The University awarded its first Innovative Programming grants for faculty and staff to explore and develop an Agribusiness minor; Applied Biology tracks; Data Analytics major and minor; Mental Health Counseling program; Biotech Training program; interdisciplinary design space; public art lab and artist residency; and a teacher pipeline project that led to the establishment of Arcadia’s Social Action and Justice Education (SAJE) Fellowship (see “Dr. Brasof Receives Blankley Endowed Chair” below).

This year, the University launched Virtual Europe, allowing students to join online courses and virtual internships with faculty and employers in Barcelona, Dublin, Edinburgh, Granada, London, and Rome; Intern Philly, a program that matches students with internships based on their career, academic, and networking goals; and GAP Year, a unique, affordable way for students to earn credits while getting a taste of the Arcadia experience.

Hao Huang ’21, Shuhan Qiang ’21, Minhao Zhang ’20, and Haoran Zhu ’21 designed a carbon credit program to reduce carbon emissions for an international competition organized by the Society of Actuaries. The group placed 6th out of 48 teams worldwide.

Members of Arcadia’s Biology Department conducted growth and harvest research throughout last summer, comparing seed varieties, cultivation processes, and a robust range of strains. Students and faculty have addressed research questions related to propagation, reviewed the best strains for production in Glenside, perfected their tissue culture work, and conducted genetic modification experiments.

A key initiative of ARCADIA2025 was to establish a Center for Teaching, Learning, and Mentorship (CTLM). Dr. Ellen Skilton, professor of Education, was appointed director of the CTLM and will assemble a team of faculty, staff, and student partners to support and deliver Arcadia’s pedagogical and online teaching innovations, continuous improvement in teaching excellence and mentoring practices, and transformative learning experiences.

The University established principles for Open Expression, affirming that the primary goal of speech and expression is to advance and enliven the intellectual life of the community. In April, the Open Expression Task Force opened Guest Speaker, Posting, and Assemblies, Dissent and Protest policies for community review. Such policies encourage open expression as part of the natural dynamic within a thriving community while reiterating that these rights come with important responsibilities.

For her Education Studies Capstone, Annalise Christy ’20 planned to write about Raising Expectations for Academic Learning (REAL) Certificate students participating in Preview for the first time. In response to COVID-19, Christy adapted quickly, coordinating training opportunities and resources for REAL Certificate students to prepare for online courses.

Ever take your eyes off the road when your cell phone buzzes? Kayla Sansevere ’20 wants to know why—and her research at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) might help psychologists better understand distracted driving, ranked the leading cause of death for adolescents by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

In February, the Board of Trustees approved the College of Health Sciences’ Ph.D. in Movement Science, the first Ph.D. program in the University’s history.

Dr. Alebachew Kemisso, a visiting professor at Arcadia and director of the Centre for Comparative Education and Policy Studies at Addis Ababa University in Ethiopia, joined the Arcadia community this spring to research refugee education as a Civil Society Scholar award recipient.

The Middle States Commission on Higher Education team, which consisted of two reviewers and a University liaison, successfully conducted its March 27 visit virtually to follow up on the progress Arcadia made in strategic planning, resource allocation decisions, and institutional assessment and effectiveness. The Commission issued its final report in June, acknowledging that Arcadia had fulfilled the requirements of all standards.

We solidified the University’s leadership team this academic year with the appointments of Rakin Hall, vice president of Enrollment Management; Rashmi Radhakrishnan, vice president and chief information officer; Dr. Joan Singleton, chief financial officer and treasurer; Joe Sun, director of Strategic Initiatives; Brigette A. Bryant, vice president for Development and Alumni Engagement; and Dr. Jeff Rutenbeck, provost and senior vice president for Academic Affairs. These new members joined Laura Baldwin, vice president for Marketing and Communications; Margaret Callahan, general counsel; and Lorna Stern, vice president and executive director of The College of Global Studies.

The Office of Social Impact and Innovation (SI2) was established within the Office of the President to provide resources and nurture community initiatives that foster positive transformation locally and around the world. Dr. Alison LaLond Wyant was appointed founding director to coordinate and lead these efforts.

Mary Sweeney, appointed associate vice president of Human Resources, brought significant experience in all aspects of human resources, including performance management and diversity and inclusion initiatives. Dr. Bridget Miller—an educational leader, change manager, researcher, and assessment professional with more than 10 years of leadership experience—joined the University as director of Institutional Research and Effectiveness.

Dr. Aroline Seibert Hanson, associate professor of Spanish and Linguistics, published “Reexamining the classification of an endangered language: The vitality of Brunca” with the University of Hawaii Press last summer.

Egyptian delegates visited campus to learn more about Arcadia’s digital learning opportunities, including a new, online graduate STEM Education program for working teachers that includes global learning experiences and hands-on projects for educators to incorporate in their curriculum.

Heidi Specht ’20, who earned a double major in International Studies and Spanish, will fulfill her goal of working in Brazil after graduation through an English Teaching Assistant scholarship, awarded by the Fulbright U.S. Student Program.

This year we took an expanded, holistic approach to review international education at Arcadia. The College of Global Studies and the Office of International Programs conducted self-studies, and an external review committee assessed all levels and units.

The Presidential JEDI Commission was formed in Fall 2019 to address systemic change for Arcadia. Its work during the past year informed the Arcadia2025 process and will inform the work of the next iteration of this commission in AY 2020-21. The JEDI Commission 2.0 will be more expansive in terms of membership; expand the charge to address the contemporaneous needs of our community; and contribute to fostering a community of practice and cultural humility.

The Office of Social Impact and Innovation will work closely with key stakeholders, student leaders, and the inaugural cohort of Civic Scholars to advance our work in combating white supremacy, police brutality, and violence perpetrated against the Black community.

Dr. Marc Brasof, associate professor of Education and director of Secondary Social Studies and English Education, received the 2020-23 Rosemary and Walter Blankley Endowed Chair in Education. The award will support Arcadia’s Social Action and Justice Education (SAJE) Fellowship, a new program that will prepare aspiring educators of color to teach in culturally and linguistically diverse classrooms. The fellowship will provide significant academic and financial support, including full and partial scholarships, preparatory programs, and leadership training.