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For adolescent girls and young women in sub-Saharan Africa, HIV prevention is not simply a matter of medical access. It is shaped by stigma, gender norms, family dynamics, provider attitudes, transportation barriers, health policy, and whether a prevention tool fits the realities of daily life.

That is where research led by ���ҹ����� College of Health Professions faculty members Erica L. Gollub, DrPH, MPH, professor of health science, and Marie Lourdes Charles, EdD, RN-BC, FNYAM, associate professor of nursing, are making an important contribution. Their work highlights two essential forces in global : health care providers as the bridge between innovation and access, and global research rooted in meaningful local partnerships.

Their study, “‘Some people fear injection and others don’t want to swallow tablets, while others forget’: Health care provider perspectives on the PrEP (dapivirine) ring in rural Uganda (‘ProPrEP’),” examines how health care providers understand and respond to the dapivirine vaginal ring (DVR), a monthly, user-controlled HIV prevention method. The full research team includes Gollub and Charles of ���ҹ�����; Esther Nakyaze of ; and Drs. Marc Sklar and Murokora Daniel of .

Adolescent girls and young women are central to this study because they remain among the populations most disproportionately affected by HIV. In sub-Saharan Africa, they account for more than 60 percent of adults living with HIV, and one in four new HIV infections occurs among women ages 15–24, despite the fact that they make up only 10 percent of the population. In Uganda, that gender disparity is especially clear: HIV prevalence among young women ages 15–24 is 2.9 percent, compared with 0.8 percent among young men. Those numbers underscore why prevention tools must be designed not only to work medically, but also to fit the social, cultural, and practical realities of young women’s lives.

“The research that we do anywhere is going to support women getting access to HIV tools everywhere."

Charles and Gollub recently presented their work as part of ���ҹ�����’s annual conference hosted by the Office of Research and Graduate Education, an opportunity to share research that sits at the intersection of public health, nursing, global health equity, women’s autonomy, and implementation science.

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The study focused on 60 health care providers in the Rakai and Kyotera districts of rural Uganda, including nurses, midwives, and community health workers. Through focus group discussions, the researchers explored provider perspectives on the DVR’s potential benefits, barriers to use, and the education needed to support adolescent girls and young women.

For Gollub, who has spent decades working in HIV prevention, the urgency is clear.

“HIV prevention needs are critical among the population of adolescent girls and young women worldwide, but particularly in sub-Saharan Africa,” she says. “It’s one thing to have tools and medications to prevent HIV infection. It’s another thing to be able to have them be used.”

The distinction between availability and real-world use is at the heart of the research. In public health, innovation only matters when people can access it, trust it, and use it. The DVR offers a discreet, nonhormonal option that women can insert themselves and use for one month at a time. Because it is not a daily pill, does not require frequent injections, and can be used privately, providers in the study see strong potential for the ring to reduce stigma and expand prevention options.

Gollub describes the ring as “revolutionary,” particularly because it gives women a prevention option that is largely in their own hands.

“It does put control in the hands of women for the very first time in a really meaningful way,” she says.

That control matters. Both Gollub and Charles emphasize that women’s HIV risk is often tied to broader issues of power, autonomy, and gender inequality. In many contexts, young women may not be able to negotiate condom usage, openly seek sexual health services, or disclose that they are using HIV prevention.

Charles notes that provider buy-in is especially important in communities, particularly patrilineal ones, where health care workers hold significant authority and power. In that sense, providers are not simply delivering a new method, they are the bridge between a promising biomedical innovation and the women who may benefit from it.

“You’re talking about a society that does not question authority,” she says. “Therefore, if the provider does not embrace the treatment, they will not pass it on.”

The study finds that providers are enthusiastic about the ring as an additional HIV prevention option, particularly because it may address some barriers associated with existing PrEP methods. Providers cite concerns that some people fear injections, others dislike swallowing tablets, and others forget to take daily pills. They also see the ring’s privacy as a major advantage for young women who may fear stigma from partners and parents, or community members as a whole.

