Editor’s note: This is the second in a five-part series spotlighting ’s global centers.

One diverted flight. One friend doused in clam pasta. One night in a pub basement, too choked up to sing “Piano Man.” Mairead Connolly ’28 went to Florence with a plan and came back with something better—the kind of stories that don’t fit in a caption and a confidence she didn’t know she was looking for.

Connolly, a resident of Watertown, Massachusetts, is a forensic science major and psychology major in the . She studied abroad for the fall 2025 semester through Syracuse Abroad and now serves as an Abroad global ambassador.

“I went during the fall for a fresh start, but also because I believe it makes so much sense to experience warm, cool and a bit of cold weather than to arrive there when it’s cold and dark,” Connolly says. “During the fall, you can experience the summer vibes but also experience the Christmas markets.”

Here are her recommendations, in her own words, of five things to do to get the most out of your Florence study abroad experience.

Focus on Your Own Experience

“Before going abroad and while you’re actually there, it’s easy to compare your experiences to what you see on social media. It made me set unrealistic expectations that every aspect was going to be perfect or as close to perfect as I can get.

“But there are going to be moments where things don’t go as planned, you feel a little out of place or you have to adjust on the fly. Those moments end up being just as meaningful. They push you to adapt, figure things out and learn more about yourself. You get through them with a great story!

“There was a night when my friends and I had a reservation at a popular restaurant in Florence that is known for their gnocchi. We believed we��had��to go. We never made it to the restaurant. Instead, we passed a place that sold gelatoshakes (called “Venchi,” please try them, they are amazing) and stood by The Arno watching the stars come out.”

Be Open to Going Solo

“I loved traveling with friends and my family when they came to visit, but the solo trips I did are some of my favorite memories from being abroad. Going on a trip solo gives you time to think in a way you don’t usually get. You can process what you’re experiencing and learn more about yourself.

“One of my favorite solo trips was while I was on fall break with friends in London. I’ve always wanted to see Stonehenge so I marked a whole day for that trip. Later I went to Bath. I went to lunch by myself, met new people, tried mead for the first time and followed a tour with a really funny guide. There was no schedule, no pressure, just me experiencing everything at my own pace. It gave me a level of confidence I hadn’t felt before.

“Even just going for a walk to the Boboli Gardens in Florence had me romanticizing my day as I walked down the narrow streets listening to Billy Joel. Moments like these reminded me of why I wanted to go abroad.”

Stay Present and Embrace Quiet Moments

“Step back from the moment and look around, notice the people you’re with and pay attention to how you feel. I started doing this, especially in places that felt significant like in Bath or in the Louvre.

“Being in a different country with so much history and culture, I slowed everything down and made the experience feel more real. Those moments stand out clearly in my memory, and I feel like I actually experienced them.

“I visited the Sistine Chapel in Rome. When I reached the main chapel, I looked up to see “The Creation of Adam” by Michelangelo. I intentionally slowed everything down and let myself really feel it. That moment has stayed with me far more clearly than any picture ever could.

“On our last day of studying abroad, my friends and I were at a pub and there was karaoke in the basement. The song “Piano Man” by Billy Joel came on, and everyone started singing and swaying together. It was bittersweet, as we were leaving Florence and each other. I stopped singing and watched my friends smiling and swaying, and it felt like everyone in the room was one.”

Recognize Your Growth Along the Way

“Not every moment abroad is going to feel like a big, life-changing experience, and that’s okay. Sometimes growth shows up in smaller ways, like figuring out transportation, adjusting to a new routine or becoming more comfortable in unfamiliar situations.

“There will also be moments that really push you. One of mine was when my flight was unexpectedly diverted, and I ended up landing hours away, late at night with no plan. I had to figure out how to get back to Florence on my own. It was so stressful, but looking back it’s one of the experiences I’m most proud of. It showed me that I could stay calm, problem solve and handle things independently. It’s important to recognize those moments because they’re where you realize how much you’ve actually grown.”

If Your Program Offers a Signature Seminar, Do It!

“I participated in the Hands on History seminar, a 10-day trip through different parts of Sicily with a small group. It was intense and exhausting at times, but it was also one of the most memorable parts of my semester. I formed strong connections with some of the people on the trip, and those friendships have lasted beyond the trip and shaped the rest of my time abroad.

“One moment that I still laugh about happened during one of our group dinners. We were all starving and ready to eat, and the waiter accidentally spilled pasta with clams onto my friend’s head. It turned into one of those moments where everyone was crying laughing, and it completely broke the tension from the day. It sounds small, but such moments brought us closer so quickly.

“I also went on a half-day trip to the Carrara Marble Quarry, which was one of the iExplore opportunities. This was the quarry where Michelangelo got marble for his sculptures. A tour guide showed us around their small outdoor museum and gave us some background information on the history of the quarry, how they cut marble and what they do with it now.”

Renowned filmmaker Ron Howard recently spent an afternoon with students in the and the (VPA), offering an inside look at his latest film project and the creative decision-making that shapes work at the highest levels of Hollywood.��

Howard, one of the industry’s most respected directors, was joined by producer Bill O’Connor ’89 and Doug Wilkinson G’87, both alumni of Syracuse University. Together, they engaged film��and drama��students in a discussion about storytelling and the realities of bringing a major motion picture from concept to completion.��

“It’s always a pleasure to welcome alums back to campus, and this time around it was a double pleasure. We had not one but two of them accompany Ron Howard—one of Hollywood’s most well-known directors—to come and speak with our Newhouse and VPA students,” says , professor and graduate program director of the Department of Television, Radio and Film in the Newhouse School.��

During the visit, Howard��screened��his most recent project, inviting students into the filmmaking process at a stage rarely accessible outside the professional world.��

“Howard asked our students what they thought and answered their questions with real candor,” says , professor of film and chair of the Department of Film and Media Arts in VPA. “Seeing an unfinished film and talking directly with the director, producer and editor about choices they’re still making is something you can’t replicate in a classroom. That’s what so special about being at Syracuse.”��

For students aspiring to careers in film and media, the visit offered a unique opportunity to bridge theory and practice and connected classroom learning with firsthand perspectives from some of the industry’s most accomplished professionals.

There is one type of stem cell that can remarkably transform itself into any cell in the human body. Known as human induced pluripotent stem cells, or hiPSCs, they hold enormous potential for medical research—and biomedical and chemical engineer is putting them to work.

