On the Front Lines—in the Library

Practicums are the signature pedagogy of social work education, typically completed at a social services agency. Several years ago, the School of Social Work began to build out a new branch of practicum placements: libraries.

“Libraries are embedded in their communities and are therefore an organic fit for practicums,� said Livia Polise, director of field education at the School. She and her colleagues have successfully implemented partnerships with libraries throughout the tristate area, from Nassau County to the Hudson Valley.

Now these partnerships are becoming a “lifeline� for communities, Polise said. “Libraries continue to provide social work services in places when other models of service provision have been disrupted.� As agencies downsize and shutter in response to executive orders, patrons can turn to library social workers for free, no-questions-asked help with housing, domestic violence, food security, healthcare, employment and mental health.

Micah Schneider, a faculty practicum liaison for the School, said the experience of a library placement has changed overnight. “Last fall, my students were doing very typical work: filling out SNAP applications for patrons, facilitating staff trainings, sitting in on support groups.� When the new executive orders began to take effect, however, library patrons began to panic, and social work students had to step up fast. Now, they’re working on the front lines, right alongside their clients. “Students have been the first line of contact for people who are having mental health crises or can’t get a passport,� Schneider said.

In libraries and other practicum placements, Adelphi students are undertaking work that’s central to one of the University’s strategic goals: fostering stronger community ties while maximizing a shared purpose. “Our interns have to walk around the library, talk to people, let people know they’re there and how they can help,� Polise said. “In essence, they have to build community.�

Providing Personalized Support in Tough Times

“We meet people where they are.� It’s a common phrase in the social work profession, one that honors a client’s background, choices, and strengths and limitations alike. As students complete what Schneider calls “incredibly difficult� placements, SSW faculty are granting them the same treatment.

For Schneider, whose students are holding “very heavy stories,� a temperature check is always necessary. “I make sure the student is grounded and feels safe where they are. Sometimes the weight of what they’re seeing in the field right now is overwhelming. There’s so much fear, anxiety, loss.�

Many Adelphi students are dealing with the personal consequences that have come with the recent change of administrations, both out loud and in private. The University is meeting them there, too. “We don’t know the life experiences or circumstances that our community members carry with them each day,� Polise said. “But Adelphi has to be a loud ally anyway. When we’re not explicit about inclusion, the implicit message is one of exclusion.�

Equipping and Empowering Students

On campus, School of Social Work faculty and staff are creating spaces to empower student action. This is also part of the School’s learning approach: teaching students how to make an impact outside of one-to-one client work. As Polise said, “Social work isn’t always about sitting with a client. Sometimes it’s about ‘macro’ work, which is about engaging with systems and structures, being a good citizen and advocating for policy reform.

The School sponsors an annual, schoolwide social action activity that trains students to become advocates for social change. Practicum courses include professional development activities emphasizing antiracism, diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging, which have been expanded to include regular community engagement and action spaces. In these sessions, students learn more about recent political developments and how to effectively contact their legislative representatives. “We want to make sure students know what to expect and especially how they can incorporate their own stories,� Polise said. “We don’t coach them to say anything in particular. We tell them, ‘Find something that’s important to you and make a call.’�

Polise’s team is also hosting a series of  professional development workshops that spotlight diverse communities. At a time when divisive rhetoric is on the rise, these workshops enable students to process lived experiences that differ from their own. But reflection is not the end goal, even if students are revisiting problematic assumptions or gaining cultural competency. “The point is to act,� Polise said. “They should be thinking about how to better support people and communities in their work.�

Staying Committed to the Road Ahead

With so many methods, practices and systems in flux, SSW students are building a new foundation, digging deep into the roots of their profession. “It’s innately political,� Schneider said. “Our role is to protect the marginalized. But my students know that. That’s why they’re still doing this, even when it’s difficult.�

Professor Elizabeth Palley, JD, PhD, director of the School of Social Work PhD program, who has taught at Adelphi for more than 20 years, said students today are far more politically engaged than they once were—a product of the University’s efforts to diversify its student body. “There are fewer students coming in because they want to be private therapists,� Dr. Palley said. “They’ve felt the impact of policy on their communities firsthand.�

