Latest news with #AlverniaUniversity
Yahoo
5 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Alvernia University gets PA grant to help combat special education teacher shortage
Alvernia University has received a state grant aimed at addressing the ongoing shortage of special education teachers in Pennsylvania. The Reading school has been awarded $100,000 from the Pennsylvania Department of Education's Bureau of Special Education as part of its Accelerated Special Educator Certification Program. The funding helps pay for summer field experiences, year-round mentoring and coaching from experienced special educators, as well as an accelerated post-baccalaureate program that enables participants to earn pre-K to 12th grade special education certification within 18 months. The program includes virtual instruction for working professionals and requires a minimum of 12 weeks of student teaching, ensuring participants gain hands-on experience in the classroom while maintaining full-time employment. 'This program exemplifies our mission to serve graduate and adult learners with flexible, impactful credentials,' Dr. Gaetan T. Giannini, Alvernia's vice president for graduate and adult education, said in a statement announcing the grant. 'We are enabling working professionals to become certified special educators without pausing their careers.' Alvernia has participated in the program for the past two years. And for that entire span it has partnered with the Chester County Intermediate Unit. 'The partnership between the CCIU and Alvernia University has been successful in addressing the critical shortage of special education teachers across our region,' said Danielle Hawkins, CCIU's assistant director of human resources. 'The accelerated certification program provides our educators with a clear, accessible pathway to expand their qualifications while continuing their important work supporting children in the classroom. 'We're seeing firsthand how this collaboration strengthens not only individual teaching careers but also the quality of specialized instruction we provide to our students with diverse learning needs. This partnership is an example of what is possible when educational institutions work together with a shared commitment to excellence and opportunity.' So far, Alvernia has seen more than 60 educators enroll in the program, and expects another 30 to enroll in each upcoming academic module, which begin every seven weeks. The program is housed within Alvernia's College of Humanities, Education and Social Sciences and offers undergraduate, graduate and certificate tracks with online and hybrid delivery formats. For more information on the Accelerated Special Education Certification program visit
Business Wire
03-06-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Aramark Expands Collegiate Hospitality Business with New Contracts
PHILADELPHIA--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Aramark (NYSE:ARMK), a leading global provider of food and facilities services, was awarded new dining service contracts including Adams State University (CO), Alvernia University (PA), Azusa Pacific University (CA), Delaware Valley University (PA), East Central University (OK), and University of North Carolina, Pembroke, it was announced today. 'We are honored to be chosen as a trusted hospitality partner by such a wide range of schools,' said Jack Donovan, President and CEO of Aramark Collegiate Hospitality. 'The higher education industry evolves year-round and so do we. We are not only constantly adding to our portfolio of partners but are also creating personalized programs that are unique to each school.' Adams State University in Colorado will see its La Mesa dining area feature dishes inspired by San Luis Valley, Latin American, and Indigenous cuisines, alongside familiar comfort foods. The retail dining program will be revamped to include a new mobile ordering concept called The Drop, featuring both national and Aramark's propriety brands. Additionally, the campus hospitality experience will include Aramark's Eat to Excel program. Pennsylvania's Alvernia University will introduce a new program featuring a known commitment to service excellence, expanded technology integration, and an elevated dining experience that complements the University's environment and mission. Azusa Pacific University in California will undergo a transformation as its 1899 dining facility will evolve into a modern gathering space, featuring global cuisines and allergen-friendly programming. The revitalized Cougars Den dining location will offer virtual order and pickup options, with a rotating selection of restaurants and brands, including Bondi Bowls, a concept brought by APU alumna Bailey Wilson. In Pennsylvania, Delaware Valley University announced Collegiate Hospitality as its partner to enhance all dining on campus as a comprehensive approach to the campus experience, including residential, athletic, catering, conference, and retail dining. Oklahoma's East Central University chose Aramark to manage its residential and retail dining and catering services programs. The university will see engaging new promotions and retail offerings, including Moe's Southwest Grill, Einstein's Bagel Bros, Burgers+Fries, and Tenders Love & Chicken. University of North Carolina, Pembroke selected Aramark to oversee all on-campus dining, catering, and athletic concessions. Aramark's strong commitment to quality, variety, sustainability, and its alignment with the university's long-term vision were key factors in their decision. These partnerships join Aramark's announced contract with Loyola Marymount University. Aramark's experience and expertise in serving more than 315 universities and colleges across the U.S. offers extensive learning and resources to enhance the campus dining experiences and provide high-quality, student-centered services for each of these new clients. About Aramark Aramark (NYSE: ARMK) proudly serves the world's leading educational institutions, Fortune 500 companies, world champion sports teams, prominent healthcare providers, iconic destinations and cultural attractions, and numerous municipalities in 16 countries around the world with food and facilities management. Because of our hospitality culture, our employees strive to do great things for each other, our partners, our communities, and the planet. Learn more at and connect with us on LinkedIn, Facebook, X, and Instagram.
