Alvernia University

The Psychology Club traveled to Philadelphia to gain professional exposure and engage with the latest research in psychology at the Eastern Psychological Association (EPA) conference. "When students attend professional conferences, they have the opportunity to explore new areas of Psychology and participate in the creation of new knowledge in the field," said Associate Professor of Psychology and Counseling Erin Way, Ph.D. "They are also able to experience themselves as the professionals they are becoming in the field."

Students of the Pura Vida Club, in partnership with the nonprofit organization Letters of Love, gathered to make handcrafted letters for sick children battling cancer and terminal illnesses. Letters of Love is dedicated to brightening the lives of children going through hardship by sending letters filled with support and encouragement. "Through the cards, we hope that each child who receives a card knows that they are loved, supported, and never alone," said Pura Vida Vice President Jonny Division Martinez. "We want to show that we can change the world with small acts of kindness."

In January, Master of Athletic Training (MSAT) students attended the annual Eastern Athletic Trainers Association (EATA) Conference in Connecticut to interact and immerse themselves in the world of athletic training. The conference provides firsthand exposure to the dynamic field of athletic training to athletic trainers and students across the Northeast. "At this conference, the students were exposed to a variety of presentations, workshops, and networking events with other athletic trainers and athletic training students," said Assistant Professor of Athletic Training & Coordinator of Clinical Education, Ashley Grey, DAT, LAT, ATC. "Our Alvernia students not only presented their case study research posters but also participated in the Student Quiz Bowl! One of our students, Ashley Anders, was awarded a scholarship by the district, which was based off her academic accomplishments and service to the profession."

In the Fall 2023 Semester, Alvernia University Resident Assistants (RAs) completed 207 total programs while pursuing their undergraduate or graduate degrees and extracurriculars. "I am really proud of the work that the Resident Assistant staff has done so far this academic year," said Assistant Director of Residence Life, Logan Houptley, M.S. "Our RAs have been resilient through the many changes in our department, including a refresh to our programming model and how we are engaging with our ever-changing residential population." The Office of Residence Life's (ORL) new programming model, Re-LAUnch, encompasses three categories of programs: Maroon, Gold, and Silver. Maroon events are floor-specific or community socials. Gold events are where RAs take their residents to other events hosted by other offices on campus. Silver events are bigger events that half of each RA staff hosts in the residence halls. They completed 84 Maroon programs, nine Silver events and three Gold programs each (114 total). "The new collaborative programming model has allowed us RAs to connect with residents like never before," said RA, Junior Athletic Training Major and Men's Golf Student-Athlete Jackson Hoovler. "Residents can now connect with other Residents from different floors and even different buildings. This has enabled RAs to build a greater community on campus than ever before. The new programming model offers inclusivity, creativity, and great fun for Residents across the Alvernia Campus. Resident attendance to programs is at an all-time high under the new programming model." In alignment with the Division of Student Affairs priorities, the ORL's programming efforts center around five learning outcomes that each RA must meet, including sense of belonging, cultural competence, self-sufficiency, health and wellness, and academic and career excellence. "As student affairs professionals and paraprofessionals, we know that a significant portion of learning comes from outside of the classroom," said Houptley. "Our RA staff is a crucial component of creating communities where this learning takes place and where students feel challenged and supported. I am proud of the buy-in from our residential students who have attended our events." In addition to the new programming model, the ORL is partnering with Alvernia University Athletics to pilot Athlead, an Athletics Living-Learning Community (LLC) for first-year students. This pilot is set to house 22 incoming first-year student-athletes in one residence hall wing with an RA who is also a student-athlete. "I feel that being a Head RA (HRA) and student-athlete has been a challenge and a blessing.... these two responsibilities have helped me grow my time management, perseverance, and determination," said HRA, Sophomore Occupational Therapy Major and Women's Volleyball Student-Athlete, Cierra Roberts. "I have met so many incredible people while working as an HRA/RA which has helped me to feel comfortable, confident, and secure when things get hard. This role has also improved my creativity while cultivating a great learning experience for my residents."

