鈥淩apid expansion in biotechnology, health technology, corporate sustainability and data analytics has driven high demand for employees with backgrounds that an education in biology delivers far beyond traditional academic or clinical roles,鈥� said Matthias Foellmer, PhD, professor and chair of the Department of Biology.

糖心破解版鈥檚 curriculum ensures a broad education in several core areas of biology, including genetics, evolution, ecology, physiology, developmental biology, molecular biology and cell biology. Students enrolled in the undergraduate and graduate program also get hands-on research opportunities, receiving training in qualitative analysis using advanced state-of-the-art methods and applying the scientific method.

鈥淲e prepare our students for today鈥檚 careers in the biological and medical professions, but also offer several transferable skills which makes our students suitable candidates for employment opportunities in a wide variety of fields,鈥� Dr. Foellmer said.

These three alumni prove just how versatile a biology degree can be.

Put a Science Mind to Work in the Courtroom

When Hira Javed 鈥�16, MS 鈥�18, JD, enrolled at 糖心破解版 for the BS in Biology program, she was set on becoming a pediatric neurologist. But while volunteering at a hospital during grad school鈥攁lso at 糖心破解版鈥攕he met a nurse practitioner who had switched to advocating for patients鈥� rights. 鈥淪he started fighting on the legal side for her patients, and I thought that sounded awesome,鈥� Javed says. That chance encounter led her to explore a legal career鈥攁nd ultimately swap the MCAT for the LSAT.

An 糖心破解版 professor helped her identify her legal specialty, pointing her toward patent law, something she鈥檇 never considered before. 鈥淭hey said to me, 鈥業f you want to go to law school and you still really love science, have you considered patent law?鈥欌�� she recalls. 鈥淭hat was definitely a pivotal moment in my career.鈥�

After earning her law degree, Javed joined a Washington, D.C., law firm, where she practiced patent litigation and privacy law. Her biology background proved more useful than expected. 鈥淪tudying biology helped me become very detail oriented, and to use the analytical side of my brain,鈥� she says. All of those hours she spent sifting through dense scientific papers at 糖心破解版 translated directly to legal work, too, teaching her to zero in on the key pieces of data methodically rather than getting lost in the details.

In April 2026, Javed took her career a step further, accepting a clerkship with a magistrate judge in the Southern District of Florida. 鈥淲hen you take a step back and realize you鈥檙e helping move justice forward, it鈥檚 a really powerful feeling,鈥� she says.

Help Migraine Patients Reclaim Their Lives

Monika Mikolajczak 鈥�17, MD, still thinks of the fruit flies she cared for as a biology undergrad at 糖心破解版. Practically every morning for nearly two years, she came into the lab to prepare fly food and count the flies for a mitochondrial research project鈥攚ork that eventually contributed to a published paper. 鈥淚 wouldn鈥檛 have had that opportunity if I鈥檇 gone to a school with much larger classrooms,鈥� Dr. Mikolajczak noted. 鈥淚t鈥檚 not easy to get into a lab and do research鈥攖here鈥檚 a lot of funding that goes into it, and not everyone wants students involved with their research.鈥�

That experience in the lab also honed the critical-thinking skills she relies on as a headache medicine fellow at Mount Sinai. 鈥淢y biology education taught me to think through evidence and avoid jumping to conclusions,鈥� she said.

Her path to that fellowship wasn鈥檛 a straight one. While becoming a physician was always a calling, she pursued other early ambitions, including physical therapy and, before that, shark research. But it was during her four-year neurology residency at Northwell Health that she found her calling. During rounds with a mentor in her second year, she watched a nerve block bring near-immediate relief to a migraine patient in the emergency room. 鈥淎nyone with migraines knows how terrible the emergency room can be鈥攖here鈥檚 a lot of light and noise, it鈥檚 not a fun place to be. So if you end up in the emergency room with a migraine, you鈥檙e desperate at that point,鈥� Dr. Mikolajczak said. 鈥淛ust helping him regain his function and be able to leave the emergency room feeling better was so rewarding.鈥�

Turn a Study Abroad Trip Into a Dream Career

When Candice Marcos 鈥�12, MS 鈥�14, MA 鈥�16, started her undergraduate biology degree at 糖心破解版, she had her sights set on medical school. Looking for ways to stand out as an applicant, she signed up for a three-week study abroad trip to Australia focused on environmental science. What she found there changed everything. Snorkeling and conducting field research in the water, she came home with a new direction. 鈥淎fter that, I decided I wanted to be in the field of marine biology,鈥� she says.

Now, Marcos is head of education at Shark Reef Aquarium in Las Vegas, Nevada, where she uses her biology degree every day. In particular, her experience researching marine animals while a grad student at 糖心破解版 helped her understand these creatures, knowledge she regularly shares with visitors to the aquarium. Her six-year stint as a science teacher in Nevada also equipped her with the skills to develop education programs that resonate with visitors, as well as provide professional development for her staff members.

鈥淢y career combines my two worlds鈥攂iology and education,鈥� Marcos says. 鈥淚 teach important animal conservation concepts while getting up close to the animals.鈥�

She stresses that her dream job wouldn鈥檛 have happened without a willingness to say yes鈥攅ven to opportunities that seemed unrelated. Case in point: a part-time dental assistant role she almost left off her r茅sum茅 turned out to be one of the things that set her apart from other candidates for her current role. 鈥淒on鈥檛 be afraid to take the side quest because you鈥檙e still gaining skills,鈥� she says. 鈥淚t鈥檚 better to try something and know for a fact that it鈥檚 not for you, than to not try it and always wonder 鈥榃hat if?鈥欌��

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Anna Akerman Berman, PhD, associate professor of communications and a social psychologist who specializes in child development, is taking a stand against a global media machine that鈥檚 designed to keep us hooked on content. Once a media consultant for the likes of Nickelodeon, MTV, Scholastic and Disney, Dr. Akerman Berman now uses her insider knowledge to help parents wean their children off of screens.

