From partnering with students in the classroom to building cross-campus collaboration that led to real-time improvements, the University鈥檚 commitment to meaningful assessment took center stage at the seventh annual One University Assessment Celebration on April 10. The event, hosted by Academic Affairs and the Office of Institutional Effectiveness (OIE), included awards and poster presentations.

In her opening remarks, Julie Hasenwinkel, associate provost for academic programs, highlighted the importance of celebrating the many ways faculty, staff and students engaged in assessment across the University over the past year.

Awards were given in five categories.

• Institutional Effectiveness Champions: This award honors campus community members who champion meaningful assessment and who have made outstanding contributions to the University鈥檚 culture of improvement. The recipients were:
  • Academic programs: Xiyuan Liu, associate teaching professor, Dean鈥檚 Faculty Fellow for Academic Affairs, College of Engineering and Computer Science
  • Co-curricular programs: Emily Dittman, director, 网爆门 Art Museum
  • Course feedback: Magdel铆n Montenegro, part-time instructor, Spanish, College of Arts and Sciences
  • Shared competencies: ‘Cuse Works
  • Shared competencies student champion: Fetch Collective magazine
• Outstanding Assessment: This award recognizes a distinguished academic, co-curricular and functional area for overall robust assessment. The recipients were:
  • Academic: Library and information science master’s degree program, School of Information Studies
  • Co-curricular: Disability Cultural Center
  • Functional: Office of Pre-College Programs
• Best Engagement Strategies: This award recognizes the engagement of faculty, staff and students in the assessment process. The recipients were:
  • Faculty engagement: Ash Heim and Vera McIlvain, the biology department, College of Arts and Sciences
  • Staff engagement: Arts at SU
  • Student engagement: Linguistic studies master’s degree program, College of Arts and Sciences
• Best Use of Results: This award recognizes an academic, co-curricular and functional area for how assessment results are used in making decisions. The recipients were:
  • Academic: Bachelor’s of biomedical engineering degree program, College of Engineering and Computer Science
  • Co-curricular: LGBTQ+ Resource Center
  • Functional: 网爆门 Libraries
• Collaborative Inquiry and Action: This award recognizes a partnership that extends beyond a single school, college, division or unit and uses strong assessment methods and data as a catalyst for improvement. The recipient was:
  • First Year Seminar

Following the awards, 2025 poster presenters were acknowledged for their efforts to collaborate, experiment, reflect and innovate in their areas over this academic year. Assessment Leadership Institute faculty participants included:

• Ben Akih Kumgeh, Xiyuan Liu, Karen Martinez Soto, Anupam Pandey and Mehmet Sarimurat, mechanical and aerospace engineering, College of Engineering and Computer Science
• Alex M茅ndez Giner, film and media arts, College of Visual and Performing Arts
• Ash Heim and Vera McIlvain, biology, College of Arts and Sciences
• Jane Read, geography and the environment, Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs
• Nancy Rindfuss, nutrition and food studies, Falk College of Sport

Recipients of the 2025-26 鈥淪tudent Engagement in Assessment鈥� grant included:

• Civil and environmental engineering: Yilei Shi
• Civil and environmental engineering: Svetoslava Todorova
• Communication sciences and disorders: Charles Nudelman
• Environment, sustainability and policy: Jane Read
• Nutrition science: Claire Cooney, Nikki Beckwith
• Setnor School of Music: Klark Johnson
• School of Social Work: Nadaya Brantley
• The Writing Center: Collie Fulford

Closing the event, Laura Harrington, director of institutional effectiveness, reflected on the deeper meaning of the work: “At its root, the word 鈥榓ssess鈥� comes from Latin, meaning 鈥榯o sit beside.鈥� This is what it asks of us: to sit beside our work, take stock of what we see, and take action鈥� Assessment isn鈥檛 a requirement. It鈥檚 a practice,” Harrington said.

Explore photos, award highlights and full poster presentations on the .

Story by A鈥檡la James

Ready to recharge? Want to improve your health? Perform better? Prioritize your sleep.

Most college students operate on less than seven hours of sleep and that鈥檚 just not enough, says , director of counseling with the .

鈥淲e forget how essential sleep is to our functioning, our concentration, our physical well-being and our mental well-being,鈥� Brown says. 鈥淚t’s easy to forget that sleep is really important.鈥�

For the long-term, the human brain isn’t fully formed until age 25, and sleep is one of the most powerful tools that helps support that development.

How much sleep is considered good? Seven to nine hours, Brown says.

How can you get there? The Barnes Center offers ample resources for students struggling to get a good night鈥檚 sleep.

鈥淔rom access to the and other meditation and mindfulness tools to our and the , we鈥檙e committed to helping our students improve their sleep quality and help them sleep more,鈥� Brown says.

Here are four things to know about good sleep habits and what to avoid.

Go to Sleep and Let Your Brain Do Its Job

Sleep is essential for the body to repair itself, and our cells grow and regenerate while we鈥檙e asleep.

Sleep is also when, in the brain, the hippocampus consolidates information, turning short-term moments into long-term memories. Give your brain a chance to cement all that studying and classroom knowledge.

鈥淕etting deep, restorative sleep is so important for students because they鈥檙e doing a lot of academic work and they need to be sharp and focused,鈥� Brown says. 鈥淚f you start stacking nights of poor sleep, you鈥檒l see poor health habits start to form.鈥�

It can also lead to decreased concentration and focus and increased stress, hypertension, irritability, anxiety and depression.

Tip: Brown recommends students aim to fall asleep and wake up around the same time each day, to help develop and maintain the circadian rhythm, the body鈥檚 internal clock.

Damaging Effects of Screens on Sleep

Whether it鈥檚 a cell phone, tablet, laptop or television, the screens we use emit a specific light that disrupts our ability to fall asleep by mimicking daylight and stimulating activity in the brain.

Brown says the blue light suppresses the body鈥檚 release of melatonin, which helps naturally prepare the body to fall asleep, and tricks the brain into a state of alertness.

Tip: She recommends getting off your phone or other screens at least 30 minutes and preferably one hour before bedtime, to allow the brain enough time to wind down.

Healthy Alternatives to Screen Time

Instead of scrolling on your phone, Brown suggests keeping a nightly journal, reflecting on the lessons from the day while creating a to-do list for the next day.

