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presented by Ashley Allard, ERYT 200 Certified Yoga Instructor/ Breathwork + Meditation Facilitator  

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presented by Ashley Allard, ERYT 200 Certified Yoga Instructor/ Breathwork + Meditation Facilitator  

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How does stress affect our physical and mental body in relation to the world around us? Learn how our one involuntary function, breathing, has the power to change it all.

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Please register for the Humanities Fest here

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Please register for the Humanities Fest here

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What does it mean to be human and how does our treatment of atrocities such as the Holocaust help preserve our humanity? In this presentation Dr. Snyder will share the personal impact of her experiences working in the Conservation Department at Memorial and Museum Auschwitz-Birkenau and the lessons she learned about humanity.

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Ashley Williams is a mother, an entrepreneur, a creative expressionist, and in the process of ultimately acquiring her master’s degree in Linguistics. Originally from Pennsylvania, she attended boarding school, graduated, and then began carving out a pathway for herself that would nourish her natural curiosity, passion for life, and creativity. Ashley believes that we are all sacred beings with a sacred mission to strive for understanding and this begins with the act of communication.

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Language and its Alchemical Power to Heal Personal and Cultural Trauma by Ashley Williams

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Language and its Alchemical Power to Heal Personal and Cultural Trauma by Ashley Williams

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Safe and Sound: Protecting the Importance of Music Education by Taj McGlamery

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Safe and Sound: Protecting the Importance of Music Education by Taj McGlamery

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Taj McGlamery is an 11th grade dual-enrollment scholar at Connecticut River Academy. Currently, he is interested in pursuing further education in the field of music, specifically, studying jazz guitar.

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The Unexpected Consequences on the Body by Mariuxy Potter

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The Unexpected Consequences on the Body by Mariuxy Potter

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Mariuxy Potter is a Goodwin University student aiming to be the best version of herself. She is working towards becoming a midwife and is already working in the healthcare field as a hospital pharmacy technician. The experience with her first pregnancy has led her towards a different path in this field as she enjoys being a mom to her first daughter, Lily. She aims to use her knowledge to improve the quality of life for other mothers and their babies.

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To Mold A Murderer: Nature v. Nurture by Alexandra Forte

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To Mold A Murderer: Nature v. Nurture by Alexandra Forte

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Alexandra Forte is a 10th grade dual-enrollment scholar at Connecticut River Academy! She has always been interested in studying medicine and one day hopes to become a doctor.

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Dr. Sarah Snyder is an adjunct lecturer at Goodwin University. Sarah earned her PhD in History of Ideas with a focus on Holocaust Studies from the University of Texas at Dallas and her Master’s in Cultural Anthropology from the University at Buffalo. Her research centers on intergenerational survivors, trauma studies, memorials and memory, transitional justice, and perpetrators trials. Sarah has taught a wide range of courses in the fields of Genocide Studies, Rhetoric, Humanities, History, Judaic Studies, and Anthropology.

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Ann Finateri-Laist has served as an adjunct instructor in the Goodwin Humanities Department since September 2013. She received a B.A. in Art from Mount Holyoke College and an M.S.Ed in Education from the University of Bridgeport. She has nearly twenty years of experience as an educator across a variety of grade levels, from elementary school through college. She lives in New Haven, CT with her husband, Randy, their eleven-year-old son, Tony, eight-year-old daughter, Sharilyn, and their cat, Sigmund. She currently teaches Introduction to the Humanities and Art History and Appreciation. When she is not teaching at Goodwin, she works with students with special needs at Beecher Road School in Woodbridge. She also enjoys spending time with her family, hiking, knitting, and playing trivia.

