Noteworthy

The Pennsylvania Department of Education has designated Widener a certified PA CARES campus for the 2026-27 academic year. The designation recognizes the university’s commitment to mental health awareness and suicide prevention initiatives. 

Specifically, the CARES accolade highlights Widener’s ability to:
 
•    Connect: Build strong relationships and open lines of communication.
•    Assess: Identify warning signs and assess the level of risk. 
•    Respond: Take immediate action by offering support and resources. 
•    Encourage: Promote hope, resilience, and professional help. 
•    Support: Provide ongoing care and follow-up to ensure safety and well-being

This is the second consecutive year Widener has been recognized with the designation. The university is one of only 36 Pennsylvania higher education institutions to carry it.

Share link: https://www.widener.edu/news/noteworthy/widener-cares
 

The Delaware Law School Admissions Office has been awarded a $15,000 LexScholars Engagement Grant from AccessLex Institute in recognition of its efforts to support prospective law students through AccessLex programs and initiatives.

The grant reflects Delaware Law's commitment to expanding access to legal education and helping aspiring lawyers navigate the path to law school. A key factor in the school's eligibility was its participation in the LexPostBacc Program, an AccessLex initiative designed to help students strengthen their academic preparation and improve their readiness for law school.
AccessLex Institute is a nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing access to legal education through a range of resources, financial education tools, and pipeline programs for prospective and current law students.

The grant funding will support the Admissions Office's continued engagement with AccessLex programming and its efforts to create opportunities for students considering a legal education. The award also highlights Delaware Law's ongoing work to connect aspiring law students with resources that promote success before and during law school.

By participating in programs such as LexPostBacc, Delaware Law continues to advance its mission of making legal education more accessible and supporting students from a variety of backgrounds as they pursue careers in law.
 

Share link: https://www.widener.edu/news/noteworthy/delaware-law-admissions-receives-accesslex-grant

Widener University is launching a new training program for students, faculty and staff who are interested in building skills and knowledge to better support students in need of assistance with mental health issues.

The Mental Health Advocate Training Program, which includes both self-paced online learning opportunities and in-person training experiences, has officially launched. It is a multi-level initiative designed to promote mental health awareness and strengthen our campus community's capacity to support student well-being. It allows participants to engage at a level that aligns with their interests and responsibilities.

The three levels of training from which to choose include:

Level 1 – foundational training, equips all participants with basic mental health awareness and campus resources to promote emotional well-being and resilience.

Level 2 – skills-based training, provides targeted training for people to enhance their skills to be equipped to support others in crisis or manage mental health challenges.

Level 3 –develops advanced skills and knowledge that participants can then share within their community.

Across all levels, participants will become more familiar with available campus resources, learn strategies to reduce stigma surrounding mental health concerns, and develop greater confidence in supporting students and their peers while connecting them to appropriate services. 

Opportunities are also available for members of the community who wish to become trained as facilitators. The first training will be Sept. 30 from 3 to 5 p.m. for faculty and staff. Future opportunities are being planned for student trainings.

Those who wish to learn more about any of the trainings should reach out to Jennifer Burns, executive director of Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) at jlburns1@widener.edu or Rebecca Ross, director of Student Accessibility Services at rross@widener.edu.

Share link: https://www.widener.edu/news/noteworthy/mental-health-advocate-training-begins-month

The American Association for Men in Nursing, or AAMN, has recognized Widener University's Jack & Nancy Dwyer School of Nursing as one of the nation's top schools for men pursuing a career in nursing.

The recognition marks the second consecutive year Widener's nursing program has received the honor, placing it among just 15 schools nationwide to earn the distinction this year.

"It is an incredible honor to receive this award for the second straight year," said Associate Professor Normajean Colby, director of the nursing education and clinical nurse specialist graduate programs, and faculty advisor to Widener’s AAMN chapter. "We're proud to recruit everyone who wants to be a nurse and provide our students with what they need, where they are. Men belong in nursing, and gender diversity strengthens the profession and the care we provide to our patients."

The AAMN recognized the Dwyer School of Nursing for its efforts to recruit and retain men in nursing, foster a supportive and inclusive learning environment, and educate faculty, students and the broader community about the contributions men have made — and continue to make — to the nursing profession.

“Diversity in nursing includes gender diversity. Our patients are best served when they have nurses who reflect the diversity of the communities we provide care for,” Colby said.