鈥淭hat way, you get everything out of your mind before laying down for bed, and it won鈥檛 weigh on you as you fall asleep,鈥� Brown says.

Tip: All University students have premium access to the , which features guided meditation, mindfulness and bedtime exercises and a library of soothing sleep sounds.

What are healthy alternatives to screens?

• Taking a warm bath before bed
• Practicing deep breathing, meditation and mindfulness exercises
• Washing your face with a calming lavender lotion or using pleasing fragrances
• Drinking herbal teas containing chamomile
• Reading a book with dim lighting

鈥淭he biggest key is getting yourself ready for sleep,鈥� Brown says. 鈥淗aving a nighttime routine is great because it helps you stack together good habits that will improve sleep quality.鈥�

How the Barnes Center Can Help

Brown says the ability to sleep is closely intertwined with eating habits, which is why help students understand how diet and meal timing affect sleep quality.

Exercise is also connected. Brown says students who regularly engage in physical activity enjoy better sleep quality and are encouraged to connect with recreation staff and personal trainers.

Among the offered to support better sleep and rest habits:

• appointments with or to discuss care options;
• sessions tailored for students struggling with sleep difficulties;
• self-care activities, tools and resources through the Crowley Family MindSpa; and
• .

鈥淧eople think you can catch up on sleep, but you really can’t reverse everything that happens to your body from constantly not sleeping well,鈥� Brown says. 鈥淭here鈥檚 no substitute for getting a good night鈥檚 sleep.鈥�

We want to know how you experience 网爆门. Take a photo and share it with us:聽newsphoto@syr.edu. You might see it featured here!

The University鈥檚 is forging impactful partnerships with a network of community colleges across New York State united by a bold shared mission: expanding access, elevating academic excellence and fueling student success.

This initiative creates clearer pathways for students who begin their academic journeys at community colleges or commuter schools and continue toward a bachelor鈥檚 degree. Through alignment, communication and shared goals, these partnerships prepare students not only to transfer, but to thrive in a university environment.

鈥淭his commitment reflects our ongoing dedication to supporting students at every stage of their academic journey,鈥� says Jim Gaffey, executive director of administration and strategy. 鈥淭he College of Professional Studies meets students where they are and champions their path forward.鈥�

网爆门鈥檚 Community College Partners

The College of Professional Studies is honored to stand alongside these outstanding institutions. Each institution plays a vital role in supporting student achievement and degree mobility:

• Cayuga Community College
• Corning Community College
• Dutchess Community College
• Finger Lakes Community College
• Onondaga Community College
• Hudson Valley Community College
• SUNY Fulton鈥揗ontgomery Community College
• Tompkins Cortland Community College

A Shared Commitment to Student Success

Transfer students don’t arrive empty-handed. They bring hard-earned academic experience, resilience and drive. The College of Professional Studies and its partners recognize that, and have built an intentional, collaborative framework to honor it. Together, they work to:

• Eliminate friction in academic transitions, making the path forward seamless
• Maximize credit mobility so students’ hard work is recognized and carries over
• Spark early advising conversations that set students up for long-term success
• Strengthen student confidence at every step of the transfer journey

These shared efforts help students move forward with clarity and purpose, reducing uncertainty and strengthening outcomes after transfer.

Expanding Opportunity Through Partnership

Life doesn’t pause for education. The College of Professional Studies knows that many of its students are juggling coursework alongside demanding jobs, family responsibilities and everything in between. By deepening its community college partnerships, the College of Professional Studies extends opportunity to the learners who need flexibility, not obstacles.

These partnerships are built on a powerful shared belief that higher education must be flexible, inclusive and responsive, especially for students pursuing nontraditional or transfer pathways.

Together, the College of Professional Studies and its partners are building pathways that honor prior learning, celebrate student persistence and open the doors to academic and professional growth for which students have worked hard.

Learn more about .

Editor鈥檚 note: This is the third in a five-part series spotlighting 鈥檚 global centers.

Most students go abroad to see the world. Marc Pantano 鈥�26 went to Madrid and built one鈥攃omplete with a Spanish cooking class, solo trips and establishing a new a cappella group.

鈥淪tudy abroad in Madrid was one of the most transformative experiences of my life,鈥� says Pantano, a marketing management and supply chain management major in the from Newington, Connecticut. 鈥淚n the fall 2024 semester, I had the chance to fully immerse myself in a new culture, travel all over Europe and grow in ways I didn鈥檛 really expect.” Pantano now serves as an Abroad global ambassador.

鈥淟ooking back, my experience wasn鈥檛 just about the places I visited, it was about learning how to be independent, stepping outside my comfort zone and really taking advantage of everything available to me,鈥� he says.

Here are some of the biggest things he learned along the way:

Step Outside Your Comfort Zone

鈥淚f I had to sum up studying abroad with one idea, it would be this: you really just have to say 鈥榶es鈥� and try things you normally wouldn鈥檛.

鈥淓ven choosing the fall semester was a little outside my comfort zone because a lot of my friends wanted to go in the spring. I was nervous about not knowing as many people, but I鈥檓 so glad I did it because I ended up meeting so many new people from Syracuse and other schools.

鈥淥ne of the first big experiences I had was the Signature Seminar course on marine ecology in the Mediterranean Sea. We did research, visited labs and museums, cleaned beaches and even went scuba diving, which I had never done before. That alone set the tone for the rest of the semester.

鈥淒uring the semester, I did a solo trip to Venice. Traveling by myself felt weird at first. I thought I would feel embarrassed or awkward, but I actually had a great time. It was incredibly peaceful, and I got to do whatever I wanted, which made the experience really fun. Now, I even feel comfortable asking strangers to take my photo!鈥�

Take Advantage of Your Classes and Schedule

鈥淚 tried to take classes that were interesting but also gave me perspectives I wouldn鈥檛 normally get at my home school.

鈥淚 took business classes that showed me how marketing and business differ in Europe compared to the U.S., especially in my marketing class focused on Spain. I also took Earth science, which tied into the marine ecology course, as well as sustainability and the UN Sustainable Development Goals, which made everything feel real, applicable and something I felt could be expanded into the U.S. My sports business class also gave me a different perspective on the global sports industry, which I never would鈥檝e been exposed to.

