News ID Review

Seton Hall University is proud to announce the appointment of two esteemed faculty members as interim deans for the School of Health and Medical Sciences and the College of Nursing.

Vikram N. Dayalu, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, and Kristi Stinson, Ph.D., R.N., A.P.N.-B.C., will bring their expertise and experience to their respective roles, advancing the University's strategic goals and fostering collaboration among students and faculty on the Interprofessional Health Sciences campus. Dayalu will assume his role as Interim Dean of the School of Health and Medical Sciences on Monday, July 3, while Stinson will commence her duties as Interim Dean of the College of Nursing on Thursday, June 15.

Vikram N. Dayalu, Ph.D., CCC-SLP

Dayalu has been a valued member of the Seton Hall community since 2003, when he joined as an associate professor in the Department of Speech-Language Pathology. Recognized as an expert in speech fluency disorders, he has published more than 25 peer-reviewed articles and has played a significant role in securing grants exceeding $1 million. He also serves as a site visit chair for the Council of Academic Accreditation in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology.

Under Dayalu's leadership, the Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology program has achieved notable accomplishments, including re-accreditation for two, eight-year cycles with no compliance issues. He also spearheaded the development of a dual-degree program in collaboration with the Department of Psychology, expanding opportunities for students. In addition, Dayalu has fostered community partnerships and interdisciplinary collaborations, enhancing clinical education and research efforts. Notably, he successfully transitioned the pre-professional speech and language science course sequence to a distance-education platform well ahead of the pandemic.

Kristi Stinson, Ph.D., R.N., A.P.N.-B.C.,

Stinson has a longstanding connection with Seton Hall, having earned a master's degree in nursing in 2002 and a doctorate in nursing science in 2013 from the University. She has accumulated over 25 years of experience as a nurse and nurse practitioner. Her clinical background includes diverse settings such as med-surg, neurology, intensive care, pain management, and cardiology health promotion/preventive services.

Joining Seton Hall as a faculty member in 2013, Stinson has become an associate professor in the undergraduate program. Her contributions to the College of Nursing include serving as assistant chair of adult courses and chair of the undergraduate department from 2019 to 2023. Recognized for her excellence in teaching, she received the College of Nursing's Teacher of the Year award in 2018, as well as the Daisy Award for Teacher of the Year, a prestigious accolade bestowed by nursing students.

Stinson's commitment to research is evident through her designation as the Researcher of the Year for the College of Nursing in 2017. Her current research interests revolve around understanding the learning characteristics of Generation Z nursing students and the significance of faculty mentorship in nursing education. Additionally, she serves as co-chair of the Middle States Re-Accreditation Self-Study Working Group, Standard IV, where she contributes to ensure the student experience is fully supported.

"I am very grateful to Interim Deans Dayalu and Stinson for their willingness to take on these important leadership responsibilities," said Provost and Executive Vice President Katia Passerini, Ph.D. "Their dedication to education, research and community engagement will undoubtedly strengthen the University's commitment to excellence in healthcare and nursing education."

The College of Education and Human Services at Seton Hall University is hosting an accreditation visit by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) from October 15 – 17, 2023. Interested parties are invited to submit third-party comments to the evaluation team. Please note that comments must address substantive matters related to the quality of professional education programs offered and should specify the party's relationship to the provider (i.e., graduate, present or former faculty member, employer of graduates).

We invite you to submit written testimony to:

CAEP
1140 19th Street NW, Suite 400
Washington, DC 20036
Or by email to: [email protected]

CAEP accepts written comments from stakeholders up to six (6) weeks before the site visit. Such comments must be based on the core tenets of CAEP accreditation standards of excellence, which recognize that:

• In CAEP's performance-based system, accreditation is based on evidence that demonstrates that teacher candidates know the subject matter and can teach it effectively so that students learn. In the CAEP system, EPPs must prove that candidates can connect theory to practice and be effective in an actual P-12 classroom.
• A professional education provider that is accredited by CAEP is expected to be involved in ongoing planning and evaluation; engaged in continuous assessment and development; ensure that faculty and programs reflect new knowledge, practice, and technologies; and be involved in continuous development in response to the evolving world of education and educational reform.

Copies of all correspondence received will be sent to the university for comment prior to the review. No anonymous testimony will be considered.

Seton Hall University is excited to announce the launch of its new Master of Science (M.S.) in Applied Physics and Engineering, with inquiries and applications for Fall 2023 now being accepted.

Offered in the traditional, on-campus format, the program is designed to prepare students with the education and professional skills for the 21st century science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) workforce. The program consists of 30 credits and takes two years to complete.

"The demand for professionals with applied physics and engineering backgrounds continues to grow across industries from technology, aerospace, energy, healthcare and many others," said Mehmet Alper Sahiner, professor and chair in the Department of Physics.

"The program blends advanced applied physics coursework with engineering fields such as nanoscience, quantum engineering, renewal energy research, condensed matter physics, material science, biophysics and bioengineering and more – helping young researchers and scientists meet the demands of the modern industry," added Sahiner.

Students begin the program by taking foundational coursework in physics (20 credits), covering topics such as Quantum Mechanics, Electricity and Magnetism, Statistical Physics, and Advanced Mechanics. Following, students select a research concentration area, in which they complete 8 credits of research and 10 credits of elective courses.

