Widener football Head Coach Mike Barainyak likes to lead by example, always looking for ways to inspire his team and represent Widener with pride. Barainyak recently traveled to Florida to participate in the week-long 2026 Tampa Bay Buccaneers National Coaching Academy.
Widener's newest students have arrived on campus – filling residence halls, unpacking belongings, meeting roommates and taking the first steps in their college journey.
We sat down with Crystal Gibson, new executive director of athletics, to learn more about her background, her vision for Widener athletics, and her own time as a student athlete.
New residence hall, relocated campus store, additional dining options and other expanded student amenities highlight summer 2026 improvements at Widener.
President Stacey Robertson's annual tradition of welcoming new students to her home at the Billie Kirkbride House is highlighted in this feature article. Robertson shares how the opportunity for students to connect with her and their peers so early in their college journey helps create a sense of belonging and can lead to student success.
This feature article highlights Widener's Biofeedback Clinic and the role it plays in helping student athletes better understand and utilize their nervous system responses. Graduate clinical psychology student Micky Candia-Collins is interviewed discussing her role as clinic extern and how the clinic works, as well as Biofeedback Clinic Director Pamela Calvert-Hirt. Baseball player J.P. DiGuiseppe '27, softball player Katelyn Tong '26 and cheerleaders Selina Jakows '28 and Gianna Kavash '28 shared about their experience utilizing the clinic.
This article highlights President Stacey Robertson's annual tradition of hosting new students at her home for an evening of dinner, lawn games and connection. Robertson is featured sharing about the importance of fostering a sense of belonging in new students. Vice President of Student Inclusion and Belonging Micki Davis discusses how this is a great opportunity for students to meet senior university leadership and see them as resources. Also quoted are first year students Naz Dungee '30, Samiha Shama '30, Abigel Pryze '30 and Maggie Curry '30.
Erika Dawkins specializes in community psychology, trauma, gun violence, microaggressions, and relationships. Her expertise includes couples therapy, body image, self-esteem, self-worth, and strategies for organization and productivity.
Ross Steinman specializes in industrial/organizational psychology, consumer behavior, and decision-making. He researches brand transgressions, implicit attitudes, cross-cultural differences, and automatic consumer choices.
Daniel Roozbahani is an expert in AI, robotics, and VR/AR simulations. He specializes in real-time process monitoring, human-machine interactions, 3D printing, and laser-based technologies, and also focuses on automated manufacturing and custom robot development.
Jeff Lolli is an expert in tourism and hospitality management, including food and beverage, lodging, casinos, events, and sports services. He specializes in service quality, customer satisfaction, experience management, and human resources, and is also knowledgeable in food and alcohol safety, sense of place in tourism, and service environments.
The Widener Magazine is published twice a year by the Office of University Relations for alumni, parents, friends of Widener, and the university community.
The Widener University communications team is available to help reporters and editors find the right faculty expert for breaking news, provide information about Widener University programs and initiatives, and serve as a resource for news and feature stories.
