Amy R. Franzini, PhD

Widener University recently honored faculty members for distinction in areas of civic engagement, institutional leadership, research, as well as innovative and distinguished teaching. Various faculty received awards at the ceremony, held Oct. 28 in the University Center on the Chester campus.

“The honorees we recognized this year reflect a standard of excellence that sets our Widener academic community apart,” said Provost Mark Nicosia. “Through devoted teaching, scholarship that makes a difference, community engagement and visionary leadership, they enhance the student experience and motivate those who work alongside them.”

The awards included:
 

• The Lindback distinguished teaching award, given to a faculty member who has exemplified a history of teaching at the highest level of distinction. It is endowed by the Christian R. and Mary F. Lindback Foundation, a Philadelphia-based foundation that provides grants to institutions of higher education for the promotion of excellence in teaching. The recipient was Associate Professor of Social Work Margo Campbell.
• The faculty award for civic engagement celebrates faculty members who have built meaningful, sustained partnerships with community organizations over multiple years, weaving real- world collaboration into their teaching, their research, or both. The award was shared this year by Erika M. Dawkins, assistant professor in the Institute for Graduate Clinical Psychology and Rebecca Vlam, assistant clinical professor in the Center for Social Work Education. 
• The outstanding researcher award recognizes a faculty member who has participated in research and scholarship nationally or internationally, and made a significant contribution through their research, while advancing their profession or discipline as well as the university’s mission and vision. The recipient was Associate Professor of History Jordan B. Smith.
• The Fitz Dixon innovation in teaching award highlights an individual who has designed and assessed novel, transformative teaching practices and high-impact learning experiences that significantly elevate student outcomes. This award was presented to Assistant Professor of Economics Afrouz Jahromi.
• The faculty institutional leadership award recognizes faculty leaders who have championed major institutional initiatives, governance reforms or co-curricular programs that advance student success and strategic vision. This year’s award was shared by Associate Teaching Professor of Biomedical Engineering Ria Mazumder and Professor of Communication Studies and Digital Media Informatics Amy Franzini.
• The distinguished university professor designation is given for a three-year term to the rare faculty members who have achieved distinction across teaching, research, civic engagement, and institutional leadership simultaneously. The designation was awarded to Professor of Criminal Justice Shana Maier and Professor of Social Work Brent A. Satterly. 

The photo shows, from left, Ria Mazumder, Shana Maier, Afrouz Jahromi, Amy Franzini, Jordan Smith, Brent Satterly, Rebecca Vlam, Erica Dawkins, Margo Campbell.

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Amy Franzini, associate professor of communication studies and digital media informatics, recently had an article, entitled "U.S. coviewing during COVID" published in a special issue of The Journal of Children and Media. The special issue was entitled "Children, Media, and the Clarity of Crises in 2020."

The article focused on how the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020 provided a unique opportunity for Franzini to interweave her personal family life, as a parent, and professional life, as a researcher of teachable moments in children's media.

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