Share link: https://www.widener.edu/news/noteworthy/dwyer-school-nursing-honored-top-school-men-nursing-second-consecutive-year

Fifty Widener students representing the Center for Civic Engagement volunteered alongside community partners at the Chester Upland School District’s Back-to-School Backpack Giveaway to help local students and families prepare for the start of a new school year. 

Throughout the event, volunteers helped to create a welcoming and exciting experience for families by distributing backpacks, school supplies, food, clothes and more to ensure that students are set up for success. 

“The day provided an opportunity for our scholars to connect directly with the Chester community and begin the academic year through meaningful service,” said LaShanda Patton, director of civic engagement. “Their participation reflected the spirit of the Center for Civic Engagement and our commitment to leading, serving, engaging and making a lasting impact!”

Share link: https://www.widener.edu/news/noteworthy/widener-civic-engagement-students-volunteer-chester-upland-school-district

Widener University Delaware Law School has been highlighted by The National Jurist for its strong improvement in graduate employment outcomes over the past decade. 

National Jurist magazine focuses on legal education by publishing news, career insights and coverage that highlights program strengths at law schools around the country.

Using ABA data and a weighted model that prioritizes full‑time, long‑term, bar‑required roles, the publication reports that Delaware Law achieved a 20‑point increase in its quality‑adjusted employment rate between the classes of 2012–2014 and 2023–2025.

This upward movement reflects the school’s sustained investment in practice‑ready training, clinic and externship opportunities, and early career engagement. Delaware Law’s approach aligns with national trends identified by The National Jurist: law schools that emphasize hands‑on learning, individualized advising and strong employer partnerships are seeing the most meaningful gains in post‑graduation outcomes.

For prospective students, employment strength remains one of the clearest indicators of long‑term value. Delaware Law’s improvement signals a growing career pipeline supported by experiential learning, alumni involvement and a curriculum designed for today’s legal marketplace.

Read more: https://nationaljurist.com/uc-irvine-law-western-state-top-the-list-of-50-most-improved-law-schools-for-employment/

Share link: https://www.widener.edu/news/noteworthy/delaware-law-recognized-national-jurist-significant-employment-growth

Dear Widener Community,

Our campuses are once again buzzing with anticipation, possibility and the excitement of new beginnings. Whether you are returning to Widener or joining us for the first time, welcome! We are so glad you're here.

Last week, we welcomed students at Widener Law Commonwealth and Delaware Law School, and this week our Chester campus comes alive as students begin classes. Together, we are all embarking on a journey that will challenge, inspire and transform.

At Friday’s academic convocation, I encouraged our incoming first-year students to be present for that journey and remember that while earning a degree is the destination, it is the experiences, relationships and growth happening between now and commencement that make a Widener education so meaningful. This sentiment holds true for students across the university.

Most importantly, I want every student to know they belong here. They have reached this moment through hard work and are joining, or returning to, a community that is deeply invested in their success. A visible reminder of that commitment can be found on the academic quad in Chester this week where student help stations are once again being staffed by volunteers ready to answer questions, offer guidance and share a friendly smile. Whether you need directions, assistance, or simply want to stop by and say hello, we're here for you.

I encourage all of us to embrace the opportunities ahead this year, support one another, and make the most of every moment. 

Here's to a year of discovery, achievement and belonging!

With warmth and Widener Pride,
Stacey

Stacey Robertson, president

Share link: https://www.widener.edu/news/noteworthy/welcome-fall-semester

Widener University Delaware Law School student Carson Francis earned a top placement in the Montgomery County District Attorney’s annual mock trial competition, the culminating exercise for certified legal interns serving in the district attorney’s office.

Francis was recognized after prosecuting a challenging fictitious homicide case before senior members of the district attorney’s leadership team. The competition featured second year interns from a variety of law schools across the region, all of whom spent the summer handling probation violation hearings, guilty pleas and other proceedings under prosecutor supervision.

The program offers young advocates a meaningful opportunity to develop courtroom skills and gain practical experience in criminal practice.

Read more: https://www.pottsmerc.com/2026/08/08/montco-d-a-s-summer-intern-program-concludes-with-mock-trial-competition/

Share link: https://www.widener.edu/news/noteworthy/delaware-laws-carson-francis-earns-recognition-montgomery-county-mock-trial-competition

Students, faculty and alumni from the Center for Human Sexuality Studies convened in San Juan, Puerto Rico recently for the 2026 annual conference of the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists (AASECT). 