Even as the current federal administration seeks to eliminate programs aimed at diversity and inclusion, Dr. Palley notes that the . “In order to reapply for accreditation, we still have to demonstrate how we’re addressing DEI and antiracism,� she said. “We’re working to comply with the CSWE’s requirements.�

While the future of social work is unclear under the current federal administration, School of Social Work students and faculty remain committed to the school’s mission: living out social justice in everything they do. In fact, Schneider, who formerly served as the School’s assistant director of practicum education, elected to leave their full-time role at Adelphi last year and join a nonprofit organization. “I was so moved by the stories I was hearing daily from students in the trenches with their clients,� they said. “I found myself longing to be there with them, side by side.�

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“The field of social work is rapidly growing, and the demand for advanced practitioners who can develop socially just policies and practices is more critical than ever,â€� said Beth Counselman-Carpenter, PhD ’14, associate professor and director of the DSW program at Â鶹ֱ²¥. “Our program is designed to meet the needs of professionals who are seeking to deepen their practice and take on leadership roles in a field that’s vital to addressing today’s most urgent social issues.â€�

The demand for social workers is projected to increase in the coming years. According to the , the field is expected to expand by 7 percent through 2033, outpacing the average growth rate for all occupations. Graduates of ´¡»å±ğ±ô±è³ó¾±â€™s School of Social Work are highly sought after in this growing market.

Flexible and Accessible for Busy Professionals

´¡»å±ğ±ô±è³ó¾±â€™s DSW program is distinguished by its flexibility, featuring a part-time, hybrid structure designed for working professionals. This format accommodates busy schedules while fostering a collaborative and supportive learning environment. Monthly in-person classes at the Hudson Valley campus provide opportunities for students to connect with peers and faculty, while online components allow coursework to be completed on their own time.

“The hybrid approach strikes a balance between the flexibility of online learning and the collaborative, community-based approach that is central to the social work profession,� said Dr. Counselman-Carpenter.

Preparing Leaders With Trauma-Informed Practices and Social Justice Skills

With six specialized courses in trauma-informed practice, leadership, research and social justice, students gain the expertise to address the systemic challenges of oppression, violence and intergenerational trauma in social work. The program prepares graduates to confront structural inequalities and advocate for social justice.

“Social work professionals must be prepared to tackle both individual challenges and the broader issues that affect entire communities,� said Dr. Counselman-Carpenter. “Our program trains social workers to be leaders who advocate for social justice and implement meaningful change.�

The program culminates in a yearlong capstone project, allowing students to apply their learning in real-world settings and advance their professional development. Graduates of the program will be well-equipped to address the complex issues facing social work today. Social workers with doctoral degrees can expect to earn significantly higher salaries, with DSW holders earning an average of $20,000 to $25,000 more annually than those with only an MSW. Whether they are pursuing clinical work, executive leadership or roles as educators, DSW graduates will be poised to make lasting contributions to their communities.

A Vision for the Future of Social Work

As social work continues to adapt to the evolving challenges of the 21st century, ´¡»å±ğ±ô±è³ó¾±â€™s DSW program was created to prepare graduates to lead within this rapidly changing landscape.

“The future of social work depends on practitioners who are not only experts in their field but also deeply committed to social justice and ethical leadership,� said Dr. Counselman-Carpenter. “Our DSW program prepares students to respond to the complex needs of today’s world with a solid foundation of knowledge, skills and compassion.�

Applications are open for the DSW program—prospective students are invited to visit Â鶹ֱ²¥â€™s website for more details and to submit their applications.

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At the helm of this innovative initiative is Rita Verma, PhD, professor in the Â鶹ֱ²¥ Ruth S. Ammon College of Education and Health Sciences. As the founder and editor in chief, Dr. Verma envisioned a scholarly space where high school students could engage in serious academic inquiry and share their insights on pressing global issues.

“This journal aims to build a dialogue around critical viewpoints, lenses and debates about the challenges facing the world,� Dr. Verma said. “We encourage submissions that analyze these issues through diverse perspectives, whether it’s using math and science to understand public policy debates or the humanities and arts to explore justice and human rights.�

Scholarly Recognition for Young Writers

High school students in Dr. Verma’s summer program on human rights.