鈥淥ne thing that made a big difference was also planning a schedule that was flexible around travel. My last class was on Thursday afternoons, which meant I had extra time for weekend trips. If that is not an opportunity, don鈥檛 worry! Enjoy the classes you get to take. They are taught so differently with the smaller class size that we were able to go on multiple field trips for each course. This experiential learning was incredibly memorable and was a great way to get out of the classroom and learn more about Madrid!鈥�

Match Your Trips to the Seasons

鈥淭his is something I thought about after choosing to go abroad in the fall and it ended up making a big difference.

鈥淚 started off traveling a lot during the warmer months, Spain was perfect for that, especially places like Valencia, Seville, Barcelona and smaller coastal towns. I also went to Portugal, Morocco, Italy and France early on.

鈥淎s the leaves started to change, I shifted toward places like Ireland, Scotland and the Netherlands.

鈥淏y the end of the semester, I was also doing more seasonal activities like Christmas markets in Germany and the Czech Republic, which made everything feel even more special. At the same time, Madrid itself always had so much going on that I never felt like I had to travel constantly.鈥�

Seek Out Experiences (Not Just Trips)

鈥淲henever I was doing anything or going anywhere, I was constantly searching to find experiences in each destination. In Madrid specifically, I took advantage of the Passport Program, which listed a ton of activities students could try.

鈥淪ome of my favorites were a Spanish cooking class, Tasty Tuesdays With 脕lvaro; a bike tour with my professor Monica; and attending a flamenco show. These were all available to us as students, so I made sure to take full advantage of them!

鈥淭hrough MadWorld and other campus opportunities, I ended up attending the most events in my program. But it never felt like something I was checking off a list. It was genuinely fun and a great way to meet people and try new things!鈥�

Make Something of Your Own!

鈥淥ne of the things I鈥檓 most proud of from my time abroad was starting an a cappella group called 隆Acapaella!

鈥淚 wanted something that would bring people together, so I created a group that ended up including students from Syracuse, Duke, Amherst, Kenyon and more. I was the founder, president and social media director, so I handled rehearsals, taught music and managed our Instagram.

鈥淎t the end of the semester, we performed 鈥業 Want You Back鈥� at the Instituto in front of students, staff, faculty and host families. Seeing everyone come together from completely different schools and backgrounds was honestly one of the most rewarding parts of my whole experience.

鈥淚t made me realize that abroad, and life, is what you make of it!鈥�

Within a sub-varsity structure, the strives to provide students a welcoming, recreation-focused community that fosters competition alongside leadership skill building. This year, the men鈥檚 and women鈥檚 basketball teams took home regional championship titles and fought hard in the national championship bracket, and the boxing team brought home three national titles following a demanding and successful championship weekend.

Pete Way, director of Competitive Club Sports, takes immense pride in the program and the students that make it what it is today.

鈥淐lub teams and student-athletes that win regional and national championships highlight the high level of competition and outstanding individual commitment that drives success for Competitive Club Sports at 网爆门,鈥� says Way.

Club Boxing Takes Home Three National Titles

鈥淭his was a once in a lifetime experience that I will never forget,鈥� says O鈥機onnor Rerrie 鈥�28. 鈥淔rom being able to watch my team succeed and fight alongside them, to spending quality time with my teammates in a new place, it really gave me the opportunity to grow as a person and become deeply connected to the 网爆门 Boxing Club.鈥�

Offering students the opportunity to train, compete and represent the University in a fast-growing sport, continues to have a positive impact both on and off campus. Led by Coach Phil Benedict, the team competed in the United States Intercollegiate Boxing Association (USIBA) National Tournament. The team brought home three national champions with Emma Knorpp 鈥�29, O鈥機onnor Rerrie 鈥�28 and Caleb Riley 鈥�28 all coming out victorious in their respective brackets.

鈥淗earing my name being called as the winner on top of cheers from my coaches and teammates was a surreal experience after all the work we put in to get there,鈥� says Riley, Male 168# Novice bracket champion. 鈥淓veryone on the roster is a champion. I wouldn鈥檛 trade anything for the time we spent in Las Vegas and I can鈥檛 wait to do it all over again next year.鈥�

Founded in the 1930s, the Boxing Club has a deep history of producing champions and creating community that outlasts time on campus. The program emphasizes leadership and teamwork, with members consistently supporting and motivating one another. Annually the team works together to bring home at least one national championship, achieving three only deepens the team鈥檚 commitment.

鈥淢y success wouldn鈥檛 be possible without the support of my teammates and coach,鈥� says Knorpp.

鈥淎ll I can say is how super proud I am of the team,鈥� says Benedict. 鈥淔or nearing 100 years, 网爆门 has a reputation of producing some of the roughest collegiate boxers. We went to the USIBA Nationals ready to fight and we did just that! Everyone in the club and on the team are champions, in my eyes they鈥檙e family.鈥�

Club Men鈥檚 Basketball Competes on National Stage

The season reflected the program鈥檚 strength, competitiveness and unity on a national stage. With a foundation built on teamwork and shared purpose, the program continues to establish itself as one of the premier Club Basketball teams in the country.

鈥淭his team is special. We have all bought into something bigger than ourselves, and we play for one another,鈥� says Oz Elad 鈥�26. 鈥淏ut more than that, this team is a collection of great people who make it so easy to enjoy playing alongside each other.鈥�

The finished the season ranked number four in the country and earned the right to host the National Club Basketball Association (NCBBA) North Atlantic Regional Championship. Entering the tournament as the number one seed, the team advanced through regional play to secure an automatic bid to the National Championship Tournament. Seeded number four, the team faced a first-round matchup against the University of Florida.

The team fought hard with Kazembe Okera-Anglin 鈥�26 scoring 18 points and Stephen Walsh Jr. 鈥�28 scoring 16 points. The intensity continued into overtime where the team ultimately fell just short with Florida earning a 72-64 victory. Beyond the team competition,聽 Elad finished second in the championship round of the NCBBA Obstacle Course during the Skills/All Star Competition.

Club Women鈥檚 Basketball Shines in Postseason Play

The collected numerous accolades this season, leading with a number one in the country ranking going into their spring semester championship weekend. This ranking earned them the right to host the National Club Basketball Association (NCBBA) Women鈥檚 North Atlantic Regional Championship and advanced through to win the final game. Following and then seeded number two, the team earned an automatic bid to the National Championship Tournament where they faced Sacred Heart University.