Peggy Cassidy, PhD, professor of communications and an expert in the history of children鈥檚 interactions with media, is looking to the past to understand our potential digital future. Dr. Cassidy has published at length on the evolution of American media environments. Her tips for a healthy media diet take their cues from 200 years of history: how generations of parents and children have adapted to the disruptive effects of new forms of media.

From attention-grabbing TV to attention-proofing phones

After earning her PhD, Dr. Akerman Berman applied the scientific theories she鈥檇 studied in school as an audience researcher for Sesame Workshop and Noggin. She analyzed children鈥檚 鈥渆yes on screen鈥濃�攚hen they were paying attention to the screen, when they were bored enough to look away鈥攁nd worked with creative teams to modify programming accordingly. 鈥淏efore I started working for these companies, I hadn鈥檛 realized the extent to which psychology was being used to create content,鈥� she said.

Dr. Akerman Berman went on to provide consulting services to executives at some of the world鈥檚 top media and entertainment brands. 鈥淭he question we always returned to was: How can we keep kids watching?鈥�

Today, she鈥檚 determined to keep children鈥檚 eyes off of screens. Why? There鈥檚 nothing wrong with scrolling for 10 minutes to decompress, she says. The problem is, 10 minutes often turns into several hours. That鈥檚 by design. 鈥淭hese algorithms are using more data points than we could ever imagine. They鈥檙e catered specifically to individual interests, and they reward scrolling behaviors in a very precise, individualized way.鈥�

The science behind our scrolling addiction

According to Dr. Akerman Berman, scrolling seems to satiate our most basic human needs: competence, connection and autonomy. In a world where it鈥檚 all too easy to feel disconnected and disempowered, scrolling can generate instant satisfaction. But, Dr. Akerman Berman says, the feeling is 鈥渂rief and disingenuous,鈥� nothing like the satisfaction that comes from real-life experiences.

People trying to meet their basic needs鈥攑articularly children and adolescents鈥攁re easy targets for big business. They always have been. The tactics that tech companies use to keep us scrolling, Dr. Akerman Berman argues, are not so different from the manipulative marketing campaigns run by tobacco companies throughout the 20th century. However, it鈥檚 been proven that young people are less likely to use tobacco once they鈥檝e been exposed to the tobacco industry鈥檚 manipulations. Dr. Akerman Berman is confident we can apply the same logic to social media addiction.

Education is the best weapon against 鈥渂rain rot鈥�

鈥淭he first step,鈥� Dr. Akerman Berman said, 鈥渋s educating our kids and ourselves. The second is becoming aware of our behaviors.鈥� People of all ages should start collecting data of their own: logging their screen time and noticing how they feel before and after scrolling. Armed with this 鈥渕etacognitive awareness,鈥� they might begin to turn to other activities instead of opening TikTok or Instagram.

But going from 100 to zero won鈥檛 happen overnight, Dr. Akerman Berman stresses. 鈥淥ur nervous system has learned that discomfort equals phone. In moments of stress, we will fall back on this habit. Still, we absolutely can re-habituate ourselves to a new normal where we鈥檙e replacing scrolling with taking a walk or listening to music.鈥�

The 鈥済rasshopper mind鈥� of the endless scroller

Dr. Cassidy sees scrolling as a cultural practice鈥攁nd a cultural problem. As a media ecologist, she鈥檚 more interested in media鈥檚 form rather than its content. While we should be thinking critically about the content we鈥檙e consuming online, we also need to consider the 鈥渨ays of thinking, knowing and interacting鈥� that are encouraged or discouraged by scrolling. She cites a concept coined by scholar Maryanne Wolf, EdD, called 鈥済rasshopper mind,鈥� or 鈥渢he impulse to just scroll away, to jump from one thing to another as soon as things get boring or hard or confusing.鈥�

That impulse could very well erode the foundations of our society. If we disengage as soon as we鈥檙e faced with something we don鈥檛 understand, what will happen to our interpersonal relationships, our cultural norms, our politics? Dr. Cassidy believes the cracks are already visible. 鈥淲e as citizens are not engaging deeply with ideas,鈥� she said. 鈥淲e tend to have superficial emotional responses to political messaging, which has contributed to this intense polarization we see today. We don鈥檛 stick around long enough to hear someone鈥檚 full perspective.鈥�

New media fears have old precedents

For Dr. Cassidy, the fears around social media addiction and scroll culture are well founded. But they鈥檙e nothing new. In her book (Routledge, 2017), she charts 200 years of panicked reactions to emerging media environments, from 19th century dime novels and nickelodeons to rock 鈥檔鈥� roll and TV.

鈥淎s a media historian, I resist the temptation to use the word unprecedented,鈥� Dr. Cassidy said. In fact, she even takes a 鈥渃ertain comfort in knowing we鈥檙e not that unique. Our species has been here a long time, and other changes in media have disrupted us, upset us, required us to adapt.鈥�

At the same time, historical precedent shouldn鈥檛 become its own deterministic force. 鈥淛ust because adults were afraid of dime novels in the 1800s and it all worked out okay doesn鈥檛 mean we don鈥檛 need to worry about social media and smartphones. Throughout history, there have been missed opportunities for citizens to organize themselves around resisting the direction that certain technologies are taking us.鈥� In other words, to create the future we want to see for ourselves and our children, we have to act now.