The journal has quickly gained recognition, earning a reputation as a leading publication for high school research. An advisory board of esteemed scholars from prestigious institutions supports its mission, helping to ensure the quality and academic rigor of the content. To date, the journal has published four issues, featuring a wide array of topics that range from climate change and political systems to art’s role in democracy and social media ethics.

A key highlight of the journal is the diversity of its contributors and their research topics. High school students from across the globe have submitted thought-provoking articles that reflect their unique backgrounds and academic passions. For example, a student from San Jose, California, , while a researcher from Miami, Florida, . From India, an article on . These diverse perspectives not only enrich the journal’s content but also demonstrate the journal’s commitment to fostering a truly global academic dialogue.

Dr. Verma’s role as editor in chief extends beyond overseeing submissions. She meticulously reviews each article before sending it to peer reviewers from across the country. Only the most exemplary research pieces are selected for the quarterly journal, while other strong submissions find a home in the journal’s blog section. The review process maintains high academic standards, fostering an environment where young researchers can develop their skills and gain exposure to experts in their respective fields.

“There is such an incredible variety in the topics we receive,� said Dr. Verma. “I have been fascinated by the depth of inquiry, thoughtfulness, rigor and creativity in these articles. It is a testament to the unique nature of research and the intellectual potential of young scholars.�

Bringing the Real-World Into Academics

High schoolers visiting the Adelphi campus for peace and art.

Beyond serving as a platform for student research, Critical Debates HSGJ plays an essential role in bridging the gap between academic research and real-world issues. From climate change solutions to discussions on trauma, war, rights and oppression, the journal provides a space for critical thought and civic participation.

Dr. Verma and her editorial team are committed to making the submission process seamless and accessible for students worldwide. With an expanding international contributor base, the journal continues to grow as a global platform for young researchers. Looking ahead, exciting new initiatives are on the horizon, including a research conference for published authors and a collaborative research proposal submission to the American Educational Research Association (AERA) conference, which recently launched an initiative to engage high school students in academic presentations.

“The future of this journal is bright,� said Dr. Verma. “We hope to continue expanding our global reach and fostering a new generation of scholars who recognize the value of their voices in academic discourse.�

For young researchers interested in academia and publishing, Dr. Verma offers a piece of valuable advice: “We are moving further away from intellectual exchange that requires patience for the development of ideas. Engage passionately with your areas of interest, develop your voice as a scholar and embrace the transformative journey of research.�

Through Critical Debates HSGJ, high school students from around the world are proving that they belong in the academic conversation—and that their ideas have the power to shape the future.

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Their conversation on April 4 will be moderated by award-winning author and playwright and host of the hit podcast You Are What You Read. Audiences will also get a special sneak peek at Parker’s powerful new project, The Librarians, a documentary she executive-produced.

Celebrating the Pleasures of Reading and Writing

The Adelphi 2025 Writers & Readers Festival, founded by Adelphi alumna and New York Times bestselling novelist will celebrate the pleasures of reading and writing with students, teachers, librarians, emerging writers and the local community. Attendees can get an inside look at the art of writing and the business of publishing, connect with fellow book lovers, and have the chance to meet and hear from prominent authors, including Hoffman, Trigiani, Alvin Hall, Ann Leary, Elinor Lipman, Lise Olsen, Jennifer Baker, Matthew Klam, Lisa Genova, Lee Woodruff, Laura Zigman, and more.

“Stories connect us. Whether on the page, the stage or the screen, they shape our understanding of the world, ignite our imaginations and deepen our empathy,� said Hoffman, author of more than 40 works of fiction, including . “As we gather to listen, reflect and celebrate the written word, I hope festival attendees will discover new ideas, fresh inspiration and a renewed love for literature.�

See the Full Schedule of Events and Registration Information

The Adelphi Writers & Readers Festival will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. on April 4, and 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. on April 5, at the University’s Garden City campus. The two-day event will include panels and keynotes with bestselling authors, and professional development workshops with literary agents, book editors, writing coaches and Adelphi professors from the MFA in Creative Writing program, as well as conversations with writers and publishing insiders about the art and business of publishing.

Registration for the event is limited and is now open. and see the full schedule of events.

