take time to report, they can deliver a lasting positive impact on communities,鈥� Lodato says. 鈥淲e are proud to partner with Advance Local on this new initiative that supports local news while offering an outlet for our talented students to hone the writing and reporting skills they learn in the classroom.鈥�

The Newhouse School offers several classes that focus on, or include, investigative reporting projects, including an advanced data journalism course that trains students to tell stories with data.

鈥淯ntil you鈥檝e actually had the experience of requesting public documents, analyzing government data and interviewing the gatekeepers, you can鈥檛 really understand what our government is up to or how it works,鈥� says , Knight Chair in Data and Explanatory Journalism at the Newhouse School.

鈥淒ata and document reporting is critical for reporters on beats, enterprise, investigations鈥� any kind of reporting,鈥� Upton says.

As a junior, Lincoln took the advanced data journalism class with Upton. The students worked on an exhaustive data reporting project that looked at the on communities across New York State.

Lincoln has already written or contributed to a half-dozen stories since February for AL.com, the Advance Local media platform in Alabama.

鈥淲e are excited to have Finn helping research some of the larger investigative projects this year, and it鈥檚 been good to see him involved in local news as well,鈥� says Challen Stephens, director of investigations at Advance Local. Stephens, who will run the fellowship program, has led an AL.com newsroom team that has won four Pulitzer Prizes in the past decade.

鈥淲e expect to see his name on more great work soon,鈥� Stephens says.

In honor of this special day, SU News shares a few adoption stories from the University community:

Christina M. Papaleo, Learning and Development Specialist, Office of Diversity and Inclusion

Aslan

During the 2020 lockdown, Papaleo was newly employed at the University and isolated away from family and friends, so she decided she needed a companion. Although she considered herself more of a dog person, encouragement from colleagues led her to adopt a cat.

When she met Aslan (formerly “Hobo”), he immediately climbed into her lap, and she knew he was meant to be hers. Named after the noble lion from 鈥淭he Chronicles of Narnia,鈥� Aslan has been Papaleo鈥檚 steady source of love and support ever since.

Elisabeth Dwyer听 ’06

Elisabeth Dwyer and her dog Zoey inside the JMA Wireless Dome

Dwyer and her husband Benjamin Taylor adopted Zoey, a 7-year-old lab mix, from Helping Hounds in 2018. Despite her age and anxiety, Zoey quickly became a beloved part of their family. One of their favorite memories was taking her to Syracuse Women鈥檚 Basketball鈥檚 Dog Day, where she proudly wore her Orange gear among fellow fans. Now 14, Zoey continues to bring joy to their home, traveling with them to Long Island, the Adirondacks and beyond.

鈥淎dopting gives animals a second chance at the life they deserve. When you adopt, you’re not only changing their life, but they often end up changing yours too,鈥� Dwyer says. 鈥淲e decided to adopt an older dog as they are not always a first choice for families and wanted to help a dog that was still looking for a home.鈥�

Jessica Youngman, Content Manager, Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs

Ruby

Youngman鈥檚 family welcomed Buddy, a rescue pup from Cypress Lucky Mutt Rescue in Texas, in August 2023. After the heartbreaking loss of their elderly dog, Youngman secretly arranged Buddy鈥檚 adoption as a surprise for her son Max, just before he left for his freshman year at Syracuse. Meeting Buddy鈥攈anded straight out of the transport van鈥攚as an unforgettable moment filled with happy tears.

Buddy has since grown into a giant but remains Max鈥檚 loyal companion whenever he returns home.

Youngman also shared the story of Ruby, their 12-year-old coonhound adopted in 2016 after surviving a cruelty investigation. Ruby’s story of resilience is a reminder us how powerful second chances can be.

Buddy making the transport up from Texas with Cypress Lucky Mutt Rescue

Adoption Transforms Lives

Then 13-year-old Eli enjoying the sun. Rescue life is good!

Coming from a family of lifelong rescue pet owners and owning three rescue dogs now, I’ve seen firsthand how adoption transforms lives (these are just some of the stories):

• Toby, once terrified after abuse at a kill shelter, learned to trust again鈥攅specially with help from our next rescue, Scrappy, a pit bull mix.
• Eli, a senior dog with just four teeth, brought us three and a half wonderful years of love and reminded us that older pets have so much life to give.
• Magic, a black cat from an overcrowded shelter, was a beloved pet, shattering myths about black cats being “unlucky.”
• In 2009, my sister rescued Bob, a dachshund left untreated after being hit by a car. After surgery, he lived a legendary life with my brother鈥攖raveling cross-country and inspiring everyone he met until nearly 20 years old.
• Today, my rescue dog Nola鈥攂lind in one eye鈥攈as become a, proving that rescue pets have an unmatched zest for life.
  

  Nothing could hold Bob back鈥攏ot even a disability鈥攆rom experiencing the magic of Canyonlands National Park in Utah.

Finding a Second Chance Pet

Rescue pets may come from tough beginnings, but with a second chance, they often become the most loyal companions. It鈥檚 also important to remember that shelters and rescues often have purebred pets, puppies and kittens. So, if you鈥檙e looking for a specific breed, check local adoption services鈥攜ou might find exactly what you’re hoping for.

Rescues play a vital role, often pulling animals from shelters just before their time runs out. According to Animal Shelters Count, over 5.7 million dogs and cats entered shelters and rescues nationwide, with 748,000 of those having non-live outcomes (euthanasia or died in care).

, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to ending the killing of dogs and cats in America’s shelters, says if just 6% more people chose adoption over buying their pets, we could end the euthanasia of dogs and cats in shelters across the country.

There is a misconception that 鈥渒ill shelters鈥� should not be supported, but these open-admission shelters need help the most. They often take in every animal regardless of space, funding or resources, making adoptions essential. Certain groups鈥攍ike seniors, black cats and dogs, bully breeds, animals with special needs or illnesses, and scared and abused pets鈥攆ace even steeper odds of adoption, making it even more challenging to find them homes.

Vanessa Marquette G鈥�19, media relations specialist with University Communications, is a volunteer with the Best Friends Animal Society and advocates for rescue animals through digital platforms highlighting her rescue dog Nola.

Santiago spring 2025 cohort in Patagonia

Beginning May 15, students can apply for spring 2026 study abroad programs through . From bustling cities to small towns across the globe, the University opens the door to over 60 study abroad destinations鈥攅nsuring every student can experience their ideal semester abroad.

For the second year in a row, Syracuse Abroad was ranked No. 8 in Study Abroad by U.S. News & World Report. Students attending programs at centers in Florence, Italy; London, England; Madrid, Spain; Santiago, Chile; and Strasbourg, France, will be immersed in environments designed to foster global engagement, immersive learning and new perspectives.

Spring 2026 Program Highlights

• Engineering program in London, England:
  New in spring 2026! The spring-only program is the gateway into the U.K.鈥檚 vital and diverse economic atmosphere. Second-year students in aerospace, biomedical, chemical, civil, computer, electrical, environmental and mechanical engineering programs are invited to join this program as it covers a variety of engineering and math requirements for second-semester, second-year students in these majors.
• English immersion program in Santiago, Chile:
  The is a fun take on a classic program that allows students to experience the rich culture of Santiago while taking a range of courses in the social sciences and humanities in English. Coursework, internships and other experiential programming occur both in and out of the classroom and include travel and fieldwork opportunities. Through an established partnership of over 15 years, courses are offered at U. Catolica, a top-ranked university in Latin America offering a wide variety of study and engagement opportunities for students. Unlike traditional study options in Latin America, this program is unique because it aligns closely with a traditional U.S. semester, taking place from January to May. Visits to Buenos Aires, Argentina and Chile鈥檚 Patagonia region and Valparaiso are incorporated into the semester鈥檚 immersive travel experiences.
• Whitman Core program in London, England:
  The spring-only program offers second-year students in the the opportunity to complete nine credits of required core courses and two electives while immersed in London鈥檚 exciting business environment. Restrictions apply, see the program page for details and academic requirements.
• French language studies in Strasbourg, France:
  Students can explore French language and culture studies in Strasbourg, with the option to enroll in one of three partner universities within close proximity to the Syracuse center. In addition to taking all courses in English at the center, students can enroll in courses at Science-Po Strasbourg, the University of Strasbourg or the French Language Institute (Institut International d鈥橢tudes Fran莽aises). Enrollment at partner universities is designed for students with intermediate and advanced French language skills. Learn more about .

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Syracuse London seminar Green Britain

World Partner Programs

allow students to choose from over 50 programs through our partner institutions in cities across the globe. Students can choose from a variety of programs in locations including Australia and New Zealand, Asia, Africa, Europe, the Middle East and Latin America.

World Partner students are often independent and curious, and usually looking for a unique abroad experience鈥攅xamining public health in India, studying Arabic in Morocco or exploring the global ocean on a sailing vessel. Each partner program is designed to complement and enhance the 果冻传媒 global experience.

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Preparing to Study Abroad

The spring 2026 application cycle is open from May 15-Oct. 1 for most programs, and applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, with the exception of special programs. All students are encouraged to apply as soon as possible, as some programs have limited capacity. For specific deadlines, students should refer to each program鈥檚 individual application page. New for spring 2026, within the application, students will be asked to submit a second, third and fourth choice program should their first choice program reach capacity.

For more information, students can with an international program advisor or make a general advising appointment to explore their options. Syracuse Abroad will continue to offer virtual advising appointments throughout the summer on a limited basis.

