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Impactful Faculty and Staff Share Favorite JWU Moments
This was another banner year for Johnson & Wales University faculty and staff, whose wins included conducting interviews for a slew of news media and podcasts; having research selected for conferences; publishing in esteemed journals; serving as site visitors for accreditation reviews; earning doctoral degrees and being inducted into societies such as Chaine des Rotisseurs.
Although it’s too exhaustive to list every accomplishment, we’re proud of all our colleagues, and we wanted to take a moment to highlight, in alphabetical order, just a few faculty and staff recently making an impact — and share their favorite JWU moment(s) of students and colleges who impacted them as well.
Physical Therapy Awardee Maureen Clancy
Assistant Professor of Physical Therapy and Director of Clinical Education Maureen Clancy, PT, DPT, received the Academy of Neurologic Physical Therapy Vestibular Special Interest Service Award at the recent American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) Combined Sections Meeting. Clancy has also been appointed by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) as a commissioner to the reaccreditation panel.
“I was very appreciative to receive the award,” recalls Clancy. “I received this award due to my role as podcast coordinator of the Vestibular Special Interest group. I have been serving in this role for nine years, and it was wonderful the Academy of Neurologic Physical Therapy to recognize the hard work that my team and I have put in to provide podcasts educating physical therapists and health care practitioners on vestibular topics.”
Clancy, who just started here last August, already has a favorite JWU moment: the final day of the Teaching Excellence certificate program from the Center for Teaching and Learning. “It was wonderful to have my fellow faculty members across many disciplines present on their areas of expertise,” she recalls. “It was a valuable learning experience not only from the CTL but from my colleagues and peers.”
Inspiration Seeker Tim Cox
Associate Professor of Design Tim Cox says he learns from his students every day. Each term, he makes it a priority to listen to and learn from Wildcats so that he can heighten their learning experiences and prepare them fully for their future careers. His decades of experience included 16 years as a graphic designer for the CIA, and he loves helping students find new and different answers to puzzles and be “a small thumbprint on their trajectory.”
“I know it might be recency bias, but I am very proud of the work my students just completed on their GDES 2000: Typography final this spring,” Cox states. “Using a font they had researched, they had to design and make a multi-page accordion fold booklet displaying information like history, typographer, how it can be used and creativity quotes, among other stipulated information. Almost all of them had never made a booklet like this, and all of them jumped in and did it and/or even tried other binding methods that worked with the aesthetic they had chosen.”
“This project also had another part where there were given book quotes from the JWU librarians to make large posters using their chosen font and booklet aesthetic to be hung in library,” he adds. “I am proud of how much time they put into it and how they helped each other elevate their booklets and posters to be something that could be a great addition to their portfolios. I loved working with them to help smooth the path to achieving their creative vision.”
His favorite JWU moment: “I have had the great opportunity to have so many students that have gone above and beyond what they saw as possible coming into the program. My favorite memory is probably not a singular moment but the time between classes. The time when the students come early or stay after and are relaxed, cracking jokes, working on projects, asking questions about projects or discussing what is going on in their lives outside the classroom. I love making those connections; as their trust grows, they know they can come to me when they have an issue or want to share a success now or in the future.”
Fullbright Scholar Alana Dagenhart
Professor of Arts & Sciences Alana Dagenhart, Ph.D., has been awarded a 2025 Fullbright Scholar — winning a grant that will allow her to engage in international exchange and cultural understanding. For the next year, Dagenhart will be teaching and studying poetry at the Seamus Heaney Center at Queen’s University Belfast. Follow her blog to learn about the people and poets of Ireland.
Dagenhart was “stunned and thrilled” to receive her award as well as grateful that the selection committee trusted her and believed in her project. She reports, “Since being in Belfast, it has been a whirlwind of activity, teaching, learning, traveling and meeting new people. The Irish people love poetry and music, and events are standing room only. It is reaffirming to be in a city that cherishes language and history like the people of Belfast do. Poetry is important and celebrated like nowhere I've ever been. I'm taking an Irish language (Gaeilge) class, I've been learning Irish set dancing and I've given a poetry reading.”
What it’s like being a Fullbright scholar: “I've got about four projects in the works now, with two months left of the grant. I'm in the thick of it and then I'll spend the next year or so processing my experience and finishing the projects. I think what a Fulbright Award does is give you the time and space to start. I’ve heard that the full effects of a Fulbright Award aren't really seen for about a decade. It takes time to dwell on the experience, finish the work and build the relationships that are started during the grant period that years later show to have had huge impacts. So, I am just taking in as much as I can while I'm here. I'm burning up the trails, seeing the sights, reading the poems, listening to the people and taking notes.”