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Reading celebrates Haitian and Jewish American heritage
Reading's Haitian community celebrated Haitian Heritage Month with a recent flag raising and other events. Celebrated in May, the observation recognizes the history, culture and contributions of Haiti, the Haitian people and Haitian-Americans. The monthlong observation extends beyond Haitian Flag Day, May 18, and is intended to acknowledge and appreciate the diverse heritage of Haitians and Haitian-Americans. The Reading community's recent celebration was a vibrant commemoration of Haiti's rich history and its significance as the first free black nation in the world, said Alex Civil, organizer of the event. The event at Alvernia University's Francis Hall included a flag raising and reception. Civil said he and others also were honored to celebrate a pre-flag day event at the state Capitol in Harrisburg, where the delegation of those with Haitian heritage received a standing ovation in the House of Representatives. The celebration continued last week when City Council issued a proclamation in honor of the occasion. Civil and other members of the city's Haitian community were present to accept a copy of the proclamation. Council also issued a proclamation in honor of Jewish American Heritage Month, also observed in May. The observation recognizes the contributions of Jewish Americans to the U.S. It also celebrates the rich history, culture and achievements of Jewish Americans while acknowledging the hardships they have faced, including antisemitism and persecution. Marcia Goodman Hinnershitz, a former city councilwoman, accepted the proclamation on behalf of Reading's Jewish community.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- Yahoo
A pioneering graduate at Alvernia University
Faith Bentz has always liked figuring out how to solve problems. It's a trait that from an early age drew her to studying math. And in high school it pushed her toward classes like physics. 'Being able to find a definite answer is so cool,' she said of her love of the subjects. Her desire to find answers didn't end when Bentz graduated from Gov. Mifflin High School. It's something that has continued to guide her, first to Alvernia University and in the very near future to Brentwood Industries. Four years ago, Bentz followed her parents to their alma mater Alvernia University. There, she became part of the school's first class of students to enroll in Alvernia's brand-new engineering program. The decision, the 22-year-old from Shillington said, was not necessarily an easy one. Knowing she would be joining a program just being created meant that what her college career would look like wasn't exactly clear. 'It was kind of a little scary,' she said. 'I was signing up for classes that didn't have a professor yet. We were kind of going into it blind.' Bentz didn't have upperclassmen to lean on, to ask questions about professors or courses. But she did have something unique — a voice. Bentz said she and some of her classmates actually got a chance to help shape the new engineering program, sitting in on online interviews of potential professors and providing feedback to university officials. She said she also had the benefit of being part of a small group of engineering students at a small school, something that created a very personal college environment. 'All of our professors got to know all of us,' she said. 'And the students, we were very tight-knit. There were lots of late nights in the library where I would look around and it was all engineering students. 'We made a point to sit together at graduation, 12 of us,' she added. 'I just love the community I found here.' Bentz dove head-on into that community, keeping her schedule quite busy during her tenure at Alvernia. She was a member of the Disciple Makers Bible study group, she was a peer tutor in math and physics and she was an O'Pake Fellow of Engineering. Through her fellowship she got a chance to work as a consultant for a local feed mill, recommending systems to help with temperature control. But not everything was easy during Bentz's time at Alvernia. Like most college students, she faced struggles. Along with being a part of a new program and the challenges that created, Bentz said she also faced hurdles being a woman in the traditionally male-dominated field of engineering. Many of those hurdles, she said, were in her own mind. 'I had to work on my confidence, I think a lot of women deal with self-doubt or imposter syndrome,' she said. 'I'm looking around and not seeing people who look like me. But you just have to believe in yourself and do what you love.' Bentz said she hopes her success in a STEM field helps show younger girls what's possible. 'I really hope I can be an inspiration to young girls,' she said. And that goal won't end with her graduation from Alvernia — it will continue as she pursues a career in mechanical engineering at Brentwood Industries. Bentz worked as an intern at the Reading company, and will start a full-time job there as a product development engineer this summer. Her new job will see her help to develop product fills for cooling towers — yet another problem for her to solve.
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Letter: Council president race has big implications for Reading
The upcoming election for Reading City Council president has enormous implications. All the issues facing the city: crime, housing, economic development and others, have a direct impact on the well-being of the entire community. Council has sweeping authority to enact ordinances, set budgets and approve projects. As such, the council president plays a critical role in shaping policy that the mayor's administration is responsible for implementing. The position requires governing experience, maturity and a commitment to serve the city's diverse population. Donna Reed has met these criteria and more. She deserves to be reelected council president. Her challengers are inexperienced and unqualified. Just last fall, one councilman embroiled council in a foreign affairs matter, introducing a pro-Hamas, anti-Israel resolution that had no relevance to the taxpayers of Reading. This proved to be a costly distraction and undermined the Greater Reading Unity Coalition's efforts to create harmony in a diverse community. Conversely, Reed has focused on helping the residents of the city. During her tenure, we have seen the economic impact of Alvernia University's CollegeTowne campus, the strengthening of neighborhoods across the city and the spectacular expansion of FirstEnergy Stadium. With this progress, Reading is poised for a renaissance, and Reed's continued leadership will be crucial to fulfilling this promise. A vibrant Reading is critical for the future of the region. Sandra J. Fishman Reading