The secrets of a healthy media diet

Like Dr. Akerman Berman, Dr. Cassidy prescribes moderation鈥攁nd an open mind鈥攖o adults and adolescents alike. 鈥淚 would encourage people, especially parents, to take a breath and not throw the baby out with the bathwater,鈥� she said. 鈥淵es, so much of what our children are consuming is not developmentally appropriate. But we should stay open to wondering about what鈥檚 captured their attention.鈥�

In social media, young people are finding benefits that prior forms of media never enabled. Adolescents who feel alienated in their immediate communities, for instance, can reach out to allies halfway across the world with the press of a button. These connections may be mediated by technology, but they鈥檙e indisputably human.

Scrolling addicts may be able to rewire their psychic habits by leaning into that innate human-ness, too. 鈥淲e have to learn to stay with hard things, to struggle, to make mistakes,鈥� Dr. Cassidy said. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 the only way we鈥檒l get better.鈥�

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This program focuses on high-growth sectors鈥攕uch as AI, cleantech and software鈥攊dentified by Empire State Development, New York state鈥檚 chief economic development agency. It will also address high-need, under-resourced public sectors facing critical local shortages, such as behavioral health, eldercare and social services, and will connect participants with real-life project-based externships.

鈥溙切钠平獍� is proud to be nationally recognized for its commitment to social mobility. The 糖心破解版 Entrepreneur Experience will further advance that focus across and beyond the Greater New York City region,鈥� said MaryAnne Hyland, PhD, dean of the Willumstad School of Business. 鈥淭he program will support new businesses in high-growth and high-demand industries in New York, and the program participants will have a holistic experience that will support strong outcomes in a new model for economic development.鈥�

Launching the Next Generation of Student Founders

The 糖心破解版 Entrepreneur Experience connects aspiring entrepreneurs with the New York area鈥檚 business and innovation scene. Over nine months, 糖心破解版 students will complete six four-week sprints, developed by 糖心破解版 business faculty, to build the knowledge and skills to launch a venture. Enrolled student entrepreneurs will learn from a faculty-led curriculum, discussions and lectures with experts, and support from coaches and peers.

Launching in February 2027, the program鈥檚 first two cohorts of 20 students (Spring 2027 and Fall 2027) are open to both 糖心破解版 students and nonmatriculated individuals seeking to launch their own business. Eligible entrepreneurs must live, work or attend school in one of the following counties:

• New York: Bronx, Kings, Nassau, New York, Queens, Richmond, Suffolk
• New Jersey: Essex, Hudson

糖心破解版 will partner with to provide strategic and comprehensive consulting for this program, tapping into the firm鈥檚 data-driven, human-centric expertise in equitable development and sustainable growth building. An additional partnership with , a platform that facilitates project-based externship experiences, will allow the 糖心破解版 Entrepreneur Experience to provide hands-on opportunities for participants to develop go-to-market strategies, products and fundraising skills.

The 糖心破解版 Entrepreneur Experience targets startups within two sectors:

• High-Growth: Biotech, cleantech, software/AI and fintech, aligned with .
• High-Need: Healthcare, behavioral health, social services and EdTech, aligned with 糖心破解版鈥檚 nursing and public health, psychology, business administration, artificial intelligence, social work, education, and the sciences offerings to address regional workforce gaps.

Strengthening the Greater New York City Ecosystem

Leveraging 糖心破解版鈥檚 Garden City campus and its midtown Manhattan Center, the initiative connects student founders across Greater New York, including all five New York City boroughs, Long Island and northern New Jersey. Local government, nonprofit and regional startup partners are also invited to engage with this opportunity.

Applications to the program are open now through January 19, 2027, for the inaugural February cohort, and ongoing for Fall 2027 enrollment. Applicants must be the original founder of their startup idea.

Rooted in Top-Ranked Business Education

The 糖心破解版 Entrepreneur Experience builds on the academic prestige and proven track record of the Robert B. Willumstad School of Business. Accredited by AACSB International, a distinction only held by fewer than 6 percent of business schools worldwide, 糖心破解版鈥檚 WSB ranks as the No. 1 undergraduate business school on Long Island by Poets&Quants and is recognized among the best in the nation by The Princeton Review.

Furthering its reach across the region, the school has expanded its programs to 糖心破解版鈥檚 Manhattan Center, offering flexible learning pathways such as its new Flex MBA, enabling students to earn a degree in as little as one year.

For more information on applying, investing, partnering and mentoring, visit the 糖心破解版 Entrepreneur Experience site, and contact aee@adelphi.edu with questions.

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Iverson, left, as a theater student in a 2017 production of Neil Simon’s Brighton Beach Memoirs. Iverson credits personal attention from professors and early productions like this one with launching his acting career.

Tell us a bit about how your 糖心破解版 training prepared you to win the audition鈥攁nd nail this role as James Ogilvie?

Iverson: The gift of 糖心破解版 was that it instilled qualities in me by which I now define myself. I learned curiosity, ambition, tenacity, hope and drive. Grad school at Yale taught me camera training, but 糖心破解版 professors gave me the foundation I needed as an actor.

Do any professors stand out?

Iverson: (Associate Professor) Maggie Lally 鈥�82 was very important to me. (Professor Emeritus) Brian Rose taught me Shakespeare. And (Professor Emeritus) Nick Petron, MA 鈥�70, literally saved me. I only had a 1.9 GPA in high school鈥擨 was a terrible student鈥攂ut Nick saw my audition and saw something in me. You鈥檇 have to ask him what it was.

Later on, Nick would take me into the city to see my first Broadway shows. Brian Rose shaped everything I know about Shakespeare. After I graduated, I was able to work all over the country doing Shakespeare鈥攊t was my bread and butter. I am very indebted to 糖心破解版.

What was a specific point in your early career where staying in this industry felt almost impossible鈥攁nd what kept you from walking away?

