At ������Ƶ, our faculty and academic leaders—experts in their fields—are looking beyond the immediate horizon to analyze how forces like artificial intelligence, shifting economic policies and evolving social priorities will reshape our lives in 2026. They explore a year defined by risks and opportunities—ranging from the World Cup arriving in North America to the launch of the landmark Workforce Pell Grant program.

Our experts offer a framework for navigating 2026 not with fear, but with purpose.

The Economy and Workforce

Robert Goldberg, James F. Bender Clinical Professor of Finance

As I write this note at the start of December, we can reflect on an extraordinary period since the word COVID entered the lexicon. Stock prices have doubled and home prices have risen more than 50 percent, both driven by a Fed-induced increase in the money supply of nearly 50 percent. Meanwhile, prices for goods and services are up an average of 25 percent, while real median income has barely changed.

Looking ahead, 2026 will be driven by the continuing battle between those who believe AI will change the world and those who think it is simply the next stage of the digital revolution: impressive, but no more so than the computer, internet and wireless communication. More importantly, this debate is occurring against a backdrop of a heavily indebted country at the government and individual level and increasingly at the corporate level, as businesses continue to borrow heavily to build out the infrastructure for the AI boom, with presumptive confidence that all these investments will pay out.

Equally important, interest rates have re-normalized following the low-rate regime managed by the central bank after the financial crisis. A return to significantly lower rates would take a seriously weakened economy and, even then, it would face the likely hurdles of a belligerent bond market. Add to the mix the uncertainties of tariff and immigration policies, and the outlook for stocks is sobering, unless you believe AI will change the world and the current set of players will be the winners.

Finance and Economics

Mariano Torras, PhD, Professor and Chair, Department of Finance and Economics

Economic stagnation is likely to continue in 2026—possibly even stagflation if accompanied by a meaningful increase in average prices. Stocks may extend their gains for a bit longer, but Main Street will fall further behind. If consumer spending were to increase in 2026, most of the gain would be courtesy of the richest 10 percent; recent consumer surveys reflect great pessimism and there is likely to be retrenchment from the other 90 percent.

The unemployment rate is likely to remain low. But the statistics will continue to overstate the health of the job market, since a shrinking labor force (owing to the growing army of retirees and “dropouts”) helps keep unemployment low. Many, moreover, who remain in the labor force hold tenuous, insecure jobs. Finally, a major stock correction, which is probably at least 40 percent likely next year, might raise the unemployment rate by delaying retirement for many.

While interest rates are likely to move much higher in the medium to long term due to structural factors, they are almost certain to fall modestly in the near term because of the liquidity imperative for the financial markets.

Inflation is a tougher call. On the one hand, tariffs, further Fed accommodation and continued increases in service costs suggest inflation. In contrast, growing pessimism and possible consumer belt-tightening, as well as continued stagnation, signal disinflation.

Continued growth in the deficit and the debt is virtually guaranteed, as the destabilizing effects of continued weakness in the U.S. trade balance and in domestic investment will need to be offset. Yet by putting upward pressure on interest rates, the growing deficit will counter the Fed’s efforts to accommodate, creating greater imbalances (adding to the uncertainty about inflation).

Finally, and most important, expect at least one “black swan” event related to geopolitics, climate, finance, public health or AI in 2026—which will make the above outlook seem unduly optimistic.

The Workforce Pell

Jennifer Lancaster, PhD, Dean, College of Professional and Continuing Studies, and Executive Director, Manhattan Center

The launch of the in 2026 is a potentially transformative development for access to post-secondary training. Under the new law, starting July 1, 2026, Pell grant aid will become available not only to degree-granting college programs, but also to short-term credential and workforce training programs. This expansion will likely allow broader access to in-demand jobs, more flexible and inclusive pathways and a potential boost to workforce and economic mobility. For many individuals, the time and cost of a four-year degree is a barrier; the Workforce Pell makes it more feasible for folks to enter employment more quickly in fields like healthcare, IT, trades and other ‘high-skill, high-wage’ jobs and expanding what post-secondary success can look like. The program will especially benefit adult learners, career-changers and others needing to balance work and life responsibilities with education.

While negotiations are still under way as to the official requirements, as of now, eligible programs must show that at least 70 percent of students complete the programs and 70 percent of those students get placed in a related job. The tuition for these programs must be less than the difference between the median salary of completers and 150 percent of the national poverty line. It will be up to each state’s education and labor departments via the governors to determine what constitutes a need-based credential for the state; at this time, New York has yet to determine which types of programs would be eligible under the program. Still, most folks agree that if properly administered, the Workforce Pell could mark a major shift in U.S. higher-education policy—reframing education not only as a credential-only process, but as an accelerator toward employment, skills development and upward mobility for a broader cross-section of Americans.

Health and Wellness

K.C. Rondello, MD, Clinical Professor of Public Health

With the United States on the precipice of losing our “measles elimination” status (for the first time since the hard-fought milestone was achieved in 2000), the disease is expected to remain a major public health concern. Modeling suggests that measles could become endemic in the United States within two decades if current trends persist. Global immunization efforts will continue to be under strain due to misinformation, humanitarian crises, anti-vax policy changes and funding cuts, leaving millions at risk. The , and all warn that decades of progress could be undone without renewed investment in vaccination campaigns.

Furthermore, global health agencies warn that declining immunization coverage could fuel outbreaks of other vaccine-preventable diseases as well. Epidemics of rubella, polio and diphtheria are less likely, but may cause localized “hot spots” if vaccination rates continue to fall.

