From the Office of the Dean |
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Happy 2026 to all members of the CHDCM community and welcome to the Spring semester—and a special Wednesday edition of the Dean’s Newsletter! I hope that the break gave you some time to relax and enjoy the warmth and good cheer of the holidays, and that your new year resolutions are set.
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As we start the new semester, though, we’re also only a few days away from the holiday honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. As you hopefully know, SHU celebrates Dr. King and his legacy each January through an academic symposium and a fabulous keynote lecture—this year’s version includes events on both Friday, January 16 and Monday, January 19. I would encourage you all to attend—and also note that SHU undergraduate students have the option to earn 1 credit toward graduation! Want to learn more? Click here!
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With that, I encourage you to take a few minutes out of your day and catch up on the people and programs of our College community. Happy first day of classes, and hope that you all have a smooth, easy, and enjoyable start to the new semester!
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And—speaking of the Spring semester—if you are a CHDCM student and you haven’t registered yet for your classes, now is the perfect time to do so! As we kick of classes today, don’t miss the chance to add the classes you want and need for this semester before add/drop ends!
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Dr. Bryan Crable
Founding Dean
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Christopher Tienken, Ph.D. and Jennifer Timmer, Ph.D.
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Congratulations to both Dr. Christopher Tienken and Dr. Jennifer Timmer of PreK–12 Education Leadership, Management, and Policy recently contributed to the 2025 American Superintendent Study: Mid-Decade Update, sponsored by the American Association of School Administrators (AASA). This national study is a five-year follow-up to AASA’s 2020 Decennial Study and examines the current state of superintendent work across the United States.
Dr. Tienken served as Principal Investigator, leading a national research team, while Dr. Timmer collaborated on the chapter, The Shifting Role Conceptualizations of the Superintendency. Their findings indicate that today’s superintendents spend more time as business managers and strategic communicators than in previous decades, reflecting increased financial pressures and communication demands.
The study was released on December 4, 2025, at a national press conference.
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Congratulations to Dr. Jason Tramm, who will conduct Bizet’s Carmen with the Palmetto Opera in Columbia, South Carolina, on January 25 and 27 at the 2,500-seat Koger Center for the Arts. The production features an internationally renowned cast and full orchestra. Dr. Tramm will also take the podium for Verdi’s Rigoletto with the Light Opera of New Jersey on February 6, 7, and 8.
Over winter break, Dr. Tramm conducted the Washington Opera Society in a holiday pops orchestra concert on December 17 at the National Press Club in Washington, DC. The performance featured a full orchestra and acclaimed opera artists as soloists.
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Dr. Kishon Hickman recently represented the University while visiting the New York Stock Exchange, where he met United States Secret Service Director Sean Curran, a distinguished Seton Hall alumnus and the 28th Director of the agency. The moment highlighted the far-reaching impact of Seton Hall graduates in leadership and public service.
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Student Organization Highlight |
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The School Psychology Leadership Association of Seton Hall (SPLASH)
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The School Psychology Leadership Association of Seton Hall (SPLASH) represents the interests of graduate school psychology students and aims to heighten the awareness of and advocate for issues relevant to the professional field of school psychology. SPLASH Members are a part of the MA/EdS in School Psychology program and students are are automatically enrolled their first year.
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SPLASH serves as an avenue for students to collaborate with faculty, other candidates and professionals in the field. Graduate school psychology students meet twice a semester to network, discuss mutual interests, share professional experiences, etc. They publish a newsletter twice a year. SPLASH adopted the Polar Bear Plunge in 2007 as their service activity which raises funds for Special Olympics. SPLASH is also involved in recruiting various professionals in the field to speak on a variety of topics associated with school psychology.
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Brooke Figueiredo is currently pursuing her Master’s in Museum Professions, with her concentration in Museum Education. Expecting to graduate this May, Brooke recently accepted the position of full-time Museum Educator at the Museum of Early Trades and Crafts in Madison, New Jersey. She has prior experience educating school groups at Liberty Hall in Union, New Jersey, and at the Jackie Robinson Museum in New York. Brooke currently holds a Bachelor’s Degree in History with a minor in Government from Fairleigh Dickinson University, where she also served as Vice President of Student Affairs in the Student Government Association. She also served as fundraising chair for her sorority, Phi Sigma Sigma.
