Political Science & International Relations Archives | ÇÑ×ÓÊÓƵ /news-group/political-science-international-relations/ Tue, 06 Oct 2026 15:05:10 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.6.9 Echoes of a Single Day: How Adelphi Remembered, Survived and Healed After 9/11 /news/echoes-of-a-single-day-how-adelphi-remembered-survived-and-healed-after-9-11/ Tue, 06 Oct 2026 15:04:44 +0000 /?post_type=news&p=840122 From classrooms on campus to the upper floors of the World Trade Center, the lives of Adelphi students, faculty, alumni and leadership were irrevocably intersected by catastrophe. Twenty-five years later, their stories reveal how a single morning continues to echo across generations, offering a timeless blueprint of resilience, community and courage. “Time Seemed to Stand…

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From classrooms on campus to the upper floors of the World Trade Center, the lives of Adelphi students, faculty, alumni and leadership were irrevocably intersected by catastrophe. Twenty-five years later, their stories reveal how a single morning continues to echo across generations, offering a timeless blueprint of resilience, community and courage.

“Time Seemed to Stand Still”: President Michael Balboni’s Classroom Recollections

For ÇÑ×ÓÊÓƵ President Michael Balboni ’81, JD, September 11, 2001, began in a classroom. Then a New York state senator, he was serving as an adjunct faculty member, teaching a political science class on campus, when he received a phone call with the unbelievable news.

“Time seemed to stand still,” President Balboni recalled in a message sent to the Adelphi community on the eve of the 25th anniversary. “In that classroom, fear, confusion and grief washed over us, but so did a profound sense of shared humanity.”

That shared ordeal forged an indelible bond between President Balboni and his students—one he carries with him to this day. In the painful weeks that followed, he attended dozens of memorial services for constituents, neighbors and friends. Yet amid immeasurable sorrow, he discovered enduring hope in the quiet resilience of ordinary people—those who chose, day after day, to board trains back into a city with a smoldering skyline, displaying their own powerful brand of bravery.

For current Adelphi students who were too young to remember or not yet born, President Balboni emphasizes that 9/11 remains an active lesson in human strength. “You do not need to wear a uniform or rush into a burning building to be brave,” he wrote. “Courage is often found in the resolve to keep moving forward, to lend a voice of comfort to those who are grieving, and to show up for your community when it is hardest to do so.”

Inside the Tower: Dr. Nicholas Cagliuso’s Survival and the Lifelong Call to Serve

Headshot of Dr. Cagliuso

Nicholas Cagliuso Sr., PhD, MPH

While news was reaching the Adelphi campus, Nicholas Cagliuso Sr., PhD—now an adjunct faculty member in Adelphi’s —was at ground zero itself.

Dr. Cagliuso had recently started a job on the 86th floor of the World Trade Center’s North Tower. He arrived that morning at about 8:20. About 25 minutes later, the plane struck the building.

To Dr. Cagliuso, the initial impact felt like an air conditioner blowing out. Soon, however, thick smoke began to roll in. Looking out the window, he saw desks, tables and office chairs falling past the glass. Acting quickly, he used a hammer to break a floor-to-ceiling window to bring crucial oxygen into the smoky room, creating a rush of wind so powerful it nearly tore a door off its hinges.

As Dr. Cagliuso and two co-workers entered the stairwell to begin their descent, his decade of EMT experience and fire service training kicked in: Assess what is happening, then act.

The journey down was treacherous. As the building shifted, stairwell doors jammed, forcing them to find alternate routes past darkened elevator shafts. Along the way, Dr. Cagliuso stopped to assist when Port Authority police called for CPR-trained responders, helping a struggling women down a flight of stairs.

As he neared the mezzanine, the South Tower collapsed, shaking the North Tower violently. Firefighters breached a wall to redirect evacuees to another staircase. Stepping onto the mezzanine level, Dr. Cagliuso spotted two airplane seats lying amidst the debris.

Finally reaching the street, he fled the complex. Approximately 10 minutes later, the North Tower collapsed. He walked across the Brooklyn Bridge to fire headquarters, eventually reuniting with his wife and father.

Looking back, Dr. Cagliuso does not view September 11 as a sudden turn in his life, but as a “crystallizing moment” that reaffirmed his devotion to public service. Today, he brings that lived experience directly into the Adelphi classroom, teaching emergency management students the practical realities behind safety theories. He stresses preparedness, vigilance and the importance of helping others.

“Our Lives Have Changed”: The View From Campus

Back on campus in Garden City, shock quickly turned to a collective effort to comprehend the tragedy.

Just two weeks into her first year at Adelphi, Amanda Barbieri ’05 watched the chaos unfolding in Lower Manhattan on a television in her dormitory’s common area. The reality hit close to home for the campus community. Many were terrified because they had family members who worked in or around the Twin Towers.