Sporadic outbreaks, particularly in under-vaccinated regions, could overwhelm pediatric and emergency services. The unnecessary hospitalizations and expanded public health interventions required to address them will carry significant costs. Vulnerable populations, particularly those in areas with weak health infrastructure, will be disproportionately affected. The good news? Even modest increases in vaccine coverage could dramatically reduce incidence. And with new vaccine delivery methods on the horizon (e.g., microneedle patches), improved technology may increase immunization uptake if widely adopted.

In summary, 2026 will be a pivotal year for infectious disease control. Without decisive action, measles could entrench itself as a recurring threat, signaling a broader rollback in vaccine-preventable disease progress. Stronger vaccination advocacy, policy measures and global cooperation will be essential to prevent a full-scale resurgence.

Psychology

J. Christopher Muran, PhD, Dean, Gordon F. Derner School of Psychology

As we enter the year ahead, artificial intelligence continues its rapid integration into mental health settings—generating curiosity and concern. We will see further advances in AI-driven diagnostics, change measurement and conversational agents offering scalable support. These advances will offer greater reliability and greater accessibility. But as virtual care platforms proliferate and digital relationships become normalized, we must also ask: What remains uniquely human in therapeutic work?

My prediction is this: The more AI advances, the more the profession of psychology will need to clarify the value of human presence—including the ability of AI to replicate it. As research has revealed, therapy does not solely rely on frictionless conversations, but in moments of messiness (as are inherent in human relations). It is in this negotiation where one can develop the skills to be effective and connected—where profound change can take root. Looking forward, we will need to invest in understanding where AI can take us in this regard.

Parenting

Naama Gershy Tsahor, PhD, Associate Professor of Psychology

When parents hear that I study adolescents and digital media, they often ask, “Is it dangerous for my child to spend so much time on screens?” I find myself torn between the desire to be helpful and the reality that, as a field, we still do not know the long-term implications of children’s digital media use.

Digital media feels like it has been around for a long time, but in research terms, it is still a relatively new field. Heading into 2026, we still do not have a clear consensus on what “screen time” means. The nature of digital media has changed dramatically since we began studying it, from living room television in early research to AI-driven tools like ChatGPT and virtual companions in just the past two years, challenging the relevance of what we learned decades ago.

So what can we tell parents in January 2026 that is both helpful and relevant, despite the little we know and the vast amount we don’t? (After all, we don’t want them to turn to ChatGPT for these answers.) We can acknowledge that technology is moving too fast for research to keep pace with. We can reassure parents that they are not alone in feeling uncertain and anxious. But most importantly, we can encourage parents to stop asking, “What harm is this doing to my child?” and instead ask, “What do I want to cultivate in my child?” This type of question may help parents to feel less pressured to find easy fixes to dramatic changes and look inside for the things that matter most to them, even in these chaotic times.

I predict that it will not be easy to ask these questions in 2026, which will likely continue to overwhelm us with rapid, dramatic changes. But I also hope that this new year brings opportunities to reflect on these important shifts without giving in to fear or feeling paralyzed by the unknown.

Sports

Greg Bouris, Assistant Teaching Professor of Health and Sport Sciences

If anyone thinks they have a handle on what the new year has in store in the sports industry, I will counter that it is trending toward a tumultuous and unpredictable year ahead.

In 2026…

The is coming to North America! Is North America prepared to host a controversy-free World Cup in an immigration-sensitive, post-9/11 and post-COVID-19 era? As I learned during my 35-year professional sports career, hope for the best, but plan for the worst.

NCAA DI football is a ticking time bomb! It’s been ticking for more than 25 years, but I think it might finally explode in 2026! Utah opened the door to private equity. Next? I predict the elite football programs will have an opt-in program that allows willing institutions to privatize. That will lead to the much-needed unionization of college football players. That is a net-positive for all parties.

Tick…tick…tick! This time, it’s legalized sports betting and professional sports. In 2026, professional leagues and, more importantly, team owners, will have to go all in or all out on sports betting. No more gray area. I’m hoping they will go all out, but I think they will go all in. Too many owners have already played their hands by taking ownership stakes in gambling operations and/or casinos. Can we see a future where fans have to be 18 or older to attend a game?

Make room for the ladies! Women’s sports are continuing to enjoy tremendous growth, as measured by major sport-business metrics: TV ratings, sponsorship revenue, attendance and merchandise. I don’t see it stopping in 2026, but I do see some hiccups along the way. Now that women have emerged from the shadow of men’s sports, they get to see the dark underbelly of the industry. Collective bargaining is not for the faint of heart, and the women may have to endure some pain before they make gains, just as their male counterparts have for decades.

Lastly, is on fire! The sport is back. Unfortunately, signs are pointing to a work stoppage at the conclusion of the current Collective Bargaining Agreement. That would be too bad, but, in the vernacular of the times, I bet the game shuts down in December 2026.

Hey, there’s always 2027!

Higher Education

Chris Storm, PhD, Interim President

The nationwide higher education landscape presents significant opportunities and challenges. New federal student aid borrowing limits taking effect in 2026 will reshape college financing, with graduate students facing annual caps and the elimination of . While it remains to be seen, graduate programs with a strong value proposition, such as those at ������Ƶ, may become more attractive as prospective students reconcile with changes in the amount of federal aid available to further their studies. Enrollment competition will intensify as demographic shifts reduce the traditional college-age population and immigration policies create uncertainty for international students—vital contributors to campus diversity and institutional strength.

