Noteworthy

A new article authored by Katia Ciampa, associate professor and director of reading programs, Zora Wolfe, associate professor and associate dean of the College of Health & Human Services, and Jessica Storey, director of teaching and learning with technology, has been published in the Journal of Research on Technology in Education.

The article, titled “Faculty perceptions of the impact of professional development on online teaching practices,” examines the success of the trio’s one-year cohort in the Online Teaching Fellows Program at Widener.

The 14-week program included graduate and undergraduate faculty from across the university for professional development activities and discussions focused on creating authentic and equitable learning opportunities for students.  

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Widener University has been awarded a gold seal for nonpartisan democratic engagement efforts that fostered high levels of student voting in the 2022 mid-term elections. ALL IN links our student voting rate of 40-49 percent to these engagement efforts being a defining feature of campus life.

ALL IN works with colleges and universities to achieve excellence like this through civic engagement, voter participation, and political education on campuses nationwide. Widener has received several other prominent accolades from the organization which can all be found on Widener’s ALL IN webpage.  

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The Philadelphia Business Journal has named Widener President Stacey Robertson to its list of Most Admired CEOs. 

Recipients are chosen based on the work they’ve undertaken in their current role in the context of their careers, how they give back to the community and other ways they’ve positively impacted greater Philadelphia. Robertson is widely admired at Widener for her dedication to the university’s commitment to belonging, and to being a welcoming place for all. She lives into that promise each day with her warm, engaging manner and her relentless commitment to the ethos of “We’re All Widener.”

Robertson and the rest of the winners will be honored at a December event in Philadelphia. 

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Widener is pleased to announce the addition of two new members to its Board of Trustees. The appointments took effect in the spring semester and their first board meeting will take place next month in October. 

The new members include alumna Marcia Zaruba O’Connor ’90, CEO and founder of The O’Connor Group, a top-ranked human resources consulting and talent solutions firm located in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, and the Honorable Scott W. Reid ’02, an alumnus of Widener Delaware Law School and a United States Magistrate Judge serving on the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. O'Connor and Reid will both serve a three-year term.

“I am delighted to welcome Marcia O’Connor and Judge Scott Reid to the Widener University Board of Trustees,” Widener President Stacey Robertson said. “Both of them have demonstrated a strong commitment to advancing Widener and its mission. As proud Widener alumni, they have each remained deeply embedded in the Widener community, generously providing guidance, mentorship, and opportunities for our students over the years. I look forward to the expertise and inspired ideas they will bring to our university leadership.”

O’Connor earned a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Widener University’s School of Business Administration in 1990. As a dedicated alumna, she has remained actively engaged with the Widener community, frequently connecting with both students and fellow alumni. She currently serves on the Accounting and Information Management Advisory Board and has previously contributed to other university groups. O’Connor’s outstanding professional accomplishments and commitment to the Widener community were recognized with the Beta Alpha Psi Distinguished Accounting Alumnus Award in 2019 and the Widener Outstanding Alumnus Award in 2023.

As the CEO and founder of The O’Connor Group, she has transformed her business into a nationally recognized leader in human resources and talent acquisition outsourcing. Under her leadership, the company has earned accolades from prestigious institutions such as Inc. 5000, The Philadelphia Inquirer, and the Philadelphia Business Journal. Additionally, O’Connor is the founder of ShadowHer.org, a certified nonprofit organization that empowers women entrepreneurs of all backgrounds, ages, and abilities by providing them with a strong foundation in internal operations.

Judge Reid earned a juris doctor from the Delaware Law School in 2002. While in school, Judge Reid served as the president of the Black Law Students Association, senior staff on the Delaware Journal of Corporate Law, and received the Outstanding Student Service Award. 

