Board of Trustees Michael A. Seeve Chairperson John Galandak Vice Chairperson Robert Guarasci Secretary Lourdes Cortez Frederick L. Gruel Kevin Lenahan ‘90 Audrey McDowell ‘91 Bradley L. Neilley ‘80 Linda A. Niro ’76 William J. Pesce ‘73 Idida Rodriguez '86 Donovan Taylor (Student Trustee) Joseph M. Velli ‘80 Deborah K. Zastocki, PhD President Richard J. Helldobler, PhD, ex officio Loretta Mc Laughlin Vignier, Chief of Staff to the President and Board of Trustees
President’s Message Since its founding in 1855, William Paterson has always evolved and adapted to better serve our students. From our earliest days as the Paterson City Normal School, through decades of growth and expansion into a multifaceted university, we have grown, added, and adjusted our offerings to meet the needs of our students and deliver on our mission of providing an outstanding and affordable education. We’ve all read a lot lately about how the COVID pandemic will forever change how everything from business and government to higher education operates. At William Paterson, we happened to launch our longplanned WP Online initiative with a host of fully online graduate programs in 2020, just as all education was shifting online by necessity. The initial shift to online learning no doubt helped raise interest in WP Online, but its continued strong growth, even as colleges and universities nationally have returned to in-person learning, is a sign of its sustained appeal to students who want flexible access to highquality degree and certificate programs. It is because of this long-term appeal that we recently built on the success of graduate programs and expanded WP Online to include undergraduate programs for the adult degree completion market. The success of WP Online is just one great example of the ability of our dynamic community to apply its talent and energy to new ventures that will prepare the University for a stronger future. For some time now, I have been fond of borrowing a line from Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Josh Powers. Provost Powers says that the greatest opportunities for William Paterson to distinguish ourselves in an increasingly competitive higher education marketplace lie not so much in what we deliver as in how we deliver it. Of course, a William Paterson education will always be built on high-quality courses taught by excellent faculty. In an increasingly competitive higher education landscape, however, where many institutions have similar program offerings, we can better differentiate ourselves by how we deliver that education. I am pleased to report that the campus community affirmed this approach over the course of the fall semester through a series of conversations and polling. Beginning
with my September State of the University address, we initiated a conversation about a new approach to WP branding and identity that looked at both “what” and “how” models. After meeting with numerous student, faculty, and staff groups and surveying them to gauge their preferences, the “how” strategy emerged as the preferred choice. As a result of this feedback, I recently recommended, and the Board of Trustees approved, pursuing this approach. This means that the campus community will work collaboratively during the Spring 2022 semester to develop fresh branding and identity elements built on the “how” strategy, with the aim of implementing them in Fall 2022. We already do great things in terms of the high-touch, supportive offerings that will be a hallmark of the “how” approach, like our successful first-year experience program, Will. Power. 101. In the months ahead, we will consider other initiatives, like flexible academic schedules, that are consistent with this approach. That will allow us to position ourselves as the best choice for students who want not just a great education, but also one that is delivered within a comprehensive support framework that helps ensure student success. I look forward to sharing the results of this exciting new initiative with you soon and giving prospective students and their families a fresh look at how William Paterson can help them succeed. As we continue to adapt and grow, the kind of support that is documented in these pages will be ever more important to the University and our students. We truly appreciate everyone who helps us fulfill our vital mission.
Richard J. Helldobler, PhD, President William Paterson University 1
I.
Academic Excellence
Academic Initiatives and Highlights During the 2020-21 academic year, the University gained momentum in the development and implementation of academic programs that diversify instructional delivery models to meet the changing demands of the marketplace and capitalize on evolving markets, such as adult learners, who are actively working. The University successfully launched its new fully online degree platform, WP Online, offering a wide array of new online options in education, nursing, and business designed to serve working professionals and provide students with additional educational opportunities beyond the University’s campus-based programs. The programs offer flexible, accelerated course schedules; students can complete their degree in as few as 12 months, online and on their own time, while maintaining full-time employment and fulfilling personal responsibilities. Education degree programs include the master of arts (MA) in higher education administration, and two versions of a master of education (MEd) in educational leadership, one of which includes New Jersey certification opportunities. The online nursing programs include the registered nurse to bachelor of science in nursing (RN to BSN), for nurses who have completed their associate’s degree and are licensed as a registered nurse, four versions of a RN to master of science in nursing (MSN) degree, and four post-master’s certificate programs for those who already hold the MSN. Six master of business administration (MBA) degree programs are available online, including the broad-based general MBA and five specialized online MBAs with concentrations in marketing, entrepreneurship, finance, human resource management, and accounting. Students can also pursue two tracks in the master of science degree in finance and financial services. A number of businessrelated certificate programs are also available. WP Online enrollment exceeded goals by more than 200 percent, paving the way for plans to launch a slate 2
of nine fully online bachelor’s degree programs in November 2021. Programs include the bachelor of arts in communication studies, criminology and criminal justice (including a professional track for law enforcement and corrections professionals), leadership and professional studies, liberal studies, and psychology, and the bachelor of science in health studies, management, and marketing. The University launched its first research and third doctoral program, a multidisciplinary doctor of education in leadership degree designed to prepare candidates for executive leadership roles in a variety of career settings, including PreK-12 education, higher education, social services, healthcare, nonprofit and for-profit business enterprises, faith-based organizations, and government. The program, which enrolled its first cohort in summer 2021, is especially suitable for working professionals, with limited required in-person attendance and most work conducted online. In addition, the bachelor’s degree in leadership and professional studies, launched in fall 2021, will also be offered in an on-campus model. The program offers adult learners a highly flexible program designed to help them return for a degree and build on professional knowledge and earned credits. They will have the opportunity to demonstrate knowledge and application of quantitative skills, cultural competency, ethics, and organizational understanding through the completion of courses or through prior learning assessment options. For traditional undergraduates, William Paterson launched new bachelor of arts degrees in ethics and community development and social justice. A new fully online Student Assistance Coordinator Certificate Program was launched for those who wish to be certified as student assistance coordinators (SACs) in New Jersey PreK-12 school districts in order to support students who have substance abuse, social, emotional, and behavioral issues. In addition, new certificate programs were established on the undergraduate level in geographic information systems, professional ethics, healthcare ethics, and gender and sexuality. Two new certificate programs, for teacher leader and K-16 online learning, were established on the graduate level. The University signed a new joint admission and transfer agreement with Brookdale Community College that provides an opportunity for students to seamlessly transfer to William Paterson after earning an associate’s degree and pursue bachelor’s degrees in 26 different programs.
In addition, William Paterson signed new “3+1” agreements with Bergen Community College for programs in criminal justice and nursing.
