Noteworthy

Widener University has received the 2026 Carnegie Community Engagement Classification, a designation awarded by the American Council on Education and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching that highlights an institution’s commitment to community engagement. 

The classification has been the leading framework for institutional assessment and recognition of community engagement in U.S. higher education for nearly 20 years. 

Widener is one of 277 institutions nationally to be given the classification and one of only 80 private colleges and universities named in the 2026 cohort. The designation, which celebrates our dedication to partnering with public, private and nonprofit entities to foster civic engagement and create real-world learning opportunities for students, is valid until 2032. 

The honor recognizes Widener’s work to deepen partnerships, leverage community assets and address societal challenges with clarity and distinction. In awarding the classification, the organizations noted Widener had documented excellent alignment among campus mission, culture, leadership, resources, and practices that support dynamic and noteworthy community engagement, and that the university had provided rich descriptions and examples of exemplary institutionalized practices of community engagement. 

The Carnegie Classifications are the nation’s leading framework for categorizing and describing colleges and universities in the United States. They are used frequently by policymakers, funders, and researchers, and are a critical benchmarking tool for postsecondary institutions.

Share link: https://www.widener.edu/news/noteworthy/widener-given-national-civic-engagement-classification

Widener welcomed legendary alumnus Phil Martelli ’76 to campus to speak with the Pride’s men’s and women’s basketball players and athletic staff. Martelli is passionate about making a difference through community and corporate engagements. He spoke to students in attendance sharing life advice and stories, and covering topics such as relationship building, perseverance, and being a good teammate. 

Martelli, known for his long career as a college basketball coach, was a member of the Pride men’s basketball team from 1972-1976. Following his graduation from Widener, he went on to have a successful coaching career at schools such as Bishop Kenrick High School Saint Joseph’s University and the University of Michigan.

Share link: https://www.widener.edu/news/noteworthy/legendary-pride-alumnus-phil-martelli-meets-basketball-players-and-staff  
 

Dear Widener Community,

Welcome to the start of spring semester!

Whether you’re continuing your academic journey at Widener or joining us as a new student, we’re so glad you’re part of the university community this semester.

The beginning of a new calendar year offers a powerful opportunity to reset and refocus. As classes begin this week, I hope you will take a moment to think about what you want to accomplish this year—both big goals and small steps. Maybe it’s exploring a new subject, getting involved in campus life or building habits that support your success. Whatever your aspirations, know that you have a network here cheering you on. You belong at Widener, and your contributions matter.

As I consider the fresh pages of my 2026 calendar, I’m reminded that progress often starts with simple actions — rest, reflection and routines that keep us grounded. New starts aren’t just about big changes, they’re about steady steps forward. The many activities happening across all three campuses this semester provide ways for us all to get involved and move forward together. 

Let’s approach this semester with optimism and collaboration. Celebrate your wins, support one another and make this a year of growth and achievement.

Here’s to new beginnings!

With Warmth and Widener Pride,
Stacey

Stacey Robertson, PhD
President

Share link: https://www.widener.edu/news/noteworthy/welcome-spring-2026-semester

Dean Todd J. Clark has been named to the Delaware Business Times’ Delaware 222 for the third consecutive year. Published annually, the Delaware 222 highlights influential leaders whose work is shaping the state’s economic, legal, nonprofit, and civic sectors.
Clark’s continued recognition reflects his sustained leadership in legal education and his growing impact within the broader Delaware community. His repeated inclusion underscores his role as a key voice during a period of significant transition across public and private institutions.

As Delaware experiences ongoing demographic and leadership changes, the Delaware 222 offers a clear snapshot of the individuals driving progress and strengthening the state’s future.

Read more about Delaware 222

Share Link: https://www.widener.edu/news/noteworthy/delaware-law-dean-todd-j-clark-named-delaware-222-third-straight-year

Geeta Kohli, associate professor of law at Delaware Law School, was recently appointed to the President’s Council of Cornell Women, a distinguished network of alumni  dedicated to advancing women’s leadership and impact. 

