Academies
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The Academies Initiative promotes an array of projects that facilitate innovative and cross-disciplinary thinking, while actively involving or directly impacting students. This may include research or scholarship; grant proposals; coursework or mechanisms for students to take electives, minors, and second majors outside of their home departments and colleges; new program pilots; or other knowledge dissemination and production. Interested faculty will collaborate across fields to address questions from different perspectives and methodologies. That said, we are especially interested in proposals that are innovative, promote interdisciplinary activities, integrate different schools and colleges, and advance internationalization efforts.
Funding Details
The needs of these Academies might be as varied as the topics they address, and they can be supported in a variety of ways, such as stipends, release from ordinary teaching loads (including adjunct teaching replacements or team-teaching arrangements); supplementary research funding; funding for work-in-progress colloquia, guest speakers, or conferences; matching funding for grant applications; and/or other resources for up to 2 academic years.
Application Process
- Identify the primary coordinator who will ensure that all collaborators agree to participate in the academy as proposed.
- The primary coordinator should submit the application form by September 10, 2026.
- If you are requesting alternate teaching arrangements (course release / team-teaching arrangements), please ensure that your chair and dean approve your request. We also encourage you to discuss your Academy idea with them so that they are aware of your plans and can provide their support in aligning them with the broader goals of your department and school.
Applications for 2026-27 cycle is now open. Interested faculty can consult with Sona Patel ([email protected]) to discuss their ideas and/or budgets.
Review Timeline
Applications will be reviewed and prioritized based on interdisciplinarity, feasibility, clarity of budget and outcomes, and alignment with strategic goals using a ranking system by members of Academic Affairs. Awards will be made pending budget approval by September 30, 2026.
Funded Academies: 2025 | 2024 | 2023| 2022| 2021
2025 Academies
The Office of the Provost awarded funding to the following academies in 2025:
- Stanley Jaki Academy for Theology and Science
- Teaching Writing is Still Possible: Using WAC/WID Principles in the Age of AI- A WAC/WID AI Academy
- Behavioral and Experimental Social Science (BESS) Academy
Stanley Jaki Academy for Theology and Science
Joesph Laracy, Jamie Boulding, Jose Lopez, Gerald Bounopane, Patrick Manning
The Stanley Jaki Academy for Theology and Science is a collaboration of the School of Theology, the College of Arts and Sciences, and the Center for Catholic Studies. The project is named in honor of the late Fr. Stanley L. Jaki, O.S.B.-a Templeton Prize laureate and former Seton Hall physics professor. The Academy’s mission is to foster dialogue between faith and reason, and enhance intellectual formation rooted in the Catholic tradition by engaging urgent scientific and technological questions from a theological perspective. The Academy will catalyze permanent academic initiatives due to the project’s innate nature of promoting interdisciplinary collaboration including, new courses, certificates, reading groups, and a prospective MA program in theology and science.
Teaching Writing is Still Possible: Using WAC/WID Principles in the Age of AI- A WAC/WID AI Academy
Kelly Shea, James Daniel, Mary Balkun, Dawn Apgar, David Backer, Jared Best, C Lynn Carr, Dongdong Chen, Nicole Hansen, Kate Hinic, Joey Huddleston, Eric Johnston, Angela Klaus, Nathaniel Knight, Christine Lhowe, Mike Maloney, Pat Manning, Grace May, Elizabeth Mcrea, Lauren McFadden, Dan Moore, Ann Marie Murphy, Cheree Quizon, Jon Radwan, Mary Ellen Roberts, Tom Rzeznik, Ellen Scully, Todd Stockdale, Axel Takacs, and Debra Zinicola
The Teaching Writing is Still Possible: Using WAC/WID Principles in the Age of AI- A WAC/WID AI Academy is a collaborative interdisciplinary effort to read, discuss, and think about the place of AI in writing instruction. For the past 40 years, Seton Hall has led several WAC (Writing Across Curriculum) and WID (Writing in Disciplines) initiatives and strategies. In this Academy, faculty will utilize a workshop model to explore the principles of the WAC/WID and how they can address the rise of generative AI in writing.