At the same time, providers identify real implementation challenges, including community misconceptions, partner resistance, supply issues, policy barriers around sexual health education, and the need for provider training. The study also finds that male involvement is critical. Although the ring may offer women more autonomy, providers emphasize that educating men and gaining their support could help reduce resistance and improve uptake.

“One thing that came out was that we need men. We need their buy-in,” Charles says. “No matter how we circle it, how we approach it, men still have a say in this conversation.”

That insight reflects the complexity of global public health work: successful uptake requires more than a product. It requires trust, education, cultural awareness, and partnership. The research shows that health care providers can play a pivotal role in translating scientific progress into community-level impact.

“One thing that came out was that we need men. We need their buy-in,” Charles says. “No matter how we circle it, how we approach it, men still have a say in this conversation.”

The project also demonstrates the strength of interdisciplinary collaboration at ���ҹ�����’s College of Health Professions. Gollub brings expertise in HIV/AIDS epidemiology and public health, while Charles brings deep experience in nursing, community health, and global health education. Together, they partnered with Babies and Mothers Alive Foundation, a Ugandan-led organization focused on reproductive, maternal, and newborn health.

That local partnership was central to the project’s success. Rather than approaching the work as outside researchers entering a community, collecting data, and leaving, the ���ҹ����� faculty collaborated with partners who understood the local health system, the providers, and the communities involved.

“We really worked with an ongoing collaboration with that site,” Gollub says. “We all put in different skills, and we made this wonderful mosaic.”

Charles describes the experience as a learning opportunity on both sides.

“In the process, we learn what it takes to do global study,” she says. “Each side learned something.”

That collaborative approach is central to the impact of the work. By listening to providers already embedded in local health systems, the research identifies practical steps that could improve training, counseling, outreach, and policy as the PrEP ring becomes more widely available.

The implications extend beyond Uganda. As Gollub notes, research in one setting can inform HIV prevention for women globally, including in the United States.

“The research that we do anywhere is going to support women getting access to HIV tools everywhere,” she says.

For ���ҹ�����, the study is a powerful example of faculty research that connects public health innovation with real human need. It reflects CHP’s commitment to socially responsive, globally minded health education and to preparing health professionals who understand that improving care means understanding people, communities, and systems.

Charles puts the global stakes simply: “What happens to your neighbor eventually happens to you.”

Through their work, Charles and Gollub are helping ensure that more women have access not only to HIV prevention tools, but also to choices, information, and support. In global health, that is a major win.

Zhan Zhang, PhD, Associate Professor and Director of the Human Centered Design program at ���ҹ�����’s Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems, received the Best Paper Award at the , a flagship conference in the field of health informatics, for their research exploring how artificial intelligence can support decision-making in emergency medical services.

The award-winning paper, Promise and Caution: Mapping Opportunities for AI Decision Support in Emergency Medical Services, examines both the opportunities and challenges of integrating AI into emergency care. Co-authored by ���ҹ����� student researchers Vanessa Fechi Agbugba, Enze Bai, and Sian Billings, along with collaborators from Southern Methodist University and the University of Colorado, the research seeks to identify where AI technologies can meaningfully support emergency care providers while ensuring that solutions remain practical, trustworthy, and aligned with real-world clinical workflows. As healthcare organizations increasingly explore AI-powered tools, the study offers important insights into how these systems can be designed to enhance care without disrupting the fast-paced realities of emergency medicine.

The recognition is particularly significant, as the Best Paper Award is typically reserved for the conference's top research contributions, highlighting the impact of the team's work in advancing the fields of AI and health informatics.

“Emergency care providers work in some of the most challenging and time-sensitive environments in healthcare,” said Zhang. “Our research focuses on understanding how AI can support their decision-making in ways that fit naturally into their workflow. Ultimately, the goal is to develop technologies that improve efficiency, reduce errors, and help providers deliver the best possible care to patients.”

The award-winning research reflects Zhang's broader focus on human-centered AI for healthcare, an area that has become increasingly important as hospitals and healthcare providers evaluate how artificial intelligence can be integrated into patient care. Rather than treating AI as a replacement for clinical expertise, Zhang's work emphasizes the development of workflow-compliant, easy-to-use, and interpretable systems that support healthcare professionals in making informed decisions during time-sensitive situations.