The three research concentration options are Applied Physics; Engineering Physics; or Materials Science and Engineering. Upon selection, students can further explore areas including Biophysics and Physics of Living Systems; Plasma Engineering; Nanoscience / Quantum Computing and Information Sciences; Bioengineering; and many more.

The new program embodies cross-disciplinary collaboration at the University as well, with teaching faculty comprised not only from the Department of Physics, but also from the Departments of Chemistry and Biochemistry as well as Mathematics and Computer Science.

Students will have the opportunity to work alongside faculty on research projects in the University’s state-of-the-art Science and Technology Center, gaining valuable hands-on experience and the chance to contribute cutting-edge developments in their field of choice.

Featuring innovative technology and varied opportunities for experiential learning and collaborative research – all with a liberal arts foundation that fosters critical and creative thinking – the College of Arts and Sciences is Seton Hall's largest and oldest college, with an eclectic array of programs for undergraduate and graduate students alike. Students who graduate from the College are poised for both personal fulfillment and success in the workplace, using their professional and critical thinking skills to make a difference in their communities.

For more information about the M.S. in Applied Physics and Engineering program, please visit the university's website or contact the Department Chair, Mehmet Alper Sahiner, at [email protected].

Andrea Hundley, M.A., the new International Student Services and ESL Coordinator joins the Office of International Programs.

This Spring, Seton Hall welcomed Andrea Hundley, M.A., to the position of International Student Advisor/ESL Coordinator in the Office of International Programs.

"In this newly created role, she will provide support to and advise international students on topics including completing I-20s, CPT (Curricular Practical Training), and OTP (Optional Practical Training).  She will also provide operational and communication support for the English-as-a-Second Language Program.

"I am very excited to have joined the Seton Hall community. I look forward to working with my colleagues to grow the Office of International Programs into a dynamic center that serves as a safe, inclusive space for not only international students, but also, any Seton Hall community member," said Andrea Hundley. "I also look forward to establishing relationships across campus to make the Office of International Programs an integral part in preparing students to be leaders in their professional and community lives in a global society."

Prior to joining Seton Hall, Andrea worked in Academic Operations and Global Initiatives at the Marxe School, Baruch College where she vetted and promoted short-term study abroad programs for matriculated students. Andrea's previous professional endeavors also included working and volunteering teaching ESL to local immigrant communities at not-for profits, using her Spanish language and administrative skills at various New York State agencies.

Additionally, Andrea has extensive international work and study experience including a junior year abroad in Spain, serving in the Peace Corps in Cameroon, West Africa for two years, completing an internship in Peru, and during graduate school, studying for a semester in Paris, France.  

"I am confident that Andrea brings a unique global perspective to the International Programs team, and she is already contributing to our operations, support services for international students and enrichment programs for the campus community," said Mary Kate Naatus, Assistant Provost and Dean of Continuing Education and Professional Studies. 

Andrea received her Bachelor of Arts in Spanish and International Relations from Clark University in Worcester, MA, and a Master of International Relations from the Maxwell School at Syracuse University.

The Office of International Programs (OIP) creates, supports, and encourages international activities throughout the campus from our location in the International Center of Jubilee Hall. OIP works with several populations on campus including, international students and scholars, exchange students as well as study abroad students and faculty. OIP is responsible for coordinating the visa process for students and scholars applying for the F-1 and J-1 visas. OIP also assists students to navigate the study abroad process.

Roger Alfani, Ph.D., Seton Hall University Core Fellow

Inside the Core, we are very excited that one of our Core Fellows, Roger Alfani, Ph.D., will be traveling to Africa this week as part of the work he is doing with colleague Nicole Eggers, Ph.D., of the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, both recipients of The National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) Grant. As is commonly known, NEH Grants are very competitive and prestigious, and both Eggers and Alfani are very proud and grateful to have received it. The funds, totaling USD $199,611 will finance their travels as they conduct research among Congolese refugees in settlement camps in Africa and in their resettlement in the US with a focus on the role religion plays in helping displaced persons cope and even surmount their troubles.

Alfani explains the underlying background for the project in some detail:

The question of how people in contexts of upheaval and displacement cope with their experiences of trauma and loss is one of enduring significance to the humanities. It matters not just because of its implications for international humanitarian policy, but because attention to the historically and culturally situated experiences of displaced people helps us to see them not just as "victims" or a "problem" that needs solving, but as creative agents and producers of knowledge in their own right. Over the past two decades, conflicts and political instability in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have rendered it one of the world's most significant producers of international refugees. And while there has been some research done on their experiences, it has largely focused on a) the political context of their flight, and b) the capacity of development organizations and institutions to manage and deliver services to them. Meanwhile, very little has been written about the role that religion and spirituality play in their lived experiences of flight and resettlement. Such an oversight results in a very narrow understanding of the refugee experience, ignoring a central component of how they imagine and seek to affect the trajectory of their own lives.

Nicole Eggers, Ph.D., University of Tennessee

In their research, Alfani and Eggers seek, as he describes it, "to illuminate how religion functions both as a space for building community for people who have lost their social safety net, as well as its role in addressing gaps — material, social, psychological, and spiritual — that state and international organizations too often neglect. Central to our investigation will be the question of how people connect their experiences of social and physical security and insecurity to their understandings of spiritual security and insecurity." These questions are central to the Core because they get to the heart of the role of faith in what has become a humanitarian crisis; the Signature classes (Core I, II, and III) all engage with how faith enables real people to live and to find meaning in the many challenges of today’s world, thus linking the Core closely with Alfani's and Eggers' research project.

