Higher Education Graduate Student Association Celebrates Community and Accomplishments at the Annual Winter Social
Friday, December 13, 2024
Higher Education Graduate Student Association Group Photo.
On December 4, over 60 faculty, students, alumni, prospective students and family members of the Higher Education Graduate Programs in the Department of Education Leadership, Management, and Policy (ELMP) gathered for a winter social. The Higher Education Graduate Student Association (HEGSA) serves students by providing social, networking and academic opportunities, as they share the common goal of advancing their graduate studies in Higher Education Programs in the College of Human Development, Culture, and Media.
Associate Professor and Director of Higher Education Programs Rong Chen, Ph.D. and Assistant Professor Santiago Castiello-Gutiérrez, Ph.D., co-faculty advisors, worked alongside HEGSA leaders Ann Oro and Marsha Philemon to organize an engaging evening of food, networking and fun.
Bob Cohen, Ph.D. student singing an original song.
The evening opened with introductions to full-time faculty, adjuncts, administrators and staff. Next, all attendees were split into six groups to choose a light or education-focused question to answer. Bob Cohen, a Ph.D. student in the ELMP program, then played two songs on the guitar, which included the highlight of the night with his rendition of a graduate student’s experience of qualitative and quantitative methods course with the chorus, “In my dreams I write in APA, And when I graduate I will say, What a wonderful world this will be.” Saint Rachel Ustanny, a Ph.D. student in the ELMP program, then held the room in respectful listening as she shared a spoken poem told in Jamaican patois, "Colonization in Reverse" by Louise Bennett Coverly.
Saint Rachel Ustanny, Ph.D. student sharing poetry reading.
The event transitioned to an interactive game, created and shared by Philemon on the Blooket website. Participants were challenged to test their knowledge of holiday traditions from around the world, sparking fun and friendly competition throughout the evening. Finally, Oro led the group in celebration of those who achieved notable accomplishments over the last 12 months. Students collectively celebrated milestones such as taking their first class in 2024, completing the qualifying or comprehensive exam, entering the dissertation phase, or completing a program in the last twelve months. Faculty and students were invited to share academic presentations at conferences and papers published in the last year. Ph.D. student Hanan Abu Salih presented at the WES-CIHE 2024 Summer Institute program at Boston College and has a research article pending publication. Fellow Ph.D. student Anthony Turon, along with co-presenters from outside Seton Hall, presented “Issues Impacting Student-Athlete Health and Well-being: Implications for College Health Practice” at the regional level at the New York State College Health Association annual conference in November. They will be presenting it on the national level at the NASPA Strategies Conference in January. Shadlyne St. Fleur, also a Ph.D. student and co-chair of programming for NJ ACE Women’s Network, recently curated and developed the agenda for the Women of Color Symposium that took place on December 6.
In reflecting on the event, a prospective student shared their experience that "the whole group was so friendly; I greatly appreciated the opportunity to connect with others in the program while enjoying the warm and festive atmosphere." A current student shared that they “loved meeting some people [they] never met before, and the food and entertainment was great.”
In addition to organizing social events, HEGSA invites graduates of the program and campus guests to speak with current students. HEGSA runs a Seton Hall blog to share academic and networking opportunities along with website links and support to proceed through the program successfully.
Categories: Arts and Culture