In the first round of the national tournament, Victoria Daley 鈥�26 scored 12 points, Andraia DiPisa 鈥�26 completed seven rebounds and Alison Kunzwiler 鈥�26 supported four assists and five steals. Kunzwiler also earned individual recognition at the tournament, winning the NCBBA Obstacle Course during the Women鈥檚 Skills/All-Star Competition. The season concluded with a hard-fought loss as Sacred Heart University secured a 70-45 victory. However, the team is no stranger to championship appearances

鈥淭his team is truly exceptional, defined by its energy, passion and unwavering support for one another,鈥� says Women鈥檚 Club Basketball coach Kayla Clark.

Each season, the team gets to play teams from across the United States, allowing players to compete at the highest level of Club basketball while gaining valuable experience, building confidence and representing 网爆门 on a national stage.

Beyond competition, the 网爆门 Club Sports program continues to serve as a foundation for leadership, mentorship and student engagement across campus. With a commitment to personal growth and team development, club sports provide a supportive environment where athletes develop confidence, discipline and lifelong connections. Success at the national level reflects not only the talent of the athletes, but the strength of the program and culture that unites them. Students are encouraged to learn more and get involved on the .

The will take place on Sunday, May 3. More than 2,500 runners are expected to take part in the race, which will affect traffic and roads in the city throughout the day. The 10-mile course traverses a large section of the City of Syracuse, including roads on campus and around the University area.

Members of the campus community should be advised that temporary road closures will take place between 9 a.m. and noon on the day of the race. Centro shuttles and 网爆门 trolleys will also be delayed during that time, affecting travel to and from South Campus.

Runners will enter the University area from East Colvin Street by the John A. Lally Athletics Complex, necessitating road closures along Comstock Avenue. They will turn right on University Place through Thornden Park, exiting the park down Madison Street and then turning right on South Crouse Avenue and left onto East Genesee Street.

Race organizers ask neighbors to proceed with caution and allow for additional travel time to their destination if they are traveling near the race route. Organizers also encourage community members to cheer on the race participants and join in the fun at the finish line in Clinton Square.

Visit for details and full maps of the course.

Orange Success 2.0, an upgraded student success platform that will give 网爆门 faculty, staff and advisors a more powerful, intuitive set of tools to help students thrive, is set to launch Monday, May 18. The platform is powered by , a prominent higher education student success management system.

鈥淥range Success 2.0 is a key part of 网爆门鈥檚 ongoing investment in the infrastructure, people and culture that make student success possible,鈥� says Tommy Powell, assistant provost for academic programs in the Office of Academic Affairs.

What Is Orange Success 2.0?

The current has long served as a cornerstone of the University鈥檚 student support infrastructure. Building on that foundation, Orange Success 2.0 leverages the Navigate360 platform to offer stronger advising tools, improved early alert capabilities and clearer visibility into student engagement and progress. It integrates student data and advising workflows into a single, unified experience and allows faculty and advisors to coordinate support across academic and student service offices.

The rollout is coordinated through the (CSE), housed at 100 Sims Drive, which consolidates 14 student-facing departments under one unified structure serving more than 14,000 students.

Comprehensive, on-site training for Orange Success 2.0 was offered this semester, with more than 200 faculty and staff members participating. The sessions were tailored to meet the needs of different campus audiences, including academic advisors, faculty members and frontline student support staff, and covered platform features, advising best practices and strategies for using data to support students more effectively, among other topics.

鈥淭he breadth of participation across schools, colleges and departments reflects how seriously our community takes its responsibility to every student on campus,” 聽Powell says. 鈥淲e are set for a strong launch on May 18.鈥�

Over the coming month, CSE will continue to onboard users, gather feedback from early participants and refine the configuration of Orange Success 2.0 to meet the evolving needs of the campus community.

Following the launch, users will continue to access the platform through MySlice. A knowledge base featuring step-by-step guides, instructional videos and FAQs will also be available to support users throughout the transition, and additional training sessions will be held in the fall.

For more information about Orange Success 2.0., call 315.443.2005 or email orangesuccess@syr.edu.

College students may experience a range of stressful events and time periods. From feelings of uncertainty to times of personal, family and/or community crisis, both on and off campus, the is ready to help guide and provide assistance.

One of the largest teams of its nature in the nation, 网爆门 SOS boasts seven dedicated individuals who work throughout the year to ensure that in times of need, students, alongside their supporters, faculty and staff, know and experience the strong yet individualized support of the Orange community.

The acronym 鈥淪OS鈥� is intentional, it is an internationally recognized distress signal used to request help. 鈥淭he nickname 鈥楽OS鈥� says it all, it embodies the urgency of our response to student support. There is no student issue too big or too small,鈥� says Shelley Crawford, director of Student Outreach and Support. 鈥淲hether it鈥檚 a student self-seeking support or a member of their faculty, staff or family, always know we encourage members of the Orange community, near or far, to contact our team whenever it is felt that a student needs support of any kind.鈥�

SOS hosts an open and stigma-free space where students are encouraged to express their concerns early and often. 鈥淩eaching out doesn鈥檛 always mean something is seriously wrong, it simply means you鈥檙e taking a proactive step to get guidance, ask questions or explore available resources,鈥� says Sabrina Brown 鈥�26, office assistant.

Partnering With Student Outreach and Support

From academic, adjustment and transition support to emergency aid, navigating an illness, conflicts and more, whether the student鈥檚 issue is something the team can directly help with or not, they ensure a campuswide support network is ignited. The team is not just committed to helping students maintain their academics but also is dedicated to supporting their overall social and emotional well-being. To properly navigate whatever they may be struggling with, the SOS team connects students with guidance and additional resources.

鈥淚 wish more of the campus community understood just how many students we quietly support through challenges that go far beyond the classroom,” says Crawford. 鈥淥ur work is rooted in seeing and humanizing each student as a whole person and that approach makes a real difference in whether a student stays, perseveres and ultimately graduates. We champion our students, we are connectors and a constant in students’ lives when they need it most.鈥�

Students do not need to be in the midst of a crisis to contact the team. In fact, they do not need to have any life-altering or major issues at all. If feeling unsure, anxious or overwhelmed about anything pertaining to their academic or personal life, they are welcome to contact SOS.

