Provost's Post

WCU's College of Arts & Humanities Unveils New Student-Designed Artwork on Main Hall

(Story courtesy of WCU Communications & Marketing)

WCU’s College of Arts & Humanities (CAH) unveiled new artwork adorning Main Hall in the form of three large banners overlooking the Academic Quad. Rising Junior Art + Design student, Eleana Rudderow designed these banners based on a chosen theme by students in CAH’s 2023-2024 First Year Experience (FYE) program. The theme explored Human Creativity and the Age of Artificial Intelligence.

Dean of the College of Arts and Humanities Dr. Jen Bacon says, “Every year, we pick a theme for our College of Arts and Humanities Outdoor Gallery, and this year, we thought we’d let our First-Year Experience class participate in the process of choosing that theme.”

The FYE students had several great ideas, but the one that most intrigued them was a question of how artificial intelligence might shape their college experience.  “Some were so excited about the potential, while others were very concerned that human creativity would be diminished,” says Bacon. “That dramatic tension was what led to the artistic brief, and to the selection of this wonderful work by Eleana, which captures that moment of inspiration but leaves ambiguous which way the direction is flowing.”

The concept of artificial intelligence is asking all disciplines and industries to evaluate its potential impact. Rudderow explains how she sees AI’s role in the artistic world and what influence it might have.  “Drawing on my knowledge of history and art, I see parallels between the impact of photography and the potential influence of AI. Just as photography transformed art by shifting focus to more expressive art forms, AI may similarly foster a deeper appreciation for human ingenuity in all things.”

Rudderow’s artwork aims to call attention to AI’s potential to strengthen appreciation for the humanities.

Learn more about the art work on Main Hall

WCU Works to Fix the National Teacher Pipeline Shortage by Teaching Schools How to “Grow Their Own”

(Story courtesy of WCU Communications & Marketing)

For West Chester University’s (WCU) College of Education and Social Work, the answer to fixing the current national teacher pipeline shortage can be found in teaching school districts about Partnering in Raising Inclusive, Zealous Educators (PRIZE). It’s the ultimate PRIZE for children needing loving teachers and school districts searching urgently to hire lots of qualified, dedicated educators. In keeping with this quest, three recent WCU PRIZE students, who will be college education majors in the fall, were celebrated as they signed commitment declarations to pursue academic journeys that will lead to careers as future teachers in their home school districts in June.  In addition to school district partners and generous program sponsors, among those watching the ceremonial signing were seven high school PRIZE students who plan to pursue teacher preparation at WCU and eventually become educators in their own school districts. 

Learn more about how WCU is working to fix the national teacher pipeline

Student Success Fair Comes to Academic Quad on September 5

Don't let your students miss out on the Student Success Fair on Thursday, September 5th, from 11 AM to 1 PM on the Academic Quad! This vibrant, new initiative brings together representatives from 18 key campus offices dedicated to student success, wellness, and development. It's a golden opportunity for your students to connect with resources that can make a real difference in their academic journey, expand their campus network, and, best of all, participate in a fun game with the chance to win one of thirty Wawa gift cards! Please encourage your students to take full advantage of this event and start the semester strong.

Participating offices include: The Academic Success & Advocacy Center (ASA), Academic Success Program (ASP), the Career Development Center, Campus Recreation, the Counseling Center, DCAP, Exploratory Studies, the Global Engagement Office (GEO), Interdisciplinary Studies, the Learning Assistance and Resource Center (LARC), the Libraries, the Office of Educational Accessibility, the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs (ORSP), Student Health Services, Wellness Promotion, and the Writing Center. Thank you to all of our participants! 

This pilot event is sponsored by University College. If you would like to participate next year, please contact Tabetha Adkins at TAdkins@wcupa.edu to be included in the planning. 

Library of Congress Classification Conversion Project

The University Libraries are converting our call number system from Dewey Decimal to Library of Congress Classification (LCC) system. LCC is widely used in research libraries and benefits student success and faculty research:

• Improves browsing and finding related materials as disciplines and subjects are shelved together
• Expands knowledge of discipline connections
• Call numbers are less complex and easier to read
• Classification of emerging fields keeps collection current 

Over the summer, new books started receiving a Library of Congress (LC) call number and are shelved on the third floor of FHG Library, separately from books with Dewey call numbers. The current collection is being converted systematically, and books will be moved with the LC collection. 