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These vivid images, each with accompanying poetry and captions, are among 30 photographs in the exhibit Café Photovoice: The Sequel, which reveal powerful stories of healing by nine men and women in mental health and substance use recovery at the in Upper Manhattan. The exhibit also offered a collaborative opportunity for ´¡»å±ğ±ô±è³ó¾±â€™s School of Social Work students and faculty to immerse themselves in a community-based evaluation study that focused on participants’ voices.

Bilingual and Interdisciplinary Partnership

Chrisann Newransky, PhD, associate professor and director of the IDEATE Interdisciplinary Education and Training Experience in the School of Social Work, said the images and caption writing documented how the participants’ environment impacted their recovery in a powerful and bilingual approach to using art for social change.

“One aspect of the project that beautifully highlighted our Adelphi student population is that a social work graduate and a fine arts student worked on our research team to ensure that the project could be fully bilingual in English and Spanish, and culturally appropriate. This is important because 60 percent of the clients at Emma Bowen speak Spanish and have a Latinx background,� Dr. Newransky said.

Combining Therapy With a Creative Outlet

Ana Rodgers, director of the Bowen Center, said her integrated behavioral health program incorporates evidence-based practices to provide both therapeutic intervention and a creative outlet in a community that is made up predominantly of people of color. Photovoice Worldwide—a nonprofit that promotes ethical photography for social change, using photographs to help document participants’ lives—provided training and support for this intervention.

In describing the participants’ experience, Rodgers said: “They’re actually going out into their community and taking pictures while doing a lot of reflective thinking and self-awareness about what it’s like to be them in their world. And that creativity piece is really essential, because it helps to elevate the therapeutic intervention to a real-life experience.â€�

Social Work Students Use Photography for Social Change

This is the second Bowen Center Café Photovoice exhibit that included Adelphi social work students. The first time Dr. Newransky and Philip Rozario, PhD, professor of social work, helped implement the project was during the COVID-19 pandemic, in a virtual format. This time, they enlisted research assistant and Master of Social Work graduate Rhaida Maldonado, MSW ’24, who co-facilitated in-person group sessions with Michael Blecher, a student in Adelphi’s PhD in Social Work program. Dr. Newransky said these social work students provided participants with cameras and talked about safety and the ethics of consent in photography, as well as techniques like lighting. The participants went out into their neighborhoods to take photos armed with a research question, which was then the focus of their next group discussion and caption writing. The social work team interviewed the participants about these experiences, which are now, along with the photos and captions, part of the data for the project in which the participants explained their photos and other aspects of their recovery.

Dr. Newransky reached beyond the School of Social Work to get help from Rebeca Romero, a bilingual Adelphi senior majoring in graphic design and business management. Romero laid out the photos, poems and captions in 18 x 12-inch pieces for the gallery and created the design images for the exhibit’s program, signage and factsheets, all in both English and Spanish.

Maldonado, who is also bilingual, said the project utilized skills she had recently learned in a social work class. “It was interesting to see how the clients integrated the artwork,â€� she said. “Sometimes clients don’t know how to put things into words or how to express what they want to say. But a picture gives them the opportunity to express based on perspective.â€�

School of Social Work Working in the Community

The participants—many of whom not only wanted to use their names but also speak openly about their work—asked to have a formal in-person exhibit of their photos for their community. This took place on December 19, 2024, and was covered in a segment on . Newransky and team will share their experience with other community organizations at the Bronx Wellness Center in March, and hope to bring the exhibit to Adelphi in April or May.

Rodgers said working with Adelphi has been an exciting growth experience for the center and clients. “Individuals who are walking through our doors don’t often have contact with higher education or opportunities to learn from a professor or a graduate student,â€� she said. “So it creates this beautiful intersection of those worlds and helps people see that opportunity is all around—and that collaboration is necessary and important for recovery in healing communities.â€�

Maldonado said that helping to lead this program as a recent social work graduate was an equally positive experience for her. “It provided valuable insight into how we can leverage our educational backgrounds to serve those who might not have a voice. It emphasized the importance of using the skills, knowledge and opportunities gained through our degrees to create a meaningful and positive impact within our communities.�

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The group stayed in the coastal city of Estoril and visited other areas in the western part of Portugal, including Lisbon, Cascais and Sintra. Interacting with community members, students volunteered on three evenings during the trip at , whose mission is to stop food waste by rescuing food from supermarkets, restaurants, hotels and more to feed communities in need.