Faculty present included Associate Professor Mark Levand, who currently serves on the AASECT’s Board of Directors as chair of the steering committee overseeing the certification of sexuality educators, counselors, therapists and supervisors. Additionally, at the time of this year’s conference Widener alum Lexx Brown James ’13 ’15 was serving as AASECT president. 

Share link: https://www.widener.edu/news/noteworthy/human-sexuality-faculty-students-and-alumni-represent-annual-conference
 

Three members of Widener University Delaware Law School’s class of 2026 have been recognized for their contributions to public interest work and community-focused legal service. Carolina Parra, Veronica Valentin, and Beth Wilson have been selected as 2026 Eve Biskind Klothen Public Interest Award honorees, a regional distinction presented by the Philadelphia Bar Association to law students demonstrating exceptional commitment to public service and pro bono engagement. The award acknowledges their sustained involvement in public interest placements and their efforts to expand access to legal services for underserved communities.

Parra graduated with nearly 10 years of prior experience in immigration legal services. At Delaware Law, she served as a certified legal intern in the Delaware Civil Law Clinic, represented survivors of domestic violence in protection from abuse matters, and completed placements with the Delaware Department of Justice and Pennsylvania Court of Common Pleas Judge Dominic Pileggi. She also supported worker-advocacy initiatives through Justice at Work and Resilience Force. Parra will return to Justice at Work in Philadelphia as a worker justice fellow.

Valentin previously worked in child welfare and dependency matters and holds bachelor's degrees in criminal justice and political science from Widener University. During law school, she completed pro bono service with Legal Aid of Southeastern Pennsylvania, or LASP, assisting clients with family law matters, protection from abuse cases, and estate planning documents for seniors. Valentin now serves on the LASP board of directors and will join The Castro Firm as an associate attorney while preparing for the Delaware and Pennsylvania bar examinations.

Wilson, who graduated with pro bono distinction, completed constitutional and civil rights work through the Dignity Rights Clinic and the ACLU of Delaware, including support for Eighth Amendment litigation and LGBTQ-related advocacy. Wilson held leadership roles in the First Generation Law Student Association, OUTLaw, and the Sports and Entertainment Law Association, and volunteered at naturalization clinics and moot court competitions. They received the Harvey A. Chernoff Memorial Scholarship and the Honorable William Duffy Memorial Scholarship and will continue civil rights litigation with the ACLU of Delaware.

These alumni reflect Delaware Law’s ongoing commitment to public service and practice-ready legal training.

Share link: https://www.widener.edu/news/noteworthy/three-delaware-law-graduates-named-2026-klothen-public-interest-award-honorees

Widener was recently designated a PA Hunger-Free Campus by the Pennsylvania Department of Education in recognition of university efforts to address hunger and food insecurity amongst students.

The designation is awarded to colleges and universities that meet a number of criteria, including having a method to connect students to food options through on-campus or local food pantries or a food delivery program, and strategies in place to increase awareness of the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program.

Widener offers campus food pantries and participates in the national Swipe Out Hunger program, which includes a meal-sharing or donation effort.

Share link: https://www.widener.edu/news/noteworthy/widener-named-pa-hunger-free-campus-pa-department-ed

Nearly 30 high school students representing schools across Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware attended a two-day AI summer camp hosted by the Computer Science Department. 

[The camp] is designed to offer hands-on experience in artificial intelligence and related technologies. Students will be able to understand the applications of AI and basic machine learning methods,” said Suk-Chung Yoon, associate dean of science.

Led by computer science faculty, the students learned through demonstration, discussion and hands-on activities about AI ethics, using generative AI to build mobile apps and games, algorithms that simulate human reasoning through Large Language Models, identifying meaningful patterns in data and much more, all with the goal of exploring how AI works and how it is used in everyday life. 

“By participating in the camp, I hope they will see how AI is shaping the future,” said Yoon. 

See Widener’s AI Summer Camp featured on CBS 3 

Share link: https://www.widener.edu/news/noteworthy/widener-welcomes-high-school-students-ai-summer-camp

Assistant Professor F. Lee Francis published an analysis in Law360 examining the U.S. Supreme Court's recent decision in U.S. v. Hemani, a case that brought together the ACLU and the NRA to challenge a federal gun law's "unlawful user" provision. Francis argues the ruling is about far more than marijuana, tracing how it fits alongside Bruen and Rahimi to establish a new limit on the government's ability to disarm citizens based on status alone rather than actual, demonstrated risk. He walks through what the decision could mean for future challenges to felon disarmament laws, mental health prohibitions, and other firearm restrictions built on categorical assumptions rather than historical tradition. Francis disclosed that he co-wrote and filed an amicus brief in support of Hemani in the case.