Syracuse Madrid Center day trips to cities in Spain

From left: Juan Medina, Laura Salazar and Pablo Sequero of salazarsequeromedina

School of Architecture faculty member 鈥檚 firm, , has been named to the newest cohort of winners in the biennial , one of North America鈥檚 most prestigious awards for young practitioners.

鈥淎n open call for designers with a story to tell,鈥� the 2025 competition asked entrants to interrogate “Plot,” this year鈥檚 theme, by mapping out the throughlines that shape their work and examining how architecture engages with plot, whether as 鈥渓and, drawing or scheme.鈥�

Like , this year鈥檚 theme was developed by the Young Architects + Designers Committee, a rotating group comprising previous winners. For the latest cycle, the committee included Rayshad Dorsey, Liz G谩lvez and Miles Gertler. Joining them on the competition jury were Behnaz Assadi, Mario Gooden, Jia Yi Gu and William O鈥橞rien Jr.

In its prompt, the committee asked designers to plot it all out: 鈥淓very building has its lore, and plots are known to thicken. Which dramas are shaping architecture鈥檚 arc today? The truth may be stranger than fiction. Despite the best-laid plans, design so often deals in circumstance. That is, while architects may endeavor to write their own stories, projects always present twists. 鈥� We invite young designers to chronicle that which bookends their practices and to demonstrate plot鈥檚 persistent role as main character.鈥�

The Outdoor Room, Pavilion at the Seoul Biennale of Architecture and Urbanism (2023), Seoul, South Korea (with Frank Barkow)

This year鈥檚 League Prize theme programming will be explored through a hybrid onsite and online model. A three-part online lecture series will be held at midday on Wednesdays, starting in June. Each lecture will feature presentations from two of the winners followed by a moderated discussion and Q&A session. Salazar, Sequero and Medina will present on June 11 at 12:30 p.m. ET; is required. Winners will also create installations of their work either onsite in their respective locations or in entirely digital formats, all of which will be presented in an online exhibition on .

鈥淐ongratulations to Pablo and his firm on this remarkable accomplishment,鈥� says Michael Speaks, dean of the School of Architecture. 鈥淭he exceptionally talented designers and educators at salazarsequeromedina are at the forefront of contemporary architecture. Their innovative approach blends civic engagement, sustainability and repurposed materials to create projects that bridge cultural, environmental and social contexts.鈥�

Now in its 44th edition, the portfolio-based competition is open to architects and designers less than 10 years out of a bachelor鈥檚 or master鈥檚 degree program and has represented an important career milestone for several generations of designers. The program exemplifies the League鈥檚 longstanding commitment to identifying and nurturing the development of talented young architects and designers. To learn more about past winners, visit archleague.org/leagueprize.

Greenhouse for plants and humans (2023), El Carmen, Peru

果冻传媒 salazarsequeromedina

is a collaborative architecture practice founded in 2020 and led by Laura Salazar, Pablo Sequero and Juan Medina. Their projects in Peru, Spain, South Korea and the U.S. focus on civic works engaging diverse communities and geographical contexts. The practice addresses the environmental impact of building and aims to establish a sensitive dialogue with what is found. Their work considers the transmutability of building function and the role of open-ended structures as two vectors capable of reconciling building practice with the challenges of our time.

In 2024, the practice was shortlisted for the Mies Crown Hall Americas Prize (U.S.), as well as named finalists at the XIII Ibero-American Biennial of Architecture and Urbanism (Peru), ARQUIA/Pr贸xima Festival for Emerging Practices (Spain) and the COAM Awards (Madrid). The work of salazarsequeromedina has been exhibited at the 4th Seoul Biennale of Architecture and Urbanism (2023) and the Oslo Triennale (2022), and has been published in The Architectural Review, Arquitectura Viva, Revista PLOT, Revista Casas and Space Magazine, among others.

Laura Salazar holds a master of architecture degree from Princeton University鈥檚 School of Architecture. She is an assistant professor of architecture at Pratt Institute and has previously taught at 果冻传媒鈥檚 School of Architecture and Montana State University.

Pablo Sequero holds a master of architecture degree from the Technical University of Madrid (ETSAM) and is a licensed architect in Spain. He is currently a at 果冻传媒鈥檚 School of Architecture and a visiting professor at PUCP Pontificia Universidad Cat贸lica de Lima, in Peru. Sequero has previously taught at Cornell AAP and Montana State University.

Juan Medina is a Ph.D. candidate at the Technical University of Madrid (ETSAM). He is currently a professor of practice at Tulane University and has taught previously at the ETSAM.

The number of school districts considering banning cell phones during the school day is on the rise nationwide.

At least eight states have banned smartphones in public school classrooms, while in New York, a proposed “bell-to-bell” is going to the State Legislature for a full vote. Additionally, 27 other states have proposed a ban on student smartphone usage, while other states are exploring a variety of ways to limit cell phone usage.

Proponents argue that students need to have their undivided attention focused on classroom lessons; parents feel strongly about being able to contact their child in an emergency.

Matthew Mulvaney

, associate professor and department chair of human development and family science in the , looks at the impact of cell phone use on children as a researcher and also has firsthand knowledge as the parent of a 14-year-old.

鈥淚鈥檝e always been interested in this field and this research of looking at mobile technology and how it might impact kids, especially now with my daughter being immersed in the world of cell phones and social media,鈥� says Mulvaney, a parenting researcher whose focus is on how parents and families support optimal child development.

Sabrina Butler

, an assistant teaching professor in the counseling and human services department in the and a licensed mental health counselor, looks at process addictions (including cell phone usage) in children and adolescents and recognizing when behaviors become problematic.

Butler sees both sides of the debate and suggests ways to find the balance.

鈥淧arents have a legitimate concern about the safety of their child, and it would be difficult to enforce no cell phones in schools,鈥� says Butler, whose research focuses primarily on process addictions in children and adolescents. 鈥淧lus, a lot of kids use tablets or Chromebooks in the classroom. We can鈥檛 just take technology completely out of the classroom. How do we ensure they鈥檙e not distracted by social media or games while they鈥檙e supposed to be learning?鈥�

Mulvaney and Butler sat down with SU News to discuss cell phone bans and limits in schools and what steps can be taken to help children liberate themselves from their phones.

What are your thoughts on limiting the use of cell phones in school and the impact of cell phone use on adolescent development?

Sabrina Butler: Coming from a harm reduction lens, we want to put limits and boundaries on cell phone usage. And while there isn鈥檛 research that necessarily supports that cell phone usage is causing depression and anxiety, what we do know is that our cell phones are like other addictions out there. If you have individuals that are already experiencing anxiety, depression or self-esteem issues, being on your phone and on social media is going to exacerbate that.

Matthew Mulvaney: Kids functioned for a very long time in schools without cell phones. More people are starting to be concerned about cell phone use. Parents see the changes their kids are going through and they want them to not be so tied up with their phones.

There鈥檚 a psychologist, Jean Twenge, who published a book in 2017 that showed the impact of cell phone usage and social media on this generation. Around the age of 11, 12 or 13, children, particularly girls, experience this mental health cliff where their well-being drops off suddenly, and how much time they spend on their phones and on social media is closely correlated and negatively associated with their mental health.

How is being on your cell phone a process addiction?

Butler: Process addictions hack and utilize the same brain mechanisms as other addictions, like nicotine. With cell phones and social media, we鈥檙e pairing these positive emotions with external stimuli, which is the behavior. That鈥檚 where it can become problematic, wiring those two things [phones and social media] together that make me feel good or less stressed. It’s that feeling that we’re getting addicted to and we’re associating with that behavior.

How young is too young for a child to get a cell phone? To be active on social media?

Mulvaney: The later you can wait, the better. Kids will say not having one cuts them off from their social networks and that all their friends have phones, but there are few developmental benefits to having one early on. As for social media, researcher Jonathan Haidt studies the impact of social media on adolescent mental health, and he suggests 16 for starting off on social media.

What can we do to help alleviate the addictive impact of cell phones?

Mulvaney: I see a lot of parallels with cigarette smoking. Smoking was commonplace when I was growing up, but smoking cigarettes has basically gone away from the adolescent experience because of how bad it was for our kids. It took a collective understanding, a collective will to say, “we’re not going to have spaces for kids to smoke.鈥�

I think schools will adopt a phone-free policy from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and that will have a significant impact on changing the expectations of being on your phone all the time. If we come to this shared understanding that being on your phone all the time is really bad, we can make changes in the same way we did with smoking.

Butler: It goes back to limits and an age barrier. Some parents take away phones at night because they don鈥檛 want their child up all night on their phone. Others turn off the Wi-Fi after a certain point. Those parental control measures are really helpful because they lead into how we monitor usage among children.

We need to get back to engaging with each other, having family dinner without looking at our phones. Getting children active through activities and sports are great because they get kids out playing, interacting and connecting with their peers.

To request interviews, contact:

Chris Munoz
Media Relations Specialist
cjmunoz@syr.edu

Stephanie Waterman

The first Onondagan student to earn a Ph.D. in education at 果冻传媒 and co-creator of the , teaches courses in the OISE鈥檚 higher education program and coordinates the student development/student services program stream.

Supported by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada, Waterman’s research addresses Indigenous college student experiences, as well as university supports for all college students, Indigenous methodologies and geographies and critical theories. Her current research asks how do First Nations/Native American student affairs units work and how do they intersect with non-Indigenous units on campuses?

With her colleagues Heather J. Shotton, Natalie R. Youngbull, and Shelly C. Lowe, Waterman is co-editor most recently of “Developments Beyond the Asterisk: New Scholarship and Frameworks for Understanding Native Students in Higher Education.”