Making Memories and Helping Communities

A local team in Portugal drove the group to their locations each day, teaching them about various traditions and other aspects of Portuguese culture. Led by Kelsey D’Andrea, assistant director of the Center for Student and Community Engagement, they had the chance to explore the cities, taking in the architecture and cuisine.

“Students enjoyed getting to meet people from all over the world,� D’Andrea said. “At our hostel, there was a school from Indiana, as well as individuals from Canada, the UK, Brazil and other areas. Students were able to bond with other Adelphi participants on the trip and create friendships. Many students agree that a weeklong trip is the perfect amount of time, and some even wished it was longer, as they mention time flew by while there. They enjoyed being able to give back to the community in need.�

For Students, an Unforgettable Journey

Keri Sullivan, a junior physical education major, said the most memorable part of the trip was their visit to the beautiful seaside town of Sintra, particularly the exploration of Pena Palace.

“This experience stood out to me due to the palace’s breathtaking beauty and the journey leading up to it,� she said. “Traveling on this trip has had a profound impact on me, inspiring a deeper desire to explore new destinations and embrace future opportunities.�

In the spring, Adelphi is hosting more faculty-led trips, including study abroad in the United Kingdom, the Dominican Republic, Kenya and Norway. Summer opportunities include Italy and Poland.

“For those considering studying abroad, my best advice is to seize the opportunity while you are young and have the flexibility to do so,� Sullivan said. “Traveling is a privilege, and Adelphi offers exceptional programs that allow students to broaden their horizons and experience the world firsthand.�

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On November 20, 2024, the Robert B. Willumstad School of Business focused on this topic for its annual Hagedorn Lecture on Corporate Social Responsibility, this year titled “Making the Business Case for Health Equity.�

Dean MaryAnne Hyland, PhD, opened the event, stating, “In the Willumstad School of Business, one of the ways that we strive to make a difference in our society is by focusing on how we can reduce inequality. A 2023 Healthcare Association of New York analysis found that New York hospitals and health systems have major impacts on our local economy, generating an estimated 859,000 jobs, over $56 billion in salaries and benefits, over $30 billion in tax dollars, and at least $16 billion in community investment. So there’s a lot of opportunity in this field in regard to making improvements and having an impact with regard to social responsibility.�

Alan Cooper, PhD ’95, clinical associate professor in the School and moderator, introduced the panel of distinguished experts from organizations that serve Long Island and New York City:

• Andres Jimenez, MD, chief medical information officer,
• Joe Moscola, MBA ’06, executive vice president, system operations,
• Leonard Achan ’99, secretary of the Â鶹ֱ²¥ Board of Trustees and president and CEO,
• Larry Eisenstein, MD, vice president and chief public and community health officer,

Dr. Cooper said health equity requires the cooperation of multiple organizations and businesses operating in the community. Whether a school, a bank or a hospital, all need money to make money if they are going to accomplish what they are trying to do. Yet, to succeed, they need to take a broad view about the relationship between business and health. “How do we align finance, population health and health equity?� he asked.

Insights From Experts

Dr. Eisenstein, who previously served as Nassau County, New York, health commissioner, noted that health equity isn’t necessarily devoting the same health resources and treatment to everyone, saying, “Health equity means some people need more services, more help, come from a weaker position; and health equity means we’re going to provide whatever it takes so that everybody has the opportunity for the top health outcomes they can attain.�

As a medical information officer, Dr. Jimenez shared insights on how data and generative artificial intelligence can be used to aggregate and leverage data to guide strategy and improve patient outcomes, although panelists agreed that human oversight is necessary to ensure privacy, security and ethical use and to prevent unintended consequences.

Dr. Jimenez, an advocate for preventive health, noted that “food is medicine,� citing how Adelphi Dining Services offers students the option to consult with a . Panelists also noted that preventive measures like breast cancer screenings save lives and reduce costs.