Behavioral and Experimental Social Science (BESS) Academy
Michael Taylor, Amanda Bergold, Jennifer Itzkowitz, Fanli Jia, Wesley Pech, Susan Teague, Terence Teo, Jeffrey Togman
The Behavioral and Experimental Social Science (BESS) Academy fosters the development of new interdisciplinary course clusters. Members of the Academy share a commitment to advancing interdisciplinary research on how cognition, identity, and social context influence decision- making. The four main scholarships in this Academy are environmental policy, economic behavior, political behavior, and social policy. These four strengths create natural platforms that align with the University’s Strategic Plan. The Academy aims to ensure that students graduate grounded in Seton Hall’s values.
2024 Academies
The Office of the Provost awarded funding to the following academies in 2024:
- Faith, Values, and the Rule of Law Academy
- Summer Bootcamp for Healthcare Majors Academy
- Financial Literacy Academy
- Academy for Nature and Nurture II: Interdisciplinary Approaches to Resilience
Faith, Values, and the Rule of Law Academy
David Opderbeck, Brian Murray, Rabbi Alan Brill, Patrick Manning
This program explores and promotes the theological and philosophical roots of the idea of the rule of law. This Academy serves as a hub for pressing and contemporary discussions, with throughways such as academic conferences on theology, law, and public policy, and a speaker series featuring noted religious thinkers from various traditions. Similarly, the Academy joins faculty, graduate and undergraduate students, and adult learners into a community centered on texts from the Christian, Jewish, Islamic faiths, and other traditions regarding the meaning and purpose of law and civil society in a year long seminar both online and in person.
Summer Bootcamp for Healthcare Majors Academy
Elizabeth McDermott, Kristi Stinson, Natalie Neubauer, Vikram Dayalu, Jennifer McCartney, Jessica Cottrell
This project works to address the need to improve retention of Nursing and SHMS dual degree students. In recent years, students have struggled immensely in their science courses due to high school experiences that did not prepare them for the rigors of college STEM courses. As a result, these students have not developed the study skills necessary to thrive in the quick-moving, rigorous curricula of the healthcare professions majors. The Summer Boot Camp for Healthcare Majors, was a 4-day experience in early August that helped students develop the necessary tools for success in their first year.
Financial Literacy Academy
Mark Schild, Christoper Kaiser, Mary Kate Naatus, James Daly, Renee Robinson, Catherine Zizik, Erica Russomanno, Bruce Schecter, Brandon Larmore, Danielle DiMeglio, Joshua Dornbos, Daniel Cymbala, Amanda Di Donato, Jorge Rivera, students Sander Dawson and Patrick McEvoy
Seton Hall’s Financial Literacy Academy is a strategic Academy aimed at teaching financial independence and navigation. The goal of this project is to build students' confidence in managing finances effectively by equipping them with the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed for long-term economic stability and well-being. The FIN/SAIL proposes a three-pronged solution strategy to help avoid financial anxiety, a loss of control, and negative outcomes. Learn More >>
Academy for Nature and Nurture II: Interdisciplinary Approaches to Resilience
Sulie L. Chang, Mary Landriau, Rev. Joseph R. Laracy, Jose L. Lopez
The Academy on "Nature and Nurture: Interdisciplinary Approaches for Resilience" is focused on interdisciplinary research, teaching, and service to confront a widespread, contemporary challenge: addiction. The onset of the global COVID-19 pandemic and the associated socio-economic fallout have created what is perhaps an unprecedented crisis in mental health. The Academy takes an interdisciplinary approach to the problem, integrating the best of biomedical science, social work, and theology. The Academy's purpose flows directly from Seton Hall's identity as a major Catholic university concerned with the academic and ethical development of its students and the broader society.
2023 Academies
The Office of the Provost awarded funding to the following academies in 2023:
- Hip-Hop Culture, Equity, and Excellence
- The Seton Hall Access and Resource Clinic (SHARC)
- Implementing the Rehabilitation Competencies Framework (RCF) to Advance Interprofessional Curricula and Research
- Supporting Student Wellbeing through Collaborative Leadership
- Academy for Interdisciplinary Humanities
- The Academy for Building Inclusivity and Belonging in the Healthcare Community
- AI Academy
Hip-Hop Culture, Equity, and Excellence
Edmond Adjapong and Stephanie Harris
The Academy for Hip-Hop Culture, Equity, and Excellence will promote interdisciplinary learning by integrating hip-hop studies with education, Africana Studies, communication, and social justice. Through the development of a Hip-Hop Studies certificate, new interdisciplinary courses, and student research opportunities, the Academy will connect cultural expression with academic inquiry and equity-focused practice. By fostering collaboration among faculty and students, the Academy will strengthen Seton Hall University’s commitment to academic excellence, diversity, and social impact while preparing students to critically engage with global and social issues through a hip-hop lens.