Her favorite JWU moments: “I love taking freshman composition classes on writing fieldtrips in uptown Charlotte, or the years when my children were young and got to come to campus to decorate gingerbread houses or see the holiday tree lighting or be in a Chef's Choice class. I loved the day I was invited to a hospitality luncheon plus a guest, and I brought my dad. He was taken with the dining room view of the city skyline and was delighted by the students' impressive culinary creations. I suppose my best memories are how my own family has been influenced by the larger JWU community. And of course, I truly enjoy working with my colleagues, many of whom are great friends.
“But I'd have to say my favorite memories involve students, who came into my life for a little while to teach me about joy, humility, strength, patience and vulnerability," she continues. "I remember their writing, the funny things they did or said, how they persevered against the odds to pass the class, how they taught me about their life as a veteran, how they struggled with English as a second language but wrote anyway, how they wrote about climate change affecting bears, spent their free time mapping the world, how they blew us all away with their stellar research. They share their stories with me, and I feel lucky to have been here to hear them.”
Tribal Representative Bryan Hull
The JWU Charlotte community is familiar with Director of Campus Safety & Security Bryan Hull, who worked his way up to chief but will still don a uniform, patrol the community and write reports. They may be less familiar with his role on the Chappaquiddick Wampanoag Tribe, on which Hull has served since 2003, most recently in the elected position of tribal counselor. Next month, Hull (also known as Stands Strong, a fitting name bestowed by his tribal chairperson) will attend the 2025 National Congress of American Indians mid-year convention as a representative of the Chappaquiddick Wampanoags, learning how to help tribal nations with economic development, regulations and financial decisions.
“It’s an honor to be selected to represent the tribe and have this blessing,” shares Hull. “It means a lot to have that bestowed up on me — to get to go there and meet different people from different organizations, receiving and trading information that is all for the betterment of the people who you represent. I get to pursue goals such as growth development while also connecting culturally with folks who do things traditionally. For me this is huge. I’m taking information back to benefit everyone, including those not born yet. We’re making things better for the next generation, which is part of our mission statement.”
His favorite JWU moment: his hire date in 1995, because it led to decades of work to be proud of on JWU’s Providence and Charlotte campuses. “That day was the beginning of my story with Johnson & Wales,” states Hull. “To be able to continue to keep growing with the university has allowed me to help a lot of people and to provide information to make good decisions on their safety.
“Even more than all we offer here, the people in our organization are what bring people back,” Hull adds. “Being around intellectuals got my attention, and I’ve really made some strong connections with some great people courtesy of JWU. Where at other places you can’t get near the ‘shining stars,’ I’ve had opportunities over the years to have deep conversations with Dr. Gaebe [JWU’s president from 1969-1989], Dr. Bowen [who served the university from 1974-2018, ultimately as chancellor], Chancellor Mim Runey, JWU Providence President Marie Bernardo-Sousa, JWU Charlotte President Rick Mathieu and Vice President Diane D’Ambra. JWU from the beginning under Miss Gertrude Johnson and Miss Mary Wales aimed to help people, starting with women, who didn’t have opportunities at the time. In 30 years I’ve seen people really make decisions that were for the betterment of the organization, and that inspired me to continue contributing as well. As with the tribe, my work here keeps me grounded; providing a safe environment is for the betterment of people who come to school to invest in themselves.”
Dream Chasers William Jones & Dennis LeBlanc
What better place to launch a culinary dream project than JWU? Campus Safety & Security Sergeant William Jones and JWU Grounds Crew Worker Dennis LeBlanc, a retired policeman, had something else in common besides keeping the JWU community safe: a passion for creating tasty burgers. The two teamed up to serve smashburgers and hot wieners out of their Griddle Me This food truck, and JWU students and employees were among the first customers to come out to support (and to eat!).
What inspired the duo to bring their burgers to the JWU community:
“Being we both work at Johnson & Wales, the staff at the university was extremely supportive of our business adventure and asked us to be a part of the employee appreciation event,” Leblanc states. “This was our first event ever and it was definitely overwhelming but it was such a great learning experience and it shaped how we operate to this day.”
“I’ve worked at the university for 30 years and have made great friends over the years,” adds Jones. “I was invited by Special Events to bring the truck to the employee appreciation luncheon.”
Both share the same favorite JWU moment: debuting their food truck at a JWU employee appreciation event and having people encounter their burgers and wieners for the first time. Jones reported being “excited, yet nervous” to be such a big part of an official event.
“We've done several events there since that first event and they all have been very enjoyable,” Leblanc adds, appreciating how much positive feedback the pair have received from fellow JWU workers.