Alfani explains, "The project will investigate the significance of religion at different junctures of the Congolese refugee experience. Our interview phases began last year with a set of visits in Knoxville/Tennessee (US) and will continue this summer in Africa where will be conducting additional interviews among those still living in refugee camps in Burundi, Uganda, and Kenya, as well as among those who have left the camps — either to be repatriated to Congo, or to be resettled in the United States." Dr. Alfani himself is from the Democratic Republic of Congo, having moved to Canada with his family where he received his doctorate in Religious Studies and Peacebuilding from University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, from which he also received an M.A. in Biblical studies and Theology. He also holds an M.S. from Seton Hall University's School of Diplomacy in International Affairs and Foreign Policy Analysis.

The scope of the research from this NEH grant will be broad as the two researchers will be focusing on a variety of religious communities, "mainstream, transnational, and internationally connected religious communities as well as smaller, non-denominational, and independent churches." As Alfani explains, "this multi-sited, multi-confessional approach will allow us to feature a diversity of refugee perspectives and offer a more comprehensive understanding of refugee experiences than can be found in existing studies. At the same time, our qualitative, ethnographic approach to the research will allow us to highlight the many contingencies of individual experience and consider how other aspects of refugee identity — such as gender, age, or ethnicity — intersect with religion."

The goal of the research in practical terms will be a co-authored monograph that will not only make a significant contribution to the fields of refugee studies and religious studies, but will also, as Alfani puts it, "constitute a rich archive of stories from refugee lives." In addition, if conditions permit recording with protections for the refugee human subjects, they hope to create a free digital humanities website that will make their research available to others interested in the topic. Alfani and Eggers will also present their research at the international conference of the ASA (African Studies Association) this coming November-December in San Francisco. Alfani will co-chair a panel entitled "Narrating Refuge: Towards an Understanding of Great Lakes Refugee Experiences."

Beyond these specific scholarly outcomes, moreover, the research will engage with "the promotion of human dignity," which "lies at the root of the Catholic intellectual tradition." As Alfani explains, "With more than 81 million forcibly displaced people in the planet, forced migration poses itself as one of the biggest threats and global challenges in the 21st century to fulfilling this call to promote human dignity." The Catholic Church, particularly Pope Francis, has sought to bring the world's attention to this issue. His first visit outside the Vatican as Pope was to Lampedusa, where refugees are housed after a dangerous journey to Italy by sea. The Church also works all over the world helping to alleviate some of the suffering of migrants. Therefore, this topic, while clearly scholarly in nature, goes beyond academics. As Alfani says, "It is equally a moral responsibility to engage with this issue at a faith level constructively and practically. In other words, faith and reason (state and non-state actors) do not (and should not) oppose each other when it comes to examining issues pertaining to forced displacement or concerning refugees; rather they are complementary, especially from the lenses of the displaced/refugees who are in a vulnerable position." This intersection of faith and reason, of intellectual pursuits and their application in the lived experience of real people, is exactly what the Core is all about.

Beyond the application of the research to the Core generally, students will be very lucky to have this coming Fall a course that tackle issues of forced migration taught by Dr. Alfani and called “Refugees, Religion, and Refugees," which will not only draw from different disciplines (e.g., international relations, peace studies, religious studies, sociology, and theology), but it will also offer students an opportunity for experiential learning. That is, the nature of the course itself is to connect, reflect on, and apply theoretical knowledge to real world problems. Another aspect of this course is its study abroad component (more details to come). The research accrued from this NEH project will undoubtedly richly enhance this Core III course. The Core celebrates this prestigious award and the important work it will allow for our newest Core Fellow.

For the second year in a row, the National Security Fellowship (NSF) at Seton Hall University partnered with FNA, a deep technology, AI, and machine learning firm specializing in advanced network analytics and simulations. Team members worked with FNA employees to develop statistical analysis models to enhance the team’s project for U.S. Special Operations Command Central (SOCCENT).

For this year's project, the NSF team focused on how SOCCENT could counter Russia and China’s influence within the Central Asian states by looking at four lines of effort: strategic messaging, defense, culture, and economics. The team struggled to decide how to best translate their research into data. Based on the available data the team could access, they eventually decided to quantify the strategic messaging section and determine the positive or negative sentiment of Russian/Chinese influence in each of the Central Asian states.

Students worked with FNA to collect data on social media engagement within the Central Asian states. FNA combined ACLED data (threat events), GDELT data (all news articles dealing with sentiment), and Twitter data via NLP (natural language processing) machine learning to discover relevant topics, casualty/regression models, and other algorithms to determine a result. The statistical modeling found that over a 12-month period, of the 20,000 international social media participants and 34,000 engagements, only 283 members in 67 audiences were influential on a weekly basis. One Twitter handle was discovered as the most influential person in the Central Asian states when it came to driving positive or negative sentiment about Russian or Chinese influence. In their brief to SOCCENT, the NSF team presented the joint research done with FNA and emphasized the markets SOCCENT should focus on to have the most influence against great power competitors.