Alvernia University placed eight field hockey student-athletes on the NFHCA National Academic Squad as announced by the National National Field Hockey Coaches Association. The NFHCA National Academic Squad program, sponsored by OPA Winning Teams, honors undergraduate collegiate student-athletes who have achieved a cumulative grade-point average of 3.5 or higher through the first semester of the current academic year. The Middle Athletic Conference placed 160 student-athletes on the list with the Commonwealth placing 89 and the Freedom placing 71. Of Alvernia's eight honorees, Madison Speece and Brianna Burkholder appeared on the list for the fourth time. In addition, Lexi Boettcher, Abbie Buck, and Gianna DeGregory all tallied a third time on the list while Olivia Hess, Caroline Martin and Kathryn Palmer made their debut on the list.

On February 9, 2024, Community Evangelical Church and Alvernia University partnered to host the Tim Tebow Foundation's Night to Shine in Berks County for the first time since 2020. Night to Shine is designed to be an unforgettable prom night hosted globally for people with special needs aged 14 and older. Over 400 Alvernia volunteers celebrated the individuals by providing them with a night of joy and recognition. "Alvernia is committed to personal and social transformation through integrated, community-based, inclusive, and ethical learning," said Director of Accessibility Services Andrea Swift, Ed.D. "The University holds to the ideal of 'knowledge joined with love.' Night to Shine is focused on love for the honored guests and their families. Our students had the pleasure of sharing an incredible night celebrating unique individuals and ensuring that they know how valuable they are. Alvernia students also had the opportunity to put their knowledge they have learned in the classroom into practice as they helped with this community event."

A total of 111 Alvernia student-athletes were named to the MAC Academic Honor Roll for the 2023 fall semester, as announced by the Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) Executive Director Megan Morrison on Friday. Across the conference, a total of 1,690 student-athletes who competed in men's and women's cross country, field hockey, football, men's and women's soccer and women's volleyball were recognized. The fall academic honor roll is comprised of student-athletes who competed in a varsity level sport and registered a fall term/semester GPA of 3.20 (on a 4.00 scale) or higher. Since 2020-2021, the MAC has allowed its institutions to name all of their NCAA-competing sports to the MAC Academic Honor Roll even if the MAC does not sponsor the sport. A total of 111 Alvernia University student-athletes were honored by the MAC for their achievements in the classroom. 12 of those 111 honorees earned a perfect 4.0 GPA.

Over 750 students were named to Alvernia University's Dean's List for the fall 2023 semester. "I would like to congratulate you on and thank you for your commitment to your academic success," said Alvernia University Senior Vice President and Provost, Leamor Kahanov, Ed.D. "Balancing your course load, experiential learning opportunities, internships, and personal responsibilities is no easy task and I am proud of you for your hard work in earning your spot on the Dean's List on top of those responsibilities. I wish you continued success in the spring semester." To be eligible for the Dean's List, students must carry a semester GPA of 3.5 or better and take a minimum of 12 credits. A full list of students is available at Alvernia.edu.

Undergraduate students enrolled in the Financial Decision-Making course led by Professor of Business Scott Ballantyne, Ph. D., competed in the Bloomberg Global Trading Challenge, an international business competition with over 10,000 students competing. Groups had strong placements, with one team placing in the top 5%, another in the top 20%, and a third in the top 25%. By participating in this experiential learning competition, students were able to apply the knowledge and skills they learned in class and various Bloomberg certifications. "The fact that students get to use the premier financial information system in the world, and have the opportunity to test their skills against other students across the globe provides a hands-on experience that can't be matched simply by completing assignments from a textbook," said Ballantyne. "This competition makes a difference in concept understanding of the financial markets."