Judge Reid is a dedicated public servant who was appointed as a federal magistrate judge in 2021. Prior to his appointment, Judge Reid served as an assistant U.S. attorney in the Civil Division of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. While at the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Judge Reid also served as chair of the Summer Internship Committee, Black Affairs Program Lead, co-chair of the Youth Court program, and as a member of the Diversity Committee and Hiring Committee. Judge Reid was also a partner in Cozen O'Connor's Commercial Litigation Department where his practice was concentrated in gas/utility litigation, construction litigation, pharmaceutical litigation, contractual disputes and business torts. In addition to his practice, Judge Reid also served as chair of the firm’s Diversity Committee and as a member of the Hiring Committee.

Judge Reid is a celebrated attorney who has earned regional and national acclaim for his professional achievements and service to the legal community. Honors include the Barristers' Association of Philadelphia's J. Austin Norris and Outstanding Young Lawyer Award, National Bar Association Women's Law Division's President's Award, and the National Bar Association's 40 Under 40 Award. 

In addition, Judge Reid has served as an advisory board member and past president for the Barristers' Association of Philadelphia, member of the Widener University School of Law Board of Overseers, fellow for the Leadership Council for Legal Diversity, member of the Pennsylvania Bar Association House of Delegates and Minority Bar Committee, chair of the Philadelphia Bar Association's Diversity in the Profession Committee and member of the Board of Governors, member of the American Bar Association TIPS Leadership Academy, and member of the National Bar Association.

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Andrew Bobal, instructional designer and adjunct professor in the School of Nursing, published a textbook that illustrates the importance of integrating technology into the nursing classroom. 

"Teaching Tomorrow’s Nurses: A Technology-Enhanced Approach," which Bobal co-authored, is a resource for nurse educators to understand the diverse learning technology options designed to obtain targeted learning outcomes. Packed with expert perspectives from across the nursing education spectrum, this comprehensive toolkit walks through the why and how of using technology to engage and evaluate learners and empowers readers to make confident, informed choices.

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Widener's School of Nursing was one of 13 institutions named a Center of Excellence in Nursing Education by the National League for Nursing. The prestigious honor recognizes nursing's evidence-based and innovative efforts to enhance student learning and professional development. This is nursing's second Center of Excellence honor in the student learning and professional development category from the premier organization for nurse faculty and leaders in nursing education.

In addition to being named a Center of Excellence for student learning and professional development in 2020 and 2024, Widener’s nursing program earned a designation for its work to advance the science of nursing education in 2013, 2018, and 2023. Widener nursing is just one of seven schools nationwide to hold that designation, which runs through 2027. To date, only 95 institutions hold the Center of Excellence in Nursing Education designation.

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Dennis Whitaker, adjunct professor of law at Commonwealth Law School, has been appointed to serve on the Pennsylvania Bar Association's (PBA) Amicus Curiae Brief Committee. Committee membership is by special invitation only extended by the sitting PBA President. Whitaker was appointed by current PBA President Nancy Conrad. The committee is a specialized committee charged with identifying legal issues that have relevance to the bar in general and that are appropriate subjects for amicus curiae briefs. Committee members prepare and argue the positions advanced on behalf of the Association in those briefs.

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Welcome to Fall!

The start of classes is always an exciting and inspiring time! It’s wonderful to see our campuses re-energized after a restorative summer. The arrival and return of students over the last two weeks, and now seeing everyone come together for classes, make this one of the best times of year!

As I told our first-year students at convocation on Friday, you are exactly where you’re meant to be, because you belong here. My hope for all of you – students, faculty, staff – is a year of personal growth where you seize some of the many opportunities at Widener to do amazing things – on campus, in our Chester, Harrisburg and Wilmington communities, and beyond.

I know that you will all support and encourage one another along the way. Widener is a community that is universally committed to student success. New and returning students, we are here for you! Meet new people, try new things! If you struggle, ask for help. There are so many offices, programs and individuals who are ready to assist and reassure you, so you can conquer fears, overcome setbacks, and soar with the confidence that comes from our inclusive community, where you are never alone.