In his lab, Ma uses hiPSCs to grow three-dimensional replica hearts that beat, organize and function like the real thing, opening the door to faster drug screening and more personalized patient care.

“Stem cell technology can have a significant impact on how we treat heart disease and on overall heart health,” says Ma, associate professor in the Department of Biomedical and Chemical Engineering in the . “Our lab focuses on how we can better understand some of the fundamental questions on cardiac physiology and development.”

By studying how a heart forms during embryonic development, Ma and his research team can build miniature cardiac models that replicate the structure, rhythm and cellular makeup of a patient’s own heart.

Because the models are made from the same genetic biological materials as the patient, they offer a powerful tool for testing the efficacy—and potential side effects—of treatments for heart disease, cancer and other conditions without putting patients at risk.

In the (STEM) lab, Ma and his student researchers study how the heart forms, how different cell types build the replica’s working chamber and how that chamber develops the vascular structure that feeds the heart’s muscles.

Ma’s innovative research project, titled Engineering Stem Cell-Based Cardiac Organoids, examines the cardiotoxicity—damage to the heart muscle or valves caused by harmful substances like chemotherapy and radiation—impact on these 3D heart models. His work has been supported by a National Science Foundation (NSF) CAREER Award, the NSF’s most prestigious award for early-career faculty.

“A drug’s adverse effect on the heart is the number one reason a treatment will be pulled from the market. We use this research to better understand the effect a drug has on the heart’s muscles,” Ma says. “This research is helping accelerate the drug screening pipelines while also reducing the resources that are poured into these drug delivery frameworks.”

Closing the Gap Between Lab and Patient

Ma says in a normal drug development platform, researchers will use two major models: a zebrafish model and mouse models, which tend to be more expensive.

Using these models, researchers will observe the potential embryotoxicity effect of the drug. Ma’s lab’s methods closely mimic the high-throughput potential and unique regenerative abilities found in zebrafish, with one significant difference.

“Our model is more human-based and is more relevant and applicable on a human scale,” Ma says. “We believe that our models have more accuracy in terms of predicting the possible toxicity effect on human tissues.”

If a patient is suffering from heart disease and is experiencing muscle loss in the heart, Ma says this form of stem cell research can help regenerate the muscles and makeup of the heart without fear of the cell tissues being rejected by the patient.

How NSF Support Helped Build a Better Heart

When Ma came to the University 10 years ago, he started his lab to create cardiac models using stem cells.

In 2020, helped Ma create a better model heart and map out the different cells in the organoids. By observing how the cells communicated with the other cells, Ma learned how these cardiovascular cells are creating better, stronger heart muscles.

A research breakthrough came in 2022. Seeking to manufacture exponentially higher quantities of stem cell components needed to advance new disease treatments from clinical trials into mainstream use, Ma received a $500,000 NSF future manufacturing seed grant.

Game-Changing Research

Ma and his team have published several papers on their findings and plan to explore how machine learning could improve their heart models, how physical forces on heart tissue affect its ability to pump blood and how their model compares to traditional zebrafish toxicity screenings.

Eventually, they want to build a system helping patients assess treatment risks based on their health history and how well a drug works.

When it comes to pregnant women, Ma hopes to classify treatments based on the patient’s risk for developing fetal heart problems and offer solutions that present a much lower risk for developing an abnormal heart.

“This is really helping us to establish ourselves in the field of cardiac organoids and embryotoxicity,” Ma says. “My students do all of the work in the lab and I’m thankful that my research has been supported by a group of talented students.”

On Friday, April 17, Syracuse University paused to say thank you to students, faculty and staff at its annual One University Awards ceremony.

Two major awards—the Chancellor’s Medal and the Chancellor’s Citation for Excellence—were bestowed. The ceremony also included the presentation of the Student-Athlete Award, Seinfeld Scholarship, Meredith Professorship for Teaching Excellence, Teaching Recognition Award, Enduring Values Award, William Pearson Tolley Medal, Chancellor’s Award for Innovation and the Chancellor’s Forever Orange Award.

Emeriti faculty who retired in 2025 and employees who celebrated years of service milestones in 2025 were . This year’s University Scholars, Senior Class and School and College Marshals and Remembrance and Lockerbie Scholars were also .

Award Recipients��

The��Chancellor’s Medal��is the University’s highest honor and is awarded to individuals in honor of their trailblazing and extraordinary contributions to the University, to an academic body of knowledge or to society.

This year’s recipients are , senior vice president and chief student experience officer, and , senior vice president and chief marketing officer.

The��Chancellor’s Citation for Excellence��recognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions in four overarching categories:

• The award for��Excellence in Student Research��recognizes students who have engaged in collaborative research that has the potential to make a deep and lasting impact on greater society. This year’s recipients are Paul Sagoe, doctoral student in biomedical and chemical engineering in the College of Engineering and Computer Science (graduate), and Sadie Meyer ’26, a biomedical engineering major in the College of Engineering and Computer Science and mathematics major in the College of Arts and Sciences (A&S).

• The award for��Outstanding Contributions to the Student Experience and University Initiatives��acknowledges faculty and staff who, through their work, enhance the undergraduate experience for students or make invaluable contributions to supporting and advancing the University’s mission and goals. The recipients are��, teaching professor, director of clinical education and director of the Betty and Michael D. Wohl Veterans Legal Clinic in the College of Law (faculty);��, data analyst for advising and career services, A&S (professional staff); and , office manager for the Intercultural Collective in the Student Experience division (support staff).
• The��Faculty Excellence and Scholarly Distinction��award is intended for faculty members who are collaborators in work of intellectual richness that has the potential for future impact. The work of these nominees offers possibilities for collaboration within the University and outside in partnership with others. This year’s honoree is , professor of psychology in A&S and director of the Center for Health Behavior Research and Innovation.
• Chancellor’s Citation for Excellence, Lifetime Achievement Award. This award honors those who have made extraordinary contributions toward advancing all four pillars of excellence over the arc of their careers while at Syracuse University and beyond. This year’s recipient is��, professor in the School of Art, College of Visual and Performing Arts.

Other Awards Presented

The��Student-Athlete Award��recognizes the top male and female student athletes and presented to the senior student-athletes with the highest cumulative grade point average over the course of their academic and athletic careers. This year’s recipients are Ruben Rojas Betanzos ’26, a bioengineering major in the College of Engineering and Computer Science, an MBA student in the Whitman School of Management and member of the men’s cross-country team; and Nora Radke ’26, a biology major and neuroscience major in A&S and member of the women’s rowing team.