Master of Science in Occupational Therapy candidate Amy Lista presented two posters at the American Society of Biomechanics National Conference in Knoxville, Tn. Her work assessed the change in biomechanics when running with a stroller and its potential for increased risk of injury. The work was supervised by Alvernia University Director of the John R. Post School of Engineering, Joseph M. Mahoney as well as Penn State Berks Associate Professor of Kinesiology and Mechanical Engineering, Allison Altman-Singles, and Alvernia Physical Therapy Adjunct and PSU Berks Associate Professor of Kinesiology, Benjamin W. Infantolino.

20 Alvernia students embraced their civic responsibility and volunteered at the 2024 annual MLK Day of Service. Alvernia University's Holleran Center for Community and Global Engagement partnered with the NAACP, Albright College and Penn State Berks for this national initiative observed each year on the third Monday in January as "a day on, not a day off." Students volunteered across the Reading community at Helping Harvest, the Reading Firefighter's Museum and Mary's Shelter. "Honoring Martin Luther King Jr. through giving back to the community directly aligns with our Franciscan mission and Alvernia's core value of service," said Senior Director of the Holleran Center for Community & Global Engagement, Alyssa Slade. "Alvernia embraces this initiative as it allows us to not only address local needs but also instill a sense of civic responsibility and a culture of giving back in our students. By participating in this event, students can see how their impact fits into the larger picture as other groups serve alongside Alvernia, addressing other needs in the same community." Students also participated in a pre-service reflection with Vice President of Mission, Diversity and Inclusion, Dr. Darryl Mace where they were able to deepen their knowledge about the meaning behind serving in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Mace discussed additional opportunities to honor MLK's legacy in our every day lives beyond the day of service.

Tamia Wessels became the 13th women's basketball player in program history to score 1,000 points.

Alvernia Football sophomore McCabe Piavis earned CSC Academic All-District Honors, as announced by College Sports Communicators.

Three Alvernia Women's Volleyball student-athletes earned CSC Academic All-District Honors, as announced by College Sports Communicators. This award recognizes the nation's top student-athletes for their combined performances on the field and in the classroom. In order to qualify for the award, student-athletes must be at least a sophomore academically and have at least a 3.50 cumulative GPA. They must have also played in at least 90% of their team's sets played or started in at least 66% of their team's matches. Alvernia's Women's Volleyball honorees included Patricia Falar, Jamie Pierce, and Abigail McGinley. This is the first honor for Falar and McGinley and the second honor for Pierce.

Dane Sabarese, junior communication major and O'Pake Fellow has been selected for a prestigious opportunity to explore Thailand's expansive sports culture. Sabarese will participate in Living Sport's international sports business program that provides students with unique opportunities to experience cultural immersion and professional development in the sports industry. "I was honestly pretty shell-shocked, and I still don't think it has hit me yet that I will be working overseas for a couple of weeks," explained Sabarese. "When I was applying for Internships in the summer, it was one of those where you just applied and threw up a hail mary [prayer]."

Nine Alvernia student-athletes across men's and women's soccer earned CSC Academic All-District Honors, as announced by College Sports Communicators. The 2023 Academic All-District Men's and Women's Soccer Teams, which are nominated by their institution's Sports Information Director, are selected by College Sports Communicators (formally CoSIDA). This award recognizes the nation's top student-athletes for their combined performances on the field and in the classroom. In order to qualify for the award, student-athletes must be at least a sophomore academically and have at least a 3.50 cumulative GPA. They must have also played in at least 90% of their team's games or started in at least 66% of their team's games.

22 Alvernia students commemorated the United States' history and foundation with a trip to Philadelphia's Constitution Center, Independence Hall, and Liberty Bell for Constitution Day 2023. "Visiting the Constitution Center, Independence Hall, and the Liberty Bell on Constitution Day was not just a journey through history, it was a powerful reminder of the enduring principles that bind our nation together," said Director of Undergraduate Admissions and trip coordinator Bret Krotee. "Our goal was not only to witness the birthplace of democracy but to ignite the spark of civic engagement." Constitution Day is held on Sept. 17, the anniversary of when the Constitution was signed in 1787, and is meant to highlight the significance of the historical document. To celebrate the day every year, Alvernia's Veterans Center sponsors an event for students to learn and reflect upon the importance of the Constitution. Through this trip, the Veterans Center's goal is to inspire students to become ethical leaders with moral courage by promoting the importance of civic education and reinforcing the ideals that continue to unite and inspire the nation.

