Singing since she was two years old, Ms. Blake’s talent was discovered when she belted out “The Sun Will Come Out” in perfect pitch after viewing the movie “Annie” with her mother. Since then, she has consistently earned recognition for her singing.

In 2013, she was cast in a principal role as a choir singer in the film “Black Nativity,” where she was asked to teach actor and film producer Forest Whitaker the lead to “Be Grateful.” She also worked with singer and songwriter Raphael Saadiq, and sang on the soundtrack.

A double major in mathematics and computer science at St. Joseph’s University, New York’s Brooklyn Campus, Katila sees the scholarship as both personal inspiration and a powerful reminder of the lasting legacy of Lewinger, a 2000 graduate who dedicated his life to education and service.

“I was deeply moved to learn about Joseph Lewinger’s impact on the Brooklyn community and his passion for education,” said Katila, who lives in Queens. “Receiving this scholarship has inspired me to pursue my goals with even greater determination. It’s a reminder of how education can uplift others, and I strive to honor his legacy by using my skills to make a difference.”

Ms. Themann is president of SJNY’s chapter of the National Student Speech-Language-Hearing Association (NSSLHA), through which she had one of her most meaningful undergraduate experiences.

Together with several fellow undergraduate students and Associate Professor Lisa Tafuro, Ph.D., she traveled to Boston to attend the 2023 National Convention of the American Speech Language Hearing Association (ASHA). It was her first out-of-state trip without her family and her first professional conference. For Ms. Themann, highlights included presentations on new treatments for children with cleft palates or lips as well as new strategies to engage picky eaters and make eating fun for children. She and her fellow students were able to see firsthand the interaction and interconnection between speech pathologists and other professionals, such as nurses, doctors and therapists. In addition, Ms. Themann connected with well-known speakers and vendors that she previously had only seen through Instagram and online.

Yvonne Borkowski, Ed.D., assistant professor of child study and director of the educational leadership program, served as a panelist at the LIASCD leadership conference, where she shared key findings from her research on Latinx family engagement preferences in education. She also presented her work, “Mi Familia es Mi Fuerza: Latinx Perceptions of Family Engagement in Their Child’s School,” at the Region II Head Start conference in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. Her work highlights the role of family as a central source of strength in Latinx communities and its impact on educational engagement.

Tess Dussling, Ph.D., assistant professor of child study, delivered six conference presentations during the fall across three major conferences: the Literacy Research Association, the American Reading Forum and the New York State Reading Association. She also had recent publications in the Journal of Teacher Education, Education Sciences, and Literacy.

Maria Fletcher, Ph.D., R.N., C.N.E., associate dean for nursing and associate professor, has been named a top healthcare influencer by Long Island Business News. Dr. Fletcher has worked extensively in many areas of nursing, including public health and maternal and child health, and has been an instructor at St. Joseph’s University, New York since 1989, assuming increasing responsibility in the Department of Nursing, while serving on multiple committees and task forces at the University. Dr. Fletcher currently serves as the associate dean of nursing for both the Brooklyn and Long Island campuses, overseeing all undergraduate and graduate programs.

Thomas Grochowski, Ph.D., chair of the English department, published his auto-ethnographic essay, “’What’s it Like to Be a F***-up Teenager’: Violent Femmes: A Primal Scream for Generation X,” in the anthology Essays on Music, Adolescence, and Identity: The Adolescentia Project. He also participated in a discussion of the work during an authors’ talk at the Free Library of Philadelphia in August.

Lorraine Lubicich, M.A., CTRS, assistant professor in the department of recreation and leisure studies, received a summer faculty grant to analyze data from a nine-week pilot therapeutic recreation program conducted at the Casita Maria Center for Arts & Education in the Bronx. She presented the program’s results at the American Therapeutic Recreation Association’s annual conference, as well as at the New Jersey Therapeutic Recreation conference.

Jason Ostrowe, Ph.D., assistant professor of criminal justice, published the original article, “A Framework to Forestall Systemic Police Misconduct: Applying DOJ’s Pattern or Practice Findings to Municipal Police,” in Policing: A Journal of Policy and Practice. He also presented a book chapter on police reform at the ACJS (Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences) annual meeting and contributed a book review to ACJS Today.

Seth Armus, Ph.D., professor of history, published “Michel Houellebecq’s Reactionary Modernism: Populism, Rootedness, and Reflection” in a special double issue of the British journal Romance Studies that was devoted to the author. In his article, Dr. Armus examines the author’s ambivalent relationship with France and the contradictions between his novels and his political positions, arguing that Houellebecq’s work serves as a meditation on loss and the inaccessibility of national identity.

Amy Poland, Ph.D., the associate dean for online learning at SJNY and professor of criminal justice, co-authored a chapter titled “Serial Rape” in “Serial Crime: A Criminological and Psychological Analysis.” The chapter examines the characteristics of serial rapists, their victims and the methods of attack used by such offenders, offering insights into the challenges of linking offenses due to underreporting.

Kimberly Poppiti, Ph.D., associate professor of communication studies, presented her research on equestrian drama at the international Cheiron: Horses in Our Heritage, Past and Future conference in September. She was later invited to submit her work for publication in the Cheiron Journal. Additionally, Dr. Poppiti chaired multiple panels at the Northeast Popular Culture Association’s conference and served as a reader for the Kennedy Center’s American College Theater Festival.

Elana Reiser, Ph.D., professor of mathematics and computer science, was a featured presenter at the Association of Mathematics Teachers of New York State annual conference in Albany. Along with alumna Jenna Trusnovec ’21, M.A. ’23, she demonstrated how digital escape rooms can serve as an engaging and motivational teaching tool for students.