At Delaware Law, Kohli teaches contract and business law and serves as the H. Albert Young Fellow in Constitutional Law. Her scholarship centers on narrative justice, integrating marginalized perspectives into legal study and practice. Her work appears in leading literary and law journals, with recent publications in Oregon Law Review, NYU Journal of Law & Business, and Michigan Quarterly Review.

She is the founder of the Narrative Justice Project, a nonprofit fostering collaboration between artists and lawyers, and publishes “Defining Money,” a free weekly finance and business law newsletter, and “Justice Reads,” an online journal exploring literature, law, and voice. Kohli’s expertise in corporate social responsibility and feminist lawyering has earned national recognition, including features on CNBC and a TEDx Talk on financial awareness.
 

Share link: https://www.widener.edu/news/noteworthy/professor-geeta-kohli-joins-cornells-presidents-council-cornell-women

Daniel Roozbahani, assistant professor of robotics engineering, has been selected to serve as guest editor of an upcoming Special Issue publication in the peer-reviewed journal Machines. The Special Issue, titled "Artificial Intelligence and Robotics in Manufacturing and Automation," aims to explore the latest advancements, challenges, and applications of AI and robotics in manufacturing and automation. The Special Issue will review and publish submitted papers by academia and industry experts to foster knowledge exchange and provide a comprehensive understanding of how AI and robotics are shaping the future of smart manufacturing. 

Share link: https://www.widener.edu/news/noteworthy/engineering-faculty-named-guest-editor-upcoming-special-issue-publication

Erin Daly, professor emerita of law and director of the Dignity Rights Institute, published “A Research Agenda for Human Dignity and the Law,” a new collection of essays on the future of dignity law released by Edward Elgar Publishing. Featuring a distinguished international group of contributors and endorsed by Albie Sachs, the volume examines the current state of dignity law and offers forward‑looking frameworks for global challenges.

The collection spans both big‑picture issues—such as how dignity relates to AI, climate, nature, children’s rights, and modernity—and the lived experiences of people affected by legal, political, and economic decisions, including those in immigration detention, women in Afghanistan, and survivors of political violence. It also introduces ideas like a people‑centered dignity index and new approaches to teaching dignity.

Daly, who also leads the Dignity Rights Clinic, is a leading global scholar of dignity rights and is the author or co‑author of several influential books, including “Dignity Rights: Courts, Constitutions and the Worth of the Human Person” and “Dignity Law: Global Recognition, Cases, and Perspectives.” Her recent work includes testifying before the Inter‑American Court of Human Rights on climate‑related dignity rights, co‑producing a global micro‑learning course on human dignity, and serving in academic and advisory roles in Brazil, India, Haiti, and beyond. She also contributes to the American Bar Association’s Dignity Rights Initiative and international efforts advancing environmental and human rights.

Share link: https://www.widener.edu/news/noteworthy/professor-emerita-publishes-new-global-collection-dignity-law

Daniel Roozbahani, assistant professor of robotics engineering, completed the ISEP Collaborative Online International Learning, or COIL, Academy. This virtual program provides selected faculty the opportunity to work with international partners to co-design courses or projects that connect students across cultures and bring the power of international learning to Widener's classrooms and labs.

During an eight week online course, Roozbahani was paired with a partner from the University of Botswana to develop a collaborative project for his Widener course, bringing a global perspective directly into the classroom. 

Learn more about the ISEP COIL Academy here

Share link: https://www.widener.edu/news/noteworthy/engineering-professor-earns-isep-collaborative-online-international-learning-certification

The annual Louis L. Redding Benefit and Awards Gala celebrates distinguished members of Delaware’s courts, bar, and community for their contributions and commitment to liberty and justice for all.
Jada A. Rivera, treasurer of Delaware Law’s Latin American Law Students Association, or LALSA, was named the 2025 recipient of the Louis L. Redding Scholarship by the Delaware Barristers Association. Established in 2015, the $5,000 scholarship honors Redding’s legacy, a prominent Delaware lawyer, civil rights advocate, and the first African American admitted to the Delaware Bar. 