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Kara E. Simmers (she/her) is a singer-songwriter, artist, and educator who collaborates with Howard Jeffrey to craft music that reflects her experiences as a woman living with chronic illness in America. As a member of Connecticut Women Artists, Kara has had her photography exhibited in juried shows throughout Connecticut. She has won awards for her creations in photography and video, and she was nominated for the Pushcart Prize for a personal essay about traveling while managing health conditions. Since 2011, she has been an adjunct instructor at Goodwin, teaching courses in communications and computer applications. To learn more about her creative work, visit her website at www.keseract.com.                                                                                   Born in Philadelphia and musically educated in the competitive Miami music scene, Howard is a multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, songwriter and producer. He has worked in legendary studios from Philly’s SigmaSound and Cameo Parkway to Miami’s Criteria Studios as well as Paul Leka’s Connecticut Recording (where Howard was signed as an artist). Howard worked as a session vocalist, guitarist and bassist, as well as a staff engineer and producer at Trod Nossel Recording Studio in Connecticut for many years and has many songs published through their famous catalog.  Howard now lives outside of Athens, GA where he writes and records.                                                                          

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Ashley is a trauma informed holistic health coach that specializes in Energetic Embodiment, a certified yoga instructor and breathwork & meditation facilitator. She works with various holistic modalities to support her clients in strengthening their nervous system while reconnecting them with their inner WELLth and power. Ashley takes a mind, body, spirit and science approach to guide others in their learning, healing and excavation of self. She is a firm believer that every human has the answers to questions they seek and safely guides them into their way of processing this life to unlock the embodied wisdom from within.

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presented by Susan Ferency, University of Bridgeport

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presented by Susan Ferency, University of Bridgeport

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Nature photography is an enjoyable hobby that helps to stimulate the senses and the mind as well as being a means to restore your spirit. Learn how to get started with nature photography in and near your own backyard.

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Susan Ferency is an Assistant Professor in the Medical Laboratory Science program at the University of Bridgeport. Professor Ferency graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from Sacred Heart University and a Master's degree from Quinnipiac University. After teaching for years as an adjunct, Professor Ferency resigned from her 27-year career at St. Vincent's Medical Center to teach full-time at UB. She is an avid amateur photographer and her favorite subject is nature, especially birds.

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presented by Amy Nawrocki, Dean, College of Science and Society, University of Bridgeport 

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presented by Amy Nawrocki, Dean, College of Science and Society, University of Bridgeport 

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In our busy lives, creative expression often takes a back seat to the obligations of work, school, and living in challenging times. Ideas that touch us in deeply humanist ways often get lost, because we’re too busy or overwhelmed to catch and make sense of them. Freewriting, journaling, and page-a-day practices are time-tested methods for turning ideas into art.

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Amy Nawrocki (MFA) is the author of 11 books of poetry and nonfiction. She has taught creative writing and literature at the University of Bridgeport for over 20 years and is currently the Dean of the College of Science and Society.

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presented by Sarah Silverman, Ph. D., Goodwin University

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presented by Sarah Silverman, Ph. D., Goodwin University

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How do we embrace neurodiversity within our community? This session will discuss the short film "In my language" created by non-speaking autistic activist Mel Baggs (sie/hir/hirs), and how the ways that in- and out-groups are formed based on communication norms

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Sarah Silverman, PhD is an instructional designer and instructor of Disability Studies. As an autistic educator, she has a personal stake in Neurodiversity as well as extensive college teaching and faculty development experience. In addition to teaching, Sarah provides training and consulting about the relevance of neurodiversity in higher education with a focus on the history of neurodiversity as a social justice movement. Her writings appear in To Improve the Academy, the Journal of Interactive Technology and Pedagogy, the blog Feminist Pedagogy for Teaching Online, New Directions for Teaching and Learning, and on her blog at www.sarahemilysilverman.com

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presented by Robin Shahverdian, ATR-BC, Goodwin University

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presented by Robin Shahverdian, ATR-BC, Goodwin University

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The Community Quilt Experiential is a healing arts project promoted in the art therapy world as away of building a community identity. Using paper quilt squares individuals use mixed media including but not limited to markers, paint, crayons, colored pencils, and collage, to express themselves in a single square. The squares are then assembled into a wall hanging quilt that can be displayed to show the many facets of the Goodwin community

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presented by Elizabeth Horton Sheff, LHD, M.Ed. and members of the Humanities Festival Committee

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presented by Elizabeth Horton Sheff, LHD, M.Ed. and members of the Humanities Festival Committee

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Ms. Horton Sheff is widely known throughout Connecticut as the voice behind the Sheff v. O’Neill landmark case, which ensured that all students have equal access to educational opportunities.