In a 2019 interview for “,” Waterman notes that personal experiences and research frame her work: 鈥淲e all learn in our own way and bring our own 鈥榮tory鈥� or 鈥榟istory鈥� to the institution.鈥� Indigenous and other marginalized people who have been wronged bring various aspects of those histories with them, Waterman says, but settlers also share that history and bring their history with them: 鈥淚 open every class with a discussion of assumptions and perspectives because we are often not aware of our biases and assumptions that impact our practice and learning.鈥�

Waterman is the recipient of the Mike Charleston Award for Distinguished Contributions to Research in Indigenous Education (AERA Indigenous Peoples of the Americas); the Robert H. Shaffer Award for Outstanding Contribution to Higher Education (NASPA Student Affairs Professionals in Higher Education); and the Council for Ethnic Participation Mildred Garc铆a Award for Exemplary Scholarship: Senior Scholar Award (Association for the Study of Higher Education).

In addition to her Ph.D. from the School of Education, Waterman holds a master of arts degree in liberal studies from SUNY Empire State College (2002) and a bachelor of arts degree in psychology from 果冻传媒’s College of Arts and Sciences (1983).

The University鈥檚 top teaching assistants were recognized by the Graduate School with the Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award.

The important work and contributions of teaching assistants were recognized yesterday at a ceremony hosted by the .

The Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award is given to teaching assistants who have demonstrated excellence in the role through activities such as classroom teaching, laboratory or studio instruction, leading recitation or discussion sections or assisting senior faculty members with high-enrollment courses.

鈥淭eaching assistants are vital to the undergraduate experience,鈥� says Graduate School Dean Peter Vanable. 鈥淭hey bring energy and important insights to their academic disciplines and are dedicated to the students with whom they work. I thank this year鈥檚 award winners for their contributions to the University鈥檚 academic mission.鈥�

The 2025 Outstanding Teaching Assistant Awardees, representing the top 3.5% of the TA workforce, are:

• Agathe Baggieri, languages, literatures and linguistics, College of Arts and Sciences
• Karisa Bridgelal, writing studies, rhetoric and composition, College of Arts and Sciences
• Caroline Capuano, physics, College of Arts and Sciences
• Yu-Wei Chang, psychology, College of Arts and Sciences
• Jing Cheng, mechanical and aerospace engineering, College of Engineering and Computer Science
• Gargi De, civil and environmental engineering, College of Engineering and Computer Science
• Ay艧enur De臒er, political science, Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs
• Julie Harnett, teaching and curriculum, School of Education
• Tori-Ann Haywood, sociology, Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs
• Elise Hegarty, languages, literatures and linguistics, College of Arts and Sciences
• Elana Israel, mathematics, College of Arts and Sciences
• Benjamin Kaufman, mathematics, College of Arts and Sciences
• Harneet Kaur, social science, Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs
• Pyeonghwa Kim, information science and technology, School of Information Studies
• Hannah Kimbrell, mathematics, College of Arts and Sciences
• Amanda Kingston, cultural foundations of education, School of Information Studies
• Connor Knowlan, communication and rhetorical studies, College of Visual and Performing Arts
• Megan Koch, earth and environmental sciences, College of Arts and Sciences
• Elise Krespan, biology, College of Arts and Sciences
• Gabriella Larson, psychology, College of Arts and Sciences
• Adarsh Raghuram, geography and the environment, Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs
• Abhishek Samlodia, physics, College of Arts and Sciences
• Hector I. Sanchez, history, Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs
• Victor Sholl, philosophy, College of Arts and Sciences
• Nathalie Uwamahoro, electrical engineering and computer science, College of Engineering and Computer Science
• Josiah van Egdom, political science, Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs
• Ying Xu, human development and family science, David B. Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics

Awardees are nominated by their departments and must present a teaching portfolio as part of the review process.

Recipients of the 2025 Excellence in Graduate Education Faculty Recognition Award were honored by the Graduate School at a campus ceremony April 24. Pictured from left are Joon Young Kim, Scott Landes, Natalie Russo, Eman Tadros, Catherine Garc铆a, Angela Oliverio and Qiu Wang.

Ten 果冻传媒 faculty members were honored with the Excellence in Graduate Education Faculty Recognition Award at a campus ceremony April 24. The award, given annually by the , honors professors who have had a significant impact on graduate education through teaching, service and research or creative activities.

This year鈥檚 awardees, chosen by an interdisciplinary committee of graduate students, are the following:

• , associate professor of communications, S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications
• , assistant professor of human development and family science, David B. Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics
• , assistant professor of exercise science, Falk College
• , associate professor of sociology, Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs
• , professor of mathematics, College of Arts and Sciences
• , assistant professor of biology, College of Arts and Sciences
• , associate professor and associate chair of psychology, College of Arts and Sciences
• , mechanical and aerospace engineering, College of Engineering and Computer Science
• , assistant professor of marriage and family therapy, Falk College
• , professor of higher education, School of Education

鈥淲e know that talented faculty members are the cornerstone of a quality graduate education,鈥� says Peter Vanable, dean of the Graduate School. 鈥淭his awards program gives us an opportunity to hear directly from our students, as well as from faculty, staff and alumni, about which professors have had a significant positive influence on their studies. We are delighted to recognize these ten individuals for their dedication and contributions to the University.鈥�

• Bird Library
  • Monday, April 28-Thursday, May 8:听Bird Library will be open 24 hours a day

The Libraries is also offering the following at Bird Library during finals:

• Monday, April 28: Donuts with the Dean on the first floor from 4 to 5 p.m.
• Monday, April 28-Tuesday, May 6: Positivity station on the first floor where students can pick up study goody bags containing notes of encouragement, candy, coloring pages and snacks.
• Tuesday, April 29: Reading Day in the Libraries Wellness Room (Room 114) from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Students can participate in coloring, Zen boards, guided meditation, chair massage pillows and board games.
• As a reminder, the Libraries’ also have two MindSpa available for reservations, in addition to various .

This year鈥檚 recipients are:

• Jeffrey Adams, English,
• Akshay, computer and information science and engineering,
• Erika Arias, political science,
• Seok Wun (Shiila) Au Yong, cultural foundations of education,
• Bruce Baigrie, geography, Maxwell School
• Erin Bisesti, sociology, Maxwell School
• Eric Cochran, mathematics, Arts and Sciences
• Xiaoyu Fu, human development and family science,
• Jessica Fundalinski, teaching and curriculum, School of Education
• Michael Kelly, geography, Maxwell School
• Shanel Khaliq, sociology, Maxwell School
• Hyojeong Kim, public administration, Maxwell School
• Minseok Kim, philosophy, Arts and Sciences
• Amanda Kingston, cultural foundations of education, School of Education
• Elise Krespan, biology, Arts and Sciences
• Akit Kumar, information science and technology,
• Sanggu Lee, philosophy, Arts and Sciences
• Jinfen Li, information science and technology, Information Studies
• Tyler Logie, earth and environmental sciences, Arts and Sciences
• Abigail Long, composition and cultural rhetoric, Arts and Sciences
• Desiree Martin, mathematics, Arts and Sciences
• Fasika Melese, instructional design, development and evaluation, School of Education
• Arda Ozyenginer, English, Arts and Sciences
• Henry Potts-Rubin, mathematics, Arts and Sciences
• Samuel Santiago, English, Arts and Sciences
• Dustin Satterfield, sociology, Maxwell School
• Mahder Serekberhan, political science, Maxwell School
• Paige Spencer, religion, Arts and Sciences
• Elina (Ruiqi) Sun, social psychology, Arts and Sciences
• Benjamin Valen, social psychology, Arts and Sciences
• Jenna Walmer, social psychology, Arts and Sciences

The Student Library Advisory Board is an opportunity for students to share their ideas, needs and feedback to improve the Libraries鈥� services, resources, spaces and programming. Members will participate in user experience activities during once-a-month Friday meetings and will serve as ambassadors for the Libraries among their peers.

Members will also gain leadership and skill-building experience, including in areas of information literacy, communication, civic responsibility, research and creative thinking, while helping to improve the Libraries through fun and interactive engagement. Applicants can anticipate a commitment of approximately 3 hours per month. Current library student employees are ineligible to participate.

The Student Library Advisory Board is supported, in part, through a collaboration with . Those with questions can contact sscott17@syr.edu.

Members of the campus community should be advised that temporary road closures will take place between 9 a.m. and noon on the day of the race. Centro shuttles and 果冻传媒 trolleys will also be delayed during that time, affecting travel to and from South Campus, and also to and from the Nancy Cantor Warehouse.

Runners will enter the University area from East Colvin Street by the John A. Lally Athletics Complex, necessitating road closures along Comstock Avenue. They will turn right on University Place through Thornden Park, exiting the park down Madison Street, and then turning right on South Crouse Avenue and left onto East Genesee Street.

Race organizers ask neighbors to proceed with caution and allow for additional travel time to your destination if they are traveling near the routes. Organizers also encourage community members to cheer on the race participants and join in the fun at the finish line in Clinton Square.

Visit for details and full maps of the course.

The 2025 Winston Fisher cohort at AlphaSights, an information services company, in midtown Manhattan.

With so many career possibilities open to them, how can students explore which fits their interests? The 听offers a variety of programming to facilitate career exploration and readiness, such as听.

Over spring break, a group of 17 A&S | Maxwell undergraduates had the chance to experience one of those immersion trips: the annual Winston Fisher Seminar in New York City, which allows undergraduate students from all majors across the and the to explore how their liberal arts education can be leveraged into a wide variety of careers in the business world.