鈥淔rom crisis to concerns in question, our goal is to help create a positive and supported student experience. Once a student connects with a case manager for the first time, they can reach out to them throughout their time at 网爆门 for support,鈥� says office coordinator Sarah O鈥橬eill.

Breaking Barriers and Strengthening Access to Support

No matter the issue and even if unsure where to begin, students shouldn鈥檛 feel alone in the process of seeking support. Student Outreach and Support is a built-in team available to strengthen the student experience and help students not only navigate times of uncertainty but to thrive as a student, graduate and find success throughout a lifetime.

鈥淔or students we create a one-on-one relationship rooted in support, advocacy, guidance and resources. Our consultations prioritize privacy and are equally empowering to those who may be unsure of how to best support their student,鈥� says associate director Catherine 鈥淜atie鈥� Storey. 鈥淣o one should feel embarrassed or worried about reaching out.鈥�

The team prioritizes human connection through being present and attentive to each unique situation. Offering personalized and one-on-one support, a team of non-clinical case managers is embedded within SOS. In addition to appointments and prioritizing students needing immediate help, case managers offer drop-in hours.

The team also understands that in a time of uncertainty it can be聽intimidating to also meet someone new and share what can feel like vulnerable concerns. To make the first step of reaching out for support a little less daunting, putting a聽face to a name and a heart behind the help, SOS case managers proactively open the door for connection with words of welcome.

鈥淲e鈥檙e a holistic support team for everyone,鈥� says Sue Sugar, case manager. 鈥淲hether you have an urgent concern or something that simply does not feel quite right, we want to hear from you. No issue is too small.鈥�

鈥淎 faculty member expressing care, a staff member taking a few extra minutes to listen or a parent encouraging their student to seek聽help, can all be powerful entry points to support, support that builds or contributes to the foundation of trust that helps grow the access to our work,鈥� says Sandra Valdes-Lopez, case manager.

鈥淲hile we often engage with students in times of concern or crisis, our role is also preventative, educational and supportive across the student experience,鈥� says Wilfredo “Wil” Perez, case manager.

鈥淲itnessing students’ resilience and growth is what makes this work so meaningful,鈥� says Amber Saint Joy, case manager. 鈥淭here is something truly special about being on that journey with them, walking alongside a student as they face challenges, find their footing and discover that they don’t have to navigate it all alone.鈥�

Learn more and take action to support a student or receive support by visiting the , calling 315.443.4357 (HELP) or emailing studentsupport@syr.edu.

Story by Mirren Grimason 鈥�29

The 网爆门 Alumni Association will honor Chancellor Kent Syverud and Dr. Ruth Chen, professor of practice in the College of Engineering and Computer Science, with the George Arents Award, the University鈥檚 highest alumni honor, at the 2026 Alumni Awards Celebration on Thursday, April 23, in Hendricks Chapel. The event is free and open to all alumni, students, faculty, staff and friends of the University.

Check-in begins at 4:30 p.m., with the awards ceremony beginning at 5 p.m. A complimentary reception with food and refreshments follows from 6 to 7:30 p.m. inside the Miron Victory Court.

Chancellor Syverud has led 网爆门 through a period of transformational change over the past 12 years, overseeing record enrollment, a landmark fundraising campaign and the establishment of Syracuse as the nation鈥檚 premier private university for veterans and military-connected students. His leadership has reshaped the University鈥檚 academic profile, physical campus and national standing.

Dr. Chen has built a distinguished career in environmental toxicology spanning state government, the National Institutes of Health and higher education. Throughout her tenure at Syracuse, she has brought deep expertise and an unwavering commitment to students and the broader University community.

The 2026 Alumni Awards Celebration will also recognize four additional honorees: Ronald J. Taylor 鈥�15, G鈥�16, who will receive the Generation Orange Award for a career spanning education leadership, youth development and technology policy; Daniel A. D鈥橝niello 鈥�68, H鈥�20, who will receive the Military/Veteran Alumni Award in recognition of his distinguished U.S. Navy service and decades of transformative support for 网爆门; Akima H. Rogers 鈥�92, who will receive the Volunteer of the Year Award for his deep and enduring engagement with the University community; and Diana Wege 鈥�76, who will receive the Melvin A. Eggers Senior Alumni Award for her loyalty, service and distinguished career as a conceptual artist, curator and activist.

The event is complimentary, but seating is limited. to join the University community in honoring this year鈥檚 recipients.

Ten graduate students competed in the finals of this year’s (3MT) competition held recently at Bird Library. The annual event, sponsored by the , challenges participants to share highlights of their research and scholarship in succinct, engaging presentations lasting no longer than three minutes.

Three participants received recognition:

• Zehui Han, a doctoral candidate in biomedical engineering in the (ECS), won the competition with her presentation, . She received a 16-inch MacBook Pro with M5 chip and a one-year gold membership in a professional organization of her choice (the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation).
• Terese Millet Joseph, a doctoral candidate in human development and family science in the (A&S) earned the People’s Choice award for . Her prize was a set of Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones.
• Allie Thompson, a doctoral candidate in Earth and environmental sciences (A&S) earned an honorable mention for Using Hydrogen Isotopes in Leaf Waxes to Understand Ancient Rainfall.

Han鈥檚 winning project involves engineering smart urinary catheters that mimic nature鈥檚 immune defense system by using magnetically driven artificial cilia鈥攎icroscopic, hair-like structures on cells鈥攖o physically sweep away bacteria and prevent life-threatening infections.

She says winning the competition 鈥渨as both exciting and meaningful because it recognized not only the quality of the research but also the importance of communicating complex ideas clearly. Preparing for the competition showed me that presenting research in a way that connects with a broad audience is just as important as the work done at the bench.鈥�

鈥淛udging the Three-Minute Thesis competition is always exciting,” says Daniel Olson-Bang, director of professional and career development in the Graduate School. “I am continually fascinated by both the breadth of research our graduate scholars have underway and the quality of their presentations. This year, both aspects were particularly impressive.”

Glenn Wright, executive director of professional and career development in the Graduate School, says this is the school鈥檚 12th year hosting the competition. 鈥淧articipation and interest in the 3MT event continue to grow, and it is great to see that graduate students appreciate the professional development opportunity it represents. It also offers an excellent chance for them to showcase their research and skills.”