I will see you all out there this semester – at musical and arts events, athletic competitions, at club and organization programs and so much more. Together, our contributions will make Widener an even more welcoming and vibrant place than it already is!

With Warmth and Widener Pride,
Stacey

Stacey Robertson PhD
President of Widener University
 

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Erika Dawkins, assistant professor in the Institute for Graduate Clinical Psychology, was named the 2024 Outstanding State/Provincial/Territorial Association Early Career Psychologist Leader. The award, given by the American Psychology Association (APA), honors an early career psychologist whose distinguished contributions and service demonstrate outstanding leadership in the State, Provincial and Territorial Psychological Association division of the APA. 

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Under the leadership of Jeremy Hancher, the EMAP Program Manager at Widener University’s Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and an adjunct faculty member in the School of Business Administration, the SBDC has been granted an award of $475,000. This funding, generously provided by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, will significantly aid the SBDC’s EMAP work.

The Environmental Management Assistance Program (EMAP) at Widener is a specialized consulting service of the Pennsylvania Small Business Development Centers (SBDC). EMAP provides free and confidential environmental compliance assistance to small businesses in the entire Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Their expertise spans a wide range of services, including identifying relevant environmental rules and regulations, facilitating air quality emissions calculations, and preparing all necessary forms, permitting applications, and reports. This funding will enhance EMAP’s ability to serve the Pennsylvania small business community.

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Anne Krouse, dean of the School of Nursing, has been inducted into the National League for Nursing's Academy of Nursing Education. This prestigious fellowship celebrates nursing education leaders who teach programs across the spectrum of higher education. Krouse has been selected 2024 class of fellows alongside 26 distinguished nurse educators who are affiliated with top-ranked teaching hospitals, academic institutions, and other organizations committed to advancing the quality of health care in the United States and globally. This competitive fellowship considers applicants’ contributions to innovative teaching and/or learning strategies, nursing education research, faculty development activities, academic leadership, promotion of public policy initiatives that advance nursing education, and/or collaborative educational, practice, or community partnerships.

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The School of Nursing is growing its footprint in the prestigious Main Line Health. The suburban Philadelphia health system reported approximately 40 Widener nursing hires, comprised of both current students and recent graduates, as part of its 2024 nurse residency and nurse externship fall cohort. Widener's growing presence in the tri-state health network leads the hospital's college/university 2024 hires and is the result of a strategic partnership built to provide clinical experience and career opportunities for students.  

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Both Widener University Delaware Law School and Widener University Commonwealth Law School have been named to the 2024 Princeton Review List of Best Law Schools. Delaware Law also ranked fourth – up from a seventh-place ranking last year – on their list of the nation’s 10 Best Law Schools for State and Local Clerkships. This outstanding recognition is based on the number of graduates who secure employment as judicial clerks.

Our law schools were among the 168 chosen for the unranked best law school list, out of more than 200 schools nationwide. Selections were made based on the results of surveys of law school administrators and more than 18,000 law students across the country that measured career outcomes, admissions selectivity, academic rigor and more.

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Widener University's partnership with Kensington Health Science Academy (KHSA) has been recognized by the Philadelphia Higher Education Network for Neighborhood Development. The partnership earned third place in the 2024 Phillip B. Lindy Award, an annual award that recognizes collaborative partnerships between local K-12 schools and institutions of higher education. 

Led by Jane Oeffner, director of strategic clinical partnerships, the collaboration was designed to expose KHSA students to careers in healthcare. Through campus field trips, KHSA students gained valuable hands-on experiences as they explored different specialties in the university's state-of-the-art facilities. Additionally, students received application assistance and nine participating seniors were accepted to Widener for the fall 2024.

Pictured (L-R): Jane Oeffner, Hillary Kane, PHENND director, Elaine Lindy, Lindy Family Donor Advised Fund.