Founded in 2006 by Fisher Brothers partner, AREA15 CEO, Dean鈥檚 Advisory Board member and Trustee Winston Fisher 鈥�96, the weeklong Winston Fisher Seminar allows听students to spend time developing and presenting business plans, touring different employers and gaining critical networking experience with recruiters and alumni.

During this year鈥檚 immersion, participants visited several high-profile organizations, including Penguin Random House, Major League Baseball, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Morgan Stanley, iHeartMedia and more.

鈥淐onnecting with the students throughout the week, hearing their business plans and learning about their aspirations is truly one of the highlights of my year,鈥� Fisher says. 鈥淎s a firm believer in the power of a liberal arts education, I鈥檓 excited to see where their journeys take them and the impact they鈥檒l have on the world.鈥�

鈥淭here鈥檚 no substitute for the first-hand knowledge and experience Winston鈥檚 seminar provides. In addition to gaining insight into the professional world and entrepreneurship, students build lasting relationships with peers and accomplished members of our alumni community,鈥� says , director of employer and alumni engagement.

Check out these other photos from the 2025 Winston Fisher Seminar:

Students kick off the 2025 Winston Fisher Seminar with benefactor Winston Fisher 鈥�96 at Fisher Brothers.

Students hear from an alumni panel led by policy studies alumna Kate Abogado 鈥�20 at Deloitte.

Psychology and forensic science major Seth Cohen 鈥�25 speaks with Charlamagne tha God on the set of The Breakfast Club.

The bottom portion of the sculpins鈥� pectoral fin helps them grip onto surfaces and even walk. (Photo by Emily Kane)

On a wave-battered rock in the Northern Pacific Ocean, a fish called the sculpin grips the surface firmly to maintain stability in its harsh environment. Unlike sea urchins, which use their glue-secreting tube feet to adhere to their surroundings, sculpins manage to grip without a specialized adhesive organ like tube feet or the suction cups of octopuses.

So, why is this significant and why are scientists so keen to understand it? Marine organisms thriving in high-energy environments serve as excellent natural models for designing more efficient and effective human-engineered devices, such as robots, grippers and adhesives. Improved adhesives could have wide-ranging impacts, from enhancing medical devices to creating tires with better road grip.

New research has uncovered a surprising microscopic feature on the fins of sculpins, potentially aiding their ability to grip their surroundings. (Photo by Emily Kane)

A team of researchers from 果冻传媒 and the University of Louisiana at Lafayette who specialize in functional morphology鈥攈ow the shape and structure of an organism helps it function鈥攔ecently uncovered a new and surprising traction trait in sculpins. They found microscopic features on their fins, potentially allowing them to adhere strongly to surfaces underwater to fight currents and waves. Their results were published in the journal Royal Society Open Science.

鈥淚n order to prevent being swept away, these sculpins need another way to keep themselves in position,鈥� says Emily Kane, professor of biology at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette who co-authored the study with Austin Garner, a biology professor in the at 果冻传媒. 鈥淥ne feature that sets this group apart is the modification of their pectoral fins such that the bottom portion has reduced webbing that allows the fin rays to poke out further than the fin. They can use these for holding onto rocks or other substrates, but some species have further modifications that allow for walking and sensory functions.鈥�

Previous research has shown that sculpins use hydrodynamic mechanisms鈥攍ike having a small, streamlined body and using their fins to create negative lift鈥攖o maintain balance and grip. Additionally, physical mechanisms, such as gripping the substrate with flexible fin rays on the bottom part of the fin (similar to having fingers), have been described. This study documents a new surface texture, suggesting that these bottom fin rays might also create friction or adhesion at a microscopic level, enhancing their grip even further.

Kane and her team first discovered these features during fieldwork in summer 2022 in Friday Harbor, Washington. While observing fins at a microscopic level using a scanning electron microscope, she immediately recognized the similarity between the sculpins鈥� features and the fine hairs on gecko feet. She then reached out to Garner, who is an expert in animal adhesion and attachment.

鈥淢y lab is interested in how animals interface with surfaces in their environment during both stationary and locomotory behaviors, particularly in those organisms that take advantage of adhesive or frictional interactions using specialized attachment organs,鈥� says Garner, who is also a member of the at Syracuse, where researchers collaborate to develop and design smart materials to address global challenges. 鈥淯sing a very similar framework to studies I have conducted in lizards and sea urchins, we worked together to design and execute this study.鈥�

The team focused on traits such as density, area and length to outline the texture of the skin on the fin rays.

鈥淲e compared these measures to values in other animals with similar features that are known to produce a friction gripping force, like having sandpaper on the fins,鈥� says Kane. 鈥淭here are some similarities in sculpins that make us think they could be doing something similar.鈥�

Garner notes that their work is the first description of these microstructures on the fin rays of sculpins. 鈥淲e not only described the form and configuration of these structures in this work but also generated testable hypotheses that serve as strong intellectual foundations for us to continue probing in our future work on this topic,鈥� he says.

So, what will this forthcoming research involve, and could studying these structures lead to the development of new bio-inspired adhesives for societal use?

Garner suggests that the form and function of sculpin fins could be effectively integrated into bio-inspired robots or grippers for underwater navigation and exploration. As the research progresses, their team anticipates that understanding the microstructures on sculpin fins will offer new possibilities for designing synthetic attachment devices that can attach securely yet detach easily, even underwater.

Who knows, maybe one day an underwater robot with sculpin-inspired grippers will be exploring the ocean depths and making waves in the world of bio-inspired technology.

In response, the University鈥檚 Center for International Services is actively supporting the affected students. The center is coordinating closely with the Office of Academic Affairs and the students鈥� academic programs to ensure continuity in their education. Two of the three students remain on track to graduate as scheduled, and efforts are ongoing to assist the third student in maintaining their academic progress.

The University understands this news may be concerning for international members of our community and has been in direct communication with international students as well as international faculty and staff. As the situation continues to evolve, the University will provide updates as appropriate and urges anyone with questions or concerns to reach out to Juan Tavares, director of the Center for International Services, at jtavares@syr.edu or 315.443.5833.听听听 听听

Maloney joined 果冻传媒 in 2024. His research focuses on the connections between quantum information theory, field theory, statistical mechanics and quantum gravity.

Chancellor Kent Syverud, Dr. Ruth Chen, Alexander Maloney, Interim Vice Chancellor and Provost Lois Agnew and A&S Dean Behzad Mortazavi pose for a group photo following Maloney’s installation as Kathy and Stan Walters Endowed Professor of Quantum Science.

The Walters Endowed Professorship was established through a $2.5 million gift from 果冻传媒 Board of Trustees Chair Emeritus and her husband, Stan ’72, as part of the Faculty Excellence Program supporting the recruitment and retention of high-caliber faculty.

Speakers at the installation ceremony included Interim Vice Chancellor, Provost and Chief Academic Officer , A&S Dean and Chancellor . Maloney also spoke after receiving his medallion.

鈥淭his endowed professorship represents a bold investment in the future of discovery, and the College of Arts and Sciences is proud to be home to both this research and Professor Maloney,鈥� Mortazavi said. 鈥淭hrough his groundbreaking work, he is helping to unlock some of the most profound mysteries of nature鈥攚ork that not only deepens our understanding of the cosmos but also holds transformative potential for fields as diverse as computing, cryptography and medicine.鈥�

Maloney’s distinguished career includes serving as James McGill Professor of Physics and Sir William Macdonald Chair in Physics at McGill University, where he received the John David Jackson Award for teaching excellence. His previous positions include membership at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton and research associate at the Stanford Linear Accelerator Center. A 2013 Simons Fellow in Theoretical Physics, Maloney earned his Ph.D. from Harvard University and both his M.S. in mathematics and B.S. in physics from Stanford University.

At Syracuse, Maloney will grow teaching and research in quantum science while providing students with opportunities to advance understanding of nature and design next-generation quantum technologies.

鈥淭his initiative ensures that a 果冻传媒 education remains within reach for every talented and driven student鈥攔egardless of financial circumstances,鈥� says Chancellor Kent Syverud. 鈥湽炒� has a long history of being a university welcoming to all. The Syracuse Promise will continue this legacy for the next generation of students so the best and brightest students can choose to be Orange and thrive here.鈥�

How the Syracuse Promise Match Works

At the heart of The Syracuse Promise is a transformative $10 million matching initiative that empowers donors to enhance their impact and deepen their commitment to student success. Fueled by two generous unrestricted estate gifts, 果冻传媒 will offer a 1:2 match for contributions supporting scholarship endowments. Eligible gifts include contributions of $100,000 or more that establish new endowed scholarships, and $50,000 or more to enhance and sustain existing ones. This forward-thinking program not only reinforces the University鈥檚 long-term dedication to access and affordability but also positions Syracuse as a national leader in expanding student opportunity.

Meeting the Moment鈥攁nd the Need

Today, 78% of Syracuse students receive some form of financial aid. In recent years, the University has reduced the average student debt burden by more than 10%. To build on this progress and meet the financial and academic needs of today鈥檚 students, 果冻传媒 is increasing its commitment to growing and sustaining permanent funding sources in perpetuity. Tracy Barlok, senior vice president and chief advancement officer, says scholarships offer just that鈥攍asting support that grows over time through investment and continued giving.

