College and Center Happenings September 2026

Henry P. Becton College of Nursing and Allied Health

ChartSmart Lab: Preparing Students for the Future

ChartSmart Lab, a new specialized learning environment, is transforming how future healthcare professionals prepare for the modern medical workforce. The immersive lab gives nursing and allied health students essential, hands-on training across two critical pillars of modern healthcare delivery: electronic health records (EHRs) and telehealth.

According to Francesca Martinez, nursing and director of clinical laboratories, nursing/allied health (Metro), technology is no longer separate from standard practice. “Electronic health record training helps students learn how technology integrates directly into patient care — from documenting and reviewing patient information to communicating across the healthcare team and using the health record to support safe clinical decision-making,” she said. “Similarly, telehealth education prepares students to provide effective patient care and communication when the patient and healthcare provider are not physically in the same location.”

By practicing digital documentation, multi-team communication and virtual patient consultations in a safe educational setting, students bridge the gap between classroom theory and real-world clinical environments before graduation. Simulating these virtual consultations specifically teaches students how to overcome the unique communication barriers presented by remote healthcare.

The College of Nursing and Allied Health (CoNAH) is one of only eight nursing schools in the country that currently teaches Epic software to nursing students. “What makes our approach particularly distinctive is that we are the only nursing school integrating Epic throughout both pre-clinical and clinical coursework,” said Maria Moffa, nursing and director, experiential learning and digital health operations (Metro). “Rather than treating electronic health record education as a stand-alone training experience, we are embedding Epic directly into the nursing curriculum so that students learn to use the electronic health record as part of the way they learn and practice nursing.”

For instance, Epic training and documentation are incorporated into the skills laboratory experiences in preclinical courses such as Foundations for Nursing and Comprehensive Health Assessment. “As students learn fundamental nursing skills, conduct patient assessments and develop clinical reasoning, they also learn how to document those activities appropriately in the electronic health record,” Moffa added. “This helps students begin to understand that documentation is not separate from patient care — it is an essential component of communication, clinical decision-making, patient safety and continuity of care.”

By introducing students to electronic health records, telehealth and remote monitoring during their nursing education, CoNAH is preparing its graduates to practice confidently in an increasingly technology-enabled healthcare environment.

CoNAH Academic Achievement Center Launched

The College of Nursing and Allied Health (CoNAH) has announced the establishment of its new CoNAH Academic Achievement Center, a dedicated resource hub designed to support student success throughout their healthcare-education journey.

The center aims to proactively identify the students’ individual learning needs. By offering targeted and structured support, the facility will help students strengthen their knowledge, hands-on skills and professional confidence. It also represents a proactive approach to student retention and excellence.

CoNAH students will have access to a wide range of services, including:

• Course-specific tutoring to master difficult subject matter,
• Skill-development workshops for practical applications,
• Remediation resources to get back on track and
• Academic coaching to optimize study habits and performance.

According to Francesca Martinez, nursing and director of clinical laboratories, nursing/allied health (Metro), “Healthcare programs are academically rigorous. We want to create an environment where students not only have access to excellent faculty, but also know where to turn when they need additional support.”

“Through our CoNAH Academic Achievement Center, our students receive education and hands-on experience with telehealth software and remote patient-monitoring technologies,” added Maria Moffa, nursing and director, experiential learning and digital health operations (Metro). “These experiences help students develop the skills needed to assess, communicate with, educate and monitor patients when care is delivered outside of a traditional face-to-face clinical setting.”

Information Sessions

Information sessions on a variety of nursing and allied health programs will be held via Zoom on select dates this fall.

