Education (Colleges & Universities)
Here's a look at documents from public, private and community colleges in the U.S.
Education (Colleges & Universities)
Featured Stories
University of Michigan: $10M Histotripsy Research Center Launches to Advance Sound Wave-based Cancer Treatment
ANN ARBOR, Michigan, Sept. 12 -- The University of Michigan issued the following news:
* * *
$10M histotripsy research center launches to advance sound wave-based cancer treatment
Published On: September 11, 2026
The University of Michigan Histotripsy Center will make its specialized equipment and expertise available to external researchers
Key takeaways
* The new histotripsy research center marks a new phase in a quarter century of research at U-M--where this noninvasive cancer treatment was invented.
* Histotripsy destroys tumors with sound waves, without incisions or the side effects ... Show Full Article ANN ARBOR, Michigan, Sept. 12 -- The University of Michigan issued the following news: * * * $10M histotripsy research center launches to advance sound wave-based cancer treatment Published On: September 11, 2026 The University of Michigan Histotripsy Center will make its specialized equipment and expertise available to external researchers Key takeaways * The new histotripsy research center marks a new phase in a quarter century of research at U-M--where this noninvasive cancer treatment was invented. * Histotripsy destroys tumors with sound waves, without incisions or the side effectsand recovery times of surgery, radiation and chemotherapy.
* In an effort to accelerate the technology's scientific and clinical progress and enable more patients to benefit faster, the histotripsy research center is open to researchers outside the University of Michigan at no cost.
-
Expanding use of a noninvasive, ultrasound-based cancer treatment is the ultimate goal of the new University of Michigan Histotripsy Center, a first-of-its-kind facility launched today.
Invented at University of Michigan Engineering, histotripsy is the first commercially available ultrasound-based approach to treating tumors, allowing them to be destroyed without surgery and with few side effects to patients. Since receiving FDA authorization for liver tumors in 2023, U-M startup HistoSonics has installed over 130 treatment systems around the world, and they've been used to treat over 5,000 patients.
The Histotripsy Center is open for use by researchers both inside and outside U-M. The broader access to its specialized equipment and unparalleled, inventor-level expertise is expected to accelerate the technology's scientific and clinical progress and enable more patients to benefit faster.
"Michigan is at its best when our brightest minds connect to tackle the most consequential challenges facing society," said U-M President Domenico Grasso. "We see that today in the Histotripsy Center.
"Decades from now, I believe histotripsy will be spoken of alongside U-M's historic contributions to the polio and influenza vaccines, and the many other discoveries that have defined our university's commitment to improving and saving lives."
Support to establish the $10 million center came from multiple sources, including HistoSonics, Michigan Engineering and private donors.
A center for research and education
Initially, the histotripsy research center will take a three-pronged approach to bolstering research and education.
* A cancer program will focus on fundamental research as well as clinical and pre-clinical research to treat more cancer types, such as thyroid, pancreas, breast, prostate, brain, skin and sarcoma.
* A neuro program will work to advance histotripsy as a noninvasive treatment for brain diseases.
* An education program aims to build the next generation of histotripsy scientists, engineers and clinicians and chart the future of acoustic medicine. It will include programs for graduate students and postdocs.
Phase two of the center will focus on training clinicians who explore new treatment indications and push promising new human trials forward.
Broadening access to histotripsy testing equipment and expertise
The center's strategy is to make collaboration with outside institutions as easy as possible. Researchers can come to Ann Arbor to perform tests with the center's equipment--which is not commercially available, said Zhen Xu, the Li Ka Shing Professor of Biomedical Engineering, a professor of radiology and neurosurgery, and a co-inventor of histotripsy.
For researchers who cannot come to Ann Arbor, a histotripsy "travel system" of U-M's machines and experts can travel to locations around the U.S. free of charge.
"In the next half decade, I envision the Histotripsy Center expanding from our lab to support thousands of researchers around the country, conduct as many as 100 projects at one time, publish over 100 joint papers and file 50 patents a year," Xu said. "Using this high research productivity as a solid foundation, we expect to see 3-5 new FDA approvals for new diseases and to be able to treat hundreds of thousands of patients in the next five years."
A treatment for tumors and more
Histotripsy treatment targets tumors with highly precise sound waves, causing the gases within cancerous cells to create bubble clouds. The repeated expansion and collapse of those clouds breaks apart the tumor cell's structure. All that remains is a liquid that is eventually passed out of the body.
What sets histotripsy apart is its ability to destroy tumors without the physical and emotional toll that comes with surgeries, chemotherapy and radiation.
"The future of cancer care will be defined not only by greater precision and effectiveness, but by our ability to fundamentally reimagine the patient experience," said Thomas Wang, dean of the University of Michigan Medical School and chief academic officer at Michigan Medicine. "Histotripsy represents a remarkable step toward that future, offering an innovative, noninvasive approach to treating tumors while opening the door to entirely new possibilities in cancer care.