These trends make our strategic planning even more critical. By expanding access through our new state-of-the-art Manhattan Center and additional online programs, prioritizing career outcomes and student success, maintaining our personalized support for students at every level of their journey, and demonstrating strong fiscal responsibility—as reaffirmed by S&P Global’s A- credit rating and stable outlook for Adelphi—we are positioned to thrive this year and beyond.

Communications

Mark Grabowski, JD, Professor and Chair, Department of Communications

Institutions shaping knowledge and trust—universities and the media—faced a harsh reckoning in 2025. In 2026, we’ll see which ones actually learned from it.

The crisis was never about politics or technology. It was about purpose.

Universities forgot they exist to prepare minds for uncertainty, not protect them from it. The media forgot their job is to help citizens think, not dictate what to think. Both demanded deference to authority they no longer monopolize.

2026 forces a choice: In a world of infinite information, contested expertise and AI-enabled execution, what justifies their existence?

Survivors will admit the old bargain is broken and build value around judgment, resilience and earned trust.

Laggards will cling to “trust us because we’re the experts” long after the public demands “show us why.” Most students sense this disconnect: going into debt to learn from professors who secured tenure in a system that no longer exists, preparing for careers those same professors couldn’t get today.

External forces—AI disruption, U.S.–China fragmentation, Europe’s regulatory maximalism, intensifying political polarization—provide context, not cause.

The real question: Can institutions designed for scarcity still justify existence in an age of abundance? Most won’t even ask honestly. That’s why they’ll fail.

Research

Andrea Ward, PhD, Vice Provost for Research and Libraries

In 2026, it will be critical for academics to take their work to the broader community to demonstrate the importance of what we do both in the classroom and in our scholarly lives. Our faculty scholars do incredible work and I look forward to continuing to share their stories.

Research funding will depend a great deal on upcoming federal appropriations bills. However, we have already seen a strong move toward leveraging the power of AI in research and I expect that only to increase in the upcoming year as new research funding calls come out.

Business Professions

Ganesh Pandit, DBA, Professor and Chair, Department of Accounting and Law

We expect that business professions will continue to be affected by technology in 2026 and we are adjusting our curricula accordingly. For example, our reimagined BBA in Accounting will be requiring courses in data analytics using MS Excel and cybersecurity, adding a designated public accounting track that will meet New York state’s educational requirements for the new 120-credit pathway to the CPA licensure, and offering new tracks in corporate finance and information technology for those accounting students who wish to expand beyond the traditional accounting field. At the graduate level, the redesigned MS in Professional Accounting (which will launch once it is approved by the New York State Education Department) will be closely aligned with the new CPA Exam and will infuse advanced training in MS Excel and an introduction to Power BI to position it as a premier professional credential rather than merely a path to 150 credits.

Education

Xiao-Lei Wang, PhD, Dean, Ruth S. Ammon College of Education and Health Sciences

As we look toward 2026, the convergence of technology and human-centered learning will redefine the very nature of our work. AI-enhanced teaching will empower our faculty and students to drive meaningful transformation across education and health sciences. By leveraging these tools to bridge distances and deepen understanding, we can renew our commitment to student well-being and global connection. Our charge is to guide this innovation with purpose, ensuring that every technological advancement expands access and strengthens the communities we serve.

Nursing

Deborah Hunt, PhD ’12, Dean, College of Nursing and Public Health

The College of Nursing and Public Health (CNPH) has several major initiatives that we will continue to address in 2026, including the use of AI by faculty and students. Experts on AI will be brought in to speak and our newly created AI Task Force will take the lead on developing protocols in alignment with the University, providing valuable insight into the learning needs of our faculty and students in this rapidly evolving technology. Even so, 2026 will continue our focus on the humanistic approach to health and wellness with a strong focus on evidence-based practice, competency, self-care and resiliency.

With the need for healthcare professionals, particularly nurses, in the New York City area, we are looking ahead to bringing CNPH programming to Manhattan with great enthusiasm. In May, we will welcome our inaugural cohort of our accelerated second degree nursing students (for students who have a BS degree in a related field) to the new Manhattan Center. We are also enrolling our first spring cohort of accelerated nursing students in the Garden City campus this January. The Manhattan Center’s Clinical Education and Simulation Lab is in development and we have been involved every step of the way. With a home base in Manhattan, our students will also have exceptional in-person clinical experiences at some of the best hospitals and healthcare systems in the country.

At our Manhattan location, we will replicate the exemplary nursing programs that we have at our Garden City campus and keep our finger on the pulse of healthcare and technology from a humanistic, ethical and caring perspective that is grounded in nursing science.

Social Work

Joanne Corbin, PhD, Dean, School of Social Work

The workforce need for social workers will continue to be strong in 2026, with a call for social workers in areas such as healthcare and mental health care, children and families, school social work, substance use and addiction services, and policy development. In-demand skills and expertise in the new year include integrated care, bilingualism, and digital and ethical practice.

To meet these needs, in 2026 we will continue to prepare graduates in areas of integrated health and mental health care through fellowships such as our IDEATE fellowship for interprofessional practice. This important collaboration between our School of Social Work, College of Nursing and Public Health and the Gerontology Fellowship prepare our students to enter the workforce in a range of practice contexts for older adults.