The Seton Hall Access and Resource Clinic (SHARC)
Bryan Crable, Vikram Dayalu, Kristi Stinson, and team
The Seton Hall Access & Resource Clinic (SHARC) will provide under-resourced schools in North Jersey with an integrated collection of services that support school-age children (specifically, students with disabilities), their families, as well as school staff. This clinic-a collaboration uniting the faculty, students, and administration of CHDCM, CON, and SHMS will provide Seton Hall students with experiential opportunities that foster professional development, team-based skills, integrated problem-solving, and practice in applying an ethic of care
Implementing the Rehabilitation Competencies Framework (RCF) to Advance Interprofessional Curricula and Research
Angela Lis, Genevieve Pinto Zipp, Jennifer McCarthy, Leslie Rippon, Marcia Downer, Jessica Dunn, Jillian Duff
The Academy for WHO Rehabilitation Competencies Framework (RCF) will advance evidence-based interprofessional education by integrating the World Health Organization’s RCF into the SHMS curriculum through the development of structured, multi-stage simulation experiences. Focused on strengthening communication, problem solving, and collaborative practice across rehabilitation disciplines, the Academy will design, implement, and assess competency-based simulations that reflect real-world clinical complexity and diverse populations. By fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and evaluating outcomes for sustainability, the Academy will enhance interprofessional learning and position SHMS as a National Center of Excellence for IPE.
Supporting Student Wellbeing through Collaborative Leadership
David Reid and Randall Clemens
The Academy for Student Wellbeing Through Collaborative Leadership will prepare current students and aspiring school leaders to address student mental and emotional health through a coordinated, interdisciplinary approach. Bringing together students and professionals from education, social work, nursing, and law enforcement, the Academy will develop interdisciplinary coursework and professional development opportunities that emphasize collaboration rather than isolated practice. Through partnerships with school-based professionals, including a culminating conference, the Academy will equip participants with the skills, knowledge, and networks needed to effectively support student wellbeing in today’s schools.
Academy for Interdisciplinary Humanities
Russel Sbriglia and team
The Academy for Interdisciplinary Humanities is a three-year initiative that will bring together faculty from the humanities and humanities adjacent disciplines to explore contemporary issues through annual thematic seminars. Organized around themes such as AI, climate, and medical humanities, the Academy will support faculty seminars, guest lectures, and scholarly work-in-progress that culminates in peer reviewed publications. By fostering sustained interdisciplinary dialogue, the Academy will strengthen research productivity, increase visibility of interdisciplinary humanities programs at Seton Hall University, and advance the University’s commitments to ethical inquiry, diversity, equity, and inclusion.
The Academy for Building Inclusivity and Belonging in the Healthcare Community
Lauren Snowdon, Lamar Bolden, Jessica Dunn, Alicia MacGregor, Megan Baumley, Dawn Maffucci
The Academy for Building Inclusivity and Belonging in the Healthcare Community aims to create a sustainable model for advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in healthcare education and practice. By bringing together faculty, students, clinicians, and alumni across disciplines, the academy will provide interprofessional DEI trainings and a paired mentorship program to support BIPOC students and clinicians, enhance professional growth, and fosters a sense of belonging. Through faculty certification, mentorship matching, and outcome tracking, the program will establish long-term initiatives that promote inclusive learning environments, strengthen interdisciplinary collaboration, and contribute to experiential education. By integrating evidence-based strategies, evaluating program impact, and sharing results through conferences and publications, the Academy seeks to advance Seton Hall University’s strategic goals of equity, inclusion, and social justice while preparing a diverse and empowered healthcare workforce.
AI Academy
Hongfei Tang and team
The AI Academy intends to establish an AI hub that fosters cross-disciplinary and
global collaboration in research, teaching, and application in artificial intelligence
(AI). Recognizing the growing impact of AI across business, social sciences, education,
public policy, and environmental studies, the Academy will bring together faculty,
students, and external partners from multiple disciplines to support innovative academic
programs, interdisciplinary research projects, and experiential learning opportunities.