The personal impact was staggering for young students. “It was terrifying because the week before, I had gone up to the observation deck of the Twin Towers,” Barbieri recalled in an interview published this fall on September 10 in USA Today. “I couldn’t imagine getting out of there once you were in.”

Looking back, Barbieri, now a behavioral therapist, noted how profoundly the event shaped her outlook on life. “As a kid, I don’t know if I really understood it yet,” she reflected, fighting back tears. “But I know as I’ve gotten older, nothing is ever promised. That was something that was there one minute, and gone the next, along with the people that were in it.”

A reproduction of the student newspaper's front page, with the oversized headline "Our Lives Have Changed" and a subhead that reads "Adelphi's faculty and students mourn and unite after national tragedy."

The front page of the September 21, 2001, issue of The Delphian

Just 10 days after the towers fell, The Delphian, Adelphi’s student newspaper, captured this exact heartbreak and sense of suspended reality across campus.

“Our Lives Have Changed,” read the bold page one headline of The Delphian. “The death toll is expected to reach ‘the thousands.'” An editorial summarized the inescapable reach of the tragedy across the University community: “There may not be a person at ÇÑ×ÓÊÓƵ who has not, in one way or another, been affected by this tragedy.”

Community Members Lost

The fears expressed on the pages of The Delphian were realized for many in the Adelphi family.

Among those lost was James Ostrowski ’88, who was working as a bond broker on the 104th floor of the North Tower at the Cantor Fitzgerald office. When American Airlines Flight 11 struck the building at 8:46 a.m., it hit directly below Cantor’s offices, severing all stairwells and elevator shafts in the impact zone and cutting off any chance of escape. Ostrowski died alongside 657 of his colleagues, just one day before his ninth wedding anniversary. He was 37 years old and left behind his wife and three young children.

Headshot of Professor Saucedo

Professor of art and art history Christopher Saucedo

Christopher Saucedo, a professor of art and art history who joined Adelphi’s faculty in 2012, lost his brother Gregory, a New York City firefighter, in the attack. Deeply affected by his brother’s death, Professor Saucedo created a series of works honoring him and others who perished that day. The series, Requiem MMI, includes portraits of his brother along with images of the World Trade Center floating on an azure background. Requiem MMI is on view at Adelphi as part of the University’s remembrance on the 25th anniversary of the attacks.

Describing the works, Professor Saucedo wrote, “I wanted the works to exist outside of time, both before and after September 11, 2001. I needed it to remind me of the event that changed everything and still not make me sad. Mostly I wanted to see that blue sky and hopefully hear the voice of a cherished friend, if only as a distant echo.”

Twenty-five years later, his story, along with those of President Balboni, Dr. Cagliuso, student journalists and those who perished, form an essential tapestry of Adelphi’s history. They serve as a poignant reminder that while 9/11 reshaped our world forever, the spirit of community, service and quiet courage remains unbroken.

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Beyond the Beach: How Eight Adelphi Students Traded Long Island for the Ultimate Southeast Asian Odyssey /news/beyond-the-beach-how-eight-adelphi-students-traded-long-island-for-the-ultimate-southeast-asian-odyssey/ Wed, 16 Sep 2026 13:54:08 +0000 /?post_type=news&p=834015 This past August, an intrepid crew of eight Adelphi Panthers—spanning incoming first-year students to seasoned graduate students—ditched our nearby Long Island beaches for an unforgettable, high-octane alternative summer break across Vietnam and Thailand. Their mission? To dive headfirst into a whirlwind of floating markets, artisanal coffee workshops, overnight cruises, an elephant sanctuary and a UNESCO…

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This past August, an intrepid crew of eight Adelphi Panthers—spanning incoming first-year students to seasoned graduate students—ditched our nearby Long Island beaches for an unforgettable, high-octane alternative summer break across Vietnam and Thailand.

Their mission? To dive headfirst into a whirlwind of floating markets, artisanal coffee workshops, overnight cruises, an elephant sanctuary and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, experiencing firsthand how ancient traditions pulse alongside modern economic booms.

“International experiences broaden students’ perspectives, allowing them to view themselves as global citizens,“ explained Vice President Sentwali Bakari, PhD, vice president for student affairs and diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging who accompanied the group. “They foster confidence, self-awareness and a deeper appreciation for friends worldwide.”

The proof? “Currently, these students are using WhatsApp to talk about how they want to visit Vietnam and Thailand again,“ Dr. Bakari added.

According to Dr. Bakari, by directly engaging with other cultures, which is something no formal classroom or campus activity can provide, students gain a broader sense of what’s possible in the world.

For incoming first-year students Jackson Clark, a business major, Sebastian Porter, a political science major, and Alyssa Kirkpatrick, a dance major, the trip also provided a special welcome to Adelphi.

