News

91�Թ�� Appoints Dr. Zainab Toteh Osakwe as Senior Associate Dean and Chief Nursing Officer

znegron@mercy.edu — Wed, 10 Jun 2026 17:18:20 +0000

91�Թ�� Appoints Dr. Zainab Toteh Osakwe as Senior Associate Dean and Chief Nursing Officer znegron@mercy.edu Wed, 06/10/2026 - 13:18 School of Nursing 91�Թ�� News

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Today, 91�Թ�� announced the appointment of Dr. Zainab Toteh Osakwe as Senior Associate Dean and Chief Nursing Officer, effective June 16, 2026. Dr. Osakwe brings exceptional leadership, scholarly excellence, and a deep commitment to nursing education and practice that will help advance the school's mission of preparing the next generation of nursing professionals.

Dr. Osakwe is a nurse practitioner with extensive leadership experience across academic, hospital, and home- and community-based care settings. Previously, she served as Associate Professor in the College of Nursing and Public Health at Adelphi University and held administrative roles at Montefiore Health System and New York-Presbyterian Hospital. She has also served as director of both long-term and certified home health care programs in New York City, where she provided operational oversight and led interdisciplinary teams with distinction.

A Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing and member of the New York State Board for Nursing, Dr. Osakwe directs a well-established program of research focused on home-based dementia care and nursing workforce development. Her work has secured competitive funding, including an R21 grant from the National Institute on Aging examining nurse practitioner-led home-based primary care teams for individuals living with dementia, as well as support from Sigma Theta Tau and the Claude D. Pepper Older Americans Independence Center at Mount Sinai.

In this role, Dr. Osakwe will serve as the academic and administrative leader responsible for the overall quality, integrity, and regulatory compliance of the School of Nursing's academic and clinical programs. She will provide strategic, operational, and academic leadership to support the school's mission of excellence in nursing education, working collaboratively with faculty, staff, and university leadership to advance academic programs, promote student success, ensure accreditation compliance, and foster a culture of innovation, inclusivity, and continuous improvement.

“This appointment represents more than a leadership role; it is a meaningful opportunity to serve the profession by shaping the future of nursing education,” said Dr. Osakwe. “For me, it means working collaboratively with faculty, students, and health system partners to prepare future nurses and advanced practice nurses to excel in an evolving healthcare environment. It reflects my commitment to advancing program quality, supporting scholarly achievement, strengthening clinical excellence, and building a culture grounded in collaboration, accountability, research, and continuous growth.”

Dr. Osakwe views the development of the next generation of nursing scholars and practitioners as essential to advancing the nursing profession. She has guided numerous early-career nurse faculty, doctoral students, nurse practitioner students, and undergraduate students, and has contributed substantially to initiatives supporting early-career tenure-track faculty development. Her service extends beyond academia—she serves as a Trustee of TruMerit (formerly CGFNS International), has held leadership roles with the Eastern Nursing Research Society, and volunteers with a food pantry in the South Bronx and on the Community Advisory Board of Jacobi/North Central.

Dr. Osakwe earned her undergraduate degree from Adelphi University, her master's degree from Rutgers University, and her PhD from Columbia University School of Nursing, where her doctoral training was funded by a T32 award from the National Institute of Nursing Research.

91�Թ�� Joins Yonkers Public Schools, YPIE and Regional Colleges and Universities to Launch Yonkers Promise College Consortium

znegron@mercy.edu — Tue, 09 Jun 2026 18:16:59 +0000

91�Թ�� Joins Yonkers Public Schools, YPIE and Regional Colleges and Universities to Launch Yonkers Promise College Consortium znegron@mercy.edu Tue, 06/09/2026 - 14:16 91�Թ�� News

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From left to right, Yonkers Public Schools Superintendent Anibal Soler, Jr., Yonkers Board of Education President Dr. Rosalba Corrado Del Vecchio, Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano, Yonkers City Council President Lakisha Collins-Bellamy, YPIE CEO Sam Wallis, Lehman College Provost Jorge Silva-Puras, 91�Թ�� President Susan L. Parish, SUNY Purchase College President Michael Steiper, University of Mount Saint Vincent President Susan R. Burns and Dr. Sandra Ramsay, assistant vice president and dean of Enrollment at SUNY Westchester Community College.

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On June 8, 2026, Yonkers Public Schools (YPS), in partnership with Yonkers Partners in Education (YPIE), announced the launch of the Yonkers Promise, a new college consortium designed to create clear, direct admissions pathways from high school to higher education for Yonkers students.

The Yonkers Promise brings together a growing group of regional colleges and universities to establish direct admission opportunities for eligible Yonkers Public Schools students. Through this initiative, students will benefit from a more transparent, streamlined college admissions process, reducing uncertainty, increasing access, and helping more students successfully transition from high school to college.

91�Թ�� is one of the founding institutions invited to participate in the consortium, which also includes Lehman College, Manhattanville University, SUNY Purchase College, SUNY Westchester Community College, and the University of Mount Saint Vincent.

"91�Թ�� is proud to be a founding member of the Yonkers Promise consortium,” said 91�Թ�� President Susan L. Parish, PhD, MSW. “This initiative reflects our ongoing commitment to the Yonkers community and our belief that every student deserves access to the resources and support they need to succeed in college. We look forward to welcoming more Yonkers students to our campuses and supporting them on their journey to academic and professional success."

The Yonkers Promise consortium establishes direct admissions pipelines between Yonkers Public Schools and participating colleges. Eligible students will receive admission offers based on agreed-upon criteria, eliminating many of the traditional barriers and complexities of the application process.

The initiative is designed to:

Increase college-going rates among Yonkers students
Simplify the college application process
Promote equity in access to higher education opportunities

“The Yonkers Promise is a commitment to our students that opportunity is within reach,” stated Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano. “By bringing together our schools, YPIE, and our higher education partners, we are creating a clearer pathway from the classroom to college and ultimately to successful careers. This helps remove barriers, simplifies the admissions process, and sends a powerful message to every Yonkers student: your future matters, and your city is invested in your success. I am grateful to Yonkers Public Schools, Superintendent Soler, YPIE and our college and university partners for convening this important effort to expand access to higher education and strengthen the next generation of leaders."

“The Yonkers Promise reflects the power of Yonkers Magic, the belief that when a community comes together, we can create life-changing opportunities for our students,” said Anibal Soler Jr., Superintendent of Yonkers Public Schools. “This initiative helps remove barriers to higher education and creates clearer, more accessible pathways for our students and families. Together with our higher education partners and YPIE, we are building a future where every student can see college as a realistic and achievable next step.”

“This is about building real pathways from high school to college and into careers,” said Sam Wallis, CEO of YPIE. “Through strong partnerships and a shared commitment to student success, the Yonkers Promise helps more students take the next step toward achieving their college and career goals.”

“The future for Yonkers is bright, and at Lehman College, we are proud to be part of that by educating, supporting, and preparing the next generations of Yonkers leaders with a promise of infinite opportunities,” said Fernando Delgado, Lehman College President.

The first cohort of Yonkers Promise students is expected to begin accessing direct admission opportunities in Fall 2026.

For students and families, the Yonkers Promise represents a significant step toward a more accessible and predictable college pathway, one that connects their hard work in high school to real opportunities for the future.

For more information, visit https://mercy.edu/admissions-aid/yonkers-promise.

Read the press release here.

Mercy Alumnus Combines Public Service with Groundbreaking Research on Policing and Racial Justice

znegron@mercy.edu — Fri, 05 Jun 2026 20:37:38 +0000

Mercy Alumnus Combines Public Service with Groundbreaking Research on Policing and Racial Justice znegron@mercy.edu Fri, 06/05/2026 - 16:37 91�Թ�� News Alumni

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Shawn D. Walton, Ph.D., M.S., M.A., M.A. Ed, a proud alumnus of 91�Թ��, has built a distinguished career bridging scholarship with public service. An AmeriCorps alumnus who answered President Barack Obama's call to service, Dr. Walton earned the 2023 President's Lifetime Achievement Award for a decade of civic engagement, a commitment that runs parallel to his groundbreaking doctoral research analyzing the evolution and resurgence of stop-and-frisk practices in New York City.

Dr. Walton recently earned his Ph.D. in Transformative Social Change from Saybrook University in May 2025. His dissertation, “From Reform to Resurgence: A Case Study of the NYPD's Stop-and-Frisk Policy Under Changing Mayoral Administrations (1994–2024),” examines how enforcement strategies shift across political administrations and how those shifts disproportionately impact Black/African American, Afro-Caribbean, Afro-Hispanic/Latino, and LGBTQ+ communities. Drawing on policy analysis, historical records, legal decisions, and publicly available data, his research offers urgent insights into contemporary debates about immigration enforcement, surveillance, and racialized policing.

His civic leadership and scholarly contributions have earned him widespread recognition: a citation from the New York State Assembly (2024); certificates of recognition from the New York State Senate (2024) and New York City Mayor Eric L. Adams (2023); and, in February 2026 for the 100th anniversary of Black History Month, recognition from Black Doctorates Matter (BDM), a movement dedicated to celebrating and supporting historically marginalized scholars in doctoral education.

A Foundation Built at Mercy

For Dr. Walton, the path to doctoral scholarship began in the classrooms of 91�Թ��, where he first learned to question power structures and center lived experience in his analysis.

"My foundation for analyzing race, governance, and public policy was laid at 91�Թ��," Dr. Walton reflected. "An essential figure in that early formation was Dr. Oscar Odom, III. In his constitutional law and criminal justice courses, he saw potential in me before I fully recognized it myself."

Dr. Odom, who was an adjunct professor of criminal justice at Mercy at the time, became the first mentor to encourage him toward graduate study and would later serve on Dr. Walton's doctoral dissertation committee. "He was the first mentor to push me toward graduate study, with law school as the initial horizon," Dr. Walton said. "That encouragement turned curiosity into disciplined study and, eventually, a sustained commitment to legal studies and political science."

Beyond academics, 91�Թ�� instilled in Dr. Walton a critical framework that would define his scholarly approach for years to come.

"91�Թ�� trained me to question power instead of taking it at face value," he explained. "Dr. Odom challenged me to look past the surface of authority and ask harder questions: Who benefits from a policy? Whose interests are protected? Who absorbs the cost? That way of thinking became the backbone of my later work, because it forces analysis to stay anchored in the lived experiences of the people most affected by public decisions."

This analytical lens proved essential as Dr. Walton pursued graduate studies, first earning his Master of Arts in Political Science at the Graduate Center for Worker Education at Brooklyn College, CUNY, where his master's thesis documented stop-and-frisk practices from 1998 to 2008.

The influence of Dr. Odom's mentorship is evident throughout Dr. Walton's scholarship. In his doctoral literature review, he cites Dr. Odom's own doctoral action research on NYPD stop-question-and-frisk, a full-circle moment that demonstrates the lasting impact of the student-mentor relationship that began at Mercy.

"His mentorship did not stop at Mercy," Dr. Walton said.

Research That Speaks to the Present Moment

Dr. Walton's scholarship carries particular urgency in today's national climate of intensified immigration enforcement and expanded surveillance. He argues that the discretionary logic underlying NYPD stop-and-frisk practices has become a blueprint for broader forms of racialized social control.

"The constitutional and political logic that normalized discretionary street stops in New York City is no longer confined to New York City policing," Dr. Walton noted. "The Supreme Court's 1968 Terry doctrine, originally framed as a narrow officer-safety exception, has been stretched into a broad permission structure for state-citizen encounters."

His research documents how this model has expanded to federal enforcement agencies, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP), where militarized tactics and biometric surveillance are increasingly routine.

"I am trying to help national conversations move past slogans and into accountability: what these tactics do, who they target, and how quickly they spread once political incentives align," Dr. Walton said. "I do that as a scholar-practitioner, in community with others committed to strengthening doctoral pathways and keeping research connected to lived reality."

91�Թ�� Celebrates Class of 2026

znegron@mercy.edu — Sat, 30 May 2026 00:26:23 +0000

91�Թ�� Celebrates Class of 2026 znegron@mercy.edu Fri, 05/29/2026 - 20:26 91�Թ�� News

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More than 2,300 graduating students became the newest members of the 91�Թ�� Alumni family last week during a two-day commencement celebration at the Westchester County Center.

