College of Nursing & Public Health Archives | ��ý

On the Fast Track to Success: Next Steps for Our 2026 Grads

cscala — Tue, 09 Jun 2026 14:38:31 +0000

Pictured with Lincoln life mask in the collection of the Massachusetts Historical Society

Vincent Calvagno

BA in History, Minor in Italian (Honors College)
PhD Candidate in History, Yale University

“My professors at Adelphi instilled in me an interest in historical research and the confidence to pursue it. They also provided role models for me—Professor LaCombe for his mentoring, Professor Reno for his teaching style and Professor Haas for his lecturing abilities. I aim to focus my studies in graduate school on the environmental history of colonial New England.”

Joacim Carhed

MS in Business Analytics
Data Analytics Associate, Flynn Zito Capital Management, Garden City, New York

“My experiences as a student, student-athlete and graduate assistant helped me grow as a leader and prepared me to take this next step in finance and analytics. In my new role, I support the firm through data-driven analysis, reporting and process improvement.”

Julia Carpio

MA in Childhood Education and Advanced Certificate in TESOL
Fulbright English Teaching Assistant Program, Athens, Greece

“I was in the five-year STEP program and with Professor Mary Jean McCarthy deepened my passion for learning about how education and pedagogy are approached in different countries. My Fulbright will take me to Athens College, where I will support English instruction at the elementary school level, mentor students and serve as a counselor at the college’s English language summer camp.”

Mariane Diby

BS in Physics (Honors College)
PhD Candidate in Aerospace Engineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

“As a physics major, I pursued research exploring astrophysical shock phenomena and devoted my senior thesis to it. This summer, before entering my PhD program, I will be interning at the Simons Foundation to work on computational astrophysics research. I have always been passionate about studying the universe and building the technologies that carry us into space. My goal is to contribute to a new generation of spacecraft and aerospace innovation through research and engineering.”

Jeremiah Ford

BS in Computer Science/Cybersecurity
Systems Analyst, Brown Brothers Harriman, Jersey City, New Jersey

“In my new role at Brown Brothers Harriman, I will be in a two-year program for recent graduates. It bridges the gap between finance and technology by allowing me to rotate through four different IT or systems teams. I will be able to gain real-world expertise in software development, data solutions and business systems analysis. Once completed, I will be placed in a permanent, full-time position within the firm’s systems department.”

Kylie Goldade

BS in Physics
MA Candidate in Museum Studies, The Cooperstown Graduate Program, SUNY Oneonta

“I did lots of interdisciplinary work in the sciences, education and museum studies at Adelphi, and I had an internship at the Cradle of Aviation Museum. That led me to Cooperstown, which has the country’s only science-based museum education program. My ultimate goal is a PhD in preservation studies at the University of Delaware, with a focus on preservation technology.”

Jose Gonzalez

MBA, Accounting
Audit Associate, PwC

“I was in the 4+1 Accounting and MBA program, and my graduate accounting research class truly solidified my decision to pursue accounting. It helped me understand that although technology will continue to change many professions, we should embrace those changes and use them to become the kind of professionals the future needs.”

Rachel Halpert

BS in Biology (Honors College)
DMD Candidate, University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine

“My experience as a tutor at the Center for Academic Support and Enrichment allowed me to see firsthand how personalized guidance can empower others, a passion I am excited to carry forward into my dental career. I want to thank my parents and my brother for their endless support, as well as Professor Hobbie and David Oroza of the Office of Pre-Professional Advising for mentoring me every step of the way.”

Joanna Rita Karpiel

BA in Art History, Minor in French (Honors College)
MA Candidate in the History of Art, Courtauld Institute of Art, London, England

“I wrote my senior thesis on Young Poland, a Modern movement between 1890–1918, and the symbols artists used to express their Polish identity. In grad school, I will focus on the art of China, Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union. The incredible careers of my professors, and the Women in the Arts class I took, solidified the idea of pursuing a ��ٱ��’s degree. Both allowed me to visualize the stories I will be able to tell as an art historian and museum professional.”

Allison Kohl

Elementary School Art Teacher, Hamburg (New York) Central School District

“My time at Adelphi helped me grow not only as an artist, but as an educator. Through student teaching, mentorship and hands-on classroom experiences, I gained the confidence and creativity to begin my journey as an art teacher and inspire students to express themselves through art.”

Ashley Kreth

BS in Chemistry (Earned in Three Years)
NSF Graduate Research Fellow/PhD Candidate in Chemistry, University of Georgia

“I am excited to pursue a PhD in synthetic organic chemistry at the University of Georgia and plan to apply the skills and expertise I’ll have developed there to a career in industry. Two pieces of advice I would share with someone just beginning their undergraduate career are to take full advantage of every resource and opportunity available to you and to be open-minded regarding your future career path. You never know what you may end up doing!”

Valeria Lopez

BS in Biology (Honors College)
DVM Candidate, Long Island University Lewyt College of Veterinary Medicine

“I’m very grateful to the Honors College for funding my fellowship in Rome in the summer of 2024, where I worked with two large-animal sanctuaries to understand the unique challenges these animals face. This experience, coupled with being the owner of a crested gecko, helped me see the need for veterinarians that don’t just work with cats and dogs, motivating me to become an exotics vet.”

Shota Mikautadze

BA in Economics and Political Science (Levermore Global Scholar)
Paid Finance Internship Leading to Financial Analyst Position, J.C. Steel Erectors, Islip, New York

“Through Adelphi’s Leadership Certificate Program, I attended a New York Islanders game hosted by Chris Amplo ’00. We had a genuine conversation that evening, and he asked me to send my résumé. I did, and he scheduled me for an interview the following week. It went well, and he offered me a position on the spot. So the University that shaped me connected me to the opportunity that’s launching my career.”

Pazia Miller

PhD in Clinical Psychology
Advanced Fellowship, National Center for PTSD and the Yale School of Medicine

“The research I did for my dissertation was on decision-making in individuals with cocaine-use disorder. My postdoc is an advanced fellowship in mental illness and research treatment, where I will be doing research on decision-making and ambiguity in PTSD treatment, training in psychedelic-assisted trauma therapy, and gaining advanced clinical training on the treatment of trauma. I hope this is an important step to building a meaningful career as a scientist-practitioner in the research and treatment of trauma.”