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Outside of the museum and writing her thesis, Brooke enjoys catching up on the latest Netflix documentaries and spending quality time with her friends, family, and significant other. She is an avid reader, though she prefers to watch the movie first. Additionally, a good cup of coffee, accompanied by a walk through a historic town, makes for a perfect weekend trip. For the new year, Brooke hopes to pick up crocheting and baking whenever she has free time.
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| WSOU’s Top 89 Countdown
WSOU aired its annual Top 89 Countdown, celebrating the top 89 new music artists of the year. The special broadcast aired on December 26 and January 1, highlighting the artists that defined the year in new music.
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| Join WSOU This Spring
WSOU is now recruiting new members for the spring semester. Students interested in becoming part of the station are invited to contact wsoustationmanager@shu.edu to learn more.
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| Alumni Spotlight: Bernie Wagenblast ’78
WSOU alumnus Bernie Wagenblast ’78 served as the Master of Ceremonies for Mayor Mamdani’s inauguration and had the honor of being the first to publicly introduce Mayor Mamdani and First Lady Rama Duwaji. Read more about Wagenblast at the inauguration here.
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| WSOU Gives Back to the Community
Before Thanksgiving, WSOU students volunteered at the Community Food Bank of New Jersey in Hillside as part of their commitment to community service. WSOU later partnered with CHDCM to host a campus food drive, with collected donations shared between the Community Food Bank of New Jersey and Our Lady of Sorrows Roman Catholic Church in South Orange.
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Center for Sports Media News |
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Pirates in the Field: National Sports Coverage Opportunities
Two exciting Pirates in the Field opportunities are underway this spring! Four students have been selected to participate in premier national sports media experiences. Seniors Joe Morales and Jack Pine will travel to San Francisco/Santa Clara in early February to cover the Super Bowl, while seniors Jackie Litowinsky and Lauren Reese will head to the NCAA Women’s Basketball Final Four in late March.
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| CHDCM Ambassador Program
The College of Human Development, Culture & Media is now accepting nominations for the CHDCM Ambassador Program. Ambassadors are undergraduate student leaders selected to represent the College and their department at recruitment and signature events. Students may be nominated by CHDCM faculty, administrators, current Ambassadors, or through self-nomination. Eligible students must be non-seniors, in good academic standing, reliable, and comfortable communicating with prospective students and families. To nominate a student or self-nominate, .
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Trending @SetonHall_CHDCM |
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South Orange Performing Arts Center (SOPAC) |
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Admission is always free to Seton Hall Theatre productions on the night of the event. Registration for performances at SOPAC is recommended. The South Orange Performing Arts Center (SOPAC) is located downtown at One SOPAC Way, South Orange, NJ 07079. For more information on SOPAC, visit www.sopacnow.org.
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| Tired Souls: King and the Montgomery School Bus Boycott
Tired Souls opens in Montgomery, Alabama on December 1, 1955 – the day Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on a city bus to a white man. Followed by a thought-provoking panel discussion featuring Award Winning playwright and author, Mike Wiley and special guests.
Thu, Jan 15, 2026 at 7pm
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Lost and Found (and Lost Again) Artist Walk + Talk
Step inside the Iris Gallery for a special Walk + Talk with Jake Guttormsson and Rob Weiss. The artists will lead guests through the exhibition, sharing the stories, inspiration, and creative process behind the work on view.
Thu, Jan 15, 2026 at 7pm
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Corinna and Friends
Cabaret favorite Corinna Sowers Adler brings her acclaimed show to SOPAC’s Cabaret in the Loft series. Cabaret in the Loft is SOPAC’s intimate, Broadway-style cabaret series—curated by Matthew Luminello and starring SOMA’s renowned performers—bringing the unforgettable energy of NYC’s cabaret scene to the heart of our community.
Sun, Jan 18, 2026 at 7:30pm
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Pedrito Martinez & Alfredo Rodriguez
Two Grammy-nominated Cuban virtuosos-join forces for an electrifying night of Afro-Cuban jazz, soulful storytelling, and genre-defying collaboration. Their performances blend rhythmic fire, improvisational brilliance, and pure musical joy you won’t want to miss.
Fri, Jan 23, 2026 at 7:30pm
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