The ceremonies, held Wednesday, May 20, and Thursday, May 21, featured inspiring addresses from student speakers and Honorary Degree recipients as the Class of 2026 marked their academic achievements.

Graduates turned their tassels surrounded by family, friends, and 91�Թ�� faculty and staff on this momentous occasion for the entire campus community.

Highlight videos and photos from the celebration are now available for viewing, capturing the joy and pride of graduates, their families and 91�Թ�� faculty and staff as they commemorated this significant milestone.

The Class of 2026 now joins the ranks of 91�Թ��'s growing alumni network as they embark on the next chapter of their professional and personal journeys.

School of Business and School of Liberal Arts

See Photos

Watch the Highlights

Watch the Ceremony

School of Health and Natural Sciences and School of Education

See Photos

Watch the Highlights

Watch the Ceremony

School of Nursing

See Photos

Watch the Highlights

Watch the Ceremony

School of Social and Behavioral Sciences

See Photos

Watch the Highlights

Watch the Ceremony

For photos and videos of all the ceremonies visit https://mercy.canto.com/v/Commencement2026

For more information about the 2026 Commencement ceremonies visit https://mercy.edu/campus-life/commencement-2026

91�Թ�� Celebrates Faculty Excellence at Annual Recognition Ceremony and Poster Session

znegron@mercy.edu — Fri, 29 May 2026 18:45:12 +0000

91�Թ�� Celebrates Faculty Excellence at Annual Recognition Ceremony and Poster Session znegron@mercy.edu Fri, 05/29/2026 - 14:45 91�Թ�� News

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Teaching Excellence Award recipient Justine Matias, instructor, English

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On Monday, May 18, the Mercy community gathered in the Rotunda on the Westchester Campus to honor the scholars, mentors and educators who make up the heart of the institution. The annual Faculty Recognition Ceremony brought together faculty, staff and university leadership for an afternoon of celebration, recognizing retirements, promotions and research faculty carry into their classrooms every day.

Before the ceremony began, the Rotunda filled with conversation. Large, colorful research posters lined the space, each one a window into the work Mercy faculty have been doing all year. Attendees moved among the displays, stopping to talk with presenters about topics that included AI integration, synthesis of novel photocaged biomedicals, faculty wellness, global service learning, transforming conflict education and telehealth risk assessment simulation training.

The breadth of the scholarship on display was striking.

“The faculty are at the heart of how we advance our student success,” said Mercy’s President Susan L. Parish, PhD, MSW, who spent time at the poster session speaking with faculty about their research. “Learning is the core of everything we do, and I’m excited about today because we’re celebrating faculty excellence.” Parish continued, “These posters are so impressive. Faculty are sharing their scholarship, which they take back into the classroom to advance their students.”

Breaking Free from the “Tyranny of the Textbook”

One of the most visited displays was “Collaboration and Liberation: An AOER Faculty/Library Creative Partnership,” presented by Julie Goldberg, assistant professor, Libraries, along with co-creators Yu-Hung Lin, assistant professor, Libraries, and Jacqueline Fisher, assistant professor, Psychology. AOER refers to Affordable Open Educational Resources.

The research centered on LibGuide, a structured, visually designed digital resource built entirely from free resources, including those that the Mercy Libraries already own. No textbook required. No cost to students.

“Textbooks are extremely expensive, and many Mercy students struggle to pay for them,” said Goldberg. “Research has found that students do not buy the textbook, which leads to poor grade-point averages and other negative academic outcomes. OER — open educational resources — is supposed to address that equity problem. Our idea, making this AOER using resources that the library pays for that are free to students, is a way to bridge that gap between published materials and the OER available on the web.”

The LibGuide mirrors the structure of a textbook chapter, laying out key ideas visually, organizing peer-reviewed articles, videos and reference sources by unit. It includes a flexibility no published textbook can offer: If a professor drops a unit or adds a new one, the guide updates instantly. Students were also invited to contribute sources they found during group projects, making the resource a living collaboration between faculty, librarians and students.

“This liberates professors from the tyranny of the textbook,” Goldberg noted. Textbooks that can go out of date, carry bias or lock faculty into teaching someone else’s sequence. AOER, Goldberg explained, “Gives professors the freedom to teach the units they want to teach in the order they want to teach it, with the materials they want to teach.”

Designing AI that Reaches Every Learner

Barbara Hastie, adjunct faculty in Educational Leadership, presented “Designing Inclusive, Accessible AI into Job-Embedded Professional Learning,” developed in partnership with Nona Ullman, Founder and CEO of LessonLoop, one of only two firms nationally certified by Digital Promise for prioritizing racial equity in AI design.

The research addressed a gap that sits at the intersection of two urgent conversations in education: how to use AI effectively in lesson planning, and how to ensure that AI doesn’t reproduce the biases already embedded in teaching materials. LessonLoop developed a bias-detection tool that runs lesson plans through a checker evaluating cultural inclusivity, language neutrality and accessibility, particularly for students with disabilities.

The team ran 50 tests, ten without the bias checker and ten after, across grades four and eight in four subjects.

“We were able to reduce bias by 69%,” said Ullman. This impressive statistic caused many of the people gathered to gasp in surprise, calling it “astonishing” and deeming the research “very, very important.”

The implications reach beyond K–12. The research has direct applications for higher education faculty who work with pre-service teachers, helping new educators design lessons that reach all learners from the start.

“I really think that this program will help new teachers get off on the right foot,” said Hastie. “They’re finding that if you can engage kids, they can learn more, but this is definitely not taught right now. The goal is how do we get new teachers up to speed faster.”

Putting Data Behind a National Conversation

Jeong Kim, associate professor of Criminal Justice, presented “Patterns and Disparities in Police Shootings: 2015–2021 Quantitative Analysis,” research with direct implications for police training, department policy and public understanding.

Kim explained that public perception is shaped heavily by social media and news coverage. That leads to the belief that police shootings are on the rise. Kim’s data tells a more complicated story.

“People think that we are having more police shootings, but actually statistics show that it’s steady,” Kim said. “It’s good news and bad news at the same time. The good news is we don’t have a higher number of police shootings. But the bad news is, even though we invest a lot of resources in police training and education, it’s still not getting better — it’s not going down.”

The research is intended to inform police departments and, ultimately, the public — grounding a conversation that often runs on emotion in evidence instead.

Celebrating Mercy’s Exceptional Faculty

Dr. Kristin Curry Greenwood, provost and senior vice president for Academic Affairs, opened the recognition ceremony with remarks that acknowledged both the achievements on display and the effort behind them, as well as the academic year overall.

“In the name of student success, we confronted an environment that required change — real change, and sometimes uncomfortable change,” Greenwood said. “And you met that challenge with courage, creativity and most of all, commitment to students with your heart.” She continued, “You adapted, you innovated, you stayed focused on what really matters most, our North Star: student success. I’m grateful for all that you have done and for all of you who have participated in this important work this year.”

Greenwood introduced Mercy’s President Parish, who spoke directly to the faculty about what their work means, not just to Mercy, but to the students who depend on them.

“You are the mentors who guide, you’re the scholars who advance knowledge, you’re the innovators who reimagine what’s possible,” Parish said. “And you are the advocates who ensure every student has the support they need to thrive. Your work is not just important. It’s foundational to who we are and to what Mercy does.”

The recognition ceremony that followed gave each school’s dean a moment to stand with their faculty, calling members to the stage, presenting a silver cup and sharing the accomplishments that brought them there. It was one part ceremony, one part tribute.

Among those recognized was Dr. Kathryn Ryans, who was recently promoted to Professor and is retiring after a distinguished career in physical therapy education. Dr. Ryans earned her M.S. from Mercy and her DPT from Temple University and has been practicing physical therapy in an outpatient orthopedic setting since 1995. Her scholarly contributions include co-authored peer-reviewed publications and presentations at national conferences focused on oncology rehabilitation and clinical education, work she balanced alongside sustained service in faculty governance, curriculum development and student mentorship.

“I’ve learned a lot at Mercy,” Ryans said. “Being a physical therapist has allowed me to bridge the gap between medical practice and teaching for my students who are going out to become physical therapists. I’m hoping to come back as an adjunct — I’m not leaving teaching completely.”

Faculty Awards Ceremony

Following the celebration of retirements and promotions, the ceremony turned to faculty awards, a separate honor recognizing outstanding contributions across teaching, scholarship and service. Each year these awards spotlight the faculty members whose work has gone above and beyond, chosen by students, their peers and academic leadership as exemplars of Mercy's commitment to excellence. (The list of faculty members who received awards is included below.)

A Closing Worth Carrying Forward

Provost Greenwood closed the afternoon with a quote that was well-chosen for the moment.

“Winston Churchill said, ‘Success is not final, failure is not fatal. It is the courage to continue that counts,’” she told the assembled faculty. “That courage is exactly what I have seen in our community this year, and I’m forever thankful for all the work we continue to do together.”

Watch highlights video

Faculty Accomplishments

School of Education, presented by Eric Martone, Dean, School of Education

Nancy Heilbronner, PhD, Retirement
Barbara Keckler, PhD, Retirement
Matthijs Koopmans, EdD, Retirement
Ilene Rothschild, EdD, Retirement

School of Health and Natural Sciences, presented by Nannette Hyland, Interim Dean, School of Health and Natural Sciences

James Gurley, PT, DPT, Promotion to Associate Professor
Ashley O'Rourke, CCC-SLP, EdD, Promotion to Associate Professor
Shari Berkowitz, CCC-SLP, PhD, Retirement
Ferdinand Esser, DC, Retirement
Ruth Lyons Hansen, PT, DPT, PhD, Retirement
Peter Minorsky, PhD, Retirement
Kathryn Ryans, PT, DPT, Promotion to Professor; Retirement

School of Liberal Arts, presented by David Wang, Interim Dean, School of Liberal Arts

K. Patrick Fazioli, PhD, Promotion to Professor
Justin Kessler, MM, Promotion to Associate Professor
Laura Proszak, PhD, Promotion to Associate Professor with Tenure
Usman Rauf, PhD, Promotion to Associate Professor with Tenure
Caitlin Wiesner, PhD, Promotion to Associate Professor

Libraries, presented by Moddie Breland, Dean, Libraries

Susan Gaskin-Noel, MSLIS, Retirement

School of Nursing, presented by Nannette Hyland, Interim Dean, School of Nursing

Miriam Ford, FNP-BC, PhD, Retirement
Susan Moscou, FNP-BC, PMHNP-BC, MPH, PhD, Retirement
Renu Varughese, RN, PhD, Retirement

School of Social and Behavioral Sciences, presented by Cynthia Walley, Interim Dean, School of Social and Behavioral Sciences

Jeong L. Kim, PhD, Promotion to Professor
Alberto Manzi, LMHC, PhD, Promotion to Professor
Shakuntala (Melissa) Ramdas, LMHC, PhD, Promotion to Associate Professor
Dorothy Balancio, PhD, Retirement

Academic Affairs, presented by Kristin Curry Greenwood, Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs

Saul Fisher, PhD, Promotion to Professor
Victor Petenkemani, MBA, Promotion to Associate Professor
Cynthia Walley, PhD, Promotion to Professor

The Faculty Awards were presented by Amanda Bireline, Chair, Advisory Committee for Teaching and Learning.