To meet the growing needs of our communities, our graduate programs, including the MSW in Bilingual School Social Work and the Post-Master’s Bilingual School Social Work Certificate Program, will offer opportunities for social workers to prepare for bilingual opportunities in the area of school social work. Also new in 2026, our curriculum will advance to include a certificate program in environmental justice that equips students to address the needs of populations and communities affected by environmental hazards. We’ll continue our efforts in the area of library social work, an emerging area of practice that supports the needs of individuals who come to public libraries searching for resources or information to address pressing life needs.

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Located inside Swirbul Library, the Center doesn’t feel like your usual classroom—it’s a flexible space designed to meet the needs of all students. The Center supports hands-on projects, research and creative work while offering opportunities to engage with leading-edge technologies in its key focus areas: artificial intelligence, extended reality and digital studies. Some students come to experiment with cutting-edge technology, while others arrive seeking a space to think differently and connect across disciplines.

“The mission of the Innovation Center is to empower the University community via interdisciplinary thinking and leading-edge technology in order to take on the challenges of our ever-changing world,” said Lee Stemkoski, PhD, director of the Innovation Center and professor and associate chair of the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science. “We inspire, support and showcase innovative and interdisciplinary activities within the University and in cooperation with industry and community partners.”

That mission comes to life every day—making the Innovation Center one of the most dynamic spots on campus.

A Place for All Majors to Gather

For Katelyn Schwab ’25, who majored in psychology and minored in social work, the Innovation Center wasn’t an obvious destination. She first walked in while reporting a story for The Delphian, Adelphi’s student newspaper. That one assignment led her to a campus job and eventually a deeper connection to the Center.

“As a psychology major, I wasn’t sure if I’d feel like I fit in at a space that seemed focused on tech and innovation. But when I got there, I immediately felt accepted,” Schwab said. It was one of the few places on campus where your major didn’t matter. That sense of inclusion and creative freedom really drew me in.”

Schwab said the Center gave her confidence and leadership skills she plans to carry into her future career in counseling. “It felt alive and personal in a way that traditional classroom learning rarely does,” she said.

A “Third Space” for Big Ideas

Ovundah Okene Jr., an interdisciplinary major in mathematics, art and computer science, describes the Center as a “third space”—somewhere between home and the classroom.

“It’s an ambient space like a coffee shop,” Okene said. “Ultimately the atmosphere is calm and inviting for all regardless of majors.”

One moment in particular that stuck with him was watching high school students tackle wildfire prediction during a hackathon in which they came up with a database model to track vegetation and forecast fire paths. “The determination in their eyes to complete their work in the time crunch, high-pressure event was inspiring,” Okune said.

That same spirit of exploration and persistence pushed Okune to rethink his own path. What began as curiosity soon became transformation. “I was following the will of my parents and was going to be a doctor,” he said. “My time at the Innovation Center made me see that one day I could also make a fine professor or a game developer … I’m glad I stumbled into Professor Stemkoski’s office that day.”

Turning Passion into Action

For Christopher Sciortino ’25, a computer science major now pursuing his master’s degree at Adelphi, the Innovation Center became the perfect place to share his passion for video game design.

“I hosted an interactive video game design workshop at the Innovation Center. It went so well, I ended up hosting part two of the workshop,” Sciortino said. “The Innovation Center provided the support and community to help me share my knowledge.

Those workshops not only connected him with other students who share his interest in gaming and artificial intelligence, but also improved his own skills. “The Center has opened my eyes to how many different disciplines utilize the different technologies we showcase at the Center,” Sciortino said.

Preparing for Future Careers

What makes the Innovation Center stand out, students say, is that it prepares them for more than just the next exam. Whether it’s learning how to collaborate or finding the courage to chase a new career path—the lessons go beyond the classroom.

“The Innovation Center is a special place,” Sciortino said. “I see it as the hub for innovation, collaboration and growth for both students and professors.”

Okene put it simply: “It’s my home away from home.”

And for Schwab, it’s proof that innovation isn’t just about technology—it’s about people. “It’s one of the few places on campus that breaks down barriers between majors and encourages everyone to work together. It makes Adelphi feel more connected, more creative and more human,” she said. “If you’re curious, creative or just looking for somewhere to belong, you’ll find your place here.”

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In the year-and-a-half period during which��������Ƶ Libraries��has been under interim leadership, we have been able to reflect upon the needs and opportunities of this pivotal Adelphi institution. After much consideration, we will embark on a different approach than has been taken in the past with a shared goal to deepen and strengthen the libraries’ mission within the University. With this in mind, effective��May 1, 2025, we will merge oversight responsibilities for ������Ƶ Libraries and research areas under our newly appointed vice provost for libraries and research, Andrea Ward, PhD.

This action will bring together��������Ƶ Libraries, the��Innovation Center, the��Office of Research and Sponsored Programs��and the����as a consolidated and powerful unit to advance knowledge and knowledge production at the University. The immediate benefit of this restructuring is that ������Ƶ Libraries will intensify its legacy as integral to every student, faculty member and program at the University.

Strategically, connecting the libraries with other dynamic and scholarship-focused areas of the University creates greater integration and better conveys a critical aspect of its mission. This structure will also allow for seamless work toward Goal 1 of our��Momentum 2��strategic plan, which charges ������Ƶ Libraries with boosting faculty and student success through open access to knowledge, addressing the diverse learning needs of all our students, both in person and online, and strengthening infrastructure to encourage our faculty’s work, including their research and grant opportunities.