"What makes the Histotripsy Center particularly significant is its ability to bring innovation, clinical care and discovery together under one roof. Through rigorous research and collaboration, we can better understand the potential of histotripsy, refine its applications, and explore how this technology might evolve into new approaches to treating cancer and other complex conditions. The discoveries made here could help shape entirely new paradigms of care."
Bringing histotripsy to the world
In 2009, a small group of U-M engineers and doctors founded HistoSonics to commercialize histotripsy technology. Fourteen years later, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved histotripsy for treating liver tumors.
FDA authorization is expected for kidney and pancreas tumors in the next year. A new clinical trial for prostate hyperplasia is currently enrolling patients.
"The opening of the new center at U-M represents an exciting next chapter in the evolution of this groundbreaking science," said Mike Blue, HistoSonics' president and CEO. "It will play an important role in continuing to advance the technology, allow us to explore new applications with the potential to radically change the standard of care across many significant diseases, and ultimately unlock the full potential of histotripsy for patients around the world."
In June, HistoSonics reached a valuation of $3.75 billion and now employs roughly 500 people, with offices in Ann Arbor and corporate headquarters in Minnesota.
Xu and the University of Michigan have a financial interest in HistoSonics.
* * *
Original text here: https://news.umich.edu/10m-histotripsy-research-center-launches-to-advance-sound-wave-based-cancer-treatment/
* * *
$10M histotripsy research center launches to advance sound wave-based cancer treatment
Published On: September 11, 2026
The University of Michigan Histotripsy Center will make its specialized equipment and expertise available to external researchers
Key takeaways
* The new histotripsy research center marks a new phase in a quarter century of research at U-M--where this noninvasive cancer treatment was invented.
* Histotripsy destroys tumors with sound waves, without incisions or the side effects ... Show Full Article ANN ARBOR, Michigan, Sept. 12 -- The University of Michigan issued the following news: * * * $10M histotripsy research center launches to advance sound wave-based cancer treatment Published On: September 11, 2026 The University of Michigan Histotripsy Center will make its specialized equipment and expertise available to external researchers Key takeaways * The new histotripsy research center marks a new phase in a quarter century of research at U-M--where this noninvasive cancer treatment was invented. * Histotripsy destroys tumors with sound waves, without incisions or the side effectsand recovery times of surgery, radiation and chemotherapy.
* In an effort to accelerate the technology's scientific and clinical progress and enable more patients to benefit faster, the histotripsy research center is open to researchers outside the University of Michigan at no cost.
-
Expanding use of a noninvasive, ultrasound-based cancer treatment is the ultimate goal of the new University of Michigan Histotripsy Center, a first-of-its-kind facility launched today.
Invented at University of Michigan Engineering, histotripsy is the first commercially available ultrasound-based approach to treating tumors, allowing them to be destroyed without surgery and with few side effects to patients. Since receiving FDA authorization for liver tumors in 2023, U-M startup HistoSonics has installed over 130 treatment systems around the world, and they've been used to treat over 5,000 patients.
The Histotripsy Center is open for use by researchers both inside and outside U-M. The broader access to its specialized equipment and unparalleled, inventor-level expertise is expected to accelerate the technology's scientific and clinical progress and enable more patients to benefit faster.
"Michigan is at its best when our brightest minds connect to tackle the most consequential challenges facing society," said U-M President Domenico Grasso. "We see that today in the Histotripsy Center.
"Decades from now, I believe histotripsy will be spoken of alongside U-M's historic contributions to the polio and influenza vaccines, and the many other discoveries that have defined our university's commitment to improving and saving lives."
Support to establish the $10 million center came from multiple sources, including HistoSonics, Michigan Engineering and private donors.
A center for research and education
Initially, the histotripsy research center will take a three-pronged approach to bolstering research and education.
* A cancer program will focus on fundamental research as well as clinical and pre-clinical research to treat more cancer types, such as thyroid, pancreas, breast, prostate, brain, skin and sarcoma.
* A neuro program will work to advance histotripsy as a noninvasive treatment for brain diseases.
* An education program aims to build the next generation of histotripsy scientists, engineers and clinicians and chart the future of acoustic medicine. It will include programs for graduate students and postdocs.
Phase two of the center will focus on training clinicians who explore new treatment indications and push promising new human trials forward.
Broadening access to histotripsy testing equipment and expertise
The center's strategy is to make collaboration with outside institutions as easy as possible. Researchers can come to Ann Arbor to perform tests with the center's equipment--which is not commercially available, said Zhen Xu, the Li Ka Shing Professor of Biomedical Engineering, a professor of radiology and neurosurgery, and a co-inventor of histotripsy.
