Welcome to the latest SAS in Focus, a newsletter that reports what’s happening in the School of Arts and Sciences.

In this edition, we’ll spotlight student and faculty award winners, alumni news, and more.

 

 

Joseph Ciminelli, currently the Director of the Statistics Program and an Associate Professor of Instruction, will be joining the Dean’s Office leadership team as Associate Dean of Academic Affairs on July 1st, 2025. He will be replacing Elaine Sia in the role she formerly held, but he will be focused on the School of Arts and Sciences specifically, given the dissolution of the College.

Joe has been on faculty at the University since 2017 after completing both his undergraduate (political science) and graduate (statistics) studies here. He will collaborate with Amy Fisher, Assistant Dean of Academic Planning, to promote student success, improve retention and graduation rates. Joe brings with him a wealth of knowledge about student success from his role as a faculty member and a program administrator.

 

Join a virtual conversation featuring Jeffrey Gardere, PhD, also known as “America’s Psychologist,” from 6 to 7:15 p.m. Thursday, June 12. During the discussion, Gardere will explore the crucial themes of building resilience and prioritizing mental health in our era of constant flux. The dialogue will be moderated by Adrienne Morgan, Vice President of the Office of University Engagement and Enrichment.

Gardere is a contributor to the FOX Network, the Today Show, MSNBC, and CNN, was the host of VH1’s Dad Camp, has appeared on the Love and Hip Hop and Housewives reality show franchises, and was recently a contributor and occasional substitute anchor on the nightly newscast, Chasing News, on WWOR- TV, NJ.

Advance registration for this discussion is required.

 

The School of Arts and Sciences Faculty Service Award recognizes consistent outstanding professional achievement among faculty.

Congratulations to the inaugural winners of the award:

• Gerald Gamm, professor of political science and history
• Amanda Larracuente, Nathaniel and Helen Wisch Professor of Biology
• Anne Merideth, professor of instruction, religion

 

Congratulations to Astronaut Scholar Erica Sundermeyer. The Astronaut Scholarship Foundation (ASF) Awards—also known as “Astronaut Scholarships”—are awarded annually to undergraduate students in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) majors who are nominated in their sophomore or junior year by their college or university. Sundermeyer is one of 74 scholars chosen from 51 different universities across the US.

Read more about Sundermeyer and past Astronaut Scholars.

 

 

Congratulations to Catalina Segú, a PhD candidate in Visual and cultural studies. Segú has been awarded a 2025 Mellon/ACLS Dissertation Innovation Fellowship.

The program supports 45 doctoral students in the humanities and social sciences as they pursue innovative approaches to dissertation research, including new methodologies, formats, and collaborations with community partners beyond the academy. The American Council of Learned Societies launched the Mellon/ACLS Dissertation Innovation Fellowship Program in 2023.

 

Rochester alumni Tommy Evans had no idea what career he wanted to pursue when he arrived at the university in 1995. Once he figured it out, he graduated with bachelor’s degrees in political science and studio arts.

“I think it’s natural and healthy to come out of university not really knowing exactly what you want to do,” says Evans in the latest Alumni Connection feature. “You don’t have to have a plan. You can find those passions.”

Currently, Evans is the managing editor for editorial review at National Public Radio (NPR).

Learn more about Thomas (Tommy) Evans ’99 in Alumni Connections.

Watch Evans deliver the 2025 Commencement address.

 

 

More than 80 people attended the Center for Community Engagement’s first community-engaged learning summit recently.  The purpose of the summit was to gather people from across the sector of community-university partnerships in the spirit of building resilient relationships.

Learn more about the University’s Center for Community Engagement.

 

Welcoming new students and families to campus in August is a huge team effort–and the orientation team needs help from School of Arts & Sciences faculty and staff. From staffing check-in to greeting parents and families, there are a ton of opportunities to connect with the newest members of the Yellowjacket family in their first days at Rochester.

Fill out the volunteer signup by by Friday, June 27. If you have any questions, contact orientation@rochester.edu

 

Send your news tips to Sheila Rayam, director of marketing and communications for the School of Arts and Sciences, at sheila.rayam@rochester.edu. Let her know about unique research, awards, publications, community collaborations and other interesting news. Please put “SAS in Focus” in the subject heading.