Arcadia Magazine Winter 2025

by Lini S. Kadaba

At Arcadia University, an artificial intelligence-powered chatbot acts the role of a recalcitrant patient, providing Physical Therapy students plenty of practice for the real deal in clinical rotations.

In a business writing course, students use a bot to write a cover letter for a wish-list job and then critique the result.

Meanwhile, students in AI for the Ages use ChatGPT and a range of other AI tools to simulate building a civilization, all the while experiencing firsthand the promise and perils of a technology that seems to be everything everywhere all at once.

by Chris Sarachilli ’14

Newly launched this year, the H.O.M.E. program supports foster care youth throughout their Arcadia experience. The six students in the first cohort receive a range of benefits, from an early move-in providing a few extra quiet days to acclimate to campus life, to financial assistance and guaranteed housing over breaks. Crucially, they receive an unprecedented degree of personal attention and support.

by Rachel Fox ’15M

Aliyah Abraham ’17 attended Arcadia for only one and a half years, but that didn’t diminish her impact on the University she grew to love. While earning an undergraduate degree in Business Administration with a minor in African Studies, she created many of the programs the institution continues to uphold. As a non-traditional student, she was raising her son while attending school and would frequently bring him to campus to accompany her for activities: “I feel like everyone adopted him as their own,” she said.

For Dipesh Chauhan ’97, ’00M, seeing his son Dylan Chauhan ’28 flourish at Arcadia was like watching a legacy unfold. The bond they shared as Arcadia residents was special. What had once been a place of growth for Dipesh had now become a place of transformation for his son.

Dear Beaver College and Arcadia University Alumni,

This is an exciting and positive time at Arcadia. This incoming class of first-year and transfer students is robust and diverse. You can feel the upbeat energy on campus, with residence halls, classrooms, and recreation areas teeming with active and engaged students from all walks of life. What wonderful sights and sounds to behold! 

Engaged students benefit from engaged alumni. After all, you have walked where today’s students walk, and you have enjoyed what they now enjoy. The questions today’s students ask themselves about life, career, family, and community, you too once asked yourself. And now, as alumni, you can get involved in the life of the students to be a beacon of celebration and guidance for this generation of Arcadians. 

The alumni experience is more robust than ever, and there are a number of ways for you to participate in the life of the University. You can get involved in-person or virtually, and time commitments range from once a semester, to once a month, to once a week, depending on your availability. There are numerous ways to serve. You can mentor students virtually or in-person, or join a virtual Alumni Association committee, or attend an on-campus event. You can provide an internship for a student at your place of employment, or link your community-based service with your Alma Mater. With assistance from the Office of Alumni Engagement, we can find creative ways to connect or reconnect you with Arcadia. 

If you’re looking for a first-step in getting involved, or more involved, in Arcadia, it is as simple as emailing me at steinern@arcadia.edu. I’m always thrilled to hear from our alumni, and I welcome the opportunity to see how we can help you get involved in the Arcadia community. 

While it is important that our Beaver/Arcadia alumni remain committed to serving the University/College that served them so well, we also need your time and treasure. Consider attending one of our many celebratory alumni events on campus or online, and consider making a gift to the University by visiting Give.Arcadia.edu.  

I’ve never met an alumnus who regretted returning home to Arcadia or making a gift. Quite the opposite. One alumna who recently started serving on a committee and became a donor, said to me, “I guess it’s true that you’re always welcomed home.” Yes, it is true. Welcome home. 

Fling High the Scarlet and the Grey, and Go Knights!

With Gratitude,

Nicole Steiner 
Associate Vice President of Alumni Engagement and Annual Giving Strategies

Editors
Emily Horowitz
Christopher Grosso

Alumni News Editor
Rachel Fox ’15M

Creative Director
Rachana Sheth

Designers
Dan Brumbach
Lorraine Wolf

Photography
Ashley Selig ’19
Lee Joaquin Conlu ’25

Contributors
Rachel Fox ’15M
Ryan Hiemenz ’23
Lini S. Kadaba
Tim Pierce
Adam Planamento ’12
Krista Profitt ’11
Chris Sarachilli ’14
Nicole Steiner

EXECUTIVE BOARD

President
Ajay Nair, Ph.D.

Vice President for Development and Alumni Engagement
Brigette A. Bryant

Chief Communications Officer
Dan DiPrinzio

Arcadia magazine is published by the Division of University Advancement and the Office of University Relations. The opinions and views expressed in the magazine do not necessarily express the official policies of Arcadia University.

Arcadia is mailed free of charge to Arcadia University alumni, Trustees, friends, graduate students, and families of undergraduate students. Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of published information.

Arcadia University
450 S. Easton Road, Glenside, PA 19038
215-517-2566
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