Achan, secretary of the Â鶹ֱ²¥ Board of Trustees, pointed out that about 100,000 people in the United States are on transplant lists, and 80 percent of them are waiting for kidneys. He said dialysis is costly not only in terms of tax dollars ($96,000 a year per patient), but in personal costs to those patients, who undergo dialysis three or four days a week and, according to Achan, are “not  able to work, not able to contribute, not able to have a part of the American dream, not able to pay for their kids to go to school, not able to provide for their families. And the system has allowed a lot of that to impact, especially, communities of color.â€�

The panelists agreed that health equity isn’t solely the province of healthcare organizations. Partnering with corporations—the government, nonprofits, faith-based organizations, venture capitalists, insurance providers, pharmaceutical companies and, most importantly, communities—is key to making a difference.

“The Smart Thing to Do�

“Organizations across industries are recognizing that addressing disparities in healthcare isn’t just the right thing to do, it’s also a smart thing to do,� said Dr. Cooper, later adding that “We need to find venture capital and private equity companies that have that corporate social responsibility mission. They’re out there, but [finding them is the] challenge.�

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First offered for spring break in 2013, Alternative Break now provides service-learning trips to communities across the United States and around the world during summer and winter breaks as well.

More than 300 Adelphi students, including 48 in the past year, have participated in 20 faculty- and staff-led trips since the program’s inception, providing needed help in struggling communities while expanding their own perspectives, building cultural competence and increasing self-awareness.

The impact on students can be life-changing.

“Participating in the Alternative Break program is a transformative experience,” explained R. Sentwali Bakari, PhD, vice president for student affairs and diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging. “It minimizes the fear of the unknown, fosters self-knowledge, and inspires an appreciation for diverse cultures and the lived experiences of others. It also generates a sense of belonging to Â鶹ֱ²¥ and motivates students to strive for more. I have observed that these experiences stimulate students’ desire to travel more, serve communities and enhance their career portfolio.”

Social work major Lynabby Bigord is just one of the many students who have been profoundly affected by their experience. “I felt a rebirth this semester after our trip to Spain and Morocco,� she said. “It gave me a new perspective on life, my future career and especially my experience in the classroom. I can no longer look at culture and family through a single lens. I approach problems and solutions with cultural humility, especially when it comes to religious, political and personal values.�

Coordinated by ´¡»å±ğ±ô±è³ó¾±â€™s Center for Student and Community Engagement, the program supports a number of priorities set by the University’s Momentum 2 strategic plan—nurturing an inclusive and connected community, achieving a global impact, and encouraging service.

Many Ways to Help

The Alternative Break program has offered a wide range of service opportunities for students, many in response to urgent needs, others dedicated to enduring problems.

• Hurricane Relief: In winter break 2024, students traveled to Florida to provide direct relief to people displaced by flooding from Hurricane Idalia. Alternative Break trips have also gone to Puerto Rico; Houston, Texas; and New Orleans, Louisiana, to help communities recover from devastating hurricanes.
• Building Projects: A spring break 2019 trip to Cuzco, Peru, and surrounding valleys in the Andes had students working alongside local construction workers building schools, community centers and health clinics. Students have also traveled to Guatemala; New Orleans and Baton Rouge, Louisiana; and San Francisco, California, to assist in building and renovation projects.
• Environmental Work: Winter break 2019 saw students volunteering at Lyon Arboretum Rainforest Center outside Honolulu, Hawaii, removing hundreds of pounds of invasive species. Students have also engaged in environmental projects in California and South Florida.
• Childhood Education: A winter break 2014 trip to Homestead, Florida, gave students the opportunity to mentor children of migrant workers, helping them with reading, computers, sports and music. Students have also taken Alternative Breaks to work with children in Belize and Puerto Rico.
• Cultural Exchange: Summer break 2023 and 2024 trips immersed students in the cultures, customs and perspectives of Spain and Morocco while they assisted in schools and on community projects.
• Personal Growth: Alternative Break trips have recently started offering opportunities for interior exploration through immersive mindfulness meditation retreats. Students traveled to the Blue Cliff Monastery in Pine Bush, New York, in Spring 2023 and the Magnolia Grove Monastery in Batesville, Mississippi, in Spring 2024.

On to Lisbon

With the popularity of trips to Spain and Morocco, students will have the opportunity in the upcoming winter break to travel to Portugal to volunteer in a Lisbon community center. Students will serve meals, assist in programs for local children, sort donations and perform many other helpful tasks. And, like all other Alternative Break programs, the trip to Lisbon will include an academic component and cultural programming.