Please stop by the Library Help Desk for assistance.  Staff are there to answer any questions.

Visit the Library of Congress Classification Webpage 

One in Five Students Who Are Parents Will Benefit from PA Department of Education Grant

(Story courtesy of WCU Communications &  Marketing)

West Chester University is one of only 12 universities in Pennsylvania to receive grant funding from the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) to help fund scholarships and programming for undergraduate students with children. The Parent Pathways Grant Program provides funding to institutions to directly support the persistence of parenting students in the form of tuition assistance, emergency funding, and wrap-around services. WCU’s Center for Women & Gender Equity will administer the $150,000 award.

“This grant will allow us to award 25 parenting students with robust $5,000 scholarships; help us continue the large-scale parenting events we know are most effective for them and their families; and hopefully help fund a facilities project that will be child-friendly and child-centered,” said Lindsey Mosvick, director of WCU’s Center for Women & Gender Equity.

Parenting students bear significant burdens and need additional support to navigate through their academic program successfully. Studies indicate that one in five undergraduate college students is balancing the responsibilities of raising children while pursuing a postsecondary education, and nearly half of them do not earn a degree. Mosvick said WCU currently has approximately 400 student parents.

WCU’s Student Parent Task Force developed programming and plans in consultation with the statewide Pennsylvania Parent Pathways program to improve both recruitment and retention of pregnant and parenting students. Efforts focused on the identification of resources and systems to support parenting students, development of a listserv of 448 parenting students (including those who recently graduated), and an educational series of six community-building events. WCU’s Center for Women and Gender Equity maintains an online list of resources for students who are parents. The online resource repository is available 24/7 and accessible through D2L.

WCU is one of the six Pennsylvania institutions of higher education that are active members of the Parent Pathways Learning Network (PPLN). As such, these institutions contributed to the December 2022 Pennsylvania Department of Human Services policy report that underscored the importance of integrating the firsthand experiences of parenting students into statewide policymaking.

For more information about this program, contact the Center for Women and Gender Equity at cwge@wcupa.edu. 

West Chester University Announces Transfer Scholarships for University of the Arts Students

(Story courtesy of WCU Communications & Marketing)

In June, West Chester University announced transfer and scholarship information for students who have been displaced by the sudden closing of the University of the Arts (UArts) in Philadelphia, PA.  Executive Vice President and Provost (interim) Jeff Osgood says, “West Chester University is saddened to hear about the closing of the University of the Arts in Philadelphia. As more arts institutions are closing their doors across the nation, the pursuit of creativity and artistic endeavors is of even greater importance. At West Chester University, we are committed to creative expression in all its forms, and we welcome UArts students to join us in any of our 240+ undergraduate and graduate academic options. While this may be a very difficult time for you, our entire WCU community is here to support you in your pursuit of artistic excellence.”

For undergraduate students, WCU welcomes UArts students to explore the 120+ undergraduate degrees available, including majors in music, art + design, and theatre. WCU will offer transfer scholarships to UArts undergraduate students with at least 45 credits and 3.0 GPA. The university will accept up to 90 transfer credits at the undergraduate level.

For graduate students, WCU invites students to explore professional development graduate credits available, to transfer into the Master of Music Education programs, or to explore the 120+ graduate options including certificates, masters, and doctoral degrees. WCU will offer up to $500 in scholarship funding for eligible graduate students who begin classes this summer and will accept up to 12 transfer credits at the graduate level. 

Learn more about how WCU is reaching out to the University of the Arts.

student information form

For the Third Year, WCU Recognized as One of the 50 Most Community-minded Employers in the Philadelphia Region

For the third consecutive year, West Chester University has been recognized with the Civic 50 Greater Philadelphia Award.