The other 3MT finalists (all doctoral candidates) are:

• Ava Breitbeck 鈥�22, college science teaching, A&S: Science for the Greater Good
• Fasika Melese 鈥�18, instructional design, development and evaluation, (SOE): What Happens When Future Educators Use GenAI Tools to Plan Lessons?
• Jacob Reese 鈥�25, English, A&S: Sustainable Play: Encouraging Ecological Behaviors Through Slow Video Game Mechanics
• Ilaria Siriner G鈥�25, cognitive psychology, A&S: How the Options Available Change What We Decide Is Right
• Mehrnoosh Nemati, biomedical engineering, ECS: A Window into the Placenta
• Hemalathaa Kasiviswanath Yuvaraja, instructional design, development and evaluation, SOE: Proof-of-Concept Augmented Reality iPad Application for Psychomotor Skill Learning: A Convergent Mixed Method Using Think-Aloud Protocols
• Nasim Khatibi, biology, A&S: New Targets, New Hope: Rethinking Rett Syndrome

Competition judges were of the ; , assistant professor of聽 biomedical and chemical engineering in ECS; and Olson-Bang. Wright moderated the event.

was first developed at the University of Queensland in Australia and is now held at colleges and universities around the world.

Sixty student organizations. Gray ribbons. Handwritten letters. A prayer. On Tuesday, April 28, the University community will rally to respond to Chancellor Kent Syverud’s recent cancer diagnosis with an unmistakable show of community and solidarity.

(SGA), in partnership with 60 recognized student organizations, will host a Go Gray in May: Brain Cancer Awareness Month Walk. The event will begin at noon in the Schine Student Center with a walk to Crouse-Hinds Hall at 2:30 p.m. There, the Rev. Devon Bartholomew, Christian Protestant chaplain at Hendricks Chapel, will lead those assembled in a prayer.

Chancellor Syverud announced on April 15 that he has been diagnosed with a form of brain cancer. He is currently undergoing treatment at University of Michigan Medicine.

鈥淎fter the news broke, our SGA executive team came together to ask ourselves one question: 鈥楬ow do we respond?鈥欌�� says German Nolivos 鈥�26, SGA president. 鈥淐hancellor Syverud has been there for all of us鈥攖hrough every hard moment this University has faced. This is our chance to be there for him and his family.鈥�

May is Brain Cancer Awareness Month, and the event will raise funds for the . Organizers are encouraging members of the University community to consider making a monetary donation. 鈥淭he most powerful thing we can do in this moment is fund the fight,鈥� Nolivos says.

Those who donate $15 or more and submit a screenshot of their donation to , the SGA鈥檚 home on Instagram, can claim a free T-shirt at Schine at the April 28 event.

Participants in the walk are encouraged to wear gray and pick up a gray ribbon at Schine that day. There will be a community poster wall for students, faculty and staff to leave messages of support for Chancellor Syverud and anyone in the community affected by brain cancer. There will also be a letter-writing station where individuals can write personal letters of support to Chancellor Syverud and Dr. Ruth Chen.

Participating organizations span every dimension of campus life: fraternities and sororities, cultural and identity organizations, pre-professional societies, advocacy groups, athletic clubs, honor societies and more. Nolivos says this will be the largest coalition of student organizations ever assembled for a single awareness event in recent University history.

鈥淲hen 60 organizations come together, that鈥檚 not just coordination鈥攖hat鈥檚 conviction,鈥� Nolivos says. 鈥淓very single one of these groups is choosing to show up. That means something. That tells you something about who we are as a university.鈥�

Additionally, the SGA Assembly passed a formal resolution on April 15 extending formal gratitude and support to Chancellor Syverud.

鈥淐hancellor Syverud has given this institution 12 years of transformational leadership,鈥� says Nolivos. 鈥淗e has shown up for students, for faculty, for staff and for this community through its hardest chapters. April 28 is our opportunity, all of us, to show up for him.鈥�

From art ecosystems to social robots to how people grow and learn, University faculty, staff and students are writing, editing and illustrating the books the moment demands.

On Wednesday, April 29, the University鈥檚 with host its , to celebrate humanities-related works that hit the shelves in 2025 and the scholars behind them. The showcase will feature 44 books by 43 authors, editors and illustrators representing 22 departments or programs across 10 University schools, colleges and divisions. Check out the that will be recognized.

The reception, which will be held from 4 to 5:30 p.m. in the Strasser Legacy Room, 220 Eggers Hall, is additionally supported by the College of Arts and Sciences, the Office of Research and the 网爆门 Libraries. All are welcome to attend.

“While this annual event highlights individual scholarly accomplishments across schools and colleges, it also underscores how, collectively, University researchers are publishing cutting-edge works that enrich our understanding of the world around us, encourage us to envision our shared futures and invite us to unpack the past in new ways,鈥� says Vivian May, professor of women鈥檚 and gender studies in the and director of the Humanities Center.

“As labors of love, books certainly take some time to come into the world, from initial idea to publication,鈥� she says. 鈥淚t is our honor to highlight such a rich array of volumes (and diverse range of scholars).鈥�

鈥淭he scholarship on display in Books in the Humanities reflects A&S鈥� commitment to bringing humanistic insight to the questions that matter most,鈥� says A&S Dean Behzad Mortazavi. 鈥淭hese works, spanning food justice, cultural well-being and the healing power of creative writing, show how the humanities drive meaningful change in our world. A&S is proud to support and celebrate this vital work.”