• Undergraduate/Entry-level Nursing (BSN, Accelerated BSN) —noon–1 p.m. EST: select Thursdays (October 1, November 5 and December 3)
• Allied Health (Including Respiratory Therapy, Clinical Lab Assistant and Phlebotomy) and Health Studies — 1–2 p.m. EST: select Thursdays (October 1, November 5 and December 3)
• MSN Entry-to-RN Practice — 2–3 p.m. EST: select Wednesdays (September 16, October 21, November 18 and December 16)
• Graduate Nursing (MSN, Postgraduate Certificate and Doctor of Nursing Practice [DNP])— noon–1 p.m. EST: select Tuesdays (September 22, October 27, November 24 and December 22)
• Doctor of Medical Science (DMSc) —noon–1 p.m. EST: select Tuesdays (September 22, October 27, November 24 and December 22)

Maxwell Becton College of Liberal Arts and Education

Constitution Day Lecture

FDU is celebrating Annual Constitution Day with a lecture on “1776 and 1787: The Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution,” by Chris Rasmussen, history (Metro), on Thursday, September 17, 2:30 p.m., in the Auditorium of the Metropolitan Campus Library and via Zoom.

The free event is open only to members of the FDU community. It is being cosponsored by the social sciences, history and criminal justice department and the FDU Library.

Registration is necessary for those attending via Zoom. For information contact Jessie Ribustello, office administrator/circulation assistant, Metropolitan Campus Library, at ribustel@fdu.edu.

Hispanic Center Exhibit

“Sacred Temples of Ancient America,” an exhibit hosted by the Hispanic Center and Center for Student Success and by arts, communication, and media of the Maxwell Becton College of Liberal Arts and Education, will run through Tuesday, November 24, on the Fourth Floor of Robison Hall at the Metropolitan Campus.

The exhibit features the work of more than 25 FDU students. The display is inspired by the South American pre-Columbian temples as well as Claude Monet’s impressionist paintings of the Rouen Cathedral in different lighting conditions. Yelena Aronson, computer graphics (Metro), is the exhibit’s curator.

Admission is free. Exhibit hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For information email Irene Oujo, executive director of the Hispanic Center and Center for Student Success (Metro), at oujo@fdu.edu.

SOE Grant News, Student Success

The New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) has awarded the School of Education (SOE) a second round of funding totaling $234,765 for its Paraprofessional Alternate Route Educator (PARE) program. This funding directly supports paraprofessionals holding bachelor’s degrees from three key partner districts — Teaneck, Bogota and Paterson Public Schools — as they transition into certified teaching roles.

By fostering robust “grow-your-own” district-university partnerships, this initiative directly advances the goals of the Task Force on Public School Staff Shortages in New Jersey. It also reinforces the state’s commitment to building a diverse teacher workforce that reflects the demographics of its P–12 student population.

Highlighting the immediate impact of this initiative, Year 1 PARE grant recipient Sandra Gonzalez was recently honored with the prestigious Executive Women of New Jersey (EWNJ) Graduate Merit Award. The EWNJ Board of Directors awarded Gonzalez a $2,500 scholarship to support her academic goals.

For more information about these and other grants go to “Grants Awarded to FDU.”

FDUFilm Makes Top 30 Best Film School List

FDU has been named one of the 30 Best Film Schools in the U.S. and Canada. Aside from giving its students the advantage of being at the center of the booming New Jersey/New York City production hub, the University offers unmatched networking opportunities and immediate career access. From their very first semester, FDUFilm students gain hands-on experience with industry-standard cameras and production equipment. They move through the program as a collaborative cohort, building deep, lasting professional connections.

To prepare graduates for long-term success, FDU complements filmmaking with a strong foundation in business. Through the Silberman College of Business, students can earn a minor in entertainment business and management at the Florham Campus, ensuring they graduate with the vital skills needed to market, sell and distribute their work. For more information on the film program, go to Film and Animation BA.

Writing Workshops

The Metro Writing Studio is holding virtual student and professional development workshops on a variety of topics this semester.

