NUCLEUS reception
Growing academic support services program welcomes new, returning students
10:01 a.m., Sept. 16, 2015--The University of Delaware College of Arts and Sciences’ NUCLEUS academic support services program, which has grown to serve 1,000 undergraduates this year, welcomed new and returning students at a Sept. 9 reception.
More than 140 students attended the event in the West Lounge of Perkins Student Center, where they had the opportunity to talk informally with one another and with administrators, staff members and alumni of the college.
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NUCLEUS fosters excellence by providing students in the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) with academic support, networking, opportunities such as participation in undergraduate research, and information about career services and other available resources.
The program, which expanded significantly in 2011 and has continued to grow since then, is designed to ensure the academic success, retention and graduation of participants.
The reception included welcoming remarks by CAS Dean George Watson, who also introduced three alumni of the college who are lawyers and are involved in mentoring students. They are:
Cynthia L. Bernstiel, of the Class of 1991, who majored in English and in political science and international relations, has served as a prosecutor in Pennsylvania and is now in private practice. She volunteered as a mentor at a recent CAS networking event and hired a UD student for the summer.
John Gaul, of the Class of 1978, earned his bachelor’s degree in political science and is a shareholder and attorney with a Philadelphia law firm, where he works in the management of national asbestos litigation. He is a member of the CAS advisory council and was instrumental in creating the UD Law Mentoring Program.
Wali W. Rushdan II, of the Class of 2006, earned his bachelor’s degree in political science and is an attorney with a Wilmington, Delaware, firm. He has a wide range of experience assisting organizations in volunteer and leadership capacities and in organizing events that benefit students pursuing careers in public interest law.
Also attending the reception was Nafi Dicko, who graduated in May with a degree in criminal justice and will be working part time with the NUCLEUS program.
NUCLEUS is located in 118 Brown Lab, which includes a student study area. The program is led by Rosalind Johnson, assistant CAS dean for student success, and Tara Falcone, academic program coordinator.
Article by Ann Manser
Photos by Lane McLaughlin