The National Wrestling Coaches Association announced its first ranking of the 2023-24 season, and the Alvernia University Golden Wolves are ranked #6.

Three Alvernia University students in the O'Pake Fellows Program engaged in a logo design and personal branding experiential learning workshop led by Alvernia MBA Candidate and O'Pake's Graduate Assistant of Marketing, Jennifer Weasner. "Leading this workshop allowed me to share everything that I have learned about logo design over the past two years as an undergraduate fellow myself," said Weasner. "I only became interested in design after transferring to Alvernia in the Fall of 2021 and this experience has given me the confidence that I can teach others how to create effective designs that will ultimately become the brand of a business." Weasner taught students how to use Adobe Illustrator to create logos that reflected their personal brand. Students were able to learn the logo creation design process by designing logos that would allow them to create their personal brand. The undergraduate fellows who participated in this workshop were Fellow of Communications, Hector Malave; Fellow of Marketing, Ariana RosatoGreen; and Fellow of Digital Media, Kenneth Howley. "This logo workshop will provide me with a competitive edge in the job market and enhance my chances of securing internships and employment opportunities in the design field because I developed the following skills: practical experience, creative problem-solving abilities, professionalism, communication skills, and especially understanding client needs," said Malave." The O'Pake Fellows Program provides elite undergraduate and graduate students with hands-on distinctive experiential learning opportunities. Students of high academic standing, from diverse majors and backgrounds, can work directly with regional entrepreneurs, small business owners, faculty researchers and industry leaders. While fellows can grow both personally and professionally, they are also put in an environment where they can think outside the box, experiment, fail, grow and succeed. By creating this type of environment, students can transition into their desired professions while being creative and ethical leaders.

Six of Alvernia University's finance majors attended the PAMIC Financial Management Seminar to learn from and network with financial executives in the insurance industry. "This was an amazing experiential learning experience for our Insurance/Risk Management and Finance students," said Alvernia University Assistant Professor of Business, Jane Brooker, Ph.D. "We heard from financial leaders in the insurance industry. There were networking opportunities, and future internship possibilities. We thank PAMIC and Alvernia University for this experiential learning opportunity for our students. I look forward to many more."

Assistant Professor of Biology Jamie Becker, Ph.D. and Environmental Science Major Alexander Kabrich embarked on a field expedition this summer in the heart of the Amazon rainforest. Becker and Kabrich partnered with the Amazon Center for Environmental Education and Research (ACEER) Foundation and the Delaware Teachers Institute (DTI) at the University of Delaware on this expedition. They traveled alongside a team of international scientists focused on conservation efforts in collaboration with the native indigenous group of Northern Peru, the Maijuna. Becker and Kabrich were critical members of this scientific endeavor, which focused on DNA sequencing techniques. "When you experience this incredible amount of biodiversity that is surrounding us, you really get a direct look at the incredible variety of life that our planet can sustain and support," said Becker. "Being able to bring the next generation of researchers into these experiences, expose them to unique experiences, and be able to see what it's really like to get out there, to get into the field... is incredibly rewarding."

Master of Business Administration (MBA) Candidate and Delta Mu Delta Member, Brianna Schneider, was one of 50 students across the country to receive a Delta Mu Delta Scholarship Award. "I am honored to receive such recognition from Delta Mu Delta," said Schneider. "This prestigious honor society is a privilege to be a part of and I am thankful for all my professors at Alvernia who helped me achieve this recognition. Receiving this scholarship will help me pay for my books as I further my education at Alvernia and work towards my MBA." Delta Mu Delta is an international business honor society that recognizes academic excellence. Students are admitted to this prestigious organization by invitation only. The top 10 percent of junior and senior business majors and MBA students are invited to join. Awards are based on scholastic achievement, leadership qualities, and character/ethical behavior. "Brianna was inducted last year and challenged herself even further to apply for the scholarship awards program in Delta Mu Delta, said Assistant Professor of Business Jane D. Brooker, Ph.D. "Brianna is commended for this exemplary award. We are extremely proud and excited to see where her career will take her."