Juliana Morsello

BS in Cognitive Neuroscience
PhD Candidate in Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Binghamton University

“Through ��’s neuroscience coursework, along with opportunities like the Emerging Scholars Program and my role as a peer educator, I discovered not only my passion for becoming a neuroscientist, but also my love for engaging with and educating the broader community.”

Hussein Ali Rifath

BA in Political Science and Spanish
Fulbright English Teaching Assistant Program, Madrid, Spain

“My Fulbright is an incredible opportunity for me, and I’m deeply honored to have been selected. What excites me most about it is the chance it gives me to faithfully represent my country as a citizen diplomat. I hope to create a transformative classroom for the students I work with, one that can help them come to see America not as a distant foreign country but as a vibrant and welcoming society that not only honors them, but cherishes the bonds that unite us all.”

Rebecca Rosa

Master of Social Work
Social Worker, Dementia Unit, Autumn Lake Healthcare, New Britain, Connecticut

“Social work chose me long before I chose it, and ��ý confirmed that calling. The Gerontological Social Work Fellowship Program, along with the transformative courses I took with Professors Zodikoff and Kaplan on dementia and healthcare, deepened my understanding of older adults and solidified my purpose. This population is too often overlooked, and I intend to change that. My vision is to pursue a PhD and drive meaningful research in Alzheimer’s disease because older adults don’t just deserve care; they deserve dedicated social workers by their side.”

Christopher Sciortino

MS in Computer Science
Software Developer, Northville Industries, Melville, New York

“In my new role, I will be contributing to the development of enterprise desktop and web-based applications, from implementation to deployment and support. My goal has always been to create technology that solves problems and has a positive impact. Adelphi has helped me grow towards a parallel goal: to become a leader who inspires innovation, supports others and helps shape the future of technology.”

Nina Tchavtchanidze

MS in Biology
Lab Manager/Research Associate, The Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Manhasset, New York

“I am especially grateful to Dr. Benjamin S. Weeks, who trained me as a scientist through his mentorship of my thesis research, guidance as a teaching assistant and instruction in laboratory skills. I am also extremely grateful to Thomas Ward and the team at the Center for Career and Professional Development, who helped shape me as a leader and a professional.”

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At a Journey’s End, the Undergraduate Class of 2026 Heads Into the Future With Optimism

cscala — Tue, 09 Jun 2026 13:48:27 +0000

It was a day of transitions, and a happy one.

Interim President Christopher Storm, PhD, who will be returning to his job as provost on June 1 with new leadership responsibilities as senior executive vice president of academic affairs, expressed sincere thanks for the support he received over the past year.

President-Elect Michael Balboni ’81, JD, enthusiastically greeted the graduating seniors as his “fellow alumni” and offered his success as an indication of how far an Adelphi degree can take them.

And the 1,165 members of the Class of 2026 closed the book on their undergraduate years and entered the next phase of their lives.

Commencement by the Numbers and Degrees

Just as it is every year, there was no “typical” Adelphi graduate. Six bachelor’s degree recipients are 19 years old. The oldest is 59 and is one of six graduates who are in their 50s. Thirty-five are over 30 years old, many of whom earned degrees in fully online or hybrid programs designed for working adults from ��’s College of Professional and Continuing Studies.

Diplomas were awarded in 51 different degree programs, reflecting the wide variety of academic and career interests of students in the Class of 2026.

The largest group of graduates were the 299 students who were awarded Bachelor of Science degrees in Nursing. ��’s College of Nursing and Public Health is perennially ranked as a U.S. News & World Best College for Undergraduate Nursing Programs. It is also a U.S. News Best Nursing School for ��ٱ��’s degree and Doctor of Nursing Practice programs as well, and one of only 13 institutions designated as a Center of Excellence in Nursing Education by the National League for Nursing.

Psychology was the next-most-popular degree, with 85 graduates. U.S. News & World Report includes Adelphi’s Gordon F. Derner School of Psychology in its rankings of Best Undergraduate Psychology Programs, Best Psychology Grad Schools and Best Clinical Psychology Doctoral Programs.

Biology, a favorite major for premedical and preprofessional students, had the third-largest group of graduates, with 67 students earning their degrees. Rounding out the top five were two more programs in the healthcare and wellness fields—health sciences, with 52 students earning their Bachelor of Science, and physical education, with 51 graduates.

Top-10 degrees also included accelerated nursing, management, computer science, marketing and finance.

Graduates From Near and Far

While most of this year’s graduates are from New York, members of the Class of 2026 came to Adelphi from 24 other states. Students from New Jersey, Connecticut and Pennsylvania were the largest out-of-state contingents.

The class also included 86 international students from 42 countries, including 10 from India, seven from Pakistan, five from Mongolia and five from Vietnam.

Hussein Ali Rifath, president of ��’s Student Government Association, celebrated the global character of the Class of 2026 in his Commencement address. Rifath, whose family is from Bangladesh, congratulated the international students and the large number of graduates with backgrounds in other lands in a dozen languages. Rifath graduated summa cum laude with a 4.0 average and a degree in political science and will spend next year in Spain on a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant scholarship.

A Valuable Degree

The experience of recent graduates shows that an Adelphi degree is a ticket to a well-paying job. In our most recent alumni survey, graduates of our Class of 2024 reported an average salary of $76,450. Ninety-two percent were employed, continuing their education or participating in an internship within one year of graduation.

The successful outcomes of Adelphi graduates have attracted national attention. Forbes, which bases its America’s Top Colleges rankings on the ability to produce successful, high-earning and influential graduates from all economic backgrounds, ranked ��ý as the top private university on Long Island. So did The Wall Street Journal, whose rankings reflect how well colleges prepare their graduates for financial success.

Words to Live By

While this year’s graduates walked away with their degrees and their career plans, they also took along some advice from two Adelphi alumni whose careers prove their point.