Professor Emerita Serena Williams was also recognized at the gala with the Excellence in Education Award. At Delaware Law School, Williams taught and conducted research in property and housing law and served as assistant dean in the Office of Student Affairs from 2006 to 2011 and again from 2018 to 2023. Additionally, she taught in Delaware Law’s Trial Admissions Program, a summer initiative admitting students based on demonstrated ability to succeed in coursework, and in the Jurist Academy, a summer pre-law program hosted at the Wilmington-based campus.

Rivera and Williams’ recognition reflected the lasting influence of Redding’s civil rights advocacy and his pivotal role in Brown v. Board of Education, underscoring the values of equity and justice that continue to guide Delaware’s legal community.

View the 2025 Redding Gala photo album →

Watch the 2025 Redding Gala honoree videos →

Share link: https://www.widener.edu/news/noteworthy/delaware-law-student-and-prof-emerita-honored-2025-louis-l-redding-benefit-and-awards-gala

Delaware Law School held the 47th annual Judge G. Fred DiBona Intrascholastic Moot Court Competition, giving its second, third, and fourth year law students the opportunity to demonstrate their oral advocacy skills. With no written brief requirement, the five-round contest placed emphasis on clarity, persuasion, and courtroom presence as competitors advanced through each stage.

The competition culminated in a final round attended by all participants, with the top two earning eligibility for Moot Court Honor Society membership. Congratulations to this year’s winner, Jacob Shobe, and finalist, Marisa Miraglia. Special thanks are extended to Judge Cappelli, Judge Holt, and Dean Clark for serving as judges and providing valuable feedback.

Share link: https://www.widener.edu/news/noteworthy/delaware-law-holds-47th-annual-dibona-moot-court-competition

LaRonda Lockhart-Keene, assistant professor in the Institute for Occupational Therapy Education, received the award of appreciation at the annual Pennsylvania Occupational Therapy Association, or POTA, conference. The award celebrated her contributions to occupational therapy, specifically in the areas of education, advocacy, and inclusion.

Share link: https://www.widener.edu/news/noteworthy/occupational-therapy-faculty-recognized-professional-association

Students, faculty and alumni from Widener’s Center for Human Sexuality Studies represented the university through presentations, posters and organization leadership roles at the 2025 annual conference of the Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality held in Philadelphia. 

• Associate Professor Justin Sitron concluded his time as President of the organization, a role he has held since 2023. 
• Associate Professor Mark Levand presented as part of a symposia session covering topics in sexual violence research.
• Professor Brooke Wells presented a research poster and co-authored several pieces of research featured in symposia sessions. 
• Student Wascar Ramirez was selected as the organization’s incoming scientific co-chair and presented as part of a symposia session alongside Wells. 
• Student Stacey Rose presented a research poster alongside Wells. 
• Student Mahmoud Baydoun served as a panelist in a plenary session “From Data to Dialogue: Getting Your Research to the Masses.”
• Student Lauren Prenaveau presented a research poster. 
• Alumnus Eli Green ’08 ’14 was a featured panelist in a plenary session “Persisting Under Pressure: Research in Tough Times.”

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

Widener University is pleased to announce the newest members of its board of trustees, who include four alumni and one current student. Their appointments took effect in May and the board held its first full meeting of the new academic year Oct. 30.

As the university’s governing body, Widener’s board of trustees is entrusted with the institution’s long-term success. The board monitors and oversees critical aspects of the university, including educational quality, financial strength, mission and the student experience. The new trustees include:

• Susan Larkin, ‘88, executive vice president and president of Core Commercial Markets at Independence Health Group. She holds a degree in accounting from the School of Business Administration.
• Dave Velazquez, ’81, recently retired president and CEO of PECO. He holds a degree in engineering from the School of Engineering.
• Kevin Wiggins, ’95, chief financial officer of Power Home Remodeling. He holds a degree in accounting from the School of Business Administration.
• Jack Dwyer, ’78, founder and CEO of CFG Bank and founder and CEO of Capital Funding Group, a healthcare and multifamily financing group comprised of 11 companies. He holds a degree in accounting from the School of Business Administration.
• Damon Edwards II, a second-year law student at Delaware Law school. Edwards was named to a two-year term and has voting rights as a trustee.