Alternative Break programs are partially underwritten by ´¡»å±ğ±ô±è³ó¾±â€™s Student Government Association (SGA) and Graduate Student Council, with participating students helping cover expenses. The SGA also sponsors a small number of undergraduate students by providing scholarships for the full cost of the trip. Adelphi faculty often help plan, sponsor or chaperone trips.

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Erica Gibson, a third-year senior psychology major with a double minor in ethics, law, and justice and criminal justice, is the volunteer coordinator of the Panther Pantry. She says items like peanut butter, pasta and sauce are popular with Pantry patrons, but she wanted to encourage people to incorporate healthy ingredients like the fresh vegetables offered.

With the holiday season around the corner, Gibson and team have put together their first-ever digital cookbook. Titled Sweet Pea’s Cookbook, it contains 30 community-crafted recipes. Now Pantry guests can not only pick up pasta but also get ideas for how to create a tasty and healthier dish with vegetables on the side and spices from the Panther Pantry’s selection. “We want the Pantry to be available for those that need a quick bite and for those that want to create a full meal,â€� Gibson said, adding, “The Panther Pantry is at its best when we can help people.â€�

The cookbooks were initially sold for $5 at a recent fall fundraiser to help raise funds for the Pantry but is now available for free in their office on the lower level of Earle Hall. As of now, the cookbook is accessible with a QR code that’s posted in the Pantry, and it’s planned to be added to in the near future as well.

“We want to improve our Pantry with variety, making bigger and better cookbooks, things of that nature, with the end goal eventually being both a digital and physical cookbook,â€� Gibson said. “With the wonderful support of our community, I think it’s something that would be possible sooner rather than later.â€�

The cover of the cookbook features a panther, but this isn’t Paws; it’s Sweet Pea. “She is our main mascot,â€� said Gibson. And her cover companion is her brother, a bear named Griffin who “entered the family last year when I thought Sweet Pea looked a little lonely in the Pantry. Same as Sweet Pea, a variety of names were suggested by our volunteers and we all voted.â€� They are featured on the cover, she said, “because they tie the volunteers together as a community.â€�

Healthy for the Holidays

The cookbook also offers recipes for a mini Thanksgiving meal of mashed potatoes, gravy, peas, carrots and an optional choice of meat as well as a no-meat Thanksgiving meal and recipes for apple crisp, oatmeal pumpkin pie, apple oatmeal pie, apple cranberry oatmeal pie and crunchy stuffing.

And to make Thanksgiving even easier for patrons, the Pantry is offering another first: Thanksgiving meal kits, which contain all the ingredients needed for a full Thanksgiving meal, including turkey stuffing, cranberry sauce, corn, carrots, green beans, pumpkin and apple pie fillings, and a graham cracker pie crust.

Due to anticipated demand, those interested can fill out an for a kit until November 22 at 11:59 p.m.

Powered by Panthers

The efforts of volunteers are what help the Pantry to help as many students as possible, especially during the holiday season, and Gibson’s community-building background led her to take on her volunteer coordinator role. She became a part of the Panther Pantry after joining ´¡»å±ğ±ô±è³ó¾±â€™s award-winning First-Year Community Action Program, in which first-year students weed community gardens, work at the VA hospital and otherwise perform community service before starting their first semester at Adelphi. She met dedicated individuals on campus who believed in giving back, including the Pantry student staff. She’s since sought out other philanthropy and leadership opportunities at Adelphi, such as being the president of the Resident Student Association, becoming a Prestigious Panther and serving on the Women’s Leadership Conference Steering Committee since Fall 2023.

The Panther Pantry is active year-round and welcomes student volunteers, especially those who can work during times such as Thanksgiving break, finals week and winter break. It will be open during its regular hours Monday and Tuesday of Thanksgiving week, from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and will start their seasonal hours on Wednesday and Friday from 12:00 noon to 3:00 p.m.

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That’s why the holds a conference every year at which male Hispanic high school students learn how getting a college education can help them succeed professionally and personally and enable them to help their families and communities. This year’s Men Leaders Paving Paths for Young Men conference was held on October 25 in the Thomas Dixon Lovely Ballroom in ´¡»å±ğ±ô±è³ó¾±â€™s Ruth S. Harley University Center.