The piece draws on Francis's ongoing scholarship on the Second Amendment and firearms law, an area where he's served as an expert witness in both federal and state court and where his work has been cited by federal district and appellate courts. At Widener Law Commonwealth, he teaches Constitutional Law, Criminal Procedure, and Evidence. 

Francis was recently awarded the 2025 Douglas E. Ray Excellence in Faculty Scholarship Award for his article "The Addiction Restriction: Addiction and the Right to Bear Arms," which challenges longstanding assumptions about addiction and constitutional rights.

Share link: https://www.widener.edu/news/noteworthy/law360-turns-widener-law-commonwealth-professor-f-lee-francis-supreme-courts-latest-second-amendment
 

Widener University Commonwealth Law School Professor Michal Buchhandler-Raphael was recently interviewed by Kaylee Tornay for an InvestigateWest report examining "failure-to-protect" laws, the statutes that can hold a parent, usually a mother, criminally liable for failing to stop abuse committed by someone else in the home. The piece links to her forthcoming article, "Excusing Abused Parents," set to be published in the Ohio State Law Journal in 2027, which critiques the criminal legal system for ignoring a parent's own history of abuse when weighing their culpability. She proposes a designated affirmative defense that would account for trauma and reasonable fear, one that could absolve a parent of criminal liability if they believed that intervening would lead to serious harm to themselves or their child.

The article builds on Buchhandler-Raphael's broader body of scholarship on the relationship between victimization and offending, which draws on behavioral psychology to argue for expanding legal defenses available to domestic violence survivors caught up in the criminal legal system. At Widener Law Commonwealth, she teaches Criminal Law, Criminal Procedure, Evidence and Family Law.
Her scholarship recently earned her the law school's 2026 Douglas E. Ray Excellence in Faculty Scholarship Award, one of Widener Law Commonwealth's highest academic honors, for her article "Police Minimalism in Domestic Violence," published in the Arizona State Law Journal.

Share link: https://www.widener.edu/news/noteworthy/investigatewest-cites-widener-law-commonwealth-professor-michal-buchhandler-raphael-when-law-should

Dean and Professor of Law andré douglas pond cummings of Widener University Commonwealth Law School joined high school scholars, educators, and community members at Attollo Prep on June 26 for a live conversation exploring leadership, justice, mentorship, and the many ways a legal education can shape lives and communities.

Held at Attollo Prep's headquarters in Lancaster, the event served as both an in-person discussion and a live podcast recording as part of the organization's Professional Development Series. The audience included Attollo Prep students, staff, and community members, who had the opportunity to engage with cummings throughout the conversation.

The discussion traced cummings' journey from growing up in California and attending Howard University School of Law to practicing corporate law at Kirkland & Ellis LLP before transitioning into legal education. Along the way, he reflected on the mentors who influenced his career, the experiences that shaped his commitment to justice, and the importance of creating opportunities for the next generation of leaders.

The conversation also highlighted cummings' nationally recognized scholarship, including his work examining the intersection of law, race, culture, and hip hop, as well as his commitment to fostering a culture of belonging in legal education. Throughout the session, he encouraged students to embrace mentorship, remain curious, and recognize the power they have to influence systems and create meaningful change.

Attollo Prep serves more than 400 high school students throughout Lancaster County each year through college access and youth development programming. Its Professional Development Series connects scholars with accomplished professionals whose personal and professional journeys offer insight into higher education, career pathways, and leadership.

The live recording was released as a podcast on Attollo Prep's YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts channels.Watch the episode on YouTube here!

Share link: https://www.widener.edu/news/noteworthy/dean-andre-douglas-pond-cummings-featured-attollo-prep-professional-development-series

Widener University Delaware Law School Assistant Professor Keeshea Turner Roberts has been selected as a fellow of the American Bar Foundation, one of the legal profession’s highest honors. Fellowship in the foundation is limited to about 1% of lawyers licensed to practice in the United States and its territories and recognizes outstanding professional achievement, dedication to community welfare and commitment to the legal profession.

At Delaware Law School, Turner Roberts teaches family law, family law skills, civil procedure and poverty law. Before entering academia, she represented low-income clients in Washington, D.C.; clerked for four judges on the District of Columbia Superior Court; and directed clinical and public-interest programs focused on housing justice, domestic violence and fair housing advocacy.