“40 Under 40” Honoree RJ Kilgore
Director of Academic Support RJ Kilgore, CRC, LCMHC, a stalwart figure in JWU Charlotte’s Center for Academic Support and a rock band performer at the campus’s 20th anniversary celebration in October, was shocked when he was named to Charlotte Business Journal’s "40 under 40" list, noting, “My first reaction was disbelief, quickly followed by deep gratitude.”
“As the news settled in, I couldn’t help but reflect on all the people throughout my life who gave me a chance, even when I didn't feel I earned one,” Kilgore divulges. “Many of them recognized my potential even when I didn’t. I think often about the mentors, teachers, family members and community leaders who challenged me to rise to a level I wasn’t sure I could reach and continued to coach me until I got there.
“I’m incredibly grateful for those individuals who didn’t just believe in me but invested in me,” he continues. “I’m standing on the shoulders of those who lifted me up, and this recognition is as much theirs as it is mine. It’s a reminder that none of us succeed alone, and I carry that truth with me every day. Moving forward, I’m committed to paying it forward by continuing to grow my influence, create access, and intentionally put people in positions where they can thrive just as others once did for me.”
His favorite JWU moment: “Being able to honor my father, Rock Kilgore, before his retirement from JWU. He worked at the Charlotte Campus for more than 18 years and is the reason I sought employment at JWU.”
Engaged Citizen Encourager Ann Kordas
Professor of Humanities Ann Kordas, JD, Ph.D., is among The Changing Constitution series lecturers helping students of all disciplines learn more about politics’ role in society. When she presented “Who Can Sue for Censorship of Social Media?: Murthy v. Missouri,” discussing a Supreme Court case examining whether the government can regulate social media posts, she got JWU students grappling with the world around them. “This is where our generation goes for news,” one student noted, “So should the government ensure the info is correct, or keep its hands off because they want people to be exposed to different opinions?” Others wondered if uncredible posts could have a government flag rather than being banned or removed, and whether social media could work like Wikipedia, cautioning readers to take info with a grain of salt until all credits and sources are included.
Kordas advises students who wish to become engaged citizens about the world around them to read newspapers that cover world events, such as the New York Times, as well as books about other countries and their history. “If students want to try to change the world while still at JWU, I suggest that they try to effect some type of change locally,” she advised. “This might consist of volunteering to work with community organizations, tutoring local high school students, donating items to a food pantry, helping to clean up the coastline — whatever appeals to them. Even small things can end up having a great impact.”
Her favorite JWU moments: “Some of my favorites are connected to JWU Study Abroad trips that I chaperoned. I loved interacting with students outside of class: seeing students become excited at visiting historical sites like Westminster Abbey and the Tower of London. Seeing how proud of herself a student was after she overcame her fear of heights to come on the massive London Eye Ferris wheel with the rest of us. Experiencing the kindness and patience of students who, after convincing their not-very-athletic professor to accompany them on an underground ghost tour of Edinburgh, ended having to push, pull, and practically carry her all the way through the course.”
Compassionate Dietician Michelle Pearson
Instructor of Dietetics and Nutrition Michelle Pearson, RDN, LDN, received the Rhode Island Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics’ Courtney Huard Compassion Award. This award recognizes a person in the dietetics field who demonstrates passion for the field of nutrition and dietetics through patience and empathy, with a genuine interest in the clients or population they serve.
“I felt honored and grateful to be recognized,” said Pearson of her achievement. “Many RDNs are committed to providing the highest quality care to their patients.”
Her favorite JWU memory: “I’m fortunate to work with incredible colleagues in the Nutrition & Dietetics Department. Some of my favorite moments have been bonding during meetings, taking walks together, and collaborating on projects. Seeing our efforts come to life in the classroom and watching our students grow makes all the hard work truly worthwhile.”
Creative Thinker Stephen Riccitelli
Instead of giving a final exam, retired police captain, Army veteran and Criminal Justice lecturer Stephen Riccitelli divided his students and tasked each group with creating a podcast based on a randomly assigned serial killer. His senior-level students, enrolled in a variety of majors, combined their research, collaboration and creative skills to create four episodes of “Cold-Blooded Chronicles,” each of which studies the crimes of a different serial killer. Start with Episode 1, which examines how nurse Kristen Gilbert, a.k.a. the “Angel of Death,” could become one of the most feared serial killers in American history, and then check out the other thoughtfully crafted episodes on “Railroad Killer” Ángel Reséndiz, “The Giggling Granny” Nannie Doss and serial killer Samuel Little.