Dr. Castro explained that ´¡»å±ğ±ô±è³ó¾±â€™s last incoming class was 23 percent Hispanic and that the University is focusing on serving these students and “making Adelphi Latino-student-ready by becoming a Hispanic Serving Institution, not just a Hispanic enrolling institution,â€� she said. “LILTA is a powerful organization representing Latino teachers and students and advocates who are working toward ensuring Latino students have access to postsecondary opportunities. The Men Leaders Paving Paths for Young Men conference is an effort to better serve Latino male students even before they come to Adelphi.â€�

Consejos para futuros líderes

The conference was attended by 110 students, as well as faculty, from six Long Island high schools. Hispanic male professionals in law, education, law enforcement, business, academia, philanthropy and the arts came to share their experiences growing up with very similar backgrounds—such as being the first in their families to attend college, being immigrants or separated from their families, and/or having limited legal status—with the high school students.

The conference was fully bilingual, with workshops, panels and campus tours offered in English and Spanish.

The panelists from Adelphi were:

• Giovani Burgos, PhD, associate professor of sociology and criminal justice and director of the Latin American and Latinx Studies program at Adelphi
• Wilson Anaya, PhD, visiting assistant professor, Â鶹ֱ²¥ Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures
• Steve Quizhpilema, Adelphi senior, exercise science major, track and field athlete
• Diego Llanos, Adelphi senior, exercise science major, track and field athlete
• Victor Perez, parent of an Adelphi student
• Carlos Ventura ’22, PhD student in chemistry at Stony Brook University
• Cristino Chavez, MSW ’19

The Importance of Networking and Pursuing Education

To open the event, moderators Sergio Argueta, assistant principal of Freeport High School, an adjunct professor in the College of Professional and Continuing Studies and former director of the Bachelor of Social Work program, and Ray Ruiz, principal of Canaan Elementary in the Patchogue-Medford Union School District, visited each table to fire up the students with humor, inspiration and words of encouragement. All were treated to a performance by a jazz band from the Uniondale Union Free School District.

Speakers emphasized the importance of taking advantage of the opportunity to network with the community and business leaders at the conference, including ´¡»å±ğ±ô±è³ó¾±â€™s faculty, staff and students.

Argueta and Ruiz also gave the closing remarks, including a pledge in Spanish and English about continuing one’s education and reaching out to others for advice.

At the end of the program, a raffle winner was chosen and given a gift card to the . Attendees went home with an Adelphi pennant and bilingual literature about applying to the University and its programs.

The Motivation Behind the Organization

Kelly Ureña, MSW ’16, is vice president of LILTA, chair of the organization’s Youth Programs Committee and a social worker in a Suffolk County school district. She earned her Master of Social Work at Adelphi, where she met Argueta. She said, “Many students in high school don’t know what they want to be, so giving them the space to wonder and see someone of a profession and that the trajectory is not always linear is important. Part of this mission is to support and engage in education, and showcase what you can achieve. There’s a way, and you just have to see it. You can’t see what you don’t think is there.�

Dafny Irizarry founded LILTA in 2006 and has been a teacher for 30 years, currently teaching English as a New Language at the high school level. She echoed Ureña’s concerns, which have continued to drive the organization’s objectives.

“When I taught primary grades, I observed that students didn’t have certain opportunities that I thought were crucial for the end goal, which was graduation,� she said. “I realized that we needed to expose students—especially those in high school, who are closer to that finish line—as early as we can to the experience of college: to visit, to talk to people, to share difficulties and how they’ve overcome them, and hopefully be inspired by others.�

Easing Students Into the Future

During the conference, Sentwali Bakari, PhD, Â鶹ֱ²¥ vice president for student affairs and diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging, gave words of encouragement to the young men in the ballroom.

Speaking to the students in the crowd, Dr. Bakari said, “Your presence is not just appreciated, it is crucial. You are our future leaders and I applaud your vigilance, self-determination, leadership development and pursuit of higher education.

“At Â鶹ֱ²¥, we are unwavering in our commitment to sustaining a welcoming and inclusive campus environment where students from all backgrounds and lived experiences can succeed,â€� he continued. “We empower students like you to reach your full potential and achieve your academic and career aspirations. We are deeply grateful for your participation in this conference and hope this event will be memorable for you as well.â€�

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