Past Experiential Learning Day Presentations

The Experiential Learning Day Awards for Excellence in Research:

These awards are given to students who have exemplified excellence in their research as an intern or assistant volunteer on a faculty member’s project, or for undergraduate or graduate thesis or capstone work in the Spring or Fall of 2019. It is our esteemed honor to announce the Awardees..

Undergraduate Day Awardee

Brittany Alvarez (Class of 2021 – ADP, Psychology)
Brittany enrolled in a research internship in the Fall of 2019 working in the research lab of Drs. Bonnie Pepper and Hilda Speicher in the Psychology department focused on the study of romantic and therapeutic relationships in the LGBTQ+ community. Her skill, willingness to learn and tackle new and sometimes intimidating tasks, exceptional organizational skills, and welcoming demeanor and ability to work with others contributed to her excellent execution of a number of complicated, sensitive, and important tasks allowing her and the research team (8 students in all) to conduct quality research with the community at large and at Albertus.
Faculty Co-Advisors: Bonnie Pepper & Hilda Speicher

Graduate Program Awardee

Viviana Torres (Class of 2020 – MAATC)
Viviana’s Master’s Thesis work titled “Guided Imagery and Watercolor Painting on Stress in Individuals with Multiple Sclerosis” was begun just as COVID19 social isolation practices shut down the ability to recruit and run participants in research for thesis work. Shared here is a description of the excellent study design and concept she proposed and had approved by the Albertus Institutional Review Board. She is currently finishing up her reflection on the pilot research she conducted.

Proposed Study: The purpose of this study is to explore the hypotheses that art making in addition to guided imagery will decrease stress levels in adults with Multiples Sclerosis more than solely participating in guided imagery. Increases in positive affect and decreases in negative affect are also hypothesized, with the most significant levels of change occurring in those who participate in art making in addition to guided imagery.
Faculty Co-Advisors: Rebecca Arnold & Bonnie Pepper

The Experiential Learning Day Awards for Creative Works:

These awards are given to students who have exemplified excellence in their artistic scholarship in the form of visual, performing, or written arts during the Spring or Fall of 2019. It is our esteemed honor to announce the Awardee..

Undergraduate Day Awardee

Juliana Bertrand (Class of 2023 – Undeclared Honors Program)
Juliana’ creative work is the production of Shakespeare’s play titled “Romeo and Juliet” which was originally planned to be performed at the College on Shakespeare’s birthday, April 23rd. Unfortunately, rehearsals and performance dates had to be canceled because of the coronavirus crisis. Her advisor points out that the work Juliana did in readying these Shakespeare scenes for performance was outstanding. She will try to direct another play in the fall.
Faculty Advisor: Susan Cole

The Experiential Learning Day Awards for Service Learning:

These awards are given to students who have exemplified excellence in their community service work during the Spring or Fall of 2019. It is our esteemed honor to announce the Awardees..

Graduate Program Awardee

Katelyn Blumetti & April Sozanski (Class of 2019 – MAATC)
Katelyn and April served together doing outstanding community outreach in the MAATC program that involved service learning in Jamaica during the summer of 2019. Subsequently they presented on this art therapy service activity at a professional conference.

The Experiential Learning Day Awards for Excellence in Internship:

These awards are given to students who have exemplified excellence, having performed at high levels in their Practicum or Internship placement in Spring or Fall of 2019. It is our esteemed honor to announce the Awardees. .

Undergraduate Day Awardees

Kaitlin D'Agostino (Class of 2020 - Graphic Design), Site: VP Creative Agency
Kaitlin approached her internship with a high level of professionalism and maturity. She was very dedicated to learning new concepts and best practices for graphic designers. Her advisor stated "She hit the ground running and exceeded her supervisor's expectations during her entire internship experience at VP Creative Agency."
Faculty Advisor: Jerry Nevins

Sabrina Pohlig (Class of 2020 - Sports Management), Site: The People’s United Center at Quinnipiac University
Sabrina’s advisor described the Center as "… a 185,000 square foot facility with basketball and hockey arenas joined by a common lobby area. The facility is home to the Quinnipiac hockey and basketball programs as Quinnipiac is a Division I member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). At the same time, the institution has 21 sports programs and over 450 student-athletes. During her time at Quinnipiac, Sabrina worked for and shadowed members of the People's United Center staff and was able to experience the 2019 NCAA Women's Frozen Four featuring the top four collegiate women's ice hockey teams in the country."
Faculty Advisor: Kristen DeCarli

