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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As Program Director, Counselman-Carpenter played a key role in establishing the new Doctor of Social Work (DSW) program at Adelphi, which will prepare practitioners to address complex social issues with leadership and practice-based skills. Through a trauma-informed lens, the program equips graduates to become effective, ethical leaders in agencies, nonprofits, academic institutions, and beyond.

Dr. Counselman-Carpenter is the editor of a new textbook, An Intersectional Approach to Human Behavior in the Social Environment: Decolonizing Theory to Practice, which explores human development through a lens of equity and inclusion. The work reflects her commitment to empowering marginalized communities and advancing critical resources for social work. Dr. Counselman-Carpenter’s interdisciplinary approach bridges real-world challenges with education, inspiring students and colleagues alike to create meaningful, lasting impact in the communities they serve.

Interested in being featured?

Contact��Leeann Mello at FCPE��to learn how you can be part of an upcoming Faculty Fridays issue.

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At the helm of this innovative initiative is Rita Verma, PhD, professor in the �鶹ֱ�� 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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When it comes to avian flu, Kaiya Provost, PhD, an ornithologist and assistant professor in the Department of Biology in the �鶹ֱ�� College of Arts and Sciences, has predicted that “any wild or domestic bird has the risk of carrying and transmitting bird flu. However, on Long Island, it is most commonly associated with waterfowl and shorebirds like ducks, geese and gulls.”

Dr. Provost describes today’s bird flu situation as potentially “concerning, particularly given the risk of bird flu undergoing mutations to allow for human-to-human spread. For people, the greatest risk is mutating new strains that can be transmitted from person-to-person.”

Safeguarding Our Community

Keeping the Long Island and Adelphi community safe from infectious diseases such as bird flu is a top priority. K.C. Rondello, MD, clinical associate professor of public health and emergency management in the College of Nursing and Public Health and the College of Professional and Continuing Studies and special adviser to the Office of University Health and Wellness, notes that the office has been vigilantly surveilling the Adelphi community for patterns in disease transmission since the COVID-19 pandemic, and maintains contact with the to monitor disease transmission trends.

“Since the virus has not been found to be transmissible among humans, the risk to public health is minimal,” Dr. Rondello said. “However, should this or any other pathogen pose a risk to Adelphi community members, the Office of University Health and Wellness is prepared to implement appropriate protective actions to help ensure community safety.”

With an abundance of caution, Adelphi has removed all bird feeders to minimize visits by infected birds and safeguard the campus community.

For protection, Dr. Provost advised against handling wild birds—whether dead or alive—for any reason. “If you do see an injured, dead or strangely behaving bird, call animal control.”

Should the pathogen evolve, Dr. Rondello recommended observing the public health measures we are already accustomed to that protect against influenza. These include frequent handwashing with soap and water or using hand sanitizer when soap and water aren’t available; not touching your face; avoiding close contact with sick people or those showing flu symptoms; disinfecting frequently touched surfaces such as doorknobs, phones and light switches; maintaining a strong immune system with a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains; and staying physically active and well rested.

“If you feel sick, especially if you have any bird flu symptoms like itchy eyes, fever, sore throat, fatigue and so on, stay home to recover and call your doctor,” Dr. Provost recommended.

What About the Birds?

“For birds,” Dr. Provost added, “the mortality rates of new strains are high, and the risks are that entire flocks of birds can be killed en masse.”

A case in point: In January, 100,000 ducks from Long Island’s oldest duck farm were euthanized after the virus was detected in its flock. Dr. Rondello stated, “As this is accepted agricultural practice, there is every reason to suspect that the culling of these ducks helped limit the spread of H5N1.”

According to Dr. Provost, while such mass culling measures are unfortunate, the more individuals the virus infects, the more likely it will mutate to a strain that can damage�� people—which is why spread should be minimized.

A nearly 100 percent mortality rate in infected poultry flocks has led to mass culling—and higher egg prices.

“However, the risk of H5N1 transmission through properly prepared poultry or eggs is low, as cooking these foods to appropriate temperatures eliminates the virus. There is no evidence that the virus can be transmitted to humans through properly stored and prepared food,” Dr. Rondello explained.

Protecting Pets

While cattle and rats have been identified as animal virus vectors, so are cats, which have been infected after killing or eating wild and domestic birds and died. “Please keep your cats indoors, and avoid feeding them raw or undercooked meat and unpasteurized milk,” Dr. Rondello urged.

Learn more at����and the����resources.

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Sidney Boquiren, PhD, professor in the Department of Music at �鶹ֱ��, set out to explore this idea. In his new work, “,” written for Hub New Music, instead of setting poems to be sung in performance, he created a piece that consists of instrumental reflections, responses and “sonic paintings” of poetry by Jan-Henry Gray, assistant professor in the Department of English and faculty member in the MFA in Creative Writing program, and former faculty member . Both are award-winning published poets.

“Three Meditations” continues Dr. Boquiren’s practice of engaging with the creative work of �鶹ֱ�� colleagues and friends. “I was very much interested in continuing to collaborate with my Adelphi colleagues and thought of reaching out to Maya and Jan-Henry about using their poems to write this piece for Hub New Music,” he said. “The three of us had worked together in the fall of 2023 for the Fall Arts Festival, with live performances of music and readings of poems by our students—so I thought of this as an opportunity for us to collaborate and for me to explore how words and music can interact in a purely instrumental context.”

Expressing the Meaning of Home Through Music

The poems at the heart of this piece, “Missing Document” by Gray (from his book , published by BOA Editions in 2019) and “” and “Everyday” by Marshall, dwell on meanings of family and home, the anxiety of displacement, and love and hope. The three sections of the piece are performed by a mixed quartet of flute, clarinet, violin and cello without break, creating a quasi narrative progression from one to the next. When describing the piece as a “sonic painting,” Dr. Boquiren explained that this conveys the idea of music as visual ������—p�����Գپ��Բ���—depicted through sound—s�DzԾ���—that unfolds through time. Similarly, he says the timbre is referred to as the “color” of sounds.

Using this multisensory approach to composition, Dr. Boquiren said he tried to evoke the complexities of family life and what “home” means in this music. “There are moments that are nervous and anxious, as well as moments of deep sadness, and ultimately acceptance.”

Dr. Boquiren grew up in the Philippines and Saudi Arabia, spending most of his adult life in the United States. His works are often informed, influenced and shaped by contemporary social justice issues, his Catholic faith and his Philippine identity. Most recently, his music has been premiered by the Ciompi Quartet (Durham, North Carolina) and NOISE (La Jolla, California), and upcoming projects include a new work for the Grammy-nominated Palaver Strings. A MacDowell Fellow, Dr. Boquiren teaches courses in music theory and composition, and directs the Improvisation Ensemble at �鶹ֱ��, where he served in the past as chair of the Department of Music. He sings with The Ignatian Schola as well as the choir of The Church of St. Francis Xavier in Manhattan in New York City.

“Tremendous thanks to Hub New Music for how they made this piece come to life with such conviction,” Dr. Boquiren added. “It was a deeply meaningful piece to me and it couldn’t have been in better hands. And heartfelt gratitude to Maya and Jan-Henry for allowing me to respond to their work.”

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