Happy Founders' Day! What an exceptional day to honor the Sisters of Saint Joseph of Boston through service. The weather was great and the turnout phenomenal with over 600 community members participating at one of 28 sites. I'm so proud of this caring, gracious, and loving community I get to be a part of every day. As I said in my opening remarks this morning, I hope today is just the beginning for some of you—and continuation for many of you—of a long life of service.
Student News and Achievements
We had a nice treat today welcoming back alums to re-new their vows for their 25th wedding anniversary. Colonel Bill Brown '97, '98 and wife Tricia met while students at Regis. Bill was in our first entry-level masters nurse practitioner program. Here we are with Fr. Paul Kilroy who officiated the ceremony and co-witness Dr. Collamati.
Congratulations to DNP/PMHNP alum Amanda Richardson '24 who presented her DNP poster at the American Psychiatric Nurses Association conference today and won first place for student posters!
The Young School of Nursing held a White Coat Ceremony for on-campus nurse practitioner graduate students on September 25. The ceremony for online students will take place October 18. This milestone marks a transition from student to professional, a time when the NP students formally enter the world of advanced practice nursing. The white coat is a symbol of the trust and responsibility that society places in healthcare providers. It represents the commitment to patient care, evidence-based practice, and ethical conduct.
Faculty and Staff News and Achievements
I am thrilled that Regis received the Insight Into Diversity Magazine 2024 Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award for our commitment to diversity and inclusion. This is the fourth year Regis has been named as a HEED Award recipient and one of a handful of Massachusetts’ colleges that were recognized! This recognition reflects the ongoing collective efforts of our community to champion diversity as we form students’ character, instill in them confidence, and prepare them for careers of meaning.
We had a great visit yesterday with policy directors in Congresswoman Katherine Clark's Office. Rep. Clark is working to expand the Child Care Access Means Parents in School (CCAMPIS) Grant that provides vouchers to student-parents to reduce the cost of childcare so students may pursue a college degree. They heard the benefits of the program from graduate student-parent grant recipient Allen Chan who is in the Family Nurse Practitioner program. Allen's son started at the Regis Children's Center this fall. RCC Director Rebecca Putnam shared feedback about the program and ways it can be expanded.
Provost Mary Erina Driscoll was a featured speaker in this podcast series sponsored by the University Council of Educational Administration. The UCEA Podcast presents pivotal conversations with people making an impact on educational leadership, preparation, practice, and policy. Mary talked about how her experiences in Catholic education and interactions with mentors shaped her dissertation on schools as communities.
The Pride welcomed new Men's Lacrosse Coach Scott Kessler.
Also from athletics, Associate Director Mark Clemente attended National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) senior administrators mentoring institute at Stony Brook University in New York. This morning Dean Pam Roecker attended the New England Council Higher Ed Breakfast with NCAA President Charlie Baker.
Regis partnered with The Parmenter Foundation to host a professional development opportunity in the Fine Arts Center for practitioners and community members to gain a deeper understanding of grief challenges and support services available. Breakout session topics included children's bereavement, grief in the workplace, grief and culture, and suicide and substance use loss grief. It was a very successful event that we hope to offer again next year.
Kelly Brochu, Priscilla Boerger, and Lauren Bent facilitated a presentation for the American Association for Adult and Continuing Education (AAACE) virtual conference. Their session, “Examining Advising Practices: Fostering Community and Belonging Among EdD Students Managing Multiple Roles,” focused on the influence of sense of belonging and role dynamics within the EdD faculty advisor role.
Regis' Workforce Development Council met on September 19 in Cambridge hosted by Natalia Salagornik and Jay Green of MassHire MetroNorth with 22 attendees participating in targeted group discussion on workforce challenges, opportunities, and solutions in healthcare, education, and youth-focused initiatives. I'm grateful for this group that brings together thoughtful and inspirational conversations and ideas on how Regis can deliver workforce development solutions. The next meeting will be in January. Thanks to David Rudder, Tom Corrigan, and Kathi Jenkins for organizing.
I am looking forward to the Let It Shine Gala on October 30 to celebrate our student scholars. Thank you so much to all of the faculty and staff who generously supported the Dear Neighbor Sponsorship!