Jeff Chang, assistant professor of Mathematics discusses his poster presentation entitled "Exploring Game Theory’s Applications in Economics, Finance, and Conflict Resolution"
On Monday, May 19, BԪ honored its distinguished faculty members at the annual Faculty Recognition Ceremony, celebrating the exceptional contributions and achievements of Mercy's educators.
Before the ceremony, attendees explored detailed posters displayed throughout the Rotunda at Mercy’s Westchester Campus. The posters showcased the groundbreaking research that was conducted by faculty and students and the innovative programs that faculty members had used in their classrooms this year. Attendees engaged with presenters, learning about new educational approaches and research findings.
Kristin Curry Greenwood, provost and senior vice president for academic affairs, welcomed the audience with words of appreciation for the faculty and staff. She acknowledged their dedication to Mercy's students and educational mission.
"You're the backbone of our institution, striving for excellence in research and instruction for our students and shaping their minds and their futures.” She continued, “Your commitment to quality education, innovation and scholarship is what sets Mercy apart and upholds our reputation for academic excellence."
She also praised the impressive display of academic work featured in the poster session.
"The Poster Session this morning showcased innovative and thought-provoking research being carried out by our faculty and students, to drive new discoveries, spark meaningful conversations and elevate the academic discourse within and beyond BԪ," Greenwood added.
BԪ President Susan L. Parish spoke to the audience, expressing appreciation for everyone taking time to celebrate each other's accomplishments.
President Parish remarked on the outstanding quality of the poster presentations and recognized the tremendous effort put forth by faculty throughout the semester. She emphasized the importance of taking moments to connect with colleagues and celebrate shared achievements.
"I think that there's nothing more important that we do than celebrate the hard work of the faculty. And we can renew our commitment to academic excellence and renew our commitment to academic freedom and integrity, which each of you brings to the process," she said.
Amanda Gunning, Ph.D., president of the Faculty Senate, encouraged everyone to be present in the moment, to connect with colleagues they may have only seen virtually in recent months and to take time for meaningful conversations.
"We all bring difference gifts to our work here, which are needed and valued, and even if you're not receiving an award or promotion or presenting your research, today we celebrate all faculty for what you do,” she said. “For all your service, your scholarship and your teaching, thank you.”
During the recognition ceremony, deans from each school highlighted the accomplishments of their faculty members. These educators were honored for their commitment to academic excellence and their dedication to their fields and students.
Nanette Hyland, Ph.D., interim dean of the School of Health and Natural Sciences, celebrated Geeta Surendran, Ph.D.'s promotion to professor. Surendran has been a full-time faculty member at BԪ since 2001, teaching General Chemistry 1 and 2 and Organic Chemistry 1 and 2.
Dr. Hyland shared that student evaluations consistently praised Professor Surendran's willingness to meet with students individually and help them work through challenging problems.
"The other thing Geeta has done over the years to help engage students in chemistry is using project-based learning.” Dr. Hyland explained, “This is where she's incorporated project-based learning into classes and has helped when it comes to furthering her research," she said.
In a heartfelt moment, Peter West, Ph.D., dean of the School of Liberal Arts, recognized Dr. Celia Reissig-Vasile on her retirement after 35 years of teaching at Mercy. He expressed deep gratitude for her many contributions to the University.
Dean West praised Dr. Reissig-Vasile's work teaching across the curriculum in English and Literature and Languages, from Creative Writing to Literature, in both graduate and undergraduate programs. He also acknowledged her leadership as chair and her accomplishments as a creative writer.
"We're so very grateful for everything you've done and the ways in which you've helped us live out our mission as a Hispanic-Serving Institution," West said.
The Faculty Recognition Ceremony stands as a testament to BԪ's commitment to educational excellence. By honoring the achievements of its faculty, Mercy celebrates not only individual accomplishments but also the collective impact these educators have on their students and the broader academic community.
The event reminded all attendees of the vital role faculty play in advancing Mercy's educational mission and the importance of pausing to recognize and celebrate their significant contributions.
A complete list of award recipients and honorees is below.