Seinfeld Scholarship: Each year the University honors the talents of outstanding faculty or students through an award made possible by Judith Greenberg Seinfeld ’56, H’25, a distinguished alumna and member of the University Board of Trustees. Awards are made to those who have been determined by their peers to have made outstanding contributions to the beauty of the world, to have added to human values and to ending human abuse anywhere in the world, and to have demonstrated passion for excellence, creativity and originality in academic or artistic fields. This year, the designation is bestowed upon , associate professor and Dean’s Professor of Community Engagement in the Department of Writing, Rhetoric and Composition in A&S.

The��Laura J. and L. Douglas Meredith Professorships for Teaching Excellence��were created in 1995 to recognize and reward outstanding teaching among faculty. The 2026-29 Meredith Professors are , Milton and Ann Stevenson Endowed Professor of Biomedical and Chemical Engineering, and chair of biomedical and chemical engineering in the College of Engineering and Computer Science, and , associate professor and chair of visual communications in the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications. The 2023-26 Meredith Professors, and , and a 2019-22 Meredith Professor, , were also recognized.

In 2001, the Meredith Professorship Program was expanded to recognize teaching excellence by non-tenured faculty and adjunct and part-time instructors. Awards are given in two categories:��Early Performance��and��Continuing Excellence.

This year’s honorees in the Early Performance category are , assistant professor in the School of Architecture; , assistant professor of political science in the Maxwell School; , assistant professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering in ECS; , assistant professor of anthropology in the Maxwell School; , assistant teaching professor of electrical engineering and computer science in ECS; , assistant professor of visual communications in the Newhouse School; and , assistant professor of writing, rhetoric and composition in A&S.

The two honorees in the Continuing Excellence category are , Distinguished Professor of Photography in the Newhouse School, and , associate teaching professor and graduate director of public relations in the Newhouse School.

The��Enduring Values Award recognizes an individual who is integral in helping students achieve academic excellence at a university that is welcoming to all. This year’s recipient is , associate dean of community and engagement and professor of public relations in the Newhouse School.

The��William Pearson Tolley Medal for Distinguished Leadership in Lifelong Learning��is based in the School of Education and honors national or international leadership in support of lifelong learning. This year’s recipient is Alice Kendrick ’70, G’79, G’93, retired superintendent of the Jamesville-DeWitt Central School District.

The Chancellor’s Award for Innovation is bestowed upon an individual who advances academic and technical excellence through the introduction and implementation of extraordinary new methods and ideas to benefit the Syracuse University community. This year’s recipient is , senior vice president for digital transformation and chief digital officer.

The��Chancellor’s Forever Orange Award��recognizes individual students, faculty or staff who—by virtue of extraordinary hard work, good values and commitment to excellence—have come to embody the best of Syracuse University. This year’s recipient is�� ’80, director of athletics.

Syracuse University Libraries is accepting undergraduate and graduate applications for its Student Library Advisory Board for the Fall 2026 semester. from active students in good standing, regardless of year or discipline, are due by April 29. Selected students who satisfactorily complete all advisory board assignments for the fall semester will receive a $250 stipend.

The Student Library Advisory Board is an opportunity for students to share their ideas, needs and feedback to improve the Libraries’ services, resources, spaces and programming. Members will participate in activities during once-a-month Friday meetings and will serve as ambassadors for the Libraries among their peers.

Members will also gain leadership and skill-building experience, including areas of information literacy, communication, civic responsibility, research and creative thinking, while helping to improve the Libraries through fun and interactive engagement. Applicants can anticipate a commitment of approximately 3 hours per month. Current library student employees are ineligible to participate.

The Student Library Advisory Board is supported, in part, through a collaboration with��. Those with questions can contact��libref@syr.edu.

Seven faculty members will leverage Syracuse University’s for research and program development this summer, supported by funding from the .

The initiative, launched this year, provides full-time faculty members with $10,000 for high-impact summer projects based in Los Angeles, New York City or Washington, D.C.

“These faculty members will chart new territory, using study away sites to push disciplinary and interdisciplinary research forward, forge partnerships across sectors and reimagine how students learn,” says , associate provost for strategic initiatives. “We are excited to see the new initiatives that grow out of these summer projects.”

Los Angeles

, assistant professor of fashion design in the College of Visual and Performing Arts’ School of Design, will conduct a one-week research “sprint” investigating adaptive apparel needs for disabled performing artists, a population that is largely overlooked in existing research. Through interviews with disabled performers, Jiang will examine pain points around range of motion, quick changes, heat management, assistive device interfaces and aesthetic expression. The project will conclude with an Inclusive Performancewear Listening Session and the development of an Inclusive Adaptive Performancewear Design Requirements Toolkit.

Following the summer project, Jiang will bring VPA faculty and students into the research as stakeholders and collaborators and focus on developing prototype garment directions informed by the toolkit. She plans to return to LA next summer to engage in wear trials, follow-up interviews with original participants and the creation of a refined toolkit.

, associate professor of sport management, and , senior associate dean and professor of sport management in the David B. Falk College of Sport, plan to develop two new interdisciplinary courses and advance a growing research agenda. The first course, Sport Business, Hip Hop and Fashion, will examine the commercial and cultural intersections of sport, hip hop and the global fashion economy, using LA’s streetwear ecosystem and athlete-driven enterprises as living case studies. The second, Venue Hospitality: Sport Facilities as Engines of Experience, will use LA’s facility landscape—including the Intuit Dome, SoFi Stadium and Crypto.com Arena—to explore the idea of modern sport venues as hospitality enterprises. The pair will meet with venue directors and industry professionals to generate curriculum content, confirm guest lecturers and support Falk College’s newly funded research partnership with a leading stadium technology company.

The courses, which Pauline and Tainsky plan to launch next spring, will be designed for sustained industry engagement through recurring guest speaker infrastructure and applied student projects, while the relationships developed in LA will be expanded into internship and capstone opportunities for sport management undergraduates.