Through new certificates and coursework, collaborative research initiatives, and student
engagement activities, the AI academy aims to strengthen Seton Hall University’s academic
offerings, encourage responsible and ethical AI use, and enhance the university’s
institutional impact.
Learn more about the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Academy »
2022 Academies
- Academy for Interprofessional Education and Research in the Health Sciences (AIER): Virtual World Learning Experiences
- Academy for Health Communication Innovation
- Sports Media, Business, and Law Academy
- Academy for Nature and Nurture: Interdisciplinary Approaches for Resilience
- Design for Social Innovation Academy
- Health Science Gaming Academy: Developing Virtual Worlds Learning
- Interdisciplinary Seminar on Shame
Academy for Interprofessional Education and Research in the Health Sciences (AIER): Virtual World Learning Experiences
This Academy is comprised of an interprofessional team of faculty from the School of Health and Medical Sciences. SHMS students will be provided a realistic environment they can learn in and from each other. The simulation will help ensure that students are prepared to effectively interact with patients and other professionals in a low stake, but realistic, avatar patient to support and manage a patient’s plan of care. Additionally, this academey aims to assist interprofessional faculty with advancing as team-based scholars that promote scientific discoveries, foster translational research rooted in the Mission and Academic Vision of Seton Hall University, and sustain evidenced based IPE experiential learning opportunities for students via the use of virtual reality gaming.
The work of this Academy will result in:
- Avatar simulations to support professional readiness;
- scholarly publication;
- conference abstracts on the study;
- substantive further grant submissions,
Faculty:
Lorene Cobb
Genevieve Pinto Zipp
Leslie Rippon
Kimberly Ann Miller
Lauren Snowdon
Marcia C. Downer
Alicia MacGregor
The Academy for Health Communication and Innovation (AHCI)
The Academy for Health Communication and Innovation (AHCI) strives to foster cross-disciplinary
collaboration in healthcare communication, prioritizing marginalized perspectives
and health advocacy. Aligned with Seton Hall University's strategic goals, it aims
to elevate student experiences and faculty scholarship through research, media production,
and industry engagement. AHCI's framework integrates diverse communication models,
emphasizing individual health behaviors, public messaging, and equitable health policy
advocacy. Leveraging faculty expertise and technological resources, it promotes student
interest in healthcare careers while centering on diversity, equity, and inclusion
principles. The initiative envisions interactive sessions, performance labs, and virtual
programming, driving health liberation and societal progress.
The work of this Academy will result in:
- Journal establishment, production, and publication
- Faculty cross-disciplinary research
- Community and Industry events and networking
- Student conferences
Faculty:
Ruth Tsuria
Anne M. Hewitt
Sports Media, Business, and Law Academy
The Sports Media, Business, and Law Academy aims to leverage existing legal, journalistic,
and business resources, propelling the university to national recognition in sports
studies. Recognizing sport's societal influence, the Academy aims to unite diverse
disciplines to comprehend its impact on culture and economics. Seton Hall's unique
assets include a specialized law initiative, renowned business programs, a dedicated
center for sports media, and a Division I Athletic Department. This Academy intends
to foster interdisciplinary collaboration, expand academic offerings, boost university
reputation, and increase global engagement, targeting diverse funding sources for
sustained growth and eventual establishment of a prominent sports research center
or institute.
The work of this Academy will result in:
- Development of The Study of Sport summer certificate program in Rome.
- A cross-disciplinary Undergraduate/Graduate Research Couse.
- Issues in Sport event series that draws on expertise in law, journalism, and business to engage students in discussion of the leading issues in sport.
- Networking and relationship building opportunities between South Orange and Law School campuses
- one-credit intersession and summer courses on novel, unusual, and creative issues in sport
- Precollege Summer Program to build awareness of Seton Hall’s sports management offerings and develop student admissions pipelines.