Faculty Accomplishments
School of Business
Presented by Victor Petenkemani, dean
John Cullen, J.D., Retirement
Zachary Williams, Ph.D. | Tenure
School of Education
Presented by Eric Martone, Ph.D., dean
Roseanne Vallice Levy, PhD | Promotion to Professor
School of Health and Natural Sciences
Presented by Nanette Hyland, O.T.D., interim dean
Geetha Surendran, PhD | Promotion to Professor
School of Liberal Arts
Presented by Peter West, Ph.D., dean
Marc Palmieri, MFA |Promotion to Associate Professor
Celia Reissig-Vasile, PhD | Retirement
Ralph “Woody” Sullender, MFA | Promotion to Associate Professor
School of Nursing
Presented by Kenya Beard, Ed.D., dean
Angela Chaney-Grant, DNP | Promotion to Assistant Professor
Linda Shand, PhD | Retirement
School of Social and Behavioral Sciences
Presented by Stuart Sidle, Ph.D., dean
Eduardo Albrecht, PhD | Promotion to Professor
Charles Lieberman, PhD | Promotion to Associate Professor
Mary Knopp Kelly, PhD | Retirement
Ellen Sperber, PhD | Retirement
Rebecca Trenz, PhD | Promotion to Professor
Awards
Teaching Excellence Awards
Presented by Amanda Bireline, Ed.D., chair, Advisory Committee for Teaching and Learning
Full-Time Faculty: Caitlin Wiesner, Ph.D., assistant professor, History (School of Liberal Arts)
Part-Time Faculty: Thomas H. Culhane, Ph.D., senior lecturer, Behavioral Science (School of Social and Behavioral Sciences
Faculty Fellow
Presented by Amanda Bireline, Ed.D., chair, Advisory Committee for Teaching and Learning
Jacqueline Fisher, Ph.D., assistant professor, Psychology (School of Social and Behavioral Sciences)
Online Teaching of the Year
Presented by Camille Shelley, vice president and chief technology officer
Li Yong, PhD, associate professor, Business (School of Business)
Outstanding Research Award
Presented by Saul Fisher, Ph.D., associate provost for Research, Grants, and Academic Initiatives
Marc Palmieri, MFA, associate professor, Communication Arts (School of Liberal Arts)
William F. Olson Chair Award
Presented by Saul Fisher, Ph.D., associate provost for Research, Grants, and Academic Initiatives
Soonyi Lee, Ph.D., associate professor, History (School of Liberal Arts)
Honorary Master of Pedagogy Degrees
Presented by Kristin Curry Greenwood PT, D.P.T., Ed.D, MS, FNAP, provost and senior vice president for Academic Affairs
Faculty:
Anthony Canger, Ph.D., associate professor, Biology, School of Health and Natural Sciences
Lisa Ecklund-Flores, Ph.D., professor, Psychology, School of Social and Behavioral Sciences
Kimberly Rapoza, Ph.D., associate professor, Psychology, School of Social and Behavioral Sciences; and Director, McNair Program
Howard Liker, Ph.D., senior instructor, Sociology, School of Social and Behavioral Sciences
Robert Ryser, Ph.D., senior lecturer, English Literature, School of Liberal Arts
Staff:
Mary Lozina, director, Mercy Online
Robert McKenna, associate director, Libraries
Marla Moulton, SSBS coordinator, School of Social and Behavioral Sciences
Sharon Garrant, administrative assistant, School of Health and Natural Sciences
Gilda McKenna Gonzalez, library assistant, Libraries
Poster Presentations
Business
Political, Social, Financial and Mandatory Reporting Effects on the Future of ESG
Heather Apollonio and Zach Williams, Business
Naushad Kollikkathara, Data Analytics
Education
Using AI for Digitizing and Interpreting Historical Documents
Helge Wasmuth, Childhood Education
Nursing
Cholesterol Biomarker, Treatment, and Socio-Demographic Factors Affecting Opioid Use Disorder Treatment Retention
Fernand De Los Reyes, Nursing
Belongingness in an Undergraduate Nursing Class: Does a Health Equity Assignment Make a Difference?
Jeanne Murphy-Stone, Patricia Sutton, Gyasi Moscou-Jackson and Susan Moscou, Nursing
Revolutionizing Alzheimer's Treatment with Virtual Reality
Khaled Qanud and Susan Wilson, Nursing
Lisa Popovic, Mercy Student
Implementation of the Anatomage Table as a Learning Modality in Nursing Courses
Kathleen Apollon-Ferron, Andrew Arniotes and Susan Wilson, Nursing
Health and Natural Sciences
Sensory Sensitivity and Food Aversions in Adulthood: Investigating the Causes of Picky Eating
Shari Berkowitz, Communication Disorders
Making Physical 3D Models in Anatomy: A Case Study of the Heart
Alexander Root, Biology
Role of Effector Protein RxLR23 from the Plant Pathogen, Hyaloperonospora Arabidopsidis, in Causing Pathogenesis in Host Plant
Devdutta Deb, Biology
Danielle Chavis, Jo-Ellen Green and Jill Samantha Radoc (Mercy Students)
A Mixed-Methods Study of the Impact of Trauma, Benevolent Experiences, and Coping on Life Satisfaction in Emerging Adults
Mary Allison Murphy, Exercise Science; Kim Rapoza, Psychology; and Emily Murphy, Social Work
Liberal Arts
Applications of Integration
Marion Ben-Jacob, Mathematics
Exploring Game Theory’s Applications in Economics, Finance, and Conflict Resolution
Jeff Chang and Sanju Vaidya, Mathematics
Compositional Analyses on Post-Roman Pottery in the Southeastern Alps
K. Patrick Fazioli, Critical Inquiry
Results of Residue Analysis on Late Roman Ceramics from Ančnikovo Gradišče (Slovenia)
K. Patrick Fazioli, Critical Inquiry
Empowering Female Voices in Film: Guest Speaker Series
Steven DeRosa and Louis Grasso, Film and Media Studies
Social and Behavioral Sciences
Living with Grief: Changes to the Family Dynamic in a South Asian Culture
Kumudumali Vitro, Mental Health Counseling
The Effects of Musical Melodies on Heart Rate and Movement Coupling in the Late Term Fetus
Julia Zavala and Lisa Ecklund-Flores, Psychology
Predictors of Retention among First- and Second-Year Students at Mercy
Jacqueline Fisher, Psychology
Beyond Bars
Mary Cuadrado, Criminal Justice; and Donna Drumm, Legal Studies
Amy Romero, Viviana Diaz and Jamila Small (Mercy students)
Teaching and Learning
Guiding the Guides: Empowering Adjunct Librarians to Lead Library Workshops
Haley Collazo, librarian
Curricular Redesign of a First-Year Composition Course: Course Theming and Student-Driven Research as Inclusive Practice
Laura Proszak, English Literature
Physical Therapist Student and Clinical Instructor Perceptions of the CPI 3.0
Ruth Hansen and Kathryn Ryans, Physical Therapy
Enhancing Sense of Belonging Through Collaborative Coursework & Near Peer Guidance
Fenn Esser and Amanda Bireline, Health Science
Inclusivity and Student Participation
Katharine Watanabe and Sam Praveen, Business
Perspectives in Practice: School of Education Speaker Series
Bahar Otcu-Grillman, Literacy and Multilingual Studies
Ilene Rothschild and Sudha Ramaswamy, Special Education