The awards are presented by the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia (the Chamber), in partnership with globally recognized nonprofit Points of Light, lead partner the Philadelphia Foundation, and other local partners. Modeled after Points of Light’s national program, the Civic 50 Greater Philadelphia provides a standard for corporate citizenship and showcases how employers use their time, skills, and resources to drive social impact in their communities and companies.

The Civic 50 honorees are both private and public companies and other employers operating in the Philadelphia region. They have been selected based on four dimensions of their community engagement programs:

• Investment of resources
• Integration across business functions
• Institutionalization through policies and system
• Impact measurement

“We are thrilled to be a Civic 50 honoree for the third year in a row,” said Rita Patel-Eng, senior director of the University’s Center for Civic Engagement and Social Impact. “This impactful work is only possible through a community of educators dedicated to bringing the WCU mission to life: to develop graduates to succeed personally and professionally and contribute to the common good. This honor is earned by our students, faculty, and staff who believe in making a difference in our community.”

WCU engages communities on the global, national, state, and local levels. Service learning is an integral component of many courses at West Chester and the keystone of the Honors College. As a public state institution, WCU’s primary community-engagement efforts focus on addressing community-identified needs throughout the Southeastern Pennsylvania region, encompassing Philadelphia as well as the counties of Bucks, Delaware, Montgomery, and Chester.

Learn more about the Center of Civic Engagement & Social Impact

WCU Department of Theatre & Dance Announces 2024-2025 Season

(Story courtesy of WCU Communications & Marketing)

West Chester University’s Department of Theatre and Dance announced its 2024-2025 season of spectacular dance concerts, gripping new works, a classic Greek tragedy, and two musicals, - one that is a Pulitzer Prize winner.

Juliet Wunsch, chair of the Department of Theatre & Dance says, “The Department of Theatre and Dance has a strong history of bringing socially relevant, evocative, and celebratory productions to our community. We look forward to laughing, crying, and questioning with you as we explore issues that resonate, history that demands reflection, and fun and creative styles developed by theatre and dance artists of today.

Tickets are set to go on sale on Tuesday, September 3, 2024. General admission tickets are $15. Students, faculty, staff, veterans, and senior citizens enjoy $12 tickets. The Student Written One Acts tickets are $5 at the door.

view the full calendar of events in the 2024-2025 Theatre and Dance Season

Wells School of Music Announces its 2024-25 Season

(Story courtesy of WCU Communications & Marketing)

West Chester University’s Wells School of Music announced its 2024/25 season of concerts, productions, recitals, festivals, camps, clinics, competitions, and lectures. Students, faculty, staff, and community members are invited to peruse the 2024/25 season brochure for additional details, and all are invited to attend the mostly free and public events. Tickets for events that require them can be purchased at www.wcupatix.com. The link to view the brochure online can be found here or by clicking the image to the right. 

The Wells School of Music produces over 100 events each season with a lineup that includes student, faculty, and guest artist recitals and concerts. In addition, the school hosts the Wilkinson Lecture Series and other community music events and competitions. Offerings range in style from classical to jazz, and from new music to Opera.

View the full calendar of events for the 2024-2025 season

WCU’s iCamp Celebrates Expansion and Growth in Seventh Season of Free Summer Media Program

(Story courtesy of WCU Communications & Marketing)

West Chester University’s (WCU) College of Arts + Humanities recently hosted about 35 high school students housed on-campus for iCamp, the summer media program for rising juniors and seniors in high school. Campers immersed themselves in digital media projects including podcasts, websites, games, and filmmaking. They enjoyed the camaraderie of working together to shed light on a social issue of their choosing, - one that particularly resonates with high school students like themselves.

Now in its 7th year, iCamp is a free 1 – 3-week summer media program for Philadelphia and Chester, PA, students who are underserved. iCamp 2024 introduced several notable additions to more fully serve those in attendance. The program expanded to three weeks, and the first week was held at WCU’s Philadelphia campus. Students from Chester, PA, were welcomed into the program, and iCamp now offers three college credits to students who attend all three weeks and enroll in Digital Storytelling coursework that adds up to approximately 50 classroom hours.