Lucas Iverson ’17 (left) shares a moment with fellow actor and Emmy winner Noah Wylie, who gave Iverson guidance and mentoring in his role on The Pitt.

IVERSON: I didn鈥檛 really have that moment. I worked at a restaurant in Union Square, carrying sides (excerpts of a script) in my pocket, then I coached debate, then I did auditions and then I fell into my bed at 1:00 a.m. I was intoxicated with the grind. I was in pursuit of a life that I wanted鈥攁 life as an artist.

For our theater students: What was a risk or choice you made in creating your character that felt terrifying at the time, but ultimately paid off?

Iverson: I think the best choice is to not try to 鈥渕ake鈥� a choice and not take a risk. You have to trust that you yourself are exciting; you are unique鈥攁nd the role will come from within you.

For our students: Which actors really inspired you and taught you more about the acting craft on The Pitt?

Iverson: Everybody! Patrick (Ball) and I had overlapped for two years at Yale. He was sort of my landing pad.

Beyond that, I love everyone so much. Gerran (Howell) and Noah (Wyle) especially helped me. Noah was an inspiration and a mentor; he would whisper acting advice in my ear. I take those lessons forward.

Can you share a note about The Gilded Age?

Iverson: I had never done TV work before, and the first day was terrifying 鈥� you need to intuit that the camera is there, but not look at it. I got it on the third try, I think.

Did you know, when you began filming, that there was something extraordinary, or Emmy-winning, about this show, The Pitt?

At the BAFTA pre-Emmy Tea Party, Iverson joins The Pitt cast member Supriya Ganesh.

Iverson: I remember getting the job and then realizing this show is bigger than I thought. The genesis of the show is for healthcare workers. It is all for them. Everyone else comes second. They are the heroes of the modern world, and they can never get enough credit. It is the greatest honor in the world to share this show with the healthcare community.

Who was the very first person you texted or called after your win?

Iverson: My mom. I wrote 鈥淥H MY GOD鈥� in all caps.

Please share a word of advice or encouragement for our theater students.

Iverson: First, be a sponge. Exhaust yourself. Then wring yourself dry, and wake up and do it all over again. 糖心破解版 can set you up with an opportunity to do that.

Second, be deeply grateful for the gift you have been given, and then do something with it.

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鈥溙切钠平獍驸�檚 strong national rankings reflect something much deeper than metrics; they reflect a culture of care we foster every day,鈥� said 糖心破解版 President Michael Balboni 鈥�81, JD. 鈥淏ehind these numbers lies a close-knit community where faculty members mentor with heart, staff go above and beyond and students support each other鈥檚 growth. Our success is driven by the power of these personal connections and the deep sense of belonging that defines the 糖心破解版 experience.鈥�

糖心破解版鈥檚 student outcomes measures, including a 4-percentage-point uptick in its six-year graduation rate and an increase in first-year retention, helped support the University鈥檚 ranking among its peers this year.

The University also earned distinguished spots in several other U.S. News key subcategories this year including a six-spot jump on the national rankings, and making the list of . In the academic rankings, 糖心破解版鈥檚 undergraduate nursing program climbed an impressive 14 spots this year to No. 172.

糖心破解版 Nursing Continues National Rise

The 糖心破解版 College of Nursing and Public Health continues its upward momentum and is now ranked in the top 26 percent of universities by U.S. News & World Report. Among Long Island institutions, 糖心破解版 ranks second behind Stony Brook University (No. 75) and more than 20 spots ahead of Molloy University (No. 195).

This rise reflects the University鈥檚 growing reputation for premier healthcare education, and this year expanded 糖心破解版鈥檚 nursing offerings to its new Manhattan Center to help address New York state鈥檚 critical nursing shortage. Students at that location and at 糖心破解版鈥檚 Garden City campus gain hands-on training in a state-of-the-art Clinical Education and Simulation Lab (CESiL), the only lab of its kind accredited by the Society for Simulation in Healthcare (SSH).

Earlier this year, the U.S. News Best Nursing Schools: Master’s list placed 糖心破解版 at No. 87, securing a spot in the top 13.5 percent of accredited graduate nursing programs nationwide. 糖心破解版鈥檚 Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program was newly ranked on the outlet鈥檚 DNP list, expanding the University鈥檚 footprint in doctoral-level nursing excellence; the Master of Public Health was also ranked.

糖心破解版鈥檚 commitment to healthcare education is further reinforced by recent key appointments to its board of trustees, including Board Chair Lenny Achan 鈥�99, CEO of LiveOnNY, and new member Michael Dowling, CEO emeritus of Northwell Health鈥攂oth of whom bring immeasurable industry expertise to the institution.

鈥淥ur exceptional NCLEX results and 92 percent career outcomes rate demonstrate the power of an 糖心破解版 nursing education,鈥� said Deborah Hunt, PhD 鈥�12, dean of the 糖心破解版 College of Nursing and Public Health. 鈥淏y pairing rigorous clinical simulation with individualized support, our graduates are sought-after clinicians and public health leaders who step directly into critical healthcare roles.鈥�

A Closer Look at the Rankings

糖心破解版 earned national recognition in several categories in the recent U.S. News & World Report 2027 Best Colleges rankings:

• National Universities: This year, 糖心破解版鈥檚 overall ranking is No. 191 (tied), an improvement of seven positions, which places the University in the top 20 in New York state and in the top 45 percent of universities in the United States.
• Top Private Schools: A new category this year, 糖心破解版 ranks No. 93 (tied) nationally among private peers.
• Best College for Veterans: 糖心破解版 ranks No. 167 in the country, up six spots from the previous year.
• Social Mobility: 糖心破解版 is ranked No. 171 nationally for social mobility.