Alexandra Ives (Class of 2020 - Criminal Justice), Site:Nelson & Votto Law Firm
In Alexandra’s placement, her advisor stated she “…learned how stressful navigating the criminal justice system can be. This experience taught her how to empathize with justice-involved citizens. In addition to completing her internship, she maintained a full course load of 18 credits and earned a 3.7 GPA."
Faculty Advisor: John Lawrie

Clinton Davidson (Class of 2020 - Healthcare Management), Site: Stonington Behavioral Health, Inc.
According to her advisor, CJ was placed in one of the most challenging internship tracks at Stonington. He was also the first Day Student to accept the challenge of working alongside Residential Aides in a 180-bed co-occurring disorder program in Groton. CJ quickly established himself as reliable, honest, hard-working, and confident. Throughout his internship, he emerged as one of several critical resources of the Director of the Residential Service who described him as 'someone we need to find a way to keep and invest in.’”
Faculty Advisor: William Aniskovich

Natalie Rivera (Class of 2020 – Psychology), Site: The Kennedy Center
At her site Natalie was supervised by an Albertus alumna - Jen Narcisco (BA 2012, MAATC 2015). Her advisor noted that her site supervisor remarked that "Natalie exceeds all expectations... She has great ideas and implements them daily... She is trustworthy and compassionate, addresses all needs without hesitation... You would think Natalie had been here for years. She is one of our best interns."
Faculty Advisor: Stephen Joy

Undergraduate ADP Awardees

Jesse Ede (Class of 2020 – Psychology), Sites: Beecher Road School & The Kennedy Center
Jesse’s advisor described him as having “… excelled in both his practicum at Beecher Road School in spring 2019 and his internship in fall 2019 at the Kennedy Center. During the latter, Jesse stepped in when they became understaffed and performed the work of professionals. In each placement, he worked with vulnerable, and sometimes difficult to manage populations and did so with sensitivity and passion.”
Faculty Advisor: Hilda Speicher

Graduate Program Awardees

Albi Beshi (BA 2018; Class of 2021 – MS in Counseling & Mental Health), Site: UNH Student Counseling Center
Albi’s advisor commented that he has earned an "Excellence in Field Placement Award for his second-year practicum placement at the University of New Haven Student Counseling Center."
Faculty Advisor: Siobhan Evarts

Heather Congdon (Class of 2020 – MAATC), Sites: VA West Haven & Vinfen, Hartford
According to her advisor, Heather’s work was "outstanding clinical internship work at the VA and then at Vinfen. She was creative and showed compassion, curiosity, and a willingness to provide wonderful art therapy services for her clients."
Faculty Advisor: Rebecca Arnold/Evie Lindemann

The Experiential Learning Day Awards for Internship Site of the Year:

These awards are given to a company or an organization that exemplifies and exudes the Dominican Pillars of Community and Study. These sites have provided high-quality, hands-on experiences for Albertus Magnus Student interns that promote the intellectual connection between academic instruction and practical application. It is our esteemed honor to announce the Awardees..

Beecher Road School
Partnering since 2016
Profile: Beecher Road School succeeds in providing a caring, creative community that not only inspires our students but embraces them holistically. Over the last few years, Albertus students have had the opportunity to engage with the entire Beecher Road School community. Under Dr. Kristine Rose’s mentorship, our students gain hands-on experience with child psychology, school counseling, and behavioral modification methods.
Contact: Dr. Kristine Rose

Friend’s Center for Children
Partnering since 2017
Profile: The Friend’s Center for Children is an institution that provides early childhood care and education year-round that is child-centered and affordable to a diverse community. Our students are woven into the mission and vision to help provide access to high-quality early childhood education. Our students have learned a great deal of practical knowledge and gained priceless experience working with young children.
Contact: Therese Luetzgendorf, (MSHS Class of 2016)

The Experiential Learning Day Alumni Pay-it-Forward Award:

This award is given to an Albertus Magnus College alumna/us that exemplifies the Dominican Pillars Service, Study, and Community by reaching back to their alma mater to help fellow Falcons, providing opportunities for experiential learning. It is our esteemed honor to announce the inaugural 2020 Experiential Learning Day Alumni Pay-it-Foward Award Awardee..

Art and Soul Art Therapy
Partnering since 2019
Profile: Art and Soul Art Therapy is a small private psychotherapy practice that blends out-of-the-box thinking with evidenced-based techniques to best meet the needs of their clients. Art and Soul Art Therapy has four therapists who are alumnae of Albertus’ Master of Art in Art Therapy and Counseling program. They have hosted many of our undergraduate students and have provided them with a valuable structure and experience.
Contact: Briana Benn-Mirandi, MAATC Class of '08