August 2018

The University of Scranton granted seven undergraduate students President’s Fellowships for Summer Research in 2018. The fellowships, administered by the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs, offer each student the chance to partner with a faculty mentor to complete a research project during the summer. Each project was proposed and designed by the student and their faculty mentor.

The following is a list of the students who were awarded 2018 summer research fellowships, their projects and faculty mentors.

Kimberly Barr of Nazareth, researched “The effects of Nano Molar Concentrations of Retinoic Acids on Differentiation and Migration of SK-N-SH Neuroblastoma Cells” with George Gomez, Ph.D., associate professor of biology.

Natania Feliciano of Haldon, New Jersey, researched a “Spanish Translation of the Public Understanding of Genetics and Genomics (PUGGS) Questionnaire” with Kimberly Subasic, Ph.D., associate professor of nursing.

Marissa Galardi of Archbald, researched “Control of Neuron Growth Using Synthetic Extracellular Matrix Molecules” with George Gomez, Ph.D., associate professor of biology. 

Julia McKinney of Perkasie, researched “Neurochemical and Learning Effects of Sleep Deprivation in Ants” with Marc Seid, Ph.D., associate professor of biology.

Michael Moran of Toms River, New Jersey, researched “Self-administration of Morphine in Bombus Terrestris” with Marc Seid, Ph.D., associate professor of biology.

Nicole Nardella of Spring Brook Township, researched “Data-driven Modeling of Complex Systems with Applications to Cardiac Physiology” with Jason Graham, Ph.D., associate professor of mathematics.

Madalyne Sunday of South Abington Township, researched “The effect of Glycosaminoglycans on Neuroblastoma Cells” with George Gomez, Ph.D., associate professor of biology.  

For many, the summer is a time for “vacation and relaxation.” However, for Jordan Oakey, a liberal studies major at Scranton, this summer was a chance to “gain as much knowledge about the art world as possible.”

Oakey, an intern at the Everhart Museum of Natural History and Art in Scranton was among the 11 University of Scranton students awarded a stipend through The Royal Experience Summer Internship Program. The program seeks to reduce the financial barriers that could prevent students from gaining important knowledge and experience through unpaid summer internships.

“Working in a museum has so greatly expanded my knowledge about local art and what goes on behind the scenes; that is, what happens behind those white gallery walls in order to create an exhibition that would catch the interest of the public, no matter their age,” Oakey wrote in his blog post.

As an intern, Oakey transferred information about the museum’s art collection from notecards to a computer database called Past Perfect. The collection reached more than 6,000 items, with information recorded not only on notecards, but also in email correspondences, handwritten letters and typed thank you cards for pieces donated.

“This experience, so far, has given much more insight as to what happens in a museum when its doors are closed to the public,” Oakey wrote.

Tate Ackerman, a biology, Spanish and philosophy triple major, also participated in The Royal Experience Program. She accepted the intern position in the University’s Biology Department, where she surveyed bats and learned about advancements in echolocation technology.

“I have always enjoyed working with animals, but I never thought that I would have the opportunity to gain the specific and unique skill set required for tracking down and recording the echolocation calls of such small and evasive animals,” Ackerman wrote in her blog post.

Through The Royal Experience Summer Internship Program, students are able to get ahead in their career paths without falling behind financially.

“The cultivation of my bat-finding techniques will be invaluable for me in the future, as I plan to pursue a career in animal research. The Royal Experience Internship Program has provided me with an opportunity to diversify my skills and gain practical, hands-on experience for my future career goals,” Ackerman wrote.

The other participants were encouraged to write about their experiences over the summer on the career development blog as well.

Any first-year student interested in running for a senate position on the Student Government should attend an information session.
The sessions are as followed:
Aug. 30 @ 7:00 p.m.
Aug. 31 @ 3:00 p.m.
Sept. 2 @ 2:00 p.m .
All sessions will be held in the Student Forum, second floor of the DeNaples Center.