Upcoming Zoom workshops to be led by faculty/staff members (all Metro) will include:

• APA Doctoral-level Writing Strategies and Style for EdD Coursework
  Michele McCormick, writing and associate director, University writing
  Monday, September 14, 6:30–7:30 p.m. EST
• Supporting Neurodivergent Writers: Strategies for One-on-One Writing Sessions — Professional Development Workshop for FDU tutors and instructors
  Eloise Stewart, Becton College
  Tuesday, September 29, 11 a.m.–12:30 p.m. EST; and on Wednesday, October 14, noon–1:30 p.m. EST
• MLA Ninth Edition
  Yelena Shekhtman, Becton College
  Friday, October 2, 11:30 a.m.–12:45 p.m. EST
• Working with Sources: Integrating Research Into Your Writing
  Jennifer Gregory, Becton College
  Tuesday, October 6, 3:30–4:30 p.m. EST
• Essential Spoken English for International Students
  Paul Caruso, tutor, Metro Writing Studio
  Tuesday, October 6, 6–7:30 p.m. EST
• Introduction to APA Format
  Danielle DesFosses, associate director, Programs in English for Academic and Professional Success
  Thursday, October 8, 7–8:30 p.m. EST
• Professional Writing: Writing with Clarity, Confidence and Purpose
  Rochelle Moskowitz, Becton College
  Thursday, October 15, 3:30–4:30 p.m. EST
• Advanced APA Format
  Helen Kuttner, Becton College
  Thursday, October 22, 4–5:30 p.m. EST
• Creating the Works-cited List – MLA
  Yelena Shekhtman, Becton College
  Thursday, November 19, 10–11:30 a.m. EST

Participants should log on to the Zoom meeting 10 minutes before the presentation times.

For workshop information and Zoom links go to Metro Writing Studio, call 201-692-2166 or email Julia Wagner, rhetoric/composition and director, Metro Writing Studio, at jawagner@fdu.edu.

Durrell Society Conference

The 23rd Conference of the International Lawrence Durrell Society, with the theme “Writing Port/Cities in the Blue Humanities,” was held at FDU’s Vancouver Campus from July 16 to 18. Cosponsored by the Maxwell Becton College of Liberal Arts and Education and FDU Press, the event opened with remarks from Jonathan Mercantini, dean, Becton College, and James Gifford, humanities; coordinator of Core program, Vancouver Campus; and director of editorial committee, FDU Press (Van).

The conference featured keynote addresses from poet and lawyer Renée Sarojini Saklikar; poet and Simon Fraser University English department chair Stephen Collis; and poet and diplomat Indran Amirthanayagam. Highlights also included the book launch of A Working Title I Want to Change by Saul Leslie, a doctoral student at the University of Liverpool’s Centre for New and International Writing. At the event, Gifford delivered a lecture titled “Blue Humanities, Canadian Ecopoetics, and the Legacy of Durrell’s Sea Writings” and served as a panelist for a discussion on “The Port City: Networks and Afterlives.”

Social events included a Poetry Night at the Irish Heather, showcasing special guests and the winners of the White Mice Poetry Contest from the United States, Ireland, Hong Kong and the United Kingdom. Gifford also contributed to the literary evening, reading his poem “Nafplio” and participating in a collaborative reading of “Mistral.”

Gregory H. Olsen College of Engineering and Science

Biology Seminar

A virtual biology seminar on “Successful Professional Research” by Craig Woolcott, congressional affairs specialist, Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, will be held on Thursday, September 24.

The free seminar will be held via Zoom from 5:30–6:30 p.m. For information call 201-692-2391.

National Chemistry Week Lecture

In celebration of National Chemistry week, the department of biochemistry, chemistry and physics and the Hudson-Bergen Chemical Society is hosting a lecture on the “Functionalization and Immobilization of Photosensitizers” by Marius Pelmus, visiting assistant professor, chemistry/biochemistry, Seton Hall University, South Orange, N.J.