Jasmine Henry
Shannon Holder
Steven Jones
The University created a new fellowship program to advance diversity in higher education by supporting doctoral or terminal degree candidates from underrepresented backgrounds as they launch academic careers and complete their dissertations or degree requirements. The Pre-Doctoral Fellows Program launched on January 14, 2021 with a successful webinar attended by more than 300 participants from across the country, who heard keynote speaker Lori Patton Davis of The Ohio State University speak on “Good ‘Help’ is Hard to Find: Intersectional Reflections on Academic Life.” Four doctoral candidates were selected to join the University in fall 2021: Jasmine Henry, Rutgers University, music; Shannon Holder, University of Connecticut, educational leadership and professional studies; Steven Jones, Rutgers University, psychology; and Soohyun (Ashley) Lee, Baruch College and Graduate Center, City University of New York, management, marketing, and professional sales.
The University’s College of the Arts and Communication and College of Humanities and Social Sciences Soohyun (Ashley) Lee joined together on July 1, 2021. The new entity, the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences, is led by Wartyna Davis, who served as dean of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences. The move will allow the institution to continue to deliver high-quality education to students of both colleges more efficiently, while opening up new opportunities for collaboration and investment. The College of Education’s initial and advanced programs received full accreditation from the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with no identified areas for improvement or stipulations. This is a great achievement and reflects years of
good work on the part of the College’s faculty and staff. William Paterson University’s bachelor’s degree program in computer science was reaccredited through 2026 by ABET, the global accreditor of college and university programs in applied and natural science, computing, engineering, and engineering technology. The College of Humanities and Social Sciences held its ninth annual multidisciplinary conference, “Who’s Looking at You: Surveillance in the Land of the Free,” in October 2020. The virtual event explored issues in the new world of surveillance, and featured a keynote address by Albert Fox Cahn, founder and executive director of the Surveillance Technology Oversight Project, titled “Pandemic Policing: Law Enforcement Access to COVID-19 Contact Tracing Data.” The University’s Cannabis Research Institute hosted a discussion about the implications of marijuana legalization in New Jersey—from historical and political to mental and public health issues—in a virtual roundtable, also in October 2020. The event, prior to the November 2020 election, in which marijuana legalization was on the New Jersey ballot, featured faculty members of the Institute with expertise in a range of fields, including Rahi Abouk, economics and director of the Institute; LaShauna Dean, special education and counseling; Alex Kecojevic, public health; Betty Kollia, communication disorders and sciences; Brenda Marshall, nursing; Stephen Shalom, political science; and Sean Wilson, sociology and criminal justice. The University completed its Middle States Self-Study and the Reaccreditation Team, under the leadership of William J. Fritz, president of the College of Staten Island, held a virtual site visit from March 15 to 17, 2021. William Paterson was recommended to the Middle States Commission as having met all seven Standards and all 14 Requirements of Affiliation. These are the critical requirements for continued authorization to operate as a postsecondary institution.
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Faculty News and Achievements The University’s faculty of teacher/scholars continued to make an impact on their fields of expertise during the 2020-21 academic year. Faculty received or were nominated for 183 awards, honors and fellowships; produced 396 books, book chapters, conference proceedings and articles in journals and 118 artistic performances, productions, and exhibitions; and gave 208 lectures, presentations, and workshops. Jonathan “Jay” Foley, professor of chemistry, received the prestigious National Science Foundation (NSF) CAREER award for research in using computers to design materials for sustainable energy. The award is NSF’s most prestigious award in support of early-career faculty who have the potential to serve as academic role models in Jonathan “Jay” Foley research and education and to lead advances in the mission of their department or organization. Foley received the award for his research in the emerging field called polaritonic chemistry. LaShauna Dean, associate professor of special education and counseling, received the NARACES 2020 Social Justice Award from the North Atlantic Region Association for Counselor Education and Supervision organization for her significant work on social justice and multicultural issues. The award recognizes a counselor educator who has made significant contributions to the research and literature on social justice and/or multicultural issues, including work as a practitioner and being engaged in community-based social justice and advocacy issues, and infusing diversity and social action into counseling, counselor education, and supervision. Lydia Albuquerque, DNP ’18, assistant professor, nursing, was inducted as the eighth president of the National Association of Indian Nurses of America (NAINA). The organization represents more than 3,000 nurses across 22 chapters
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Lydia Albuquerque
in 15 states. Albuquerque has won numerous awards and grants for her work as both a nurse and academic researcher. An animated short film, The Spirit Seam, by Ashley Gerst, assistant professor of art, won Best Animated Film at Mind in August 2020 and at the Animation Celebration Fest in October 2020. Overall, the film was accepted into more than 40 film festivals worldwide and won more than a dozen awards. Rob Quicke, professor of communication, won a 2021 Communicator Award from the Academy of Interactive and Visual Arts for a radio documentary pressed exclusively on vinyl to celebrate the 10th anniversary of College Radio Day called “10 Years of College Radio Coming Together.” Quicke founded College Radio Day in 2011. Heejung An, professor, educational leadership and professional studies, won an Outstanding Paper Award from the International Conference of the Society for information Technology and Teacher Education (SITE) in March 2021 for her paper, “Design of an Online Robotics Course Using the Learning by Design Approach.” Kathleen Malu, professor, educational leadership and professional studies, served as an English language specialist for the U.S. Department of State’s American English Teachers’ Corner program. Malu has been running workshops for the U.S. Embassy in Madagascar to help English Club leaders learn different ways to motivate people in the clubs, which is one of the ways people there might choose to learn English. Four William Paterson nursing professors were honored by the Institute for Nursing at the 2021 New Jersey State Nurses Association CARES (Clinical, Administration, Research, Education and Support) Awards. The awards honor outstanding nurses who are nominated by their colleagues, who have the opportunity to observe their dedication to advancing the nursing profession. Kem Louie, professor and nursing graduate director, was named Nurse Educator of the Year; Sandra Foley, DNP ’19, clinical instructor, chair of the Institute for Nursing, and president-elect of the New Jersey State Nurses Association (NJSNA), received an honorable mention in the same category. Adjunct professor Elisa Green, DNP ’20, was named Clinical Nurse of the Year and adjunct professor Uma Venugopal received an honorable mention for Nurse Administrator of the Year. The speed selling competition at the 2017 National Sales Challenge
College of Education Dean Amy Ginsberg was selected to participate in the 2021 HERS (Higher Education Resource Services) Leadership Institute, a highly selective and prestigious leadership program for women in higher education, which is designed to create and sustain a diverse network of women leaders in higher education.
Vincent N. Parrillo, professor emeritus of sociology and a renowned expert on immigration and intergroup behavior, published a new book, Vincent N. Parrillo: A Collection of His Work, featuring a compilation of his works over the past 50 years that focus on the themes of assimilation, diversity, and multiculturalism.