“I built instant bonds not just with fellow freshmen, but with upperclassmen who gave me the inside track on Adelphi life,“ Kirkpatrick shared. Clark echoed the sentiment: “I walked onto campus already feeling like a true part of the community.”

Adelphi student in front of the Grand Palace in Bangkok, Thailand.

First year business major Jackson Clark at the Grand Palace in Bangkok, Thailand.

First Stop: Electric Vietnam

Touching down in Hanoi on August 7, the group hit the ground running with an action-packed itinerary that blended stunning scenery with deep cultural immersion.

“What blew me away was how much we packed in,“ recalled Kirkpatrick. “From local cooking classes to overnight cruises, every single day was an adventure.”

Clark, too, was captivated by the natural beauty of Ha Long Bay. “I enjoyed Vietnam the most due to its gorgeous scenery, walkable cities, and very safe and friendly vibe,” he said. “I’m a business major and this trip has shown me the business and legal opportunities available in Vietnam.”

Political science major Porter reported that he especially enjoyed “the welcoming communal culture of Hanoi,“ and the “stunning scenery of Ha Long Bay,” where an overnight cruise explored the UNESCO World Heritage Site that features more than 2,000 limestone caves and picturesque floating villages.

The journey wasn’t just about sightseeing;—it was about connection. The group led a sunrise tai chi session in Ho Chi Minh City and teamed up with Food Bank Vietnam to prepare meals and engage with visually impaired students.

“That service project was a core memory for me,“ Clark noted.

Key memories for Dr. Bakari included student participation in a case study at Earth Venture Capital in Ho Chi Minh City and their interaction with university students and administrators at the Ho Chi Minh City University of Economics and Finance.

“However, the visits to the War Remnants Museum in Ho Chi Minh City, Hoa Lo Prison in Hanoi, where Senator John McCain and others were imprisoned during the Vietnam War, and Ha Long Bay were especially powerful,” he recalled.

Next Up: Majestic Thailand

Jetting into Bangkok, Thailand, the squad immersed themselves in a sensory feast: exploring the golden spires of The Grand Palace, the ancient reclining Buddha at Wat Pho, the vibrant Pak Khlong Talat flower market, and the bustling water lanes of the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market.

They mastered authentic Thai flavors at the Silom Thai Cooking School, connected with local university peers, and capped off the city experience with a magical dinner cruise along the Chao Phraya, known as the River of Kings.

The crown jewel of the Thai leg? A day spent at an ethical elephant sanctuary.

“My absolute favorite moment was being with the elephants,“ noted Kirkpatrick.

A Journey That Changes Everything

Reflecting on the service-learning core of the trip, Kirkpatrick drew inspiration from her own family roots. “My grandparents immigrated from the Philippines with almost nothing. Realizing the privileges I have makes me want to give back every chance I get. This wasn’t just a trip—it was a life-defining experience.”

Dr. Bakari believes this is just the beginning for these global Panthers: “This experience sparks a lifelong curiosity about the world.”

Where Will You Go Next?

Stay tuned to the Center for Student and Community Engagement. The destination for next summer’s alternative break will be revealed midsemester—alongside details for an upcoming winter break excursion to Spain.

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75 Years of Unfiltered Student Voices: Inside Adelphi’s Award-Winning Newspaper, The Delphian /news/75-years-of-unfiltered-student-voices-inside-adelphis-award-winning-newspaper-the-delphian/ Tue, 04 Aug 2026 00:05:54 +0000 /?post_type=news&p=831447 Before TikTok, YouTube and the internet took over—before “going viral” and social media algorithms ruled communications—Adelphi students had just one place to make noise: The Delphian. Celebrating 75 years on campus, the student paper remains the ultimate forum for raising awareness, highlighting student stories and fighting for causes worth believing in. A 75-Year Legacy on…

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Before TikTok, YouTube and the internet took over—before “going viral” and social media algorithms ruled communications—Adelphi students had just one place to make noise: The Delphian. Celebrating 75 years on campus, the student paper remains the ultimate forum for raising awareness, highlighting student stories and fighting for causes worth believing in.

A 75-Year Legacy on Campus

Hitting a 75th anniversary isn’t just a fun milestone—it’s a testament to student grit.

Launching right after World War II, The Delphian quickly became the heart of campus conversation. Whenever history unfolded, Adelphi communications, history and political science majors were on the front lines, documenting everything from cafeteria menus to major national turning points like the Vietnam War protests, the Civil Rights Movement, Watergate and the COVID-19 pandemic.

While earlier publications existed—like the Adelphi College Fortnightly (1921–1946) and the Adelphi Guidon (1946–1951)—it was The Delphian that truly took root, growing from a scrappy four-page weekly paper into an award-winning newsroom.