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In addition to the award-winning paper, Dr. Zhang presented a second full paper at the conference, Pseudocode Generation from Clinical Protocol Flowchart using Large Vision-Language Models. The research investigates how advanced large vision-language models can help translate complex clinical protocols (e.g., flowcharts) into computer-executable pseudocodes that support the development of clinical decision support tools, a process that has traditionally required significant manual effort. Together, the two papers highlight different aspects of a shared goal: leveraging artificial intelligence to improve the delivery of emergency care.

The conference recognition builds on a series of . Over the past several years, he has built one of ���ҹ�����'s most distinguished research programs, receiving more than 2.5 million federal grants and becoming the first ���ҹ����� professor to secure grants from both the National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation. He is also the first ���ҹ����� faculty member to receive the NSF CAREER Award, one of the most prestigious awards for researchers in STEM fields. His federally funded research has evolved from wearable technologies and smart glasses designed to improve communication between emergency medical service providers and emergency department physicians to AI-powered clinical decision support systems that help healthcare professionals make more informed decisions in high-pressure environments. More recently, his NSF Research Experience for Undergraduates supplement grant has expanded opportunities for ���ҹ����� students to participate directly in cutting-edge healthcare technology research while contributing to projects with real-world applications.

The recognition also highlights Seidenberg's growing impact in applied artificial intelligence research. Through collaborations with students, academic partners, and healthcare organizations, faculty researchers are advancing solutions to complex societal challenges while providing students with opportunities to contribute to meaningful, cutting-edge research.

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For Jennifer A. Winter, NP, the inspiration behind her doctoral research was never abstract. As a women's health nurse practitioner at University Hospital in Newark, New Jersey, Winter has spent more than twenty-five years delivering diagnoses that, in her view, should never have come as a surprise.

"Countless times it is knowledge that is missing," she said. "They unfortunately find out about many of the sexually transmitted infections after diagnosis, which ideally I want them to know about before they engage in intercourse."

Winter is a doctoral student in ���ҹ�����’s Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing program at the Lienhard School of Nursing within the College of Health Professions, where she is conducting research under the mentorship of Sharon Stahl Wexler, PhD, RN, FNGNA, FNYAM, professor and chair of the PhD in Nursing program. Her study, "Assessing Knowledge of Sexually Transmitted Infections Among Biological Females Ages 14-24," examines whether short, social media-style videos can meaningfully increase STI knowledge and shift risk perception among a population that is both highly vulnerable and highly connected.

The study uses a longitudinal design in which participants complete a standardized knowledge assessment, the STD-KQ, before and after viewing a series of short educational videos. Follow-up assessments are conducted at six weeks, three months, and six months. The research also explores how social determinants of health influence knowledge retention and the overall effectiveness of video-based health interventions.

The logic behind the format is straightforward. Winter observed that the vast majority of her patients, particularly those in the fourteen-to-twenty-four age range, are active on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok. Rather than ask young people to seek out health information through unfamiliar channels, she designed content that fits naturally into the media they already consume.

"I believe in meeting a patient where they are," Winter said. "If that is a format that resonates with them, then it may make sense to meet them where they are."

She developed three videos, each just a few minutes long, tailored to different ends of the age range. For younger adolescents, the content draws on animation and peer-facing entertainment. For participants in their early twenties, the videos are more direct and text-forward, reflecting research showing that older members of this cohort increasingly turn to social media as a primary source of health information. One video features a recurring character named Cosa, an acronym for "condoms on when sexually active," designed to make the core prevention message both memorable and portable.

"If I can at least entertain you, I am getting your attention," she said, "and hopefully you will listen to the message and think about it."

Early results from a focus group were encouraging. Participants described the videos as entertaining, and Winter noted that several members of the group could still recall specific content and characters well after viewing.

"If I can at least entertain you, I am getting your attention," she said, "and hopefully you will listen to the message and think about it."