Amy Ginsberg
Michael Griffiths, professor of environmental science, was head of an international team of researchers and the lead author on a study that linked a previously Michael Griffiths unknown megadrought from 4,000 years ago to major changes in human settlement. The paper, published in Nature Communications explained how this major climate transformation led to a shift in human settlement patterns in Southeast Asia, which is now inhabited by more than 600 million people. Naa-Solo Tettey, associate professor of public health, created the HeartSmarts Virtual Healthy Heart Challenge to research the Naa-Solo Tettey sustainability of community health education programs during a pandemic. It has helped 120 participants in Black and Latinx communities in the New York and New Jersey region focus on their health while adhering to COVID-19 restrictions. Martin Becker and Michael Griffiths, professors of environmental science, were part of a team of researchers that found that the body size of the iconic Megalodon, or megatooth shark, was about 50 feet in length—indeed anomalously large compared to body sizes of its relatives. The study appeared in the international journal Historical Biology.
In the first study examining the impact of mandated electronic prescriptions for controlled substances, Rahi Abouk, professor of economics, and David Powell of the Rand Corporation published findings that show New York State’s e-prescribing mandate reduced the rate of overdoses involving natural and semi-synthetic Rahi Abouk opioids by 22 percent. Abouk and Powell received funding from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) to conduct the research, which was published in Economics and Human Biology Journal. Katherine Makarec, professor of psychology, Emmanuel Onaivi, professor of biology, and Brenda Marshall, professor of nursing, were the recipients of the 2021 Faculty Excellence Awards. Makarec received the 2021 Faculty Award for Excellence in Service; Onaivi received the 2021 Faculty Award for Excellence in Research, Scholarship, and Creative Expression; and Marshall received the 2021 Faculty Award for Excellence in Teaching. Head women’s basketball coach Erin Monahan ’91 earned her 500th career victory on February 13, 2021. Monahan, who is the most successful women’s basketball coach in William Paterson history, was also named to a list of the top 50 college basketball coaches of all time in New Jersey in an article in the Asbury Park Press. Eight of her former players have been inducted into the William Paterson University Alumni Association Athletic Hall of Fame.
Erin Monahan
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Grants to Support Academics During the 2020-21 academic year, the University received more than $11 million in support from federal, state, and local government sponsors, and included funding through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Grants supported faculty and academic initiatives in a variety of areas, ranging from individual faculty research and projects to programs focused on education and outreach, providing significant resources that support the University’s role as a comprehensive institution in its region and state. William Paterson was awarded a five-year, $1 million Scholarships-in-STEM grant from the National Science Foundation to support students majoring in mathematics and computer science through scholarships and mentoring. Through the grant, the University intends to enroll three cohorts of low-income, academically talented students as mathematics and computer science scholars and support them with scholarships. It will also work to improve year-over-year retention rates for mathematics and computer science scholars who are first-time, full-time, firstyear or transfer students, as well as graduation rates. The funds also will support a research study that investigates the relationship between college retention for low-income students and strength-based, culturally responsive mentoring. The proposed project will refine the recruitment pipeline of females into the target STEM majors, which will increase enrollment and consequentially increase the number of underrepresented STEM graduates entering the workforce. The project team includes Jyoti A. Champanerkar, professor, mathematics; Paul von Dohlen, professor, mathematics; Cyril S. Ku, professor, computer science; Weihus (Daisy) Liu, assistant professor, computer science; Djanna Hill, professor, teacher education and chair, community and social justice studies; and Venkat Sharma, dean, College of Science and Health. Emmanuel Onaivi, professor of biology, was awarded a three-year, $412,202 grant from the National Institutes of Health, National
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Emmanuel Onaivi
Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism to study the behavioral effects associated with the modulation of CB2 cannabinoid receptors, one of two types of cannabinoids in the human body that are activated by cannabis use. The research will provide a model to screen cannabinoids and classes of drugs for conditions of neuro-immune disorders. William Kernan, professor of public health, received a Drug Free Communities grant for $125,000 William Kernan from the Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services, NJ Department of Health, for United for Prevention in Passaic County (UPinPC), housed at the University, to help the organization continue its drug prevention work in the City of Passaic. The new funding supports the coalition’s work to prevent and reduce alcohol and drug abuse among the youth of the City of Passaic. Yen-Tyng Chen, assistant professor of public health, was awarded a highly competitive National Institutes of Health grant to research new HIV prevention strategies that investigate the influence of individual, network, and environmental factors on HIV transmission. Gihane Jeremie-Brink, professor of psychology, received a $164,501 grant from the Eli Lilly Foundation through a subaward from New Brunswick Theological Seminary for the WELL Program. The program seeks to address the fact that the pressures—spiritual, emotional, and financial—of urban pastoral leaders are magnified by the disproportionately high rate of COVID-19 among Black and Brown people. Kathleen Muldoon, regional director of the Small Business Development Center at William Paterson, received a $176,486 grant from the U.S. Small Business Administration via Rutgers University to support the center’s operations.
Wartyna Davis, dean, College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences, received a $149,994 grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities for a Data Storytelling project, which will support the development of a new minor that integrates digital data Wartyna Davis and analysis into humanities courses, along with a series of faculty workshops in digital humanities. Carmen Ortiz, executive director, Educational Opportunity Fund and Academic Achievement, received a $30,060 grant from the New Jersey Office of the Secretary of Higher Education to support the Educational Opportunity Fund’s 2021 Winter Session, which helped address academic advancement or enrichment of EOF renewal students during the recent Winter Session. Joseph Spagna, professor of biology, received a $67,817 grant from the National Science Foundation through a subaward from the California Academy of Sciences to support his work on Joseph Spagna “SBS: ARTS: Tidying the Tailor’s Drawers: Taxonomy and Molecular Systematics of Mesh Web Spiders (Araneae: Dictynidae).” Brenda Marshall, professor of nursing, received a grant from the U.S. Department of State’s Citizen Diplomacy Action Fund that will provide selected participants with free mental health first sid certificate training. The program will also mentor underrepresented minority students at local high schools by encouraging Brenda Marshall them to pursue STEM careers. The pilot program will give 20 New Jersey students and 10 New Jersey teachers certified training in mental health first aid, acquiring skills that can be used in their communities.
II.
Student Success
The University returned to in-person learning for the 2020-21 academic year with a mix of hybrid, hyflex, fully online, and regular on-campus courses, as well as virtual and in-person activities and a campus-based experience for residential students. The pandemic, which has disproportionately affected the population of students that the University serves, continued to heighten enrollment challenges, and student retention challenges persist. Retention support was widespread, with new programs in various stages of development and implementation.