In its very first issue, the inaugural student editors issued a bold call to action that still drives the team today:

“Take notice, Adelphi, and give your representative voice all your backing. The Delphian is new, but most of all, the year is new. What better time is there to get those dingy scowls off our faces and ‘do something’?”

Today, The Delphian is winning recognition—including three awards in 2025 from the Press Club of Long Island, and many others over the years, including Best College Newspaper and Best College Reporter.

Time Travel in the Campus Archives

How did past generations handle absolute chaos? In the spring of 2026, Professor Maria Cristina Zaccarini, PhD, took students from her sophomore history deep into the archives at Swirbul Library to find out.

Heading down the stairs and into the stacks, students cracked open old issues of The Delphian from the 1960s and 1970s, analyzing how past Panthers reacted to the Vietnam War, the political earthquake of Watergate and the fight for gender equality.

“Adelphi was ahead of the curve in many ways with the free speech movement and protesting the Vietnam War,” Dr. Zaccarini explained. “There were incredible insights that made you understand the mindset of the entire community, just like our newspaper today helps us understand who we are right now.”

Launching Real Careers (and Bestselling Authors)

Joining the Delphian team isn’t just an extracurricular—it’s a hands-on career accelerator. You learn how to ask tough questions, connect with people of all kinds, meet real deadlines and lead teams.

Consider Alice Hoffman ’73, ’02 (Hon.). Before she became the New York Times bestselling author of the hit novel Practical Magic, she was sitting in the Delphian newsroom developing her writing voice.

Liza Burby, senior adjunct at Adelphi and faculty adviser for The Delphian from 2013 to 2025, emphasizes that student journalism pushes people out of their comfort zones in the best way possible, preparing them for their careers.

“Having to come up with article ideas, figure out how to get the information you need to tell the story, and then being able to either interview someone on the phone or across a table—those are skills that a lot of people are really hesitant to pursue,” she said.

Professor of communications Paul Thaler, PhD, who preceded Burby as advisor to the paper, sees work on the paper as a powerful rite of passage for students.

“As a student-journalist, you are an active witness to events and also a commentator to ongoing matters of importance on campus, with the power to heighten the collective consciousness of the University,” he said. “In short, a student writing for The Delphian now wears the badge of a journalist—and that is an empowering feeling.”

That culture of mentorship creates a chain reaction where experienced editors help train the newest writers on campus.

“I’ve grown so much as a writer,” said Arpan Josan, a recent editor-in-chief who will graduate in December 2026. “It has challenged me to create meaningful articles and engage with different topics. As an editor, I’ve been able to help younger writers develop their skills while sharpening my own.

The Next Page

The Delphian is not standing still. Current faculty adviser Suzanne Valenza and the student staff are focused on leveling up their digital footprint.

“Our goal is to make the absolute go-to spot for campus news,” Valenza said. “We are building a strong staff with regular meetings in our redesigned office—a space where students can hang out, swap story ideas, debate current events or just kick back with friends.”

Alumni and current students are also invited to celebrate 75 years of student voices at a special anniversary event on October 17 as part of Spirit Weekend.

It’s a homecoming for generations of writers, photographers and designers who left their mark on campus—and proof that student voices at Adelphi continue to shape the future.

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Global Leadership in Action: Two New 2026 Grads Head to Europe on Fulbright Fellowships /news/global-leadership-in-action-two-new-2026-grads-head-to-europe-on-fulbright-fellowships/ Tue, 07 Jul 2026 14:30:05 +0000 /?post_type=news&p=830638 As members of Adelphi’s Class of 2026 are taking their first steps into their after-college lives, two new graduates are readying for a year abroad on prestigious and highly competitive Fulbright English Teaching Assistant fellowships. This year’s recipients—Julia Carpio, a graduate of Adelphi’s accelerated five-year Scholar Teacher Education Program, and Hussein Ali Rifath, who earned…

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As members of Adelphi’s Class of 2026 are taking their first steps into their after-college lives, two new graduates are readying for a year abroad on prestigious and highly competitive Fulbright English Teaching Assistant fellowships. This year’s recipients—Julia Carpio, a graduate of Adelphi’s accelerated five-year Scholar Teacher Education Program, and Hussein Ali Rifath, who earned bachelor’s degrees in political science and Spanish—will be going to Europe to teach, mentor and build cross-cultural understanding.

The two award winners embody Adelphi’s commitment to scholarship, service and global citizenship. They also reflect the University’s commitment to helping students gain access to experiences that transform lives. Both worked with Adelphi’s Office of Prestigious Awards and Fellowships to navigate the application process, secure effective letters of recommendation and prepare for interviews.