For just over 950 young adults, this fall will mark the beginning of their college experience at The University of Scranton. The new students are stepping into a different chapter of their lives and whether they want to admit it or not, they’re likely nervous or even a little scared.

Current Residential Assistants (R.A.s) at the University understand just how the students in the class of 2022 feel. At one point, they had the same experience. When rising senior Angela Coen, a double major in women and gender studies and sociology, first arrived at the University, she was shy and nervous.

“I came in as a very introverted person. I was very nervous about meeting people, and more importantly, meeting people that I fit in with and connected with. But gradually, after conversations with my R.A., she was able to facilitate a lot of friendships with the girls on my floor,” Coen said. 

Although the perspective of being a new college student might seem daunting, the University offers many resources so that the students never have to deal with the stress alone.

Rising senior Jannell Jeffers, a biochemistry major, will be entering her third year as an R.A. and has seen how helpful the resources are to students.

“There are so many resources here at the University. We have the Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence (C.T.L.E.) and they’re able to set you up with a tutor. … Don’t be afraid to take advantage. They’re there to help,” Jeffers said.

Not only are students able to work with a tutor through the CTLE, they also offer help and guidance with academic papers through the Writing Center. The University’s center works with faculty and students to help create an environment that encourages and supports student learning, faculty enrichment, instructional design, and the use of technology, as their webpage says.

The University also has more than 80 active clubs and organizations where students can get involved, meet new people and try new things that they’ve never done before. 

“Have an open mind and appreciate that you’re going to meet people that are like no one you’ve ever met before. Then you’ll be able to understand their uniqueness and their diversity and what they can add to your life,” Thomas DeMarco, a rising senior and double major in criminal justice and psychology, said.

Most of the R.A.s agreed that it is important to explore the new opportunities available, but to also be able to set limits.

“Definitely do get involved, but don’t overwhelm yourself. It’s really important to manage your time coming into college, considering that it’s a new environment and you’re doing a lot of new things,” Carolina Chazez, a sophomore strategic communications major, said.

“Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone. This is a great community. They want to embrace you, but they can’t if you don’t take the first step. So don’t be afraid to say ‘Hi’ to different people or be too afraid to join that club,” Jeffers said. “Align yourself with people in your life who will help you be successful and stay true to yourself and I think things will line up. At the end of the day, you’ll find your place here.”  

Campus Ministries' Center for Service & Social Justice hosts a Volunteer and Service Fair each September. The fair will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 11.

We invite local non-profit agencies to come to campus to recruit volunteers for their programs in areas such as health and hospice care, children and youth, elderly, social justice, food and housing programs, poverty and homelessness and hands-on projects.

Student volunteers get the opportunity to meet directly with nonprofit agency representatives and find out what types of service opportunities are available in the Scranton community, time commitments, and information about community based learning. Advanced registration is not necessary for students.

For more, visit the calendar here.

The Multicultural Center would like to cordially invite you to be part of our new initiative: The Multicultural Awareness Program (The M.A.P.)

• Are you curious or concerned about local, national, and world events and looking for non-biased, factual information?
  
  
• Are you looking for an open, safe, welcoming space to express your thoughts, feelings and perspectives outside of social media?
  
  
• Are you interested in hanging out in a low-pressure environment, meeting new people, learning from peers, and choosing your own topics of conversation, all while enjoying meaningful dialogue and delicious snacks/food? Then, The M.A.P. is the place to be!

We will have our M.A.P group conversations on the last Tuesday of every month (Sept. 25, Oct. 30, and Nov. 27) from 8 p.m.-9 p.m. in the Multicultural Center office space in DeNaples Center, Suite 205G.

The goal of the M.A.P is to create a small group of students who wish to engage in a small group-directed, monthly dialogue about diverse topics. All you have to do is bring your body, mind and voice!

If you are interested in joining, please contact Jose Sanchez with your name and class year by Monday, Sept. 3, 2018.

This Friday is the annual downtown Scavenger Hunt during 2018 Fall Welcome Week! Registration opens at 3 p.m. on the DeNaples Center patio.

The first 150 students will receive a free t-shirt! Team up in groups of two and explore downtown Scranton, collect coupons and giveaways, and have a chance to win prizes! This year, the grand prize includes a $100 gift certificate to Bar Pazzo and two Broadway in Scranton tickets. Following the Hunt at 5 p.m., an award reception will take place at the Marketplace at Steamtown on the 2nd floor outside of Crunch Fitness. Free food from local restaurants will be provided. This year there will also be an Instagram photo-op contest. Take a fun and creative photo in front of specific landmarks downtown to win a prize!

Questions? Contact community@scranton.edu or call 570.941.4419!

Do you love to write? Are you involved in campus activities? Are you interested in journalism, marketing or communications? This position might just be for you! Read on to find out more about the Royal News Campus Corner Correspondent Position. Articles appear on the Admissions page and in Royal News. Often, the stories are featured prominently in the Royal News weekly e-newsletter. To see the blog, click here.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Post on Social Media Sites: Attend events as scheduled, post on social media sites from the events (including Snapchat and/or Instagram stories) as determined at weekly scheduling meeting. Also responsible for other posts such as “man on the street” interviews, videos, candid campus shots, etc. that may or may not be on the schedule.
• Compose Events Recaps for Royal News: Draft recaps of campus events and compile weekly Campus Corner articles in Wordpress. May involve attending the event as well as interviewing event organizers or attendees. Determine best events to cover with team. Conduct Q&As and write profiles with/about members of the University community. Upload photos and videos from events to Flickr and YouTube.
• Social Media Measurement – Monitor performance of live posts (weekly) and, together with social media team, review statistics at weekly team meeting.
• Assess Campus Corner feature in Royal News: Using statistics from our Google Analytics accounts, assess interest in Campus Corner content, report to team at weekly meeting and participate in developing adjustments as needed.

Preferred Experience

• Strong writing skills.
• Ability to meet strict deadlines.
• Familiarity with Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, LinkedIn, YouTube, Flickr and emerging social media channels.
• Good working knowledge of social media in general as well as an awareness of how it can be part of a brand marketing strategy.
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel and Word.

Requirements

• Involvement in campus activities, clubs, etc.
• Available to work 8-10 hours per week in the fall and spring semesters.
• Rising junior preferred.

NOTE: This is a paid position.

Interested students should submit their resume to:

Laura Richards
University Editor
Marketing Communications
royalnews@scranton.edu 

We will accept applications now through Sept. 5. We will conduct interviews on campus.

The University of Scranton welcomed more than 1,300 incoming students this weekend, including more than 950 members of its undergraduate class of 2022, more than 300 graduate students and nearly 50 transfer students.

The University’s undergraduate class of 2022, selected from a pool of nearly 10,000 applicants, has an average SAT score of 1,200. Incoming students represent 12 states and the Federated States of Micronesia. Approximately 20 percent of the class is from Northeast Pennsylvania. The most common majors chosen by members of the incoming class are biology, business administration, exercise science, occupational therapy (five-year master’s program) and psychology.

The class of 2022 also includes 83 legacy children whose parents and/or grandparents are University of Scranton alumni.

Saturday’s Fall Welcome events included a New Student Convocation, Mass, a class photo, residence hall and commuter meetings and an alumni legacy reception.

Members of the incoming class will also help area children and their families prepare for the upcoming school year by volunteering at the Back to School Bonanza on Sunday, Aug. 26, from 2 to 4 p.m. at The Marketplace at Steamtown.

In addition to the undergraduate class of 2022, the University’s incoming graduate students represent several states and foreign countries, including Bangladesh, China, Mexico, Nigeria, Philippines and Saudi Arabia.

Fall semester classes begin Monday, Aug. 27, at the University.

The University of Scranton will offer a new major and minor in business communication starting in the fall 2018 semester.

“The Business Communication major has been crafted to respond to the growing emergence of positions within Fortune 500 firms requiring communication specialists that are tasked with coordinating internal and external strategy to promote the goals and objectives of the organization,” said Howard Fisher, Ph.D., assistant professor and chair of the Department of Communication at the University. “Communication specialists work on behalf of Chief Communication Officers to implement the complex strategies for a myriad of communication situations. Whether the scenario is a crisis management moment or an internal policy implementation, effective communication planning is essential to the success of these endeavors.”

Scranton will be among the few universities in the world to offer a major and minor in business communication, according to Dr. Fisher.

Students pursing this major will develop strong oral presentation and written communication skills that focus on both techniques of persuasion as well as how to use effectively graphics, visual presentation software and current media and technology tools. Students will also develop interpersonal skills and learn a broad range of communication strategies and theories to develop enhanced team-building and leadership skills.

Graduates may go on to pursue careers ranging from corporate communication managers and corporate narrative executives to chief communication officers. Employment in media and communication occupations is projected to grow six percent between 2016 and 2026.

This is the second new major added in communication that will begin in the fall semester. A new major and minor in social media strategies was announced earlier this month.

According to Dr. Fisher, all the communication majors offered at the University, including the two new majors, develop effective writing and critical thinking skills of students through a curriculum that combines theory and strategy with hands-on practical experience. He noted that in recent years, 100 percent of the University’s recent communication graduates have had one internship, with more than 50 percent of graduates having had two internships.

For additional information, contact Dr. Fisher at howard.fisher@scranton.edu or by telephone at 570-941-6333.

The University of Scranton’s Master in Health Administration (MHA) program joined an elite group of programs representing just 14 colleges in the nation that have earned The Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME) Mentorship Circle status.

CAHME is an interdisciplinary group of educational, professional, clinical and other health sector organizations devoted to quality improvement of education for health care management and administration professionals. CAHME is the only organization recognized by the Council on Higher Education Accreditation to grant accreditation to individual academic programs offering a professional master’s degree in healthcare management education.

In addition to achieving the high standards of CAHME accreditation, the CAHME Mentorship Circle designation recognizes programs that engage in a variety of activities that help to extend CAHME’s mission of advancing the quality of graduate health care management education by providing opportunities to other students and other programs to advance their own experiences and skills for the good of the entire health care field. Scranton’s MHA program was recognized for its participation as a mentor for global programs as part of CAHME’s Global Accreditation Initiative.

“We think about our community globally, not just locally. That’s why we have projects in several countries around the world and why we partner with other universities,” said Daniel West, Ph.D., professor and chair of the Department of Health Administration and Human Resources at The University of Scranton.

The University’s Health Administration program has worked with numerous educational and health care institutions across the globe including The University of Georgia, Tbilisi, Georgia; Trnava University, Slovak Republic; and St. Elizabeth College of Health and Social Work in Bratislava, Slovakia, in addition to offering service opportunities for students in Mexico and Kenya.

Earlier this year, the University won the CAHME/Canon Solutions America Award for Sustainability in Healthcare Management Education and Practice, which recognizes universities that are committed to pushing public health forward through diverse sustainability-driven activities with proven results. The University’s MHA curriculum includes a “Fit for the Profession” component to ensure readiness for profession, in addition to projects that cover global, environmental, financial and social sustainable issues and involve developing and implementing a sustainability project in an applied health care setting.

Nonprofit groups seeking eager volunteers will have an opportunity to find some like-minded helpers at a fair scheduled for next month.

The University of Scranton’s Campus Ministries’ Center for Service and Social Justice office will hold its annual fair for local nonprofits from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 11, on campus.

The fair offers students and student-led clubs interested in service projects and community-based learning sites a chance to meet representatives form nonprofit organizations in need of volunteers.

To register a nonprofit organization for the event, email ellen.judge@scranton.edu or call 570-941-7429.

“We need you,” one mentor said to a boy sitting out, “and your dancing!”

With “The Spark” by musical artist Afrojack playing in the background, kids danced around during a game of musical chairs at The University of Scranton’s Retreat Center at Chapman Lake.

For one week in the summer, children from diverse backgrounds are brought together by SPARK, a program in which every participant feels needed.

Started in 2011 by Daniel Marx, a University of Scranton graduate and mathematics teacher at Scranton Preparatory School, and Patricia Vaccaro, director of the University’s Campus Ministries’ Center for Service and Social Justice, the SPARK program has always been a place to foster inclusivity.  

Even during a competitive game of musical chairs, the children ranging in age from 12 to 16 are encouraged to support each other and have fun. 

“We wanted to have a positive impact on community kids and the other thing was to offer it as an opportunity to our students as a growing experience,” Vaccaro said. 

Students from the University and Scranton Prep volunteer to mentor and lead lessons in the summer to children who are too young to work, but are also too old for summer camp.

Five groups, each with two University students and three Scranton Prep students, help serve breakfast, offer companionship, teach and encourage the children who come to participate in the SPARK program.

“[Here] they can learn to be themselves. We just tell them to be OK with who they are and try not to be someone they’re not. That also comes across in all of the topics they discuss this year,” Vaccaro said.

Each day a group presents a different topic to the children, such as bullying, individuality, social media, relationships and personal wellness.   

“It’s really the University students and the Scranton Prep students that are the heart of this and we’re just here to critique and make their programs the best they can be,” said Lauren Roote, a mathematics teacher at Scranton Prep whose been part of the SPARK program for two years.

It isn’t only the children who grow from the SPARK experience; it affects the mentors as well. After the game of musical chairs, a group of five mentors from both the University and Scranton Prep gave a presentation tackling the issue of bullying.

As she swayed back and forth and held a notebook in her shaking hands,

one mentor shared her powerful story on how bullying had continued to affect her life, even at that very moment. As she finished, everyone applauded her bravery and a few children wiped their tears away.

“Our students have to dig deep and work hard … They really are transformed by this,” Vaccaro said. 

While the children go home at the end of the day, the mentors stay over night at the Retreat Center, where they’re able to further bond and connect with their peers. 

“It’s important that they do stay because they form this bond as a team and as a group. I don’t think it would have the same effect if they were leaving and coming back everyday,” Roote said.

Shy and timid children break out of their shells and brighten up, according to Vaccaro. The SPARK program leaves no one forgotten or left in the dark because as Afrojack says, “We all got the spark!”

“Really, our goal is to just help some of the kids feel better about themselves” Vaccaro said.  

Fall Welcome Weekend is when The University of Scranton comes alive!  Fall Welcome Weekend 2018 will be held from Saturday, Aug. 25 - Sunday, Aug. 26, 2018.  This weekend is centered on move-in, particularly first-year student Move-In, and the formation of the Scranton community that has been eagerly awaiting its newest members, the Class of 2022, all summer. The weekend also contains New Student Convocation, a class picture, entertainment, the first-floor meeting, the first campus-wide mass of the school year, and much more! Please refer to the 2018 Fall Welcome schedule here information!

First-year student Move-In

After Orientation, you should have received a Move-In Packet. This packet included roommate information, your Royal I.D. Card (If your picture was taken at Orientation), information about the time that you are required to move-in and what color route you will need to follow. Upon arrival on campus, Fall Move-In volunteers will move all of your belongings into your room. PLEASE label ALL of your belongings with your name, residence hall name and room number; it will be easier for the volunteers to locate your room.

If you have any questions about move-in or living on campus, please contact Residence Life at 570-941-6226.

Royal Reads

The Royal Reads Program at The University of Scranton creates a shared experience for our first-year class through the reading of a carefully selected book.  We select a Royal Reads book each year to introduce our newest students to the Ignatian values at the heart of our University and to invite students to consider how these values can shape one's college experience and one's life.  Throughout each student's first year at The University of Scranton, students will encounter themes from the selected book in classes and in extracurricular opportunities, as well as in a wide range of formal and informal discussions. 

The book selected for the 2018-2019 academic year Royal Reads Program is Stories from the Shadows: Reflections of a Street Doctor, by James J. O'Connell, MD. You can purchase a copy of the book during summer orientation or you can find the book for purchase at various online retailers. For more information about the Royal Reads Program please click here.

The University of Scranton men's basketball team is on a 10-day trip to Ireland, beginning on July 31 through Aug. 9. During the trip, the Royals will share their experiences both on and off the court with updates to this page throughout the trip. Check back throughout the trip to find out more!

Wednesday, Aug. 1

Hey everyone, Danny Doolan here! I'm a rising junior on the basketball team at the University and enjoying our time here in Ireland! We arrived on Tuesday morning and went straight to the Rock of Cashel from the plane. The castle on the grounds was beautiful and the scenery was tremendous. They showed us an educational video regarding the history of the castle, which would've been incredibly interesting … if it were in a language we could understand! After exploring the grounds we checked into the hotel and sat down to a delicious team dinner and later ventured out to local shops.

On the second day, we were up bright and early to tour Cobh and learn about the history of the infamous Titanic. Not many of us knew that the boat actually departed from Cobh or much of the history regarding the tragic events of the Titanic, so it was a very interesting experience. Afterward, we traveled to Blarney, where we toured the grounds. There were breathtaking trails and views wherever you looked, and of course the famous Blarney Stone. After we all kissed the stone, we enjoyed a team dinner and got ourselves locked in for the first game of our trip. We played against the Neptune Basketball Club in Neptune Stadium in Cork but unfortunately lost. They were an incredibly talented and experienced team and that wound up hurting us down the stretch. After the game, we had a social at a local restaurant where we ate and hung out with players from the opposing team, which was a great time. 

All in all, the first two days have been unbelievable. While the loss still stings, we're confident that we will learn from our errors and improve immensely for our next game. Check in again soon!

Saturday, Aug. 4

Hello, my name is Kyle DeVerna and I am a rising junior on the men's basketball team. After recovering from our first game Wednesday night, the team took a short bus ride to the scenic Charles Fort, located in Kinsale. Right when we arrived, I was taken aback by the beautiful view of Kinsale Harbor. Once our tour was underway, our guide thoroughly explained the structure of Charles Fort, and why the dimensions are imperative for the fort's safety if an invader were ever to attack. We then learned the history of the soldiers who resided at military site. Their living conditions were not ideal, to say the least. Eleven men would be assigned to a room with no beds and a scarce number of blankets. However, the most important part of war is fighting for those who are next to you, which is exactly what The University of Scranton men's basketball team tries to embody day in and day out.

On Friday, we were on the road early making our way to Killarney. We went through the breathtaking Caha Mountains, which reach up to 2,247 feet high. I believe I can speak for everyone who was on the bus when I say we were all in awe of the views. One small dilemma was passing through the tunnels in the mountains. The bus fit just by inches, but thankfully for our skillful driver, we made it through with no damages. Once we arrived in Killarney, we concluded the night with a team and family dinner at the hotel. 

So far Ireland has been a surreal experience. While we have been busy taking in all of the great aspects in this country, we are still here to win basketball games. Thank you for keeping up with the trip. I hope everyone has a great rest of their summer!

Tuesday, Aug. 7

Hi everyone! Jack Connelly here checking in for the final portion of our trip. Killarney was a hopping city, offering lots of excitement with no shortage of things to do. Saturday night granted us the opportunity to get caught up in the passion of local sport, as the streets of the city and nearby stadium flooded with seas of green and yellow jerseys. County Kerry's Gaelic Football Club and hometown pride pulled out an impressive victory over their rivals from Kildare. For those of you who have never seen Gaelic Football, trust me, it's worth a Google.

A trip to Tralee on Sunday provided us with our next international challenge. We laced up against the Tralee Warriors, another pro team coached by Scranton area native and friend of the program, Pat Price. Filled bleachers, some wild blocked shots from our boys in purple, and a ridiculously close game created an awesome atmosphere. However, the experience got the best of us for the second time.

Anyone familiar with Scranton basketball knows that no matter how many times we get knocked down, we always get back up again. Monday night we did just that. Visibility at the Cliffs of Moher during our day travels closely resembled the fog, rain, and cloud coverage we're so used to in Scranton. Just a bit worse I may add, considering we wouldn't have been able to see the Dionne Green from the Long Center. Upon our arrival at St. Mary's College in Galway, things cleared up. The ball was whipping around the perimeter, we were knocking down shots, and that hard-nosed style of play we all know and love resurfaced in our 16-point win. Things are beginning to click, and our young but talented team is making significant strides, looking forward to the upcoming season.

Today we sail to the Aran Islands as we approach the end of our Irish expedition. On behalf of Scranton Men's Basketball, I would like to thank all of the program friends, families, and supporters for following along and making trips like this possible for us.

As always, it's a great day to be a Royal!

University of Scranton students conduct research in some of the country’s “Best Science Lab Facilities,” and dine on the “Best Campus Food” in the nation, according The Princeton Review.

For the 17^th consecutive year The Princeton Review included Scranton in its annual “Best 384 Colleges” guidebook, which published Aug. 7. In addition, for the fourth consecutive year, The Princeton Review ranked the University’s science labs among top 20 in the country, coming in at No. 16 in 2019 edition, and ranked Scranton No. 15 in its list of the “Best Campus Food.”

The Princeton Review’s “Best of” lists, which rank the “Top 20” colleges in 62 categories, are based “entirely” on surveys of students at colleges selected by The Princeton Review for inclusion in its guidebook, which includes just 15 percent of America’s 2,500 four-year colleges and universities.

The guidebook includes detailed profiles of each of “The Best 384 Colleges.” Scranton’s profile stated that students appreciate the emphasis placed on “doing service for others” and the liberal arts courses required in “the humanities, philosophy and theology.” The guidebook also noted Scranton’s strength in science programs, “which result in a high rate of students getting acceptance to medical schools.” Students also praised the genuine care and support they receive from faculty.

In addition to The Princeton Review, U.S. News has ranked Scranton among the top 10 “Best Regional Universities in the North” for 24 consecutive years, placing the University No. 6 in its 2018 edition of the “Best Colleges” guidebook. U.S. News also ranked Scranton’s programs in finance at No. 17, accounting at No. 17 and entrepreneurship at No. 22 in the country, and ranked Scranton No. 18 as a “Best Value Regional University in the North.”

Beginning in the fall 2018 semester, The University of Scranton will offer a new major and minor in social media strategies.

“The new major addresses opportunities presented in the communication field of today’s market. Social media is one of the fastest growing industries,” said Howard Fisher, Ph.D., assistant professor and chair of the Department of Communication at the University, who noted employment in media and communication occupations is projected to grow six percent between 2016 and 2026. “As of 2016, there were more than 2.3 billion active social media users worldwide, and 91 percent of all retail brands use two or more social media platforms. Almost one million new users are added to social media each day.”

Students pursing a major in social media strategies will learn to use social media marketing strategies effectively to help organizations achieve their communications, marketing and branding goals. They will learn to conceptualize, manage and create written and digital social media content, as well as how to integrate social media campaigns across platforms and with strategic marketing communication campaigns. Students will also learn to use analytics, platform-dependent language, video production and editing to develop effective communications to targeted audiences. 

Students graduating with this major can work as social media marketing strategists, search engine optimization (SEO) specialists, online community managers or social media copywriters, among other positions. The average salary of a social media manager is $77,000, according to Dr. Fisher.

In addition, Dr. Fisher said the curriculum is structured to provide theory and strategy with hands-on practical experience in order for students to develop effective writing and critical thinking skills. He said this is true for all majors offered through the Communication Department. He noted that in recent years, 100 percent of the University’s recent communication graduates have had one internship, with more than 50 percent of graduates having had two internships.

The Background

While at Intensive Therapeutics, another Scranton OTS alumnus and I were responsible for developing a six-hour intensive group occupational therapy vocational training program for the facility’s young adult population.

In providing work opportunities to our young adults, our vocational program incorporated two businesses: Ethan and the Bean, a growing coffee shop that advocates decreasing the unemployment rate of individuals with disabilities, and Soaperior Organix, a soap company. Both businesses have been established by moms whose sons have autism to provide them and other young adults with opportunities to gain work experience and become more independent in their daily lives.

Our focus when designing this program was to create a realistic work environment in which our students with the appropriate skills, adaptations, techniques, and experience can maximize their daily functioning and independence in the future endeavors they hope to one day achieve, such as for building relationships, attending colleges or universities, employment, independent living, etc. At Ethan and the Bean, our clients learned everything required to make and serve coffee from weighing coffee beans, to grinding, to brewing, to serving, packaging online orders, handling a register and more. At Soaperior Organix, our clients assembled and packaged gift baskets, made and printed custom postcards and business cards, and online orders, and shipping requirements according to USPS standards. Our young adult population consisted of 12 students ranging from 17-30 years of age with diagnoses of autism, traumatic brain injury, Down syndrome and hemiplegia.

No Typical Day

On any given day, two hours would be dedicated to working in the coffee shop and/or Soap Company and all the demands that come along with doing so. The remaining four hours would be dedicated to learning and building upon skills needed to go to college, become employed, live independently, communicate with other, and build relationships. During this time, we would work on skills such as laundry, cooking, job applications, banking, budgeting, communicating with peers, packaging, navigating technology, exercise, healthy lifestyles, stress management, relaxation techniques and much more.

When working in occupational therapy, there really is no typical day. Surprises can happen at any moment to keep me on my toes and remind me why I love this profession as much as I do.

Scranton has taught me the true meaning of cura personalis, caring for the whole person. It is through this Jesuit ideal that we see individuals not by what they look like or a formal diagnosis, but rather as people with a spirit, a mindset and a vessel to do amazing work if given the right opportunity, environment, and resources.

Surprising Moments

As an intern, it can be difficult at times to know if you are doing great work to the standard you hold yourself up to and envision yourself to one day be. Throughout this internship, I have been blessed with surprising moments of pride and great joy through my students’ increasing levels of relationship building, encouragement of their peers and the confidence levels in themselves and their abilities.

One day as a group, we discussed and wrote down our favorite thing about working at Ethan and the Bean. The most common answers were “having a job” and “getting to know people”. To witness my clients of all different ages, backgrounds, diagnoses and interests come together and genuinely enjoy the time they spend in the positive, welcoming environment they have built together amazed me. I felt incredibly blessed to be a part of it. To experience one of my clients give me a hug on their last day when they rarely come in close contact with others, to witness friendships form among my clients who have great difficulty initiating and continuing conversations, to see the challenges be overcome because my clients know we are rooting for them is greater than anything I could have ever imagined.

Progress

If I have learned anything through my time at Intensive Therapeutics and Ethan and the Bean, it is to believe in the greatness that lies in the clients with whom we are privileged to work. To rejoice and be proud to be a part of the progress we see rise in their abilities because someone knows and believes they can do it. We encourage them to do and be all they want to be, and in return, we hold a responsibility to journey with them in all they need to get there. It is the most fulfilling feeling to watch and know a client no longer needs you because, to me, that means you have done your job well.

If I could give any advice to future occupational therapy students, it would be to provide your clients with opportunities to be involved. Not only for them be involved in working towards their goals, but also toward building their self-confidence, self-advocacy, and relationships with others. Do not be afraid to take a step back to see the change in those amazing individuals you were so blessed to work with. Because without them, you wouldn't be where you are now, and because of them, your life has been forever changed for good.