The free lecture will be held on Thursday, October 22, in Room 4468, Dickinson Hall, at the Metropolitan Campus. The event starts at 5 p.m. with pizza and refreshments, with the lecture following at 5:30 p.m.

RSVP is necessary by Saturday, October 10. To RSVP and for information, contact Mihaela Leonida, chemistry and preprofessional studies/graduate school adviser, at mleonida@fdu.edu, or Ish Kumar, chemistry, at ikumar@fdu.edu (both Metro).

College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences

FDU-RVCC New Articulation Agreement

FDU and Raritan Valley Community College (RVCC) signed a new articulation agreement designed to create a pathway for qualified RVCC prepharmacy graduates seeking a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree.

Under the agreement, five qualified RVCC students each year who earn an Associate of Science in Biological Sciences through the pre-medicine and prepharmacy track will be granted an interview for possible admission to FDU’s PharmD program at the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences.

To qualify, RVCC students must maintain the required grade point average in their major and individual prerequisite courses. They also must complete 66 prerequisite undergraduate credits within four academic years and submit required letters of recommendation, one of which may come from a pharmacist.

FDU will also offer admission support and guidance to eligible RVCC students, as well as hold information sessions at RVCC about the University’s PharmD program.

“We are excited to enter into this new partnership with Fairleigh Dickinson University, which offers an incredible opportunity for RVCC students interested in a career in pharmacy,” said Sarah Imbriglio, RVCC dean of STEM. “The agreement also will enable students to continue their higher education, complete a doctorate in this highly competitive field and remain close to home and their communities.”

Anastasia Rivkin, pharmacy and dean, pharmacy/health sciences (Flor), added: “We are excited about our collaboration with RVCC to create a pathway into FDU’s Doctor of Pharmacy program. The pharmacy profession is rapidly evolving, and pharmacists have many exciting career paths, including direct patient care in community and hospital settings, as well as jobs in pharmaceutical industry, managed care and many others. Pharmacists are medication therapy experts who are essential healthcare professionals on clinical teams. Pharmacists work with doctors, nurses, physician assistants and others to improve patient health. We look forward to collaborating with RVCC to have their qualified students join FDU’s Doctor of Pharmacy program and to welcome them into our FDU College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences community.”

Online Certificate in Public Health Communication Now Offered

The new online certificate in public health communication prepares professionals to design, deliver and evaluate strategic health messages that improve population health outcomes — all in a flexible, fully asynchronous format designed for working adults.

Those interested can earn the certificate by taking five courses (15 credits) that include:

• PUBH6001 Foundations and Issues of Public Health
• PUBH6101 Public Health Leadership
• PUBH6200 Health Communication
• PUBH7303 Health Disparities and Cultural Issues
• Specialized communication focus (choose one):
  • COMM6032 Risk and Crisis Communication for Health Professionals
  • COMM6033 Health Misinformation
  • Health Communication Policy (under development)
  • COMM6035 Health Campaigns

Courses may also be applicable toward future graduate study in the MPH program.

For admission requirements and other information contact Andrea Brace, public health and chair/director, Master of Public Health (Flor), at a.brace@fdu.edu or go to Certificate in Public Health Communication.

Save the Date

The College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences will be holding its fall open house on Saturday, November 14, from 9 a.m. to noon, at 230 Park Avenue, Florham Park, N.J.

Attendees can obtain information on pharmacy, occupational therapy and physician assistant studies programs; meet pharmacy/health sciences faculty, staff and current students; learn about the college’s integrated-curriculum and experiential-education opportunities; and tour the college and view its state-of-the-art classroom, lab and study space.

For inquiries email pharmacy@fdu.edu.

PharmD Information Sessions

Virtual information sessions for the PharmD program will be held at 6 p.m. EST on the following dates this fall: Wednesday, September 23; Thursday, October 22; and Thursday, December 10. Sessions will provide attendees with an overview of the program as well as information on scholarships and the admission process.

Registration is necessary. For information email pharmacy@fdu.edu.