“Our office was delighted to work with these Fulbright awardees,” said Nicole Rudolph, PhD, director of the Office of Prestigious Awards and Fellowships and associate dean for student engagement. “Each brought a true passion for international education and global connection to the application process, and we are so pleased that the U.S. Fulbright Committee recognized their potential by granting them English Teaching Assistantships.”

Applying for the fellowship can be just as valuable as receiving one, according to Dean Rudolph. “Applying for a nationally competitive award is a wonderful way for students to think deeply about their objectives, priorities and values,” she said. “Students tell us that the application process itself helped them to clarify their life goals, improve their written and oral communication, and refine their time management skills.”

Julia Carpio’s Leap to Greece

For Julia Carpio ’25, MA ’26, who received her MA in Childhood Education and Advanced Certificate in TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) in May, winning a prestigious Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship award was the culmination of a lifelong dream.

A self-described “shy, quiet and reserved” child, Carpio first found her path to teaching thanks to a kindergarten teacher who made her feel like she could achieve anything. Combined with the inspiration of her mother, a high school Spanish teacher, education was in Carpio’s blood. “Our (Adelphi) professors tell us all the time that teaching is a calling, it’s not a job—you have to have a true passion for it,” she said.

That calling will soon take her to an elementary school in Athens, Greece, where she’ll spend a year teaching English to students. The Fulbright program’s focus on multilingual education and cultural exchange matched the path she was already on. “I really wanted to dive into teaching and get as much as I could out of multilingual education,” she said.

Carpio can point to specific moments—and people—who nudged her from dream to decision. One was a , led by Mary Jean McCarthy, clinical associate professor in the Ruth S. Ammon College of Education and Health Sciences. “That was where I fell in love with multilingual education and learning from educators from different parts of the world,” she recalled.

McCarthy connected Carpio with Professor Clara Vaz Bauler, PhD, professor in the School of Education who became an anchor for her Fulbright ambitions. Daryl M. Gordon, PhD, who is also a professor in the School of Education, and Priya Wadhera, PhD, professor and interim director of the Office of Prestigious Awards and Fellowships last year, helped with her application. Shannon Harrison, director of Adelphi’s Center for International Education, first mentioned Fulbright to Carpio and walked her through options for teaching abroad. “So many people helped me get here,” Carpio said.

She chose Greece deliberately. Many Fulbright placements only put scholars in schools part time, but the Athens program puts Carpio in the classroom five days a week and some Saturdays. “I want to be 100 percent part of the staff,” she explained.

Carpio’s hopes for the year abroad are practical. “I want to walk away as a more effective educator,” she said. She wants to watch how Greek teachers structure lessons, what questions they ask, how they respond to multilingual students—and then carry those insights into whatever classroom she steps into next.

Long term, she sees Fulbright as the first in a series of international chapters in her life. She wants to keep teaching abroad and eventually pursue a PhD in international and comparative education.

Hussein Ali Rifath: Making a Difference in Madrid

By the time Hussein Ali Rifath ’26 learned he’d been selected for a Fulbright, he’d spent four years at Adelphi growing into the kind of person who sees scholarship as service.

“It’s been a journey of growth for me,” said Rifath, who served as president of the Class of 2026 and president of Adelphi’s Student Government Association. This fall, he will travel to Spain to help public school students sharpen their English, engage with global issues and see America in a new light.

“We’re being citizen diplomats,” he says of himself and his fellow Fulbright recipients. “We’re not just working as educators; we’re advancing our foreign relations abroad.”

For Rifath, his Fulbright sits at the intersection of everything that’s been on his mind as he graduates: America’s role in the world, the power of education and a personal desire to serve.

“I feel like now, more than ever, it’s important for Americans to get involved,” he said.

He’s especially aware that many students abroad only know the United States through politics and headlines. His goal is “to give a nuanced view, to show that we have two sides to our political spectrum, like every country. I want to give people a more comprehensive message about what America is, what we stand for. I want them to see us as a vibrant, welcoming society that not only cherishes them but also cherishes the human bonds which unite us across the world.”

In Madrid, Rifath will work with two programs that bring global awareness into local schools. “I’ll help students articulate themselves in English and speak about pressing issues across the world—like climate change and international relations,” he explained.

Rifath credits two Adelphi faculty members with helping him win a Fulbright: Ignacio Arellano-Torres, PhD, assistant professor in the Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures, and Dr. Vaz Bauler, the education professor who also inspired Julia Carpio. “They helped me discover my passion for learning language,” he said.

Fulbright is just one chapter in Rifath’s plan for a life centered on service. “Long term, I see myself joining the military,” he says, which he sees as a way to serve his community and country. “Through it all, my goal is to get involved in ways that benefit the community.”

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Gender pay gap widens nationally, while shrinking in New York /news/gender-pay-gap-widens-nationally-while-shrinking-in-new-york/ Tue, 07 Apr 2026 19:18:58 +0000 /?post_type=news&p=828541 The post Gender pay gap widens nationally, while shrinking in New York appeared first on ÇÑ×ÓÊÓƵ.