Program Director Dr. Laquana Cooke says, “We host a post-mortem at the end of each iCamp to discuss what went right and how we can improve. It is our roadmap for continuous improvement and led us to provide students with a deeper experience, including college credit.”

The benefits of iCamp are many – it exposes high school students to life on a college campus, gives students in Philadelphia and Chester a valuable on-site and free learning program to attend over the long summer months, and introduces the idea of connecting students’ artistic expression with being a catalyst for change.

iCamp received support from WCU’s Provost’s Enrollment Planning Investment grant (PEPI), WCU’s College of Arts and Humanities, and several corporate sponsors through the Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) program. Program Director Laquanna Cooke is also a recipient of the prestigious National Endowment for the Humanities Spotlight grant.

Dean of WCU’s College of Arts and Humanities Dr. Jen Bacon says, “WCU is so proud of iCAMP and the work that it does to provide a free educational experience for students interested in the media arts and their connection to social justice. iCamp deepens the symbiotic relationship between the University and the region’s population. We have former iCampers attending WCU, some of whom might help run the camp in the future. But providing this experience is resource-intensive, so we hope to continue to attract community partners and organizations to help us sustain this important work.”

WCU Study Links Emotional Intelligence to Stress Regulation in Preschoolers

(Story courtesy of WCU Communications & Marketing)

A new study from West Chester University, led by WCU Psychology Professor Dr. Eleanor Brown, has found that preschool children who have a better understanding of emotions have lower levels of cortisol, a primary stress hormone. This research, which focused on children attending Head Start programs who are economically disadvantaged, highlights the potential benefits of early emotional education in mitigating the physiological impacts of stress.

The study, published in Early Education and Development, involved 307 children from 3 to 5 years old. The children’s emotional knowledge was assessed with an emotion matching task, and their cortisol levels were measured through saliva samples taken at the start of the preschool year. Findings revealed a significant association: Children with greater emotional knowledge had lower cortisol levels, suggesting they could better manage stress.

“We can’t know for sure that higher emotional knowledge is causing lower cortisol, but we can say there is a relation here,” Dr. Brown said. “It suggests that there may be a possibility for equipping children with skills to help them lower their stress levels during a critical period of development.”

Managing stress is vital for children because having repeated exposure to high levels of stress places a tax on their bodies and minds that have long-term negative impacts, she said.  “A child whose brain is flooded by stress is less able to learn and remember things,” Dr. Brown said. “Giving children skills that can potentially help them lower their stress levels in early childhood could have lasting benefits.”

The study is particularly relevant for children facing poverty and systemic racism, who often experience higher levels of stress. Dr. Brown said that children in those situations are at a greater risk of developing stress-related physiological and psychological issues. By enhancing their emotional knowledge, these children might better navigate challenging environments.

WCU students played a major role in the completion of the study – a team of undergraduate and graduate students performed the emotion matching assessment of the preschoolers. Sara King, who was a WCU graduate student at the time, helped launch the study. In fact, she’s a co-first author.  “Sara had a particular interest in emotional knowledge and examining its relation to cortisol,” Dr. Brown said. “And I have been studying emotional knowledge as a variable since I was in graduate school.”   

Dr. Brown has spent her career examining the impact of poverty and trauma on children’s development.

Learn More about dr. brown's work

TLC hosts two-part series: Navigating Challenging Conversations in Learning Environments 

This fall, the Teaching & Learning Center is hosting a two-part workshop series, presented in collaboration with the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, the Provost's Office and the Faculty Ombuds Office. With the backdrop of the upcoming contentious presidential election and the evolving situation in the Middle East, this workshop series will provide strategies for navigating challenging discussions that we anticipate in our classrooms and other learning spaces this fall semester. 
 
The interactive sessions will have opportunities for you to engage in dialogue and share experiences with colleagues. You will be introduced to practical strategies and resources for planning and creating inclusive, engaging learning environments that encourage respectful and meaningful dialogue across differences.  
 
Note: Each workshop in this series is designed to stand alone and can be attended independently. Participants may register for either or both sessions based on their interests and availability. 