Enrollment and Degree Completion Highlights During the 2020-21 academic year, all-student headcount grew, primarily due to the dramatic growth of WP Online. Implementation of the fully online degree platform helped to boost new graduate enrollment by 28 percent to 1,074 students and new transfer undergraduate enrollment by 19 percent to 839 with a particular increase in the RN to BSN program. However, full-time undergraduate enrollment, the University’s most significant source of revenue, dropped by 12 percent. The University enrolled 9,949 students, including 7,707 undergraduate students, which was 613 short of the goal, and 2,242 graduate students, which was 542 above the goal. The retention rate for first-year students fell from 73 percent to 67.7 percent. The effectiveness of the Will. Power. 101 first-year experience program, which showed great promise after its launch in 2019, was severely tested as the pandemic persisted through 2021. Will. Power. 101 classes met online in addition to in-person and the model was not as successful as fully face-to-face. Other indicators of academic success, such as the percentages of first-year students with declared majors and in good academic standing, declined as well. The six-year graduation rate declined slightly to 53.3 percent from a rate of 55.4 percent for the previous cohort. The University’s four-year graduation rate fell to 29 percent after rising to 36.4 percent in 2020, likely a consequence of the pandemic. High school dual enrollment grew to 405 students for fall 2021. 7
Campus Chapter of the Year for 2020. William Paterson beat out 95 chapters across the United States, including those at universities more than triple the size, and dethroned the renowned chapter at Ohio University’s E.W. Scripps School of Journalism, which had been named National Campus Chapter for four straight years. SPJ, which is comprised of over 7,000 members nationwide, cited 18 programs and projects run by the William Paterson chapter during the 2019-2020 academic year in announcing its choice for National Campus Chapter.
Francisco Diaz, sitting on right, and Cafe Con Leche students
Other support initiatives, such as the Café con Leche program, continued to provide critical support for students while also garnering national attention. What started as a way to bring William Paterson University’s Latinx community together in an open, welcoming space evolved into a glowing example of how to holistically support college students—especially those students from diverse backgrounds. The weekly program, which brings together faculty, staff, and students, was spotlighted in Ed Prep Matters, a journal produced by the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (AACTE), as well as in Diverse: Issues in Higher Education.
Student Honors In 2020-21, William Paterson continued to provide opportunities for students to participate in undergraduate research and other scholarly and creative activities with faculty, as well as in a variety of civic, extracurricular and athletic activities, earning honors and accolades. William Paterson became the first institution in New Jersey to establish a chapter of Alpha, Alpha, Alpha or Tri-Alpha, the national honor society that recognizes the accomplishments of firstgeneration college students; 16 students were inducted into the chapter, known as Alpha Mu, during a virtual ceremony. Tri-Alpha is dedicated to promoting academic excellence and creating a supportive environment for firstgeneration college students. Faculty and staff also will be invited to join. More than 45 percent of William Paterson’s undergraduate students were first-generation students in fall 2020. The University’s student chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) was named National 8
WP Sports Desk
The student-run WPTV television station won several awards at the 81st annual Intercollegiate Broadcasting System (IBS) awards virtual ceremony in March 2021. The station won awards for Best Video Sports Program for WP Sports Desk, a weekly half-hour student-produced sports talk show, and Best Video Comedy Program for its show, The Fake News Network, a satire news series. In addition, the Best Student Station Manager Award went to Shaffer Johnston ‘21, and the Best Social Media Director Award went to John Conlow ‘21. In addition, WPSC-FM won the award for Best Specialty Music Show, produced by Tiernan Doyle ‘21. Nursing doctoral student and adjunct professor Christiam Fajardo ’09, MS ’17, was named March of Dimes Nurse Manager of the Year. Fajardo has worked for the St. Joseph’s Healthcare System since 2008, and currently serves as a critical care nurse manager, Christiam Fajardo overseeing a full-time staff of 113. The award recognizes nursing excellence and achievements in research, education, quality patient care innovation, and leadership. Students Ryley McKiernan ’24 and Sean Mauro ’21 were among six students to win national recognition in a student podcast competition emphasizing the
importance of media history organized by the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (AEJMC). McKiernan, a communication major, won second place for his podcast examining the history of music copyright law through the lens of the 2013 song “Blurred Lines.” Mauro, a dual major in popular music and communication, won an honorable mention for his podcast discussing the concept of prior restraint of publication, a form of censorship that allows the government to review the content of printed materials and prevent their publication. It includes the 1971 reporting on the Pentagon Papers with journalist and author Roy Harris. The episodes aired during March 2021 on the Journalism History podcast, which has listeners in 96 countries.
Nick Montesano
Freshman Nick Montesano ’24 took classic chess pieces, such as the queen, bishop, and rook, and recreated them to incorporate the quarantine essentials of the pandemic. His idea stemmed from the final project of a 3D Design class in which the students were challenged to develop and present a themed chessboard that integrated 3D modeling and fabrication methods. The project drew significant media attention, with articles on major regional news websites nj.com and northjersey.com. Paola N. Ruiz, a first-generation college student, delivered the undergraduate student address for the William Paterson Class of 2021 virtual commencement ceremony. Ruiz graduated with a bachelor of arts degree in communication, with a concentration in Paola N. Ruiz media production. She was selected to speak as one of the highest-achieving graduates in the College of the Arts and Communication.
John Penola
John Penola ’07 delivered the graduate student Commencement address. Penola, a school teacher, graduated with a master of fine arts degree in creative and professional writing. He was selected as speaker from among the highest-achieving graduates in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences.
Rebecca Gilliland ‘23, an Honors College student majoring in psychology, was one of six recipients to receive the 2021 Changebuilder Scholars Award through New Jersey Campus Compact for her outstanding civic engagement. Jaime Harris ’22 was one of only three recipients in New Jersey of the 2021-22 Campus Compact Newman Civic Fellows Award for civic engagement. Campus Compact is the largest national higher education association dedicated solely to campus-based civic engagement. Harris, a triple major studying early childhood education, liberal studies, and disability studies, has served the William Paterson University and local communities by participating in more than 25 University-coordinated civic engagement activities and is a member of WP’s Changebuilder program, created in cooperation with NJ Campus Compact. Gwynne Stevenson ’21, an Honors College student who graduated summa cum laude with a BA in music and minors in music and entertainment industries and classical voice, was named the 2021 “Outstanding Senior” by the William Paterson University Alumni Association. The award, Gwynne Stevenson presented annually since 1962, is the highest honor bestowed by the Alumni Association and is based on strong involvement in extracurricular activities, demonstrated leadership ability, service to the University, and high academic standing. Honors College student Tiernan P. Doyle ‘21, who graduated summa cum laude with a BA degree in communication with concentrations in broadcast journalism and public relations, was selected for a spring 2021 internship with NASA as a virtual multimedia 9
specialist intern for the Low Boom Flight Demonstration mission, located at NASA’s Langley Research Center. He helped to produce media content about the mission, from editing to pre-planning. Caelan Cardello, a senior majoring in jazz studies, was awarded the Sixth Annual Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI) Future Jazz Master Scholarship, a $5,000 award for rising jazz stars pursuing an academic degree in jazz studies. A pianist and composer, Cardello was selected as the sole winner of the competition by a panel of National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) jazz master judges based on his talent and potential as a jazz performer and composer. After a pause of nearly a year due to the coronavirus pandemic, William Paterson’s Pioneer student-athletes returned to competition in spring 2021. Men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s soccer, volleyball, men’s and women’s swimming and diving, field hockey, baseball, softball, women’s tennis, and football all returned to action.