鈥淭his initiative is critically important because it allows us to attract and retain students who strengthen our academic excellence and elevate our entire community,鈥� says Barlok. 鈥淲e鈥檙e inviting our alumni and donors to be part of something transformational鈥攖o pay it forward to help future generations of students pursue a 果冻传媒 education and thrive鈥攂oth as students and as future Orange alumni.鈥�

果冻传媒 果冻传媒

果冻传媒 is a private research university that advances knowledge across disciplines to drive breakthrough discoveries and breakout leadership. Our collection of 13 schools and colleges with over 200 customizable majors closes the gap between education and action, so students can take on the world. In and beyond the classroom, we connect people, perspectives and practices to solve interconnected challenges with interdisciplinary approaches. Together, we鈥檙e a powerful community that moves ideas, individuals and impact beyond what鈥檚 possible.

Corri Zoli

鈥淐orri is an amazing thinker and has a great strategic mind. She has the ability to integrate various perspectives into a coherent agenda for the future. The Lender Center is fortunate to have her joining our team,鈥� says center director .

Zoli joins , associate professor of management in the , who was named Lender Center senior research associate in Fall 2022. They will work together with Phillips to bring existing research to culmination, maximize impact and find new research opportunities focused on social justice.

Zoli is also an affiliated faculty member with听the . Her research and teaching focus on U.S. military veterans and national and international security, with an emphasis on law and policy challenges, problems of new technologies in warfare and the role of cross-cultural dynamics in conflicts and humanitarian efforts.

“I’m thrilled to be appointed as a research associate at the Lender Center and to be working with Kendall, Kira and our many dedicated colleagues who have made the Lender Center鈥檚 mission of interdisciplinary, community-engaged research a priority,” Zoli says.

Glenn Wright congratulates Three Minute Thesis competition winner Jayda Felder.

, a doctoral student in social psychology at the ,听won the competition with her presentation, 鈥�.鈥� She received 16-inch MacBook Pro M4 and a one-year membership in the , the professional organization of her choice.

鈥淭he clich茅 is that academic research is both impenetrable and pointless,鈥� says Glenn Wright, executive director of professional and career development at the Graduate School. 鈥淭he 3MT really challenges graduate students to tackle that perception head-on, explaining quickly and clearly what their research is and why it makes a difference. That鈥檚 a great skill when engaging the public, and highly useful in academia, too.鈥�

The other 3MT contestants were:

• Nimisha Krishnan (Ph.D., physics, ): 鈥淗ow Cells Move Cargo: Learning from Nature鈥檚 Tiny Transport System鈥�
• Bramsh Khan (Ph.D., social science, Maxwell School): 鈥淧olitics of Gendered Infrastructure Violence in Balochistan, Pakistan鈥�
• Mary Theresa Pagan (Ph.D., sociology, Maxwell School): 鈥淥lder Recent Widows and Physical Activity: A Qualitative Investigation of the Roles of Care Work and Social Support鈥�
• Sarah Nahar (Ph.D., religion, Arts and Sciences): 鈥淐losing the Poop Loop: An Everyday Way to Heal the Planet鈥�
• Ratnakshi Mandal (Ph.D., chemical engineering, ): 鈥淒ecoding Alzheimer鈥檚: Putting Together the Puzzle of Memory Loss鈥�
• Abigail Helen Long (Ph.D., composition and cultural rhetoric, Arts and Sciences) 鈥溾�楽tuck鈥� Together: Identifying Writing Teachers鈥� Access Needs鈥�
• Nghia Le Ba Thai (Ph.D., bioengineering, Engineering and Computer Science): 鈥淧orousX: A Novel Artificial Matrix for Treating Chronic Wounds鈥�
• Paul Sagoe (Ph.D., biomedical engineering, Engineering and Computer Science): 鈥淪mall but Mighty: Therapeutic Nanoparticles, the Tiny Heroes Fighting Arthritis鈥�
• Qingyang Liu (Ph.D., human development and family science, ): 鈥淲hen and Where to Invest: Early Material Hardship and Children鈥檚 Self-Regulation.鈥�

Three-Minute Thesis participants share details about their research and creative work in a compelling way鈥攚ithin a three-minute time limit.

Wright moderated the event. Judges were Matthew Carr, chief financial officer at Manlius Pebble Hill School; Davoud Mozhdehi, associate professor of chemistry at the College of Arts and Sciences; and Sylvia Sierra, associate professor of communication and rhetorical studies in the .

was first developed at the University of Queensland in Australia and is now held at colleges and universities around the world.

Rebekah Lewis

鈥淚 am thrilled to begin the director position and look forward to collaborating with center staff and faculty affiliates to expand its crucial work,” says Lewis, who has more than 15 years of experience in health and higher education settings.

In her previous role at the Ottawa University Heart Institute, Lewis provided program evaluation and qualitative research expertise for a variety of women鈥檚 cardiovascular disease prevention projects at the Canadian Women鈥檚 Heart Health Centre. Her current evaluation research focuses on improving primary prevention of cardiovascular disease among high-risk women. She received a master of public health from Boston University School of Public Health in 2001.

鈥淲e are pleased to welcome Rebekah Lewis to the Lerner Center as its new director,鈥� says , Lerner Chair in Public Health Promotion and Population Health, director of the and professor of sociology. 鈥淩ebekah brings a wealth of expertise in health education, program evaluation and research. Her forward-thinking orientation and ideas for program development align perfectly with the Lerner Center鈥檚 mission.鈥�

The Lerner Center was established in 2011 with an endowment from Sidney Lerner 鈥�53, a marketing executive and public health advocate, and his wife, Helaine. Its mission is to improve population and community health through research, education, advocacy and programming focused on the social and structural determinants of health and health disparities. It supports numerous programs, assistantships and training opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students, including the popular DeStress for Success course, an undergraduate social impact competition and internships.

The center recently announced that it will host national Healthy Monday programming, a signature public health campaign that aims to reduce the risk of chronic disease by offering prompts about healthier habits. Hosting the national Healthy Monday campaign was made possible by an organizational restructuring and a $2.52 million gift to the Lerner Center and 果冻传媒鈥檚 Forever Orange Campaign by Helaine Lerner in 2023.

Story by Michael Kelly

The Brooklyn, New York, native has called Central New York home for more than 40 years. Nestled on a quiet cul-de-sac in Fayetteville, New York, the 1960s-era Craftsman house he shares with his wife, daughter and their cat 鈥淪pice鈥� not only features many attractive upgrades in aesthetics and design, but most importantly cuts back on their climate footprint with every improvement plan and project.

鈥淚 think what probably got me on the path was I believe in science,鈥� says Wirth, co-founder of the group. 鈥淚’m trying to remove or reduce our consumption of fossil fuels in the house.鈥�

Wirth keeps energy efficiency at the center of his home upgrades, generating his own renewable energy with rooftop solar panels, and getting his hot water on demand through an updated tankless water heater. His sustainability goals led him to make one of his biggest home upgrades yet鈥攁dding an air-sourced heat pump to his natural gas furnace, creating a hybrid heating and cooling system that runs much more efficiently.

“I think once you go to an electric heat pump, you’d never think about doing a gas furnace again,鈥� says Wirth.

Professor Ian Shapiro demonstrates the functionality of a heat pump system.

Getting more people to consider heat pumps for their homes and businesses has been a mission point for , professor of practice in the College of Engineering and Computer Science and the associate director of Building Science and Community Programs at the Syracuse Center of Excellence in Environmental and Energy Systems. He launched his mechanical engineering career more than three decades ago with designing heat pumps.

Systems That Heat and Cool

While the word heat can lead people to limit the technology to only its warming effect, these systems work to both heat and cool structures.

Shapiro says heat pumps work by moving heat from the outdoor air to the indoor space, similar to how a refrigerator moves heat from the inside to the outside. The heating and cooling system uses electricity to move heat rather than generating it directly. Even on a cold Central New York day with an outdoor temperature below freezing, the pump can effectively pull warm air from the outdoors to heat the inside of a home or building.

鈥淭hat free outdoor heat is renewable,” Shapiro says. “And much of the electricity is carbon free from sources such as hydroelectricity and solar. If New York state meets its goals by 2040, it will all be clean electricity.”

Residence as a Living Lab

Wirth opened his home to Shapiro鈥檚 graduate mechanical engineering students as a 鈥渓iving lab鈥� to execute research questions and learn directly from homeowners about the real-world implications of heat pump technology. The collaboration has proven fruitful for researchers and Wirth. Syracuse researchers were able to identify ways to make his heat pump and home more efficient, and the hands-on work will help students in their professional fields.

鈥淪yracuse has been an ideal place to study heat pump performance in cold climates and older homes,鈥� says mechanical and aerospace engineering Ph.D. student, Sameeraa Soltanian-Zadeh 鈥�26. 鈥淭hese field studies help bridge the gap between lab-tested efficiency and real-world performance.鈥�

鈥淎s more buildings transition from traditional fossil fuel heating systems to heat pumps, improving their operational efficiency will be crucial,鈥� says Ji Zhou 鈥�28, another Ph.D. student in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, who plans to work in a heat pump research lab post-graduation.

, with requirements for all new buildings to use electric heat and appliances by 2026 and all existing buildings by 2030. Shapiro estimates there are more than 100,000 heat pumps currently in use in New York state. He anticipates more growth in the years to come as fossil-fuel powered energy becomes more expensive.

For homeowners like Wirth, finding ways to cut down on carbon consumption and reduce greenhouse gases is a personal mission now powering his home and his life.