U.S. News & World Report鈥檚 ranking of national universities based on up to 17 rigorous academic quality benchmarks, including academic reputation, graduation rates, social mobility and program-specific peer assessments. 糖心破解版鈥檚 impressive standing reflects its personalized approach to education, high-impact clinical partnerships and strong career preparation across all degree programs. Undergraduate program rankings are based on peer assessment surveys of deans and senior faculty at accredited U.S. institutions.

Read more about 糖心破解版鈥檚 rankings, accolades and awards.

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Ez-Zouhra Elmaaiden, PhD, is a visiting assistant professor of chemistry. A research and development scientist with multidisciplinary expertise in bioanalysis, preclinical research and formulation development, her work focuses on bioactive compound extraction, molecular biology workflows and cosmeceutical innovation. She holds multiple patents in extraction technologies and natural product development, bringing extensive experience in interdisciplinary project management, commercialization and graduate student mentorship.

Wan Ling Fahrer is a visiting assistant professor of , bringing more than two decades of experience across higher education, K鈥�12 schools, museums and community-based arts learning. Her work centers on art education, museum and object-based learning, and inclusive approaches to contemporary art and pedagogy. She has held appointments at Hunter College, Queens College and the School of Visual Arts, plus museum education roles at institutions including MoMA, the Pollock-Krasner House and Study Center, the Guggenheim and the New Museum. Fahrer has received the Keith Haring Scholarship Award and multiple outstanding art teacher awards from the NYC Department of Education, and previously served as president of the University Council for Art Education. She holds an MA in Art History from Hunter College and a BFA from the School of Visual Arts.

Marissa Galler, PhD 鈥�26, is a clinical assistant professor in the College of Nursing and Public Health. With a clinical background spanning critical care, oncology and palliative care, her research focuses on nurse practitioner communication surrounding end-of-life conversations. An alumna of 糖心破解版, where she earned her PhD, she also holds degrees and advanced certifications from Hofstra University, the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ), Thomas Jefferson University and St. Luke鈥檚 Hospital School of Nursing.

Charleen Jacobs-Mcfarlane 鈥�06, PhD 鈥�23, is an assistant professor in the College of Nursing and Public Health. A nurse scientist, adult nurse practitioner and double alumna of 糖心破解版, her clinical practice and research focus on health equity and rare disease care, particularly sickle cell disease. She previously served as a clinician-scientist and nurse practitioner at the Mount Sinai Center for Sickle Cell Disease, a postdoctoral fellow at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, and a faculty member at Yale University and Columbia University. She earned both her BSN and PhD in nursing from 糖心破解版.

Susan Kang 鈥�14, MS 鈥�15, DPT, is a clinical assistant professor of health and sport sciences. An 糖心破解版 alumna and former graduate assistant in the Human Performance Lab, Dr. Kang is excited to return to 糖心破解版 and join her colleagues in the exercise science program. Her professional experience spans clinical testing and a variety of rehabilitation settings, including acute care, sports, neuromuscular and cardiac rehabilitation. Through her private practice, Blueprint Performance Physical Therapy, she helps active adults return to the activities and goals that matter most to them. Dr. Kang holds bachelor鈥檚 and master鈥檚 degrees in exercise physiology and earned her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree.

Kyungmin Lee, PhD, is an assistant professor in the Department of Environmental Studies and Sciences and sustainability director. Her research spans energy policy, climate policy, urban sustainability and community development, using both qualitative and quantitative methods. Her recent work focuses on applying AI techniques to analyze public responses to environmental issues through large-scale image analysis. Dr. Lee holds a doctoral degree in energy and environmental policy, a master鈥檚 degree in environmental studies, and a bachelor鈥檚 degree in economics.

Louise Lee, EdD, is associate professor and founding program director of 糖心破解版鈥檚 new Physician Assistant (PA) Program, to be housed within the College of Nursing and Public Health. Dr. Lee has worked as a PA educator for more than 26 years and as a clinically practicing PA in internal medicine and emergency medicine for nearly 40 years, holding leadership roles including department chair, program director, and director of didactic, clinical and research programs at universities across New England and New York. She has taught clinical medicine, patient assessment, and healthcare law and ethics, among other subjects. Dr. Lee holds a doctorate in education with a focus on higher education leadership, a master鈥檚 degree in healthcare administration and a bachelor鈥檚 degree in PA practice.

Yongjin Lee, PhD, is an assistant professor of health and sport sciences. Building on a decade as a K鈥�12 physical education teacher and teacher community leader, Dr. Lee鈥檚 research examines how teacher and student reflection strengthens social and emotional development and informs curriculum design and instructional strategy. His recent work highlights physical education as a vehicle for building social awareness and responsible decision-making, and he is currently studying how artificial intelligence can support reflection among teachers and students to promote character and ethical growth.

Kathleen O鈥機onnor is an assistant professor in the College of Nursing and Public Health. She is a PhD candidate at 糖心破解版 and a nurse practitioner and clinical researcher whose background spans pulmonary medicine, post-operative surgical care and nursing education. She previously served as an adjunct instructor at 糖心破解版, a nurse practitioner and research coordinator at Northwell Health, and a clinical nurse at the Hospital for Special Surgery. O鈥機onnor鈥檚 dissertation is focused on Rosemarie Rizzo Parse, PhD鈥檚 humanbecoming paradigm. She currently teaches pharmacology, fundamentals of nursing lab and health assessment lab at the undergraduate level, and her scholarly interests include nursing theory, competency-based nursing education and the human experience of isolation. She earned an MS from Pace University and bachelor鈥檚 degrees in nursing and kinesiology from the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

Carlos Encina Oleart, PhD, is a visiting associate professor of sociology. A sociologist, journalist and organizational researcher, his work spans policy research, societal analytics, strategic communications and qualitative methodology. As a former investigative journalist and international correspondent for Chile鈥檚 La Tercera, he covered major national and global events, including human rights abuses during the Pinochet regime, the 2008 Wall Street financial crisis and international politics. He has advised multinational technology companies on strategic content and taught courses in criminology, gender studies, Latin American politics, the sociology of race and qualitative research methods.