Graduate Open Houses, Information Sessions

Virtual open houses for the Master of Public Health (MPH) program and virtual information sessions for the Master of Social Work (MSW) and Occupational Therapy (OT) programs will be held this fall.

The events will include program overviews and Q&A sessions with faculty. Registration is necessary.

• MPH Virtual Open Houses will be held at 7 p.m. EST on select Thursdays every month: October 1, November 5 and December 10. For information contact Andrea Brace, public health and chair/director, MPH program (Flor), at brace@fdu.edu, or Dorcas Saforo, administrative coordinator, health sciences, at d.saforo@fdu.edu.
• MSW Virtual Information Sessions will be held from 6–7:30 p.m. EST on Monday, October 19, and from 10 to 11:30 a.m. EST on Saturday, December 12. For information contact Zakia Clay, social work and chair/director, MSW program (Flor), at zakiaclay@fdu.edu, or Dorcas Saforo, administrative coordinator, health sciences, at saforo@fdu.edu.
• OT Virtual Information Sessions will be held from 6–7 p.m. EST on Monday, September 28, and on Monday, October 19. For information contact Tracy Templin, executive director for admissions/enrollment operations, pharmacy/health sciences (Flor), at tracyt@fdu.edu.

Silberman College of Business

Silberman Named to Best Business Schools List for 2027

Silberman College of Business was named by The Princeton Review to its Best On-Campus MBA Programs for 2027 and Top 50 Online MBA Programs for 2027 lists, which were posted on the company’s website and in its Best Business Schools for 2027 report.

According to James Almeida, entrepreneurship (Flor) and dean, Silberman College, “It’s a testament to the dedicated faculty and staff in Silberman College who are focused on delivering an outstanding experience to our students both in the classroom and beyond, and consistent with our mission to develop responsible leaders who will have a positive impact on their organizations, in their communities and for our society.”

The Princeton Review chose the on-campus MBA programs for 2027 based on data from its surveys in 2025–2026 of administrators at 245 schools offering on-campus MBAs and more than 24,250 students enrolled in the schools’ on-campus MBA programs. The survey of administrators requested data on the program academics, faculty, career services and other topics. The survey of students asked them to rate their program’s academics, professors, technology, student body, campus life and other topics, as well as to report on their satisfaction with their program and their career plans.

To read more go to “Fairleigh Dickinson University’s Silberman College of Business Named to Princeton Review List ‘Best Business Schools for 2027.’”

AACSB Accreditation Renewed

AACSB International has reaffirmed the accreditation of Fairleigh Dickinson University through Silberman College of Business for another six years — a distinction that only about five percent of business schools worldwide have achieved.

The reaffirmation followed the development of a comprehensive self-study process over the past year. It culminated in a visit by a Peer Review Team of business school deans in April who affirmed that the educational experience in business delivered by Silberman College is of the highest quality. The recommendation of the review team was endorsed by the Board of Governors at AACSB earlier this summer.

According to James Almeida, entrepreneurship (Flor) and dean, Silberman College, “This distinction is a testament to the efforts and commitment of the college’s faculty and staff to deliver an exceptional educational experience to our students that helps them be responsible leaders contributing to their organizations, their community and to society.”

Students Achieve International Success with AI Tutoring Bot

Damien Lugo, finance major (Metro), and Carlo Trujillo, accounting major (Flor), have developed an innovative artificial intelligence (AI) tutoring bot named NuAnswers, earning international recognition for their work.

NuAnswers functions as a digital teaching assistant, guiding accounting students toward correct problem solutions rather than simply revealing the answers. By utilizing a “soft-Socratic” method, the bot prompts users with guided questions that stimulate critical thinking and enhance long-term learning retention.

The project recently achieved major success at the Beta Alpha Psi (BAP) Best Practices Annual Competition in Innovation and Progress. BAP is the international honor society for financial information students and professionals, primarily in accounting, finance and information system.