Alvernia University placed eight student-athletes on respective 2023 Spring Academic All-MAC Teams, as announced by Middle Atlantic Conference Executive Director Megan Morrison. Josh Kreider (Baseball), Haleigh Lackner (Women's Lacrosse), Luke Fagley (Men's Golf), Leah Bouchard (Women's Tennis), Shinelle Felix (Women's Outdoor Track and Field), McKylie Boreman (Women's Golf), Katie Lapinsky (Women's Golf), and Rylee Stenzel (Women's Golf) earned the honor for Alvernia.

Alvernia University Women's Lacrosse student-athletes Lauren Fox, Jamie Inacio, and Kirsten Lake earned individual IWLCA Academic Honors.

Over 700 students were named to Alvernia University's Dean's List for the spring 2023 semester. "Congratulations to all of the students for their commitment to their academic success while balancing their course load, experiential learning opportunities, internships, and personal responsibilities," said Alvernia President, Glynis A. Fitzgerald, Ph.D. "I look forward to seeing your successes in the upcoming academic year." To be eligible for the Dean's List, students must carry a semester GPA of 3.5 or better and take a minimum of 12 credits. "I am grateful to celebrate my first official Dean's List announcement as Provost with all of you," said Alvernia University Senior Vice President and Provost, Leamor Kahanov, Ph.D. "This accomplishment is remarkable and I commend each and everyone one of the students on this list for excellence in their coursework. I look forward to meeting you on campus in a few short weeks." A full list of students is available at Alvernia.edu.

Alvernia University's Doctor of Physical Therapy cohort, faculty and staff visited Capitol Hill in Washington D.C. to advocate for, be educated on and discuss legislation surrounding the physical therapy profession with senators and representatives. "I organized the trip to Washington D.C. to enlighten our students on the process of American Physical Therapy Association Governance (APTA House of Delegates) which develops policies and positions of the APTA," said Alvernia University Doctor of Physical Therapy Director of Clinical Education, Pamela Unger, PT, DPT, CWS. "I was so proud of our students' attention to the issues and their ability to communicate compassion and concern for these issues to our senators and representatives. They represented our DPT program and Alvernia very well." They spent the first two days in Capitol Hill in listening sessions with the APTA House of Delegates learning about various bills passed by the APTA. Two professors, Unger and Claire McCann, PT, DPT, are in the House of Delegates as well. The third day was spent discussing various bills with local senators and U.S. Congress and Senate representatives of the implication of legislation specific to the physical therapy industry including physical therapy assistant (PTA) supervision, payment and reimbursement rates in the Medicare system; the role of physical therapy treatment in the fourth trimester of pregnancy and the inclusion of rehabilitation services in underserved areas. "Traveling to D.C. for the first time to advocate for the profession I've worked so hard to be a part of was a pivotal moment in my life. Sitting in discussion with the senators and their representatives truly set the tone for how I will choose to stand up and defend my career as a physical therapist not only for myself and fellow PTs but mainly for my patients," said Maximillano Karabachian, DPT Class 2024. "My patients are the main reason I am here today. They give me a purpose. Preparing my speech on why patients in rural cities deserve easier access to health care was next to common sense. However, because this was my first time, my nerves were running rampant. It took several calls to my parents and siblings back home to ground me and remind me why I am here and why this is important to me. Advocating in D.C. lit a fire deep in my soul that motivates me to aspire to greatness- a feeling I will continue to pursue." The group also educated the senators and representatives on their work with the pro bono clinics that serve the Reading and Berks County communities. Out-of-state students even had the opportunity to spend the day with delegates from their home state and visit their respective senators and representatives in Utah, NY, NJ, VT, DE and WA. "As a student who helps run our pro-bono clinic within Berks Community Health Center, I get to see the direct influence of PTs in these communities and our impact on patients' lives. I appreciated the time we were given to advocate for our profession and the lives of our patients," said Samantha Donmoyer, DPT Class of 2024. "I enjoyed speaking about bill H.R. 4829, which allows PTs to participate in the National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program. I was very anxious to be the only student in one of my meetings on Capitol Hill, but I was very grateful to my professor, Dr. [Christopher] Wise, who joined me."