New York City

, assistant professor of sport analytics in Falk College, will begin building the groundwork for a repeatable women’s sports analytics study away program that will be centered on the city’s concentrated women’s professional sports ecosystem and emphasize city-specific partnerships, hands-on student experiences and exclusive data access. She will conduct exploratory meetings with leadership at organizations including WNBA headquarters, NWSL headquarters, Gotham FC, the New York Liberty and the New York Sirens, as well as with sports analytics firms and women’s sports media companies.

Rubenstein plans to establish relationships with multiple organizational partners, secure letters of intent or MOUs, complete a feasibility report and develop a draft curriculum and syllabus informed directly by industry input. She envisions the program generating a network of industry partners committed to ongoing data sharing for research, internships and classroom collaboration, with findings integrated into coursework. The program also has potential as a student recruitment tool, and as a pathway for faculty research through sustained engagement with the New York study away site.

, associate professor of public administration and international affairs in the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, will build a sustained, credit-bearing study away program centered on peacekeeping and global governance. He will conduct archival research at the United Nations Dag Hammarskjöld Library and think tank collections to support ongoing work on multilateral diplomacy and peace operations. He will also cultivate relationships with alumni, practitioners and New York-based NGOs working on human rights, peace building and sustainable development; these organizations will serve as sources of guest speakers, internship opportunities and potential research collaborators for Maxwell students.

The project is designed as a catalyst for a repeatable, on-site intensive course offered at the 400/600 level and open to undergraduate students in international relations, political science and policy studies as well as master’s candidates in international relations. That would bring Maxwell students into direct engagement with the UN, international NGOs, think tanks and global financial institutions, while partnerships with New York organizations would potentially generate collaborative projects that connect scholarly analysis to real-world advocacy and program design.

, assistant professor in the School of Education and VPA’s Setnor School of Music, will deepen partnerships with K-12 schools that are leading the way in modern band and popular music pedagogy. DeAngelis will meet with music educators and administrators at current and prospective partner schools, with a particular focus on programs that blend modern band and contemporary music approaches with traditional models. These efforts will broaden field placement opportunities for University music education students pursuing New York State K-12 certification.

Two high-visibility events will result from the project: a Fall 2026 professional development day at the Fisher Center featuring workshops and a panel discussion on contemporary music pedagogy with New York City-based educators and leaders in this field; and a Spring 2027 NYC music workshop that will bring partner school students to the Fisher Center for collaborative jam sessions, ensemble coaching and songwriting. These initiatives aim to create a sustained “feedback loop” between the University’s music education program and New York City schools and students, strengthening and expanding New York-based field placements, elevating Syracuse’s profile as a leader in contemporary music education, attracting prospective students and ultimately extending the School of Education’s����student teaching program to include music education.

Washington, D.C.

, teaching professor and executive director of the Betty and Michael D. Wohl Veterans Legal Clinic in the College of Law, will utilize the University’s Washington, D.C. site as a sustained hub for interdisciplinary collaboration, alumni engagement and experiential learning in military and veterans law, administrative practice and public policy. She plans to formalize relationships with federal agencies and adjudicative bodies central to military and veterans law and host a reception for stakeholders in these areas. The event will serve to convene agency leaders, alumni and faculty, and engage University government relations and alumni affairs colleagues to build a coordinated institutional strategy and durable programming infrastructure.

The project will include early-stage development of an interdisciplinary speaker series in collaboration with that explores issues at the intersection of military and veterans policy, federal administration and institutional reform. Looking ahead, Kubala aims to establish a three-credit intersession residency course in Washington, serving both residential J.D. and hybrid-online JDi students, with a companion speaker series and alumni event to deepen professional networks. This will position the D.C. campus as a recurring convening hub that integrates academic programming, alumni relations, collaborative research and sustained federal partnerships across the College of Law and the broader University.

In its inaugural year, the Study Away Summer Awards drew 20 applications from faculty across eight schools and colleges. A review committee evaluated proposals based on five key areas: site engagement, research and creative merit, sustained impact, strategic alignment with the priorities outlined in the University’s academic strategic plan, “,” and strength of partnerships.

Recipients will participate in a Universitywide showcase during the 2026-27 academic year, helping establish best practices and inspire broader faculty engagement with the University’s study away sites.

For more information about the awards, contact Dekaney at 315.443.0768��or��emdekane@syr.edu.

In 2016, Father Gerry Waterman, OFM Conv., was considering taking the role of Catholic chaplain at Syracuse University. It was not an easy decision, he says.

For starters, he loved his work at Elon University in North Carolina, where he served as Catholic chaplain for 11 years. Syracuse University is a much bigger institution, and he was not crazy about the idea of long, cold winters.

Waterman embarked on a three-day trip to Syracuse in April that year to meet with Chancellor Kent Syverud and other leaders. On an early-morning run on the Onondaga Creekwalk, he asked God to send him a sign.

Waterman stopped in front of a covered iron storm drain embossed with letters and numbers. The letters spelled out his last name and the numbers, 84 and 55, were the year he was ordained and the year he was born, respectively. He had his answer.

The decision to come to Syracuse has been one of his best, Waterman says. Now his Syracuse chapter is coming to a close, as he is retiring from campus ministry after Commencement. A farewell reception will be held on Thursday, April 16, from 5-7 p.m. at the Catholic Center, followed by Mass at 7 p.m.

“It’s bittersweet. I have been doing campus ministry for 21 years—it’s a long time,” he says. “I said it’s time, but there is going to be a huge hole in my heart. I love these kids; they are the salt of the Earth.”

A Spirit and Energy Unrivaled

Waterman has brought an infectious spirit and boundless energy to his role as the University’s Catholic chaplain. During his tenure, attendance for Catholic Masses and activities has exploded. Masses that once saw 20 students now see more than 200. Attendance at the recent Easter Masses was close to 1,100,

With a transformational gift from Daniel ’68, H’20 and Gayle D’Aniello through the Forever Orange campaign, a new chapel was built and renovations done to make the Catholic Center space more conducive to the activities held there. Thursday night Mass and dinner, monthly sandwich-making community outreach and social activities draw record numbers of students. A newly installed organ, a gift from a donor, fills the space with beautiful music.

Waterman’s greatest legacy, though, is the people within the space. He attributes the expanding numbers to the students. “I was able to get the students so comfortable and confident in their faith that they were willing to evangelize their friends,” he says. “That’s how our numbers have grown. Not by me inviting them, by their friends inviting them.”

His Greatest Legacy

The connection with students is what has nourished Waterman over the past decade.