The books featured this year span a range of fields and topics. Many focus on sustaining communities and well-being through diverse means, bearing witness through creative writing and cultural reflection. Some of those titles include:

• 鈥淏lack Women鈥檚 Art Ecosystems: Sites of Wellness and Self-Care鈥� (University of Illinois Press) by Tanisha Jackson, assistant professor of African American studies in A&S. Jackson analyzes visual and personal narratives, historical archives and artmaking practices to reveal how Black women artists facilitate wellness through creative expression and cultural knowledge.
• 鈥淔ood Justice Rhetorics and Literacies鈥� (Bloomsbury Academic) by Eileen Schell, professor of writing and rhetoric in A&S. Schell presents the case that through understanding complex patterns of discrimination and social action in relation to land ownership and food production, we can begin to imagine and enact a more just and sustainable food system.聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽
• 鈥淭he Gathering Table鈥� (Alfred A. Knopf) by Antwan Eady, illustrated by London Ladd, assistant teaching professor in the School of Art in the . This is a picture book about how a Southern family gathers around a special table for year-round celebrations that highlight the importance of family, community and coming together.
• 鈥淢othering in the Time of Coronavirus鈥� (University of Massachusetts Press) by Amy Lutz, professor of sociology in the, Sujung Lee G鈥�19, G鈥�24 and Baurzhan Bokayev G鈥�22, G鈥�24. The authors focus on remote and essential workers in Central New York during the COVID-19 pandemic, exploring the evolving demands on mothers as well as public policies that may have hindered their ability to balance work and caregiving.
• 鈥淗ungry Ghost鈥� (Arrowsmith Press) by Bruce Smith, professor of English in A&S. The book of poetry is based on Buddhist reflections.

Inform the Humanities Center about your upcoming release via.

Editor鈥檚 note: This is the second in a five-part series spotlighting 鈥檚 global centers.

One diverted flight. One friend doused in clam pasta. One night in a pub basement, too choked up to sing “Piano Man.” Mairead Connolly ’28 went to Florence with a plan and came back with something better鈥攖he kind of stories that don’t fit in a caption and a confidence she didn’t know she was looking for.

Connolly, a resident of Watertown, Massachusetts, is a forensic science major and psychology major in the . She studied abroad for the fall 2025 semester through Syracuse Abroad and now serves as an Abroad global ambassador.

鈥淚 went during the fall for a fresh start, but also because I believe it makes so much sense to experience warm, cool and a bit of cold weather than to arrive there when it鈥檚 cold and dark,鈥� Connolly says. 鈥淒uring the fall, you can experience the summer vibes but also experience the Christmas markets.鈥�

Here are her recommendations, in her own words, of five things to do to get the most out of your Florence study abroad experience.

Focus on Your Own Experience

鈥淏efore going abroad and while you鈥檙e actually there, it鈥檚 easy to compare your experiences to what you see on social media. It made me set unrealistic expectations that every aspect was going to be perfect or as close to perfect as I can get.

鈥淏ut there are going to be moments where things don鈥檛 go as planned, you feel a little out of place or you have to adjust on the fly. Those moments end up being just as meaningful. They push you to adapt, figure things out and learn more about yourself. You get through them with a great story!

鈥淭here was a night when my friends and I had a reservation at a popular restaurant in Florence that is known for their gnocchi. We believed we聽had聽to go. We never made it to the restaurant. Instead, we passed a place that sold gelatoshakes (called 鈥淰enchi,鈥� please try them, they are amazing) and stood by The Arno watching the stars come out.鈥�

Be Open to Going Solo

鈥淚 loved traveling with friends and my family when they came to visit, but the solo trips I did are some of my favorite memories from being abroad. Going on a trip solo gives you time to think in a way you don鈥檛 usually get. You can process what you鈥檙e experiencing and learn more about yourself.

鈥淥ne of my favorite solo trips was while I was on fall break with friends in London. I鈥檝e always wanted to see Stonehenge so I marked a whole day for that trip. Later I went to Bath. I went to lunch by myself, met new people, tried mead for the first time and followed a tour with a really funny guide. There was no schedule, no pressure, just me experiencing everything at my own pace. It gave me a level of confidence I hadn鈥檛 felt before.

鈥淓ven just going for a walk to the Boboli Gardens in Florence had me romanticizing my day as I walked down the narrow streets listening to Billy Joel. Moments like these reminded me of why I wanted to go abroad.鈥�

Stay Present and Embrace Quiet Moments

鈥淪tep back from the moment and look around, notice the people you鈥檙e with and pay attention to how you feel. I started doing this, especially in places that felt significant like in Bath or in the Louvre.

鈥淏eing in a different country with so much history and culture, I slowed everything down and made the experience feel more real. Those moments stand out clearly in my memory, and I feel like I actually experienced them.

鈥淚 visited the Sistine Chapel in Rome. When I reached the main chapel, I looked up to see 鈥淭he Creation of Adam鈥� by Michelangelo. I intentionally slowed everything down and let myself really feel it. That moment has stayed with me far more clearly than any picture ever could.

鈥淥n our last day of studying abroad, my friends and I were at a pub and there was karaoke in the basement. The song 鈥淧iano Man鈥� by Billy Joel came on, and everyone started singing and swaying together. It was bittersweet, as we were leaving Florence and each other. I stopped singing and watched my friends smiling and swaying, and it felt like everyone in the room was one.鈥�

Recognize Your Growth Along the Way

鈥淣ot every moment abroad is going to feel like a big, life-changing experience, and that鈥檚 okay. Sometimes growth shows up in smaller ways, like figuring out transportation, adjusting to a new routine or becoming more comfortable in unfamiliar situations.

鈥淭here will also be moments that really push you. One of mine was when my flight was unexpectedly diverted, and I ended up landing hours away, late at night with no plan. I had to figure out how to get back to Florence on my own. It was so stressful, but looking back it鈥檚 one of the experiences I鈥檓 most proud of. It showed me that I could stay calm, problem solve and handle things independently. It鈥檚 important to recognize those moments because they鈥檙e where you realize how much you鈥檝e actually grown.鈥�

If Your Program Offers a Signature Seminar, Do It!

鈥淚 participated in the Hands on History seminar, a 10-day trip through different parts of Sicily with a small group. It was intense and exhausting at times, but it was also one of the most memorable parts of my semester. I formed strong connections with some of the people on the trip, and those friendships have lasted beyond the trip and shaped the rest of my time abroad.

“One moment that I still laugh about happened during one of our group dinners. We were all starving and ready to eat, and the waiter accidentally spilled pasta with clams onto my friend鈥檚 head. It turned into one of those moments where everyone was crying laughing, and it completely broke the tension from the day. It sounds small, but such moments brought us closer so quickly.

鈥淚 also went on a half-day trip to the Carrara Marble Quarry, which was one of the iExplore opportunities. This was the quarry where Michelangelo got marble for his sculptures. A tour guide showed us around their small outdoor museum and gave us some background information on the history of the quarry, how they cut marble and what they do with it now.鈥�

On Friday, April 17, 网爆门 paused to say thank you to students, faculty and staff at its annual One University Awards ceremony.