Harry Voulgarakis, Ph.D., BCBA-D, assistant professor of child study, was recognized with two prestigious honors by the New York State Psychological Association (NYSPA) for exceptional service, mentorship and leadership in the field of psychology. Dr. Voulgarakis was awarded the Sidney A. Orgel Memorial Award, established in 2005 to recognize an early career psychologist who has shown exemplary leadership qualities and passion for the profession. Additionally, he was named a Distinguished Fellow of the NYSPA for his impact and contributions to psychology. Dr. Voulgarakis has been an assistant professor of child study since 2019.

Renee White, Ed.D., professor of child study and literacy and cognition, was honored this fall at the Black Women of Long Island (BWLI) Power Awards, celebrating Black excellence and highlighting the contributions of powerful women from various industries. Along with her role as professor of child study and literacy and cognition, Dr. White serves as director of the University’s Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Initiative. Specializing in the importance of multicultural diversity and parental involvement as the foundation of a child’s education, Dr. White has written numerous articles, book chapters and papers for national and international conferences and the book, “The Hard-to-Reach Parent: Old Challenges, New Insights” with Larry E. Decker. She is also a member of several societies, including the Association of Black Women in Higher Education and National Association for Multicultural Education.

As a first-generation college student from Brooklyn, her time as an undergraduate student with a lack of networking contacts drove Ms. Murphy’s desire to assist future students obtain careers.

“I have always been interested in helping students and I have a passion for this particular area of higher education,” said Ms. Murphy, the Brooklyn Campus’ new associate director of the Office of Career Preparation and Professional Development.

Ms. Murphy helps students in meeting their career goals through scheduled individual career counseling appointments, online assistance and group workshops.

After initially considering a college out of state, Ms. Galasso-Werner enrolled at St. Joseph’s University, New York in 2004 to build connections on Long Island and a career that she was planning at that time, in accounting.

As a student, she quickly became involved on campus, joining the dance team and taking on leadership roles in the SGA Senate, Habitat for Humanity and Breakin’ Silence Step Squad, and developed a deeper passion for philanthropy and giving back. By junior year, she had shifted her focus to business. A senior-year internship with SJNY’s Department of Athletics piqued her interest in marketing.

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The award includes an unrestricted $25,000 cash prize to Mr. Melandro, who earned a B.A. in Child Study from SJNY in 2017.

Hailed as the “Oscar of Teaching,” the award was presented this past fall to Mr. Melandro during an assembly at his school by Milken Educator Awards Senior Vice President Jane Foley, Ph.D., and Eastern Suffolk BOCES District Superintendent Jasmin Varela, Ed.D.

Part of a family of educators, Mr. Melandro is known at Tangier Smith Elementary School as the “Magic Man” for turning everyday subjects into exciting adventures by engaging students with innovative approaches.

Mr. Melandro’s teaching methods emphasize building fundamental skills in critical thinking and problem-solving; students trust him as a supportive guide who offers constructive feedback while closely monitoring their progress.

The St. Joseph’s University, New York alumnus graduated from the Brooklyn Campus with a B.S. in Business Administration and a Concentration in Sports Management.

In his role at CBS, Mr. DiLorenzo oversees the formatting of sports programming, as well as commercial and promotion inventory that airs during games and matches.

“It was amazing finding out that we won,” the Howard Beach, Queens, resident said. “We all put in months and months of work, and to have it all pay off and then be recognized on such a high level is really cool.

“It felt really amazing personally, since this was my first Super Bowl and I didn’t really know what to expect,” he added.

The dedication and a ribbon cutting ceremony was attended by scores of friends, family members, and University faculty and staff, who gathered to honor Mr. Schiulaz and the outstanding impact he had—not just at SJNY, but everywhere along his journey.

Mr. Schiulaz earned a history degree from the Long Island Campus in 2010. As a student, he was a very active member of the campus community.

He passed away Dec. 3, 2019, from a rare genetic disorder called Duchenne muscular dystrophy, or DMD.

The Staten Island resident is an assistant coach for the men’s basketball team at St. Joseph’s Brooklyn Campus, an agent and media director for a Staten Island real estate company, and a pre-draft trainer for high-level NBA prospects each spring.

Willis’ path to this unique trifecta of roles began during his time as a player at St. Joseph’s from 2014 to 2018. There, he developed a strong relationship with longtime Bears head coach Joseph Cocozello, who helped connect Willis with a friend in the real estate industry after his graduation.

“Coach put me in contact with one of his friends from Staten Island, Tom Crimmins, who runs a real estate company. And he got me started,” Willis said. “I’ve been there ever since.”

Willis’ role at Tom Crimmins Realty blossomed into a full-time position where he handles marketing, content creation and photography, as well as working as a sales agent. But his basketball connections don’t end there.

Naci’s milestone moment came early in an away match against New York University, when he scored his second goal of the season and 32nd goal of his Bears’ career.

Though Naci’s record-breaking goal came in the first half, the Bears ultimately fell 2-1 in the matchup.

Naci of Bordeaux, France, scored an additional 16 goals over the remainder of the season, bringing his career total to 48 goals in 48 games across three seasons.

Naci earned First Team All-Skyline Conference honors in 2024. He netted a season-high four goals in the Bears’ 5-3 victory over Mount Saint Vincent in the first round of the Skyline Conference Championship.

The Bears finished the season 8-7-3, falling to St. Joseph’s Long Island 1-0 in the Skyline Conference semifinals. In December, Naci was named to the College Sports Communicators Men’s Soccer Academic All America Third Team.