As vice provost for research and libraries, Dr. Ward will have an amplified voice to articulate for the priorities of both the libraries and research at the University. She will work to advance ������Ƶ Libraries and the scholarship support programming of the University, creating a broader umbrella to articulate the value of the libraries to our entire community. In this effort, she will work closely with an active and highly capable University Libraries faculty, led by departmental chairperson Sandra Urban. ������Ƶ is fortunate to enjoy the benefits of a faculty-librarian model, and we will continue to benefit from the leadership of the library faculty in overseeing the academic affairs of University Libraries.

Since 2023, Dr. Ward has served as associate provost for research and special projects, overseeing administrative support for scholarly work at Adelphi. In this role, she has had oversight of the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs, the SPARK Center, and the Innovation Center. Dr. Ward joined Adelphi’s faculty in the��Department of Biology��in 2007 and has since held teaching roles, directed the��environmental studies�����Ի���health sciences��programs, chaired the Department of Biology, and served as associate dean for student success and strategic initiatives in the��College of Arts and Sciences��and as interim associate provost for student success.

I’d like to thank Interim Dean Ray Wang, PhD, for his excellent leadership and support for the libraries since his appointment, as well as for his commitment to supporting the transition to our new leadership structure.

As ������Ƶ Libraries move in this new and innovative direction, I hope that all at Adelphi will seek ways to make the most of this valuable and beneficial community resource. Congratulations and best wishes to Dr. Ward as she takes on this new role.

Sincerely,

Christopher Storm, PhD
Provost and Executive Vice President

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Since then, adult students have become an increasingly important part of the Adelphi community, and the University continues to create new ways to support them—no matter where they are in their academic and career journeys.

From onboarding programs for working adults returning to school for graduate degrees, to certificate programs and summer courses, and to caregiver resources and family-friendly campus spaces, Adelphi offers a range of services for adult and nontraditional students. This growing support reflects the University’s core commitment to student success and is part of the effort to reach goals set in our Momentum 2 strategic plan.

“We aim to meet adult students where they are to make their degree obtainment as easy and seamless as possible, while still providing rigorous programs to help them achieve their learning and career goals,” said Sandra Castro, PhD, associate dean of the College of Professional and Continuing Studies (CPCS). “We’ve had senior citizens and former students in their mid- to late twenties complete their degrees. We have something for everybody.”

Helping adults readjust to academic life

When Professor Edmund J.Y. Pajarillo, PhD, began teaching master’s degree courses in the ������Ƶ College of Nursing and Public Health, he noticed that adult students returning to school years after graduating from college frequently struggled with new technologies and the academic demands of graduate school.

“I wondered,” Dr. Pajarillo said, “how do you level the playing field for these students who come to the graduate program at different points in their lives?”

He wondered only for a short time before creating what he calls the Equitable, Targeted and Structured (ETS) Onboarding Program. Introduced in 2019, this first-of-its-kind program offers new students training in using online databases for research, refreshers in scholarly writing, and a guide to academic support services and resources offered by the University.

Now the program, which Dr. Pajarillo is helping expand to other degree programs at Adelphi as well as to four other universities across the nation, has been with recognized with an Innovative Academic Support Initiative award from the .

Flexible online and certificate degree programs

Adult students have their pick of online, on-campus and hybrid programs, as well as courses to match their lifestyle and personal needs. They can also receive customized support to build the program that works best for them.

“In CPCS, we have our own academic advisers who work with students from the time that they’ve matriculated up until graduation,” Dr. Castro said. “We help them prepare their plan of study, make sure that they’re taking the appropriate courses for their program, and address any issues that may come up along the way.”

Adelphi offers a growing list of notable online programs, including the online Master’s Degree in Education, which was named one of the nation’s Best Online Grad Programs by U.S. News and World Report. Adelphi’s and were also both named Best Online Programs of 2024 by Forbes. Outside of two- or four-year degree programs, students can also take advantage of Adelphi’s many in areas such as allied health, technology and paralegal studies.

CPCS is also the only Adelphi unit that offers self-paced online programs—and the first to offer an —allowing adult students to create their own learning schedules.

“‘Online’ doesn’t have to just mean logging into a virtual classroom at a certain time,” Dr. Castro said. “These programs have been designed to be self-paced and engaging for adult students, which is incredibly valuable when you’re juggling many responsibilities in your life.”

Adelphi even runs summer courses specifically geared towards adult learners who want to earn credits outside of the academic calendar year.

Dedicated support for caregivers

Many adult students earn their degrees while also caring for their children and elderly loved ones. To support these students, Adelphi launched the Caring for Caregivers scholarship program.

“We’re proud of this program because, for many, this type of care work gets no recognition and very little government support,” Dr. Castro said. “That’s why we also offer student counseling and mentorship to make sure each student’s coursework is going smoothly and steadily.”

For those on campus, Adelphi also created a new family-friendly space in the Swirbul Library to provide a welcoming and engaging place for students with children. The space is equipped with books, toys, crayons, comfortable seating and safety gates, so caregivers can visit the library and focus on their studies while keeping their children occupied.

This is just one of the latest mindful resources that Adelphi launched to help adult students earn their degrees and take the next step in their careers—whenever they are ready. As Dr. Castro said of the College for Professional and Continuing Studies, “We think of our academic unit as not just a resource for a moment in your life, but one for lifelong learning.”

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Now she’s started a new chapter: On April 5 and 6, she opened the book on Adelphi’s first Writers & Readers Festival.

Hoffman envisioned the festival as an event that would bring literature fans from the University and wider communities together to celebrate storytelling and the imagination. More than 300 attendees came to participate in workshops pertaining to writing and publishing and meet both established and aspiring authors.