The research also addresses persistent misconceptions that Winter encounters regularly in clinical practice. Among the most common: the belief that sexually transmitted infections require penetrative intercourse to spread.

"Some sexually transmitted infections can be transmitted just through skin-to-skin contact," she said. "The thought being, ‘if my partner does not ejaculate in me, then I cannot get pregnant or get an STI.’ That is far from the truth."

Winter situates these knowledge gaps within a broader structural problem. The United States has no federal mandate for comprehensive sexual health education, leaving curriculum decisions to individual states and, in many cases, individual school districts. Her research has confirmed what her clinical experience long suggested: that the depth of a young person's sexual health education is heavily shaped by geography, and that the states with the highest STI and unintended pregnancy rates are frequently the same ones with the least consistent educational requirements.

"Where a young adult or adolescent lives does influence their exposure to STI resources and education," she said.

The videos will be available in both English and Spanish, and all study instruments have been translated accordingly, reflecting the linguistic diversity of Winter's patient population in northern New Jersey.

Winter expects to defend her dissertation in the fall. She credits Professor Wexler and her advisor, Professor Lin Drury, PhD, RN, FNGNA, FNYAM, along with her cohort and the resources of the ���ҹ����� library system, with helping her navigate the demands of doctoral study alongside a full-time clinical practice and raising fourteen-year-old twins.

"As a clinician, I think it is imperative, to be the best practitioner, to learn," she said. "This is just another way of me learning and improving patient care."

Learn more about ���ҹ�����’s Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing program.

Judge Malaika N. Scott-McLaughlin ’09, a Civil Court Judge for the City of New York, was no stranger to the legal world growing up. As the daughter of Professor Randolph McLaughlin, a renowned civil rights attorney and longtime member of the faculty at the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at ���ҹ�����, she spent a lot of time observing him in the classroom teaching and in practice advocating. “By the time I started law school, I was very familiar with the concept and what to expect,” said Judge Scott-McLaughlin. When she enrolled at Haub Law, she began as a part-time student, taking on additional summer courses to transition into a full-time second year student.

She describes her time at the Law School as a “normal law school experience,” full of the challenges and growth typical of law school. Following her graduation in 2009, Judge Scott-McLaughlin served for ten years as a court attorney for the New York State Unified Court System. “Working as a court attorney was a great training ground for learning about litigation,” she shared. “I worked with some wonderful jurists as a new court attorney and I gained insight into what being a judge entails, how to manage a court calendar, how to manage cases, and how to deal with litigants who come before the court.”

Today, as a judge, she brings that insight into the courtroom. “Litigation is a long process, with many steps, and it is very multifaceted. It can be difficult to manage for a litigant appearing without counsel. I try my best to explain the process to litigants and help manage their expectations about the various paths the case could take.”

For Professor McLaughlin, his path to law school began in middle school. He recalls learning about the work that civil rights lawyers had engaged in, fighting segregation and representing activists and he was inspired. “My passion for justice drives my passion for civil rights,” shares Professor McLaughlin. “I hate bullies and those who abuse power. My career has been devoted to standing with the marginalized and representing victims of discrimination and hatred.”

Professor McLaughlin’s passion led him not only into civil rights litigation – including a historic case against the Ku Klux Klan recently featured in an award-winning documentary – but also into academia, where he continues to inspire future generations of law students. “Teaching affords me the opportunity to make contributions to the law, through litigation and scholarship, and to the next generation of lawyers, who are hopefully inspired to engage in this important work in their own communities.”

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Professor McLaughlin never pushed his daughter toward law school and was surprised, yet pleased, when she decided to pursue a career in law. “Since Malaika went on to the bench, I have had many discussions with her concerning how she handles cases and makes decisions,” shared Professor McLaughlin. “Having always been a litigator and never a judge, these conversations gave me insights into how judges struggle to make the right decisions in their cases. It has also helped me to see the judiciary not just as decision-makers, but as lawyers trying to reach a fair and just result.”