Faculty
Bruce J. Schecter
Robert Boland
David Opderbeck
Charles Grantham
Daniel Ladik
Devon CornealAcademy for Nature and Nurture: Interdisciplinary Approaches for Resilience
The Academy on "Nature and Nurture: Interdisciplinary Approaches for Resilience" at Seton Hall focuses on tackling addiction and mental health crises, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Highlighting the alarming rise in drug overdose deaths, it aims to address stress-related mental health issues and unhealthy coping mechanisms. Through interdisciplinary research and teaching, this initiative plans to integrate neuroscience, pharmacology, psychology, and theology to comprehend addiction's complexities. Leveraging existing strengths at Seton Hall, including Catholic education's holistic approach and collaborations in neuroimmune pharmacology, the Academy seeks to secure external funding and engage global scholars. It aims to involve graduate students, promote interprofessional education, and acquire sustainable funding for continued impactful research beyond local boundaries.
The work of this Academy will result in:
- University-wide Panel Discussion & 1st annual Report
- University-wide Workshop, Submission of Proposals for External Funding & 2nd Annual Report
- Research Publications, External Funding, & Final Report
Learn more about the Academy on Nature and Nurture: Interdisciplinary Approaches for Resilience »
Faculty
 Sulie L. ChangProfile »  Jose L. LopezProfile » |
 Rev. Joseph R. LaracyProfile »  Mary LandriauProfile » |
Design for Social Innovation Academy
The Design for Social Innovation Academy emerges from the successful pilot Social Design program initiated in 2019. Anchored within the College of Human Development, Culture, and Media, it aligns with the university's mission to nurture global citizens. This innovative initiative aims to harness design's power for societal progress, integrating across multiple colleges and addressing diversity, equity, and inclusion. The Academy aspires to foster interdisciplinary collaboration, offering a curriculum emphasizing human-centered design, accessible to diverse populations. It seeks to create experiential learning opportunities, community partnerships, and an Empathy Simulation Lab, positioning Seton Hall at the forefront of technology and educational methods. Hosting a Design for Social Innovation Conference intends to propel the university's prominence in this discipline, benefiting local and global communities.
The work of this Academy will result in:
- Creation of experiential and service learning opportunities with partnering Colleges
- Development of community partnerships
- Proposal of Design for Social Innovation curriculum
- Purchase of equipment for Empathy Simulation Lab
- Creation of Empathy Simulation Lab
- Launch of Design for Social Innovation Curriculum and Empathy Simulation Lab
Faculty
Christine Lhowe
Christine Krus
Health Science Gaming Academy: Developing Virtual Worlds Learning
The Health Sciences Gaming Academy (HSGA) is comprised of an interdisciplinary team from the School of Health and Medical Sciences and the College of Human Development, Culture, and Media. Aimed at advancing education through gaming, it integrates virtual world learning experiences into the health professions curriculum, enhancing interprofessional education. Aligned with the university's vision, the Academy fosters diverse collaborations, supports faculty research, and develops experiential learning opportunities. By infusing gaming into the curriculum, it prepares students for real-world healthcare scenarios, promoting teamwork, communication, and critical thinking. The Academy aims to create proprietary agreements for virtual world learning experiences, reducing costs and workload while enhancing student education and faculty development. The project's goals encompass curriculum development, integration, dissemination of results, and seeking external funding over three years.
The work of this Academy will result in:
- Development of the Emergency Preparedness Virtual World Learning Experience
- Submission of Manuscript Journal
- Grant funding proposals
- Creation of a proprietary agreement with the development company
- Integration of Learning experience into SHMS IPE Curriculum
- Workshop and presentation development and execution
Faculty
Lorene Cobb
Natalie Neubauer
Jennifer McCarthy
Lisa Sheikovitz
Jillian DuffInterdisciplinary Seminar on Shame
The Academy aims to evolve the “Interdisciplinary Seminar on Shame” into a publication. Originating from the Mission Mentors Summer Award Project, this initiative by Gregory Glazov and Minsun Lee integrated various disciplines to explore shame. The seminar presented articles discussing shame's meaning, function, and its link to guilt. Participants expressed the seminar's value for university life and its Catholic mission. To extend this effort, the Academy will embark on a three-year interdisciplinary exploration on shame, intending to create a publishable volume from seminar sessions, involving faculty participants and attracting additional contributors interested in the project's development.
The work of this Academy will result in:
- Seminar sessions on shame
- A publishable volume of proceedings, containing approximately 12 articles
Faculty
Gregory Glazov
Anthony Haynor