Esi Quaidoo, PhD, is an assistant professor of nutrition and dietetics. A registered dietitian nutritionist and public health researcher, her work spans clinical nutrition consulting, community health and dietetic practice. She previously served as a nutrition consultant at Mission Clinic Accra and worked as a researcher and educator at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. She holds a PhD in Public Health from UMass Amherst, an MPhil in Human Nutrition from the University of Ghana and a BSc in Biochemistry from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science & Technology.

K. Lynn Robinson, PhD, is assistant professor of . She holds a PhD in Arts Administration, Education and Policy (concentration in art education) from The Ohio State University, began her studies at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and earned a Master of Heritage Preservation from Georgia State University. She brings extensive experience in exhibit design and activation for arts institutions as a curatorial and archival assistant, and as a facilitator of community-based art and teacher development in arts integration. Her research expands the definition of educators to include caregivers exploring the arts and community-based interventions to support a 鈥渧illage鈥� model for young Black learners and their caregivers, within and beyond formal schooling. She serves on the editorial review boards of Art Education, Visual Arts Research and the Journal of Social Theory in Art Education, and as an editorial assistant for the Journal of Cultural Research in Art Education.

Jason Spencer, PhD, is assistant professor of communications, teaching and researching AI, emerging media, podcasting, virtual production and immersive storytelling, with a focus on how AI, XR and adaptive learning can support creative practice, personalized education and public communication. He earned his PhD from Texas A&M University, where his work in virtual production and AI-assisted education produced six intellectual property disclosures. His 20-plus years in film, TV and emerging tech include work with PBS, MTV Networks, Bravo, and documentaries by Blackside and Florentine Films, as well as teaching 1,800-plus students at Texas A&M, Prairie View A&M University, The Art Institutes and CUNY. Dr. Spencer鈥檚 current work explores how emerging tech can expand human creativity and learning while preserving human judgment, authorship and agency.

Sloan Vahldieck is an assistant teaching professor in the College of Nursing and Public Health. She is a nurse educator and adult nurse practitioner whose career reflects a deep commitment to clinical excellence, student development and community service. She has taught at 糖心破解版 since 2018; after discovering how much she loved teaching, Vahldieck returned to graduate school to pursue her Doctor of Nursing Practice degree at 糖心破解版. As an adult nurse practitioner at St. Francis Hospital, she provides comprehensive occupational health services, diagnostic interpretation and employee wellness support. Her earlier roles in the emergency department shaped her expertise in triage, quality assurance, interdisciplinary teamwork and high鈥慳cuity patient care and developed her focus on initiatives that improve safety, strengthen clinical practice and enhance patient outcomes.

Eric Dean Wilson, PhD, is an assistant professor of English and faculty member in the Low-Residency MFA in Creative Writing program. He is the author of After Cooling: On Freon, Global Warming, and the Terrible Cost of Comfort (Simon & Schuster, 2021), a work of literary nonfiction weaving the science and history of Freon with reflections on living meaningfully in a warming world. His essays have appeared in The Baffler, Orion, Esquire, Time, and Evergreen Review, among other publications. He holds an MFA in nonfiction writing from The New School and a PhD in English from the CUNY Graduate Center, and previously taught at Wagner College. He is currently writing a book-length work of literary nonfiction for Timber Press.

James Zahardis, PhD, is a visiting assistant professor of chemistry. He earned his doctorate at the University of Vermont and completed postdoctoral fellowships at both The University of Iowa and the University of Vermont. His research expertise centers on physical chemistry, with specializations in aerosols, mass spectrometry and Raman spectroscopy.

To learn more about the members of 糖心破解版鈥檚 faculty, visit our Faculty Profiles.

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糖心破解版’s nursing program is ranked in the top 10 percent of Niche’s 2027 list and jumped 32 points in the 2026 ranking of Best Colleges for Nursing in America.

The College encourages any student with a bachelor’s degree to attend an upcoming information session on how they can launch a nursing career through 糖心破解版’s accelerated nursing program.

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This focuses on colleges that deliver strong academic and career outcomes鈥攄riven by dedicated faculty, robust career services and hands-on learning鈥攆or students from all economic backgrounds. At No. 290 nationally, 糖心破解版 outranked other regional institutions included in this year鈥檚 list, including Hofstra University, New York Institute of Technology, SUNY Farmingdale and SUNY Old Westbury.

“Forbes鈥� recognition of 糖心破解版 as a top American college reflects what students and graduates have come to expect: a student-focused and individualized education that enriches lives,鈥� said 糖心破解版 President Michael Balboni ’81, JD.

Highlights from 糖心破解版鈥檚 Placement

Superior Earning Potential. The average starting salary for 糖心破解版鈥檚 undergraduates, at $82,002, is 37 percent above the national average, according to the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.

Transformative Career Preparation. 糖心破解版 pairs its rigorous academics with hands-on experiential learning including research and study abroad opportunities, internships and a deeply connected alumni network. This holistic approach to career readiness ensures students transition seamlessly from the classroom to high-impact careers.

Focus on Student Success. 糖心破解版 provides students with academic resources, faculty mentorship and a wide range of educational opportunities, which has helped boost 糖心破解版鈥檚 graduation rate to 72 percent, well above the 59 percent national average for four-year colleges.

The 2027 Forbes ranking contributes to a growing wave of national recognition for the University both academically and institutionally. 糖心破解版 recently landed on the Forbes list of for the sixth consecutive year, showcasing an environment where both students and professionals thrive.