For her part, Judge Scott-McLaughlin describes her father as her greatest sounding board. “My father has practiced law for almost 40 years and has a tremendous amount of experience,” she shared. “One of the many lessons I have learned from him is to always keep on your tap dancing shoes because you never know when you will have to pull out the old attorney razzle-dazzle. Also, put out good work and treat people with respect and dignity.”

Just as Professor McLaughlin has gained insight into a judge’s perspective, Judge Scott-McLaughlin describes the compassion she has come to feel for litigants and litigators as well. “One of the lessons I have learned from watching my father litigate civil rights cases is that litigants go through a lot before they come through the doors of the courthouse and decide to file a claim—whether they are pro se or have counsel. It can take courage and bravery for the litigant. It is not easy to be a litigator either. There is tremendous work the attorney must do before the case is ready for trial. So, when litigants appear in front of me, I keep that in mind and try to handle each case with thoughtfulness, compassion and respect.”

Professor McLaughlin is honored by the legacy he sees continuing through his daughter. “Public service is something I was always committed to, and it is humbling to see that same passion for the greater good in my daughter. We share the desire to help others, and I couldn’t be prouder.”

Rounding out the family’s legacy at the Law School is Professor McLaughlin’s wife, Debra Cohen, a distinguished alumna of ���ҹ����� Haub Law and a long-serving adjunct professor. Professors McLaughlin and Cohen also co-chair the Civil Rights Practice Group of Newman Ferrara LLP in Manhattan. Beyond their professional commitments, the family enjoys spending time together with their larger extended families.

“We are a Star Wars and Marvel family – with a little Wicked mixed in,” shared Judge Scott-McLaughlin. “We really enjoy watching these films and others together.” Summers are often spent vacationing in Montauk, where the family gathers for memorable evenings and large dinners. With so many legal minds around the table, conversation is never dull. “Our family dinners are full of spirited discussion—whether it’s dissecting the latest blockbuster or debating a hot legal issue, absolutely nothing is off the table!”

October is the perfect time to reconnect with your student and experience all that ���ҹ����� has to offer. Setter Family Season is your opportunity to celebrate ���ҹ����� Pride while making lasting memories together. From campus traditions and athletic matchups to discounted Broadway shows, local attractions, and seasonal favorites in Westchester and New York City, there’s something for every family. Plan your visit, join your student on campus, and discover what makes the ���ҹ����� Community so special.

New York City Campus Events Pleasantville Campus Events See Nearby Hotels

For more information, contact ���ҹ�����’s Center for Student Engagement.

New York City Campus

Weekend of October 3 through October 5

Friday, October 3

• Van Gogh’s Flowers: Immerse yourself in a breathtaking floral tribute at the New York Botanical Garden.
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• Ghost Tours: Stroll through haunted New York and uncover spine-tingling secrets.
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Weekend of October 10 through October 12

Saturday, October 11

• Broadway: Beetlejuice: The smash-hit musical that’s quirky, spooky, and unforgettable.
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• One World Observatory: Experience breathtaking, sky-high views of the city.
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Sunday, October 12

• One World Observatory: Don’t miss this chance to see New York City from above.
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Weekend of October 17 through October 19

Saturday, October 18

• Broadway: Wicked: The untold story of the witches of Oz—an absolute must-see.
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• One World Observatory: See the skyline sparkle at night.
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Sunday, October 19

• One World Observatory: A view so good, you might want to go twice.
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Weekend of October 24 through October 26

Saturday, October 25

• Broadway: Buena Vista Social Club: Tells the story of the legendary Cuban musicians, weaving together their lives in 1950s Havana and their eventual reunion to record the Grammy-winning 1997 album.
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• One World Observatory: Elevate your weekend with jaw-dropping views.
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Sunday, October 26

• One World Observatory: End your October adventures with a view from the top.
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Pleasantville Campus

Weekend of October 2 through October 4

Friday, October 2

• Rockefeller State Park Preserve: Stroll carriage roads framed by peak foliage.
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• Sleepy Hollow, NY: Seasonal happenings on October 3 and October 31.
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• Wilkens Fruit & Fir Farm: Pick apples, sip cider, savor fall.
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• Harvest Moon Farm and Orchard: Fresh donuts, hard cider, live-music vibes.
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• Jacob Burns Film Center: Indie gems and special screenings.
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Saturday, October 3