For researchers who cannot come to Ann Arbor, a histotripsy "travel system" of U-M's machines and experts can travel to locations around the U.S. free of charge.
"In the next half decade, I envision the Histotripsy Center expanding from our lab to support thousands of researchers around the country, conduct as many as 100 projects at one time, publish over 100 joint papers and file 50 patents a year," Xu said. "Using this high research productivity as a solid foundation, we expect to see 3-5 new FDA approvals for new diseases and to be able to treat hundreds of thousands of patients in the next five years."
A treatment for tumors and more
Histotripsy treatment targets tumors with highly precise sound waves, causing the gases within cancerous cells to create bubble clouds. The repeated expansion and collapse of those clouds breaks apart the tumor cell's structure. All that remains is a liquid that is eventually passed out of the body.
What sets histotripsy apart is its ability to destroy tumors without the physical and emotional toll that comes with surgeries, chemotherapy and radiation.
"The future of cancer care will be defined not only by greater precision and effectiveness, but by our ability to fundamentally reimagine the patient experience," said Thomas Wang, dean of the University of Michigan Medical School and chief academic officer at Michigan Medicine. "Histotripsy represents a remarkable step toward that future, offering an innovative, noninvasive approach to treating tumors while opening the door to entirely new possibilities in cancer care.
"What makes the Histotripsy Center particularly significant is its ability to bring innovation, clinical care and discovery together under one roof. Through rigorous research and collaboration, we can better understand the potential of histotripsy, refine its applications, and explore how this technology might evolve into new approaches to treating cancer and other complex conditions. The discoveries made here could help shape entirely new paradigms of care."
Bringing histotripsy to the world
In 2009, a small group of U-M engineers and doctors founded HistoSonics to commercialize histotripsy technology. Fourteen years later, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved histotripsy for treating liver tumors.
FDA authorization is expected for kidney and pancreas tumors in the next year. A new clinical trial for prostate hyperplasia is currently enrolling patients.
"The opening of the new center at U-M represents an exciting next chapter in the evolution of this groundbreaking science," said Mike Blue, HistoSonics' president and CEO. "It will play an important role in continuing to advance the technology, allow us to explore new applications with the potential to radically change the standard of care across many significant diseases, and ultimately unlock the full potential of histotripsy for patients around the world."
In June, HistoSonics reached a valuation of $3.75 billion and now employs roughly 500 people, with offices in Ann Arbor and corporate headquarters in Minnesota.
Xu and the University of Michigan have a financial interest in HistoSonics.
* * *
Original text here: https://news.umich.edu/10m-histotripsy-research-center-launches-to-advance-sound-wave-based-cancer-treatment/
St. Mary's College of Maryland: An Evening With Rear Admiral. Tim Gallaudet, USN (Ret.)
ST. MARY'S CITY, Maryland, Sept. 12 -- St. Mary's College of Maryland issued the following news:
* * *
An evening with Rear Admiral. Tim Gallaudet, USN (Ret.)
September 11, 2026
By Gretchen Phillips
The Patuxent Partnership and the Steny H. Hoyer Center for the Study of Democracy at St. Mary's College of Maryland will present an evening with Rear Admiral. Tim Gallaudet, Ph.D., USN (Ret.), on Wednesday, Sept. 30, from 5-7 p.m. at the College's Nancy R. and Norton T. Dodge Performing Arts Center.
Gallaudet, former acting administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) ... Show Full Article ST. MARY'S CITY, Maryland, Sept. 12 -- St. Mary's College of Maryland issued the following news: * * * An evening with Rear Admiral. Tim Gallaudet, USN (Ret.) September 11, 2026 By Gretchen Phillips The Patuxent Partnership and the Steny H. Hoyer Center for the Study of Democracy at St. Mary's College of Maryland will present an evening with Rear Admiral. Tim Gallaudet, Ph.D., USN (Ret.), on Wednesday, Sept. 30, from 5-7 p.m. at the College's Nancy R. and Norton T. Dodge Performing Arts Center. Gallaudet, former acting administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)and former oceanographer of the Navy, will discuss themes from his book, "Holding Fast in Heavy Seas: Leadership for Turbulent Times."
A retired rear admiral with 35 years of service in the U.S. Navy, Gallaudet has held leadership roles spanning national security, ocean science and environmental policy. His career includes serving as commander of the Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command, oceanographer of the Navy and deputy administrator of NOAA.
"Holding Fast in Heavy Seas" draws upon Gallaudet's experiences in military and civilian leadership and explores lessons in leading organizations through uncertainty, change and challenging circumstances.
The program will take place from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. in the Recital Hall of the Dodge Performing Arts Center, followed by a book signing and reception from 6:30-7 p.m. in the lobby.