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Robin Shahverdian is an Assistant Professor of Psychology at Goodwin University and a board-certified art therapist. She holds degrees from Smith College in Art, Education, and Theatre and a Masters of Science in Mental Health Counseling and Art Therapy from Springfield College. Robin's practice focuses on dual diagnosis/addiction recovery, severe mental illness, and alternative therapies. She is completing a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology at California Southern University.

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A vocal performance by Dr. Vivienne Friday, EdD, MSN, RN, MSOL

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A vocal performance by Dr. Vivienne Friday, EdD, MSN, RN, MSOL

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Dr. Friday is passionate about Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB), which has informed her research focus on Open Educational Resources (OER) and the Holistic Admissions Process. She hosted a poster presentation on OER at the 2021 International Council of Nurses (ICN) Congress and is a contributing author to the National Education Progression in Nursing (NEPIN) white paper. She served as the Co-Chair of the National Education Progression in Nursing (NEPIN) special interest group that focuses on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in academic and practice settings. She is also a member of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing AACN) Diversity Equity and Inclusion Leadership Network (DEILN), DEI committee. is an AACN Essentials Champion. The champions contributed to the development of educational resources to assist faculty with the integration of DEI concepts in 2021 AACN New Essentials and competency-based education. She actively participates in DEIB efforts at Goodwin University, including hosting educational sessions such as workshop presentations.

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Presentation of the 2024 Goodwin University Writing Awards 

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Presentation of the 2024 Goodwin University Writing Awards 

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Alexandra Forte:  "To Mold a Murderer:  Nature v Nurture"

Taj McGlamery:  "Safe and Sound: Protecting the Importance of Music Education"

Mariuxy Potter:  "SARS-CoV-2: The Unexpected Consequences on the Body"

Ashley Williams: Language and its Alchemical Power to Heal Personal and Cultural Trauma

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Lyric Video: Races of Madness by Kara Simmers and Howard Jeffrey

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Lyric Video: Races of Madness by Kara Simmers and Howard Jeffrey

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With the song “Races of Madness,” we endeavored to highlight how strong women are maliciously treated for their perceived threat to others, because they dare to know their worth, assert their power, and advocate for themselves and others. In demonstrating music’s ability to bring awareness to important issues, we believe our submission fits well with this year’s festival theme.

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presented by Prof. Ann Finateri-Laist and Denzel Closs

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presented by Prof. Ann Finateri-Laist and Denzel Closs

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A Goodwin tradition! Join us for a celebration of art created by Goodwin University Students.

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My name is Denzel Closs, I am a student at Goodwin University going for my degree in Human Services, there are two aspects that put me in a calm and relaxed moment which are Art & Poetry. Art keeps me calm and comfortable when it comes to working on something new in my direction especially with creativity & imagination being the big help with my crafts plus, I have autism that runs in my family very much as I do wonderful things in the autism community. I started writing poetry at age 17 then got back into Art when I was looking for something to shake the lockdown stuff out of my system and art became the tremendous opportunity to end the nonsense while coming from dealing with the covid era.

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presented by Bharati Shah Chakraborty, LMFTA, MS & Robin Young-Cournoyer MSN, RN

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presented by Bharati Shah Chakraborty, LMFTA, MS & Robin Young-Cournoyer MSN, RN

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Community is crucial in fostering mental health! It’s important to find and establish connections within our surroundings. In this session participants will craft their own survival kit.

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presented by Moriah R. Maresh, MA MFA, Goodwin University

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presented by Moriah R. Maresh, MA MFA, Goodwin University

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Food is a Language, an Expression, an Identity, an Art. But how does a diagnosis influence one’s diet and, in turn, one’s sense of self?