• Pleasantville Farmers Market: The region’s flagship market—rain or shine.
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• Thompson’s Cider Mill: Small-batch cider and seasonal treats.
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• Stuart’s Fruit Farm: Classic apple picking and hayrides.
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• Rockefeller State Park Preserve: Stroll carriage roads framed by peak foliage.
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• Sleepy Hollow, NY: Continue the festivities.
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• Wilkens Fruit & Fir Farm: Make it a full fall day.
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• Harvest Moon Farm and Orchard: Grab a dozen cider donuts.
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• Jacob Burns Film Center: Catch a matinee.
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Sunday, October 4

• Rockefeller State Park Preserve: End the weekend in the woods.
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• Sleepy Hollow, NY: Last day for this weekend’s activities.
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• Wilkens Fruit & Fir Farm: One more basket of apples.
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• Harvest Moon Farm and Orchard: Orchard views for days.
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• Stuart’s Fruit Farm: Donuts, pumpkins, photos—done.
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• Jacob Burns Film Center: Close the weekend with a film.
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Weekend of October 9 through October 11

Friday, October 9

• Rockefeller State Park Preserve: Crisp air, quiet paths.
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• Sleepy Hollow, NY: Events on October 10 and October 11.
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• Wilkens Fruit & Fir Farm: Peak-season picking.
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• Harvest Moon Farm and Orchard: Orchard eats and live lawn time.
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• Jacob Burns Film Center: New releases and retrospectives.
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Saturday, October 10

• Pleasantville Farmers Market: Stock up for the week.
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• Rockefeller State Park Preserve: Foliage loop, anyone?
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• Sleepy Hollow, NY: Keep the thrills going.
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• Harvest Moon Farm and Orchard: Donuts before noon is self-care.
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• Women's Field Hockey Game vs. Assumption University: Join us in cheering on the blue and gold.
  
• Women's Soccer Game vs. Saint Anselm College: Join us in cheering on the blue and gold.
  

Weekend of October 16 through October 18

Friday, October 16

• Rockefeller State Park Preserve: Sunset stroll perfection.
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• Sleepy Hollow, NY: Seasonal happenings continue.
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• Wilkens Fruit & Fir Farm: Autumn at its sweetest.
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• Harvest Moon Farm and Orchard: Orchard weekends hit different.
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Saturday, October 17

• Pleasantville Farmers Market: Peak-season produce.
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• Rockefeller State Park Preserve: Midday leaf-peeping.
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• Wilkens Fruit & Fir Farm: Donuts to go? Yes.
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• Harvest Moon Farm and Orchard: Live music + lawn chairs.
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• Homecoming Football Game: vs. American International College: Join us for the Homecoming football game.
  See what's happening for Homecoming.
• Homecoming Women's Field Hockey Game vs. Bentley University: Join us in cheering on the blue and gold.
  See what's happening for Homecoming.
• Homecoming Women's Soccer Game vs Assumption University: Join us in cheering on the blue and gold.
  See what's happening for Homecoming.

Sunday, October 18

• Rockefeller State Park Preserve: One more hike before Monday.
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• Harvest Moon Farm and Orchard: Treat yourself.
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• Stuart’s Fruit Farm: Classic Hudson Valley day.
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Weekend of October 23 through October 25

Friday, October 23

• Rockefeller State Park Preserve: Quiet trails, big colors.
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• Sleepy Hollow, NY: Final-weekend thrills.
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• Wilkens Fruit & Fir Farm: Apples, pumpkins, and porch décor.
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• Harvest Moon Farm and Orchard: Friday night feels.
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• Jacob Burns Film Center: Wrap the week with a film.
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Saturday, October 24

• Pleasantville Farmers Market: Local, fresh, delicious.
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• Sleepy Hollow, NY: Last-call festivities.
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• Harvest Moon Farm and Orchard: Orchard-to-table treats.
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• Jacob Burns Film Center: Festival vibe without the lines.
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• Men's Soccer Game vs. Saint Michael's College: Join us for cheering on the blue and gold.
  

