Campus Kudos: October 2026
October Kudos include statewide honors, a nursing program ranking, and a national television appearance.
Campus Kudos is a monthly roundup of accomplishments by West Chester University faculty, students, staff and alumni.
Awards and recognition
History Professor tonya thames-taylor was named a 2026 Window Keeper by PA Humanities. The civic honor recognizes Pennsylvanians who strengthen their communities through the humanities. thames-taylor was recognized for using history to connect people through teaching, public programs and her work to restore Chester County’s historic People’s Hall as a community gathering space. Explore the Window Keepers.
WCU’s National Council of Teachers of English student affiliate earned the organization’s 2026 Student Affiliate Excellence Award. Student leaders include Layla King, president; Ruby Avalos, vice president; Sarah Steeves, leadership consultant; and Kayla Risser, treasurer. Professor Pauline Schmidt serves as faculty adviser. The award will be presented in November.
WCU’s online RN to BSN program ranked No. 2 in Pennsylvania in RNtoMSN.org’s 2027 rankings. The rankings consider factors including accreditation, graduation and retention rates, program reputation and graduate earnings and debt.
In the spotlight
Seventeen students from WCU’s Physician Assistant Class of 2028, joined by Assistant Professor Renee Hammoud and Associate Professor Patrick Heagey, participated in PAs on the Plaza at NBC’s Today show in New York City during National PA Week. The group joined hundreds of PA students from across the country to highlight the profession’s role in patient care. WCU students also appeared in The Clinical Advisor’s photo essay about the event.
WCU’s Department of Theatre & Dance hosted 16 Chester County dance studios for the fifth annual Dance for HER fundraiser on Oct. 25 in Emilie K. Asplundh Hall. Performances by the WCU Dance Team and University Dance Company helped raise approximately $25,000 for Unite for HER. Founded by WCU alumna Sue Weldon, the organization provides services and therapies to people with breast and ovarian cancers.
Faculty and staff in the news
- Political Science Professor John Kennedy provided commentary for multiple media outlets on the midterm elections and the Lehigh Valley’s role as a political battleground.
- Professor Ellie Brown’s Early Childhood Cognition and Emotions Lab was featured in a WHYY story about Settlement Music School’s Kaleidoscope Preschool Arts Enrichment Program. Brown’s research on the program’s benefits for children’s emotions and school readiness helped inform a preschool arts integration model now expanding nationally.
- Laura Pyott, assistant professor of mathematics, and Shannon McQueen, associate professor of political science, were featured in Harrisburg’s Patriot-News/PennLive for their Ram Poll examining Pennsylvania State System students’ political preferences and voting priorities ahead of the midterm elections.
- Cherie Fishbaugh, director of WCU’s Dub-C Autism Program, works with the Neurodiversity Employment Network of Philadelphia to connect students with internships, networking and workplace experience. Two graduates have been hired by the network to help organize future events.
Alumni achievements
David H. Reineke ’19 is founder and global managing director of Synthesys, a Dubai-based technology company developing AI voice and phone agents in more than 70 languages. The company was recognized through the United Arab Emirates’ Future 100 initiative and serves more than 450 customers across six continents.
Have a kudos item to share? Fill out the Campus Kudos Submission Form.