“I am absolutely delighted to work with our new trustees,” President Stacey Robertson said. “Each one brings a caring and student-centered approach, a deep commitment to giving back to Widener, and an incredible wealth of knowledge and experience that will enrich our institution. We are fortunate to welcome this outstanding new class of trustees.”

Share link: https://www.widener.edu/news/noteworthy/widener-welcomes-five-new-trustees

The Pennsylvania Department of Education has designated Widener’s Chester campus a PA CARES campus, which recognizes the university as a leader in efforts to increase awareness and support of student mental health and suicide prevention.

PA Cares stands for Pennsylvania “Connect, Assess, Respond, Encourage, Support.” It highlights postsecondary institutions that have implemented mental health and suicide prevention plans under Pennsylvania Act 110. These plans include things like mental health services, crisis intervention services, multimedia access to services, student communication plans and more.

Widener is one of only 26 campuses to carry the designation. This designation speaks to what a caring community Widener is, where students know they belong and are supported.

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

Widener University honored faculty members for distinction in areas of civic engagement, institutional leadership, research, as well as innovative and distinguished teaching. Various faculty were awarded at the ceremony, held Wednesday, Oct. 29 in the University Center. Honors 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 Commonwealth Law School Associate Professor Amanda Sholtis of Enola, Pennsylvania.

•    The Faculty Award for Civic Engagement, which recognizes the outstanding contributions faculty members have made in accordance with Widener’s civic engagement mission, as well as solidifying Widener students’ understanding of their social responsibilities, and the impact of their disciplinary learning. This year's recipient was College of Arts and Sciences Professor Stuart Eimer of Collingswood, New Jersey.

•    The Outstanding Researcher Award, given to 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 Hilary Barnes of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Barnes teaches in the Jack & Nancy Dwyer School of Nursing.

•    The Fitz Dixon Innovation in Teaching Award highlights an individual who has designed, implemented, and assessed an innovative or experimental teaching and learning project. This award was presented to College of Arts and Sciences Associate Teaching Professor Catherine Safran of Bear, Delaware.

•     The Faculty Institutional Leadership Award recognizes a record of leading initiatives that further the university’s vision, mission, and strategic objectives. This year’s award recipient was College of Arts and Sciences Professor Hemlata Mistry of Wallingford, Pennsylvania.
 

Photo shows, from left, Interim Provost Mark Nicosia, Professor Hemlata Mistry, Professor Stuart Eimer, Professor Hilary Barnes, Associate Teaching Professor Catherine Safran and Associate Professor Amanda Sholtis.

Share link: https://www.widener.edu/news/noteworthy/widener-commends-faculty-2025-awards-event

Hugh P. O’Neill III, a 1993 graduate of Delaware Law School, has been inducted into the American College of Trial Lawyers, one of the most prestigious legal associations in North America. Membership is by invitation only and limited to the top 1% of trial lawyers in each state or province. His induction into the College reflects decades of courtroom excellence, ethical leadership, and professional integrity.

O’Neill has been a partner with Thomas, Thomas & Hafer LLP in central Pennsylvania for more than 25 years. Throughout his career, O’Neill has shared his expertise with numerous organizations on topics including risk management, nursing best practices, medical tort reform, sex trafficking litigation, and insurance coverage. He has authored insights on the adoption of electronic medical records and the associated risk considerations and has provided guidance to clients and insurers on the evolving role of artificial intelligence in medical practice.