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Behind the Re-emergence of the “Nordic Voice” in the United Nations /news/behind-the-reemergence-of-the-nordic-voice-in-the-united-nations/ Fri, 20 Mar 2026 16:00:50 +0000 /?post_type=news&p=827990 “The times we live in call for closer Nordic cooperation and more Nordic values,” the minister of one territory said in a statement. This consolidation of the diplomatic Nordic identity reflects the region’s growing power in European security. After the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Nordic states sought closer ties with both each other and…

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“The times we live in call for closer Nordic cooperation and more Nordic values,” the minister of one territory said in a statement. This consolidation of the diplomatic Nordic identity reflects the region’s growing power in European security. After the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Nordic states sought closer ties with both each other and their neighbors, partnering with the Baltic states to pledge military support to Ukraine.

But the Nordic voice hasn’t always spoken so loudly on the international stage. In 2003, Katie Laatikainen, PhD, professor and chair of Adelphi’s Department of Political Science and International Relations, published “” (Cooperation and Conflict), which examined the disappearance of the “Nordic voice”—the bloc of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden—from the United Nations.

At the time, the European Union’s (EU) progressive policies resonated strongly with Nordic states, who were willing to operate as part of a larger EU coalition. In the intervening years, however, those policies changed. “After they joined the UN in the 1990s, Nordic states felt they could push the EU to be as progressive as they were,” Dr. Laatikainen said. The Nordic bloc also believed the UN would remain a strong supporter of multilateralism, or the practice of multiple entities organizing toward a common goal, which is integral to the Nordic international identity. “But it became clear that wasn’t going to happen.”

The Once-Quiet Nordic Voice Starts to Speak Up

In the mid-2010s, Dr. Laatikainen noticed that the Nordic bloc was beginning to reclaim its voice, issuing collective statements that went farther than EU stances, sometimes alongside the Baltic states of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. Now, she’s back with a new article that builds on a decade of research and observation: “,” written with longtime collaborator Karen Smith, PhD, of the London School of Economics. (In 2020, the two published the book Group Politics in UN Multilateralism, which won the Academic Council on the United Nations System Biennial Book Award.) The article was accepted into the , a showcase for world-class scholarship on the history of Nordic international relations.

Although the Nordic states have continued to release independent statements, “there’s been this emphasis on establishing a Nordic voice as opposed to a national voice as the main dimension of their diplomatic outreach,” Dr. Laatikainen said. While researching the article, she had been shown an internal document among the Nordic states that asked diplomats to emphasize a collective voice. “It was a conscious practice, and we wanted to figure out why.”

Fractures in the EU-Nordic Relationship

As a study on international practice theory once noted, “practices exist, first and foremost, in the eyes of practitioners.” Drs. Laatikainen and Smith spoke to 24 diplomats from the Nordic and Baltic states as well as the EU, Belgium, Luxembourg, and the UK. Their interviews revealed divisions between states and blocs that had formerly engaged in multilateralism.

Historically, Nordic concerns at the UN have centered on human rights, especially women’s, children’s, indigenous, and gender rights. But as several EU states grew more conservative, weakening the EU’s progressive agenda, progressive EU multilateralism fell by the wayside. With their values compromised, Nordic states were no longer content to work only within the EU’s diplomatic coalition.

Solving an Identity Crisis

The Nordic bloc had more in mind than accomplishing policy goals. “People think UN politics are about getting votes,” Dr. Laatikainen said, “but we contend that these diplomatic practices are as much about identity.” She and Dr. Smith drew on the concept of ontological security, or the need to experience the self as a continuous whole, to explain the reappearance of the Nordic voice.

“When we think about national security, we think about military security and arms races,” Dr. Laatikainen said. Ontological security, however, is about social and psychological desire. The safety of Nordic states had not been threatened by rising conservatism within the EU, but their existential position was. “These states were worried. ‘Are we losing who we are?’ We all want to maintain a sense of identity, whether collective or individual, in our relations with others.”

Looking to an Uncertain Future

In today’s unstable geopolitical landscape, certainty is in short supply. States will cling to—or create—practices that reaffirm their values and identities. For smaller states like the Nordics, the UN is a particularly important site of identity-making. The UN charter preserves the sovereign equality and political independence of all member states, “guaranteeing their existence as actors in the international system,” Dr. Laatikainen said.

Most interviews for the article were conducted in 2022. If Dr. Laatikainen spoke to her subjects again today, she believes she’d find “an even stronger attachment to the Nordic voice,” given tensions involving Russia and Denmark/Greenland. EU states are also seeking to disengage from a United States under President Trump’s leadership, eroding once-strong alliances and shifting the balance of power.