President-Elect Balboni, who grew up in Garden City, rode his skateboard to campus on his first day at Adelphi with plans of going to medical school. Instead, he went to law school, became a litigator, a state legislator, a business executive and now a college president. What has that experience taught him?

“You have no idea what the future will bring,” he said. “Life is not always going to be a straight line to where you’re going to wind up.”

But he also gave listeners the key to his success. “My career has always been a series of saying ‘I’ll try that.’”

Joseph W. Westphal ’70, PhD, who received an honorary degree that day while also having the pleasure of seeing his granddaughter receive her Adelphi degree in nursing, echoed President-Elect Balboni’s message of life’s unpredictability and of opportunities taken advantage of.

After graduating from Adelphi, he went to graduate school, became a professor and took academic leadership programs. “But it was government service that took me places I never imagined I would experience,” he said, referring to diplomatic and high-level administrative appointments he received from Presidents Reagan, Clinton and Obama.

“The world belongs to those who are prepared not only to succeed, but to serve,” he said, and he followed that with three challenges for graduates who want to follow that path:

“Take personal responsibility for your actions, your decisions and your impact.”

“Be honest and ethical, especially when it’s inconvenient.”

“Be thoughtful about where you can make the greatest difference.”

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With Graduate Degrees in Hand, the Class of 2026 Sets Out to Make a Difference

ahassan — Mon, 08 Jun 2026 16:13:18 +0000

They range in age from 20 to 71 years old, came to Adelphi for graduate study from 20 states and 34 countries beyond our borders, and earned ��ٱ��’s and doctoral degrees in 63 different programs. They are the 941 members of ��’s graduate Class of 2026.

With 90 different graduate degree and certificate programs, Adelphi is committed to growing its number of offerings to meet the demands of today’s rapidly changing economy. This summer, the University is opening the doors of its new in New York City with a range of flexible programs for working adults.

The Four Most Popular Graduate Programs

The Master of Social Work program offered by ��’s School of Social Work often graduates the largest group of ��ٱ��’s degree recipients. This year was no different, as 183 students received their diplomas at the graduate Commencement ceremony on May 21.

The 67 graduates of the 4+1 Scholar Teacher Education Program (STEP), a five-year combined bachelor’s and master’s degree program that saves students a year of time and tuition, made up the second-largest group. The program, from the Ruth S. Ammon School of Education and Health Sciences, offers tracks in childhood, adolescent, and TESOL education.

The Robert B. Willumstad School of Business graduated the third- and fourth-largest groups of graduates. Sixty-two students earned their MBA this year, while 50 received their MS in Business Analytics.

��’s Gordon F. Derner School of Psychology—the first university-based professional school of psychology—graduated the largest group of doctoral students, 23 in all. Sixteen students received their PhD in clinical psychology, and seven earned their PsyDs in school psychology.

A Global Group of Graduates

Students from 34 countries outside the United States came to Adelphi for their graduate education. The largest group, by far, is from India, with 117 graduates. The 11 students from Vietnam were the second largest group, followed by the 10 graduates from China. The 191 international students in the Class of 2026 also included scholars from as far away as Guyana, Cameroon, Egypt, Turkey, Georgia, Nepal, the Philippines, and Taiwan.

Stateside, the bulk of graduates are from New York and nearby New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Connecticut. Overall, the class included students from 20 states.

Strong U.S. News & World Report Rankings for Graduate Programs

The quality and reputation of Adelphi graduate programs were among the main draws for this year’s graduates. Adelphi programs are annually ranked by . Seven Adelphi programs are included in this year’s list:

Best Nursing School: �Ѳ��ٱ��’s
Best Nursing School: Doctor of Nursing Practice
Best Public Health School
Best Psychology School
Best Clinical Psychology Doctorate Programs
Best School for Social Work
Best Speech-Language Pathology Program
Best Part-Time MBA Program

“These latest rankings from U.S. News & World Report are a testament to the exceptional caliber of our faculty, the dedication of our students and the profound impact our alumni are making in healthcare and clinical settings,” said Susan Dinan, PhD, ��’s interim provost. “The dramatic rise in our health program rankings, which are driven by peer assessment, demonstrates that our commitment to academic innovation and clinical excellence is recognized by our academic peers across the country.”

��ý Grad Programs Arrive in Manhattan

As early as next year, Adelphi will begin graduating students who earn their graduate degrees in New York City at the University’s new . A state-of-the-art, three-floor learning space located in the heart of Midtown at the corner of Fifth Avenue and 44th Street, the center will offer an initial group of eight graduate programs in in-demand career areas. Students will be able to choose from ��ٱ��’s degree programs in artificial intelligence and machine learning, education, general psychology/human resource concentration, business administration (Flex MBA), social work, and creative writing, as well as doctoral programs in learning sciences and global higher education leadership. Students can also earn graduate certificates in business analytics and human resource management at the Manhattan Center; the academic credits earned are transferable to our master’s degree programs.

All programs will feature flexible schedules and evening classes to accommodate working adults. The University also introduced a special $10,000 Manhattan Advantage Award to provide financial support for students in the inaugural cohort to ensure they have the resources to pursue graduate studies that will help them become leaders of the modern workforce.

The expansion to Manhattan, the launch of new master’s degree and doctoral programs, and the accomplishments and vitality of the graduate Class of 2026 together reflect Adelphi’s strategic commitment to graduate education and to the University’s growing strength in advanced studies.

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Onward and Upward: ��’s Class of 2026 Celebrates at 130th Commencement

tshah — Fri, 22 May 2026 16:41:43 +0000

The Class of 2026 by the Numbers

This year, more than 2,100 Adelphi graduates received degrees at the Commencement ceremonies. Most graduates were from the University’s College of Nursing and Public Health and the School of Social Work.

��’s Class of 2026 represented 60 countries and 29 states, with 1,803 hailing from the State of New York. This year, the graduates ranged from 18 to 73 years old.

On Wednesday, May 19, 54 doctorate degrees were conferred at the Doctoral Hooding ceremony at the ��ý Performing Arts Center (PAC).