Read more: https://www.tthlaw.com/tth-attorney-hugh-p-oneill-iii-inducted-into-the-american-college-of-trial-lawyers/

Share link: https://www.widener.edu/news/noteworthy/delaware-law-alumnus-inducted-american-college-trial-lawyers

Widener men’s rugby is heading to the playoffs for a quarterfinal game on Oct. 25 against the University of Scranton.

The club team is ranked 33rd nationally for Division II. The team recently moved to DII status within the Mid-Atlantic Rugby Conference (MARC) within National Collegiate Rugby (NCR).

Widener’s 2025 success comes on the heels of a standout 2024 season. Last November, the Pride 15s won the Challenge Cup (Regional South), also known as the Steel Belt Bowl Championship.

Rugby has benefited from solid recruiting amongst the student body and strong leadership under head Coach Andrew Burkhardt ’12 and Captain Akem Kpuyuf ’27, along with the team’s e-board and staff advisors.

To donate to the team: https://advance.widener.edu/crowdfunding/roarwithpride/mensrugby

Share link: https://www.widener.edu/news/noteworthy/mens-rugby-heads-playoffs

For the fourth year in a row, Widener has partnered with Delaware County Libraries, the Radnor Historical Society and America250PADelco to host the annual Revolutionary Reads Community Read event on campus. This year featured author Zara Anishanslin to discuss her book “The Painter's Fire: A Forgotten History of the Artists Who Championed the American Revolution.” 

Over 40 people from Widener and the surrounding community attended the event to hear Anishanslin speak about her book which tells the story of the American Revolution through the lives of three artists- Patience Wright, Robert Edge Pine, and Prince Demah. Anishanslin is Associate Professor of History and Art History at the University of Delaware.

Each year through 2026, the Revolutionary Reads committee will select a title examining the lead up to the Revolutionary War and the Declaration of Independence. 

Share link: https://www.widener.edu/news/noteworthy/widener-hosts-author-zara-anishanslin-revolutionary-reads-event
 

Teresa Shellenbarger '95 and Brenda Elliott '12, graduates of the nursing science doctoral program in the Jack and Nancy Dwyer School of Nursing, have been inducted into the American Academy of Nursing's prestigious fellowship program. 

The American Academy of Nursing is an honorific society and a policy organization comprised of more than 3,000 fellows who represent nursing’s most accomplished leaders in policy, research, administration, practice, and academia. Fellows are selected annually through a highly competitive nomination and review process. This distinguished honor, celebrates nurses for their extraordinary contributions to improve health locally and globally. Those inducted into the program earn the Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing, or FAAN, credential, the most prestigious recognition in nursing.

Shellenbarger and Elliott's inductions bring the total number of Widener nursing members with FAAN credentials to 12—nine alumni and two faculty.

Shellenbarger is the executive director for the National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation where she leads nursing education program accreditation initiatives. She is a distinguished university professor emeritus and was founding director of the PhD in nursing program at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Her significant, substantial, and longstanding national and international contributions focus on leading quality workforce development initiatives and developing and supporting clinical nursing education competency development.

Elliott is an associate professor and director of the graduate program in nursing at Messiah University. Elliott’s primary research addresses the professional development needs of nurses and nurse educators to teach nurses and nursing students respectively about the healthcare needs of members of the military, veterans, and their families. 

Share link: https://www.widener.edu/news/noteworthy/two-nursing-alumni-named-american-academy-nursing-fellows

Audrey Snyder, dean of nursing, in her capacity as a member of the North Carolina-Republic of Moldova Nursing Collaborative, received the prestigious Virginia Henderson Award from the Nursing Association of the Republic of Moldova. This honor, presented during the international nursing conference in Chisinau, recognized Snyder's leadership in the NC-Moldova Nursing Collaborative and her role in advancing nursing education and practice as part of a three-year Rotary International grant. The award symbolizes gratitude for promoting empathy, professionalism, and modern nursing values across borders, reflecting Snyder’s commitment to global collaboration and the spirit of humanity in healthcare. 

Share link: https://www.widener.edu/news/noteworthy/nursing-dean-receives-virginia-henderson-award-international-nursing-efforts