“Father Gerry truly is one of a kind, never have I met such a welcoming priest who somehow knows every student’s name,” says Anthony Iannazzone ’28. “His homilies hit me differently than any other priest that I have listened to; he gets the message across unlike anybody I’ve ever heard. He has had a true impact on my time here at Syracuse.”

Anna Lupardo ’26 tragically lost her dad at age 12, and in the ensuing years stopped going to church. “I remained a spiritual person after I lost my father, but I struggled to find a place for faith in my life,” she says. During her junior year, a couple of friends brought her along to the Catholic Center on a Sunday.

“Father Gerry gave me a big hug and told me he was so excited to have me there,” Lupado says. “I had never felt more welcomed into a community of believers as I did in that moment.”

Lupado began attending Mass weekly. “Father Gerry is somehow always capable of telling me exactly what I need to hear. As someone who never saw a place for my Catholic roots after my father died, Father Gerry showed me that there is always a place for Jesus in my heart, no matter how connected or ready I might feel at the time.”

Mikie Jantz ’28 says Waterman is unique in his ability to help students have their faith be at the center of their life, as opposed to just a part of their life.

“Father Gerry has built such a great community at this school and done so humbly, and with an intent to point everyone to Jesus,” Jantz says, “I have gone to Mass with friends that have been Catholics their whole lives, and friends that are not Catholic at all. In all situations, he has made them feel welcomed and at home.”

“Father Gerry Waterman has provided steadfast and dynamic leadership to the University’s Catholic community, dramatically altering the physical space at the Catholic Center and greatly increasing participation in worship, programs and community service,” says Rebecca Reed Kantrowitz, interim dean of Hendricks Chapel. “Father Gerry has also served as a strong and collaborative partner to his fellow chaplains and staff at Hendricks Chapel. We are deeply appreciative of his many contributions to Syracuse University over the past decade.”

Leaving Syracuse With a Full Heart

Waterman calls his new chapter semi-retirement. He will be based in Washington, D.C., but, in the spirit of St. Francis, will go where he is needed and called—covering for vacations, leading spiritual retreats and helping to oversee outreach activities. He also plans to travel; hiking the Camino de Santiago in Europe is one of his bucket list items.

In his time in Syracuse, Waterman learned to live—and thrive—in winter. “Winter never mattered because I have had the warmth and love of so many around me,” he says.

No matter where he goes, memories of Syracuse will always hold a special place in his heart—his students, this campus and, being the foodie he is, Syracuse’s iconic Columbus bread.

No classroom lecture can replicate the experience of being face-to-face with the evidence of genocide. That’s the premise behind a School of Education (SOE) immersion course that brings students to Washington, D.C., to view historical records, talk with experts in human rights law and policy and worldwide atrocities issues, and experience the visual weight of bearing witness to atrocity crimes.

is a one-week, intense examination of those topics. It is both a standalone experiential inquiry excursion and a component of the SOE interdisciplinary minor, .

The course is open to any undergraduate and is led by G’03 G’07, SOE associate professor, scholar in human rights and current secretary of the . It also includes extensive advance readings, a pre- and a post-trip online class and attendance at the , which is supported by SOE alumni Lauri M. Zell ’77 and Jeffrey M. Zell ’77, who also underwrite the D.C. trip.

Multiple Dimensions

Pre-trip, students read about active international court cases, global justice mechanisms and U.S. foreign policy on atrocity prevention. Then, over six days in D.C., they met experts on human rights law and issues, including representatives of the United Nations Office on Genocide Prevention and the Responsibility to Protect, Disability Rights International, the Alliance for Peacebuilding, the Syria Justice Accountability Centre, No Business with Genocide, the Simon-Skjodt Center for Genocide Prevention, the Alliance for Diplomacy and Justice and former officials of the U.S. Department of State Office of Global Criminal Justice.

They also toured the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum, the National Museum of the American Indian, the U.S. Supreme Court�� and the Library of Congress. (VPA) alumna and artist ’81 hosted the group for dinner at her D.C. home and an exhibition of her work around human rights, displacement and the refugee crisis.

At Ground Level

SOE inclusive adolescent education and history major Elijah Burke ’27 calls the experience “one of the most formative weeks of my academic career,” providing “a ground-level understanding of this work unlike what I could learn in a classroom. It clarified the direction I want to take toward documentation, education, and advocacy in the international human rights space.”

Hailey Vanish ’27, a social work (SOE) and psychology major in the (A&S), says the immersion “reshaped how I view my studies and the world by emphasizing the importance of awareness, accountability and global engagement.”

Alexa Price ’28, a political science major, came to understand “not only how atrocities around the world start, but how the U.S. chooses to involve itself … the possibility of human rights work … and a glimmer of hope for a peaceful future.”

Initial Unawareness

Students are often initially unaware of historical atrocities and may not recognize how current events contribute to the potential for atrocities to occur, White says.

“Students are consistently surprised by how much they don’t know about what happened, why it happened, what the aftermath looks like, what reconciliation looks like, and the risk factors that lead individuals to commit atrocities,” White says. “They don’t know because we don’t teach human rights education in this country.”

White says that by participating in the immersion, the students are “really bearing witness to the Holocaust, antisemitism and human rights violations, and becoming aware of what companies do business with countries that are carrying out atrocities, and [recognizing] that they have an obligation not to be silent about these things anymore. It is my hope they come back with the tools to engage with these issues beyond the classroom. This will mean asking harder questions of themselves, their families and friends and their communities … and holding people and institutions accountable and understanding that awareness is meaningless without action.”

Hard, But Rewarding

Facing the intense subject matter head-on is genuinely hard to deal with but also deeply rewarding, White says, and students are fully engaged regarding the information they’ve taken in.

“They talk about this as an amazing trip, how it’s horrible but also kind of invigorating because this is not an abstract idea anymore,” White says. “They are learning from the people who are doing the work and realizing atrocities don’t happen in a vacuum, that there are real, material consequences of decisions that governments and policy makers make. They see that you can do something about this and they’ve been shown ways to participate in atrocity prevention.”

A&S mathematics major Leo Chen ’26 says what he saw at the Holocaust Museum hit home. “Despite being heavy, it serves as an everlasting remembrance of all the lives lost and a forever reminder to future generations of one of the darkest chapters in human history, so that we must do better.”