鈥淔or me to recommend to other people to do things without doing them myself, I just can’t do it,鈥� says Wirth. 鈥淚t would feel hollow. I need to walk the talk.鈥�

Video captured, edited and produced by Amy Manley, senior multimedia producer

As a recognized student organization (RSO), University Union (UU) is the official programming board of Syracuse university. Entirely student run, the RSO works to source and host campus entertainment, including Block Darty and Block Party.

鈥淪erving as president this year has been one of the most rewarding experiences,鈥� says Naimah Rahman 鈥�25, University Union president. 鈥淭he whole year leads up to Block Party and Block Darty, which feels like our Super Bowl. To be a part of a 果冻传媒 tradition that students look forward to every year is an immense honor. Our team works tirelessly all year to make sure we put on an event that the student body will resonate with. I am honored to lead an incredible team of people that make this happen!鈥�

Block Darty

Activities on the Quad from 1-5 p.m. are free for 果冻传媒 and SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) students. There will be food trucks, inflatables, activities and more.

鈥淥ur events are tailored for the students that come to them, so every activation, brand and activity has been thought out,鈥� says Rhylee Hudson 鈥�27, collaborations director of University Union. 鈥淥rganizing Block Darty has been something amazing. I鈥檝e never dreamed that I could鈥檝e loved planning events this much. It is so rewarding to see people interested in our event and that makes the planning all worth it.鈥�

Block Darty will also feature an outdoor concert with live music from artists Sun Room, Alex Vaughn and Padma.

鈥淭here aren鈥檛 many opportunities for college creatives to showcase their work on large scales,鈥� says Emma Barbosa 鈥�25, design director for Block Party and Block Darty. 鈥淭hrough these events, I鈥檝e gotten the chance to see my work displayed throughout campus and it鈥檚 a gratifying feeling seeing the campus community interact with it.鈥�

Block Party

The Block Party Concert lineup will be headlined by two-time Grammy nominated rapper Latto with support from Role Model.

Breakout Queen of Da Souf rapper Latto has been making a name for herself since she was 8 and hasn鈥檛 stopped since. In the past three years, the 24-year-old released her project Queen of Da Souf, her album 777 and loose singles while continuing to elevate and garner accolade after accolade. Big Latto鈥檚 鈥榞ot that real big energy鈥� and shows no signs of stopping.

Role Model鈥檚 been in love. He was so in love he wrote his entire debut album, Rx, about it. But not all romances last forever, and the 27-year-old鈥檚 grieving of that same relationship is at the center of his sophomore album, Kansas Anymore. As rough as it was to ride that roller coaster of heartbreak and homesickness, Role Model feels these are the greatest songs he鈥檚 made yet.

Tickets are required and the JMA Wireless Dome opens at 7 p.m.

• 果冻传媒 and SUNY ESF: Tickets are $20 for students, faculty and staff with valid University I.D. and email address. Students can purchase a maximum of two tickets and at time of purchase they will be loaded on to their account.
• General Public: Tickets for the general public are on sale via . Tickets will start in the 200-level reserved area and continue to the 300-level if needed.

Tickets will also be available for purchase in the Box Office throughout the duration of the event on Friday, April 25, 2025.

For questions, or to request accommodations, contact University Union vice president, Enoca Shin 鈥�25, at uuvicepresident@gmail.com by 5 p.m., on Wednesday, April 23, for Block Party and Thursday, April 24, for Block Darty.

Luiza Owuor

The program helps students like Owuor become involved with research efforts early on in their academic careers, and for Owuor, the experience, especially a presentation from and Professor of Biomedical and Chemical Engineering , ignited her passion for biochemical engineering.

Once Owuor officially embarked on her journey in the , she wanted to contribute to the , which strives to improve treatments for individuals living with an injury or disease. Through experimental and computational approaches, lab researchers study and apply mechanobiology in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.

鈥淚 remember being especially drawn to Dr. Henderson鈥檚 presentation, and his work really sparked my interest in this field,鈥� says Owuor, president of the Society of Women Engineers and a mentor with Catalyst Scholars, a new program for first-generation students.

鈥淏eing involved in his lab has been one of the most defining parts of my academic journey. I鈥檝e co-authored two published papers through BioInspired [which examines complex biological systems], and it鈥檚 been incredibly rewarding to see our research make a real contribution to the field,鈥� Owuor says. 鈥淚鈥檝e built a strong, family-like bond with my lab members and that sense of support and collaboration has made the experience truly special.鈥�

Owuor, a native of Kisumu, Kenya, was recently named as a 2025-26 果冻传媒 Remembrance Scholar. She sat down with SU News to discuss her passion for biomedical engineering, her career goals, the important role of mentoring and how her time on campus has fueled her holistic development.

What sparked your interest in biomedical engineering and the STEM field?

I鈥檝e always wanted to be part of the health care space, but not necessarily on the front lines. Biomedical engineering drew me in because it offers a way to make a real impact from behind the scenes, whether that鈥檚 through designing medical devices, developing therapeutic technologies or conducting research that leads to breakthroughs.

Once I got involved in research at Syracuse, I saw how engineering could be used to solve complex biological problems, and that solidified my passion for this field. I love that I get to blend innovation with purpose every day.

What are your career goals and ambitions?

To become a medical scientist and contribute to the development of innovative therapies that improve patient outcomes. I鈥檓 especially interested in translational research, taking discoveries from the lab and turning them into real solutions for people. Pursuing a Ph.D. is part of that path, and I hope to work at the intersection of research and innovation to help address some of the biggest challenges in health care.

What role has mentoring played in your development?

Mentorship has shaped so much of my growth. From research mentors in the to peer leaders in student organizations like the Society of Women Engineers and the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE), I鈥檝e been guided and supported by people who believed in my potential. Mentoring others鈥攚hether through Academic Excellence Workshops or Catalyst Scholar mentoring鈥攆eels like a full-circle moment. It鈥檚 my way of paying it forward.

How has your time at 果冻传媒 helped fuel your development?

Syracuse has been instrumental in my growth鈥攁cademically, professionally and personally. Through leadership roles like serving as president of the Society of Women Engineers and alumni relations chair for NSBE, I鈥檝e developed strong communication, organizational and interpersonal skills.

The (SOURCE) program has been a major support system, funding my research projects and giving me the platform to present my work. Syracuse has also connected me with the resources and guidance I needed to secure meaningful internships, including one for this upcoming summer. On top of that, my classes have equipped me with technical lab skills and data analysis that will directly apply to my field and my future career goals.

Father Gerry writes: “What a sad day for the holy Roman Catholic Church, and indeed for the whole world鈥� the passing into eternity of our beloved Holy Father Pope Francis! A Jesuit by profession, but a Franciscan at heart (he chose his name Francis after St Francis of Assisi) he was a kind and gentle giant as he advocated for the poor and the disenfranchised, the migrants, and for our planet and environment (Laudato Si). He was an agent of change and fought tirelessly for a more inclusive Catholic Church (鈥渨ho am I to judge?鈥�). In my opinion, he was the epitome of Jesus himself, especially as he told us, his priests, that we should 鈥渟mell like our sheep,鈥� meaning that our work is with and among the people, not behind desks. Like Jesus, he modeled that exact behavior, visiting prisons, washing the feet of the poorest of the poor, caring for he least among us. There are some big shoes to fill in the Vatican, for the Chief Shepherd of the Catholic Church. Come, Holy Spirit, we seek your guidance, wisdom, and power as we move forward into the future!”

Brian Konkol writes: 鈥淭he passing of Pope Francis marks the loss of a global leader whose example transcends borders and beliefs. Through his Jesuit commitment to finding God in all things, he reminded the Catholic community and beyond that love for others is a shared and sacred responsibility. While historians will surely debate his legacy, the bold voice and humble presence of Pope Francis will surely be missed, and the influence of his devout life will endure.鈥�

The University has an abundance of disciplines that can relate to a career and technical education (CTE) pathway and provide a meaningful experience for an intern. If you think your team is a good fit for a summer intern, please reach out to Jake Losowski, the University鈥檚 associate director of community engagement, at jjlosow@syr.edu. The deadline to apply is May 1.

Intern Moo Loe Htoo worked at the SENSES Project last summer, where students can learn about music production, podcasting and more.

Now in its fifth year, the SU Summer Internship Program offers the opportunity for rising high school seniors from the SCSD鈥檚 CTE program or Say Yes scholarship programs to engage in a six-week work opportunity on campus to gain valuable hands-on experience working closely with University employees in their chosen field. The goal of the program is to give local students real-world job experience before their high school graduation. Summer internship experiences have led students to both higher education and the workplace, and interns have completed the program with a better understanding of what their future career might look like.

Having an SCSD summer intern working with you can also be rewarding for your team. 鈥淎lthough it鈥檚 important to expose young people to the opportunities that exist in our organization, it is equally important and fulfilling to provide our staff with the chance to feel valued and energized by impacting young people in a positive way,鈥� says Mike Hartnett, patrol commander in the Department of Public Safety.

The University鈥檚 Office of Community Engagement works with the school district to align the experience with the students鈥� goals and interests. Summer interns come to campus well-equipped with knowledge and skills from the classroom as well as hands-on learning opportunities and are eager to learn from qualified professionals.

The CTE program works to empower all students to build technical, academic and professional leadership skills for college and career success. Students take courses in a specific CTE pathway that allows them to obtain work-based learning experiences and master skills that prepare them for employment or secondary education after finishing school. Some CTE programs that could align with opportunities on campus include:

The Summer Internship Program has had many successful internship placements throughout the course of the program, including the Barnes Center at the Arch (Health Professions learning pathway) the Department of Public Safety (Law Enforcement learning pathway) and Facilities Services (Construction Technology, Electrical Trades, Manufacturing and Welding learning pathways). These placement sites have been successful thanks to the employees working with the interns who have acted as career coaches, engaging with the students, guiding them through the experience and teaching them the skills of the job.