William Paterson field hockey team
The William Paterson field hockey team earned its fourth New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) Field Hockey Tournament title in program history—and its first in 44 years—with a 2-1 victory against Ramapo. The baseball team reached the NJAC Tournament finals for the first time since 2009. The Pioneers posted a 27-8 overall record and landed eight individuals on the AllNJAC Team. A record 83 Pioneers earned selections to the NJAC All-Academic Team. William Paterson senior swimmer Joey Croce and junior field hockey back Alicia Mitchell garnered spots on the 2020-21 Academic All-NJAC First Team. Senior softball outfielder Vanessa Archibold and senior baseball outfielder Steven DiGirolamo were second-team selections. The other 79 Pioneers received honorable-mention laurels.
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III.
Unique Learning Opportunities
During the 2020-21 academic year, students took advantage of numerous transformational opportunities including civic engagement, development of leadership skills, and experiential academic and co-curricular activities beyond the classroom. The University offered students a full slate of virtual and in-person events to provide engagement opportunities for students, which supports the University’s retention efforts. Initiatives in student development to retain continuing students through their participation in clubs and organizations, and through programs such as the Pioneer Leadership Institute, were successful.
Diversity and Inclusion The implementation of successful plans and programs across the University demonstrated the institution’s commitment to diversity and inclusion and the positive impact of these initiatives on the campus community. The Center for Diversity and Inclusion (CDI), launched in September 2019, continued to expand, sponsoring 64 educational and cultural events over the course of the academic year. Nearly 900 WP community members, including more than 500 students, participated in a wide range of activities through the Center. In addition, CDI launched a Social Justice Leadership Badge, which engages students to think and act creatively about critical social justice issues. More than 300 students participated in events related to the initiative; more than half of the students expressed that they were able to demonstrate sensitivity to a topic that may be culturally or politically charged as a result of participating in a badge activity. CDI also expanded its Courageous Conversations intergroup dialogue series for students and partnered with departments such as Residence Life and the Counseling, Health, and Wellness Center to offer the program. In addition, Yolany Gonell, CDI’s executive
director, conducted diversity training for student staff members in residence life, the PAL Mentoring Program, and for Orientation leaders. Thirty-seven students registered to be recognized during the University’s second annual Lavender Graduation ceremony honoring LGBTQIA allies and LGBTQIA graduates, an 85 percent increase from spring 2020. The University was again invited to be featured in the 2021 Virtual Lavender Graduation sponsored by Campus Pride and PFLAG.
Yolany Gonell at the virtual Lavender Graduation
Civic Engagement and Student Activities The University continued to make gains in civic engagement. Jaime Harris ’22, a triple major studying early childhood education, liberal studies, and disability studies, was named a 2020-21 Campus Compact Newman Civic Fellow. To date, William Paterson has had six such honorees; this coveted and competitive recognition is awarded annually to only a handful of students in the region. Jaime Harris William Paterson remains an active leader in New Jersey Campus Compact (NJCC), and Campus Activities, Service, and Leadership staff served on the conference committee for the second NJCC statewide student conference held virtually, which 15 WP students attended. The University continued to host several annual civic engagement activities, all held virtually during the pandemic, drawing hundreds of student participants, including Pioneer Service Ventures, the MLK Day of Service, 9-11 Day of Service, and voter registration drives. Numerous other virtual civic engagement opportunities were offered during COVID-19; many agencies did not accept in-person assistance due to health concerns. Despite the challenges,
campus activities staff created more than 100 virtual civic engagement experiences, with nearly 1,000 student participants. During the academic year, 14 percent of full-time undergraduate students participated in at least one virtual civic engagement experience, a significant accomplishment. This year, 138 students completed the Civic Engagement Badge. Through New Jersey Campus Compact, the University continued its involvement in the Changebuilders program, designed to encourage students to contribute 40+ hours each of service. With the assistance of an AmeriCorps participant, 13 students completed the program. For the third year, Campus Activities, Service, and Leadership offered the WP LEADS Honor Society for students who completed at least three of the five current digital badges, with 10 students completing the requirements. Pioneer Leadership Institute was modified and incorporated virtually into the Will. Power. 101/102 curriculum, with 148 first-year students completing all three modules and one community service component virtually.
The American Democracy Project (ADP), under the direction of Professor Mark Ellis, sociology, created an advisory committee of faculty and staff that together provided programs promoting voter registration and awareness of the 2020 U.S. Census. In addition, Campus Activities, Service, and Leadership ran numerous voter registration drives partnering with each of the cultural theme celebrations, the Cheng Library, and student organizations, including the Student Government Association for the SGA elections. The University participated in New Jersey’s second Ballot Bowl, registering 207 students virtually. Intercollegiate, club, and intramural sports provided opportunities for student-athletes to engage and compete, enrich campus life, and fuel the Pioneer spirit. The University’s athletics staff and health professionals worked to develop a return-to-competition plan that included testing protocols, health screenings, and small group socially distanced workouts and practices. The 11
fall 2020 sports season was postponed to spring 2021 due to health and safety protocols, with the University’s 13 NCAA teams, five club sports teams, and intramural sports all in action during spring 2021.
Academic Offerings Students in displines throughout the University had unique opportunities to use the skills learned in the classroom and apply them to practical situations they may experience in their careers. During the fall 2020 semester, about 20 College of Education students provided free virtual tutoring services for the children of WP faculty and staff. In the wake of COVID-19, as school districts across New Jersey opted for remote or hybrid instruction, many parents of K-12 students were looking to bridge a learning gap caused by fewer in-school hours. The program, proposed by President Richard Helldobler, gave aspiring and practicing teachers the opportunity to test and refine methods for tutoring online, while providing a valuable benefit for members of the campus community.