Competing against student teams from more than 300 colleges and universities worldwide, Lugo and Trujillo qualified for the finals held this summer in Baltimore, Md. The finals featured teams from 11 universities worldwide, where the FDU team finished ahead of all other U.S. institutions, securing the runner-up position behind Monash University of Australia.

NuAnswers, which is currently available to all Silberman students free of charge, already supports 278 active users. The bot is designed to complement existing on-campus, in-person tutoring rather than replace it. It provides a valuable resource for students seeking late-night or last-minute study support when live tutors are unavailable. Additionally, the platform allows professors to monitor student activity and track academic progress over time.

MHA Program in China

The Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA) program was officially launched in China this July, marking the culmination of nearly two years of planning. Driven by the global expansion of the healthcare sector and an increasing international demand for qualified healthcare administrators, the program was developed following the successful partnership between FDU’s Marion Turpan College of Psychology and Counseling and Golden Education. This collaboration allowed Golden Education to work closely with the Office of International Admissions to bring the MHA program directly to students across China through a dedicated online platform.

The inaugural cohort of the program officially began their academic journey on July 13. This specialized MHA China program utilizes a strict cohort model where all students advance together through the exact same core and elective courses. Designed as an intensive 18-month program, the curriculum consists of 12 comprehensive courses that span six weeks each. To accommodate working professionals, the program combines synchronous and asynchronous online teaching, with no in-person attendance required. According to Christina Costa, MHA program manager, public/global affairs (Metro), “While the University may introduce specific specializations in the future, current efforts are entirely dedicated to ensuring a seamless and successful foundational launch for this first group of students.”

Initial feedback from the first course indicates an incredibly promising start for the program. “Students have praised for the curriculum’s structure, specifically highlighting the organization, dedication, deep knowledge and enthusiasm of their professor.”

For more information go to MHA China program or email Christina Costa at c.costa1@fdu.edu.

Executive-in-Residence Program Launched

Silberman College recently launched its Executive-in-Residence (EIR) program. A total of 12 recently retired C-suite executives — most of them CEOs and COOs, as well as a former governor — have been invited to serve as an EIR.

EIRs will serve as mentors to Silberman students, support its Professional Development Program and ensure that the college continues to have a leading-edge curriculum. “This will open doors of opportunity for our students when they graduate with their FDU degrees,” said James Almeida, entrepreneurship (Flor) and dean, Silberman College. “This initiative also solidifies FDU’s reputation as a university that delivers an exceptional educational experience, putting our students on a direct path toward a successful career.”

Hall of Fame Gala

Silberman College will hold its annual Hall of Fame Gala, which honors accomplished alumni and benefactors, on Thursday, November 5, at the Florham Campus. The cocktail reception will be held at 5:30 p.m. at the Stern Portico, Hennessy Hall, with dinner following in Lenfell Hall, Hennessy Hall.

This year’s honorees are Nicole DeRosa, BS’08, MS’09 (Flor), director of tax, SKC & Co. CPAs, LLC; Patrick Migliaccio, BS’97, MBA’04 (Flor), senior vice president and chief operating officer, New Jersey Natural Gas; James Orefice, MA’91 (Ruth), member, FDU Board of Trustees; and Robert Zatta, MBA’77 (Metro), chair, FDU Board of Trustees, who is the recipient of this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award.

The cost to attend is: $650 per person and $250 for young alumni (25 years old and younger) with a five-ticket limit. Sponsorship opportunities are also available. Proceeds will fund student scholarships and academic programming in Silberman College.

Attire for the event is cocktail, and valet parking is available. Registration is necessary by Friday, October 23. For information go to Silberman College Hall of Fame Gala or email Mary Sakin, assistant dean, corporate engagement/student success, Silberman College (Flor), at sakinm@fdu.edu.