The 2025 – 2026 Faculty Awards recipients are:

Teaching Excellence Award

Full-Time Faculty: Robert Murray, PhD, Associate Professor, History (School of Liberal Arts)
Part-Time Faculty: Justine Matias, MA, Instructor, English (School of Liberal Arts)

Faculty Fellow

G. Lee Warren, PhD, Associate Professor, Chemistry (School of Health and Natural Sciences)

Online Teacher of the Year

Sally-Ann Delvino, MA, Senior Instructor, Italian (School of Liberal Arts)

Outstanding Research Award

Jack Simons, LPC, PhD, Associate Professor, School Counseling (School of Social and Behavioral Sciences)

ACUE Effective Teaching Practices

Oren Abramowitz, CCC-SLP, PhD, Assistant Professor, Communication Disorders (School of Health and Natural Sciences)
Saliha Bava, PhD, Professor, Marriage and Family Therapy (School of Social and Behavioral Sciences)
Nancy Beverly, PhD, Associate Professor, Physics (School of Health and Natural Sciences)
Marylu Dunn, PT, DPT, Visiting Assistant Professor, Physical Therapy (School of Health and Natural Sciences)
Justin Kessler, MM, Assistant Professor, Music Production and Recording Arts (School of Liberal Arts)
Tameka Hall Lee, FNP-BC, MS, Instructor, Nursing (School of Nursing)
Olga Rabinovich, RN, MSN, Instructor, Nursing (School of Nursing)
Lisa Schenkel, DVM, Assistant Professor, Health Sciences (School of Health and Natural Sciences)
Lorraine Shikapwashya, DHSC, Assistant Professor, Health Sciences (School of Health and Natural Sciences)
Jeanine Stancanelli, OTR/L, MBA, MPH, OTD, Associate Professor, Occupational Therapy (School of Health and Natural Sciences)
Cynthia Walley, PhD, LPC, Associate Professor, School Counseling (School of Social and Behavioral Sciences)

Master of Pedagogy Degrees, honoris causa, presented by Susan Parish, President and Kristin Curry Greenwood, Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs

Areiaf (Ariel) DiBlasio, Associate Director, University Advisement
Leslie Heiner, MA, Senior Instructor, Art History, School of Liberal Arts
Monelle Hylaris, Director, Enrollment Services
Janet Lyons, MBA, EdD, Senior Lecturer, Organizational Leadership, School of Business
Robert Mulroy, JD, Senior Instructor, Marriage & Family Therapy, School of Social and Behavioral Sciences
Michael Perrota, MS, MFA, Associate Professor, Media Studies, School of Liberal Arts
Michael Stafford, PhD, Senior Instructor, Seminars, School of Liberal Arts

7th Annual Student-Preneur Conference Showcases Students’ Innovations and Entrepreneurial Ventures

znegron@mercy.edu — Wed, 20 May 2026 19:39:20 +0000

7th Annual Student-Preneur Conference Showcases Students’ Innovations and Entrepreneurial Ventures znegron@mercy.edu Wed, 05/20/2026 - 15:39 School of Business 91�Թ�� News

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Keynote speaker and judge Deborah Novick, director of entrepreneurship and innovation for Westchester County's Office of Economic Development, speaks to one of the Business Plan Competition finalists about her presentation.

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91�Թ�� School of Business hosted its 7th Annual Student-Preneur Conference on April 15, drawing more than 300 participants and culminating in a competitive business plan pitch competition that highlighted the entrepreneurial talents of students from diverse academic backgrounds.

Schools of Business Dean Victor Petenkemani set the tone for the day with his opening remarks, emphasizing the importance of entrepreneurship. "Entrepreneurship is more than starting a business,” Petenkemani said. “It's a pathway to upward mobility. It empowers individuals to turn ideas into action, and to solve real problems because that's really what entrepreneurs are. They create opportunities not only for themselves but for others."

Dr. Kristin Greenwood, provost and senior vice president for academic affairs, echoed this sentiment while addressing the student entrepreneurs directly. "You represent the very best of emerging business leaders, individuals embracing our traditions of entrepreneurship as problem solvers, innovators and changemakers," Greenwood said. "Your ideas reflect not only your integrity and ingenuity, but also a deep commitment to creating values in your community."

Greenwood went on to highlight the university's holistic approach to entrepreneurial education. "At 91�Թ��, we are not only confining entrepreneurship to a single program or discipline. We spread it across our university, across all our collaborative partnerships that we have across Westchester, the Bronx and Manhattan," she explained. "Entrepreneurship has become essential, an essential component to all of our education. It equips our students not only to adapt to change but to lead that change and that is what you are doing here today."

The conference featured a keynote address from Deborah Novick, director of entrepreneurship and innovation for Westchester County's Office of Economic Development, who encouraged students to treat their ideas like businesses from day one. The school's inaugural Entrepreneurial Spotlight showcased a student-led interview with Elena Rivera-Cheek, founder and CEO of C&A Digital, who shared her career journey and emphasized the critical importance of hard work, tenacity, and continuous learning. An Entrepreneur EXPO rounded out the programming, highlighting both local and student entrepreneurs.

The conference marked significant growth for the annual event, with attendance increasing 20% from 2025 and representing substantial expansion since 2022. The event was livestreamed via Zoom to Mercy's Manhattan and Bronx campuses, as well as to partner high schools. High school engagement doubled this year, with more than 60 students attending from Lincoln High School in Yonkers and Cardinal Spellman High School in the Bronx, along with their teachers and administrators.

Entrepreneurial Spotlight with Elena Rivera-Cheek, founder and CEO of C&A Digital

Business Plan Competition and Grand Finale

The 2026 Business Plan Competition featured 38 students representing 29 teams. Participants represented all three Mercy campuses and spanned undergraduate and graduate programs across diverse academic backgrounds, including education, legal studies, sport management, liberal arts, criminal justice and computer science. Students from the Schools of Health & Natural Sciences, Business, and Social & Behavioral Sciences also participated.

Five finalist teams presented their business proposals to a panel of industry experts and business leaders at the grand finale. The judges included event sponsors Umran Beba and Korhan Beba of the Beba Innovation & Entrepreneurship Foundation, Rivera-Cheek, alumnus Andrew Boryk '17, cofounder of Lunchbox, Novick, and 91�Թ�� Board of Trustees Member Phillip Grant, M.B.A. ’08.

Nadia Alghazaly, a freshman, took first place with Navera, a backpack featuring a washable liner that separates from the bag's structure, allowing for easier cleaning and extended product lifespan. The idea came to Alghazaly just two hours before submission deadlines while cleaning her own backpack.

"Winning felt completely surreal," Alghazaly said. "I almost didn't enter at all, so placing first is something I never imagined. I often doubted it all because I was competing on my own and because I'm a freshman."

Nadia Alghazaly

As the first-place winner, Alghazaly will represent Mercy at the Global Collegiate Entrepreneurs' Organization's 43rd Global Conference & Pitch Competition in Tampa, Florida.

Xavier Harris and Calvin Garrick secured second place with RagePAD, a durable, noise-reducing strike pad designed to help gamers safely release frustration. The company was co-founded by Harris and his 14-year-old brother, a cancer patient and young entrepreneur.

"I wanted to help my little brother take his business off the ground," Harris said. "It taught me a lot about the business and marketing side of things."

From left to right, Calvin Garrick and Xavier Harris

Third place went to Fresh Out of the Box, presented by Zahara Acevedo and Amare Brathwaite. The fashion-forward brand offers stylish hats with natural hair attached, designed to help women experiencing medical hair loss feel confident during their recovery journey. The concept was inspired by Acevedo's personal breast cancer experience.

"Through this experience I learned about resilience and perseverance and believing in your purpose," Acevedo said.

The other finalist teams included Cooliere Coolers, a wheeled cooler designed to handle various terrains without tipping, presented by Jasmine Espinoza, Reanne Rockhead and Ariana Young, and HerBella, protective period shorts presented by Isabella Vanegas and Sachin Sadhu.

From left to right, Amare Brathwaite and Zahara Acevedo

Raising the bar

Korhan Beba, who has reviewed more than 1,000 business ideas as director of the Beba Foundation, praised the quality of this year's competition. "At 91�Թ�� every year, I think the bar is being raised," Beba said. "This year was not an easy decision as in previous years."

Dean Petenkemani agreed, looking toward the future with optimism. "The Student-Preneur conference is becoming very competitive, and it shows that we are doing something right," he said. "The work we are doing through this conference is just the beginning. In the years ahead we are committed to expanding and strengthening this program so that even more students can benefit from this transformative experience."

In closing, Professor Robert F. Bohn, who created and led the conference, said the conference offers a high impact platform for nurturing future business leaders and shows their creative potential.

"Perfection may not be attainable but by chasing perfection, we can catch excellence. We caught excellence with the 7th Annual Student-Preneur Conference/Business Plan Competition,” said Bohn. “Our entrepreneurial students know that the best way to predict the future is to create it. The jobs they want have not been created yet."

Professor Rober Bohn congratulates Business Plan competition winner Nadia Alghazaly

91�Թ�� to Celebrate Over 2,300 Graduates at 2026 Commencement Ceremonies

znegron@mercy.edu — Thu, 14 May 2026 15:13:48 +0000

91�Թ�� to Celebrate Over 2,300 Graduates at 2026 Commencement Ceremonies znegron@mercy.edu Thu, 05/14/2026 - 11:13 91�Թ�� News Press Releases

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91�Թ�� will honor the achievements of over 2,300 graduates during its 2026 Commencement, held over four ceremonies on May 20 and 21 at the Westchester County Center in White Plains, N.Y. The ceremonies will feature five honorary degree recipients recognized for their exemplary leadership and professional excellence, including four who will deliver addresses to the Class of 2026.

“This is a proud moment for our entire 91�Թ�� community as we launch the Class of 2026 into their careers," said Susan L. Parish, Ph.D., M.S.W., president of 91�Թ��. “These exceptional graduates—resilient, compassionate, and driven—are prepared to lead with purpose. We are equally honored by our five honorary degree recipients who built extraordinary careers by living the very values our students have embraced: service, innovation, and a commitment to creating positive change in the world.”

The ceremonies will be held in person and live streamed to ensure family members, friends, and guests can celebrate alongside the graduates regardless of location.

The 2026 91�Թ�� honorary degree recipients are:

Mark Ronquillo
Honorary Doctor of Commercial Science
Speaker: School of Business and School of Liberal Arts

Mark Ronquillo is the Donald P. Bellisario Professor of Practice at the Bellisario College of Communications at Penn State University, a position he assumed in 2024. Prior to joining Penn State, he served as EVP/Executive Creative Director at the New York City office of Saatchi & Saatchi, one of the world's leading international advertising agencies. Over his 15 years there, he led creative work for 12 different Procter & Gamble brands, including category leaders such as Dawn, Cascade, Swiffer, Vicks, Pepto-Bismol, Mr. Clean and Crest.

Mr. Ronquillo's 25+ year advertising career spans major agencies across the United States and internationally, including Saatchi & Saatchi, Publicis, Lowe & Partners, McCann Erickson, APL/London, BBDO West and The Richards Group. His diverse portfolio includes work for prominent brands such as Saab, Honda, Braun, Heineken, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Bacardi, Diet Coke, US Army, and Burger King.

A "writer's writer" known for his mastery of the written word, Mr. Ronquillo's creative work has earned recognition from major international award shows and publications, including Cannes, The One Show, Communication Arts, and Graphis. He has also received Effie awards for effectiveness across four different clients, demonstrating both creative excellence and measurable business impact.

Aramina Vega Ferrer, Ph.D.
Honorary Doctor of Pedagogy
Speaker: School of Education and School of Health and Natural Sciences

Aramina Vega Ferrer, Ph.D., is a long-time Bronx resident and former associate professor of Literacy and Multilingual Studies at 91�Թ��, where she prepared teacher candidates for advanced certificates and the Master of Science program in Teaching Literacy. While at 91�Թ��, she served as chair of the Department of Literacy and Multilingual Studies and founding director of the School of Education Bronx Parent Center, a first-of-its-kind faculty-led initiative working with Bronx families and educators to increase student achievement in Pre-K–12 and ensure college access.

Dr. Ferrer brings over 30 years of K-12 teaching and leadership experience in developing and implementing innovative instructional programs for culturally and linguistically diverse student populations. Her career in the New York City school system progressed from Junior High School Teacher of Spanish and English as a Second Language to District Supervisor of Bilingual Education, culminating in her role as Elementary School Principal in the Bronx.

Dr. Ferrer was elected to the New York State Board of Regents by the New York State Legislature in March 2021 and reelected to a five-year term in March 2023, representing Judicial District 12 (The Bronx). She serves as Co-Chair of the Higher Education Committee, which oversees policy, chartering, and regulation for all postsecondary institutions in New York. Her numerous honors include the Lifetime Achievement Award from Fordham's Graduate School of Education, the Alumni Achievement Award from Lehman College and the Governor's Outstanding Hispanic Women Achievers Award.

Ena Williams, Ph.D., MBA, RN, CENP, FAAN, FADLN, FSIEN
Honorary Doctor of Science
Speaker: School of Nursing

Dr. Ena Williams is a nationally respected nursing executive and visionary leader who most recently served as Senior Vice President and Chief Nurse Executive of Yale New Haven Health, one of the nation's premier academic health systems. Her extraordinary career spans more than four decades, beginning in Jamaica at the University Hospital of the West Indies and evolving into pioneering executive leadership. She joined Yale New Haven Hospital in 1992, progressing through roles from staff nurse to coordinator, nurse manager, and nursing director before becoming the first nurse of color to serve as Vice President, Senior Vice President, Chief Nursing Officer of Yale New Haven Hospital, and Chief Nurse Executive of the Health System.