Summer interns from the Say Yes scholarship program have also had positive work experiences on campus; their positions are more general and range from administrative support to summer youth program counselors.

Students wearing garments from SOLACE Collective’s new line of clothing for neurodivergent individuals.

Carolyn Fernandes 鈥�25 remembers walking out of an interview for a design internship that she ended up not getting. She wondered if fidgeting with her nails鈥攁 common, repetitive expression of her nervous energy every day鈥攚as misconstrued as a sign of not paying attention and a reason for her not getting the position.

Carolyn Fernandes

Fernandes is part of the 20% of people worldwide who are neurodivergent and live with neurological differences like autism, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), dyslexia, bipolar disorder and social anxiety.

Stories like the one above motivated Fernandes and fellow students Lucas d鈥橭elsnitz 鈥�25, Aphrodite Gioulekas 鈥�25 and Aidan Turner 鈥�25 to create , which aims to provide everyone, especially neurodivergent individuals, with comfortable garments that alleviate anxiety, increase confidence and reduce distractions by providing opportunities for fidgeting discreetly or openly.

鈥淧eople like me need to fidget to cope and feel comfortable, so I started researching ways clothing could be made to help neurodiverse people like myself feel more comfortable,鈥� Fernandes says.

After an inspiring conversation with Linda Dickerson Hartsock鈥攖he retired founder and executive director of 鈥攁nd after taking an class focused on inclusive product design, Turner came up with the idea for SOLACE 鈥渢o meet the needs of a huge portion of the population that is currently underserved,鈥� says Turner.

Going All-In to Solve an Important Social Issue

Aidan Turner

In October, Turner set about assembling what he proudly refers to as his team of Avengers to turn concept into reality. As part of the group, Turner, a fifth-year architecture student in the , recruited Fernandes, who is studying industrial design in the (VPA) and Spanish and environmental geoscience in the ; d鈥橭elsnitz, who is studying finance and entrepreneurship in the ; Gioulekas, a fashion design major in VPA; Maria-Camila Molina 鈥�25, a fashion design major in VPA; Christine Ianniello 鈥�25, a biology major in Arts and Sciences; Bobby Anzaldua 鈥�25, an economics major in the ; Bella Tabak 鈥�25, a magazine, news and digital journalism in the ; and Francine听Tongol 鈥�24, a communications design major in VPA.

Lucas d鈥橭elsnitz

After sharing their personal experiences with uncomfortable clothing with each other, Turner pitched creating the neurodivergent clothing line. The project鈥檚 potential impact immediately resonated with d鈥橭elsnitz. At Whitman, d鈥橭elsnitz does a lot of idea pitching but always struggles to control his fidgeting. After one of his first pitches before his peers, d鈥橭elsnitz nearly passed out because, unable to rely on his usual coping mechanisms like playing with his rings, he felt anxious and light-headed.

鈥淩ealizing this is something I would wear motivated me to go all-in on this project because this is not just a clothing brand; it鈥檚 solving an important social issue,鈥� says d’Oelsnitz, who has ADHD and bouts of anxiety.

Meeting the Unique Needs of Neurodiverse Individuals

The team set out to collect data on how SOLACE could better meet the needs of neurodiverse individuals, beginning with a wardrobe analysis and personal interviews to determine what types of clothing neurodivergent people liked or didn鈥檛 like鈥攊ncluding textures and how a garment feels.

Lucas d鈥橭elsnitz (right) discusses SOLACE Collective’s line of clothing with a student during one of 10 on-campus events where students could try on the clothes and provide feedback.

For the next step, Fernandes conducted a survey of 430 people ages 5 to 91 and discovered that 95% of respondents, including 97% of neurodiverse people, experienced discomfort from their clothing.

Incorporating the feedback and relying on sketches, Turner created a visual design brief that served as the blueprint for the first line of clothing, and Fernandes and others on the team used sewing machines to create prototypes from fabric samples collected from their closets and local thrift shops.

Currently there are four prototypes consisting of a matching sweatshirt or hoodie and sweatpants of assorted colors, fabrics and designs:

• Concealed fidgeting: A sweatsuit featuring textured cargo pockets with hidden interior fabrics for discreet sensory engagement
• Participatory fidgeting: A distressed, double-layered top and bottom set with tactile cutouts for visible fidgeting鈥攖urning a need into a confident form of self-expression
• Airy and light: A minimal-stitched, ultra-breathable sweat set built for those sensitive to seams and pressure, offering a loose and calming fit
• Clasp cuffs: A crewneck set with subtly exposed, adjustable elastic cuffs that let wearers control tightness for customized comfort

The clothes are tagless (product details and cleaning instructions are screen-printed on the outside), with many of the items providing its wearer a sense of grounded-ness thanks to the use of heavy fabric, while others rely on light and airy fabrics.

鈥淥ur product line serves to confirm to a lot of neurodivergent people that what they鈥檙e doing is okay and that they can be normal,鈥� says Fernandes, who serves as SOLACE鈥檚 industrial designer. 鈥淎nd it鈥檚 not just neurodivergent people that want this clothing. If everyone is wearing it, then no one is going to feel like they鈥檙e sticking out like a sore thumb while they fidget.鈥�

Aidan Turner (far right) talks with students during one of SOLACE Collective’s on-campus feedback events.

Transforming Vision into Reality

鈥淲e try to achieve a grounded feeling while providing warmth and the reassurance that you鈥檙e safe. We鈥檙e trying to find a sustainable way to produce items of clothing for everyone, no matter how your neurodiversity presents,鈥� says d’Oelsnitz, SOLACE鈥檚 project coordinator.

The group has received more than $32,000 in startup investment money through entrepreneurial competitions held on campus and through grants, including the听2025 School of Information Studies鈥� Raymond von Dran Fund for Student Entrepreneurship iPrize competition. Earlier this semester, they held 10 events on campus for students to try on the clothes and provide feedback.

After running a marketing campaign, including the launch of a website and social media channels, they hope to start accepting pre-orders in late June, with items being distributed to customers by the end of the summer. Knowing how well-received their casual prototypes have been, Turner, Fernandes and d鈥橭elsnitz next want to expand into business casual clothing.

鈥淚 have a passion for designing fashion, for retail and for entrepreneurship, and I was introduced to the lack of solutions that exist for neurodivergent individuals,鈥� says Turner, SOLACE鈥檚 team coordinator. 鈥淭here are a lot of opportunities for us to give this overlooked community reassurance and warmth through our clothing, and I鈥檓 proud of what this wonderful team has accomplished so far.鈥�

Members of the campus community learn about the SOLACE Collective’s line of clothing for neurodivergent individuals.

Emma Bellai

After completing an 鈥淚ntro to Artificial Intelligence (AI)鈥� course in the (ECS), Emma Bellai 鈥�25 was eager to apply everything she learned in class to her internship with Verizon. Joining the Global Network and Technology team as an AI intern, the timing was perfect, as the AI boom in recent years opened exciting opportunities for exploration in this field.

鈥淥ne class is all it takes to make the difference and that鈥檚 what happened to me,鈥� says Bellai, a computer science student.

In just 10 weeks, Bellai explored how prompt engineering and personas are used in AI chatbots and her background in AI research was a huge help. Prompt engineering involves writing instructions that guide AI chatbots to respond to questions or complete tasks. Personas guide the chatbot鈥檚 tone of voice or the way the chatbot speaks. Using specific personas are a great way to make AI chatbots sound more human, which helps personalize their responses.

鈥淭he chatbot would talk differently to a CEO than it would to a software engineer,鈥� says Bellai. 鈥淭he main focus of my work was seeing how to optimize personas for different people. To see the results of my work and having an application on the website that I worked on was very rewarding.鈥�

A typical day at the office involved researching the latest developments in AI, preparing presentations on new concepts she was learning and communicating with her team and personal mentor. Interns were encouraged to engage with others in the company through coffee chats, and Bellai had the opportunity to speak with many employees, including senior leadership and the CEO.

鈥淭hey wanted to hear from young voices and AI applications from my perspective,鈥� says Bellai. 鈥淚 got to speak with the CEO at least two or three times, which is great because I feel like at other companies, you don鈥檛 get that opportunity.鈥�

Interning with Verizon connected Bellai with the company鈥檚 extensive network of professionals, including 果冻传媒 alumni. She also had an opportunity to share her experiences and insights during a live stream to the entire company. Bellai鈥檚 hard work and enthusiasm for her role paid off, as she was offered a full-time position and will return to Verizon after graduation.

鈥淚f you have a really great professor that makes you genuinely care about the topic you鈥檙e learning about, it can make such a big difference down the line,鈥� says Bellai. 鈥淓CS gave me the confidence to go into the internship and I felt like I was put in a good position to thrive.鈥�

Gisela von Dran, widow of Raymond von Dran, served as a judge and handed out RvD iPrize awards.

Winners of the 2025 School of Information Studies鈥� (iSchool) Raymond von Dran (RvD) Fund for Student Entrepreneurship iPrize competition and the Hunter Brooks Watson (HBW) Spirit of Entrepreneurship Award were announced on April 10 at the Blackstone LaunchPad in Bird Library. The award competition highlights the University鈥檚 entrepreneurial focus. Each team received a $2,000 award.