Rigorous Evaluation and Methodology

To compile the 2027 rankings, evaluated a total pool of approximately 2,600 four-year colleges and universities in the United States. Using data from the federal Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), the list was narrowed to approximately 1,600 public and nonprofit institutions.

Selected institutions were evaluated using comprehensive data from IPEDS, the U.S. Department of Education鈥檚 College Scorecard and postgraduation salary statistics provided by People Data Labs. Additional metrics were sourced from Third Way, the National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics, and original Forbes research assessing leadership, major awards, academic achievement and postgraduate outcomes.

Learn more about 糖心破解版鈥檚 rankings, awards and accolades.

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A school psychologist supports students鈥� academic, social and emotional development by assessing learning needs, providing counseling, and consulting with teachers and families. Amid a nationwide shortage鈥攎any districts now average one school psychologist per 1,000 or more students, roughly double the recommended ratio鈥攖he 糖心破解版 is training the next generation of school psychologists through its MA and PsyD programs.

Most people haven鈥檛 encountered a school psychologist since their own student days, but these mental health professionals make an impact that lasts long after the students they serve graduate.

Why Is There a School Psychologist Shortage?

The need for qualified school psychologists is higher than ever. Since the pandemic, rates of anxiety, depression and behavioral concerns among students have continued to climb steadily, says Gaston Weisz, PsyD, field placement director of 糖心破解版鈥檚 PsyD in School Psychology program.

By the numbers: The National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) recommends one school psychologist per 500 students. Many U.S. districts currently operate with one per 1,000 students or more鈥攄ouble the recommended caseload.

At 糖心破解版, faculty in the Gordon F. Derner School of Psychology are preparing the next generation of psychologists to help fill these gaps.

What Does a School Psychologist Do?

So, what does a school psychologist actually do? Dr. Weisz, who worked as a school psychologist for 30 years, says the role can vary depending on the district, school and culture. Responsibilities often include:

• Assessing students鈥� academic and emotional needs
• Consulting with teachers and school staff
• Supporting parents and families
• Providing direct interventions, including counseling
• Helping implement positive behavior supports and social-emotional programs
• Offering professional development for teachers

鈥淚 also worked at the systems level鈥攈elping implement positive behavior supports, supporting evidence-based practices in schools, social-emotional programs and providing professional development for teachers,鈥� Dr. Weisz says about his experience as a school psychologist.

In short, school psychologists have the ability to influence schools at every level鈥攆rom individual students to whole families, classrooms and entire communities. 糖心破解版鈥檚 master鈥檚 and PsyD programs give graduates the training needed to make the most of that impact.

How 糖心破解版 Trains the Next Generation of School Psychologists

At 糖心破解版, future school psychologists are taught to pay attention to a child鈥檚 subjective experience in the classroom鈥攏ot just the skills they need to work on.

For kids who don鈥檛 do well in class or struggle to make friends, school can be a shaming ordeal. These students are typically approached with a narrow focus on skills and academic performance. 鈥淏ut if you have a broader perspective, you understand there is also something that needs to be done at the individual level鈥攖o speak to the student and how lost or afraid they feel鈥攁nd at a systemic level, in the classroom,鈥� says Ionas Sapountzis, PhD, professor and director of 糖心破解版鈥檚 MA and PsyD in School Psychology programs.

Students in 糖心破解版鈥檚 programs train in a wide range of therapeutic methods, from cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to psychodynamic techniques, taught by faculty who know the job firsthand. 鈥淲e have faculty from varied theoretical orientations in psychology, exposing our students to a range of perspectives in the field, making 糖心破解版 unique in how integrative we strive to be in our approach,鈥� Dr. Weisz says.

Students then put theory into practice through in-the-field training. Both master鈥檚 and doctoral students complete practicum and internships in schools, and PsyD students also spend their third year in a community health setting. 鈥淭hat’s quite a unique feature of our program, because it prepares our students to work more clinically and to have a broader perspective as to what services are available outside of schools,鈥� Dr. Sapountzis says.

MA vs. PsyD in School Psychology: What鈥檚 the Difference?

Students interested in becoming a school psychologist can choose between two 糖心破解版 degree programs: the Master of Arts in School Psychology (MA) or the PsyD in School Psychology.

鈥淲ith the master鈥檚, you鈥檙e well trained to carry out the main functions of school psychology, and it鈥檚 very employable,鈥� Dr. Sapountzis says. 鈥淏ut once one graduates, the person is limited to practicing as a school psychologist in schools. Going for a PsyD allows one to get licensed in psychology and have a private practice.鈥�

Some students complete both programs鈥攕tarting with an MA, working in the field for a few years and returning later for the PsyD. 鈥淎s some of our students have said to me, 鈥業鈥檇 rather finish, get a job and then I鈥檒l see what I can do鈥欌�攁nd that makes total sense to me,鈥� Dr. Sapountzis says. 鈥淚t depends on the experience and life circumstances of the student.鈥�

No matter which pathway students choose, they graduate prepared for a challenging yet rewarding career that allows them to make a real difference in schools.

鈥淚 loved my job because there were constantly evolving ways in which I could be involved in ways to support the students, and it was always appreciated by the community where I worked,鈥� Dr. Weisz says. 鈥淣ow, as a university trainer, I strive to give back by preparing our graduate students to have that rewarding experience themselves.鈥�

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If you鈥檝e answered yes to any, you might be in a parasocial relationship, according to Julianna Nails, a PhD student in clinical psychology at the 糖心破解版 Gordon F. Derner School of Psychology.