Under Dr. Williams' leadership as hospital CNO, nursing teams achieved remarkable recognition, including an American Credentialing Center Magnet Nurse of the Year award (2022) and a Magnet Prize (2024). She spearheaded transformative initiatives including a nursing leadership academy, the first Nursing DEI task force and summit and raised philanthropic funds to support nursing and unlicensed assistive personnel. Her tenure fostered significant growth in nursing autonomy and established a strong professional governance culture across the organization.

A nationally recognized thought leader in nursing leadership, workforce development, and health equity, Dr. Williams serves as President of the Board of the American Organization of Nursing Leadership and on The Joint Commission Board of Directors. She is a Fellow of both the American Academy of Nursing and the Academy of Diversity Leaders in Nursing and has been honored as one of Modern Healthcare's 50 Top Clinical Executives in Healthcare (2024).

Reverend Viviana M. DeCohen '16, M.S. '18
Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters
Speaker: School of Social and Behavioral Sciences

Reverend Viviana M. DeCohen, a proud United States Marine Corps Veteran, serves as Commissioner of the New York State Department of Veterans' Services (DVS), which connects over 630,000 Veterans with the benefits, services, and support they have earned. Commissioner DeCohen oversaw the department's successful elevation from a division in April 2023, significantly expanding DVS's statewide reach. Under her leadership, DVS launched innovative outreach programs such as "Operation Find and Serve" and adopted 15 Veterans Welcome Center Digital Kiosks across New York State, which were recognized with the prestigious Abraham Lincoln Pillars of Excellence Award from the Federal VA.

Commissioner DeCohen has championed inclusive communication and dignified service delivery, leading DVS to embrace the term "for those who have served" to reach individuals who may not identify as Veterans. She launched "Operation Baby," providing essential resources such as diapers, cribs, and baby clothes through a non-social service approach, and updated the department's intake form to better address the specialized needs of Veterans and Military Families. Prior to her appointment as Commissioner, she served as Director of the Mount Vernon Veterans Service Agency, where she founded Kristyn's Closet, a Veterans' Closet that served over 3,000 Veterans within ten months and garnered significant statewide media attention.

Commissioner DeCohen holds a bachelor’s degree in behavioral science and a master's degree in Health Service Management from Mercy College (now University), where she established two inaugural Veterans Centers and served as a Veterans Academic Advisor. She is currently pursuing her Doctorate in Educational Leadership and Gerontology at Concordia University, Chicago. Her dedication to ensuring Veterans have access to essential resources has earned her the affectionate title of "Mama V," and she was named a Women Veteran Trailblazer honoree by the Center for Women Veterans in 2021.

Joseph P. Carlucci, Esq.
Honorary Doctor of Laws

Joseph Carlucci is Partner Emeritus at the law firm Cuddy & Feder LLP, where he was responsible for the industrial development revenue bond practice. Throughout his distinguished legal career, he represented corporations of all sizes on a full range of corporate matters, including business acquisitions and sales, partnership agreements, limited liability company operating agreements and employment contracts. Mr. Carlucci was also active in lending transactions on behalf of borrowers and lenders, and represented real estate entrepreneurs in acquisitions, sales, leasing, financing and obtaining approvals for development projects.

Mr. Carlucci is recognized as one of the region's most active counselors in industrial development agency revenue bond financing. He previously served as an agency chair before representing borrowers, underwriters and issuers in transactions throughout the New York metropolitan area and in numerous states across the country. A military veteran who served as Captain in the U.S. Army (MPC) from 1967-1969, Mr. Carlucci holds a B.A. in Economics from Georgetown University and a J.D. from Fordham University School of Law and was admitted to the New York Bar in 1969.

A Westchester native, Mr. Carlucci has been active in numerous civic and professional organizations including the American Bar Association, Westchester County Bar Association, Jacob Burns Film Center, Pace University School of Law, Westchester Community College Foundation Board and the White Plains and Greenburgh Urban Renewal Agencies. He served as a Mercy Trustee from 2002 to 2025, previously serving as Board Vice Chair and now as Trustee Emeritus. He was honored with the Mercy College Community Leadership Award at the 2018 Trustees' Scholarship Gala.

For complete details about each of 91�Թ��’s Commencement ceremonies, including date, time and location, and to watch the live stream, please visit https://mercy.edu/campus-life/commencement-2026.

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About 91�Թ��

91�Թ�� is an independent, coeducational institution serving more than 9,000 students each year across campuses in Westchester, the Bronx, Manhattan, as well as online. It is a federally designated minority-serving institution and the largest private Hispanic Serving Institution in the state of New York. Mercy offers more than 100 undergraduate and graduate degree programs and certificate programs within six schools: Business, Education, Health and Natural Sciences, Liberal Arts, Nursing and Social and Behavioral Sciences. Mercy was founded in 1950 by the Sisters of Mercy whose mission of transformative education remains strong. For more information, visit www.mercy.edu.

91�Թ�� Celebrates 75 Years of Opening Doors during 45th Annual Trustees’ Scholarship Gala

znegron@mercy.edu — Fri, 08 May 2026 18:56:23 +0000

91�Թ�� Celebrates 75 Years of Opening Doors during 45th Annual Trustees’ Scholarship Gala znegron@mercy.edu Fri, 05/08/2026 - 14:56 91�Թ�� News

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From left to right: 91�Թ�� President Susan L. Parish with honorees Sister Mary Virginia Orna and Marcela Guerrero.

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On April 30, 91�Թ�� celebrated the 45th Annual Trustees’ Scholarship Gala, bringing together hundreds of community members for an inspiring evening dedicated to advancing the university’s mission of transforming lives through education. The gala, a signature fundraising event for student scholarships, featured a live Scholarship Challenge, where guests raised their paddles to support Mercy scholarships. This year, the Scholarship Challenge alone raised over $100,000, surpassing its $75,000 goal in honor of Mercy’s 75th anniversary.

More than 300 trustees, faculty, staff, students, alumni from both Mercy and the College of New Rochelle (CNR), friends and supporters attended the event at Glen Island Harbour Club in New Rochelle.

News 12 anchor Tara Rosenblum, an Emmy winner who served as mistress of ceremonies, noted her personal connection to the university. “As some of you know, I have a special connection to Mercy. My husband, Joe Apicella, is a proud Mercy alumnus from the Class of 1985, and was honored at this event in 2017. It’s a pleasure to be back with all of you tonight and to be a part of the University’s ongoing celebration of Mercy’s 75th Anniversary,” said Rosenblum.

She announced that Westchester County Legislator David Imamura presented the university with a special citation honoring its 75th anniversary.

Watch Mercy’s 75th anniversary video

A history of access

The mission that began in 1950 with the Sisters of Mercy continues today: ensuring higher education is not reserved for the privileged few.

"For 75 years, Mercy's mission has been clear and unwavering: to open doors and provide access to higher education for generations of students," said Jim Jenkins, chairman of Mercy’s Board of Trustees. "Tonight's gala is a living expression of that mission."

University President Susan L. Parish reminded the audience that access at Mercy is more than a slogan — it's a daily commitment.

"If there is one word that defines Mercy, it's this: access," Parish said. "Our students are extraordinary. Most are working — sometimes more than one job — while carrying a full course load. Many are supporting their families while building their own futures."

Sophomore Gregory Hiraldo, who came up on stage to talk about the impact of his scholarship, knows that reality intimately. Between classes, he helps care for his grandmother and supports his family in ways that don't show up on paper. When he received a scholarship, everything changed.

"Scholarships are not luxuries. They are lifelines," Hiraldo said. "The scholarship didn't just pay for classes. It bought me time. It bought me focus. And it gave me belief in what was possible."

Honoring Those Who Embody the Mission

The evening celebrated three individuals whose lives reflect Mercy's values of service, education and community.

Alberto Vitale, who holds an honorary doctorate from Mercy and served as a Mercy Trustee, received the Lifetime Achievement Award for his and his wife Gio's transformative support of the university. Their generosity has created a named scholarship, the Vitale Life Skills Lab, the Vitale Center for Academic Excellence and Innovation, and other initiatives that continue opening doors for students. Though Vitale could not attend, his impact was felt throughout the evening.

Watch Alberto Vitale video

Sister Mary Virginia Orna received the CNR Legacy Award for her four decades teaching chemistry at the College of New Rochelle and her continued work with the CNR Legacy Council at 91�Թ��. When she took the stage, the audience rose in a standing ovation — a testament to the generations of students she shaped and the enduring bonds formed at institutions like CNR and Mercy.

Watch Sister Mary Virginia Orna video

And then there was Marcela Guerrero ’26, the Student Achievement Award recipient who embodies what happens when opportunity meets determination. As president of the Student Government Association, a member of the Mercy Navigators program and the Latin American Student Organization, and a Mercy Scholar pursuing medical school, she represents the university's future.

Watch Marcela Guerrero video

Tashauna Wynter ‘25, last year’s Student Achievement Award recipient, introduced her successor with words that captured the spirit of the evening: "Marcela, you exemplify what it means to be a leader, an advocate and a dedicated member of this community."

When Guerrero accepted her award to another standing ovation, she offered a simple truth: "Mercy didn't ask me to choose between being there for my family and investing in myself. It showed me that I could do both."

Her words resonated through the room as guests raised their paddles during the Scholarship Challenge, pledging donations from $75 to $10,000 to create more lifelines for students like her.

As the evening concluded, the message was clear: For 75 years, Mercy has been opening doors through affordable, accessible education. And with the support of trustees, alumni, faculty, staff and community partners, those doors will open even wider, offering more students the life-changing opportunity of a full scholarship.

Watch the Highlights Video

View Photo Gallery

91�Թ��’s Final Conquer the Trail Race Honors 75th Anniversary

znegron@mercy.edu — Mon, 04 May 2026 16:37:40 +0000

91�Թ��’s Final Conquer the Trail Race Honors 75th Anniversary znegron@mercy.edu Mon, 05/04/2026 - 12:37 School of Health and Natural Sciences 91�Թ�� News

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91�Թ�� concluded its 11-year Conquer the Trail Race tradition Saturday, April 18, 2026, with a record 121 runners raising funds to combat food insecurity in celebration of the university's 75th anniversary.

The race, presented by Conquer The World Endurance and Mercy's Exercise Science Program, generated $2,165 for the Mav Market, the university's free food pantry serving students and community members.

Organizers designed the commemorative 7.5-kilometer course to honor Mercy's 75th anniversary, featuring a flat, out-and-back route along the Croton Aqueduct Trail.

"This race represents everything Mercy stands for," said Amanda Bireline, associate professor of health and exercise science. "For 75 years, we've believed in removing barriers to success."

Bireline said the anniversary distance resonated with participants, contributing to the highest turnout in the race's history.

Jordan Wolff won the men's division while Ralitsa Delgado took the women's title. Two Mercy students placed among the top three women finishers: nursing major Gabrielle Martin and health science major Caitlin Leary.

Top Finishers Overall Male

Jordan Wolff 29:25
Robert Gorman 31:36
Mark Paparo 31:48

Top Finishers Female

Ralitsa Delgado 33:37
Gabrielle Martin 34:21
Caitlin Leary 34:48

The race brough the Mercy community together, from alumni, including race director Steven Estremera, to Mercy faculty, staff and students, who were involved in planning, promoting and helping out throughout the race. The event also drew support from local sponsors including Gourmet Dining, Spear PT, New York Sports Club Dobbs Ferry and Wegmans.

All proceeds benefit the Mav Market, which provides nutritious food and personal care items at no cost to Mercy community members experiencing food insecurity.

Watch video highlights

From left to right: students Caitlin Leary and Gabrielle Martin

Check out more photos here

91�Թ�� Media Studies Program Honors Excellence at 42nd Annual Quill Awards

znegron@mercy.edu — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 21:36:39 +0000

91�Թ�� Media Studies Program Honors Excellence at 42nd Annual Quill Awards znegron@mercy.edu Tue, 04/28/2026 - 17:36 School of Liberal Arts 91�Թ�� News

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91�Թ��'s Media Studies program celebrated student achievement and professional excellence at its 42nd Annual Quill Awards on April 14, recognizing the work of current students, distinguished alumni and industry leaders who continue to shape the media landscape.