Those factors also resonated with Destiny Katsitsatekanoniahkwa Lazore Whitebean ’26, a dual major in communication and rhetorical studies in VPA and political science in the Maxwell School | A&S, renewing her long-standing question: “If we recognize the warning signs of genocide happening today but feel powerless or hopeless, what actions can individuals or communities take to help prevent mass atrocities?” She says the week “helped me see the many opportunities to get involved and make a difference.”

Aiden Boyer ’28, a broadcast and digital journalism major in the , says he hopes many more people are able to access the immersion, calling it “a rare opportunity, a program that is a standout in this field.”

As a Minor

The 18-credit provides a more extensive interdisciplinary look at international law, genocide crimes and social justice and human rights issues. Its overall goal is to create awareness of those issues so students can learn how to be responsible citizens in a democratic society.

For a second year, the University is hosting Micron Day on campus to showcase the innovation and future of technology education and careers in Central New York.

The event on April 21 will be a full-day celebration of technology, education and opportunity, bringing students, families, educators, industry leaders and community partners together to inspire the next generation of innovators in the region.

Last year’s event focused on Micron’s transformative $100 billion investment in the community with the development of their facility in Clay, New York, and their ongoing partnerships with the University. This year, Micron Day will highlight what is possible when there is strong collaboration between higher education and industry, illustrating the shared commitment between the University and Micron to build sustainable, tech driven pathways and opportunities for young people in Central New York.

“Micron Day represents how universities and industry can work together to create real, tangible opportunity for students while strengthening the regional economic ecosystem,” says Acting Chancellor J. Michael Haynie. “By engaging students early and showing them what’s possible, we’re helping them envision a future for themselves in technology that begins right here in Central New York.”

The centerpiece of the day will be a large-scale technology fair and tech expo in the Ensley Athletic Center from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., where hundreds of local students in grades 9-12 will be welcomed to explore interactive, hands-on exhibitions alongside University students, faculty, staff and members of the public. Exhibitions in the expo will be designed to spark curiosity and demonstrate how classroom learning connects to real-world applications and future careers.

The exhibitors will include a range of University schools, colleges, clubs and programs, as well as Micron camps and activities, community partner organizations, military and emergency response partners, higher education institutions and local tech employers.

“Micron Day allows us to connect with students and families long before careers begin and show how today’s learning leads to tomorrow’s opportunities,” says Janine Rush-Byers, director of strategic university partnerships at Micron. “The partnership with Syracuse University ensures we’re building a future workforce that reflects the talent, diversity and potential of this community.”

With exhibitions ranging from immersive demonstrations to creative problem-solving activities, the expo aims to meet students where they are and invite them to actively engage with technology.

A scavenger hunt-style experience that encourages students to move through the expo and interact with exhibitions while earning prizes for participation is also planned. Lunch will also be provided to the students; schools must register in advance.

“From hands-on exhibitions to interaction with students and professionals in tech industries, everything about this event is designed to keep students curious, engaged and excited about learning,” says A.J. Florkowski, program operations manager with the Office of Strategic Initiatives and Innovation and lead planner for Micron Day at the University.

After the expo, Micron Day will continue into the evening with additional programming focused on the families and caregivers of young people in the region.

From 5 to 6 p.m. in Marley Hall, an esports competition will be held in the University’s new Esports Classroom between Boise State and Syracuse. A town hall will take place afterwards, from 6 to 7 p.m., during which parents and students can learn more about the clubs, campus and programs available at both the University and elsewhere in the region. Exhibitor tables highlighting the different opportunities will be set up from 5 to 8 p.m.

With a focus on hands-on engagement, the goal of Micron Day this year is to reflect the long-term vision of the partnership between the company and University by acknowledging that today’s middle and high school students are the region’s future workforce, leaders and innovators.

“Our goal is to make Micron Day fun, interactive and inspiring—something students remember as the day they realized technology could be for them,” Florkowski says.

Graduate students Jamea Candy Johnson ’25, G’27 and Adara “Darla” Hobbs ’26 are taking their affordable housing research out of the classroom and directly to the landlords, developers and community organizers working to solve one of Syracuse’s most pressing challenges.

Thanks to a revamped partnership with (TMR), a longstanding, community-focused series of events hosted by the , Johnson and Hobbs shared their findings directly with key public housing constituents.

The two students are conducting the research as , alongside three of their peers.

“My research focuses on the intersection of housing and health care, especially as it relates to economic stability, and this experience has only solidified that interest,” says Johnson, who is on a pre-med and pre-law track while pursuing a master’s degree in public health from the .

“We need community-driven solutions to the problems facing Syracuse. This needs to be about bringing people together from different backgrounds and perspectives and seeing what we can collectively do to address and solve the housing issue,” says Hobbs, who in May will earn a master’s degree in Pan-African studies from the .

Research With the Community, Not About It

The collaboration with TMR pushed Johnson to conduct qualitative research after engaging directly with those who provide and build housing in the city, and not just those people who need housing.

“It turned out to be one of the best ways to conduct research,” says Johnson, who works for both the Onondaga County Legislature and at the Salvation Army Women’s Shelter.

Rather than crunching numbers and visualizing datasets, the fellows conducted one-on-one interviews with each panelist before every session. They used those conversations to write discussion questions tailored to each speaker’s expertise, questions designed not just for academic audiences, but for the community members filling seats in the room.

Housing as a Health Issue

When panelists from Housing Visions—which develops large multi-unit complexes—and A Tiny Home for Good—which builds small-scale permanent housing for people experiencing chronic homelessness—described how they partner with Helio Health and Upstate Medical to bring health care directly to residents in their units, it reframed the entire conversation.

“We’re not just talking about giving people housing. We’re talking about giving people health care. Health care plus housing is going to lead to better lifelong solutions overall,” Johnson says.

It’s a point echoed by Hobbs, who was born and raised in Syracuse.

“Access to adequate health care, education and healthy food, that all comes underneath the umbrella of economic mobility,” Hobbs says.

Lived Experience as Expertise

What surprised Hobbs most through the TMR process was being recognized as an expert by many of the community leaders she had long admired and respected.

“I’m not just taking something from the panelists, they’re learning something from me as well. I do know what I’m talking about. I do have something valuable to contribute,” she says.

“Our lived experiences as locals and residents are the experiences that should be the change agents,” says Hobbs, who has spent more than a decade working in the Syracuse City School District.