Morganne Vogel and Michelle Correa
Students continued to conduct important research on campus. For example, environmental science seniors Michelle Correa and Morganne Vogel conducted a capstone project focused on analyzing the chemical composition of tree rings from trees on campus to gauge the impact of emission pollution on them over time. They faced several unique academic obstacles, including less time to complete the project due to a change in the timing for the fall 2020 semester, and limitations on the number of people allowed together in the lab due to the pandemic. The students were able to complete the project, spending 10 to 20 hours per week working in the lab, often researching
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into late-night hours. Nicole Davi, professor of environmental science, who taught their senior practicum course, says she was impressed by their skills and dedication to their research, especially under the difficult circumstances posed by the pandemic. Theater professor Elizabeth Stroppel, who directs student theatrical productions each year, began planning during the summer of 2020 for a play that A scene from Vital Signs might work in a virtual environment due to the coronavirus pandemic. In March 2021, Stroppel staged Vital Signs, a collection of women’s monologues by playwright Jane Martin, which was presented in a livestreamed performance from Shea Center and recorded for broadcast online. The show, a three-camera, “live capture” production performed in one take, provided the unique opportunity for the student cast to learn how to stage and act live for broadcast on television. Vocal music professors Lauren Fowler-Calisto and Christopher Herbert and percussion professor Payton MacDonald developed an idea that would allow their students to be creative in light of the pandemic, give them an opportunity to explore new ideas and unfamiliar areas, and develop skills in composition and improvisation. The result: It Will Be True, a collection of new compositions written by their students using texts by American poets, political leaders, and public figures that explore themes of diversity, human dignity, equity, and fairness. The students, the majority of whom had never composed before, premiered their works during an outdoor concert on campus in September 2020.
Lauren Fowler-Calisto
Christopher Herbert
Payton MacDonald
internships, jobs, and extracurricular experiences with their academic and career goals. Topics included building a resume, interview skills, LinkedIn profiles, networking, and building a professional brand. The Center also launched a new WP Career Communities program in summer 2021 to better assist students in solidifying career goals, identifying job opportunities, and expanding their network.
Mary Alice Barrows (center) and the Career Development Staff
Other Significant Opportunities The University continued to develop and increase the impact of programs designed to help students achieve career success following graduation. The Career Development Center expanded student usage of Handshake, the University’s career management system, from 30 percent to 50 percent of enrolled students. In addition, there was a significant expansion in student access to available positions. For example, 17,846 full-time and part-time job opportunities were posted in the system, compared to 9,068 jobs in the previous year, a 97 percent increase. In addition, a total of 6,207 internships were posted to Handshake, compared to 3,204 the previous year, a 93 percent increase. Student job applications on Handshake increased by 48 percent to 4,869 total applications. Student engagement with the Career Development Center also increased in terms of one-to-one appointments and the number of resumes reviewed and approved with Career Development staff through Handshake. The Center hosted seven virtual Career Fairs in partnership with academic departments and colleges, 157 virtual career programs, and 550 virtual employer events.
The Pesce Family Mentoring Institute, completing its seventh year, continued its efforts to pair successful alumni and local business professionals with select undergraduate students. During the 2020-21 academic year, the Institute arranged 286 mentor/mentee matches, up from 266 during the previous year, and 254 matches the year prior. Data for Class of 2020 graduates who participated in the Institute indicate that 97 percent secured employment or headed to graduate school following graduation. Cotsakos College of Business students and alumni participated in a three-day Virtual Networking Bootcamp in December 2020. The program offered fresh opportunities for students and recent graduates to build career readiness skills and develop connections with industry professionals from across the country. The free program featured more than a dozen business leaders, including University Board of Trustees members Brad Neilley ‘80, retired senior vice president and head of human resources at AvalonBay Communities, Inc., and Kevin Lenahan ’90, senior vice president, chief financial and administrative officer for Atlantic Health Systems, who participated in industry-focused fireside chats, daily keynote presentations, career development mini sessions, and mock interviews.
The Career Development Center partnered with multiple programs/cohorts to deliver more than 50 career readiness programs and workshops, including Will. Power. 101/102, the Educational Opportunity Fund Summer Program, Athletics, the Honors College, the Accessibility Resource Center, Kinesiology, Veteran Services, the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, and the Cotsakos College of Business. A focus of these programs was to help students link key skills gained through
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IV.
Community Outreach
The University pursued a variety of initiatives in service to the University community as well as the broader community beyond the campus. William Paterson secured $2 million in funding from the State of New Jersey to support a new Child Development Center to be located in the University’s building at 1800 Valley Road. The Center is an important investment for the campus community and for the region, as it will help meet a well-documented need for childcare in Passaic County, while also providing students and faculty with an important environment for learning, teaching, and research in the field of child development. The facility is expected to open in spring 2022. The University also was awarded nearly $1.5 million through New Jersey’s “Opportunity Meets Innovation Challenge” grant program for a pilot project that aims to tackle the issue of food insecurity for William Paterson students with exceptional financial need. The University will use the grant funds to provide a meal allowance to incoming first-year and transfer students who meet the financial need criteria and do not have a meal plan in place. This grant funding allows the institution to support one of its most vulnerable populations and tackle one of the most pressing issues in terms of equity and affordability. An innovative new program offered through the School of Continuing and Professional Education is providing school districts with a career path and life transition opportunity for students ages 18 to 21 with moderate learning disabilities that impact their independence and learning. Known as the Academic Transition Program, it enables students, ages 18 to 21, to take certification courses in subjects like digital design, where they learn Photoshop, Microsoft Word, and other computer skills necessary to enter the workforce. Students from the Wayne School District, Benway School in Wayne, Lakeland High School in Wanaque, and Passaic Valley Technical School have participated in the program.
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Academic Transition Program student
University students volunteered to help low- and moderate-income individuals prepare their personal tax returns during spring 2021 through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. In addition to providing assistance to the local community, the program offered the student volunteers hands-on experience with real client interactions.
Alumni Engagement The Office of Alumni Relations and the Alumni Association worked to create and implement engagement opportunities to build and strengthen the University’s community of more than 82,000 alumni. Programs and initiatives sought to foster alumni connections through experiences, communication, philanthropy, and volunteerism. As part of the University’s focus on diversity and inclusion, the Office of Alumni Relations collaborated with the Center for Diversity and Inclusion (CDI), Black Cultural Center, and Office of Employment Equity and Diversity to launch a Black Alumni Network. In addition, several alumni worked closely with CDI on various programs. With a full pivot to virtual engagement, expanded virtual experiences focused on lifelong learning, affinity groups, social events, College-based programs, and fundraising designed to bring alumni together for networking and socializing. Nearly 30 percent of alumni event participants were first-time attendees. A Zoom with President Helldobler drew nearly 70 alumni on November 19, 2020. In addition to discussing University news, accomplishments, and plans, and providing an opportunity for alumni to ask questions, President Helldobler announced the President’s Laptop Challenge, asking alumni to collectively raise $500 to fund one laptop for a student in need. His call to action generated more than $7,000 in donations from alumni, funding laptops for 14 students.