Media Studies faculty presented Quill Awards to students in journalism, public relations and advertising, film and culture, video editing and radio production, theater performance and television production.

"Our Media Studies Program doesn't just teach communications — it empowers the storytellers, journalists and creative voices who will shape tomorrow's media landscape," 91�Թ�� President Susan L. Parish said. "Here at 91�Թ��, students discover their unique voice and develop the skills to share it across every platform: from breaking news and compelling features to broadcast media, public relations and corporate communications."

This year's alumni recognition went to Nicole A. Acosta, a 2019 graduate now working as a staff writer for People Magazine, who received the Quill Award for Outstanding Alumna. Acosta, who concentrated in journalism during her time at Mercy, earned numerous accolades from the New York Press Association while writing for the student-led Impact news publication. Her work garnered awards in editorial writing, column writing and feature article writing. She also received Mercy's Excellence in Journalism Award and the Dot Adams Memorial Award, both given to only one student annually.

Since 2022, Acosta has been a staff writer for People Magazine. Her responsibilities include developing law enforcement sources, securing legal documents and attending court proceedings. She also covers red carpet premieres and interviews celebrities to generate content that drives website traffic and social media engagement.

Reflecting on her journey, Acosta told the audience she felt she had "come full circle."

"Not too long ago, I was sitting right here receiving awards for my time on the Impact," Acosta said. "It was here that I first realized how powerful storytelling could be, not just as writing but as a way to understand the world and give a voice to others."

She recalled a pivotal moment in Associate Professor Michael Perrotta's class that shaped her career path.

"I still remember the first time I was in Perrotta's class. I answered a news reporting question hesitantly from the back of the room very unsure of myself, but when I got it right, I was surprised and he gave me a little shout-out," Acosta said. "At that moment, something clicked. I knew this was something I wanted to pursue."

Acosta credited Associate Professor Perrotta with helping her develop both confidence and skill.

"Perrotta was very open and understanding. He helped me come out of my shell while also giving me the constructive criticism I needed to grow. He taught me to trust my instincts, and that experience really sparked something in me that I have carried ever since through my time at Mercy and into my career," she said.

She concluded with advice for current students: "At the heart of it all, what drives me is this: telling stories that matter, stories that inform, stories that connect us, and stories that can make someone feel a little bit less alone. To the students here tonight, ask questions, stay curious and trust that your voice matters."

Tony-winning producer and director David Elliott was presented with the Quill Award for Professional Achievement. Elliott has spent more than three decades producing, directing and managing award-winning theater in New York, London and across the United States. As co-director of Perry Street Theatricals, he produced and managed more than 25 productions on Broadway, Off-Broadway and in London's West End, collaborating on projects recognized with Tony, Drama Desk and OBIE awards.

As artistic director of The Cape Playhouse, Elliott led the historic theater's post-pandemic revival, delivering a critically acclaimed 2022 season and restoring its operations and artistic momentum. He recently served as executive producer for "The Shark Is Broken" at North Shore Music Theatre and the Martha's Vineyard Performing Arts Center.

Elliott quoted career advice from actor Tom Hanks.

"He said, 'Show up on time, know the text and have an idea.' That's it. Show up prepared, contribute to the work and have something to offer," Elliott said. "It sounds almost too simple, but it is rarer than you would think when people actually do all three."

He encouraged students to approach their work with intention and authenticity.

"No matter what it is that you're doing, if you can wake up each day and commit to it, do that thing with the intention, and honesty and integrity, you are already well on your way," Elliott said. "The cliché that if you do what you really love, it's not really work is true. So the first thing is find out what it is that you love, and say yes to it."

The evening's celebration of passion and dedication reflected the vision of Professor Louis J. Grasso, M.A., M.F.A., Media Studies program director, who has made the Quill Awards a cornerstone event for the program.

"I enjoy seeing the faculty, students and their families come together to celebrate these successes. And it's inspiring to others in the program," Grasso said. "I'm already thinking about next year's event!"

Watch the video

From left to right, Professor Grasso, David Elliott and Assistant Professor Marc Palmieri

Associate Professor Michael Perrotta and alumna Nicole Acosta

91�Թ�� Professor Wins Prestigious National History Award

znegron@mercy.edu — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 12:56:14 +0000

91�Թ�� Professor Wins Prestigious National History Award znegron@mercy.edu Fri, 04/24/2026 - 08:56 School of Liberal Arts 91�Թ�� News

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Dr. Caitlin Wiesner honored by Organization of American Historians for groundbreaking book on Black women's anti-rape activism

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Dr. Caitlin Wiesner, assistant professor of history and history program director at 91�Թ��, has been awarded the 2026 Liberty Legacy Foundation Award by the Organization of American Historians for her monograph, "Between the Street and the State: Black Women's Anti-Rape Activism Amid the War on Crime" (University of Pennsylvania Press, 2025).

"It is an incredible honor to be recognized by the OAH with the Liberty Legacy Foundation Award," Wiesner said. "The OAH is the premier professional society dedicated to United States history, and I never foresaw my debut monograph making such an impact."

The Liberty Legacy Foundation Award is given annually to the author of the best book by a historian on the civil rights struggle from the nation's beginnings to the present, making it one of the most prestigious honors in American history.

“These prizes recognize exceptional scholarship, service and professional achievement, and embody OAH's enduring commitments to advancing groundbreaking research and scholarship, centering diverse perspectives and supporting historians throughout their careers," said Beth English, OAH executive director in the press release announcing this year’s awards.

Wiesner's book examines how Black anti-rape organizers critically engaged both the feminist movement against sexual violence and the federal War on Crime between 1974 and 1994. Focusing on activism in Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., the Bay Area, Chicago and Atlanta, the work reveals how activists built upon Black women's longstanding tradition of community-based caring labor while incorporating Black feminist critiques of patriarchal and state violence.

The research was inspired by two concurrent social movements of the late 2010s: #BlackLivesMatter and #MeToo.

"I was fascinated by how two movements fundamentally disagreed over whether proactive police presence would prevent violence or exacerbate it," Wiesner said. "I decided to look for Black women who participated in the feminist anti-rape movement at the same moment that the federal War on Crime was escalating to study how they navigated these contradictions."

The award represents a significant achievement for both Wiesner and 91�Թ��, demonstrating the institution's commitment to fostering world-class scholarship while maintaining its dedication to student success.

"It is my hope that this award will shine a light on the excellent research being produced every year by the faculty at Mercy," said Wiesner. "We're known for our commitment to teaching our students, but that goes hand-in-hand with producing cutting-edge scholarship."

91�Թ��'s 26th Annual International Film Festival Brings Global Cinema to Community

znegron@mercy.edu — Mon, 20 Apr 2026 18:51:56 +0000

91�Թ��'s 26th Annual International Film Festival Brings Global Cinema to Community znegron@mercy.edu Mon, 04/20/2026 - 14:51 School of Liberal Arts 91�Թ�� News Press Releases

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91�Թ�� will host its 26th Annual International Film Festival from April 21-24, continuing a beloved tradition of bringing world-class cinema to the Mercy community and surrounding areas.

The four-day festival, presented by the School of Liberal Arts, is free and open to students, faculty, staff, alumni and neighboring communities. All screenings begin at 6:30 p.m. in the Lecture Hall on the Westchester Campus, located at 555 Broadway in Dobbs Ferry.

“For 26 years, this festival has been a cultural cornerstone for our region,” said Steven DeRosa, festival coordinator and senior lecturer for Cinema Studies at 91�Թ��. “We're proud to share this experience with our neighbors, offering exclusive viewings and meaningful conversations that bring our community together through the power of film."

Each evening features an international film followed by a discussion led by distinguished guest speakers from the 91�Թ�� community and beyond, creating opportunities for attendees to engage with cutting-edge cinema from around the world.

Festival Schedule:

Tuesday, April 21 – “The Girl with the Needle” (Denmark, Poland, Sweden, 2024)

A dark gothic story about young, destitute Karoline in post-WWI Copenhagen who finds work with a charismatic woman running a secret underground adoption agency. Their bond shatters when Karoline uncovers the chilling truth behind the operation.

Directed by Magnus von Horn

Drama | Danish (with English subtitles)

Guest speaker: Dr. Caitlin Wiesner, assistant professor of history and history program director at 91�Թ��

Wednesday, April 22 – “Baghdad Messi” (Belgium, Netherlands, Germany, Iraq, 2023)

Hamoudi, an 11-year-old soccer fan, dreams of reaching the level of his idol, Lionel Messi. After surviving an attack in Iraq that costs him a leg, he's determined to fight to achieve his dream.

Directed by Sahim Omar Kalifa

Drama | Arabic, Kurdish (with English subtitles)

Guest speaker: Othman Marzoog, lecturer at 91�Թ��

Thursday, April 23 – “Chinas” (Spain, 2023)

A heartfelt film that follows the lives of three young girls of Chinese descent living in Madrid as they navigate the challenges of identity, family expectations and cultural heritage while forging their own paths in a contemporary world.

Directed by Arantxa Echevarría

Drama | Chinese, Spanish (with English subtitles)

Guest speaker: Dr. Maria Bo, assistant professor of English at Stanford University

Friday, April 24 – “Kill the Jockey” (Argentina, Mexico, Spain, Denmark, USA, 2024)

A surrealist journey that follows Remo, a jockey who, after an accident, becomes the drag-clad Dolores. Navigating mobsters, a pregnant girlfriend, and fluid identity, the film features absurdity and queer themes in a visually striking, genre-hopping narrative.

Directed by Luis Ortega

Drama | Spanish (with English subtitles)

Guest speaker: Dr. Paula Halperin, Director of the School of Film and Media Studies at Purchase College

All films feature English subtitles. Seating is first-come, first-served.

For more information about the 91�Թ�� School of Liberal Arts International Film Festival, please contact DeRosa at sderosa1@mercy.edu or visit the International Film Festival web page at /academics/school-liberal-arts/international-film-festival.

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About 91�Թ��

91�Թ�� Center for STEM Education Leads Student Ocean Literacy Symposium

znegron@mercy.edu — Fri, 17 Apr 2026 20:27:27 +0000

91�Թ�� Center for STEM Education Leads Student Ocean Literacy Symposium znegron@mercy.edu Fri, 04/17/2026 - 16:27 91�Թ�� News Center for STEM Education

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Students from Charter High School of Law and Social Justice, Bronx showcase their poster at the USA Blue Schools Student Symposium

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91�Թ��'s Center for STEM Education brought together 367 students from 15 schools across New York City, Westchester, Connecticut and New Jersey for a regional symposium showcasing ocean health and literacy projects on March 27 at The Maritime Aquarium in Norwalk, Connecticut.

The USA Blue Schools Student Symposium represents one of several grant-funded initiatives led by the Center for STEM Education. Through funding from the EPA Long Island Sound Partnership/University of Connecticut and the National Marine Educators Association/SEA BEYOND, 91�Թ�� supports dozens of Blue Schools in the region.

"The Symposium was a terrific opportunity for our USA Blue Schools students to showcase the work they're doing to improve ocean literacy and waterway health in their communities and beyond," said Dr. Meghan Marrero, professor of secondary science education and co-director of the Center for STEM at 91�Թ��. Marrero also serves as the national coordinator for the USA Blue Schools.

During the symposium, elementary through high school students used various aquarium settings as backdrops to present posters outlining their projects and discuss how they are influencing changes in ocean literacy in their schools and neighborhoods. Schools rotated between presenting and viewing other posters during a one-hour session.

Following the poster presentations, each school participated in programs organized by the Maritime Aquarium, including behind-the-scenes tours of the sharks exhibit for high school students, coastal erosion workshops for middle schoolers and intertidal habitat workshops for elementary learners.

The USA Blue Schools are part of a growing global network of schools committed to improving ocean literacy among teachers, students, families and community members. Blue Schools students engage in hands-on stewardship and social action projects to improve the health of their local watersheds and the global ocean.

For more information about Mercy’s Center for STEM Education and the USA Blue Schools network, visit https://mercy.edu/academics/center-stem-education.