Turner Roberts’ scholarship explores the intersection of family law, poverty, race and access to justice, with a particular focus on how legal systems affect marginalized families and communities. A 2021 Association of American Law Schools Bellow Scholar, she has published scholarship on critical race theory, anti-racism in legal education and reparative justice. She is admitted to practice law in the District of Columbia.

The American Bar Foundation is the nation’s leading nonprofit institute for empirical and interdisciplinary research on law, legal institutions and legal processes. Fellows support the foundation’s mission through leadership, service and a commitment to advancing justice and the rule of law.

Share link:  https://www.widener.edu/news/noteworthy/delaware-law-professor-named-fellow-american-bar-foundation

Executive Director of International Strategy Michael Shaver has been elected to the ISEP Council of Advisors. The council includes approximately 15 international educators from across ISEP’s network of more than 375 member institutions. Members provide advice and perspective to ISEP’s global office on matters related to membership, programs and procedures.

Widener began a partnership with ISEP in 2025. The organization makes it possible and affordable for students to have study-away experiences around the world. Through this partnership, students can study abroad, work for an international company or spend a semester at a different university in the United States, and their tuition, financial aid and scholarships will follow them. That allows them to have these experiences for roughly the same costs as a semester at Widener. There are only a handful of institutions in Pennsylvania that offer this opportunity.

Shaver will serve a three-year term on the council.

Share link: https://www.widener.edu/news/noteworthy/michael-shaver-named-isep-council-advisors
 

Led by Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering Conor Marr, students Noah West ’27, Stella Ludwig ’27, Devoux Brooks ’28 and Janell Thompson ’27 from the School of Engineering traveled to Germany and Czechia for a trip that focused on the role of technology and ethics of engineering.

The group visited four major cities over the 10-day trip, and toured factories, museums and historical memorials including the BMW motorcycles factory, Spaten Brewery, the Berlin Wall and the Deutsches Museum to learn about cultural work practices, the evolution of technology and engineering’s role in shaping cultures across the globe. 

“We had many immersive experiences followed by debriefs and facilitated discussions, both in groups and one-on-one. The Widener students were highly engaged and took full advantage of the study abroad experience!” said Marr. 

This trip was taken in partnership with students and faculty from Rowan University and York College of Pennsylvania. 

Share link: https://www.widener.edu/news/noteworthy/engineering-students-and-faculty-travel-germany-and-czechia-explore-role-engineering-and-technology

Gina Rubel ’94, CEO & general counsel of Furia Rubel Communications, has been named to the Philadelphia Titan 100, which recognizes top regional CEOs and C suite leaders for exceptional vision and influence. She leads one of the nation’s most respected agencies specializing in legal marketing, public relations and high stakes crisis communications for law firms and corporate clients.

A lawyer, entrepreneur and globally recognized communications strategist, Rubel is frequently called upon for litigation media relations and complex reputation management. Her work is featured in Chambers & Partners’ Litigation Support Guide, Chambers Crisis PR & Communications Guide and The Legal 500’s Dispute Services rankings. Colleagues credit her with shaping industry standards, mentoring emerging leaders and guiding organizations through moments of significant challenge with integrity and clarity.

Rubel also co hosts the On Record PR podcast and is the author of Everyday PR: Harnessing Public Relations to Build Relationships, Brands & Businesses.
 

Share link: https://www.widener.edu/news/noteworthy/delaware-law-alumna-named-philadelphia-titan-100-leadership-legal-communications

Election law is one of the most contested areas in American public life right now, and Widener University Commonwealth Law School Professor Michael Dimino is right in the middle of it. Dimino has co-authored the newly released fourth edition of "Voting Rights and Election Law: Cases, Explanatory Notes, and Problems," published by Carolina Academic Press.

The updated casebook covers the issues that are actually dominating courtrooms and headlines: voting rights, redistricting, campaign finance, ballot access, free speech, and election administration. This edition also digs deeper into recent landmark cases involving the Voting Rights Act and partisan gerrymandering, two areas that have seen significant legal activity in recent years.

Dimino teaches constitutional law, election law, federal courts, and criminal law at Widener Law Commonwealth. He's a nationally recognized scholar in his field and a two-time recipient of both Widener's Outstanding Professor Award and the Douglas E. Ray Award for Faculty Scholarship. 

Share link: https://www.widener.edu/news/noteworthy/election-law-changing-fast-widener-law-commonwealth-professor-michael-diminos-new-casebook-keeps