Sharing Their Research Insights

Johnson and Hobbs will participate in “For Syracuse or With Syracuse? What Lender Student Fellows’ Research Reveals About Housing and Health in Syracuse” during the . The session runs from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. in Room 100A of the Nancy Cantor Warehouse Auditorium.

“This research program has really emphasized human connection more than anything, and I think that’s the greatest part,” Johnson says.

“Now, I can bring those collective experiences back to my community and hopefully continue to make a difference,” Hobbs says.

Two Syracuse University students are bringing TEDx back to campus Thursday with a question they want the entire community to wrestle with: What matters next?

, a community-organized offshoot of the popular series, will challenge and inspire attendees to think beyond the present about the research, innovation and technology that will shape our collective futures.

The lineup spans journalism, education, generative AI, mental health and digital storytelling, with speakers tackling everything from what urban classrooms can teach us to the power of true stories and the burdens we carry in silence.

“The tools are in our hands. We are the architects of tomorrow. We are the ones who are going to determine what matters next by what we give our attention to,” says Ryan Nkongnyu ’25, G’26.

Eight speakers, including University students, faculty and alumni, will share their insights into how research, innovation, technology and a creative mindset will shape the future and, hopefully, inspire attendees to “explore the things that matter as we shape our tomorrow,” says Nkongnyu, who earned a bachelor’s degree in communication and rhetorical studies from the and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in television, radio and film from the .

Nkongnyu and Sonia Issa ’24, G’25 are the event co-organizers and emcees who lined up the�� speakers.

“People are searching for direction, clarity and purpose,” says Issa, who earned an undergraduate degree in political science and a master’s degree in public administration from the . “This is a moment to learn from one another and leave with new ideas that help guide the next chapter of our collective journey.”

This year’s is Thursday, April 16, from 4:30 to 8 p.m. in the K.G. Tan Auditorium in the National Veterans Resource Center at the Daniel and Gayle D’Aniello Building. The free event is open to students, faculty, alumni and members of the community and is co-sponsored by and the Office of Strategic Initiatives and Innovation.

Nkongnyu and Issa sat down with SU Today to preview the event and share what attendees can expect.

Show your Syracuse spirit! Students are invited to enter the 2026 Football T-Shirt Design Contest. Submit your design today for a chance to see it featured next season.

The winning designer will receive a gift basket from The Campus Store, Syracuse Auxiliary Services and Syracuse Athletics, filled with merchandise, gift cards and more.

Creative Brief: The Campus Store is looking for a dynamic, athletic design for a shirt that carries the bold spirit of our Syracuse community. The design should highlight staple elements of the Syracuse community that make us who we are, such as notable buildings and traditions, with a tie to the Syracuse football team. Keep in mind that the design will be printed on a shirt and should be easily printable in a maximum of two colors.

The entry must be the original work of the contestant and must not include or derive from preexisting or third-party designs or copyrighted images. The entry may not depict inappropriate images or words and cannot include a recognizable likeness to any person unless given written approval.

How to Enter: Submit your design as a vector file to contests@syr.edu. The file name should include your first and last name and be 25 MB or smaller. Deadline to enter is May 1, 2026. The winner will be notified on May 7.

With any additional questions, email John Cusick, general manager of the Syracuse University Campus Store. Contest rules are .

is offering an end-of-semester opportunity for students to help others while reducing their library fines. “Food for Fines” will run from Monday, April 20, through the end of the spring semester.

All Libraries patrons with overdue circulation fines can reduce their fines by donating healthy, nonperishable food and hygiene items to the . Donations will be accepted at the circulation desks of Bird, Carnegie, Law, Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial and King + King Architecture Libraries. Fine reductions exclude interlibrary loan and lost book fees. Even those without library fees are encouraged to donate!

Fines will be reduced by:

• $1 per item for canned beans and vegetables;
• $2 per item for soap, canned fish/soup, single serving cereal or oatmeal, lip balm, pasta, sauce, tissue, toilet paper or toothbrush;
• $3 per item for baked beans, cereal, canned meat/fruit, oatmeal, ramen noodles, rice, shampoo/conditioner or toothpaste;
• $4 per item for granola bars, deodorant, jam/jelly, hot chocolate, peanut butter or tea; and
• $5 per item for coffee or lotion. Contributions should not be open or expired and single-use items are preferred.

Bird Library is a donation point for contributions to the Coach Mac Food Pantry year-round to support its mission to serve individuals who experience hunger, food insecurity and a lack of resources. The Libraries will accept any sealed, non-expired and non-perishable food or personal care items at the first floor checkout desk at Bird Library during regular . Visit the for more information. With questions, email circulation@syr.edu.

Through leadership, academics and an unwavering commitment to the Orange community, annually two students earn one of the most distinguished honors of a Syracuse University undergraduate career, being named the Senior Class Marshals. For the Class of 2027, the Student Experience division is proud to announce William Lewandowski ’27and Alyssa Limjuco ’27 as the rising Senior Class Marshals.

Together they will guide their graduating class during Commencement, play a role in recommending the Commencement speaker and engage directly with senior University administrators to discuss student experiences and perspectives. Among other responsibilities, Lewandowski and Limjuco will represent their class at Universitywide events and build connections with alumni.

“From integrity, heart and academics, to a genuine passion for community, William and Alyssa embody everything we hope to cultivate in our students. As Class of 2027 Senior Class Marshals, they have earned this honor not just through achievement but through both big and small intentional daily actions that have culminated into what it means to truly have Orange pride,” says , associate vice president for the Student Experience division, dean of students and chair of the selection committee.

William Lewandowski

Originally from Lockport, New York, Lewandowski is preparing to enter his final year at Syracuse University more than 60 years after his grandfather, Dr. James Olson ’60, had his own student experience. Despite the distance, he says he has always found a piece of home within the Orange community.

Sharing an alma mater not only deepened Lewandowski’s bond with his grandfather but illuminated shared lifestyle philosophies that have ultimately built a foundation for being a Senior Class Marshal.

“Every time I would go back home from Syracuse University, I would talk to him and he loved hearing all my stories and what I was doing on campus,” says Lewandowski. “As a dentist for 50 years, he impacted so many people with his quality of care but also with his humility and willingness to accept payment in the form of homemade cookies or plants for his garden. He didn’t care who you were, he just wanted to make a positive impact on the lives of others. He taught me that true joy in life comes from people. It’s the people at this University that make it so great. I learned that very early on as a first-year student within the Whitman Living Learning Community.”