Sunday, October 25

• Rockefeller State Park Preserve: One last leafy loop.
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• Wilkens Fruit & Fir Farm: Cap the month with cider.
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• Harvest Moon Farm and Orchard: Goodbyes are sweeter with donuts.
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• Stuart’s Fruit Farm: Finish strong with pumpkins and a hayride.
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In fiscal year 2026 (July 2025–June 2026), the generosity of the ���ҹ����� community set new records, advanced vital opportunities for student and faculty excellence, and reaffirmed the enduring strength of the ���ҹ����� mission.

Through contributions from more than 6,600 alumni and friends of the University, FY26 saw the ���ҹ����� Community raise more than $24 million in support of student achievement, experiential learning, trailblazing scholarship and research, and critical programs designed to amplify ���ҹ�����’s impact in communities here in New York and across the globe.

This represents a new core fundraising record for ���ҹ�����: the highest single-year total for community support in our history.

Throughout the year, ���ҹ����� built momentum through a string of critical successes that contributed to our historic philanthropic highs. In our two annual University-wide giving days, Giving Tuesday and the 1906 Giving Day Challenge, ���ҹ����� raised more than $525,000 from 2,382 individual gifts in direct support of student success and special programs across our campuses. Through our series of community-focused fundraising events, including the signature Spirit of ���ҹ����� Awards Gala, the University raised $2.1 million, representing a 23% increase over last year’s fundraising-event total and a 20% increase over our three-year rolling average. And through hundreds of gifts from dedicated alumni, parents, friends, partners, faculty, and staff, ���ҹ����� raised an all-time high $4 million in unrestricted funds—the critical resources that allow the University to address urgent needs and invest strategically in institutional impact and advancement.

As ���ҹ����� celebrates 120 years since its founding, these fundraising successes—powered by the enduring generosity of alumni and friends who believe deeply in the power of a ���ҹ����� education—help position the University to continue maximizing its mission for decades to come. We are grateful for the vision and leadership of the ���ҹ����� Community members who are helping us to build that exciting next chapter.

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For Christen Cooper, EdD, RDN, associate professor in ���ҹ�����’s College of Health Professions and founding director of the MS in Nutrition and Dietetics program, nutrition has never been only about food. It is about dignity, trust, health, culture, autonomy, and care.

As a registered dietitian nutritionist credentialed by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Cooper is preparing the next generation of nutrition professionals to think deeply about the people behind the practice. Her work bridges science, public health, compassion, and social justice—and her recent research is opening a powerful new conversation about the role nutrition professionals can play in supporting survivors of human trafficking.

Cooper’s 2024 article, “Registered Dietitian Nutritionists’ Knowledge, Confidence and Experiences with Treating Human Trafficked Individuals: A Call for Interprofessional Continuing Education,” published through the Society for Nutrition Education and Behavior, explores a largely overlooked intersection: how dietitians and nutrition professionals may be uniquely positioned to identify, care for, and support individuals who have experienced trafficking.

“It just occurred to me that we could play a really important role in recuperation,” Cooper says.

That realization grew from a lifelong interest in human rights and public service. As an undergraduate at Wellesley College, Cooper interned with a federal judge who was studying international data on violence against women and human trafficking. She later worked for the United States House of Representatives and as a management consultant in Latin America. Those experiences helped shape the way she approaches nutrition today: not as a narrow clinical field, but as a discipline deeply connected to public health, policy, justice, and human experience.

At ���ҹ�����, Cooper brings that expansive perspective into the classroom.

The Nutrition and Dietetics program, which she helped found, combines classroom learning with supervised practice experiences to prepare students to become registered dietitian nutritionists. The program emphasizes scientific rigor alongside culinary nutrition, cultural understanding, and practical care. Students learn not only how nutrients affect the body, but how food traditions, access, trauma, identity, and lived experience shape a person’s relationship with nourishment.