Faculty Colloquia

The School of Public and Global Affairs is hosting monthly Faculty Colloquia via Zoom — on select Wednesdays at 12:30 p.m. EST — on a variety of topics.

Upcoming colloquia are “AI in Strategic Management,” Hossein Hakimpour, administrative science (Van), on September 16; “Bitcoin Bros,” Daniel Cassino, government/politics and executive director, FDU Poll (Flor), on October 21; “Midterm Madness: What Happened and What Next?” with Jon Corzine, former New Jersey governor and U.S. senator, and Peter Woolley, political science (Flor), on November 18; and “Words Matter: The Importance of the Gettysburg Address,” with William “Pat” Schuber, homeland security (Metro), on December 16.

The colloquia are free and open to the public. For information call 201-692-7171.

Public Affairs Lecture Series

The School of Public and Global Affairs is sponsoring the fall 2026 Public Affairs Lecture Series (PALS), which will be held from 2 to 3:30 p.m. on Mondays at the Bickford Theatre at Morris Museum, 6 Normandy Heights Road, Morristown, N.J.

Upcoming lectures are as follows:

• “A Future Imagined: Europe Without the United States,” on September 14 with Heather Conley, nonresident senior fellow, American Enterprise Institute, Washington, D.C.;
• “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly of AI,” on September 28 with Richard Anderson, co-director, Makerspace; director of Virtual Worlds, for Rutgers University, New Brunswick, N.J.; and trustee, Fair Use Building and Research Labs;
• “Life After Lockup: What Really Happens Next?” on October 5 with Meghan Sacks, criminology and coordinator of criminology and criminal justice major (Flor);
• “Health of the Democratic Process and Our Election System,” on October 12 with Ronald Chen, Distinguished Professor of Law and Judge Leonard I. Garth Scholar, Rutgers Law School, Newark, N.J.;
• “What Is Happening to Democracy in South America?” on October 19 with Susan Stokes, Tiffany and Margaret Blake Distinguished Service Professor and director, Chicago Center on Democracy, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Ill.;
• “Supreme Court – Major Decisions,” on October 26 with Daniel Cassino, government/politics and executive director, FDU Poll (Flor);
• “The Trouble with History – History in Trouble: Who Defines the National Narrative in Times of Partisan Polarization,” on November 2 with Gary Darden, history (Flor) and director, University-wide Core program;
• “The Fertile Crescent,” on November 9 with Robert Ford, scholar, Middle East Institute, Washington, D.C., and former U.S. ambassador to Syria;
• “The U.S. in Africa and Africans in the U.S.: 1960–Today,” on November 16 with Abosede George, Africana studies/history and director, Institute of African Studies, Barnard College, Columbia University, N.Y.C.; and
• “What New Jersey and the U.S. Can Do as a Result of the November 2026 Congressional Elections?” on November 23 with Benjamin Dworkin, director, Rowan Institute for Public Policy and Citizenship, Glassboro, N.J.

Subscriptions to the series are available for $120 at Public Affairs Lecture Series. Those interested should fill out a subscription application and submit it with the payment electronically or by mail (check [made payable to FDU] to Donna Sadowski, senior coordinator for off-campus credit programs, School of Public and Global Affairs, FDU, 1000 River Road, H-DH2-13, Teaneck, N.J. 07666.

Walk-ins may check-in at the Bickford Theatre front desk and be put on the waiting list. A walk-in fee of $20 will be charged. Walk-ins will be admitted 10 minutes before the lecture starts.

For information call 201-692-7171, email palsboard2025@gmail.com or go to Public Affairs Lecture Series 2026.

International Healthcare Study-abroad Trip

The School of Public and Global Affairs is launching its first-ever International Health Systems study-abroad trip to Wroxton College in Oxfordshire, England. This intensive, weeklong program runs from Sunday, October 11, through Saturday, October 17.