Dr. Diana Payne (CT Sea Grant), Ashley Morell (UConn graduate student), Dr. Meghan Marrero and Mary Ushay from Mercy's Center for STEM Education

Students from Jefferson Elementary School in New Rochelle present their poster

Students from Love of Learning Montessori School, Long Island, discussing Native Plants and Oyster Restoration

Manville High School, NJ, Environmental Club students demonstrated diverse aspects of their projects, including letting other students touch “eel mops.”

91�Թ�� Celebrates 75th Anniversary With Conquer the Trail 7.5K Race

znegron@mercy.edu — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 15:23:02 +0000

91�Թ�� Celebrates 75th Anniversary With Conquer the Trail 7.5K Race znegron@mercy.edu Wed, 04/15/2026 - 11:23 School of Health and Natural Sciences 91�Թ�� News Press Releases

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As the University continues to commemorate its 75th Anniversary throughout the academic year, this special 7.5K race embodies the institution's commitment to community, service, and supporting those in need.

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91�Թ�� invites the community to lace up their running shoes for a meaningful cause as the institution celebrates its 75th anniversary. Presented by Conquer The World Endurance and 91�Թ��’s Exercise Science Program, the 11th and final edition of the Conquer the Trail Race will take place on Saturday, April 18, 2026, marking both the conclusion of a beloved tradition and a tribute to Mercy's 75 years of transforming lives through education. All proceeds from the race will benefit Mercy's Mav Market, a judgment-free, inclusive and confidential resource that provides nutritious food and personal care items at no cost to anyone in the Mercy community experiencing food insecurity.

“This race represents everything Mercy stands for," said Amanda Bireline, associate professor of Health and Exercise Science at 91�Թ��. "For 75 years, we've believed in removing barriers to success. The Conquer the Trail Race continues that tradition by bringing our community together to support students facing food insecurity—ensuring they can focus on their education, not their next meal."

Throughout the 2025-2026 academic year, 91�Թ�� has hosted a series of special events designed to bring together students, faculty, staff, alumni, and surrounding communities. The Conquer the Trail Race represents the University's belief that education extends beyond the classroom and that community partnerships create lasting impact.

The commemorative 7.5K run will feature a flat, fast out-and-back course along the scenic Croton Aqueduct Trail, with the distance specially chosen to honor the University's 75th anniversary.

Awards will be presented to the top three overall male and female finishers, and race day raffles will feature prizes from community sponsors. Participants should note that while the course is flat, it runs primarily on natural trail terrain including rocks, stumps, and tree roots.

Registration remains open through race day. Community members can register online at https://mercy.edu/news-events/events/conquer-trail-7.5k or in person on April 18. The first 75 runners who register will receive a limited-edition 75th Anniversary t-shirt and 7.5% off registration with code: ConquerMercy75. Race day registration ends promptly at 8:45 AM so the event can start on time. Participants should plan to arrive early. The race starts at 9:00 AM sharp.

Join 91�Թ�� in celebrating 75 years of community impact while supporting students in need. Every registration makes a difference.

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About 91�Թ��

91�Թ��'s Catalyst Program Propels Bronx Students

znegron@mercy.edu — Thu, 02 Apr 2026 17:33:53 +0000

91�Թ��'s Catalyst Program Propels Bronx Students znegron@mercy.edu Thu, 04/02/2026 - 13:33 91�Թ�� News

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From left to right top: Catalyst Program students Weifry Guzman and Brandon Rios. Bottom: Ajani Brown

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Catalyst Program students at 91�Թ��'s Bronx campus are proving that comprehensive support can transform educational outcomes, by achieving academic excellence while building foundations for future careers.

Weifry Guzman, a sophomore with a 3.9 GPA, and freshmen Ajani Brown and Brandon Rios, both maintaining perfect 4.0 GPAs, credit the program's wraparound services with enabling them to focus entirely on academics without the financial pressures that burden many college students.

The Catalyst Program, exclusive to Mercy's Bronx Campus, provides financial aid support, on-campus meals, free books, transportation stipends, laptops with internet hotspots and dedicated mentoring to students pursuing degrees in business, education, social work or psychology — fields selected to address employment demands in the Bronx area.

"The program offers a full-ride scholarship, allowing students to focus on their education without the stress of taking on student loans or working long hours to pay for tuition," Guzman said. "The cohort model has been especially valuable because it creates a strong sense of community and accountability. Through this model, I have been able to build meaningful friendships where we support one another and push each other to become better students every day."

The finance or accounting hopeful was drawn to the program after a recruiter visited his high school, explaining how the initiative would support students from enrollment through job placement.

For Brown, the program represented a fresh start after high school struggles. "Your high school GPA doesn't define who you will become — everyone deserves a second chance and an opportunity to do great things," he said. "The program has given me so much. It's given me the perfect environment to be a good student and to do things differently than what I did before when I was in high school."

Brown has already secured a teaching assistant position through a professor's recommendation after just one semester. "The program has given me a community of people who believe in me and my abilities," he said.

Rios emphasized the program's impact beyond financial support. "It's not only about the financial benefits it provides you, but more importantly, the connections you make along the way," he said. "My professors, mentors and best friends I have all met through the Catalyst program."

Students in the program, known as Catalysts, attend classes together in learning communities and receive support from faculty advisors and personal mentors. Guzman noted the accessibility of support: "The professors and mentors are extremely supportive and always make sure we have their contact information, so they are easily accessible. They genuinely care about our progress."

Brown said the program eliminates common college obstacles. "With Catalyst, everything is great — you don't have to worry about meals much, you can just put 100% of your attention into being a great student."

All three students said they would recommend the program to future students. Rios, who selected Mercy as his top choice before learning about Catalyst, said the program's benefits "made it better," particularly regarding "future opportunities that would guarantee me a job after graduation."

More information about the Catalyst Program is available at www.mercy.edu/admissions-aid/catalyst.

Hidden Figures of Mercy: The Women Who Built a University

znegron@mercy.edu — Mon, 30 Mar 2026 20:46:00 +0000

Hidden Figures of Mercy: The Women Who Built a University znegron@mercy.edu Mon, 03/30/2026 - 16:46 School of Education 91�Թ�� News

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Sisters of Mercy. From left to right: the second, third and fourth individuals are Sister Mary Regina Haughney, Sister Mary Jeanne Ferrier, and Sister Mary Gratia Maher.

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Women’s History Month invites reflection. At 91�Թ��, that reflection runs deep, because the women at the center of this institution’s founding weren’t just participants in history. They made it.

On March 16, Mercy’s School of Education hosted “Hidden Figures of Mercy: Women Leaders Who Shaped Our Early Years,” a presentation by Dean Eric Martone. The event was part of Mercy’s Women’s History Month programming and our 75th anniversary celebration — a year dedicated to honoring the people and decisions that brought this university into existence.

Martone, who co-authored “Mercy College: Yesterday & Today” with Associate Professor Michael Perrota, has spent years reconstructing that story from letters, records and archival materials. What he’s found is a history more layered, more dramatic and more human than many Mavericks know.

In recounting the history of 91�Թ��, Martone highlighted a small group of “hidden” leaders from the 1950s and early 1960s who deserve renewed recognition. Among these figures were Sister Mary Regina, Sister Mary Jeanne Ferrier, and Sister Mary Salome White. Several factors contributed to their omission from the official narrative, he noted: the Sisters themselves, at times “embarrassed” by the college’s humble beginnings, tended to downplay this formative period. Moreover, the presidency in the 1950s was not a fully distinct executive role, as these women held the title by virtue of serving as Mother Provincial rather than as solely dedicated institutional leaders. A similar pattern can be seen in the early leadership of the Board of Trustees. The first two chairs — Sister Mary Regina Haughney and Sister Mary Constance Golden — are often overlooked, largely because a new board structure was established when Mercy transitioned to an independent, nonsectarian institution at the end of the 1960s.

The Foundation: Sisters of Mercy in Tarrytown

In 1892, the Sisters of Mercy left New York City for Westchester, acquiring the Kingsland Estate in Tarrytown — named for Ambrose Kingsland, a wealthy merchant and former mayor of New York City, best remembered for establishing Central Park. The property would become the Sisters’ home, orphanage, school and eventually, the start of a university.

Their mission was clear from the beginning. The Sisters believed that education was the most direct path out of poverty — and that poverty wasn’t only a material condition.

“They believed very much in this mission of trying to make education accessible to anyone who wanted to achieve it,” Martone said. “And that achieving higher education could help people get better jobs, become more cultured and more intellectual.” He continued, “That would then help them escape levels of poverty, including ignorance. So, escaping poverty was not just a material thing, it was also an intellectual thing. Escaping poverty meant not only overcoming financial hardship but also overcoming ignorance.”

Their neighbors on the hill happened to be the Rockefellers.

John D. Rockefeller Sr. had purchased roughly 400 acres in Tarrytown in the 1880s, eventually building Kykuit mansion, the family’s principal residence for decades. The proximity created an unlikely relationship. The Sisters, mostly from working-class backgrounds, were drawn to the Rockefeller gardens and occasionally wandered close to the family’s home. The Rockefellers responded with a polite but pointed letter requesting the Sisters to be more mindful about getting too close to the mansion and infringing on their privacy.

What followed was decades of an arrangement that neither party understood in the same way. The Sisters’ property was often in need of maintenance work, as the Sisters were often in need of extra funding. This prompted the Rockefellers to view the Sisters’ property as unkempt and the noise from the children’s orphanage and later school as disruptive. The Rockefellers spent decades, on and off, unsuccessfully trying to purchase the Sisters’ property and support their relocation. As an alternative, the Rockefellers’ solution, consistently, was to write a check to address whatever bothered them. They repaired the gate, repaired and painted the Sisters’ roof green to blend it into the hillside, relocated the noisy children’s playground to the far side of the property, and eventually paid to reroute an entire railroad line that ran through the Sisters’ land — not purely out of generosity toward the Sisters, but because, like the playground, the sound of it disturbed the serenity of their quiet country estate.

“The Rockefellers are doing all these things like this for the Sisters primarily to help them enjoy their own property better,” Martone noted, “but the Sisters started feeling like the Rockefellers were becoming their patrons.”

Over time, particularly through Nelson Rockefeller, who grew up with the Sisters as neighbors and later served as governor of New York and vice president of the United States, the family became one of the Sisters’ most reliable benefactors. Nelson had the most altruistic attitude toward helping the Sisters compared to his father and grandfather. He paid to plow their driveway, donated company stock to help them purchase tractors and helped fund gymnasium repairs.

Sister Mary Gratia Maher (1890s-1970): Building the College

By the late 1940s, the Sisters had been training their own members as teachers and paying other institutions to grant them academic credit. The arrangement worked — until the Sisters asked themselves why. Why were they paying outside institutions, which had been founded by men, to credential women the Sisters themselves were educating?

That question became Mercy Junior College. And Sister Mary Gratia Maher was charged with building it.

Maher was born in the 1890s to Irish-American parents and had spent her professional life as a teacher and administrator in the Bronx, most notably as principal of St. Catharine’s Academy — the same site that would host what would evolve into Mercy’s Bronx campus. She held degrees from Fordham and the Catholic University of America and was completing her doctoral dissertation at the time she took on the task of creating a new institution of higher education. Her dissertation subject: women’s religious instruction at women’s Catholic colleges.

She drafted the curriculum. She handled every registration requirement. She managed every administrative process necessary to open and operate a college. She became Mercy’s first dean — a position that would evolve into the provost — and held it from 1950 to 1962. Mercy’s first classes were held September 18, 1950, the date recognized as the university’s founding and the reason Founders’ Festival falls in September.

“There was a movement among these women religious orders at that time,” Martone said, “to create a process to educate the women of their order themselves and to take that education out of the hands of other Catholic institutions.”

While still Dean, Maher simultaneously became the first president of Mercy College when it relaunched as a four-year institution at Dobbs Ferry in 1961 to 1962. Maher also holds the distinction of being Mercy’s first president emeritus.

The inauguration of Mercy's Dobbs Ferry campus, starting from the left, the first person is Sister Mary Jeanne Ferrier, and the fourth is Sister Mary Regina Haughney. Cardinal Spellman is the man in the middle.

Sister Mary Jeanne Ferrier (1909-1996): The Negotiator

When the New York State Education Department (NYSED) determined that the Tarrytown property was insufficient for the college expansions that the Sisters envisioned, they issued a deadline: find a suitable site or lose your approval.