Raymond von Dran, who served as dean of the School of Information Studies from 1995 until his passing in 2007, was a longtime academic, entrepreneur and staunch supporter of student innovation.

The 2025 RvD iPrize winners are the following:

• SipSafe, founded by Lindy Elizabeth Truitt 鈥�25 (College of Visual and Performing Arts) and Anjaneya Sanjay Padwal G鈥�25 (School of Information Studies)
• Diabetech, founded by Tosin Alabi G鈥�25 (Martin J. Whitman School of Management)
• InstaHelp, founded by Mirco Sascha Kunz G鈥�26 (Whitman School)
• Game, founded by Carena Gianna Colo G鈥�25 (Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs)
• SOLACE, founded by Carolyn Fernandes G鈥�25 (College of Visual and Performing Arts)
• Pari Beauty, founded by Aarna Taparia 鈥�27 (School of Architecture)
• WW Productions, founded by James Oliver Welch G鈥�28 (College of Visual and Performing Arts) and Reid Willar G鈥�27 (College of Visual and Performing Arts)
• Palmarati, founded by Tommy Brown G鈥�28 (S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications and School of Information Studies) and Oscar Rune Goranson G鈥�28 (Whitman School)
• RYZYN, founded by Celes Buffard 鈥�27 (School of Information Studies)
• BetaKola, founded by Alie Savane 鈥�25 (College of Arts and Sciences)

The Hunter Brooks Watson Spirit of Entrepreneurship Award began in 2018 through the Hunter Brooks Watson Memorial Fund and is awarded to students who best exemplify 鈥淭he Spirit of Entrepreneurship.鈥� Prizes honor the memory of Hunter Brooks Watson, a 果冻传媒 student who died tragically in a distracted driving accident. The 2025 HBW Spirit of Entrepreneurship Award Winners are the following:

• Carolina Aguayo-Pla 鈥�27 (Whitman School and School of Information Studies)
• Waqar Hussain 鈥�25 (Whitman School)
• Isabella Carter G鈥�26 (Newhouse School) and Ava Lubkemann G鈥�26 (College of Engineering and Computer Science)
• Ziekariba Nonr Diallo G鈥�28 (School of Information Studies)
• Jase M Malloy 鈥�25 (School of Information Studies)

During a recent visit to Falk College, Women Leaders in Sports CEO Patti Phillips (back row, middle with red jacket) met with 果冻传媒 students from Falk College and the Newhouse School.

One of the many benefits of the new partnership between the nationally recognized and the Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics is the mentorship that Women Leaders in Sports executives are providing to Falk students.

That benefit was on full display recently in Falk College, where Women Leaders in Sports Chief Executive Officer and Chief Strategy and Operating Officer met with Falk students for a networking and professional development session and hosted a lunch meeting with students from Falk and the .

We asked Falk College students Emily Gilbert, Lexi Katz and Allison Vims to share what they learned from Phillips and Turner at the lunch session, and here鈥檚 what they wrote:

Emily Gilbert 鈥�27 (sport management major, political science minor)

鈥淢eeting with Christina and Patti was a wonderful experience, and learning more about their professional journeys and how they got to where they are now was eye-opening. It was inspiring to hear how Patti started as a coach with mostly male mentors and that pushed her to want to create an environment where women had other women to lean on.

鈥淚 asked Patti why she was coming to Syracuse and how the new partnership would be beneficial for female students, and her reply resonated with me. She said their organization is a hub for women to meet other women and learn valuable skills that will help grow their careers.

鈥淧atti also explained how they will tell us the truth about the industry. She said that getting into the industry is not easy and sometimes putting in the work is not enough. There will be times that you will get overlooked, but the Women Leaders in Sports organization is there to help lift us. They will provide us with opportunities to grow, learn and adapt to make us the best candidates so that organizations will have no choice but to hire us.鈥�

Emily Gilbert is the community outreach and fundraising chair for the Women in Sports and Events Club (WISE), vice president of community service for the Sport Management Club and vice president of philanthropy for the Alpha Gamma Delta sorority.

Lexi Katz 鈥�27 (sport management major, Spanish minor)

鈥淚 was very fortunate to have the opportunity to meet with Patti Phillips and Christina Turner and they shared valuable insights on how to be a successful woman in sports and break into the competitive industry.听I enjoyed hearing their networking and interviewing tips such as making a good first impression, how to follow up and stay connected to build your network, what questions to avoid in an interview, and how women can support each other in different organizations.

Sport management major Lexi Katz (in striped sweater) says she hopes 鈥渕ore students learn about the partnership (with Women Leaders in Sports) and use their network to find other opportunities.鈥�

鈥淥ne valuable conversation we had was about how important it is to have a growth mindset. If you want to grow and progress in the industry, you need to try new things and push yourself while also being detailed and taking pride in doing the small things.

鈥淲e also discussed the partnership between Falk and Women Leaders in Sports and I mentioned how grateful we are to have a dean like Jeremy Jordan, who recognizes the lack of support women have in sports and encourages us to get our foot in any way we can. I hope more students in Falk learn about the partnership, take advantage of it and use their network to find other opportunities. I love all that Patti, Christina, and Women Leaders in Sports are doing, and I am so happy to be part of it.鈥�

Lexi Katz is the communications chair for the Women In Sports and Events Club (WISE), a member of the Sport Management Club and a two-year member of the inventory team for the Sport Management Club鈥檚 Sport Charity Auction.

Allison Vims 鈥�27 (sport management major, double minor in business and Spanish)

鈥淢y table鈥檚 discussion was led by Patti Phillips, who asked us each to individually share our goals and leadership aspirations. Patti made the time to get to know us as individuals and encouraged us to figure out ways that she could help us.

鈥淥ver our lunch, my fellow attendees and I began to share stories of our hardships and success stories in the industry. Patti listened first, then broke down scenarios and different ways to attack each situation to ensure that we would keep our seats at the table. The Women Leaders in Sports team ended the lunch with the advice to keep leading, because we, as students, are the future of the sport industry. I left the lunch feeling a sense of empowerment.

鈥淧rior to this lunch, I knew that the partnership would make Falk College stand out from other sport management programs, but I didn鈥檛 see how students would be involved. However, being able to ask the CEO her opinions and having the opportunity to share my input as a student leader helped me see how the partnership will benefit students. The future is promising with such an incredible team of leaders backing us! Thank you to both Women Leaders and Falk College for giving me the opportunity to be a leader.

Allison Vilms is president of the Women in Sports and Events Club (WISE) and vice president of programming for the Sport Management Club.

Pioneering Partnership

, the partnership between Women Leaders in Sports and Falk College and was inspired after 果冻传媒鈥檚 Women in Leadership Initiative hosted Women Leaders in Sports CEO Patti Phillips on campus in March 2024 for a series of meetings and presentations.

The partnership creates mentoring, learning, fellowship, internship and membership opportunities for Falk students, provides access to professional memberships to Falk faculty and supports faculty attendance at significant events such as the Women Leaders in Sports National Convention. In October, a contingent of Falk College students, faculty and staff attended the Women Leaders in Sports 2024 National Convention in Baltimore, Maryland.

As part of the collaboration, Phillips serves as special advisor to Falk College Dean Jeremy Jordan and an 鈥渆xecutive in residence鈥� at Falk. The partnership also calls for an exchange of relevant 果冻传媒 research and co-creates a Women Leaders in Sports Fellowship.

The Whitman Entrepreneurship MBA was also ranked No. 29. These specialty rankings are based solely on ratings by business school deans and directors of Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) accredited MBA programs from the list of schools surveyed. They were asked to nominate up to 15 programs for excellence in each area listed.

Whitman鈥檚 MBA program is currently ranked closely with the University of Miami, University of Maryland, Tulane University, Fordham听University听and others.

Half of the ranking formula evaluated institutions on the successful job attainment and earnings outcomes of the graduating students. The other half is a combination of academic achievement metrics of entering students and overall program quality assessments of other business school leadership and corporate recruiters. The rankings assess academic quality and graduate success鈥攆actors that are universally important to prospective students, according to Robert Morse, chief data strategist at U.S. News & World Report.

Data was collected in fall 2024 and early 2025. U.S. News surveyed 508 institutions with master鈥檚 level business programs in the U.S. accredited by AACSB International. Eligible schools reported on their full-time in-person programs鈥攁s defined by Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) guidelines. A total of 337 business schools responded and U.S. News ranked the top 133 business schools with eligible programs. 听This year for the first time, U.S. News used collected data on both the old GMAT test and the new GMAT test that was introduced in fall 2023.

鈥淲hitman is once again proving that we are a school on the rise. This latest achievement for our MBA program showing our highest ranking in over 25 years acts as another proof point that the work we are doing is making a difference. Our investments into our programming and emphasizing student placement success鈥攕omething that is central to our students鈥� decisions to pursue an MBA鈥攁re paying off. This is a strong testament on the accomplishments of our team and the trajectory of our MBA program,鈥� says Interim Dean Alex McKelvie.

鈥淚t鈥檚 incredibly exciting to see Whitman rise to No. 54 in the U.S. News & World Report rankings for our residential MBA program鈥攐ur highest in decades. Rankings aren鈥檛 everything, but they do matter to prospective students making one of the biggest decisions of their lives. This recognition reinforces what we already know: a Whitman MBA offers strong career outcomes, meaningful connections and long-term value. It鈥檚 a great time to be part of this community,鈥� says Mary Collier, executive director of graduate admissions and student recruitment.

See full list of U.S. News graduate business school rankings:

For more information on the methodology: