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The University of Scranton recently honored 11 faculty members whose distinction in teaching, scholarship and service earned them various awards presented at an on-campus event.

Ten faculty members earned Provost Faculty Enhancement Awards. An additional honoree received a Faculty Senate award. The awards, presented annually, are intended to encourage, support, promote and recognize the efforts of faculty who strive for and achieve excellence in numerous areas benefiting the University.

Billie Tadros, Ph.D., associate professor of English and theatre, received the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Award. The award recognizes the efforts of faculty who strive for excellence in teaching and practice teaching as a form of scholarship.

A University faculty member since 2018, Dr. Tadros’ efforts are evidenced by her work with the University Honors Program, the Slattery Center and the Faculty Student Research Program. She is also moderator of Sigma Tau Delta, the national honor society in English. During the 2024-25 academic year, Dr. Tadros participated in the orientation of students in the Dallas Prison Program, instructed a Community Health Humanities Workshop and continued working with students on their convention submissions and presentations. The author of three poetry books, Dr. Tadros’ expertise bridges medicine and humanities and perfectly aligns with the University’s values. 

Recipients of the Scholarly Publication Award were Nathaniel Frissell, Ph.D., associate professor of physics and engineering, and Roy Domenico, Ph.D., professor of history. The award recognizes the special efforts of faculty who have strived for, and attained, distinction in scholarship and creative activity.

Dr. Frissell has been an active researcher since arriving six years ago at the University, earning $4 million in research grants to support his work. In addition to serving as a role model for his research efforts, Dr. Frissell has provided unparalleled support to other faculty members in preparation of their own grant applications to the National Science Foundation. He has involved his campus colleagues in collaborative research efforts while also mentoring and supporting students at all stages of their academic journeys.

Dr. Domenico, who arrived at the University in 1997, has built an admirable record of scholarly work in Italian history. Dr. Domenico has authored several books, including “Italian Fascists on Trial, 1943-1948,” “The Regions of Italy: A Reference Guide to History and Culture” and “The Devil and Dolce Vita.” He has received many accolades, including a Fulbright Senior Research Award for Italy, and the Howard and Helen Marraro Prize from the Society for Italian Historical Studies for “Italian Fascists on Trial: 1943-1948.”

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Teresa Grettano, Ph.D., associate professor of English and theatre, received the University Service and Leadership Award. The award recognizes a faculty member who strives for excellence in service to the University, the profession and the community. The awardee must demonstrate academic leadership by effective mentoring of junior colleagues.

Since joining the University in 2009, Dr. Grettano’s record of service has been both sustained and impactful. Dr. Grettano has been a leader in campus initiatives related to the University’s mission. She’s also been a leader in Faculty Senate, serving in 2023 as its president-elect and assuming the role of president in 2024. Dr. Grettano began working in 2010 with the Faculty Senate and was instrumental in developing the Eloquentia Perfecta component of Scranton’s general education (GE) curriculum. In 2020, she was elected as the College of Arts and Sciences faculty representative to the newly formed GE Review Committee. As president, she helped shepherd the new GE curriculum through the Faculty Senate with Board of Trustees approval.

Cyrus P. Olsen III, Ph.D., associate professor of theology/religious studies, received the Advancing Global Learning Award. The award recognizes a faculty member who demonstrates noteworthy academic leadership in integrating international issues and perspectives into the curriculum. Through the awardee’s efforts, their students have acquired the attributes and insight required to meaningfully and successfully participate in an increasingly interdependent world.

Dr. Olsen, who joined the University in 2006, instructs a course, T/RS 295: Christianity in Africa, which has significantly contributed to integrating diversity into the curriculum and enriching students’ learning in profound ways. Dr. Olsen’s course is an immersive travel experience during which students engage the Baganda people of the Kampala region, visiting schools, churches and healthcare facilities before traveling to Southwest Uganda to interact with the Batwa tribe. At both locations, students learn about sustainable farming while exploring the Queen Elizabeth National Park and the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Dr. Olsen has taught the course since 2016.

Recipients of the Advancing Interdisciplinary Study Award were Marleen Cloutier, associate professor at the Weinberg Memorial Library, and Sylvia Orner, associate professor, library. The award recognizes faculty members who demonstrate noteworthy academic leadership in promoting and strengthening cross-disciplinary or interdepartmental teaching and learning endeavors. Awardees work across disciplines and departmental boundaries to enhance students’ learning experiences.

Profs. Cloutier and Orner have been instrumental in transforming access to scholarly resources for faculty, students and researchers across all disciplines, directly impacting the University’s mission to promote innovative teaching and integrative scholarship. Together, they modernized the University’s Library Services Platform and Discovery Layer, a transformation that has significantly improved accessibility to information resources across campus. Since the initial integration, additional research tools have been added to further improve the user experience. Their work, which streamlines access to books, journals, databases and digital collections, has enabled faculty to better integrate library resources into their coursework and research.

Jessica Nolan, Ph.D., professor of psychology, received the Community-Based Learning Award. The award recognizes a faculty member who incorporates and advocates for community-based learning (CBL) and enhances the University’s contribution to the common good.

Dr. Nolan, a faculty member since 2008, has been an avid and active CBL faculty member for 10-plus years, focused on providing opportunities for students to realize Scranton’s Jesuit mission by providing transformational learning experiences in three courses. The three unique courses — PSYC 236, Industrial/Organizational Psychology; PSYC 239, Environmental and Conversation Psychology; PSYC 364, Psychology of Diversity — creatively challenge students to go beyond their comfort zones, forcing them to look at the reality of the others in an authentic, respectful way. The courses encourage the education of the whole person — cura personalis.

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Will Cohen, Ph.D., professor of theology/religious studies, received the Integrating Mission and Justice into the Curriculum Award. The award recognizes a faculty member whose special efforts ensure that students have a keen understanding and appreciation of the realities of the world, including pressing justice issues in a local, national and global context. It also recognizes efforts dedicated to the service of faith and promotion of justice as it relates to their teaching.

Having joined the University in 2009, Dr. Cohen’s curricular work forwards the mission of the University, instilling in students a desire to pursue the service of faith and the promotion of justice while equipping them with the competency and skills to critically reflect on prevailing social, political, economic and cultural issues. Dr. Cohen assumed the leadership role as co-chair of the General Education (GE) Review Committee at a pivotal time, helping the Ignatian Core Curriculum pass an all-faculty vote before being approved by the Board of Trustees. Dr. Cohen previously served as co-director of the Peace and Justice concentration, building and supervising the curriculum, eliciting new courses and recruiting, advising and mentoring students. He has also spent the past nine years co-directing Christians for the Common Good, a campus organization, with colleague and friend Christian Krokus.

Donna Witek, professor at the Weinberg Memorial Library, received the Magis Award. The award recognizes a faculty member who makes specific, sustained and creative efforts to adapt classic principles of Jesuit pedagogy in their own courses.

Prof. Witek, who joined the University in 2008, is also an information literacy coordinator and research and instruction librarian for the humanities and Ignatian pedagogy. Prof. Witek was pivotal in Scranton’s adoption of the Ignatian core curriculum, a transformative initiative that ensures students’ education is rooted in Jesuit values. Her leadership and coordination in this effort have shaped the academic experiences of future generations of Scranton students, emphasizing reflection, discernment and action as integral components of their education. She has also directly influenced the structure of the University’s curriculum, reinforcing a commitment to holistic and mission-driven education, while developing information literacy as a cornerstone of Jesuit education.

Additionally, Wesam Alramadeen, assistant professor of operations and analytics, earned the Faculty Senate Excellence in Graduate Teaching Award. The award recognizes a faculty member who demonstrates dedication to teaching graduate students in an encouraging and intellectually stimulating environment that promotes critical thinking and learning.

Dr. Alramadeen, who’s been a member of the University faculty since 2021, teaches across both undergraduate and graduate programs. He regularly incorporates advanced tools into his teaching, equipping students not only with technical knowledge but also leadership, communication and real-world problem-solving skills via experiential learning. Dr. Alramadeen has traveled extensively for international research, consulting, training and collaborating for mission work in Japan, South Korea, China, Hong Kong, Germany, Italy, France, Austria, Greece, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey the United Kingston, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Jordan, Egypt and Dubai. In his 25-plus years of international experience, Dr. Alramadeen has made significant contributions to academic, strategy, telecommunications and business development.

The University also presented plaques to a group of distinguished professors, recognizing their contributions to and legacies at Scranton. Those acknowledged, as they transition into continued scholarly pursuits, personal projects or retirement, among other things, include:

Andrew Berger, Ph.D., professor and chair of physics and engineering

Ann Culp, faculty specialist in nursing

Marian Farrell, Ph.D., professor of nursing

Richard Klonoski, Ph.D., professor of philosophy

Charles Pinches, Ph.D., professor of theology/religious studies

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The University of Scranton awarded faculty development grants for the summer of 2025 to nine faculty members.

Mehmet Bastug, Ph.D., assistant professor of criminal justice, cybersecurity and sociology, received a grant to research “Cyber-Threats and Cyber-Attacks: What Everyone Needs to Know (book project).” Dr. Bastug has worked at the University since 2020. Dr. Bastug earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Turkish National Police University, a Bachelor of Science degree from Akdeniz University and master’s and doctorate degrees from Rutgers University.

Melanie Caughey, Ph.D., assistant professor of education, received a grant to research “Suitability of Information About Gifted Education in Special Education Textbooks.” Dr. Caughey has worked at the University since 2023. Dr. Caughey earned a bachelor’s degree from Bucknell University, a master’s degree from Duquesne University and a Ph.D. from the University of Virginia.

John Deak, Ph.D., associate professor of chemistry, received a grant to research “Development of Evaporation Rate Measurements for the Determination of Soft Molecular Aggregate Structure and Inter-Aggregate Interactions in Liquid Solution.” Dr. Deak has worked at the University since 2002. Dr. Deak earned a bachelor’s degree from the State University of New York at Buffalo and a Ph.D. from the University of Rochester.

JoyAnna Hopper, Ph.D., associate professor of political science, received a grant to research “The Effects of COVID-19 on Combined State-Level Environmental Agencies.” Dr. Hopper has worked at the University since 2020. Dr. Hopper earned a bachelor’s degree from Eastern Illinois University and master’s and doctorate degrees from the University of Missouri.

Geng Liu, Ph.D., assistant professor of physics and engineering, received a grant to research “Hydrodynamic Effects of Seal Whiskers’ Bending and Tapering Features on Flow Sensing.” Dr. Liu has worked at the University since 2024. Dr. Liu earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Science and Technology of China and a Ph.D. from the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences.

Farshad Merrikh-Bayat, Ph.D., assistant professor of physics and engineering, received a grant to research “Design, Construction and Data-Driven Control of a Lab-Scale Wind Turbine with a New Algorithm.” Dr. Merrikh-Bayat has worked at the University since 2023. Dr. Merrikh-Bayat earned a BSc., K.N., from Toosi University of Technology and a MSc., Ph.D., from Sharif University of Technology.

Marc Shapiro, Ph.D., professor of theology/religious studies, received a grant to research “Rabbi Saul Berlin and His Forged Work of Jewish Law.” Dr. Shapiro has worked at the University since 1996. Dr. Shapiro earned a bachelor’s degree from Brandeis University and a Ph.D. from Harvard University.

Janice Voltzow, Ph.D., professor and chair of biology, received a grant to research “Mechanical Properties of the Shells of Mussels.” Dr. Voltzow has worked at the University since 1996. Dr. Voltzow earned a bachelor’s degree from Yale University and a Ph.D. from Duke University.

Hank Willenbrink, Ph.D., associate professor of English and theatre, received a grant to research “Performance Crime and Performance Justice on January 6, 2021, and Beyond.” Dr. Willenbrink has worked at the University since 2009. Dr. Willenbrink earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Tulsa and master’s and doctorate degrees from the University of California, Santa Barbara.

Student members of The University of Scranton’s Business Club recently chose five instructors for the annual Kania School of Management Professor of the Year awards.

The premier prize, KSOM Overall Professor of the Year, was awarded to Daniel Mahoney, Ph.D. ’81, G’85, shown below, professor of accounting. Having earned top honors in 2001, 2006, 2010, 2014 and 2018, this is Dr. Mahoney’s sixth time receiving Professor of the Year. 

Additionally, Ashley Stampone, Ph.D. ’10, G’11, Ph.D’23, assistant professor, received KSOM Accounting Professor of the Year.

David Mahalak, D. Eng., assistant professor, received KSOM Operations and Analytics Professor of the Year.

John Ruddy, D.P.S. ’91, associate professor, received Economics, Finance and International Business Professor of the Year.

Gregory O’Connell, J.D., faculty specialist, received Management and Marketing Professor of the Year.

Learn more about the Kania School of Management Professor of the Year.

Beta Alpha Psi, the International Honor Organization for Financial Information Students and Professionals, recently announced one of its top honors will be awarded to an instructor at The University of Scranton.

Amanda Marcy ’10, Ph.D., shown, assistant professor of accounting, earned one of Beta Alpha Psi’s Outstanding Faculty Advisors awards. As many as four faculty advisors — whose efforts go above and beyond that of the typical faculty advisor — are awarded at each Beta Alpha Psi annual meeting. This year’s meeting will be held Aug. 14-16 in San Antonio, Texas.

While Dr. Marcy has worked at The University of Scranton since 2015, she’s a graduate, too. She earned bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate degrees at the University. Dr. Marcy previously worked in assurance services for Baker Tilly in Pittston.

Learn more about Amanda Marcy ’10, Ph.D. 

Students in Charlie Cino’s Writing 105 and 106 classes were treated to two special virtual visits this past semester, featuring three actors/writers who have been successful in film, television and live theatre over the past 60 years.

Mariette Hartley and her husband, Jerry Sroka, met with students on Wednesday, March 5. Hartley is the author of the bestselling memoir 'Breaking the Silence,' which illuminates moments in her career and tackles  issues such as depression, substance abuse and her father’s suicide. Students read and wrote about the book prior to Hartley and Sroka’s lecture, and had a rare opportunity to speak with the author. 

Hartley won an Emmy award for 'The Incredible Hulk,' and was nominated for her critically acclaimed sitcom "Goodnight, Beantown,'" as well as the TV-movie "The Last Hurrah," written by and starring Carroll O’Connor, and the series "The Rockford Files," among others.

Hartley is probably best-known for more than 250 Polaroid commercials co-starring James Garner, as well as the CBS morning news/information series called "The Morning Program,'" which she co-hosted live five days a week from New York City.

Sroka is known for the film version of "Godspell," in which he is featured prominently, as well as voice-acting work and guest work on hundreds of episodics, including "Seinfeld," "Ellen," "Murphy Brown"  and "The West Wing."

Together, they co-wrote the screenplay for, as well as starred in the recent feature film 'Our Almost Completely True Love Story,' which is loosely based on their marriage and relationship. The film has won nearly 50 independent film awards over the past few years.

In addition to answering questions about her movie and television work, Hartley spoke candidly about her book, and told students that despite some of the subject matter, they could ask her anything, including questions about her father’s suicide. The only topic off-limits, Hartley joked, was her age.

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Barry Pearl, a native of Lancaster, visited students on Thursday, May 8.  He is best-known for his role as “Doody,” one of John Travolta’s “T-Birds,” in the iconic1978 film "Grease." Students viewed, read and wrote about the film prior to Pearl’s discussion.

In addition to acting and writing, Pearl has directed a number of plays and musicals from coast-to-coast.

The prolific, working character actor has performed in television hits including "House," "M.D.," "ER," "Murder, She Wrote," "Hill Street Blues," "Alice," "Barney Miller" and "Eight is Enough." He was a series regular on the Don Rickles' NBC sitcom "CPO Sharkey."

Like Hartley and Sroka, Pearl answered students’ questions about acting, writing and directing, for more than an hour. Many of the students had communicated to Cino that they were interested in writing as a career (journalism, screenwriting), or acting (stage, voiceover), which was Cino’s impetus for coordinating the special talks.

This is not the first time industry professionals have visited Cino’s classes. In the past few years, students have also spoken with actor/writer/producer Patrick Labyorteaux, actor Glenn Scarpelli and actor/writer K Callen.

In its Footsteps of Ignatius Pilgrimage, The University of Scranton draws from a rich heritage that dates back to 16th century Spain when a visionary young man, Ignatius of Loyola, responded to God’s call. On the journey guided by the Jesuit Center, a select group of University faculty and staff travel together on the path of St. Ignatius and the early Jesuits. 

The most recent pilgrimage for 18 members of the University community from May 25 to June 4, began in northern Spain at the birthplace of St. Ignatius.

Daniel Cosacchi, Ph.D., Vice President for Mission and Ministry at the University explains the purpose and preparation for the trek from the Spanish countryside to the urban center of Rome.

"The Ignatian Leadership Program meets over the course of the entire academic year preceding the pilgrimage. During that time, the pilgrims read many classic Jesuit texts. The very first thing we read, however, is St. Ignatius' autobiography, which traces his conversion experience and his own pilgrimage.

Our pilgrimage, then, places University staff and faculty in the very same places that St. Ignatius lived, worked, convalesced and died. So, the pilgrimage is the very capstone of the program."

University of Scranton pilgrims shown at Javier Castle in Spain, the birthplace of St. Francis Xavier. (Photo Courtesy Bryn Schofield)

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Dr. Cosacchi said the journey based on the spiritual life of St. Ignatius serves as much more than a complement the program.

"This program is at the very heart of what we do in Mission and Ministry at the University. Thanks to the resources of the Jesuit Center, we are able to make this pilgrimage a possibility for interested faculty and staff who apply, are chosen, and then participate in the months-long program," he said.

"It is so valuable because we trace our heritage as a Catholic University to the life, death and Resurrection of Jesus. Specifically as a Jesuit university, we treasure the life and creative work of St. Ignatius of Loyola. We see both of these influences wherever we look on this campus. But to have the opportunity to walk in the very steps of St. Ignatius makes this treasure feel all the more tangible to our colleagues here at the University."

The pilgrims visit locations of great historical and religious significance – such as Loyola, Xavier, Montserrat, Manresa, Barcelona and Rome. There, the program's sixth cohort experienced a "happy coincidence," a Jubilee Mass with Pope Leo the XIV.


University of Scranton faculty and staff attend a Jubilee Mass celebrated by Pope Leo the XIV at St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican in Rome. (Photo Courtesy Bryn Schofield)

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Dr. Cosacchi, a scholar of the papacy, added another layer of meaning to the Jesuit connection.

"This was a happy coincidence of the Jubilee schedule that was prepared last year by Pope Francis. It doesn't always work out that our groups are able to see and pray with the Pope, but when it does, it only adds to the experience," he said.

"Part of the reason for that is that St. Ignatius himself had a particular devotion to the papacy, so much so that he placed the Society of Jesus at the pope's disposal (regardless of who was occupying that office). So, we as a Jesuit, Catholic university have a special love for Pope Leo. Being able to see him at only the second papal Mass he presided over in St. Peter's Square was a special blessing for us."

Interested in An Upcoming Pilgrimage?

Dr. Cosacchi suggests that interested faculty and staff should apply early in the fall.

"Please be on the lookout for the opportunity to apply early in the fall semester; and we look forward to seeing how this pilgrimage will thrive under the direction of the new Executive Director of the Jesuit Center, Dr. Tim Dulle."  

University of Scranton faculty and staff shown near a statue of St. Paul outside the papal basilica in Rome. (Photo Courtesy Bryn Schofield)

The American College of Healthcare Executives of Eastern Pennsylvania presents only two annual awards, recognizing both an outstanding senior executive and an up-and-coming careerist.

While the former previously had a namesake, the latter prize recently attached itself to a longtime University of Scranton professor and department chair.

The newly renamed Daniel J. West, Jr., Ph.D., LFACHE Early Careerist Award was unveiled Oct. 23 at the ACHE of Eastern Pennsylvania Symposium at DeSales University.

Dr. West, professor emeritus in the Department of Health Administration and Human Resources, was unable to attend the symposium. However, the ACHE of Eastern Pennsylvania planned a surprise presentation April 3 at the organization’s Scranton student chapter event.

Organizers presented Dr. West with a detailed shadowbox, complete with pictures, mementos and a written tribute.

“Dan West has had an exemplary career, dedicated to academic excellence and the field of healthcare administration,” states the message inside the shadowbox. “His commitment to The University of Scranton, to students and early careerists, and to ACHE, both regionally and nationally (and in fact, internationally) is well-known.

“His support and participation was vital to completing the merger of the NEPA Chapter into the Eastern PA Chapter of ACHE. And while he could have certainly transitioned off the board at any time over the past few years, he continues to be an active and insightful advisor to us all.”

Dr. West, who holds bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees from the Pennsylvania State University, has had an extensive career in healthcare management, including serving as a CEO for a hospital, medical practice and several businesses. He joined The University of Scranton faculty in 1990 and, in addition to being a professor, he was the Health Administration and Human Resources Department chair for 20-plus years.

Dr. West has planned and conducted dozens of study abroad tours for graduate students and faculty, spanning Bolivia, China, Haiti and Slovakia, to name a few countries. He was awarded an honorary doctorate degree from Trnava University in Slovakia in 2019.

Dr. West has served on numerous University and external committees and his dedication to Scranton was recognized in 2021, when he received the John L. Earl III Award for his service to the University, the faculty and the wider community.

JoyAnna S. Hopper, Ph.D., associate professor of political science, recently participated in the 2025 Teaching Vocational Exploration Seminar at The Alexander in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Dr. Hopper was one of 16 participants — chosen from a competitive field of more than 35 applicants — who gathered at the four-day event (June 2-6) offered by the Council of Independent Colleges through its Network for Vocation in Undergraduate Education (NetVUE).

The seminar was organized in hopes of strengthening the teaching of vocational exploration. As part of her work for the seminar, Dr. Hopper will develop a new course or redesign an existing course with a greater focus on vocational exploration.

Dr. Hopper, who graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Eastern Illinois University and master’s and doctoral degrees from the University of Missouri, joined The University of Scranton faculty in fall of 2020. Her areas of specialization include public administration and policy and American politics.

NetVUE, which supports and enriches vocational exploration and discernment among undergraduate students, has a national network of 325-plus colleges and universities.

Student members of The University of Scranton’s Business Club recently chose five instructors for the annual Kania School of Management Professor of the Year awards.

The premier prize, KSOM Overall Professor of the Year, was awarded to Daniel Mahoney, Ph.D. ’81, G’85, professor of accounting. Having earned top honors in 2001, 2006, 2010, 2014 and 2018, this is Dr. Mahoney’s sixth time receiving Professor of the Year.

A graduate of The University of Scranton at the undergraduate and graduate levels, Dr. Mahoney earned a doctorate in accounting from Syracuse University. He joined the University faculty in 1990 and is a Certified Public Accountant.

Dr. Mahoney’s work has been widely recognized with numerous awards, including the 2007 Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA) Outstanding Accounting Educator. His research has been published in Internal Auditor, Management Accounting Quarterly and The CPA Journal, among other academic and professional journals.

In 2020, Dr. Mahoney and several Scranton Accounting Department faculty members were nationally recognized for research publication productivity based on the number of articles published in the leading five accounting practitioner journals. His work was also recognized with the Institute for Management Accountants’ prestigious Gold Lybrand Medal for “outstanding paper.”

Additionally, Ashley Stampone, Ph.D. ’10, G’11, Ph.D’23, assistant professor, received KSOM Accounting Professor of the Year.

David Mahalak, D. Eng., assistant professor, received KSOM Operations and Analytics Professor of the Year.

John Ruddy, D.P.S. ’91, associate professor, received Economics, Finance and International Business Professor of the Year.

Gregory O’Connell, J.D., faculty specialist, received Management and Marketing Professor of the Year.

Nine University of Scranton faculty members, spanning seven departments and all three colleges, recently completed the three-day Sustainability Workshop program. The goal of the workshop, which had been on a 10-year hiatus at the University, is to support and encourage faculty to infuse sustainability into their courses.

The workshop included presentations on the environmental, social and economic aspects of sustainability, as well as an overview of strategies for infusing sustainability into their courses. Participants also heard from faculty members who have already incorporated sustainability into their courses, including Rich Larsen, professor of English and theatre, who shared how he teaches students to reuse and sustainability source materials used for set design.

The third and final day of the program included workshop participants presenting and discussing their findings and next steps for integrating lessons learned into their classrooms.

The workshop organizer was Jessica Nolan, Ph.D., professor of psychology, who joined the University in 2008. Dr. Nolan’s work in sustainability practices has earned her recognition, including an Excellence in Integrating Sustainability into the Curriculum Award.

“The Sustainability Workshop is a great way to increase the number of students who come in contact with the topic of sustainability before they graduate and to reinforce the University’s commitment to sustainability as outlined in our strategic plan our pursuit of designation as a Laudato Si University,” Dr. Nolan said.

The Sustainability Workshop is made possible by funding from Ethics Across the Curriculum. The workshop will be held again in spring 2026. All full-time faculty are encouraged to apply.

Two prestigious communication and leadership associations recently recognized a University of Scranton professor for her outstanding contributions to education.

Stacy Smulowitz, Ph.D., associate professor and chair of the Department of Communications and Media, was honored as the Eastern Communication Association’s Ecroyd Teaching Excellence Award winner.

The Ecroyd Award is given to a full-time educator who has a demonstrated record of employing communication principles as the foundation for constructing pedagogical principles applied in teaching practices. Dr. Smulowitz is the first Scranton professor to earn the Ecroyd Award since it was first handed out by the ECA in 1989. She accepted the award earlier this spring at the ECA Convention in Buffalo, New York.

Dr. Smulowitz was also selected as the recipient of the Outstanding Practice with Local Impact Award, presented by the Women & Leadership Executive Leadership Team of the International Leadership Association. The award will be formally recognized at the organization’s upcoming conference on June 13 in Claremont, California.

“This esteemed award recognizes your exemplary contributions to the field of Women and Leadership,” Vicki Wuolle, Ph.D., chair of the ILA Women and Leadership group, said in a congratulatory letter. “Your unwavering tenacity, profound commitment and enduring passion for advancing scholarship and practice have significantly enriched the discipline and inspired countless others.”

Dr. Smulowitz has been at the University since 2009 and currently teaches courses in advertising, leadership and organizational communication. No matter the subject, Dr. Smulowitz often integrates real-world experience within academic courses. One such example of Dr. Smulowitz’s community-based learning approach was the Scranton team that competed — and earned a “Best” award — at this year’s National Student Advertising Competition.

In addition to her vast work at the University, Dr. Smulowitz is president of Smulowitz Communications, a strategic communication and leadership consulting firm. She is the executive director of the ECA and a member of the American Advertising Federation and the International Association of Business Communicators.

Dr. Smulowitz is the author of “The Communication Solution: Leading Successful Change in Higher Education,” and her research interests include theory and strategy for assessing and promoting excellence in organizational leadership. A former Girl Scout troop leader and Girl Scout who continues working with the organization in an advisory role, Dr. Smulowitz’s passion is paving the way for girls to have equality and unimpeded leadership opportunities.

Dr. Smulowitz holds a bachelor’s degree from Wilkes University, a master’s from Ithaca College and a Ph.D. from Rutgers.