Sister Mary Jeanne Ferrier, Provincial of the Mercy community and the institution’s president at that time, took the assignment.

What followed was an extraordinary exercise in leadership under pressure. Ferrier surveyed ten potential properties before the Sisters secured the 85-acre Edwin Gould Estate in Dobbs Ferry in 1957 — the campus Mercy occupies today. Purchased in 1958 for $350,000, the property sits on land that was once a Native American village. Known as Agawam, the estate’s main house stood where Mercy Hall now stands, chosen for the same reason Edwin Gould chose it: it commands the highest point on the hill, with a clear view of the Hudson River.

Financing the move required selling the Tarrytown property, which meant negotiating directly with the Rockefellers. Ferrier initially secured $1.6 million for the estate, with Rockefeller setting a cap of $1.75 million with his attorney as a combination of the fair market value of the property and a charitable contribution to support their location. She also arranged for the Sisters to lease back the property for one dollar per year while construction on the new campus was completed.

Rockefeller Jr. then asked the Sisters for a “favor” of agreeing to delay the public announcement of the charitable gift until October. Nelson Rockefeller was running for governor that year, and the timing of this announcement would benefit Nelson with Catholic voters (since he was a Protestant) in the final stretch of the campaign. The Sisters ultimately received the capped amount of $1.75 million in shares of Standard Oil stock for their property. Nelson won the governorship and would eventually serve as vice president under President Ford.

Rockefeller Jr. described Ferrier as “wise, able, and gracious” and “quite the business lady.” Martone characterized their relationship as one of genuine mutual regard — developed through an extended correspondence that revealed a more private side of Sister Mary Jeanne’s leadership.

After negotiating the sale of the Sisters’ property in Tarrytown and the acquisition of the Gould Estate in Dobbs Ferry, she oversaw the architectural design and construction of the entire campus. The construction of the Dobbs Ferry campus was constantly behind schedule and wrought with challenges — so much so that Mercy’s first classes had to be held at Our Lady of Victory Academy (now Victory Hall) because the Campus Building (Main Hall) was still being built.

“She did not want to share any of [her stress] with the members of her order,” Martone said. “She felt like she had to be strong, positive, and the one who unites everybody and not show any weakness or doubt. And she expressed her weakness and doubt to Rockefeller in letters, and he would give her little pep talks.”

Her final communication with him was an Easter card. She thanked him for everything he had done and addressed him as a friend and a benefactor.

Sister Mary Constance Golden (1916-1996): Steadying the Institution

After the Sisters relocated to Dobbs Ferry in 1961 and named the new complex Mount Mercy on the Hudson, a new generation of Sisters began to take then reigns as Mercy sought initial accreditation from Middle States. While Sister Mary Gratia Maher was honored with the presidency when the new campus opened, this was largely a ceremonial recognition given her declining health. Sister Mary Etheldreda Christie became Mercy’s president, with Sister Maureen (Frances Mahoney) as dean. The head of its Board of Trustees became Sister Mary Constance Golden, who succeeded founding chair, Sister Mary Regina Haughney.

Golden had entered the order in 1936. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Manhattan College and her master’s and doctorate from Fordham University. Her career followed a path similar to Maher’s — teaching and administration in Catholic schools across New York City, including a posting under Maher at St. Catharine’s Academy. During her tenure at Mercy, besides serving as head of the Board of Trustees, she would also hold the roles of dean of students and director of student personnel services.

She and her colleagues inherited a college operating under significant financial strain. The Sisters had to borrow funding to build its new complex and had recently taken out a $1 million loan to expand the College Building (Main Hall). Further, the inaugural freshman class had been awarded full scholarships — a decision rooted in institutional ambition, if not fiscal caution. Mercy was tuition-dependent and collecting none.

“They filled all their spots,” Martone said. “And they felt that the first graduating class, when they go out into the world, Mercy’s reputation is going to rest on them.” Martone explained, “So they wanted to make sure they had a good class and graduated some great alumni, because that would then build the idea that Mercy is great because the alumni are really great. And that was their logic.”

The financial recovery was slow. By 1969, the Sisters relinquished institutional control and Mercy became nonsectarian in an effort to secure Bundy Aid to keep Mercy financially solvent. As part of this arrangement, the Board of Trustees was reconstituted to include nonsectarian members. Golden would later become an associate professor at Manhattan College from 1970 to 1986 and an archivist for the Sisters of Mercy from 1986 to 1994.

Knowing Where You Come From

At the close of the presentation, Dr. Amanda Gunning, professor in the School of Education and director of Mercy’s Center for STEM Education, offered a reflection.

“The Sisters of Mercy started the college as a charitable organization. And although we’re no longer charitable, technically, we’re still serving needy populations.” Gunning continued, “We’re providing a level of education that you can’t get at this price anywhere else. So, I think that we’re still working within the mission and the original Sisters’ vision, so I feel like it’s important to know our roots.”

Jung Kang Miller, Mercy faculty member in the Literacy and Multilingual Department and associate aean for Academic Affairs at the School of Education, spoke about the which of the Sisters from Dean Martone’s presentation stood out to her the most or was her favorite.

“The same as [Dean Martone]’s favorite, Sister Mary Jeanne Ferrier,” Miller said. She explained: “Because of how much work she accomplished, and because she really provided all the foundation that current Mercy is built on. She did it all.”

Martone said his interest in this history began the moment he arrived at Mercy. What started as curiosity about an institution without a fully written record became a book, and then this presentation.

“When I first started at Mercy as a faculty member, I was really interested in learning about the history of the institution. And there was not a real comprehensive history.” Martone said. He continued, “So, I worked with a colleague who was also a professor here, and we did a book on the history of Mercy. Now that we’re having our 75th anniversary year, I thought it would be a good time to reflect on the stories that were only covered in part in that book and elaborate on them. And I just thought that this was a really good story to tell, and it’s also connected to women’s history.”

Asked if there was one surprising thing he learned in his extensive research, Martone was quick to answer.

“As I was kind of hinting in that presentation, Sister Mary Jeanne is a bit of my favorite here, and what was really surprising to me was the relationship that she had with Rockefeller Jr..” He continued, “I thought that was a very interesting thing, and that’s not something that’s well known publicly. And it’s kind of this mutual respect that they had for each other through their negotiations, it’s kind of amazing.”

That mutual respect — between a Sister of Mercy and one of the most powerful men in twentieth-century America — says something about who these women were. They didn’t ask for recognition. They negotiated from principle, built from nothing and quietly shaped an institution that has since educated generations of students who might not otherwise have had the opportunity.

91�Թ�� Hosts Third Annual MedTech & Finance Conference for Westchester Youth

znegron@mercy.edu — Thu, 26 Mar 2026 16:51:45 +0000

91�Թ�� Hosts Third Annual MedTech & Finance Conference for Westchester Youth znegron@mercy.edu Thu, 03/26/2026 - 12:51 School of Business 91�Թ�� News

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Nearly 200 middle and high school students explored career pathways at the intersection of medicine, technology and finance at the third annual MedTech & Finance Conference held at 91�Թ��'s Westchester Campus on March 7, 2026.

The event, hosted by the Westchester County Youth Bureau in partnership with 91�Թ�� and Sister to Sister International Inc., brought eighth through 12th graders face-to-face with industry leaders from New York Presbyterian-Westchester, St. John's Riverside Hospital and other organizations.

"As provost, I am honored that Mercy is once again hosting the Youth MedTech & Finance Conference," said Dr. Kristin Greenwood, 91�Թ�� provost and senior vice president of academic affairs. "Engaging students from grades 8-12 in these critical fields reflects our commitment to cultivating the next generation, who will drive innovation across healthcare and finance."

Victor Petenkemani, dean of 91�Թ��'s School of Business, emphasized the institution's role in preparing students for technology-driven careers.

"The future of business is being shaped by rapid technological change, and our responsibility as educators is to prepare students to lead in that environment," Petenkemani said. "We are integrating essential business skills throughout the 91�Թ�� School of Business curriculum while training students on the ethical and responsible use of artificial intelligence."

Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins praised the collaboration between government, education and private industry.

"Events like the MedTech & Finance Conference showcase how county government can team up with private industry to open doors for Westchester's youth," Jenkins said. "Students, your presence here shows you are taking charge of your future and following your interests."

Ernest McFadden, executive director of the Westchester County Youth Bureau, said the conference aims to empower young people at the intersection of healthcare, technology and finance.

"Our goal is to empower young people with the knowledge, networks and inspiration needed to move forward in these critical fields solve global healthcare challenges," McFadden said.

Dr. Cheryl Brannan, founder of Sister to Sister International, said the conference serves both students exploring new career paths and those already familiar with the fields.

"This conference gets better every year," Brannan said. "The MedTech & Finance Conference is a tremendous resource for Westchester students."

Dr. Mzimeli Morris, director of labor and delivery at New York Presbyterian Westchester and assistant professor of women's health in OB/GYN at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, delivered the keynote address. She shared her medical career journey and discussed her work promoting health equity.

Morris said the event provides crucial exposure for young people, particularly students of color who may be first in their families to pursue these fields.

"Many youth of color are the very first in their families to embark on these fields and I wanted to let them know that there is no one way to accomplish your goals," Morris said. "You don't have to fit inside of the boxes that academia has constructed to be what you want to be."

Students participated in workshops covering medical topics, artificial intelligence applications, cybersecurity, interview skills and financial management for career development.

Nicholas Kurumunda, a senior at New Rochelle High School, said the conference provided valuable networking opportunities.

"I was able to network and learn a lot from the professionals who were presenting the workshops," Kurumunda said. "This is an opportunity that everyone who has an interest in the fields should experience if they can."

91�Թ�� Hosts Women’s Empowerment Summit: The Power of Our Stories— Women Shaping Tomorrow’s World

znegron@mercy.edu — Mon, 16 Mar 2026 16:11:43 +0000

91�Թ�� Hosts Women’s Empowerment Summit: The Power of Our Stories— Women Shaping Tomorrow’s World znegron@mercy.edu Mon, 03/16/2026 - 12:11 91�Թ�� News Women's History Month

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Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Kristin Curry Greenwood, Emmy Award-winning filmmaker and journalist Luchina Fisher, keynote speaker, and Dr. Roseanne Vallice Levy, associate provost for faculty development and teaching excellence at the Women's Empowerment Summit.

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On Friday, February 27, 91�Թ��’s Westchester Campus rotunda filled with students, faculty, staff and community partners for the 10th Annual Women’s Empowerment Summit: The Power of Our Stories — Women Shaping Tomorrow’s World. The event brought together voices from across the Mercy community and beyond, anchored by a keynote from Emmy Award-winning filmmaker and journalist Luchina Fisher, and a panel of women leaders whose work spans public health, STEM education, mental health and international advocacy.

This year’s summit was co-presented with the United Nations Association (UNA-USA), Westchester Chapter — a partnership that goes back over 15 years through Mercy’s Model U.N. program.

“We have loved partnering with Mercy and have been doing so for years. We decided that this summit would be the perfect kickoff to International Women’s Day, which is on March 8, and Women’s History Month, which starts on Sunday,” said Marcia M. Brewster, president of the UNA-USA Westchester Chapter.

Dr. Roseanne Vallice Levy, associate provost for faculty development and teaching excellence, opened the event by tracing Mercy’s origins. “Seventy-five years ago, a group of trailblazing women, the Sisters of Mercy, defied conventions to establish this amazing institution of higher education,” Levy shared. “They empowered generations of women to push past boundaries and achieve their potential.”

In a video message, President Susan L. Parish connected that legacy directly to what’s happening on campus today. She said: “Our faculty and staff work daily to empower, inspire and foster education for all, just as the Sisters of Mercy envisioned. Today’s summit reflects our shared commitment to equity, inclusion and the power of selective engagement, values that resonate deeply with our mission and with the work of the United Nations.”

Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Kristin Curry Greenwood expanded on what that commitment looks like in practice. “91�Թ�� has long believed in the transformational power of women’s education. Women’s colleges, women-centered spaces, have historically been the incubators of leadership, places where women can imagine themselves not only participating in society but also as the architects of their future.” Greenwood added, “That legacy continues here, in every classroom, every lab, every studio and every conversation that shapes our students’ sense of possibility.”