��ý Leaders Impart Words of Wisdom for Class of 2026

��ý’s Interim President Christopher Storm, PhD, addressing the Class of 2026 at the 130th commencement ceremonies.

Christopher Storm, PhD, who has served as ��’s interim president for the past academic year, addressed the Class of 2026, reminding them that their Adelphi education has prepared them to meet the challenges of the future:

“Earning a college degree is no small feat—it requires perseverance, resilience and dedication. Each of our graduates here today has shown that and more on their Adelphi journey, and I hope you leave feeling empowered by what you’re capable of achieving.”

Representatives from the Class of 2026 also shared personal stories and inspiration with fellow graduates from the podium.

Undergraduate Student Government Association President Hussein Ali Rifath walking to the commencement stage.

“Our story has been one of hard work, grit and determination each and every step of the way,” said undergraduate Hussein Ali Rifath, Adelphi Student Government Association president. “But ultimately, those experiences have touched our lives. My friends, the road that lies ahead is one of hope. It’s shaped by dreams that lie deep within each and every one of us.”

Emily Ledesma ’25, president of the Graduate Student Council, spoke about how ��’s inclusivity helped her feel seen and supported.

“I wish that I could tell first-year Emily that things would be different for a change, and that Adelphi would become more than a university; it would become a place where I felt seen, supported and accepted just as I was, and become a place that I consider a second home, one that is so hard to say goodbye to.”

Joseph W. Westphal ’70, PhD, former U.S. Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia receiving an honorary degree at Adelphi’s 130th undergraduate ceremony.

During this year’s Commencement ceremonies, four honorary degrees were awarded to accomplished, inspiring alumni whose work is closely tied to ��’s mission. Honorees included: Joseph W. Westphal ’70, PhD, former U.S. Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; Serena Martin ’05, founder and executive director of ; Christopher Pappas ’81, a first-generation student who became founder, chairman, president and chief executive officer of ; and Z. Paul Akian ’64, a technologist, entrepreneur and philanthropist who contributed to NASA’s Apollo Program.

Ambassador Westphal shared, “The world does not need more spectators. It needs participants, people willing to engage and work hard and lead and stand for something meaningful. May you have the courage to begin, the strength to continue and the wisdom to enjoy the journey.”

In Pappas’ address to the Class of 2026, he encouraged the graduates to strive for excellence. “Whatever path you choose, do not settle for ordinary. When a door closest, look for the next door, and when it opens, run through it. Today, you mastered your courses. Now go master life.”

President-Elect Michael Balboni ’81, JD, speaking to Adelphi’s Class of 2026 at the 130th commencement ceremonies.

President-Elect Michael Balboni ’81, JD, ��’s first alumni president, addressed fellow Panthers at the ceremonies, asking them to stay the course and embrace challenges.

“You have to embrace what you’ve been given. Recognize it’s not always going to be a straight line to where you want to go or where you’re going to wind up. This University will be here for you. Go get ’em!”

Learn more about ��ý’s 130th Commencement.

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Examining The Pitt: Adelphi Nursing Faculty Weigh In on the Accuracy of the Hit Show Starring One of ��’s Own

ckatz — Fri, 08 May 2026 00:25:36 +0000

HBO’s medical drama has been praised for its multifaceted characters and intense storylines set in the emergency department (ED) of a Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, trauma center. Conceived by actor Noah Wyle, who also stars in the show, the drama has also been praised for the accuracy of its depiction of a fast-paced emergency medical environment.

But how realistic is it really?

We asked two faculty members from the ��ý College of Nursing and Public Health with experience working in an ED—Associate Dean Jordan Yakoby, EdD, and Clinical Associate Professor Daniel McWeeney, DNP—to assess some key scenes in the show.

While the focus is often on the doctors, nurses are often depicted as critical members of the ED staff, especially tough-as-nails charge nurse Dana Evans. “By and large, a lot of the scenes are pretty realistic,” said Dr. Yakoby. “They are real scenarios you’d see in an emergency department.” If anything, he said, nurses are not depicted as prominently as they should be in an actual ED, where they handle some of the frontline cases doctors handle in the show. “There’s probably some artistic liberty, since many of the main characters are physicians and you need to show them in as many scenes as possible.”

Dr. McWeeney agreed that the show gets the intensity and pace of the ED right—even if it exaggerates a little. “The show truly reflects the chaos and volume of patients seen on a daily basis,” he said. “However, it does seem to depict more of the critical cases, which is not always the case in a given shift.” On the other hand, as an experienced ED nurse practitioner, he’s had shifts as intense as the ones that appear on the show, with multiple patients requiring lifesaving interventions.

��ý Theatre Grad Plays a Starring Role

��ý’s connection to The Pitt runs deeper than our faculty expertise. Lucas Iverson ’17, a BFA in theatre arts graduate, plays cocky medical student James Ogilvie in the show’s second season. In a recent interview, Iverson highlighted a pivotal scene from episode six where a nurse out-diagnoses a room full of MDs—a moment he feels reflects the vital importance of nurses in emergency rooms. “The nurses always know,” he noted.

Here are five scenes from the show, along with comments from Dr. Yakoby and Dr. McWeeney. (Spoilers ahead!)

Season 1, Episode 1—Nurses Perlah and Princess speak Tagalog

From the first episode, Filipina nurses Perlah and Princess switch into their native language while discussing cases or reacting to doctors’ decisions. Their tone is typically wry, offering a glimpse into the tight bonds among the nursing staff.

Dr. Yakoby: You probably have a lot more camaraderie between nurses and medical staff than you do in other places in the hospital, just because of the close proximity, so it definitely leads to more informality at times. Of course, there’s gossip that can occur, though I don’t know that people just switch into another language in front of the person they are talking about.

Dr. McWeeney: Multilingual nurses absolutely use language like this during shifts, but in my experience it’s more of a friendly conversation than patient-related. That said, nurses are always communicating, and especially experienced nurses may discuss and question providers’ assessments and orders placed based on a patient’s chief complaint.