“I am thrilled to help lead this inaugural event, which embodies our shared passion for the written word and for Adelphi’s mission to transform lives,” said Hoffman.

Part of Our Heritage

The author opened the festival with Steven Isenberg, JD, ’00 (Hon.), board of trustees chair emeritus, who said that Adelphi “is a natural spot for this endeavor because our foundation rests on inquiry, scholarship, curiosity, exploration of ideas and arguments, and the inner life of the world around us.”

Rob Linné, PhD, professor in the Ruth S. Ammon College of Education and Health Sciences and co-founder and director of the Alice Hoffman Young Writers Retreat, noted, “I see the thread of our history running through the festival. Even when Adelphi was starting as an academy in Brooklyn, the arts were essential to our reason for being. I don’t think we will ever lose that part of the mission, because it runs deep.”

Hoffman presented the Elaine Markson ’51 Award for Excellence in Publishing to Lisa Lucas, at the time a senior vice president and publisher at Penguin Random House. The award is in honor of another alum: , who was among the first women to own a literary agency and served as Hoffman’s agent.

René Steinke, professor of English and director of Adelphi’s Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing program, presented the Donald Everett Axinn Awards in Creative Writing to emerging authors and poets.

Words of Praise

“As a new professor at Adelphi, I was very proud to be a part of this festival,” Steinke said. “I loved that the festival was named for both writers and readers, and for Alice Hoffman, who originally had the vision for it, and who was such an inspiring and brilliant presence.”

Dr. Linné said, “Having the opportunity to chat with some favorite authors in a small setting was different from any other book festival I’ve experienced. I loved reconnecting with the former students and alums who turned out. Some of my students who attended felt like a whole new world was opened to them.”

Join us on April 4–5, 2025, for next year’s festival.

This story was featured in the 2024 Issue of the ������Ƶ Magazine.

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This year, Adelphi held two Commencement ceremonies: one for undergraduates and one for graduate students. Each ceremony featured a keynote speech delivered by an honorary degree recipient as well as addresses by University administration and student class presidents.

Adelphi graduates celebrating at the 128th Commencement ceremony.

President Christine M. Riordan conferred the degrees of Adelphi’s Class of 2024 (graduate and undergraduate students) who hail from 34 states and 37 countries. The oldest member of this year’s class is 61 years old and the youngest is 17.

In her welcoming address, President Riordan told graduates to believe in their ability to be extraordinary. “You have already shown remarkable resilience, creativity and dedication,” she said. “As you embark on your journey, continue to expect extraordinary from yourselves and from life. Congratulations, Class of 2024. Your hard work has paid off, and now, the world is waiting for you.”

The national anthem was sung by three graduating seniors: Lara Campanella ’24, Mallory Clark ’24 and Joy DelGiorno ’24.

Among students graduating this year, approximately 1,076 undergraduate degrees and five undergraduate certificates were awarded, along with 862 graduate degrees and 131 graduate certificates. In a Doctoral Hooding ceremony held on May 20 at the ������Ƶ Performing Arts Center (PAC) on the Garden City campus, 52 doctorates were conferred.

Senior Class President Kennie Dionisio ’24, a computer science major, communications minor and proud first-generation college student, addressed his fellow graduates, reminding them of the significance of their hard work and perseverance. “For the past four years, ������Ƶ has given us a plethora of experiences to reminisce upon. And despite the circumstances we collectively faced in 2020, I am proud to say that we overcame so many obstacles and are finally getting the proper graduation ceremony we deserve,” said Dionisio, who received a President’s Student Leadership Award this year. “Your futures are bright, so whatever path you take, hold on to that perseverance that brought you to this point today. No matter what life throws at you, you can do anything you set your mind to.”

At the undergraduate ceremony, Eduardo Vilaro ’85, artistic director and chief executive officer of Ballet Hispánico, received an honorary doctorate and addressed the Class of 2024. In his speech Vilaro, a proud first-generation college graduate, born in Cuba and raised in New York, reflected on the profound impact of his Adelphi education as a dance major and reminded graduates of the true meaning of success. “Remember, success is not measured by the size of your paycheck, the followers on your site, handle or stream, or the number of accolades on your shelf—it is measured by the lives you touch, the hearts you inspire and the legacy you leave behind,” said Vilaro. “True success lies in finding your power and standing firmly in it and then passing it forward.”

President of Adelphi’s Graduate Student Council Alexa Amato ’24 addressed her fellow class members at the graduate Commencement ceremony. Amato, an education major going on to teach in New York City public schools, spoke about the resilience of the Class of 2024 and the potential they have to achieve anything they dream. “As we look back on our time at Adelphi, let us remember the obstacles we’ve overcome and take pride in how far we’ve come,” Amato said in her address. “Through the challenges, I remained steadfast, fueled by the people I met and the experiences I encountered, all of which shaped me into a better person and a future educator. It is through adversity that we truly grow, and it is through perseverance that we achieve greatness.”

Patrick O’Shaughnessy, DO, MBA ’13, president and chief executive officer of Catholic Health, delivered the address at the graduate student ceremony and received an honorary doctorate. “Today, perhaps more than ever, our world needs real leadership, leaders of the highest moral fiber,” said O’Shaughnessy to the Class of 2024. “Always ask yourself the why and stay centered on your true north so that your actions make a positive impact in your profession and your community. I’m confident that whatever challenges may come your way, you’ll be ready to take them on as a direct result of your time with Adelphi. You are destined to make our world a better place.”