Seven Alvernia University students & alums studied abroad through the Sustainability Immersion Program in Grand Manan Island in New Brunswick, Canada. This trip is a 1-week study abroad experience for college students to better understand the components of creating a more sustainable community and the leadership approach necessary to help create this change. "At the heart of the Canada sustainability immersion trip is the adventure-based group learning program developed and facilitated by the Sustainable Misfits, a nonprofit organization founded by five Alvernia alumni," said Sustainable Misfits Executive Director & Alvernia University Assistant Professor of Leadership, Dr. Alicia Sprow. The program's focus is to guide young adults on how to effectively cultivate a caring, resilient community of people who make a positive impact on others and the environment." The students stay at an eco-retreat complete with tiny homes, composting toilets, recycled items that have been artfully built into the structures, and a central gathering place to come together for meals and conversation. They tour the island to gain a better understanding of the community and industries on which they rely. Students work alongside community members and organizations on service projects and planning discussions. "The place we stayed was made out of an old ship, with different parts of the gathering place and other areas being made from different parts of the ship, so you are truly embracing and practicing sustainability," said rising senior psychology major, Alettya Zalapa-Alonso. "It made me want to learn more. I think I can say for every one that went, that the Island and its residence were absolutely wonderful. The overall experience that Grand Manan leaves is magical, not only by its scenery but the history you can learn about transformation, adaptability, and the beauty that can be found even when it's foggy out." The five main program outcomes this trip yields include skill and knowledge development around community building, effective communication, systems thinking, innovative leadership, and supportive followership. "The trip was a magical experience," said digital media marketing graduate, Noah Rizzo '21. "The word magic was a constant theme in Grand Manan, this is a special place where people go to experience things they have never seen before. The immersive experience of staying in an eco-retreat reminds many students there is a simpler way of life and the value in that. One of the best features of the Canada trip is the connection students experience with nature and others as screen time is down significantly."

"Alvernia's campus community takes great pride in serving and recognizing those who have served in the United States Military," said Veterans Center Coordinator, Bret Krotee. "It is wonderful to be part of a team that provides the necessary resources and support to ensure military student academic success, professional development, and positive mental health."

202 Alvernia University student-athletes were named to the Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) Academic Honor Roll, and an additional 38 athletes on non-MAC competing teams earned a 3.20 GPA, during the 2022-23 academic year, as announced by the MAC. Share your student by finding your name below. View the full list here.

Christina Walko, Karis Howell, Alexander Kabrich, Morgan Harig-Cook, and Emma Groff spent two weeks studying biodiversity in Costa Rica alongside Associate Professor of Philosophy, Dr. Josh Hayes and Associate Professor of Biology and Physical Therapy, Dr. Eric Recktenwald. They partnered with Dr. Stephen Mech and Dr. Bethanne Bruninga-Socolar, professors from Albright College who brought students from their Tropical Ecology of Costa Rica course. "Our trip to Costa Rica was designed to offer a real-world experience of the country with the highest biodiversity density in the world," said Rektenwald. "We explored tropical rainforests, mangrove swamps, cloud forests, and both the Caribbean and Pacific coasts. Students were exposed to the intricacies of a conservation initiative, met with an indigenous tribe, and considered the ethics of ecotourism and sustainability - all in the presence of sloths, spider monkeys, pumas, tapirs, tree frogs, toucans, etc."