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The 2024 Humanities Festival is dedicated to the memory of Marylyn Mae Young​

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The 2024 Humanities Festival is dedicated to the memory of Marylyn Mae Young​

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Marylyn was a gracious attendee and participant in the 2023 Humanities Festival. Her enthusiasm for last year's participants  and presentations was infectious. We were so grateful to have her support.​ Thank you to Robin Young-Cournoyer for sharing her mother with us.

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9:00am

Opening Remarks

Presented by Goodwin University President, Mark Scheinberg

Provost, Michael Pardales

Members of the Festival Committee

9:15

Session 1: The Power of Breath

How does stress affect our physical and mental body in relation to the world around us? Learn how our one involuntary function, breathing, has the power to change it all.

Presented by Ashley Allard, ERYT 200 Certified Yoga Instructor/ Breathwork + Meditation Facilitator

9:45

Session 2: Restoring Yourself Through Nature Photography

Nature photography is an enjoyable hobby that helps to stimulate the senses and the mind as well as being a means to restore your spirit. Learn how to get started with nature photography in your own backyard.

Presented by Susan Ferency, University of Bridgeport

10:15

Session 3: Materiality at Auschwitz-Birkenau

What does it mean to be human and how does our treatment of atrocities such as the Holocaust help preserve our humanity? In this presentation Dr. Snyder will share the personal impact of her experiences working in the Conservation Department at Memorial and Museum Auschwitz-Birkenau and the lessons she learned about humanity.

Presented by Dr. Sarah Snyder, Goodwin University and Binghamton University

10:45

Session 4: Pillow & Pivot: An Adaptive Practice for Turning Drafts into Craft

In our busy lives, creative expression often takes a back seat to the obligations of work, school, and living in challenging times. Ideas that touch us in deeply humanist ways often get lost, because we’re too busy or overwhelmed to catch and make sense of them. Freewriting, journaling, and page-a-day practices are time-tested methods for turning ideas into art.

Presented by Amy Nawrocki, Dean, College of Science and Society, University of Bridgeport

11:15

Session 5: Community Quilt Experiential

The Community Quilt Experiential is a healing arts project promoted in the art therapy world as a way of building a community identity. Using paper quilt squares individuals use mixed media including but not limited to markers, paint, crayons, colored pencils, and collage, to express themselves in a single square. The squares are then assembled into a wall hanging quilt that can be displayed to show the many facets of the Goodwin community.

Presented by Robin Shahverdian, ATR-BC, Goodwin University

11:45

Keynote: A Conversation with Elizabeth Horton Sheff

Ms. Horton Sheff is widely known throughout Connecticut as the voice behind the Sheff v. O’Neill landmark case, which ensured that all students have equal access to educational opportunities.

Presented by Elizabeth Horton Sheff, M.Ed., and members of the Humanities Festival Committee

12:30

Lunch and Awards Ceremony

Presented by members of the Humanities Festival Committee

1:15

Session 6: Building Resilience: Cultivating Mental Well-being & Community Support

Community is crucial in fostering mental health! It’s important to find and establish connections within our surroundings. In this session participants will craft their own survival kit.

Presented by Bharati Shah Chakraborty, LMFTA, MS & Robin Young-Cournoyer MSN. RN Goodwin University

1:45

Session 7: In my language: A key film of the "neurodiversity movement

How do we embrace neurodiversity within our community? This session will discuss the short film "In my language" created by non-speaking autistic activist Mel Baggs (sie/hir/hirs), and how the ways that in- and out-groups are formed based on communication norms

Presented by Sarah Silverman, Ph. D., Goodwin University

2:15

Session 8: Goodwin University Art Walk

Join us on our annual celebration of artwork created and curated by Goodwin University students

Presented by Professor Ann Finateri-Laist and Goodwin Student Denzel Closs

2:45

Session 9: Food & Identity in the face of medical diagnoses

Food is a Language, an Expression, an Identity, an Art. But how does a diagnosis influence one’s diet and, in turn, one’s sense of self?

Presented by Moriah R. Maresh, MA MFA, Goodwin University

3:15 (35)

Open Mic Event

Featuring performances by selected community guests

3:55

Concluding remarks

Presented by members of the Humanities Festival Committee