The Commencement and Hooding ceremonies were livestreamed and can be .

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As I wrote in my we can’t give Native Americans back what they lost, but we can give them back their voice. History can’t be changed but we can at least look at the situation in the most human way possible, on both sides.

As a history major focusing on U.S. history, I know the value and importance of giving all individuals and groups a voice and learning about the experiences and contributions of Native Americans. Without hearing from all perspectives, we can never gain a complete understanding of why people have thought and behaved in certain ways throughout history.

University Libraries Holds “Indigenous Lands of Long Island” Event

That’s why I attended the ������Ƶ Libraries “Indigenous Lands of Long Island” event on October 10 in the Swirbul Library. James Cho, associate professor, and Sheila Sincinito, administrative assistant, who both work in the University Libraries Cataloging and Metadata Strategies unit, as well as Dana Sinclair ’08, assistant professor, a collections and open strategies librarian, discussed precolonial Long Island history and geography, giving attendees insights into the indigenous ancestral homelands that became the present-day towns and villages of Long Island.

For example, for Adelphi:

• The Garden City campus is on the ancestral lands of the original homelands of the Merrick and Munsee tribal nations.
• The Hauppauge Center is on Secatogue land.
• The New York City–Brooklyn Center was originally Munsee Lenape land.
• The Hudson Valley Center Poughkeepsie location was the home of the Schaghticoke, Munsee Lenape and Mohicans.
• The Hudson Valley Center Middletown location is on Munsee Lenape and Mohican land.

Including Native Americans in the Curriculum

Michael Lacombe, PhD, associate professor of history

Michael Lacombe, PhD, is an associate professor of history at Adelphi and the author of . He specializes in early American history, both the native and colonial populations. As a student in his Early America: 1492-1680 course, I am gaining a better understanding of what it meant to be a Native American during the tumultuous time when Europeans arrived in North America. Dr. Lacombe encourages taking a look at history through the words of those with firsthand experience. The use of primary sources provides an even more impactful and comprehensive look at other communities and cultures.

“You can’t really understand early American history without putting native people in the center of the story,” Dr. Lacombe said. “I hope students come away from my classes in early America [understanding] that Native Americans played a major role and were involved in all of the subjects that we learn about—and not as passive victims who were acted on by Europeans but as actors in the story as well.”

He said that teaching early American history has changed over the years, from being “very much a European history of North America” to a more decolonizing approach. “I would say that this ‘decolonize the curriculum’ statement is trying to say: Let’s not make the mistake of saying that English Puritans brought to the New World their love of liberty and their desire for freedom and everything else, as if somehow we can tell that story in a way where the only people that matter are the New England Puritans.”

Dr. Lacombe suggests that all Americans can celebrate National Native American Heritage Month by learning some aspect of Native American history or culture. “Read one book, look at the work of one artist … study some aspects of Native American history and culture and then try to think about what light that sheds on the big story and how it changes the picture.”

Native Americans in the Adelphi Community

Our past stories about Native American students and alumni include:

• Shinnecok Tribal Leader Lance Gumbs ’93: “������Ƶ Made Me the Tribal Leader I am Today”—An alum revived his family business and became the tribal ambassador/representative of the Shinnecock Indian Nation, co-chair of the annual Shinnecock Indian Powwow and vice president of the National Congress of American Indians for the Northeast region.
• Students Create Adelphi’s First-Ever Event Series in Honor of Native American Heritage Month—In 2021, then-students Powless and Maybee formed the Indigenous Peoples Awareness Coalition (IPAC) and organized the first events honoring National Native American Heritage Month at Adelphi.
• A Force of Nature—Powless came to Adelphi to major in environmental studies and play volleyball.

Books and Films by and About Native Americans

• An American Sunrise: Poems (2019), by Joy Harj
• Atanarjuat: The Fast Runner (2001), Apple TV or ask a local library
• Ceremony (1977), by Leslie Marmon Silko
• Gather (2020), Netflix and Kanopy
• Killers of the Flower Moon (2023), currently in theaters
• The Last of the Line (1914), Internet Archive and YouTube
• Reservation Dogs, Hulu
• Smoke Signals (1998), Showtime
• Songs My Brothers Taught Me (2015), Kanopy
• There There (2018), by Tommy Orange
• Where the Spirit Lives (1989), Internet Archive

Resources in Swirbul Library

• American Indian History Day by Day: A Reference Guide to Events, Roger M. Carpenter
• American Indian History, Vol. 1 and 2, Carole A. Barrett
• Distinguished Native American Spiritual Practitioners and Healers, Troy R. Johnson
• Encyclopedia of American Indian History, Bruce E. Johansen and Barry Pritzker, editors
• Encyclopedia Britannica
• The First Americans: Race, Evolution and the Origin of Native Americans, Joseph F. Powell
• The Gale Encyclopedia of Native American Tribes, Sharon Malinowski
• Historical Dictionary of Native American Movements (e-book), Todd Leahy and Nathan Wilson
• Native American Arts & Cultures, Anne D’Alleva
• NAIS (Journal of the Native American and Indigenous Studies Association), Jean M. O’Brien and Robert AllenWarrior, editors
• Native Studies Review (Journal)
• Speak Like Singing: Classics of Native American Literature, Kenneth Lincoln

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The first scholarly journal to be published through the University Libraries’ new open access digital publishing program, it serves as a platform for generating new knowledge based on principles of fairness, justice, inclusivity and decolonization and encourages interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary discussions. Following its launch, plans are to publish it twice yearly, with the next issue planned for Fall 2023.