For the past six years, the NSF team has provided vital research to one of the key U.S. agencies: the Department of State, the Department of Defense, or the White House. The students complete an operational research paper recommending solutions to some of the U.S. government's most challenging foreign policy problems. Data modeling has greatly enhanced the students' recommendations by providing empirical applications. The partnership with FNA has also increased the experiential learning opportunities of the National Security Fellowship as the partnership teaches students about the emerging world of open-source intelligence and information gathering.

Click here to learn more about the School of Diplomacy's National Security Fellowship.
To learn more about the School's partnership with FNA, click here or visit their website here.

The G.K. Chesterton Institute for Faith & Culture at Seton Hall University announces the publication of volume 49, nos. 1 & 2, Spring/Summer 2023—of its widely recognized journal The Chesterton Review.

About the New Issue
All directness is divine. If God is hiding, in other words, He is hiding in plain sight. "Thinkers of [a particular] school have a tendency to believe that the concrete is a symbol of the abstract," Chesterton wrote in The Speaker in 1902. 'The truth, the truth at the root of all mysticism, is quite the other way. The abstract is the symbol of the concrete… Just in so far as we get into the abstract, we get away from the reality, we get away from the mystery... God made the concrete, but man made the abstract." Such is the theme that connects the articles of this issue. —Dermot Quinn, Editor, The Chesterton Review.

The issue contains an Introduction by Dermot Quinn, articles by John Peatfield, Gregory Dowling, Chris Altieri, Maxwell Patchet, David Pickering, Daniel Frampton and part II of Gregory Glazov article. As with all issues of the Review, there is also a good selection of Chesterton’s own writing, along with Book and Film Reviews, as well as many News and Comments items, well as Letters and Photo Galleries.

About the Chesterton Review
Founded by Father Ian Boyd, and now edited by Professor Dermot Quinn, The Chesterton Review is the journal of the G. K. Chesterton Institute for Faith & Culture and has been widely praised for both its scholarship and for the quality of its writing. It was founded in 1974 by Father Ian Boyd, C.S.B. to promote an interest in all aspects of Chesterton’s life, work, art, and ideas, including his Christian apologetics. It includes a wide range of articles not only on Chesterton himself, but also on the issues close to his heart in the work of other writers and in the modern world. It has devoted special issues to C.S. Lewis, George Bernanos, Hilaire Belloc, Maurice Baring, Christopher Dawson, Cardinal Manning, the Modernist Crisis, J.R.R. Tolkien and Fantasy Literature, Special Polish Issue, Special Agrarian Issue, Special Charles Dickens issue, a Special Stanley L. Jaki issue, and many others. It is published twice annually (two double issues).

The G. K. Chesterton Institute for Faith & Culture at Seton Hall University and the 2022 Rimini Meeting are pleased to announce that the Online International Premiere Screening of Liberi Tutti!—directed by Otello Cenci and based on G. K. Chesterton’s The Surprise will be presented online from June 20-27, 2023. The video recording of the stage production is in Italian with English subtitles.

The presentation is free, but registration is required. To register, please the event page.

Liberi Tutti! was first presented on-stage in August 2022 at the 2022 Rimini Meeting at special events held at Teatro Gali in Rimini and in Brescia, Italy in January 2013.

It has been a privilege for the G. K. Chesterton Institute for Faith & Culture to collaborate once again to bring Chesterton to the Rimini Meeting. Our past collaborations include the state presentations of Chesterton’s "The Ballad of the White Horse" (2011), "Manalive" (2013) and a great Chesterton exhibit entitled "La Casa di Chesterton" (2013) which received over 60,000 visitors in one week. We are grateful to the Rimini Meeting and Otello Cenci for their invitation to be a part of the 2022 Rimini Meeting.

About Liberi Tutti!, a production  inspired by G. K. Chesterton’s play The Surprise
The main theme is man and his desire for freedom: sometimes uncomfortable, often risky, but always indispensable. A theatrical production of the Rimini Meeting, directed by Otello Cenci; playwright by Otello Cenci and Giampero Pizzol. Literary consultancy by Annalisa Teggi and the G. K. Chesterton Institute for Faith & Culture.

The protagonist of Liberi Tutti! is a puppeteer with a noble heart who writes a simple fairytale comedy to show that telling a story without bad characters and evil deeds is possible. The bet is won, but the puppeteer is not satisfied. For his puppets, he wants a more ambitious future, he does not want them to interpret his work with obedience: for them, he dreams of the miracle of being, and not just acting.

Liberi Tutti! is inspired in a lesser-known work by G. K. Chesterton, The Surprise (1931), written by the English writer for a presentation at the Beaconsfield Theatre, his adopted town. With this text, Chesterton perhaps wanted to respond, in his own way to Pirandello's Six Characters in Search of an Author (1921); it is the theatre play of the theatre, in fact, this also gives body to Chesterton's text, which differs from the work Pirandello, for its extreme lightness and irony, which are his trademarks with which he treats deep and important themes. The plot, has been reinterpreted for a contemporary audience by Otello Cenci and Giampiero Pizzol, focuses on man and the intimate questions that that animate him, addressing with wit and a surprising attitude the themes of the free love passions and the desire for happiness.

