Felician students take a moment from their day at the UN to pose with Dr. Prisco in the UN General Assembly Hall.

Felician University students participated in the recent United Nations conference on Women and Girls in Science, part of the celebration of the annual International Day of Women and Girls in Science. Twenty one students were in attendance, helping in all facets of the day, from registration, distribution of day passes and guiding visitors around the complex.

The students, along with Deans Evans (Business) and Abaunza (Arts and Sciences) and six faculty members spent the day at this important conference, listening to presentations and gaining a greater understanding of the significance of closing the gender divide. “It was a wonderful day for Felician,”said Dr. Mary Norton, professor and executive director for the Center for Global Academic Initiatives at Felician. “Our students were able to understand the global importance of the topic as reflected in presentations by the President of the General Assembly and other ambassadors.”

The highlight of the day for the Felician delegation was witnessing Dr. Prisco’s remarks to the conference in the General Assembly Hall. Invited to address the conference by HRH Princess Dr. Nisreen El-Hashemite, Executive Director of the Royal Academy of Science International Trust (RASIT), the organizer of the conference, Dr. Prisco spoke of her own experience as a woman in STEM and the vital role of education in the realization of the UN’s sustainable development goals. “Our job as educators is to provide opportunity, support and positive examples to encourage students who demonstrate an aptitude and interest in one of the STEM fields … Education is the great equalizer.”

To read more stories about Felician, scroll down:

Felician University Holds Annual Business Symposium
Felician Becomes a Stigma-Free Zone
Felician University Participates in the State Budget Process

Steve Adubato engages with the students in the audience at Felician’s seventh annual Business Symposium as the panelists look on.

Felician University Holds Annual Business Symposium

Felician University School of Business recently held its seventh annual Business Symposium. The subject of the event was “Lessons in Leadership,” inspired by the new book of the same name by moderator and featured speaker, Steve Adubato, PhD, best-selling author, award-winning TV host, leadership trainer and communications coach. He was joined by panelists Kevin Cummings, CEO, Investors Bank; Bill Heller, SVP and general counsel, NY Giants; and Dr. Anne Prisco, president, Felician University.

“I am not a scholar of leadership,” said Steve Adubato. “I am a practitioner of leadership. At Felician, I believe that the teaching of leadership is grounded in practicality.”

This informative session discussed many aspects of leadership, and the panel provided practical examples of: how to deal with success and failure, the blame game, the impact of technology, how to engage millennials, and the importance of communications, to name just a few.

The symposium was meant to enhance the classroom experience by providing direct exposure to leaders of the business community. “Felician students gained valuable lessons and inspiration as they listened to stories about real-life leadership challenges and solutions,” said Bob Evans, dean of the Felician School of Business. “The symposium provided our students with practical tips and tools as they prepare to join the workforce and become the leaders of tomorrow.”

L to R: Michele Hart-Loughlin, division director, Bergen County Dept. of Health Services Division of Mental Health; Dr. Stephanie McGowan, councilwoman, borough of Rutherford; James Tedesco, Bergen County Executive; James Cassella, mayor, East Rutherford; Richard Codey, NJ state senator; Dr. Anne Prisco, president, Felician University; and Alexandra Frontin, student, Bergen Community College.

Felician Becomes a Stigma-Free Zone

Felician University proudly joined the mental health stigma-free movement at a kick-off event held on its Rutherford campus. The event was fittingly held in May, as May is designated as mental health awareness month.

Featured speakers were former Governor and current State Senator Richard Codey, Bergen County Executive James Tedesco, Rutherford Councilwoman Dr. Stephanie McGowan and East Rutherford Mayor James Cassella. They shared the painful stories of family members or friends who have suffered with mental illness and the stigma that goes along with it. In addition, Alexandra Frontin, a Bergen Community College student, recounted her personal journey dealing with depression and anxiety.

“This day is the start of a new initiative here at Felician,” said Sharon McNulty, director of Counseling Services. “We are committed to all students suffering with mental illness to be free to seek help without fear of judgement.”

The Stigma-Free movement is the brainchild of The Codey Fund for Mental Health, established in 2012 by Governor Richard Codey and his wife Mary Jo. The program aims to eliminate the stigma and discrimination associated with mental health illness–the biggest barrier between the people suffering with mental health disorders and the treatment that can change their lives. Felician is the eighth New Jersey university to be designated as a stigma-free zone.

Dr. Anne Prisco addresses the NJ State Assembly Budget Committee at a public hearing held on Felician’s Lodi campus.

Felician University Participates in the State Budget Process

NJ State Assembly Committee Holds Public Budget Hearing on Lodi Campus

The New Jersey State Assembly Budget Committee held a public hearing at Felician University in Lodi on the fiscal year 2018 state budget. This was the third of three public meetings held before the Assembly begins its budget debate in Trenton.

The hearing was opened by the Committee’s chairperson, Assemblyman Gary Schaer, who explained that these hearings provide everyone with a better understanding of the budget proposed by Governor Chris Christie.

Dr. Anne Prisco, president of Felician University, was first to speak. She welcomed everyone to Felician, and spoke about how the Tuition Assistance Grant (TAG) and the Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF) make higher education a reality for so many of Felician’s students. “By enabling aid-eligible students to remain in New Jersey and study at an institution of their choice, we believe TAG works as it was intended,” she said. “We are a private university with a public purpose.”

Dinelia Garland, Director EOF at Felician, also addressed the Assembly Budget Committee, echoing the importance of this funding in helping Felician students achieve their goals of a college education.

These budget hearings held around the state are the first step in the budget review process. The result will be either adoption by July 1, 2017 of a budget based on Governor Christie’s proposal, or a new version drafted by the Legislature.