Season 1, Episode 9—An aggressive patient assaults Dana

A patient’s frustrations boil over and he eventually assaults nurse Dana. She later returns to the floor, with colleagues noting how common such incidents can be.

Dr. McWeeney: Unfortunately, this is very common. On most of my shifts, security alerts are escalated due to an aggressive or threatening patient. Most of the time, it’s verbal, but I have had two or three colleagues who have been physically assaulted. Our ED has significantly increased security officer presence, and staff are trained for active shooters as well.

Dr. Yakoby: It’s a documented, well-known problem. I’ve been assaulted before—and more than one time. Usually it’s someone with a psychiatric condition or impaired by alcohol or an illicit substance. Larger hospitals and trauma centers have security in the ED at all times, and they can respond quickly, but they can’t be everywhere, and sometimes you just don’t know when someone is going to get aggressive.

Season 2, Episode 6—Perlah reacting to Louie’s death

It’s 12:07. Robby calls it. Louie is gone. (Warrick Page/HBOMAX)

After regular patient Louie dies from alcohol-related complications, nurse Perlah visibly struggles emotionally. Dana and other colleagues make adjustments to compensate for her.

Dr. Yakoby: A lot of times you don’t spend more than a few hours with a person, so you don’t develop a super-close relationship. But there are certain circumstances that are upsetting when a patient passes away. Many “frequent flyers” who come in regularly for substance abuse are difficult to get along with, but there are some who are more pleasant and easy to build a relationship with, and so there can be cases that hit home.

Dr. McWeeney: Grief is something everyone handles differently, and something you have to learn to cope with while working on a shift. In my experience, there have been a few shifts, especially during the pandemic, where I just needed to run to the bathroom and cry or shut the lights off and reset with a few deep breaths. Most hospitals now do have a team of employees that comes to support staff after a traumatic event. Ours is called Team Lavender, and they provide staff with lavender oils, teas and chocolates to help alleviate stress.

Season 2, Episode 6—Donnie teaching suturing to doctors

��ý theatre grad Lucas Iverson ’17, second from left, observes as Nurse Donnie steps in to guide physicians through proper subcutaneous (sub-Q) suturing technique during a challenging case. This scene highlights the depth of hands-on skill many nurses develop over time.

Dr. McWeeney: Nurses are always learning and training. While RNs do not suture, they are often precepting a new nurse on the many unique skills needed in the ED, such as placing an intravenous catheter. There is always the pressure to see more patients, and so I might not have the time to go through each step in depth in the moment, but I will always try and recap later in the shift as time allows.

Dr. Yakoby: Having a nurse actually do part of the procedure would not be typical. But if you have a very seasoned nurse and a junior resident, you might have a nurse guide them through a practice or get you the resources to help you do a procedure that you’re not doing in the correct way. Certainly, physicians-in-training would be smart to listen to experienced nurses if they want to be successful.

Season 2, Episode 7—Dana guides a sexual assault exam

As a sexual assault nurse examiner (SANE), Dana takes the lead on guiding a sexual assault survivor through a forensic exam, displaying compassion throughout a highly technical procedure.

Dr. McWeeney: The portrayal of the scene is accurate. Time is of the essence when it comes to a complicated case such as sexual assault. It is extremely sensitive, and there is heightened concern for making a mistake or fear of litigation that requires extra training to become a SANE. Dana provided a sense of trust and comfort and a step-by-step approach which showed the patient what to expect.

Dr. Yakoby: This kind of trauma-informed care is really where nursing shines. There’s a lot of emotional support you may need to give the patient, ensuring their comfort and privacy, and I think this was a good depiction of that. Everyone usually tries to be intentional and thoughtful with these patients, as they are experiencing a very difficult moment in their lives.

��’s Nursing and Public Health Programs

Whether you want to be in an action-packed ED or provide care in settings from schools to clinics to physician’s offices—or you want to educate the next generation of healthcare workers—the ��ý College of Nursing and Public Health has a program for you.

Learn how to serve our aging population with our gerontology programs (Adult Gerontology Primary Care Advanced Certificate, Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner doctoral or graduate on campus or ); get a broad understanding of healthcare with undergraduate Health Sciences; be on the cutting edge of technology with healthcare informatics studies ( or , both online); pursue a nursing degree (undergraduate, doctoral or —now offered in Garden City and at our ); or study Psychiatric Mental Health (graduate, doctoral or advanced certificate) or Public Health (minor and MPH on campus or ).

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From Past to Present: The History Behind ��’s Cherished Pinning Ceremony

ckatz — Fri, 08 May 2026 00:13:38 +0000

“Nursing is an art and a science,” said Deborah Hunt, PhD ’12, dean of the College of Nursing and Public Health. “Steeped in history dating back to ancient times, the Pinning Ceremony is sacred and holds special meaning to the students and the faculty who teach and mentor them.”

Surrounded by faculty, alumni and loved ones, students take this step forward into their careers, carrying with them a degree, a gold pin and the vast knowledge they have gained during their nursing education. As students reach the end of their program, they take the time to come together and honor the strides they have made to get to the precipice of a career in nursing.

For students at Adelphi, stepping across that stage means more than just receiving a pin. It is an acknowledgment of the hard work they have put in, encompassing the hours spent studying and applying their knowledge in labs and clinicals. “I still remember the solemnity of the ceremony and how honored I was to be pinned,” said Dean Hunt. “The pin symbolizes the essence of nursing and is worn with pride.” Students recite the international pledge that guides their professional practice, surrounded by classmates and professors who supported their journey.

One of the ways the ceremony is made special is through the guests who attend it. Students are invited to have family or important members of their life come to the ceremony and watch them receive their pin. Traditionally, a faculty member or registered nurse would give the student their pin, but in recent years, programs have given students the freedom to choose a special person to join them on stage to pin them.

Many students choose parents, siblings or faculty who have had a strong impact on them—someone who supported them or helped them in their academic career. Beyond just recognizing and celebrating the individual accomplishment of completing the nursing program, the ceremony shows students the network of nurses and mentors they have to rely on.