According to Reem Khamis, PhD, professor and director of Adelphi’s Neurophysiology in Speech-Language Pathology Lab and the journal’s managing editor, it is a “scholar-initiated project that was conceived from a collective desire to create a space that brings together scholars, educators, clinicians and community members interested in promoting transformative research, policy and practices related to critical examinations of communication and disability as they intersect with race, gender, class and other sociopolitical constructions.”

The Speech, Language, Hearing Scientists Equity Action Collective (SLHS-EAC)—eight faculty members around the country from marginalized groups—came up with the idea for the journal in September of 2021. The SLHS-EAC then got approval and assistance from the dean of libraries at Adelphi, Violeta Ilik.

The new journal implements principles of equity, justice, inclusivity and decoloniality and dismantles all forms of “-isms” in the way that people communicate, explained Dr. Khamis, adding that the most important factor in a manuscript’s review is its contribution to critical understanding of communication and disability.

“We intentionally built in processes to encourage and support scholarship from authors who are often marginalized by mainstream academic publishing,” said Betty Yu, PhD, professor at San Francisco State University. The journal is as much a space for building community as it is a venue for expressing ideas—as symbolized in the JCSCD logo, which is designed to convey “our wish to ignite ideas, to illuminate paths, to fuel activism and to burn down barriers.”

“We frequently hear from other scholars that JCSCD has ’caught fire’ because so many of us have finally found the intellectual home and family we have been seeking,” Yvette Hyter, PhD, professor emeritus at Western Michigan University said.

Christopher Barnes, PhD, assistant professor and digital publishing librarian at Adelphi, noted, “[We] were able to publish a first issue that demonstrates the need for such an interdisciplinary journal and the groundbreaking work being done in the area of critical studies of communication and disability.” Dr. Khamis concluded, “Colleagues are writing to us with such excitement about having this venue—some comment on how they were looking for a venue that is appropriate for their work, and now they have it.”

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Dr. Khamis says the journal is a revolution from the ground up against the positivist, medically centered scholarly productions in the study of communication and disability.

“This journal began with our collective of scientists contemplating together that studies addressing social contexts related to the study of speech, language and hearing sciences (SLHS) are published only occasionally in special issue journals like the ones emerging from social crises like the murder of George Floyd, which forced scholarly communities to engage with racism in SLHS,” says Dr. Khamis. “Without a sustained forum to bring together and publish the work of scholars engaged in the study of these topics, the growth of scholarly work in this critical area is hindered by a systematic structural blockade.”

Dr. Khamis’ work in the field of SLHS began with her focus on studying language development in Palestinian communities in Israel. She was the only Arab student in her master’s program at Tel Aviv University, where she examined the development of different Arabic structures in early childhood, recovery patterns in Arabic- and Hebrew-speaking adults with aphasia in medical settings, and augmentative and alternative education programs for special education teachers within Arab schools in Israel. She received a Fulbright scholarship in 2002 to complete her doctoral studies at Columbia University’s Teachers College. After completing postdoctoral studies in the Neurocognition of Language Lab at Teachers College, Dr. Khamis joined the faculty of ������Ƶ, where she has taught and conducted research in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders since 2008.

Dr. Khamis says that through her research journey, she began to recognize many blind spots of experimental research when focused on culturally and linguistically diverse populations—specifically in how it is “othered” by the greater influence of medically based and monolingual biased epistemologies and research practices.

“I became more aware and appreciative of research that doesn’t shy away from addressing the historical, economic, cultural and social contexts of their matter of query to trace the effect of colonization on the questions we ask in research,” she says. “The study of language development is a great domain for seeing the intersectional impact of power relations, social norms and practices, language policies, exclusionary representation and practices, community resistance, and ethics on the research produced.”

Once Dr. Khamis and her colleagues in the Speech, Language, Hearing Scientists Equity Action Collective decided to pursue a new research publication for the scholarly work they wished to encourage and nurture, she next reached out to Violeta Ilik, dean of ������Ƶ Libraries, who had recently launched��Adelphi’s Open Access publishing program. Dr. Khamis collaborated with Dean Ilik and Christopher Barnes, PhD, assistant professor and digital publishing librarian, to select a nonprofit Open Access platform that enables the team to run the editorial and production processes for less than a 10th of what commercial publishers would charge. Dr. Barnes worked closely with Dr. Khamis and the other founding editors to create the website, workflows, editorial policies, reviewer guidelines and documentation explaining how it all fits together.

The first issue of��JCSCD��will be published in the winter or spring of 2023, depending on the peer review process, with a plan to publish twice a year. The journal will be published online, and anyone around the world will be able to read it for free. Funding and support from ������Ƶ Libraries will defray the fees that authors are typically asked to pay when publishing their work open access with commercial publishers.

Dr. Barnes says, “This means that any scholar who has research appropriate for the journal can have their voice and expertise heard, regardless of the funding they may or may not have available.”

“I believe this journal will facilitate the change needed in the field so that the clinical work in the discipline can transform to be relevant and equitable to diverse communicators,” says Dr. Khamis. “Having variations in communication addressed from a strength position, rather than from pathologization and standardization, will lead to a more positive, inclusive understanding of SLHS.”

This story was featured in the Fall 2022 edition of��Scholars and Artists of ������Ƶ.�� which highlights the scholarly and creative��work of Adelphi’s faculty members.

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