“I’m incredibly proud of the students in my Serial Killers class for how well they collaborated in their groups to complete this project,” reports Riccitelli. “The students were involved in every step of the creative process. They came up with their podcast names, chose their own cover art and had the freedom to shape their episodes in unique and personal ways.”
Thanks to Professor Evan Villari, Riccitelli’s students had access to the Center for Media Production’s podcast studio, and each had a defined and essential role as editor, scriptwriter, director, narrator or fact-checker—with each role being essential to the success of the project. “This structure allowed students to deeply engage with the material, applying what they had learned in class lectures about serial killer motives and modus operandi to their specific case study,” explains Riccitelli.
His favorite JWU moment is continuous: “I truly enjoy the opportunity to share the experience and knowledge I’ve gained over my 28-year career in criminal justice. One of the most meaningful parts of teaching for me isn’t a single memory, but rather an ongoing experience — when students take the time at the end of the semester to write and share how much they enjoyed the class and how impactful it was for them. Those moments remind me why I do what I do.”
Certified Master Baker Austin Scoles ’18
College of Food Innovation & Technology Instructor Austin Scoles, CMB, CEPC, received national acclaim in 2025 by becoming the youngest-ever Certified Master Baker awarded by the Retail Bakers of America Association. Scoles, who received his associate and bachelor’s degrees from JWU, teaches baking and pastry at JWU Charlotte. He also holds the distinction of being a Certified Executive Pastry Chef, and his awards have included Disney Foodtastic Champion and a gold medal from the American Culinary Federation.
Photo credit: Mia Rose Photography
“I was very excited to join the elite group of ‘Master Bakers’,” reports Scoles. “It's an honor to be recognized by individuals I respect so much. The exam was a true test of skill and adaptability. Throughout the process, from training to the exam, I grew both personally and professionally.”
His favorite JWU moment: “Training for the CMB exam with the help of my students,” he recalls. “These students would give up their weekends to spend time in the labs. It has been amazing to watch them grow over the past year, and I cannot wait to see them become powerhouses in our industry.”
Nursing Leader and Scholar MaryBeth Vieira
Assistant Professor of Nursing MaryBeth Vieira, Ph.D., RN, CNE, started at JWU last July, working with one cohort that was about to graduate and one that was just starting the program, and appreciated getting a chance to understand student needs at both end of the spectrum. She has also managed the Lifepsan Respite Grant for the program thanks to assistance from JWU’s Director of Sponsors Program Administration Michael Schrader and Director of Financial Planning & Analysis Michele von Hein. This year, Vieiria is excited to have been appointed leader of the Boston chapter of her favorite organization, the Preventive Cardiovascular Nurses Association (PCNA).
“I have been passionate about cardiovascular nursing since my days at the bedside,” she shares. “This has evolved into a research program focused on increasing cardiovascular risk, particularly among women at highest risk for CVD due to social determinants of health. I've presented at PCNA national conferences several times and was lucky enough to meet Heather Ryan, the previous Boston chapter leader, at the New Orleans conference in 2023. In working together on local PCNA events since then, we discovered we had a lot in common in line with the PCNA goals, so when she stepped down, she nominated me to take her place. I was very honored to be chosen and am excited to be planning a local event for fall of 2025.”
Vieira’s recent research accomplishments are worth mentioning as well. Her article in Nursing Research, “Physical Heart Failure Symptom Clusters Predictive of Delay in Seeking Treatment,” was featured by the American College of Cardiology. She had already been honored to be invited to participate in that study by two of the top nursing heart failure researchers in the country, Kristen Sethares and Corinne Jurgens, but to be recognized by the ACC was “beyond expectations.”
Vieira also led another article — a student independent study, "The Intersection of Menopause, Lack of Physical Activity, and Cardiovascular Risk" — that was featured by the journal Nursing for Women's Health as their February continuing education (CE) article. “I do my research with the goal of helping the community, bettering health and improving quality of life and access to care,” Vieira shares. “In fact, I'm a bit of a ‘hide behind the scenes’ kind of person, so I'm just learning to enjoy the recognition.”
Her favorite JWU moment: “Hearing that the graduating cohort had a 100% pass rate on the NCLEX. I seriously wanted to announce it from the rooftops. Those students worked so HARD and are so SMART! I watched them fine-tune their clinical judgment and nursing process skills last semester before they finished the program. I knew they are destined for great things, and they proved me right! I'm so, so proud of them and I have just as high hopes for the additional cohorts passing through the program now. I know they can do it. They may doubt themselves often, but I love in the end when they finally realize we (the faculty) were right all along. It is really the best part of my job!”
Congratulations to our faculty and staff — both those included here and those we look forward to highlighting in the future — on all they do to contribute to making JWU such a special place.
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