A Four-Decade-Long Scholarly Passion

Amid uncertainty in the world order, Dr. Laatikainen is proud to see a clear line in the continuum of her own work. Since going abroad to Denmark as an undergraduate, she has spent decades studying international relations and diplomacy, always harboring a particular interest in the Nordic region. “The return of the Nordic voice” will be one of her final publications before retirement. “This article is very meaningful on different levels,” she said. “It has historical echoes in both my personal and professional life.”

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Yeah, I Got a F#%*ing Job With a Liberal Arts Degree /news/yeah-i-got-a-fing-job-with-a-liberal-arts-degree/ Tue, 10 Feb 2026 14:54:55 +0000 /?post_type=news&p=826595 The post Yeah, I Got a F#%*ing Job With a Liberal Arts Degree appeared first on ÇÑ×ÓÊÓƵ.

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Opinion: Why Study the Humanities, Anyway? /news/opinion-why-study-the-humanities-anyway/ Fri, 03 Oct 2025 17:54:05 +0000 /?post_type=news&p=821732 This April, ÇÑ×ÓÊÓƵ hosted its second annual Writers & Readers Festival. More than 200 book lovers from our Garden City community and beyond came together with authors, faculty and students to talk about the vital place literature has in our world. Personally, I most enjoyed listening to current MFA student and poet Ed Mabrey…

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This April, ÇÑ×ÓÊÓƵ hosted its second annual Writers & Readers Festival. More than 200 book lovers from our Garden City community and beyond came together with authors, faculty and students to talk about the vital place literature has in our world. Personally, I most enjoyed listening to current MFA student and poet Ed Mabrey talk with author and broadcaster Alvin Hall about his podcast and book, , a living history project in which Hall examines the legacy of the segregated South via a road trip from Detroit to New Orleans, with the famous Green Book as his guide. Driving the Green Book reminds us that the stories we tell connect us to one another. It insists that in an age of tremendous technological advancement and historical change, understanding what it is to be human matters above all else.

We live in an era of unprecedented access to information and in these moments of extraordinary change, reading books or diving into history seem at best, quaintly out of date, or at worst, an indulgence that cannot create the same opportunity that we see in other growing fields like computer science or marketing. As someone who works in higher education, I can tell you that there is always talk about the demise of the humanities. In moments of technological innovation, these conversations intensify, and yet, these are the points in history that need the humanities the most.

The humanities—the study of literature, language, history or philosophy—offer opportunities to think about why our world is the way it is, and give its students the tools to meet the changes we face. , but not always obvious, even as humanities students find their paths in education, law, business, management and the not-for-profit sector. The humanities invest in processes—developing critical thinking skills, intellectual creativity and flexibility. Put simply, humanities students know how to learn. At Adelphi, we have seen our graduates go on to become published authors, teachers, lawyers and technological innovators, finding jobs and building careers in unexpected and thrillingly varied fields. To follow the humanities is to pursue a passion, but that doesn’t mean that those of us who do so have to choose between that and a satisfying and lucrative career. We consider ourselves the lucky ones—more often than not, we can have both.

Here’s the thing about the humanities: The path ahead isn’t always clear. We take a road map, and set out on a path, perhaps stopping to listen to the stories or histories that will guide us on our path, and keep moving forward. As we study the humanities, building vast reserves of intellectual curiosity, empathy and problem-solving skills, we are moving toward jobs that we haven’t yet realized exist—or perhaps even jobs that don’t yet exist. We move with creativity and an entrepreneurial spirit that will serve us well in the world—not only as an employee, or (better yet) a boss, but as a human being, navigating the rapidly changing world with a sense of history, a sense of compassion and a sense of purpose. We understand how history and culture have brought us to this point in time, and we have the ability to imagine what comes next. We are, as Shakespeare put it, makers of manners.

In a world where technology insists that answers can be given instantly, and the world can feel increasingly unsettled, it can be hard to invest in a long-term strategy that can only promise to take you to places you are willing to go. But the outcomes are always worth it.

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History Made! A Look at Adelphi’s New Undergraduate Law Review /news/history-made-a-look-at-adelphis-new-undergraduate-law-review/ Fri, 03 Oct 2025 17:50:43 +0000 /?post_type=news&p=821730 In fact, an MIT list of law reviews shows under 20 tied to undergraduate programs. Now, thanks to a handful of enterprising students, ÇÑ×ÓÊÓƵ joins the ranks of elite institutions like Columbia University, Trinity College and Cornell University in hosting its own official undergraduate journal dedicated to exploring legal topics and ideas. The Adelphi…

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In fact, an MIT list of law reviews shows . Now, thanks to a handful of enterprising students, ÇÑ×ÓÊÓƵ joins the ranks of elite institutions like Columbia University, Trinity College and Cornell University in hosting its own official undergraduate journal dedicated to exploring legal topics and ideas.

