Sr. Mary Persico, IHM, Ed.D., president of Marywood University, announces the following new faculty members for the 2016-2017 academic year.
College of Health and Human Services
Amy Wescott, MSN, CRNP is a clinical instructor in the nursing department at Marywood University. Ms. Wescott has been in the field of nursing for nearly 20 years. She is board certified as both a primary care pediatric nurse practitioner and as an acute care adult nurse practitioner. She earned her bachelor of science in nursing degree from Marywood University; her master of science in nursing degree from the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pa.; and her post-master’s certificate from Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pa. She is currently employed by Geisinger Health System Careworks. Ms. Wescott’s research interests include healthcare problems affecting the lower socio-economic population. She also enjoys reading, yoga, gardening, and watercolor. Ms. Wescott will teach medical and surgical nursing along with pediatrics clinical at the University.
Patricia Falkowski, MSN, RNC, is a clinical instructor of nursing at Marywood University. Ms. Falkowski earned her bachelor of science in nursing degree from Wilkes University and her master’s degree in nursing from Misericordia University. She is a clinical nurse specialist (CNS) in Maternal-Child and is certified in inpatient obstetrics and childbirth education. Her research interest is in Maternal-Child. Ms. Falkowski will teach various nursing courses, including nursing care of childbearing as well as clinical pediatrics.
Alan M. Levine, Ph.D., is a professor in the nutrition and dietetics department at Marywood University. Dr. Levine previously served as the vice president of Academic Affairs from 2008-2016. Prior to that position, he acted as the dean of the College of Health and Human Services, professor and director of the doctoral program in Human Development, and professor and co-chair in the department of nutrition and dietetics. In addition, he served as deputy director of research for the former Military Family Institute at Marywood University. Dr. Levine has published over 20 articles on topics ranging from vitamin deficiency to nutrition and aging in publications that include The Journal of Women’s Health, Physical Therapy, Diseases and Disorders, Medicine and Science in Sport Exercise, and Journal of Therapeutic Horticulture. Dr. Levine also has presented at more than 40 conferences and seminars on areas of his expertise. In addition, he received the Vicennial Order Cor Mariae Pro Fide Cultura when he marked 20 distinguished years of service at Marywood. He is a former recipient of the CASE Professor of the Year award at Marywood University. Dr. Levine earned his master’s and doctoral degrees in Food, Nutrition, and Dietetics from New York University, New York City, N.Y., and his bachelor of science degree from Hofstra University, Hempstead, N.Y.
Insalaco College of Creative and Performing Arts
Nikki Moser, BFA, MFA, is an assistant professor in the visual arts department at Marywood University. Ms. Moser earned her master of fine arts degree in studio art from the Maryland Institute College of Art. She has longstanding ties to the art community. She taught at Keystone College and recently taught as an adjunct faculty member at Marywood. She was the 2016 recipient of the F. Lammont Belin Arts Foundation award for her work with the Keystone Iron Works Program and “Fire at the Furnace.” Ms. Moser is the co-founder of the Keystone Iron Works program for at-risk high school students and has received numerous grants and private donations to support this effort.
Alpha Woodward, Ph.D., is an assistant professor and interim director of the Music Therapy Program in the music, theatre, and dance department at Marywood University. Dr. Woodward was the course director and lecturer for the master’s program in Music Therapy in the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance at Limerick University, Ireland. She has 20 years of experience as a professor, supervisor, program director, and music therapist and her background includes music therapy work throughout the world. Dr. Woodward earned her master’s degree in music therapy from Open University, Vancouver, and her doctoral degree in Leadership and Change from Antioch University.
The Munley College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Wen Cheng, Ph.D., is an assistant professor in the mathematics and computer science program at Marywood University. Prior to coming to Marywood, Dr. Cheng worked as a software developer and system engineer in the information technology sector for several years with abundant real-world experience in software development and software engineering. Dr. Cheng earned her bachelor of science degree in software engineering from Beijing Institute of Technology, China, her master of science degree in computer science and engineering from Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pa., and her doctoral degree in computer science from North Dakota State University, Fargo, N.D . Her current research interests are in the area of computational biology, bioinformatics specified in developing and applying machine learning, and data mining algorithms to address biological programs. Her broader interests include machine learning, data mining, statistics, pattern recognition, big data, and image analysis.
The School of Architecture
Emily Pellicano, M. Arch., is an assistant professor in the School of Architecture. Prior to coming to Marywood, Ms. Pellicano served as the senior creative director at King and King Architects, Syracuse, N.Y., and Syracuse University where she taught for more than ten years. She earned her bachelor of fine arts degree in interior design and earned her master of architecture degree from Syracuse University. Ms. Pellicano will teach graduate coursework along with interior architecture courses at the University.