Faculty Highlights
Evelyn Bilias Lolis, PhD, associate professor of psychology and education and Paula Gill Lopez, PhD, director of the school psychology program, each authored a chapter in the book entitled Interventions for Mental Health Professionals, promoting mind-body health in schools, published by the American Psychological Association and edited by Cheryl Maykel and Melissa Bray (2020).
Dr. Bilias Lolis was invited by the CT Association of School Psychologists publication editor to submit an article for their newsletter entitled, “On Continuity & Connection.” She was also invited by the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America’s Center for Family Care to be a panelist for a webinar entitled, “Parenting During a Pandemic: Blessings, Challenges, and Opportunities.” Her personal blog articles on coping during the pandemic have been shared widely with many school districts and across social media, with one in particular receiving popularity: “On Talking to Children about Social Distancing.”
Nicole Fletcher, PhD, assistant professor of education, was awarded the Association of Mathematics Teacher Educators Service, Teaching, and Research in Mathematics Education (STaR) Fellowship. Funded by the National Science Foundation, STaR provides early career mathematics educators working at institutions of higher education with mentoring and professional networking opportunities.
Paula Gill Lopez, PhD, director of school psychology, presented to the Putnam-Northern Westchester BOCES Regional Crisis Team on crisis response and mental health support for school communities during Covid-19 with Dr. Gabe Lomas. She also collaborated with the School Psychology Communities of Practice to provide guidance to the Connecticut State Department of Education on best special education practices during the pandemic. Lastly, she conducted a self-care webinar for parents in Amity Public Schools in Woodbridge, Conn.
Alyson Martin, EdD, assistant professor and co-director of special education, was appointed as a member of the CT Teacher Table, presented in partnership by the Conn. State Department of Education, University of Connecticut, and the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO). This initiative unites teachers and practitioners from across Connecticut K-12 districts, universities, and educational organizations to meaningfully address recruitment and retention challenges, continue the work to uplift the teaching profession, and ensure the State attracts and keeps excellent teachers in Connecticut, with a specific focus on special education and bilingual education shortage areas.
Jule McCombes-Tolis, PhD, director of the reading and language development program, earned a Mediation Certificate from Quinnipiac Law School's Alternate Dispute Resolution Program. Dr. McCombes-Tolis is also co-chairing a legislative task force that is analyzing the implementation of laws governing dyslexia instruction and training.
Stephaney Morrison, PhD, assistant professor of counselor education, had the following publications accepted: “A Person-Centered Approach to Facilitate School Counseling Students’ Social Advocacy,” in Teaching Through Challenges for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) (2020), Stephanie Burrell Storms, Kirsten Cole, Sarah K. Donovan, Ruth L. Greene, and Theodora Williams; “Sexual Abuse Among Girls and Women in Jamaica” in the Journal of Sexual Aggression; “Jamaican Immigrant Childrearing Practices: Strategies for Bridging Connections Between Home and School,” in Handbook of Caribbean Education (2020), Blair, B. and Williams K., (Eds.) She also continues to co-chair the Oxford International Symposium: Immigrant and Refugees Special Interest Research and Intervention team and the Wellness Committee, North Atlantic Region Association of Counselor Education and Supervision.
Jocelyn Novella, PhD, assistant professor of counselor education, has been revising "A Comparison of Online and In-Person Counseling Outcomes Using Solution-Focused Brief Therapy for College Students with Anxiety" for the Journal of American College Health.
Pierre Orelus, EdD, chair of the Educational Studies and Teacher Preparation Department, has the following book chapter and co-authored edited book in press: “Unpacking Heterosexual and Male Privileges: Critical Analysis and Self-Reflection on Gender and Class Inequities in the Caribbean” in M. Pruyn, M. Donna, P.W. Orelus, and C. Malott (Eds.), Paths to Gender Justice in Education: Theories and Practices Charlotte, NC: Information Age Publishing.
Bryan Ripley Crandall, PhD, associate professor of secondary English education and director of the Connecticut Writing Project (CWP) -Fairfield, was awarded a grant from the National Writing Project to host the first-ever collaborative conference between numerous National Writing Project sites.
Dr. Ripley Crandall, Jessica Baldizon MA’15, and William King MA'16 were published in the Journal of Adolescent and Adult Literacy highlighting the Fairfield University and CWP collaboration.
Dr. Ripley Crandall’s CT Writing Project collaborated with The National Writing Project and Penguin Random House to develop and launch a video series entitled, “The Write Time.” The goal of the project is to prompt writing, to discuss the writing process, and to give students and teachers a writing challenge. The project was due to launch in 2021 but was moved up in response to Covid-19 to provide additional resources to educators and students.
Tracey Robert, PhD, interim director of counselor education, was recognized with the 2020 Arthur A. Hitchcock Distinguished Professional Service Award by the American Counseling Association for her contributions to the counseling profession. Dr. Robert also developed a pilot elective course for junior and senior undergraduate nursing students with the Murphy Center for Spiritual Direction entitled “Nurse as Spiritual Resource: Standing on Holy Ground” for fall, 2020.
In addition, she developed two virtual new student orientation programs for fall admits and new student support counseling for new admits offered by advanced students. Lastly, Dr. Robert remains active with the Public Policy Committee to support Governor Lamont’s executive order allowing graduates to practice as a professional counselor associate without obtaining a license for three months upon entering the field.
Emily Smith, PhD, professor of teacher education, was appointed program co-chair by American Educational Research Association (AERA) Division K Teaching and Teacher Education.
Student Highlight
Elizabeth Semple, MA student in TESOL, won the Graduate Student Service Award for her contributions to the Youth Mentoring Program with the Connecticut Institute for Refugees and Immigrants (CIRI). Last semester she designed the curriculum for an after-school program for K-12 students. She also designed a training program for Fairfield students volunteering for service learning experience at CIRI. She truly represents the Fairfield Jesuit values of cura personalis, “care of the whole person,” service to others, and the development of individuals committed to solidarity and collaboration with people who are marginalized.