The theme of last year's Meeting was "A Passion for the Person." Otello Cenci remarked: "As I was looking for a work that would deepen the theme of this year’s meeting, I came across the text of Chesterton's The Surprise. This text has been adapted under the title of Liberi Tutti! which is based on Chesterton's play written in 1931 for a performance in his hometown of Beaconsfield. Through this text, perhaps Chesterton wanted to answer in his own way to Six Characters in Search of an Author by Pirandello (1921). Otello says: "it is the Metatheatre that gives substance to Chesterton’s text, which differs from Pirandello's work for its extreme lightness and irony through which profound and important themes are addressed."

In 1991, Cam Fuller, of the Saskatoon Star Phoenix writes the following: On one level, it's a simple story about puppets that come to life; perfect children's fair. One step deeper, it's a profound examination of the nature of man's relationship to God, perfect grist for the questioning philosopher in us all."

In 2015, the Review published a note by the director of the adaptation done by the Storm Theatre in New York: "Chesterton believed that the Incarnation was the idea that was central to civilization. The Surprise is a play, which expresses his conviction in a surprising way. Although incomplete at the time of his death in 1936, it was edited and—perhaps—slightly revised when it was published in 1953 with an admiring Preface by Dorothy L. Sayers."

About Otello Cenci, Director of Liberi Tutti!
Otello Cenci is Director of the Performing Arts Division at the Rimini Meeting and Creative and Artistic Director at Made Officina Creativa. He has produced stage adaptations of works by T. S. Eliot, A. Camus and G. Leopardi as well as TV productions (RAI2), and the stage production of Aldo Finzi's "La Serenata al Vento," and has also directed productions of works by Shakespeare, Thomas More and Paul Claudel among others. In 2011, he worked with the G. K. Chesterton Institute for Faith & Culture for the stage production of Chesterton's "The Ballad of the White Horse" (Rimini Meeting, 2011); and in 2013 for the production of Chesterton's "Manalive" (Rimini Meeting 2013). Mr. Cenci is currently working with the Institute in preparation for this year’s stage production of Chesterton's play "The Surprise" which will be presented at the Rimini Meeting 2022 (August).

About the G. K. Chesterton Institute for Faith & Culture
The G. K. Chesterton Institute for Faith & Culture at Seton Hall University, South Orange, N.J.. the Institute was founded in 1974 by Father Ian Boyd, C. S. B., its purpose is to promote the thought of G. K. Chesterton and his circle and more broadly, to explore the application of Chestertonian ideas in the contemporary world. The Institute's work consists of conferences, lecture series, research, and writing. The Chesterton Review, founded in 1974, has been widely praised both for its scholarship and for the quality of its writing. The journal was founded by Father Ian Boyd, C. S. B., and is edited by Dr. Dermot Quinn. It includes a wide range of articles not only on Chesterton himself, but on the issues close to his heart in the work of other writers and in the modern world. It has devoted special issues to C. S. Lewis, George Bernanos, Hilaire Belloc, Maurice Baring, Christopher Dawson, Cardinal Manning, the Modernist Crisis, J. R. R. Tolkien, Fantasy Literature, Special Polish Issue, Special Charles Dickens issue, the most recent "Special Conversion Issue," and many others. For information about the Institute and The Chesterton Review please contact [email protected] or visit the Institute's website. 

About the Rimini Meeting
The Meeting for friendship among peoples (Meeting per l'amicizia fra I popoli) is a multi-event Catholic festival held every year in Rimini, Italy lasting one week at the end of August. This year, the Meeting will present its 42nd edition, on the theme of "The Passion for the Person," at the Fiera I Rimini from August 20-25. With the exception of less than a dozen people that work full time, the festival is entirely staged, managed and dismantled by 4,000 volunteers from Italy and all over the world. The meeting has about 800,000 attendees in one week. In 2013, the G. K. Chesterton Institute co-sponsored a large exhibit entitled "La casa di Chesterton" which was visited by over 60,000 people in one week.

Seton Hall quantitative researchers interested in transitioning from SPSS to Stata can contact SHU’s Research Data Services team. The team of librarians and data analysts, part of University Libraries, is excited to offer syllabus redesign, training workshops, and individualized consultations this summer. In the world of statistical analysis, researchers and analysts often find themselves confronted with a difficult decision: which software package should they choose? While there are several options available for quantitative research, there is a compelling case for Stata as the preferred choice over SPSS.

Stata's versatility, robustness, and user-friendly interface set it apart from tools like SPSS, providing users with a comprehensive statistical toolkit and an efficient workflow. Over the last few years, faculty in the School of Diplomacy & International Relations and College of Education have migrated from SPSS to Stata with support from Data Services. Additionally, in the Fall, Interprofessional Health Sciences (IPHS) 3550 Statistics and Research in the Health Sciences will be taught with Stata.

Stata offers statistical tools ranging from simple descriptive statistics to complex regression models, which can be used across disciplines. Its extensive range of features includes supporting panel data analysis, survival analysis, multilevel modeling, and other modes of analysis. Stata's broad capabilities will enable SHU researchers to tackle diverse research questions efficiently and accurately, saving time and effort in the process.

While getting started with new software can seem intimidating, Stata boasts an active and supportive user community as well as in-built help functions. Its extensive documentation, tutorials, and forums provide users with a wealth of resources to overcome challenges and learn new techniques.