Keynote: Dreams Don’t Expire

Luchina Fisher

Anika Charles, a Mercy master’s student in the Mental Health Counseling program, introduced the keynote speaker with a line that set the tone for everything that followed. “It is especially meaningful to me to stand here today and introduce a woman whose work demonstrates the profound connection between storytelling, advocacy and human dignity. The stories we tell shape how we see one another and how we care for one another. Our keynote speaker embodies that power in extraordinary ways,” she said

Luchina Fisher is an Emmy Award-winning filmmaker, journalist and educator, whose documentaries have won national recognition. She opened by asking who in the room considered themselves a late bloomer. She asked if anyone felt that they bloomed too early and might not have a chance to bloom again.

“If there’s one thing that I want you to leave with here today it’s this: dreams do not expire. Let me say that again: There is no expiration date that is stamped on your potential. And yet, especially for women, we’ve been sold this idea that there is,” she said. Fisher continued, “You know that there’s this golden window that if you haven’t ‘made it’ by 35, or don’t have it all figured out by 40, if you’re not at the top of your game by 50, well, you missed it. Game over, right? I’m here to tell you that’s wrong. And it’s not just wrong, it’s dangerous. We’re going to talk about the myth of the ‘expiration date.’”

Fisher didn’t make that argument abstractly. She made her first feature film, at 53. It’s a documentary about a Black transgender activist in her 70s, Mama Gloria, that won festival awards, aired on PBS and earned a GLAAD Media Award nomination.

“I suddenly thought back to all the years that I thought were detours, but they weren’t detours,” she explained. “They were training. The patience. The resilience. The emotional intelligence. The grit. I wasn’t late, I was ready. And then three years later I won the Emmy for Short Form Program.”

Fisher also spoke to the women who’d hit every goal they set for themselves and still felt like something was missing, and to the younger women still figuring out where they’re headed.

“Because here’s the beautiful irony for all of us: at 45, 50, 60 even 70, you are far more equipped to fulfill your little girl dreams than you were at 25 years old. Why? Listen up all my 20- and 30-somethings because here’s what you have to look forward to: Perspective. Your network. Experience. Emotional depth. And a lot less interest in pleasing everyone. That’s powerful.”

Her advice to the students: be your own green light. Keep your day job if you need to. Find your people. Stay in the work, even during the fallow periods — because those periods are doing something, too.

The Panel: Barriers, Persistence, Allies and Change

From left to right: Judith M. Watson, Dr. Amanda M. Gunning, Dr. Melissa Ramdas and C. Michele Shivers

The afternoon panel, moderated by C. Michele Shivers of the UNA-USA Westchester Chapter, brought together four women whose diverse paths converged on a shared vision of empowerment: Hawa Taylor-Kamara Diallo, president and executive director of the I.B. Taylor-Kamara Foundation and former chief of the Civil Society Unit at the U.N. Department of Global Communications (who joined via Zoom); Dr. Amanda M. Gunning, professor of Science Education and co-founder of Mercy’s Center for STEM Education; Dr. Melissa Ramdas, assistant professor in Mercy’s Counseling Department and licensed mental health counselor; and Judith M. Watson, chief executive officer of Westchester Community Health and Mercy honorary doctorate recipient.

Shivers framed the conversation: "Stories change policy, they influence culture, they transform institutions and they inspire the next generation."

The panelists discussed some of the barriers they have faced as women and as professionals and the importance of persistence, allyship and community to make an impact.

Gunning shared how she and a colleague created Mercy's Center for STEM Education by refusing to take no for an answer. "We just kept asking different people until we found advocates in the administration. This year's our 10th year—it's exciting!"

Diallo, reflecting on nearly four decades at the U.N., offered a sharper perspective: "The change we're all looking for, that empowerment, is within, and it's at the local level. It's not going to be found at the United Nations or Davos. It's going to be found with the people." She also stressed the importance of having men be a part of the empowerment conversations.

On male allyship, Ramdas added: “We don’t want them to see the flyer and think, ‘Oh, it’s about women so I’m not included.’ We never said you weren’t included, you just thought that way. Because the messaging they got when they were younger became the word ‘Women’ means you’re not invited.”

Watson agreed, and reminded the room that change, even when it’s slow, is real. “Sometimes things take time, but we just have to keep plugging away at it, right? Perhaps not as rapidly as we’d all like but there is change. So, stay the course and take advantage of every opportunity that you have.”

What the Room Carried Out

Amanee Pettway, a Mercy adjunct professor in Sociology and Counseling, attended the summit with the hoped of feeling uplifted and that is exactly what she found.

“And what we talked about today very relatable. And I really needed this. This helped heal my heart in a little way.”

That line captured something true about what the Women’s Summit does so well: It just puts people in a room together and lets them hear what’s possible.

Dreams don’t expire. The timeline is a myth. And the women who filled the Rotunda on February 27 left with a little more certainty of both.

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91�Թ�� Hosts Business Leaders for Conversation on NYC's Economic Future

znegron@mercy.edu — Wed, 11 Mar 2026 14:42:23 +0000

91�Թ�� Hosts Business Leaders for Conversation on NYC's Economic Future znegron@mercy.edu Wed, 03/11/2026 - 10:42 91�Թ�� News

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91�Թ�� welcomed students, faculty, staff, and business and community leaders to its Manhattan Campus on March 4 for a vital conversation on making New York City a better place to do business.

Hosted in partnership with 1010 WINS and Dime Community Bank, the event featured a roundtable discussion moderated by 1010 WINS' Rob Walsh and Juliet Papa. Panelists included Andrew Rigie, executive director of the New York City Hospitality Alliance; Elena Boyd, managing director at Accenture; Haris Khan, chief of staff of NYC Department of Small Business Services; and Gregg Bishop, executive director of the Joe and Clara Tsai Foundation's Social Justice Fund.

The dynamic discussion explored challenges facing entrepreneurs and small businesses in New York City, with a focus on streamlining processes and creating more equitable pathways to business ownership.

"Streamlining the process of doing business in New York City isn't just about efficiency, it's about equity," said 91�Թ�� President Susan L. Parish, PhD, MSW. "It's about ensuring that the next generation of entrepreneurs, innovators, and leaders, including many who will walk across our stage at commencement, have a fair shot at building something meaningful here."

President Parish emphasized the importance of cross-sector collaboration in addressing these challenges. "At 91�Թ��, we believe in the power of partnership. We believe that when higher education, government, and the business community work together, we can create an environment where everyone—regardless of their zip code or background—has the chance to succeed."

For more information on the forum, visit www.1010wins.com/forum.

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91�Թ�� Ranked No. 1 in New York in Newsweek’s “America’s Best Colleges for Women 2026”

znegron@mercy.edu — Tue, 03 Mar 2026 16:41:29 +0000

91�Թ�� Ranked No. 1 in New York in Newsweek’s “America’s Best Colleges for Women 2026” znegron@mercy.edu Tue, 03/03/2026 - 11:41 91�Թ�� News

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Inaugural ranking, developed in partnership with Gender Fair, recognizes institutions advancing gender equity and opportunity.

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Dobbs Ferry, New York – 91�Թ�� has been ranked No. 1 in New York (and No. 11 nationwide) on Newsweek’s inaugural "America’s Best Colleges for Women 2026" list. The recognition comes as 91�Թ�� celebrates its 75th anniversary, marking decades of expanding access to higher education and driving social mobility. Developed in partnership with Gender Fair, the national ranking recognizes institutions that demonstrate measurable progress in advancing women through leadership representation, equitable policies and pay practices, campus safety, and career opportunity.

“This recognition affirms that when you create an environment where women and all students can thrive academically, professionally, and personally, they transform not only their own lives but entire communities," said Susan L. Parish, PhD, MSW, president of 91�Թ��. "The Sisters of Mercy founded this institution with a vision of opening doors that had been closed to too many. That vision remains true today as we continue to create opportunity for all students who walk through our doors.”

Founded in 1950 by the Sisters of Mercy, the University has grown into an independent, coeducational institution serving more than 9,000 students across its Westchester, Manhattan, and Bronx campuses. As a federally designated Hispanic-Serving Institution and the largest private, nonprofit minority-serving institution in New York, Mercy is committed to creating pathways to success for students from all backgrounds.

Mercy’s top ranking reflects its sustained commitment to creating an academic environment where women and all students are positioned to succeed both during their studies and after graduation. The honor adds to the University’s broader recognition for student success and economic mobility, reinforcing its standing as a leader in higher education in New York and nationally.

The university offers more than 100 undergraduate and graduate degree programs across six schools: Business, Education, Health and Natural Sciences, Liberal Arts, Nursing, and Social and Behavioral Sciences. Mercy is a top producer of diverse professionals in fields including nursing, education, mental health counseling and business leadership.

"America’s Best Colleges for Women" is a ranking developed by Newsweek in partnership with Gender Fair to highlight institutions that support gender equality and empower women. The methodology is rooted in the Women’s Empowerment Principles and evaluates colleges across four key areas: leadership, pay and policies, safety, and opportunity.

The ranking identifies colleges that have established the structural elements necessary to foster education and employment for women by drawing on data from the U.S. Department of Education—including the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) and the Campus Safety and Security Database—as well as additional desk research. Only institutions meeting specific criteria for size and academic roles are included, ensuring the results reflect meaningful progress toward gender equity in higher education.

“Choosing a college is a defining moment for many young women, and it’s about more than academics alone,” said Jennifer H. Cunningham, Editor-in-Chief of Newsweek. “America’s Best Colleges for Women highlights institutions that are making measurable progress in leadership, equity, safety, and opportunity, helping students identify environments where women are supported and positioned to succeed.”

The complete "America's Best Colleges for Women 2026" list is available here.

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About 91�Թ��
91�Թ�� is an independent, coeducational institution serving more than 9,000 students each year across campuses in Westchester, the Bronx, Manhattan, as well as online. It is a federally designated minority-serving institution and the largest private Hispanic Serving Institution in the state of New York. Mercy offers more than 100 undergraduate and graduate degree programs and certificate programs within six schools: Business, Education, Health and Natural Sciences, Liberal Arts, Nursing and Social and Behavioral Sciences. Mercy was founded in 1950 by the Sisters of Mercy whose mission of transformative education remains strong. For more information, visit www.mercy.edu.

About Newsweek
Newsweek is the global digital news organization built around the iconic 93-year-old American magazine. Newsweek reaches 100 million people monthly with its thought-provoking news, opinion, images, graphics, and video delivered across a dozen print and digital platforms. Headquartered in New York City, Newsweek also publishes international editions in EMEA and Asia. For more information, visit www.newsweek.com.

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Check out the video highlights

91�Թ��� Hosts Business Leaders for Conversation on NYC's Economic Future

Watch the Highlights Video

91�Թ��� Ranked No. 1 in New York in Newsweek’s “America’s Best Colleges for Women 2026”

91�Թ�� Appoints Dr. Zainab Toteh Osakwe as Senior Associate Dean and Chief Nursing Officer

91�Թ�� Joins Yonkers Public Schools, YPIE and Regional Colleges and Universities to Launch Yonkers Promise College Consortium

91�Թ�� Celebrates Class of 2026

91�Թ�� Celebrates Faculty Excellence at Annual Recognition Ceremony and Poster Session

91�Թ�� to Celebrate Over 2,300 Graduates at 2026 Commencement Ceremonies

91�Թ�� Celebrates 75 Years of Opening Doors during 45th Annual Trustees’ Scholarship Gala

91�Թ��’s Final Conquer the Trail Race Honors 75th Anniversary

91�Թ�� Media Studies Program Honors Excellence at 42nd Annual Quill Awards

91�Թ�� Professor Wins Prestigious National History Award

91�Թ��'s 26th Annual International Film Festival Brings Global Cinema to Community

91�Թ�� Center for STEM Education Leads Student Ocean Literacy Symposium

91�Թ�� Celebrates 75th Anniversary With Conquer the Trail 7.5K Race

91�Թ��'s Catalyst Program Propels Bronx Students

91�Թ�� Hosts Third Annual MedTech & Finance Conference for Westchester Youth

91�Թ�� Hosts Women’s Empowerment Summit: The Power of Our Stories— Women Shaping Tomorrow’s World

91�Թ�� Hosts Business Leaders for Conversation on NYC's Economic Future

91�Թ�� Ranked No. 1 in New York in Newsweek’s “America’s Best Colleges for Women 2026”