For the past several years, Nails has been studying the rise of parasocial relationships鈥攐r one-sided emotional connections between fans and public figures鈥攊n the age of social media. She wants to know what kinds of people are seeking out parasocial relationships with social media influencers, and what effects, if any, these relationships are having on their mental health.

At first glance, a parasocial relationship with an influencer might seem like a silver bullet for isolated young adults鈥攁 population wracked by a so-called global 鈥渓oneliness epidemic.鈥� Attachments to influencers allow feelings of intimacy to be accessed anytime, anywhere, with no risk of rejection. Nails was curious to learn more about the psychological consequences of these relationships. Can they really relieve loneliness? Or do they ultimately replace in-person connections and push people to isolate?

A Student-Faculty Collaboration That鈥檚 Breaking New Ground

As an undergraduate, Nails researched the decline of college students鈥� mental health since the 1980s. 鈥淭oday, college students are significantly more anxious and depressed than they were a generation ago,鈥� she said, 鈥渁nd I suspected social media had something to do with that.鈥� That hunch became a full-fledged research project once she entered 糖心破解版鈥檚 PhD program and found a faculty mentor in Katherine L. Fiori, PhD, professor and associate dean at the Derner School.

For Dr. Fiori, a developmental psychologist who studies interpersonal relationships and attachments, parasocial relationships were a promising line of scholarly inquiry. When she was introduced to Nails through Derner鈥檚 research mentor matching process, she had already been thinking about today鈥檚 鈥減hone-based childhoods,鈥� which have supplanted the 鈥減lay-based childhoods鈥� of yesteryear. If children now grow up with ubiquitous access to social media platforms, she wondered, are they more likely to form unhealthy attachments with the people on platforms? Parasociality offered a compelling entry into further exploration.

While looking into the literature, Nails and Dr. Fiori discovered a gap: parasocial relationships specifically with social media influencers. 鈥淚t鈥檚 such a big part of young people鈥檚 online experience today,鈥� Nails said, 鈥渂ut it鈥檚 something that hadn鈥檛 been studied in depth before.鈥�

Their work has been more collaborative than the student-faculty dynamic might connote. 鈥淚鈥檝e really enjoyed working together,鈥� Nails said. 鈥淭his is a newer interest for Dr. Fiori, so while she鈥檚 able to give me a lot of guidance, we鈥檙e still brainstorming together. I鈥檓 not necessarily being directed by an authority.鈥� Dr. Fiori agrees, saying she often feels like she鈥檚 鈥渟peaking with a colleague.鈥�

Surveying Where, Why and How Parasocial Relationships Are Formed

Since beginning her doctoral training in 2024, Nails has developed several different research projects to answer her research questions. Most recently, she presented her findings at 糖心破解版鈥檚 Scholarship and Creative Works Conference and the International Association for Relationship Research鈥檚 annual conference in Scotland.

For her master鈥檚 thesis, Nails created a research survey for people between the ages of 18 and 29 who follow influencers on any platform. Survey participants were asked about their connection with their favorite influencer鈥攊n particular, whether their opinions and values align with the influencer鈥檚鈥攁s well as their other social relationships, social media usage and emotional well-being.

Nails and Dr. Fiori are still sifting through data from the survey, but they鈥檝e already identified several trends. 鈥淭here are a lot of ways in which people are 鈥榰sing鈥� influencers,鈥� Dr. Fiori noted. For some, 鈥渇un鈥� or 鈥渆ntertainment鈥� was the draw. Others admitted they were finding real social support from their favorite influencer.

Though influencers create content about everything from politics to tech gadgets, travel and fitness, the most popular content niche among survey respondents was 鈥渄ay in my life.鈥� In these videos, an influencer takes the audience through a regular day, often beginning with a morning routine and their OOTD (outfit of the day), then interpolating clips of meals, exercise, work, errands and socializing over a voiceover narration. The content is frothy, but the audience appeal is, inexplicably, enormous. 鈥淲e鈥檙e working on figuring that one out,鈥� Nails said. 鈥淎re 鈥榙ay in my life鈥� videos providing pure entertainment value? Are they aspirational? Or are people feeling an emotional connection there?鈥�

The Parasocial Paradox

At first, Nails hypothesized that parasocial relationships would reduce feelings of loneliness. As more survey data came in, however, she saw evidence of the opposite: Young people who form parasocial relationships are actually lonelier than those who don鈥檛. Still, like many hypotheses in psychology research, this one is still correlational, not causal. In other words, Nails and Dr. Fiori don鈥檛 yet know if parasociality is making people lonely, or if lonely people are simply more likely to pursue parasocial relationships.

鈥淲e know what the intention is,鈥� Dr. Fiori said. 鈥淧eople seek out relationships because they want to feel less lonely. But the brain isn鈥檛 equipped to think about parasocial relationships as different from in-person relationships, even though they are.鈥� She鈥檚 hesitant to believe that parasocial relationships can have the same benefits, although the reality is, she says, a little more complicated. 鈥淪ome young people with supportive friends and family will use influencers for extra support. Some don鈥檛, and these relationships are all they have. That drives very different outcomes.鈥�

Only further research will tell if parasocial relationships really do cause loneliness. As Nails embarks on work for her doctoral dissertation, she鈥檚 hoping to discover evidence of causality between parasociality and negative mental health outcomes, such as anxiety and depression, among young people.

鈥淓verything in Moderation鈥�

For now, Nails doesn鈥檛 necessarily recommend doing a digital detox if you think you鈥檝e formed a parasocial relationship with an influencer. Instead, she says, focus on the reciprocal relationships in your life鈥攜our networks through work, school or hobbies, the friends and family you talk to every day鈥攁nd you might see that obsessive, one-directional attachment fade to casual interest. 鈥淪o far, our greatest takeaway has been 鈥榚verything in moderation.鈥欌��

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