Effective data visualization is crucial for understanding patterns and relationships within datasets. Stata offers a rich set of graphics and visualization tools, allowing users to create compelling, informative, and publication-ready visual representations of their data. With a wide range of customizable options, users can produce high-quality graphs, charts, and maps to convey their findings effectively. Stata's graphics capabilities surpass those of SPSS, providing researchers with powerful tools to present their results visually.

Stata provides a clear and documented workflow with automation capabilities and comprehensive logging. This documentation empowers researchers to share their analysis transparently, facilitate replication, and build upon existing research. With Stata, reproducibility becomes an inherent part of the research process, fostering trust, collaboration, and the advancement of knowledge.

If you are interested in learning more about Stata, please contact [email protected]. View a complete list of software available to the SHU research community here. Summer workshops are also in progress, please see our schedule here.

On Friday, our University, along with the State of New Jersey, will once again observe Juneteenth as an official holiday, one that marks the end of slavery in the United States. 

This holiday has gained a nationwide following and an official designation in nearly every state. It has been recognized by New Jersey since 2004, and was confirmed as an official state holiday in 2020.

I encourage everyone to learn more about Juneteenth through Seton Hall’s library resources, and consider its importance to our shared American story.

Seton Hall University, an innovator in forward-thinking education, proudly introduces a range of cutting-edge graduate programs designed to empower aspiring professionals with the cross-disciplinary skills and knowledge needed to succeed in emerging industries. In response to the evolving job market, these programs have been meticulously crafted to address the specific demands of the financial technology, digital media, and applied sciences and engineering fields.

A New Era of Graduate Education
In an era defined by rapid technological advancements, Seton Hall remains committed to providing innovative graduate programs that prepare students for the careers of tomorrow. These newly introduced programs reflect the University's dedication to staying ahead of the curve and ensuring graduates are equipped with the necessary expertise coupled with a competitive edge to excel in their chosen fields.

Thrive in the STEM Workforce
To meet the demands of the 21st-century STEM workforce, the College of Arts and Sciences introduces the M.S. in Applied Physics and Engineering program. Through an interdisciplinary curriculum, this two-year program equips students with the knowledge and professional skills required to become indispensable contributors to society. By blending advanced applied physics with engineering fields such as nanoscience, quantum engineering, renewable energy research, condensed matter physics, and material science, graduates will possess a diverse skill set that aligns with the needs of modern industries. They will be at the forefront of scientific research, technological innovation, and solutions to our most pressing global health, energy, climate, and other challenges.

Master the Intersection of Finance, Technology and Analytics
The financial technology sector is experiencing unprecedented growth and the Stillman School of Business understands the need to equip professionals with a unique blend of dynamic finance, data analytics, and technology skills. The new M.S. in Financial Technology and Analytics (MFTA) program is specifically designed to meet this demand. Through a comprehensive interdisciplinary curriculum, students with a strong math and science background will gain expertise in the latest financial technologies, learn advanced data analytics techniques, and develop critical problem-solving abilities. Graduates will be well-prepared to excel in roles that require a deep understanding of the intersection between finance and technology.

Excel in the Digital Media Landscape
In the dynamic world of digital media, effective communication is paramount. The accelerated, one-year M.S. in Professional Communication and Digital Media program offered by the emerging College of Human Development, Culture, and Media is tailored for individuals seeking to thrive in this rapidly evolving landscape. Students will immerse themselves in courses that cover digital communication strategies, media production, organizational communication, and interpersonal communication, all informed by human-centered principles. By honing their skills in this comprehensive program, graduates will be prepared to navigate the complexities of the digital media ecosystem and excel in a variety of roles, such as digital marketers, content creators, social media managers, and communication specialists.

With the introduction of these innovative graduate programs, Seton Hall demonstrates its commitment to providing students with tailored educational experiences that align with their diverse needs and unique aspirations. By offering specialized curricula, access to industry professionals, and opportunities for hands-on learning, the University ensures that graduates are well-equipped to tackle the challenges of an ever-evolving job market and make a lasting impact in their chosen fields.

Seton Hall invites ambitious individuals with a passion for financial technology, digital media, or applied physics and engineering to embark on a transformative journey by enrolling in one of our specialized graduate programs.

Inquiries and applications for the Fall 2023 semester, and beyond, are now being accepted. For additional information, please contact the Office of Graduate Affairs.

Phyllis Hansell, Ed.D., R.N., FNAP, FAAN, has recently been elected by the members of the Commission as the Vice-Chairperson of the Catastrophic Illness in Children Relief Fund Commission in the Executive Branch of the New Jersey state government. Appointed to the Commission by the New Jersey governor, Hansell serves alongside an interprofessional team of health professionals. She has been selected as one of the five public members of the Commission, which also includes ex-officio members such as the Commissioners of Health, Human Services, Children and Families, Banking and Insurance, and the NJ State Treasurer.

Established in 1988 by then Governor Thomas Kean, the Catastrophic Illness in Children Relief Fund aims to provide financial assistance to New Jersey families with children who have illnesses or conditions not covered by insurance, state or federal programs, or other sources such as fundraising efforts. The Fund plays a crucial role in helping families cope with the financial responsibilities associated with their children's significant health problems. To qualify for assistance, the child's medical expenses must exceed 10% of the family's first $100,000 of income or 15% of income over $100,000. In the last fiscal year, the Commission approved $5.3 million in grant awards on behalf of 203 children in New Jersey.

