The fall semester is off to a great start. We kicked off the year with the Mass of the Holy Spirit and Convocation to a full FAC theater. The team from the Center for Ministry and Service - Fr. Paul Kilroy, Mary Lou Bozza, Janelys DelValle, and Madeleine Conover—along with Provost Mary Erina Driscoll and Student Body President Anna Grace Kolodny, did a great job of showcasing our welcoming community and reminding us of the importance of asking questions. Here is a group photo of me, Provost Driscoll, Dan Leahy, Mary Lou and graduate interns taken as we were exiting the theater.
I am looking forward to our next community-wide event next month with Founders' Day on October 10, a celebration that marks the anniversary of the Sisters of St. Joseph's arrival in Boston and a reminder of the centrality of service to our mission. Keep an eye out for the registration email that will be coming out soon.
Student News and Achievements
Regis Glee Singers and Community Chorus performed the National Anthem before a Connecticut Sun WNBA game at Mohegan Sun Arena on Tuesday. The Women's Basketball team was there to cheer them on! I heard that everyone performed beautifully, and the Sun was so impressed, they asked them back next season! Watch on the Alumni Chorus Facebook page.
On-campus neighbors in Angela Hall connected during the opening week of classes. The Children's Center's Pride classroom students met Angela Hall Resident Director Tewanna Hawkins, and they hope to deepen their Dear Neighbor connection—big and small—this year!
Congratulations to this year's Remick Fellow Scholarship recipients: Kristin Barrett '24 (MA '25), Kederson Pierre '27, Mairead Coleman '25, and Macie Mannone '25. The Remick Fellowship provides undergraduate and graduate students with financial support to pursue careers that align with the mission of the Remick Foundation, which is “to support and fund non profit 501(C)(3) organizations that provide educational opportunities for students in areas of journalism, literacy, science, arts and religion.”
Congrats to Timothy O'Brien '23, current grad student in the master of public health in epidemiology program, who was invited to join the American Public Health Association (APHA) and CDC's Champion of Change Cohort, a national initiative aimed at addressing adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), overdose, and suicide. Read more about what Tim is up to.
As a cohort member, Timothy will engage in specialized training, collaborate with other medical and public health professionals, and have the opportunity to attend the APHA annual meeting. He hopes to use the knowledge and insight he gains from this experience to develop evidence-based interventions aimed at preventing and treating these urgent and preventable issues in our region. Timothy is also an AmeriCorps Community Health Worker with the Epilepsy Foundation New England and Massachusetts General Hospital’s Neurology Department where he supports patients with accessing healthcare and improving quality of life, while contributing to clinical and research programs at the hospital.
Ask students and alumni to share news about their internships, clinicals and careers!
Faculty and Staff News and Achievements
Last week we continued our important Regis in Haiti work. In lieu of the Haitian nurses traveling to campus as originally planned, due to Haiti's civil unrest we hosted a virtual simulation refresher course, thanks to former nursing faculty Pat McCauley and Jan Tuxbury. We launched our Regis In Haiti work in 2007 with support from Ophelia Dahl and Partners In Health. I'm so happy we get to honor Ophelia with the 2024 Shining Example award at our Let It Shine Gala on October 30.
Our commitment to Haiti and its people remains strong and we are in solidarity with our Haitian partners and new arrivals, especially in light of the recent inaccurate and negative statements. Those in Haiti and those who have traveled to the United States are our brothers and sisters in the greatest of need. We are also reminded of the work of our students over the summer who so graciously gave of their time and talent serving the families of Haitian migrants in a local shelter. Through these examples, we see the very best of caring for our Dear Neighbors, without distinction.
Thanks to Christine Schwartz, David Rudder, Michael Guilfoyle, Kelly Brochu, Dan Leahy, Jonathan Small, and Michal Burchfiel, Regis launched a digital badge program, a free initiative for all community members to engage more fully with the university’s values. You can explore the key pillars of our mission and values, exploring their relevance in our daily lives and learn how to incorporate them into your academic, professional, and personal journey. Earn your badge!
Edward Hunt, assistant professor of political science, continues his work on U.S. relations with the compact states (Palau, the Marshall Islands, and the Federated States of Micronesia). His latest article titled "US maintains military grip over ‘sovereign’ Pacific island states" was published by Responsible Statecraft and reposted by MSN.
Angela Kulesza, associate professor of nursing, was selected as an abstract reviewer for the annual National Organization of Nurse Practitioners Conference (NONPF) next year in Denver, CO. In this role, she will evaluate submitted abstracts, provide constructive feedback, and help to ensure the conference features high-quality, relevant, and innovative research.
VP of Graduate and Professional Student Affairs and Enrollment Jonathan Small collaborated with colleagues on this article in the fall 2024 volume of the Online Journal of Distance Learning Administration on strategic framework for developing a plan for online learning.
Associate Professors Jackie MacDonald >and Diana Parry-Cruwys were invited to present at the Thompson Center for Autism Conference in St. Charles, Missouri this week. Their presentation was titled "The ethics of collaboration".
I hope you can cheer on the Pride during Regis Fest 2024 on September 28!