The is the brainchild of Peyton DeRouen, an Adelphi criminal justice major and political science minor. Like many students considering law school who seek career assistance, she visited the Office of Pre-Professional Advising and Fellowships for guidance when she first started at Adelphi. “The director gave me the outline of the law school admissions process as well as what Adelphi had that was pre‑law-oriented in terms of clubs and other initiatives,” she recalled, referring to David Oroza, director of pre‑professional advising and fellowships. “I immediately saw an opportunity.”

Oroza emphasized his office’s mission. “The Office of Pre-Professional Advising and Fellowships is devoted to the success of our students,” he said. “Our goal is to help them get into graduate school. Students contemplating careers in healthcare and law professions receive individualized guidance.”

The AULR Origin Story

A transfer student, DeRouen approached the only other student, at the time, who she knew was interested in pre-law—Samina Radia, who would become AULR’s managing editor—to help spread the word to others and gauge interest in a law review for undergrads. She researched how to form a club on campus, drafted a constitution and filled out the required paperwork. In August 2024, she put out a call for e-board applications, leading her to meet now co-editor in chief Sophia Sewpersad, a business management and English double major. The rest of the team was set by September and the first law review was published in the Spring of 2025, only a year after its formation.

Article topics in the first volume range from divorce and domestic violence to abortion and birth control rights, and international humanitarian law during armed conflict to the balance of power between federal and state in the United States.

The Benefits of Law Reviews

Law reviews allow undergraduates to develop critical legal writing and research skills, gain experience with the publication process and contribute to the broader legal academic conversation on contemporary issues. Adelphi’s student-run publication dives into timely topics, from landmark law cases to emerging debates, providing the reader with well-thought-out and researched arguments while benefiting the writer by providing an opportunity to hone their critical thinking and writing skills.

“At the law school level, law review articles shape legal academia—and are often cited in Supreme Court decisions,” DeRouen explained. “In today’s climate, law and policy affect our daily lives. Writing about them is a way for undergrad students to use their voice and engage beyond social media.” It is also a good way to “build your résumé and professional network,” Sewpersad added.

AULR is not just for pre‑law students; it offers tangible benefits to any student who writes, researches or thinks critically, including, but not limited to, English, , history and environmental studies majors. All are welcome and encouraged to submit.

“Law lies at the intersection of so many different fields,” said Sung Hoon Kim, JD, AULR faculty adviser and assistant professor in the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science who earned his juris doctorate from NYU School of Law. “In law school, you meet people who majored in various subjects, and the discourse of legal academia benefits from having this diversity of perspective. Having an undergraduate law review is a great opportunity for students to explore and advocate for a topic they care about and to have that work published. Who knows, this experience might even convince you to consider attending law school.”

The Process to Get Published

The AULR team is dedicated to helping those interested in submitting an article easily navigate the process, hosting informational workshops as well as those on best citation practices. After students submit their abstract and article through the , the submissions go through a peer review process and a round of editing before being returned to the author for two cycles of revisions. “Peer review is essential,” Sewpersad said. “We require legitimate sources, with information drawn from scholarly or official sources. We emphasize that truth is grounded in sources that are double-, triple- and quadruple-checked.”

Adelphi’s Support System

No student‐run enterprise thrives in isolation—between assistance from the Office of Pre‑Professional Advising and Fellowships and faculty advisers and other supporters, the AULR has benefited from a strong network of guidance and encouragement. By offering events, workshops and mentorship, Adelphi creates the conditions for students to translate interest into action—with AULR as a vivid example where student initiative, infrastructure, faculty support and a mission to amplify legal voices all intersect.

“The faculty response has been overwhelmingly supportive, and already this semester, new students are showing interest in the Law Review,” Sewpersad said. “It’s a really good opportunity, and I’m happy to be part of it.”

Looking Ahead

Submissions for the Spring 2026 journal are now and are being accepted on a rolling basis with a deadline of March 6, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. EST. Articles, research papers, essays and commentaries are welcome from all students and faculty at any university in any program of study as long as the submission relates to legal issues.

AULR, though new, already demonstrates that when students work together with support and rigor, learning goes beyond grades—it becomes contribution. “I’d love to see the AULR grow to be recognized beyond campus, with the goal to grow it into a nationally heralded law publication,” DeRouen said.

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Immigrant New York Farm Workers Issue Warning Over ICE Raids /news/immigrant-new-york-farm-workers-issue-warning-over-ice-raids/ Tue, 09 Sep 2025 13:11:19 +0000 /?post_type=news&p=820982 The post Immigrant New York Farm Workers Issue Warning Over ICE Raids appeared first on ÇÑ×ÓÊÓƵ.

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