• Strategies for Facilitating Dialogue: This 90-minute workshop will offer resources and strategies for faculty and staff available through the Constructive Dialogue Institute (CDI) platform, such as identifying constructive open-ended questions for challenging conversations, modeling reflective and active listening, and developing ready responses for unpredictable moments inside or outside of the classroom. Our facilitators will be Dr. Joan Woolfrey and Helen Hammerschmidt.

Wednesday, September 18 at 1:00pm (virtual)

Tuesday, October 2 at 3:30 pm (in person)

• Teaching in Turbulent Times: As a University that values diversity and inclusion, how can you ensure that our classrooms and other learning environments are places for civil discourse and respectful disagreement? This discussion will allow faculty and staff to explore this issue by examining case studies and proactively plan for these moments. This workshop was created by Dr. Tracey Robinson, who will facilitate alongside Dr. Janneken Smucker.

Wednesday, September 25 at 1:00 pm (virtual)

Tuesday, October 8 at 2:00 pm (in person)

Additionally, we offer the following resources for you to explore strategies and insights on navigating difficult discussions this election season:

American Political Science Association: “Engaging the 2024 U.S. Election Webinar Series”  
American University's Polarization & Extremism Research & Innovation Lab (PERIL): “Building Resilient & Inclusive Communities of Knowledge” 
University of Michigan, Center for Research on Learning and Teaching: “Guidelines for Discussing Difficult or High-Stakes Topics.” 
WCU Teaching & Learning Center “: Preparing for Challenging Discussions in the Classroom with Community Agreements" 

REGISTER here for navigating challenging conversations 

KYW News Radio Features WCU's John Kennedy on the Historical Nature of the Current Presidential Election

(Story courtesy of WCU Communications & Marketing)

As the political season moves forward, Dr. Kennedy continues to be requested frequently by numerous media outlets to provide analyses about the 2024 presidential election. Since the month of July, he has appeared six times on CBS News Philadelphia and seven times on 6abc Action News.

LISTEN TO KYW NEWSRADIO INTERVIEW WITH DR. KENNEDY

Advance Registration Process For Sykes Student Union Now Available

After a successful inaugural year, Sykes Student Union is pleased to begin the 2024-2025 Advance Reservation process. Please review some of the FAQs in the link below and note the tentative timeline.

Advance Reservation is the process that Sykes Union and Student Activities implemented in 2022 to assist student organizations and university departments with reserving space within Sykes Student Union for future events.

Advance Registration   Submit an Advance Reservation Request

How to Submit Your Event to Online Campus Calendar

The WCU Calendar is populated by events submitted in 25Live, WCU's room reservation and calendaring program. Faculty/Staff may submit events to the calendar by selecting "WCU Featured Events Calendar" in the "Resources" section of the 25Live Event Form.

WCU Event Calendar   How to Submit your event to wcu calendar

Professional Headshots Available via Iris Photo Booth at Twardowski Career Development Center

Students, Faculty, and Staff now have access to the Iris Booth, a free professional photo booth located in the

Career Development Center (Lawrence 225).

Students, Faculty, and Staff can stop by anytime Monday through Friday between 8:30am and 4pm to get a photo taken, no appointment needed.

FAST Schedule & Offerings

Check out what IS&T has on tap for the semester! The Faculty and Staff Training (FAST) unit supports WCU faculty and staff in becoming proficient in various applications, in addition to providing best practices in trending platforms (e.g., OneDrive, D2L, RamCloud). Courses are designed to accommodate all levels of learning and allow users to build on acquired skills. Click below for the full schedule or take self-paced options.

FAST Schedule

Want to learn more about Navigate?

Visit our webpage. You’ll find an overview, information about Progress Reports, and our training site.

You can also check out the FAST training site and search “navigate” to final all of the Navigate-specific offerings. Here's a quick guide to the offerings.

Navigate Home page

FREE LinkedIn Learning Content Available to WCU Faculty, Staff and Students

LinkedIn Learning with Lynda.com content is an industry leader in online training, with a digital library of over 180,000 videos, covering a wide range of technical, business, software, and creative topics. West Chester University faculty, staff and currently enrolled students have unlimited access.

Access LinkedIn Learning