The program is tailored for students who are enrolled in the following courses: MHCA6636 International Health Systems, MADS6614 Comparative Public, Private and Not-for-Profit Systems and PADM7724 Comparative Government and Administrative Systems. Please note that participating students are responsible for both tuition fees and travel expenses.

During the trip, students will have the opportunity to study the British health system in depth, providing particular reference to the inner workings, evolution and modern structure of the National Health Service.

Students will attend special lectures and go on site visits designed to broaden their understanding of global medicine. Academic topics include the history of healthcare and nursing in Britain, health inequalities and disparities and the British political system and healthcare. They will also join guided excursions to iconic institutional sites, including the Florence Nightingale Museum, the Great Ormond Street Hospital and the Oxford School of Nursing and Midwifery and the Northampton General Hospital.

The total cost of the trip is $766 per student, a rate made possible after two donor scholarships of $500 each has been applied to the standard fee. This program cost covers all room and board, scheduled trips, special lectures and group transportation within England. Airfare is not included, and students are entirely responsible for arranging and booking their own flights to and from the United Kingdom.

For information contact Christina Costa, program administrator, Master of Healthcare Administration program (Metro), at 201-692-7345 or c.costa1@fdu.edu.

Business Program Milestones

Silberman College celebrated several milestones that underscore its commitment to providing impactful, flexible and high-performing educational pathways.

• Corporate MBA
  Earlier this summer, Silberman College celebrated a milestone as the first cohort of 57 students graduated from its Corporate MBA program. Aligned with the University’s mission of meeting learners exactly where they are, this innovative program is designed to help working professionals advance their careers while successfully maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Since launching with an inaugural cohort of just 10 students in the fall of 2023, the program has experienced rapid expansion, growing to serve more than 160 students across four distinct corporate partners as of fall 2026.
• MS in Accounting
  The college’s MS in accounting program, specifically tailored for and delivered to members of the Orthodox Jewish community, officially marked its 20th anniversary. This landmark initiative has graduated more than 1,800 men and women from across the community, empowering them with advanced professional skills. The success of this specialized program has contributed an estimated economic impact of more than $1 billion during its 20-year history.
• Highest Pass Rate
  Complementing these programmatic successes, Silberman College continues to demonstrate exceptional academic excellence and top-tier student outcomes in the field of accountancy. Accounting majors within the college achieved the highest pass rate in New Jersey on the CPA exam, according to the data published for 2024.

Marion Turpan College of Psychology and Counseling

FDU has established the Institute for Character and Leadership (ICL) within the Marion Turpan College of Psychology and Counseling, creating a new interdisciplinary hub dedicated to advancing character development, leadership and human flourishing across the University and beyond.

The institute brings together FDU’s growing expertise in character, empathy, leadership and human development. The ICL will serve both the University community and external partners, translating research into practical programs and experiences designed to help individuals, teams and organizations flourish.

Scott Parsons, a leadership and character scholar, retired U.S. Army officer and former West Point faculty member, serves as the institute’s founding executive director. “Character shapes not only who we are, but how we lead, how we relate to others and how we respond when circumstances are difficult or uncertain,” he said. “The Institute for Character and Leadership exists to help people understand, develop and put character into practice. Our aspiration is both simple and ambitious: to help people become the kinds of leaders, colleagues and human beings who enable others to flourish.”

The institute serves as an umbrella for four FDU centers whose complementary work spans character, empathy, leadership and human flourishing:

• The Center for Character Development advances the study, assessment and development of character and character strengths through research, education and applied programming.
• The Empathy Center for Research and Training advances evidence-based approaches to understanding, teaching and measuring empathy.
• The Stigma Free Center works to reduce stigma, promote understanding and strengthen communities through education, research and engagement.
• The Center for the Interdisciplinary Study of Leadership brings together scholarship and practice from across disciplines to deepen understanding of leadership and prepare people to lead effectively in their organizations and communities.

For more information go to “Fairleigh Dickinson University Launches Institute for Character and Leadership.”