That matters deeply in Cooper’s current research.

Human trafficking survivors may experience malnutrition, dehydration, injuries, chronic health problems, and a profound loss of autonomy. Food itself can be used as a means of control, punishment, or manipulation. For survivors, rebuilding a relationship with food can also become part of rebuilding a relationship with the body.

Cooper sees nutrition professionals as essential members of an interdisciplinary response.

Because dietitians often conduct nutrition-focused physical exams and work closely with patients experiencing dehydration, malnutrition, wounds, disordered eating, or other health concerns, they may be in a position to notice warning signs that others miss. They may also help create a safe, caring environment where survivors feel seen as whole people.

“There’s no better time than when you are in a caring, comforting, empathetic environment to be helped,” Cooper says.

Her work is also part of a broader interdisciplinary conversation taking place across ���ҹ�����. Cooper recently joined faculty from Dyson College of Arts and Sciences for “Nutrition and Dietetics: The Roles of Law and Healthcare in Assisting Victims and Survivors,” a panel discussion hosted as part of the Annual Spring Conference of the Office of Research and Graduate Education at ���ҹ�����.

The panel brought together Cooper; Cathryn Lavery, PhD, professor and chair of the Department of Criminal Justice in Dyson College; and David Mulcahy, adjunct professor of criminal justice in Dyson College and a supervisory United States probation officer for the Southern District of New York. Cooper also served as moderator.

“We break bread,” Cooper says. “That’s what humans do.”

Together, the presenters examined the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000, major United States anti-trafficking initiatives, and the operational challenges law enforcement faces in preventing victims from being prosecuted and instead promoting justice, recovery, and support. The discussion also explored how healthcare providers can offer trauma-informed nutrition care to victims and survivors, supporting and treating individuals who have been manipulated, controlled, and deprived during captivity.

For Cooper, that kind of cross-disciplinary dialogue is essential.

Human trafficking is often discussed through the lens of criminal justice or law enforcement. Cooper’s research expands that conversation to include nutrition, health care, psychology, trauma-informed practice, and survivor-centered recovery.

“What does criminal justice have to do with nutrition?” Cooper says. “Nothing—and a lot, apparently. We find bridges to each other.”

That ability to find bridges is central to ���ҹ�����’s academic community. Across schools and disciplines, faculty are pursuing research that responds to real-world challenges with creativity, rigor, and compassion. Cooper’s work shows how a nutrition professional can contribute to one of society’s most urgent human rights issues—and how academic inquiry can lead to more humane care.

Her research found that registered dietitian nutritionists need more education and training to feel prepared to recognize and respond to human trafficking. Many want that education, including webinars and continuing education opportunities. Cooper is now building on that work by exploring how trauma-informed nutrition can be incorporated into nutrition and dietetics curricula.

“What does criminal justice have to do with nutrition?” Cooper says. “Nothing—and a lot, apparently. We find bridges to each other.”

For Cooper, the work is both academic and deeply human.

She imagines models of care in which survivors are supported through nourishment, cooking, cultural foods, shared meals, and community. Food, in her view, can help restore dignity and connection. It can support physical healing through hydration, protein intake, wound recovery, and adequate nourishment. It can also support emotional healing by helping people regain choice, comfort, and trust.

“We break bread,” Cooper says. “That’s what humans do.”

That sense of humanity is at the center of her teaching, research, and mentorship. Cooper regularly partners with students on scholarly work, giving them opportunities to explore emerging areas in nutrition and contribute to professional conversations. She recently published an article with a student on energy deficiency in athletes, examining the nutritional consequences of inadequate fueling and strategies to prevent injury. For students considering careers in sports nutrition, public health, clinical nutrition, or community care, those research opportunities offer a powerful glimpse of what the field can become.

For Cooper, the goal is not only to publish research, but to change how future practitioners see their role.

“I was meant to reach across, partner with people, innovate, and create,” she says.

In doing so, she is helping students understand that nutrition can be a form of science, advocacy, restoration, and care. And at ���ҹ�����, she is showing that academic excellence is at its most powerful when it is paired with compassion.