Seton Hall College of Nursing Celebrates the Class of 2025

Seton Hall University’s College of Nursing honored its Class of 2025 with a full day of ceremonies on May 15 at the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Newark, NJ. From undergraduate pinning traditions to the conferral of graduate degrees and doctoral hoods, the ceremonies recognized the accomplishments of 211 students across all nursing levels — bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral.

College of Nursing Interim Dean Kristi Stinson, Ph.D., R.N., A.P.N.-B.C., delivered the keynote address at the morning Undergraduate Pinning Ceremony, which honored 149 students earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N.) or Second Degree Accelerated B.S.N. (A.B.S.N.) degree. “We all believed in you, even in the moments when you may not have believed in yourselves,” she told the class. “Your knowledge is a gift, and your kindness will be a healing tool for those in need.”

The ceremony also featured remarks from Emely Fermin, valedictorian of the B.S.N. Class of 2025, who spoke about the challenges of the nursing program and the motivation that carried her through. “I often remembered why I chose nursing,” she said. “Simple acts — bringing a blanket, offering water, truly listening — reminded me why I wanted to care for others.”

At the afternoon Graduate Hooding and Commencement Ceremony, 62 graduates across eight programs received diplomas.

Ph.D. in Nursing graduate Amy Emmarco, a clinical resource nurse on NYU Langone Health’s Advanced Heart Failure team, compared the doctoral journey to running a marathon. “Keep pushing even when the miles seem endless and others are passing you. You can do it. Accomplish your goals — and enjoy your Jersey bagel!”

M.S.N. in Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner graduate Giuliana Popolillo, who is currently a pediatric clinical nurse at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, reflected on the emotional impact of the profession. “We’ve seen answered prayers, miracles and heartbreak,” she said. “But what matters most is how we make people feel — that’s truly our work.”

As part of this year’s celebration, we’re highlighting just a few of the outstanding graduates whose stories reflect the compassion, resilience and leadership that define a Seton Hall nurse.

Emily Anderson, M.S.N. ’23/D.N.P. ’25
Emily Anderson is the first student to complete Seton Hall’s M.S.N. Nurse Practitioner-to-Doctor of Nursing Practice (D.N.P.) degrees consecutively, earning her M.S.N. in Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner in 2023 before continuing directly into the D.N.P. program. A resident of Basking Ridge, NJ, Anderson chose Seton Hall for its academic reputation and the strong mentorship provided by its faculty.

“Seton Hall’s professors were incredible,” Anderson said. “They went above and beyond to ensure that we were knowledgeable and prepared for the world of nursing after graduation.”

For her D.N.P. project, she implemented a transition plan to support adolescents with ADHD as they move into adult care — building on her work as a pediatric nurse practitioner at the Child Development Center in Morristown, where she helps guide and support children with autism, ADHD and learning disabilities.

Valerio Levin Gaddi, M.S.N. 
A registered nurse from Hackensack, NJ, Valerio Levin Gaddi completed the M.S.N. in Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner degree while working and holding six certifications in critical care and surgery. He was drawn to Seton Hall for its national reputation and student-centered faculty.

At Seton Hall, Gaddi was a member of the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing and a recipient of both the 2025 M.S.N. Graduate Scholarship and the Institute for Nursing’s Region Two Memorial Scholarship.

“Each professor genuinely cares for each student to succeed to the best of their potential,” he said. “You are treated as an individual and not a number.” After passing the national board certification, Gaddi plans to work in critical care, managing open-heart patients on life-sustaining devices.

Maggie Iannella, B.S.N. 
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N.) graduate Maggie Iannella chose Seton Hall for its clinical focus, faculty excellence and its “reputation for producing competent, compassionate nurses.” A recipient of the Synder Foundation and Binetti Endowed Scholarships, she was also part of the Buccino Leadership Institute and contributed to Project Maeve — an initiative to integrate organ donation education into the undergraduate nursing curriculum.

A resident of Point Pleasant, NJ, Iannella plans to work in a pediatric unit. “What I liked most about my experience in Seton Hall's nursing program was the supportive and collaborative learning environment,” she said. “The faculty genuinely cared about our success and were always available to guide us, whether in the classroom, during clinical rotations or in the simulation labs.”

Madinatu Kamara, A.B.S.N. 
After earning a B.A. from Felician University, Madinatu Kamara completed Seton Hall’s A.B.S.N. program in Freehold. She appreciated how the accelerated format allowed her to efficiently pivot into nursing while building on her background in psychology.

A resident of Sayreville, NJ, Kamara praised the support from peers and faculty who helped her thrive. “I always felt encouraged and challenged in a way that helped me grow both personally and professionally,” she said.

Kamara has accepted a position in a Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Department, allowing her to integrate her passions for mental health, youth advocacy and holistic nursing practice.

Matthew Pardillo, A.B.S.N. 
The only male in his A.B.S.N. cohort and the first to pass the NCLEX and begin full-time work, Matthew Pardillo of Bloomfield, NJ, exemplifies drive and determination. A first-generation college student, he completed 60 credits in under 14 months through the A.B.S.N. program while working night shifts in a pediatric trauma center.

“I chose Seton Hall because it offered a reputable, challenging nursing program that would give me a strong foundation to launch my career,” he said. “The fast-paced, high-intensity nature of the ABSN program pushed me to grow quickly and think critically — exactly what’s needed in an acute care setting.”

Pardillo recently accepted a position as a staff nurse in the Coronary ICU at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, caring for patients with heart failure, myocardial infarction and those on ECMO or awaiting transplant. “Seton Hall gave me the start I needed — and now I feel ready to grow and go far in this field.”

Reilly Williams, B.S.N. 
A student leader and healthcare advocate from Little Silver, NJ, Reilly Williams served as co-president of the Student Nurses Association, earned a 2024 New Jersey Sharing Network Health Sciences Scholarship and received a 2025 Petersheim Academic Symposium Travel Scholarship. She was also a member of Sigma Theta Tau and pursued a minor in Catholic Studies.

“Our clinicals were amazing,” said Williams. “We learned to think critically and treat not just disease but potential complications, while focusing on the whole person.” Her coursework deepened her belief in holistic care — shaped further by experiences volunteering in El Salvador and studying abroad in Mexico.

“Seton Hall prepared me to care for people in the hospital and beyond while recognizing the need for health reform and service throughout the world.” After graduation, Williams will begin a nurse residency program in a bone marrow transplant unit at the University of Pennsylvania.

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