Other events included a Black Alumni Network Roundtable, Cotsakos College of Business Dean’s Roundtables, and College of Education Virtual Chats with Dean Amy Ginsberg to engage alumni superintendents, as well as numerous lectures and webinars featuring faculty and staff speakers discussing their research or other hot topics. To support alumni engaged in a current job search, considering a career transition, or looking to advance their careers, Alumni Relations offered a “Jump Start Your 2021 Job Search” series consisting of five monthly career workshop sessions. Members of the Class of 1970 enjoyed a special opportunity to gather virtually to see familiar faces and connect with one another. Virtual gatherings were hosted for alumni living in Florida and the Washington, DC area, and a virtual Senior Send-Off celebrated the Class of 2021. Pioneer Pride Week, held in October 2020 with the theme “Pioneer Pride: Celebrate Wherever You Are,” aimed at engaging the University community in celebrating school spirit and pride during a week of virtual events that included a Pioneer Pride decorating contest, alumni wine tasting, trivia night, and baking class. Alumni continued to serve in key meaningful volunteer roles, including the Alumni Executive Council, Young Alumni Council, 50th Reunion Committee, and College advisory councils. Many graduates connected with students by speaking in a class, serving on a panel, participating in a career fair, or serving as a mentor. Alumni Relations collaborated with the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences on its ASPIRE program and the Cotsakos College of Business on COIN, the college’s respective career and networking programs that help students build career readiness skills and develop connections with industry professionals. Overall, 45 alumni were engaged as alumni panelists and keynote speakers. During Black History Month and Women’s History Month, alumni participated in meaningful conversations with students through the Black Alumni Network Career Panel: Working While Black, and the Women’s Empowerment Social Hour. Many alumni provided important career guidance by serving as mentors to students through the Pesce Family Mentoring Institute. A multi-channel communications plan was implemented in an effort to effectively and regularly communicate with the alumni community through email and print communications, social media, the website, and digital formats. Graduates continue to engage and connect through social media platforms including Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube.
V.
Excellence and Affordability
The University marked a very successful year in terms of fundraising in support of student success, marking the conclusion of the Campaign for Scholarships at more than 60 percent above the goal. The University also enhanced its institutional identity as a national leader in social mobility and its impact on students who come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.
Fundraising Overall, fundraising exceeded expectations, raising $3.59 million, 10 percent above projections. Among the most significant gifts was a $1 million pledge for endowed scholarships from Valley Bank. In addition, the amount included $641,000 raised for annual giving, the most in University history. Total assets of the Foundation grew by more than 37 percent, reaching $45.7 million; since 2010, total assets of the Foundation have increased by 273 percent. The University announced the successful conclusion of its Campaign for Scholarships during a Virtual Scholarship Celebration on November 10, 2020. The campaign, initiated by President Emerita Kathleen Waldron, and brought to a successful conclusion under the leadership of President Richard Helldobler, raised more than $16 million, exceeding the original goal of $10 million by 60 percent. Among those whose contributions helped bring the initiative to its successful conclusion was the late Barbara Moll Grant ’54, professor emerita of education, who provided a transformative $5 million estate gift to the campaign. The gift helped increase the overall endowment to $22.3 million, up 45.4 percent over
Barbara M. Grant Hall ribbon cutting Dr. Dorothy Grant Hennings
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the previous year, and helped raise the scholarship endowment to $16.4 million, a 58.4 percent increase over the 2020 fiscal year. More than 560 scholarships were awarded for the 2020-21 academic year, totaling more than $1 million.
Services; Kathleen Waldron, president emerita, William Paterson University; Sandra DeYoung, retired interim provost, retired dean, and professor emerita of nursing, William Paterson University; Lourdes Cortez, member of the University’s Board of Trustees and president and CEO, North Jersey Federal Credit Union; and The Henry and Marilyn Taub Foundation, represented by co-founder and board member Marilyn “Mickey” Taub.
Academic Zone Master Plan and Facilities Upgrades
Students continued to request additional funding for critical, immediate needs due to the pandemic. The Division of Institutional Advancement awarded more than $75,000 to 228 students through the Student Emergency Support Fund, which provides direct support to currently enrolled students, as well as more than $8,400 to 17 students to support purchases of books and/ or laptops. More than 1,000 students completed the donor scholarship application in spring 2021, representing the largest number of applicants ever. In addition to funding for scholarships, William Paterson garnered generous support for programs and initiatives from foundations. A grant from The Henry and Marilyn Taub Foundation provided support for 20 preschool teachers at Bergen and Passaic county schools that are part of the University’s Professional Development Schools network to earn an English as a Second Language (ESL) endorsement. The University also received a $25,000 grant from Becton Dickinson to fund student scholarships, the Undergraduate Research Symposium, and WISE, the Women in Engineering and Science Program in the College of Science and Health. A $15,000 grant from the TD Ameritrade Institutional Grant Program will help to enhance the diversity of future financial planning professionals. The University held its 30th Annual Legacy Award Gala as a livestreamed, virtual event in April 2021. The gala, postponed from 2020 due to the pandemic, celebrated the Year of Women with five distinguished honorees: Lauren Locker ‘79, founder, Locker Financial 12 16
Center for Latinidad in the University Commons
The University made construction and renovation decisions based on strategic needs. Space was designated for the new Center for Latinidad in the University Commons; a grand opening was scheduled for September 2021. A refresh of public areas in the University Commons, including various student lounges, began during the spring 2021 semester, with completion scheduled for the end of the fall 2021 semester. Renovation work began in January 2021 on the building at 1800 Valley Road, which will include a Child Development Center and offices for the School of Continuing and Professional Education. Construction is scheduled for completion in fall 2021, with occupancy of various departments to take place during the spring 2022 semester. Information Technology met the University’s changing academic instructional needs in support of WP Online as well as hybrid and hyflex course offerings. All classrooms are equipped with advanced video and audio capability supporting faculty and their ability to deliver online and hybrid courses along with fully in-person classes. Instructional and Research Technology provided a training lab for faculty and graduate assistants to develop teaching methodologies. The University’s sustainability programs continue to have a powerful impact. In 2020, the University recycled
125 tons of aluminum, cardboard/paper, scrap metals, plastics, glass, and wood. Energy-efficient technologies have reduced energy consumption by more than 18 percent compared to the previous year. Sustainability construction designs include energy-efficient lighting, natural light, low VoX flooring and paints, and highefficiency HVAC systems. A pilot program to reintroduce a blight-free native American chestnut tree to campus also demonstrates the University’s dedication to Students tending to a chestnut tree on campus sustainability. A collaborative effort between the Department of Environmental Science and the Department of Capital Planning, Design, and Construction, the initiative includes the planting of 23 seedlings throughout the campus, part of a long-term project to plant, maintain, and nurture these special trees to maturity, which can take five to eight years. Utilizing the recommendations from the Academic Zone Plan, the Residence Hall Plan, and the Athletic Zone Plan, multiple building, grounds, and field projects have been completed. Major projects completed included renovations to Pioneer and Heritage Hall windows and kitchens, and office renovations in Raubinger Hall. As part of a rolling three-year small capital project plan, many small projects are completed on an annual basis.
