February 2025

Friends,

As the calendar moves to February, our Spring Semester is off to a wonderful start! We welcomed our students back from the break to a beautiful snow-covered campus and greeted them with complimentary hot cocoa and snacks from our new “Spartan Bites” food truck. 

While our students were away, we were very busy — our faculty were updating the curriculum, our facilities teams were beautifying the campus, and all of us were preparing to support our students (click here to view video). We were delighted that a record 137 students took Winter courses — at half price discount! — to stay on track for graduation, while others participated in a week-long Skills Immersion Program. We were also delighted to announce the approval of a new Master’s Degree in Exercise Science — our first ever STEM Master’s program! — as well as our foundational partnership with the Small Business Development Center 

Lower Hudson Valley Small Business Development Center 

St. Thomas Aquinas College is now hosting the Lower Hudson Valley Small Business Development Center (SBDC). This collaboration strengthens our commitment to community engagement, workforce development, and lifelong learning. SBDC team members are located on our campus and have dedicated office and meeting space for small businesses in the region. STAC is one of only two private higher education institutions in New York State to serve as a SBDC host site. The SBDC serves approximately 150 small businesses, providing free, confidential counseling, training, and research. This new partnership will provide internship and cooperative education opportunities for our students, as well as entrepreneurship touchpoints, while enhancing our experiential learning portfolio.

As February begins, we are delighted to announce that John Marshall, son of Thurgood Marshall, will be our Black History Month keynote speaker and that Barbara Mistick, President of the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, will be our April 8 Honors Convocation speaker. 

So, grab a cup of hot cocoa … and learn about the many ways we are supporting our students. 

Regards,

P.S. Today would have been my Mom’s 89th birthday. I know she is smiling down from Heaven upon all of the students who have been helped through her scholarship.

The College is proud to announce the expansion of its in-demand STEM academic offerings with the launch of new graduate programs in Exercise Science in Fall 2025.

The new offerings include a 33-credit Master of Science degree and a 12-credit Advanced Certificate in Exercise Science.

Join us for our “Exercise Science & Health Innovation: Transforming Modern Wellness” panel discussion on Wednesday, February 5, at 5:00 PM in the Lougheed Library Reading Room.

This free event moderated by senior Exercise Science major Tyler Robinson '25 (see student feature below) is open to the public and will feature leading experts sharing insights on cutting-edge advancements in exercise science and health innovation.

The College is proud to announce it is now home to the Lower Hudson Valley Small Business Development Center (SBDC).

As one of only two private institutions in New York to host a SBDC, this new partnership will advance workforce development, empower small businesses, and enhance experiential learning opportunities for our students.

As we began the Spring Semester, we were proud to unveil the renovations to our Campus Safety space at a special Ribbon Cutting Ceremony.

Under the leadership of new Campus Safety Director Mike Greco, the office suite in Aquinas Hall has been upgraded to a Safety Welcome Center with new furniture, flooring, and signage (hand painted by team member Amir El-Amir!) and is now an even more welcoming space for students and members of the STAC community. 

Many of the College's Campus Safety Officers and team members were first responders or served in the military, so a piece of steel from the World Trade Center had been donated to the office to serve as a symbol of hope, faith, and healing. 

Join us on February 26 at 2:15 PM in the Aquinas Gymnasium for our Signature "STAC Chat" during Black History Month with John Marshall.

The son of Thurgood Marshall, (the first African American U.S. Supreme Court Justice,) John W. Marshall serves as the Director of the Office of Safety Programs with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, a position he has held since March 2013.

We look forward to honoring Barbara Mistick, President of the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (NAICU), at our Honors Convocation on April 8. She will deliver a Keynote Address and be awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Public Service degree from the College.

Serving as President of NAICU since September 2019, Barbara is a visionary leader who is passionate about the independent sector of higher education and committed to increasing access for all students. 

The College's January 2025 Skills Immersion Program was a success! The multi-day, interactive, professional development program led by our Career Center team is designed to provide key insights for experiential learning and/or post-graduation job search.

Students developed their professional brand, learned search strategies, networking approaches, interview skills, and more — all, while working in small teams to prepare and present a company profile of an organization from Fortune's 100 Best Companies to Work For. Great work, Spartans!

Current student, Trishita Dey '26 recently attended a summit at the Aramark headquarters in Philadelphia. Alongside peers, she gained professional connections and learned about the importance of teamwork, effective communication, and business professionalism.

Trishita notes: "This experience has not only enriched my professional skills but also my personal growth. Together, we achieved more than we could have individually, and I am grateful for the friendships and professional connections formed."

Great work representing your Spartan community, Trishita!

"At STAC you are always learning." Travel, Taste, and Explore with STAC Alumni & Friends! Join Dr. Maria Roglieri, Professor Global Literatures, Cultures, and Languages for an unforgettable journey through Tuscany and Umbria on a 10-day Food & Wine Tour of Italy from October 18-28, 2025. You do not have to be a STAC alum to travel with us, anyone can reserve a spot!

Experience the timeless charm of Italy’s rolling landscapes, savor culinary traditions, and explore iconic destinations like Florence, Siena, and Perugia—all alongside fellow STAC alumni and friends.

Check out St. Thomas Aquinas College's feature on three of our incredible Spartans! We are delighted and proud to introduce you to the following individuals:

Marina Fladung

Regional Admissions Counselor

Tyler Robinson '25

Exercise Science Major

Lauren Orta '20, '21

Special Education Teacher in Englewood Cliffs, NJ