"I am honored to have been elected as the Vice-Chairperson," expressed Hansell. "This opportunity allows me to leverage my experience and passion for improving the lives of children and families facing significant health challenges." 

Hansell brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to her new role. She is a distinguished professor and former dean of the College of Nursing, and her professional journey has been centered around caring for children with cancer and supporting families coping with the care of seriously ill children. Over time, Hansell expanded her focus to include families dealing with children infected with HIV, conducting research to enhance their coping abilities and improve their holistic healthcare outcomes.

In addition, Hansell actively engages in various professional and community activities. She has served as a trustee for both the Partners for Health Foundation in the Montclair Area and the New Jersey Institute for Nursing. Additionally, she is a member of the Nursing Advisory Board for Gannett Healthcare and contributes as a member of the Editorial Review Boards for the Journal of Interprofessional Education and Practice and The Sage Open Nursing Journal. She is also a reviewer for prestigious nursing journals such as Nursing Research, the Western Journal of Nursing Research, and the Journal of Nursing Measurement. Hansell has been recognized as a Fellow in the American Academy of Nursing, as a Distinguished Practitioner of the National Academies of Practice and has served as a Commissioner for the National Commission on VA Nursing. Furthermore, her expertise has been sought globally, as evidenced by her role as an External Examiner for the University of Botswana.

Hansell's educational background is equally impressive. She pursued post-doctoral studies in Biostatistics at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York, NY. She holds an Ed.D. from Columbia University, specializing in Parent Child Nursing and Nursing Education, as well as an M.Ed. from the same institution. Her nursing career began with a Diploma in Nursing from the Mount Sinai Hospital School of Nursing in New York, NY. She was recognized by Seton Hall with a Bishop Bernard J. McQuaid Medal for Distinguished Service, as well as by Columbia University Nursing Education Alumni Association with a R. Louise McManus Medal.

"I am committed to working collaboratively with the Commission and our interprofessional team of health professionals to ensure that we provide vital financial assistance to New Jersey families in need," she said. "Together, we will strive to alleviate their burdens and enhance their ability to cope with the responsibilities that accompany their children's health problems." Phyllis Hansell, a professor and former dean of the College of Nursing, has been elected as the Vice-Chairperson of New Jersey's Catastrophic Illness in Children Relief Fund Commission.

Justin and Grace enjoy time together.

Grace Mariani educates those around her, engaging a new generation of students, faculty and the University community and beyond.

Resiliency in the time of COVID describes the determination and achievements of the Class of 2023 and truly defines the inspiring life journey of Grace E. Mariani. Grace received a Bachelor of Science in Education, Magna Cum Laude, as she crossed the stage of the Prudential Center in a wheelchair accompanied by her service dog, Justin, a six-year-old Yellow Lab/Golden Retriever Mix. He was presented his own diploma by President Nyre for attending all Grace’s classes to the exhilarating cheers and delight of the University community.

As a preemie birth at 24 ½ weeks, Grace received a diagnosis of serious lung and other health issues.

"I'm an only child. My family always has been very supportive. Anything that I wanted to do, it was never, oh, we can’t do that. It was just let’s figure out how we can do that, which was really nice."

At Mahwah High School, she was already considering a career as an elementary general education and special education. That was a natural progression echoing her own childhood experiences both as a participant and then as a volunteer working children through the Mary Therese Rose Fund, with her physical therapist, a program co-founder.

The Mary Therese Rose Fund honors the memory of Mary Therese Rose Crilly and supports children to reclaim the joys of childhood for those at the Valley Hospital Center for Child Development in Ridgewood, NJ. It helps families pay for gaps in insurance, pay for needed medical equipment, and fund recreational activities such as therapeutic horseback riding.

"I feel young children are so open. You can help them grow and begin to navigate their lives as they start to view the world around them."

A family friend, whose son attended the Hall from his undergraduate through doctoral degree, praised his experiences. After attending an Open House, Grace realized that she found her calling here. She loved the feel of the campus, the size of the program, and the fact that the undergraduate program offered general elementary and special education together.

"From my first education class at Seton Hall, I felt close with the education students. They were accepting and didn’t treat me as 'special'. We all came together and helped each other. We became really close and if anyone was struggling with something, we helped each other out. There was a family aspect, nobody was left out or left behind," she said. "I felt very accepted and welcome from the very beginning."

Grace and Justin have played a major role in the life of her mentor Mary Mueller, Ed.D., Associate Professor, Mathematics, Department of Educational Studies, for the past four years. She met Grace and Justin during their freshman year in her introduction to teaching class.

"I remember how impressed I was with Grace and how she was able to navigate the campus, classes, and dorm life using a mobility device and a service dog," Mueller said. "Sophomore year I was lucky enough to have them in three of my classes! Math Methods and Math for Teachers 1 and 2. In both Math for Teachers classes, Grace and Justin sat at a small table, (meant for 4 people, with 6 other classmates. Again, Grace’s mobility device did not get in her way – she squished in with everyone and Justin made himself comfortable on the floor. She maneuvered her device through rain and snow. Justin did miss a few times if it was too wet out but I didn’t take points off Justin’s grade! This is just one example of Grace’s perseverance, determination, and motivation," said Mueller.

Grace especially praised Mueller’s mentorship, which helped her to blossom into an exception teacher.