Professional Development The University continued its professional development efforts, offering a six-week, virtual summer learning and development series during summer 2021 that included a required diversity and inclusion workshop, as well as sessions focused on self-care and personal development, career and skills development, and technology proficiency. The program, now in its third year, garnered a 2021 HR Innovation Award from the College and University Professional Association for Human Resources (CUPA-HR); the award recognizes innovative thinking in higher education human resources, especially models that can be adapted for use on other campuses. Other professional development programs included the remote delivery of required unconscious bias workshops
for faculty. In addition, 20 University administrative and faculty leaders completed the nationally recognized University of Southern California Equity Institute, an intensive 16-hour experience that prepares and positions participants to include an equity lens in decision making, policy development, and organizational practices.
Public Recognition The University enhanced its institutional identity and expanded visibility through a wide array of activities, including significant recognition for social mobility, notable speakers and events, and by achieving positive media coverage on a variety of platforms. The University continues to gain recognition as a national leader in making an important impact on students who come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. In U.S. News & World Report’s 2022 edition of Best Colleges, William Paterson was ranked no. 26 of 171 regional universities in the northern United States in terms of social mobility—that is, how well schools graduate students with exceptional financial need. The University jumped 12 spots from last year’s report. William Paterson ranked in the top five percent of 1,449 institutions in the country in the 2020 Social Mobility Index, created by CollegeNet to measure the extent to which a college or university educates more economically disadvantaged students at lower tuition and graduates them into good-paying jobs. In addition, U.S. News & World Report ranked the University as tied for no. 6 of the same 171 northern regional universities in the category of “campus ethnic diversity,” which identifies colleges where “students are most likely to encounter undergraduates from racial or ethnic groups different from their own.” President Richard Helldobler shared his thoughts on closing the racial wealth gap in New Jersey and the need for greater investment in communities of color in the state in an opinion piece, “We must spend more – even now – to close N.J.’s racial wealth gap,” published in the StarLedger and on NJ.com. For the 11th year in a row, William Paterson University has been recognized in the Guide to Military Friendly Schools, honoring those institutions that are implementing best practices and policies to recruit, develop, and support student veterans, with the goal of providing them the 17
of the conversation in character on stage. During her DLS appearance, she performed as, among others, the great late civil rights pioneer and Congressman, John Lewis, speaking about the power of forgiveness.
tools they need to successfully move into the next chapter of their lives. For the 13th consecutive year, William Paterson University’s Cotsakos College of Business was included in The Princeton Review’s guide to the top graduate business schools, which ranks 244 programs across the nation based on graduates’ career outcomes, admissions selectivity, student surveys, and academic rigor, among other factors. Cotsakos College of Business programs are accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) International, the longestserving global accrediting body for business schools that offer undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral degrees in business and accounting.
William Paterson University’s College of Humanities and Social Sciences, together with the Montclair Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, hosted Marcia L. Fudge, U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), who discussed her political journey and her vision for HUD in a virtual event in May 2021. The event, titled “Having a Seat at the Table: Individually Strong, Collectively Powerful,” also featured remarks by New Jersey Lt. Governor Sheila Oliver and Assemblywoman Shavonda Sumter. Faculty members in a variety of disciplines continued to provide their expertise to regional, national, and international media outlets on the pandemic and on a wide array of other topics. For example, Corey Basch, public health, became a regularly quoted media source on COVID-19 health issues and other public health topics in outlets such Scientific American, USA Today, the StarLedger, The Record, and WCBS-TV, among others; Elizabeth Haines, psychology, was quoted in Shape magazine on mothers and burnout during the pandemic; and Leo-Felix Jurado, nursing, discussed the impact of COVID-19 on Filipino nurses in The New York Times. In addition, Amy Learmonth, psychology, was quoted in an article on babies and social interaction that appeared on CNN.com; insights by Jason Ambroise, history, on the Tulsa race massacre appeared in USA Today; research by Jason Silva, criminology and criminal justice, on mass shootings, was featured in more than 229 outlets across the country, including USA Today, New York Magazine, and KNX-AM, the CBS radio station in Los Angeles; and research by Michael Griffiths and Martin Becker, environmental science, on the megalodon shark appeared in Yahoo News, Science Times, the Daily Mail UK, and 58 additional outlets around the world.
Wartyna Davis listening to Anna Deavere Smith
The 41st seeason of the Distinguished Lecturer Series program featured the award-winning playwright, actor, author, and educator Anna Deavere Smith in a virtual performance and conversation in October 2020 with Wartyna L. Davis, dean of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences. Deavere Smith is known for her documentary theatre style, in which she conducts hundreds of extensive interviews with subjects connected to significant national events and then recreates their side 18
Martin Becker and Michael Griffiths
The University celebrated the Class of 2021 with a virtual ceremony on May 14, 2021, as well as a series of 11 smaller in-person ceremonies held on Wightman Field on campus from May 17 through May 19, 2021. Nearly 2,400 doctoral, master’s, and bachelor’s degrees were awarded. The pre-recorded virtual ceremony included remarks by President Helldobler, Michael Seeve, chair of the William Paterson University Board of Trustees, and
others. In addition, Stephen Bolyai, senior vice president for administration and finance, who retired after more than 33 years at the University, received the President’s Medallion for his outstanding service to the institution. The livestreamed in-person ceremonies, organized by college, major, and degree level, provided the opportunity for each graduate to cross the stage and be recognized by family and friends for their achievements.
Stephen Bolyai Zachrey Barr and President Richard Helldobler
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About William Paterson University William Paterson University is a public comprehensive
faculty are 35 Fulbright scholars and recipients of
university with nearly 10,000 students enrolled in
numerous other awards, grants, and fellowships. Students
undergraduate and graduate degree programs offered
benefit from individualized attention from faculty
by four academic colleges: Arts, Humanities, and Social
mentors, small class sizes, and numerous research,
Sciences, Cotsakos College of Business, Education, and Science and Health.
internship, and clinical experiences. The institution’s 82,000 alumni can be found
Its 407-acre wooded campus is located in suburban Wayne, New Jersey, just 20 miles from New York City, adjacent to 1,200 acres of wetlands and woodlands, and only three miles from the historic Paterson Great Falls. The University offers a wide range of learning opportunities in its classrooms, laboratories, and studios, and throughout the campus, as well as at various offcampus locations. William Paterson’s faculty members provide a valuable blend of accomplished scholarship and practical, applied experience. Among the University’s
throughout New Jersey, the nation, and the world, using their William Paterson degrees and experiences as a springboard to professional accomplishment and personal growth. They are leaders in the arts, business, health care, sports, entertainment, the media, and education. They are public servants, artists, musicians, teachers, scientists, television personalities, authors, politicians, crime fighters, and entrepreneurs. Their achievements reflect the University’s mission and commitment to preparing graduates for success in their careers, communities, and lives.
Annual Report2021