The Origin of Pinning Ceremonies

Pinning ceremonies can be traced back to 1883 when Florence Nightingale was awarded a Royal Red Cross by Queen Victoria for her service during the Crimean War. Since then, it has become a staple in nursing programs across the country, with each school designing its own pin to represent its program. “Every nursing program has a unique pin, and our graduates are recognized as an ‘Adelphi Nurse’ who has been prepared as a leader,” said Dean Hunt.

The American Nurses Association (ANA) celebrates nursing week in May as a way to celebrate and call awareness to the effort nurses give every day. The 2026 theme is “The Power of Nurses” and culminates on May 12—the birthday of Florence Nightingale.

As these students receive their pins, they join the ranks of nurses like Dean Hunt who attended Adelphi to earn their degree, and those in the years since pinning ceremonies began who made that same step into the next chapter of their journey.

Nursing at Adelphi

��’s nursing program is highly ranked, up 32 places from last year and 61 from its 2023 ranking on the U.S. News & World Report’ list of best BS in nursing programs. With undergraduate, ��ٱ��’s degree, accelerated and PhD nursing programs, Adelphi offers students a broad number of options for finding their place in the world of nursing. And its Clinical Education and Simulation Lab (CESiL) provides students with hands-on experience in patient care and medical procedures.

The program includes the , which tests and prepares students for practicing medicine beyond the classroom. “This is the culmination of the program, focusing on the synthesis of knowledge, clinical judgement, critical thinking and final clinical immersion experience to prepare for the role of a professional nurse,” said Dean Hunt. ��’s CESiL and network of partnerships provide ways to build confidence and assurance with the skills students have learned by placing them in healthcare facilities for hands-on learning.

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��ý’s Health and Nursing Graduate Programs Recognized for Excellence, Rapid Growth in U.S. News & World Report Rankings

cscala — Tue, 07 Apr 2026 16:57:24 +0000

The recently announced rankings highlight a period of significant reputational growth for ��’s health disciplines, marked by sustained academic excellence.

��’s Gordon F. Derner School of Psychology Clinical Psychology graduate program surged an impressive 49 spots in this year’s rankings, while the Speech-Language Pathology program in the University’s Ruth S. Ammon College of Education and Health Sciences jumped 33 positions. These rapidly rising programs join the perennially strong graduate nursing programs in ��’s College of Nursing and Public Health, which remain securely positioned in the top 13.5 percent of all accredited graduate nursing programs nationwide.

Rapid Ascent in the Health Professions

Methodology for the U.S. News Best Graduate Health Programs ranking is based on peer assessment surveys, reflecting how academic leaders nationwide view the quality of Adelphi’s programs. Adelphi saw notable improvements across the board, including:

Clinical Psychology: Ranked No. 127, an extraordinary climb of 49 positions
Speech-Language Pathology: Ranked No. 165, an impressive rise of 33 positions
Audiology (as part of the Long Island Doctor of Audiology Consortium): Ranked No. 49, an improvement of nine spots

Sustained Excellence in Graduate Nursing Education

The ��ý College of Nursing and Public Health continues to be a premier destination for advanced nursing education. The U.S. News Best Graduate Master’s Nursing list places Adelphi at No. 87, ensuring that the program remains in the top 13.5 percent of accredited graduate nursing programs nationwide. ��’s Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program is newly ranked this year on the outlet’s DNP list, expanding the University’s footprint in doctoral-level nursing excellence, and the Master of Public Health is also ranked.

Recognition in Graduate Business

��’s Robert B. Willumstad School of Business also maintained its national presence in the Part-Time MBA rankings. Additionally, U.S. News significantly expanded its Graduate Business Subspecialty Rankings for 2026—growing from a pool of roughly 40 schools to more than 275 institutions per list—with Adelphi earning a placement for providing competitive, specialized business education relative to a newly broadened field of national peers.

Expanding Graduate Education at the New Manhattan Center

The momentum of the University’s graduate programs extends to the heart of New York City with the launch of ��’s new on Fifth Avenue. Designed to align advanced degrees with high-demand careers, the center offers specialized programs—including an Accelerated BS in Nursing, a Flex MBA, and an MS in AI and Machine Learning—to address critical workforce needs in the metropolitan area. To celebrate and support students joining these inaugural cohorts, the University has introduced the $10,000 Manhattan Advantage Award. This specialized funding reflects ��’s investment in launching premier programs in New York City, providing dedicated financial support to ensure graduate students have the resources to pursue graduate studies that will help them lead the modern workforce.

Continued National Distinction

These latest graduate rankings build upon ��’s broader success in institutional evaluations. The University is consistently recognized as a Best National University and a Top Performer on Social Mobility by , reflecting a deep dedication to student success and equitable access to higher education. This year, Adelphi was ranked the top private university on Long Island by , and the University consistently earns prominent distinctions from , and for its exceptional academic quality, strong career outcomes and commitment to overall value.

Learn more about ��’s rankings, accolades and awards.

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More Voices, More Visions: Research Day Expands Its Horizons

cscala — Mon, 06 Apr 2026 17:00:17 +0000

��’s 23rd annual Research Day, formally known as the Scholarship and Creative Works Conference, is expanding in both scope and size this year, encompassing more disciplines and presentations than ever before. On April 28, students, faculty, family, alumni and community members will gather at the Ruth S. Harley University Center to celebrate the remarkable accomplishments of hundreds of Adelphi students.

Along with a wide range of e-posters, exhibits and oral presentations from students in the sciences, social sciences and humanities, this year’s Research Day will introduce new events with a particular emphasis on the arts and creative projects, including a 24-Hour Play Festival from theater majors and thesis presentations from art majors.

This year’s conference also offers another exciting first: a keynote address delivered by a Nobel laureate, William G. Kaelin, Jr., MD, the Sidney Farber Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, senior physician-scientist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigator. Dr. Kaelin received the . He also recently endowed a prize at Adelphi in honor of his mother, who graduated from Adelphi in 1954.

We spoke with Research Day co-chairs Karolina Lempert, PhD, assistant professor in the Gordon F. Derner School of Psychology, and Wei Liu, PhD, associate professor in the College of Nursing and Public Health, to learn more about the exciting new developments to the conference and ��’s commitment to showcasing student-led research.