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Mariah Schug, chair of women’s, gender, and sexuality studies and associate professor of psychology, has received over $142,000 in funding from the National Science Foundation (NSF) for collaborative research into how interacting with nature impacts a child’s development.

This money will fund collaborative research with the University of Utah and Wesleyan University, who each received their own funding from the NSF for this research. The combined institutions have received over $220,00 for this project.

This case study will examine children’s exploratory behavior in two societies, the Faroe Islands and Denmark, where opportunities for independence and time spent in nature are cultural priorities in childhood. The goal is to help parents and educators develop a more beneficial balance between protecting children and structuring their experiences on the one hand, and promoting autonomy, exploration, and experience in natural environments on the other.

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Widener University has been recognized for its commitment to helping students learn, grow, and succeed by Colleges of Distinction, a unique information platform for college-bound students. The university was named a 2024-25 College of Distinction and a Pennsylvania College of Distinction. 

In addition to the state and national accolades, Widener has also received specialized endorsements and recognition in the following areas:

•    Undergraduate business programs
•    Undergraduate engineering programs
•    Undergraduate education programs
•    Undergraduate nursing programs
•    Exceptional student support initiatives in career development
•    Institutional commitment to equity and inclusion
•    Exceptional initiatives directed toward active-duty and veteran students

The Colleges of Distinction selection process is comprised of in-depth research and detailed interviews. Schools that demonstrate excellence in the areas of student engagement, teaching, proving successful outcomes, and having a vibrant community are given the title of College of Distinction.
 
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The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Widener University has received a $25,000 grant from The Bernard Osher Foundation to support the Institute’s operations and development.

The Osher Institute is a lifelong learning institute for adults 50 years of age or older that offers opportunities for intellectual development, cultural stimulation, and social interaction. Members can take courses in the fall, spring, or summer, and join peers in an environment that cultivates creativity and critical thinking.

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Sara Berkowitz, assistant professor of art history, has been selected as a Periclean Faculty Leader. The grant will help to fund a new humanities course in the College of Arts & Sciences which will expose students to cultural themes in art and allow for community engagement in collaboration with the Cultural Arts and Technology Center (CAAT) in Chester.

“With this new course students will not only learn about the value of the arts as a medium for communicating important messages about civil rights, but they will also give back to their community by supporting local artists and art forms that are often ignored in the traditional canon of art history,” said Berkowitz.

The new course, "Art History 188: Public Art: From Monuments to Murals", is set to begin in Spring 2025 and will be open to all students.

Periclean Faculty Leaders are a group of committed scholars dedicated to incorporating civic engagement into the curriculum while empowering students to use their academic knowledge to tackle real-world problems. Through the support of this program, they are leaders on campus and within a larger national context.

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Nicole Beaty, assistant director for student accessibility services, was presented an award from Yeadon Borough for the successful planning and execution of Yeadon’s 75th Annual Flag Day Celebration. Beaty, a native “Yeadonite,” currently serves as chair of Yeadon Borough Council’s Recreation Committee. She was recognized for her work by Yeadon Mayor Rohan Hepkins and Council President Latoya Monroe.

Yeadon, Pennsylvania is credited for being the “Home of Flag Day” due to longtime resident William T. Kerr’s tireless efforts lobbying for Flag Day to every American President from William McKinley to Harry S. Truman. For his efforts, Kerr was invited to witness Flag Day be signed into legislation on June 14, 1949. His grandson, Thomas Kerr, was in attendance at Yeadon’s annual event. 

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Babatunde Odusami, professor of finance in the School of Business Administration, has published a new book titled “Financial Data Science with SAS.”

The book, which is designed for university students and financial professionals, covers of the theory and practical implementation of the various types of analytical techniques and quantitative tools used in the financial services industry and shows readers how to implement strategies such as data visualization, simulation, machine learning models, and more using real-world examples.

The book was published in partnership with SAS, a global leader in artificial intelligence, analytics, and statistical computing.

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