"She's really passionate about math, making it fun and engaging for all of her students. You can see her love of teaching and just she really, really cares. She really helped me both inside and outside of the classroom from a career standpoint. She was always checking in, making sure everything was okay and if I needed anything. She would want me to do things on my own, but she was always there to offer her guidance."

Mueller shared that interestingly, no one was really surprised by Justin’s presence. "Of course, Grace's classmates were used to him and saw him as a classmate – but even my other students did not bat an eye when I had him with me. Grace’s classmates knew not to pet Justin while he was working. A few times Grace took his service dog jacket off so that we could pet him though. I think that I broke the rules the most – I would give him a little pat whenever Grace was not looking. And he gave great kisses!"

"Grace would come to campus early to meet with her other education professors and Justin would hang out with me in my office. He would lay on the floor while I met with students and walk back and forth with me between my office and classroom as I set up for my morning freshmen class. My office felt very lonely this past semester without him! I was honored that Grace trusted me with Justin and that he trusted me enough to leave Grace’s side."

During COVID, as educators were trying to figure out how to transition to virtual learning. Grace's first two internships were completely virtual, a first grade and a third-grade classroom. It was exceptionally challenging to figure out ways to engage with students and make it fun through a computer screen. She tried many techniques, which helped her be a more thoughtful educator and connect in many ways with her students. When she was able to return to the classroom for experiential learning, one of her favorite memories was her internship placement at the Newmark K-8 School in Scotch Plains.

"I really found it interesting how the curriculum was tailored to each individual student's needs and how they learned best. No one looked back at bad days. Every day was brand new, a new opportunity. Students were really encouraged. I enjoyed observing and I would be responsible for pulling out of the classroom a couple of students to reteach math lessons. It was really interesting to see how differently students worked and how they learned best," she said.

Grace said she felt very accepted and welcome from the very beginning.

"I just love the overall sense of community and the approach of working together and problem solving. And so many departments in addition to education throughout Seton Hall have been very helpful, making sure things are accessible and as easy as they could be." She added, "The housing department was phenomenal. If I had any issues they are very accommodating and quick to get it fixed or solved. And DSS was very helpful for anything that I might need."

"Justin came to my classes, and he was a fun aspect of it that everybody just loved. I primarily use Justin for picking up things that I dropped because obviously I can't reach in my wheelchair. And there is a more emotional support aspect of having like a friend in a new setting, a new school, new people. He really helped me to meet new people and make friends, too. If I was having a bad day or just a stressful day, he would come up to me and it would be like, what's going on?"

Touched enough by witnessing the positive impact of Grace and Justin on the program, her academic dean suggested the University grant them both diplomas at the baccalaureate commencement ceremonies.

"It was a privilege to watch Grace and Justin become integrated into the educational studies program at Seton Hall. Both became active members of our community, and it was wonderful to see our students welcome Justin as a member of classes and social functions as well," said Joseph J. Martinelli, Ed.D., Interim Dean, College of Human Development, Culture, and Media as of July 1, 2023. He added, "Grace and Justin showed how valuable service animals are to their owners, and I am confident that Grace and Justin will be a wonderful asset to the school district that is lucky enough to have them come onboard. It is always a bittersweet day when our students graduate, but this year is even tougher for me as I will truly miss seeing Grace, and my furry friend Justin on our campus."

Grace did not expect that the story would still be garnering worldwide attention.

"When people hear our story, I hope that they learn that if you really want to do something, if you have a good support system in place, you can figure out how to do it. When you feel you're ready to do something, don't rush anything and just take the time to kind of figure out how you would go about doing it. Reach out to different people that you could lean back on whether that be family or friends. Just take it one day at a time, as slow as you feel is necessary. And do the best that you think you could possibly do."

Says Mueller, "Every time I watch the video of Justin getting his diploma I cry. Grace had a tremendous impact on me – I have never had a student work so hard for their goals. Grace never complained about her workload or being stressed. She earned her degree by working hard and caring about her future as a teacher. And she is going to be an amazing teacher! Her future students are very fortunate to have such a strong individual and I am positive that she will put the same amount of dedication into her teaching as she did with her four years at SHU. And they will be lucky to have Justin as their teaching assistant – he is great at carrot math! He was learning fractions as we shared our carrots on those Tuesday mornings!," shared Mueller, adding, "I will miss both Grace and Justin tremendously. I hope that I will be invited to visit Grace in her future classroom and get a ride in her van."

To view select coverage, please visit:

• Happy Graduation, Encyclopædia Britannica | 6/16/23
• There's Good News Tonight, NBC Nightly News counter 18:28/21:33 | 6/3/23.
• Service Dog Receives His Own College Diploma at Owner's Graduation, People | 5/25/23.
• A service dog gets his own college diploma, winning huge cheers, NPR/WNYC | 5/27/23.
• Service dog receives diploma with owner at New Jersey college graduation, CBS News | 5/26/23.
• Service dog receives surprise college diploma, Scripps News | 6/5/23.
• Service dog gets honorary diploma at college graduation and crowd goes wild, video shows, McLatchy/Charlotte Observer | 5/30/23.
• Fetch! New Jersey student's service dog named Justin receives his very own college diploma for attending all his wheelchair-bound owner's classes, CNN/Daily Mail UK | 5/28/23.
• Good Boy! Mahwah Grad's Service Dog Gets Diploma From Seton Hall University, DailyVoice | 5/24/23.