What are some of the new additions to Research Day this year, particularly those focused on the arts?

Dr. Lempert: For the 24-Hour Play Festival, theater students will write, direct and act in 10-minute plays based on abstracts of research that will be presented at the conference. They’ll receive the abstracts the day before the conference and will only have 24 hours to create and rehearse them before performing in the University Center (UC) ballroom from 2:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. This will be a different kind of presentation and it definitely involves more of the arts, which has generally been less represented at the conference.

Dr. Liu: Another new addition is the Senior Art Gallery Presentations. David Pierce, assistant professor of art and art history, will have seven students present their graduating theses in the UC art gallery from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. While we’ve had students display their art in past conferences, this year, they’re going to be there so they can converse and discuss their work with attendees. We’re also going to have anthropology students from two different culture and society classes display photos from their midterm assignments.

Are these new events the result of an effort to incorporate more creative disciplines in Research Day?

Dr. Liu: Adelphi has always tried to promote interdisciplinary collaboration with the conference, but inevitably there are some departments that have less representation. We’re very lucky to have worked with Laura Mroz [associate director of executive communications], who played a critical role in conducting outreach to other departments.

Dr. Lempert: There’s a norm in the sciences of presenting posters at conferences, while arts students have other ways that they display their work. So I think changing that culture and showcasing arts and humanities may take some time, but this is the start of the effort. This year, we’ll have the biggest representation from those fields so far.

How is Adelphi engaging local high school students as part of the conference?

Dr. Liu: For the first time, we’ll be hosting a for a chance to win a full-tuition scholarship to Adelphi. The admissions office, which is sponsoring the competition, is encouraging high school juniors from research classes to submit their abstracts to be presented on conference day. We’ll have judges at the conference who will review their work and select the winner.

How else will the Research Day conference be larger in scope this year?

Dr. Liu: We received approximately 350 abstract submissions—100 more than we usually receive. This marks increased submissions in every single category, including e-posters, oral presentations and computer science exhibits. While we used to host computer science and gaming exhibitions in the charter room on the second floor of the UC, this year, we’ll actually use a bigger space on the first floor to accommodate more participants.

Dr. Lempert: This is also the first year we expanded the event out to the entire UC—not just the second floor—and I think that it will only keep growing.

What are your plans for Research Day going forward?

Dr. Liu: If this year’s conference is a success and we receive positive feedback, we can do even more outreach and incorporate more disciplines next year. We’re also hoping to receive abstracts for new presentation types, such as humanities panel presentations and film presentations.

What do you hope students and attendees take away from Research Day?

Dr. Lempert: I hope the conference empowers students to do research of their own and to engage in their own creative work. I also hope it brings students closer together and helps them see that research is for everyone.

Dr. Liu: I really want students and faculty to take away the message that Adelphi promotes a strong community, and we encourage collaboration and inclusiveness. When we gather post-conference feedback from our presenters, we always hear that they appreciate people outside their own disciplines coming to see their posters or listen to their presentations. It’s just really encouraging, this knowledge-sharing among students and faculty across disciplines.

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��’s New Manhattan Center: Helping NYC Meet Its Workforce Needs

cscala — Tue, 03 Mar 2026 16:11:55 +0000

��’s Manhattan Center is coming to New York City with a mission: to prepare career-minded adults for leadership roles in fields the city needs and depends on.

Opening in early summer at the corner of Fifth Avenue and 44th Street, the Manhattan Center is offering graduate and professional programs in nursing, technology, business, education, social work, human resources and creative writing.

All courses at the conveniently located center are designed to fit the schedule of busy working adults. The 51,000-square-foot space includes smart classrooms, healthcare and science labs, library, computer and STEAM labs, private study spaces, and a student lounge.

Learning will extend beyond the center’s walls, as students can take advantage of ��’s connections to nearby Fortune 500 companies, healthcare organizations and community partners for internships, clinical rotations and employment opportunities.

The Manhattan Center will open with these highly sought-after programs that address the city’s workforce needs:

The center will also offer doctoral programs in Learning Sciences and Global Higher Education Leadership during its launch year.

Learn more about these programs—and their value to students and to New York City—from their respective academic leaders:

Accelerated BS in Nursing

Deborah Hunt, PhD ’12

Betty L. Forest Dean, College of Nursing and Public Health

The decision to lead the new Manhattan Center with our Accelerated BS in Nursing program reflects our commitment to health and wellness of populations across the lifespan. The nursing shortage has continued to be cyclical due to myriad factors. Although the outlook in New York has improved, we are still experiencing a shortage that supports the need to prepare a high-caliber pipeline of professional, caring, dedicated RNs. Leveraging our strategic location, students can gain hands-on experience in our state-of-the-art simulation center and New York City’s diverse clinical settings, bridging the gap between theory and practice. Students will complete their coursework in just 15 months in the heart of New York, taught by expert and compassionate faculty—and the average starting salary for our graduates is over $100,000. The program’s history of exceptional NCLEX performance proves that while the pace is accelerated, the quality of our nursing education and our students remains second to none.

MS in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

Kees Leune, PhD

Associate Professor, Chair, Department of Mathematics and Computer Science

��ý’s mission to graduate job-ready students extends into the Manhattan Center. By relocating the existing MS in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning program to the new center, we leverage the depth and the breadth of the best New York City has to offer. The center will be used as a base for expanding industry partnerships and for improving access to this program for students who work in the city during the day but wish to pursue a graduate degree after hours. Adelphi’s Manhattan location is also ideally situated for students traveling by public transportation.

Flex MBA, Advanced Certificate in Business Analytics

Raghida Abdallah Yassine, PhD

Assistant Professor and Academic Director, MBA programs, Robert B. Willumstad School of Business

New York City maintains its status as a worldwide business center, which leads companies to search for employees who demonstrate adaptability, analytical abilities and strong leadership skills in the face of rapidly changing technologies. The Manhattan Center’s graduate business programs provide flexible educational paths that combine essential business skills with analytical and technological expertise. Our Flex MBA and Business Analytics certificate are designed to prepare graduates not just for today’s jobs, but for the future of work.