A Whitman Leadership Scholar and member of the dean’s list, Lewandowski is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in entrepreneurship and emerging enterprises in the . He has worked as a peer mentor and lead ambassador, showcasing the Whitman student experience for prospective and admitted students.

Throughout his undergraduate career his pursuit of experiential learning has propelled him into countless opportunities offered by Syracuse University. Weaving together hands on experience in venture capital, consulting, content marketing and private equity, Lewandowski’s internships have spanned Triangle Insights Group, 5Point Venture Partners and Blue Star Innovation Partners.

Helping student entrepreneurs and working to spark student interest in entrepreneurship, Lewandowski has spent much of his time immersed in the University’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. Additional highlights include his participation in the , where he has served as an Entrepreneur-in-Residence and as an Entrepreneurship Fellow. Expanding into content creation, he has been published in Poets&Quants, “,” and Ecology Prime, “.”

“Syracuse University gave me a platform to be who I want to be,” says Lewandowski. During his undergraduate career Lewandowski has showcased where his academic rigor meets real-world impact. He has worked to help launch the new and has further harnessed his entrepreneurial spirit by starting two businesses. Clique Sports is a digital platform focusing on connecting college athletes with professional athletes regarding guidance and mentorship, and WM Media is focused on adding DJ and photography services to local events.

“To me, being Orange is about the people—making an impact on the lives of others to help them achieve their goals,” says Lewandowski. “Syracuse University is a place where new ideas are encouraged and innovation is supported. There are big changes approaching the University and as the Class of 2027 we can become agents of change and leave our mark, which is quite a special opportunity.”

Alyssa Limjuco

Alyssa Limjuco may have joined the Orange community from Silver Spring, Maryland, but she grew up in a military family, which meant moving between different places and school systems. These experiences quickly taught her how to adapt and understand different spaces and people, a skillset rooted in community building and empathy, that she has strengthened throughout each of her undergraduate experiences.

“I try to lead with empathy, stay open-minded and be someone who helps bridge gaps between groups,” says Limjuco. “Being selected as a Senior Class Marshal felt like recognition of a lifelong learning process. Not just the end result of my undergraduate experience but each time it has taken and will take, to get comfortable, to find my voice and to become someone who contributes meaningfully across different spaces while also fostering connections.”

As a student in the (VPA) and the , Limjuco is a dual major in film and sociology. Her dedication to academic excellence is quickly realized through multiple scholarships alongside membership in the Phi Kappa Phi Honors Society, being a Renée Crown University Honors Scholar and never missing a dean’s list placement.

As an Honors Academic Enhancement Awards recipient, studying abroad in Bologna, Italy, become possible. During this time she immersed herself in experiential learning weaving together classes that explored film history, visual strategy and preproduction planning, alongside Cinema Ritrovato, the world’s leading festival of restored cinema. Professional development highlights also include serving as the communications manager for the OrangeReels Film Festival and producing viral digital content as the Project FreeFall video editor.

“What Syracuse University gave me was permission to explore fully and commit deeply. Receiving honors and merit-based scholarships, including support to study abroad, affirmed that interdisciplinary work was not only possible here but valued,” says Limjuco.

Limjuco’s involvement spans widely as an active member of communities both on and off campus. On campus she has helped to connect veterans and military families with relevant support programs through the , she serves as the National Panhellenic Conference vice president of communications, as an active member of Kappa Alpha Theta sorority, a VPA peer coach, a Shaw Center STEM literacy tutor, OTTOthon team captain and as president of the Boxing Club. Globally, she amplifies the mission of Habitat for Humanity International, as video production and editing intern and as a volunteer for Habitat’s Women Build, a program that builds stronger and safer communities.

“The legacy I hope to leave is one of connection, demonstrating that involvement across disciplines, identities and roles strengthens a campus rather than divides it. I hope to be remembered as someone who embraced the full breadth of Syracuse University, someone who led with intention, while believing and supporting through intentional actions, that the University is at its best when students are encouraged to bring all parts of themselves into the spaces they serve.”

When almost 6,000 first-year and transfer students filled out their ��(FYS 101) course feedback over the previous two years—a response rate of nearly 72%—the University listened.

The result was a revamping of FYS 101 for fall 2025��that puts student voices at the center of one of the most important transitions in a young person’s life.

The 15-week, one-credit course brings together all first-year and transfer students for a weekly 55-minute seminar built around discussion, experiential activities and written reflection on what it means to become part of a new community. Each section of the course is co-taught by a (faculty/staff/graduate students) and a (undergraduate students).

The course, established in 2021, was meaningfully redesigned based on direct student feedback.��“The changes we made weren’t driven by assumption,” says��, who directs the program through the University’s��. “Students told us what was working and what wasn’t, and we built from there.”

The redesigned course follows a deliberate content arc—“Self, Campus, Community”—that guides students through an inward-to-outward journey over the semester. New case studies and structured group work have been woven into the curriculum, giving students framework to process their experiences together rather than in isolation.

Last fall’s cohort showed marked gains on most of the course outcomes, Schantz says. And last week, the curriculum revision received the Collaborative Inquiry and Action award at the . That event recognizes faculty and staff for examining and enhancing learning and operational success, highlighting exemplary assessment efforts and showcasing impactful initiatives that enhance teaching, learning, operations and the student experience.

Lead Instructors Sought

, assistant director of new student programs in , has served as a lead instructor. “My highest satisfaction in teaching FYS 101 is seeing students grow into themselves socially, academically and personally over such a short period of time,” he says. “I love watching students who walked in feeling unsure, quiet or overwhelmed begin to participate more, build confidence and recognize that they belong at Syracuse.”

That sense of belonging—sometimes elusive in a student’s first weeks on campus—is the driving purpose behind FYS 101, Schantz says. Now shaped by the students it serves, the course is stronger than ever.

Applications Due April 24

for Fall 2026 FYS 101 lead instructors. The role is open to faculty, staff and graduate students without assistantships. Curriculum, course guides, rubrics and Blackboard infrastructure are already in place, so instructors facilitate rather than build from scratch. Instructors receive a stipend of $2,500 per section.

The application deadline is Friday, April 24. For more information, email firstyear@syr.edu or call 315.443.9035.