Two major awards鈥攖he Chancellor鈥檚 Medal and the Chancellor鈥檚 Citation for Excellence鈥攚ere bestowed. The ceremony also included the presentation of the Student-Athlete Award, Seinfeld Scholarship, Meredith Professorship for Teaching Excellence, Teaching Recognition Award, Enduring Values Award, William Pearson Tolley Medal, Chancellor鈥檚 Award for Innovation and the Chancellor鈥檚 Forever Orange Award.

Emeriti faculty who retired in 2025 and employees who celebrated years of service milestones in 2025 were . This year鈥檚 University Scholars, Senior Class and School and College Marshals and Remembrance and Lockerbie Scholars were also .

Award Recipients聽

罢丑别听Chancellor鈥檚 Medal聽is the University鈥檚 highest honor and is awarded to individuals in honor of their trailblazing and extraordinary contributions to the University, to an academic body of knowledge or to society.

This year鈥檚 recipients are , senior vice president and chief student experience officer, and , senior vice president and chief marketing officer.

罢丑别听Chancellor鈥檚 Citation for Excellence聽recognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions in four overarching categories:

• The award for聽Excellence in Student Research聽recognizes students who have engaged in collaborative research that has the potential to make a deep and lasting impact on greater society. This year鈥檚 recipients are Paul Sagoe, doctoral student in biomedical and chemical engineering in the College of Engineering and Computer Science (graduate), and Sadie Meyer 鈥�26, a biomedical engineering major in the College of Engineering and Computer Science and mathematics major in the College of Arts and Sciences (A&S).

• The award for聽Outstanding Contributions to the Student Experience and University Initiatives聽acknowledges faculty and staff who, through their work, enhance the undergraduate experience for students or make invaluable contributions to supporting and advancing the University鈥檚 mission and goals. The recipients are聽, teaching professor, director of clinical education and director of the Betty and Michael D. Wohl Veterans Legal Clinic in the College of Law (faculty);聽, data analyst for advising and career services, A&S (professional staff); and , office manager for the Intercultural Collective in the Student Experience division (support staff).
• 罢丑别听Faculty Excellence and Scholarly Distinction聽award is intended for faculty members who are collaborators in work of intellectual richness that has the potential for future impact. The work of these nominees offers possibilities for collaboration within the University and outside in partnership with others. This year鈥檚 honoree is , professor of psychology in A&S and director of the Center for Health Behavior Research and Innovation.
• Chancellor鈥檚 Citation for Excellence, Lifetime Achievement Award. This award honors those who have made extraordinary contributions toward advancing all four pillars of excellence over the arc of their careers while at 网爆门 and beyond. This year鈥檚 recipient is聽, professor in the School of Art, College of Visual and Performing Arts.

Other Awards Presented

罢丑别听Student-Athlete Award聽recognizes the top male and female student athletes and presented to the senior student-athletes with the highest cumulative grade point average over the course of their academic and athletic careers. This year鈥檚 recipients are Ruben Rojas Betanzos 鈥�26, a bioengineering major in the College of Engineering and Computer Science, an MBA student in the Whitman School of Management and member of the men鈥檚 cross-country team; and Nora Radke 鈥�26, a biology major and neuroscience major in A&S and member of the women鈥檚 rowing team.

Seinfeld Scholarship: Each year the University honors the talents of outstanding faculty or students through an award made possible by Judith Greenberg Seinfeld 鈥�56, H鈥�25, a distinguished alumna and member of the University Board of Trustees. Awards are made to those who have been determined by their peers to have made outstanding contributions to the beauty of the world, to have added to human values and to ending human abuse anywhere in the world, and to have demonstrated passion for excellence, creativity and originality in academic or artistic fields. This year, the designation is bestowed upon , associate professor and Dean鈥檚 Professor of Community Engagement in the Department of Writing, Rhetoric and Composition in A&S.

罢丑别听Laura J. and L. Douglas Meredith Professorships for Teaching Excellence聽were created in 1995 to recognize and reward outstanding teaching among faculty. The 2026-29 Meredith Professors are , Milton and Ann Stevenson Endowed Professor of Biomedical and Chemical Engineering, and chair of biomedical and chemical engineering in the College of Engineering and Computer Science, and , associate professor and chair of visual communications in the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications. The 2023-26 Meredith Professors, and , and a 2019-22 Meredith Professor, , were also recognized.

In 2001, the Meredith Professorship Program was expanded to recognize teaching excellence by non-tenured faculty and adjunct and part-time instructors. Awards are given in two categories:聽Early Performance聽补苍诲听Continuing Excellence.

This year鈥檚 honorees in the Early Performance category are , assistant professor in the School of Architecture; , assistant professor of political science in the Maxwell School; , assistant professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering in ECS; , assistant professor of anthropology in the Maxwell School; , assistant teaching professor of electrical engineering and computer science in ECS; , assistant professor of visual communications in the Newhouse School; and , assistant professor of writing, rhetoric and composition in A&S.

The two honorees in the Continuing Excellence category are , Distinguished Professor of Photography in the Newhouse School, and , associate teaching professor and graduate director of public relations in the Newhouse School.

罢丑别听Enduring Values Award recognizes an individual who is integral in helping students achieve academic excellence at a university that is welcoming to all. This year鈥檚 recipient is , associate dean of community and engagement and professor of public relations in the Newhouse School.

罢丑别听William Pearson Tolley Medal for Distinguished Leadership in Lifelong Learning聽is based in the School of Education and honors national or international leadership in support of lifelong learning. This year鈥檚 recipient is Alice Kendrick 鈥�70, G鈥�79, G鈥�93, retired superintendent of the Jamesville-DeWitt Central School District.

The Chancellor鈥檚 Award for Innovation is bestowed upon an individual who advances academic and technical excellence through the introduction and implementation of extraordinary new methods and ideas to benefit the 网爆门 community. This year鈥檚 recipient is , senior vice president for digital transformation and chief digital officer.

罢丑别听Chancellor鈥檚 Forever Orange Award聽recognizes individual students, faculty or staff who鈥攂y virtue of extraordinary hard work, good values and commitment to excellence鈥攈ave come to embody the best of 网爆门. This year鈥檚 recipient is聽 鈥�80, director of athletics.