Master of Social Work (MSW)

Joanne Corbin, PhD

Dean, School of Social Work

The ��ý School of Social Work is excited about our move from Brooklyn to the new Manhattan Center in August 2026. This increases accessibility to our program’s course offerings and positions students at the center of one of the nation’s most dynamic social work markets.

The profession of social work continues to be in demand, with positions projected to grow by six percent over the next decade in New York—exceeding the rate for all other occupations. Social workers with a ��ٱ��’s degree in social work (an MSW) may work across diverse settings, including healthcare, behavioral health, mental health, substance abuse and school social work. They have opportunities to work with individuals across the developmental lifespan, from young children to older adults. Employment opportunities span all major segments of the economy—healthcare, education, community services, vocational rehabilitation, nursing and residential care, and government agencies.

Social work’s mission is to improve the conditions of life for individuals, families, groups, communities and organizations. At the ��ý School of Social Work, we prepare students to promote social justice and human rights for a diverse society by addressing unmet and emergent needs and by promoting equity in access, information and provision of services. We look forward to inviting new students to join us at the Manhattan Center in achieving this mission.

MA in STEAM Education–Math, Science, Computer Science

Tracy Hogan, PhD

Professor, The School of Education, Ruth S. Ammon College of Education and Health Sciences

In our programs, students will learn creative methods of using art and design concepts to increase learning in STEM classes. ��ý has partnered with New York City Public Schools for decades—a relationship that has grown stronger since establishing our STEAM MA teacher preparation program in New York City. As NYC schools—and New York State more broadly—face a persistent shortage of certified teachers in computer science, mathematics and the sciences, our program has responded and is positioned to do even more through our expanded presence and new space in the city. With more than $4 million in grant funding through the , Adelphi supports and prepares teacher candidates entering the program, while also offering traditional certification pathways and a non-certification MA. What makes our Manhattan-based model distinctive is its integration of collaborative spaces like and our new makerspace, which bring educators, researchers and community partners together around research-supported STEAM teaching and learning.

MFA in Creative Writing

René Steinke

Professor, Department of English, and Director of the MFA in Creative Writing Program

The Low-Residency MFA in Creative Writing Program offers week-long intensive residencies and semester-long creative mentorships with faculty who are award-winning, acclaimed authors and devoted teachers. The residencies are held at the Manhattan Center, offering students a chance to explore the literary richness of the city. At each residency, MFA students meet with authors, editors, literary agents and representatives from the many literary nonprofits that sustain the cultural life of New York City. The residency, which precedes each semester, is the anchor for the curriculum and a crucial part of the program’s design. The hybrid nature of a low-residency MFA program is one of its major draws for our students, and it’s where a lively community of writers thrives. Many of our students work full-time in their professions, but have decided they want to be part of an academic program that helps them to seriously pursue their goals for writing. Until now, residencies have been housed at the Center for Fiction in Brooklyn, and the student responses to the curriculum and to the residency experience have been overwhelmingly positive.

We offer concentrations in fiction, poetry and creative nonfiction, with workshops that culminate in the final course, when students complete a book-length manuscript. Our program focuses intently on craft, with an emphasis on revision and close reading.

MA in General Psychology–HR Management

Errol Rodriguez, PhD

Assistant Dean, Director of Master’s Degree Programs in General Psychology and Mental Health Counseling, Gordon F. Derner School of Psychology

We decided to bring the master’s degree program in general psychology with a concentration in human resource management to the new Manhattan Center to participate in the evolution of work and to promote all that we have learned about psychology and wellness in the workplace. It is clear, given the high demand in industries and sectors, as well as the influence of AI, that work is rapidly changing. New York, being the epicenter of work and the hustle and bustle of city life, is prime real estate for our flagship program training psychologically skilled HR professionals. The program draws on expertise from our renowned faculty in psychology and business, with the goal of translating psychological principles and concepts into business applications. By training with us in the heart of the city, we aim to influence both current and aspiring human resource professionals. Using psychology as the foundational anchor of the training, we believe our graduates will lead with empathy, hire with vision, and have a unique voice in the transformation of work life in New York City and globally.

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��ý’s Online MPH Named Among Top Online MPH Degree Programs by The Princeton Review

tshah — Wed, 18 Feb 2026 15:44:58 +0000

This year, once again, the media outlet has included Adelphi on its list of the , highlighting its excellence in preparing public health leaders through rigorous, accessible online education.

Offered through ��’s highly ranked College of Nursing and Public Health, the online MPH curriculum is fully accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health and designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills to address pressing public health challenges locally and globally. The program emphasizes health equity, community-focused solutions and real-world application through fieldwork and a capstone project, all delivered through flexible online study.

“We are honored to be included among the best online MPH programs by The Princeton Review,” said Deborah Hunt, PhD ’12, the Betty L. Forest Dean of the College of Nursing and Public Health. “This recognition reflects our faculty’s commitment to excellence, our emphasis on health equity and practical experience, and our belief that accessible, high-quality public health education is essential for preparing professionals who will lead change in communities around the world.”

The MPH program, which is offered both online and at ��’s Garden City, New York, campus, prepares graduates for careers in epidemiology, health policy, program management, community health and other high-impact roles in public health practice and leadership. With personalized instruction, robust career services and a strong emphasis on serving underserved populations, the program offers the flexibility and support students need to succeed in today’s dynamic healthcare landscape.

According to The Princeton Review, “online MPH programs have become as rigorous as on-campus programs and offer several advantages. These include flexibility, affordability, access to advanced technologies, a diverse student body, and global opportunities. Students can learn at their own pace, save money, interact with a range of professionals, and gain exposure to diverse global perspectives on public health issues. The master of public health degree may be a rewarding choice for those seeking better job prospects and/or higher salaries in public and private sectors, nonprofit organizations, government agencies, and international health bodies.”

A 12-credit online graduate certificate in Public Health is also in development.

See more information about Adelphi’s o�� in-person Master of Public Health programs and learn how to apply.

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