The event is free and open to the public. Advance registration is encouraged, and walk-ins are welcome.
* * *
Original text here: https://inside.smcm.edu/news/2026/09/evening-rear-admiral-tim-gallaudet-usn-ret
* * *
An evening with Rear Admiral. Tim Gallaudet, USN (Ret.)
September 11, 2026
By Gretchen Phillips
The Patuxent Partnership and the Steny H. Hoyer Center for the Study of Democracy at St. Mary's College of Maryland will present an evening with Rear Admiral. Tim Gallaudet, Ph.D., USN (Ret.), on Wednesday, Sept. 30, from 5-7 p.m. at the College's Nancy R. and Norton T. Dodge Performing Arts Center.
Gallaudet, former acting administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) ... Show Full Article ST. MARY'S CITY, Maryland, Sept. 12 -- St. Mary's College of Maryland issued the following news: * * * An evening with Rear Admiral. Tim Gallaudet, USN (Ret.) September 11, 2026 By Gretchen Phillips The Patuxent Partnership and the Steny H. Hoyer Center for the Study of Democracy at St. Mary's College of Maryland will present an evening with Rear Admiral. Tim Gallaudet, Ph.D., USN (Ret.), on Wednesday, Sept. 30, from 5-7 p.m. at the College's Nancy R. and Norton T. Dodge Performing Arts Center. Gallaudet, former acting administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)and former oceanographer of the Navy, will discuss themes from his book, "Holding Fast in Heavy Seas: Leadership for Turbulent Times."
A retired rear admiral with 35 years of service in the U.S. Navy, Gallaudet has held leadership roles spanning national security, ocean science and environmental policy. His career includes serving as commander of the Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command, oceanographer of the Navy and deputy administrator of NOAA.
"Holding Fast in Heavy Seas" draws upon Gallaudet's experiences in military and civilian leadership and explores lessons in leading organizations through uncertainty, change and challenging circumstances.
The program will take place from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. in the Recital Hall of the Dodge Performing Arts Center, followed by a book signing and reception from 6:30-7 p.m. in the lobby.
The event is free and open to the public. Advance registration is encouraged, and walk-ins are welcome.
* * *
Original text here: https://inside.smcm.edu/news/2026/09/evening-rear-admiral-tim-gallaudet-usn-ret
Rutgers-Newark Marks 25th Anniversary of 9/11 With Ceremony and Acts of Service
NEWARK, New Jersey, Sept. 12 -- Rutgers University issued the following news:
* * *
Rutgers-Newark Marks 25th Anniversary of 9/11 with Ceremony and Acts of Service
By Carrie Stetler
September 11, 2026
On the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, which destroyed the iconic Twin Towers, the Rutgers University-Newark community gathered to remember that day and honor the nearly 3,000 lives that were lost.
Participants bowed their heads to observe a moment of silence at 8:46 and 9:03, the exact times when each tower was hit. The names of 37 victims from Rutgers were read aloud. Eleven ... Show Full Article NEWARK, New Jersey, Sept. 12 -- Rutgers University issued the following news: * * * Rutgers-Newark Marks 25th Anniversary of 9/11 with Ceremony and Acts of Service By Carrie Stetler September 11, 2026 On the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, which destroyed the iconic Twin Towers, the Rutgers University-Newark community gathered to remember that day and honor the nearly 3,000 lives that were lost. Participants bowed their heads to observe a moment of silence at 8:46 and 9:03, the exact times when each tower was hit. The names of 37 victims from Rutgers were read aloud. Elevenwere Rutgers-Newark alumni.
"Whether you lived through that day, whether you read about it in history books, whether you're on the land of the United States or abroad, we share that common strength to rise above adversity and take care of our neighbors when they face struggle," said RUPD Lt. Jamie Hendrix.
Hendrix encouraged those at the ceremony to focus on supporting others. This year, the acts of service opportunities were expanded from a tabling event following the ceremony to two weeks of activities ending September 18.
Participants can volunteer on community cleanup day, work at the food pantry farmer's market, register to vote, and join other efforts.
Speakers at the event focused on themes of service, compassion, remembrance and unity.
Paul Lazaro, Assistant Director of the Office of Veteran and Military Programs, noted that in the one-year period following 9/11, more than 250,000 people enlisted in the U.S. military, including himself.
He urged the next generation to find ways of serving others as a way of honoring the spirit of compassion that became a unifier for so many in the weeks following the attack.
"Your service does not have to be in a military uniform, but it will be no less impactful. Serve your families, serve your neighbors, your communities, serve this country. Please, to the rising generation, answer that call and serve," he said.
The event included a posting of colors by Junior ROTC members of Central High School and Barringer High School.
Rutgers-Newark Chief of Staff Amy Diaz recognized young people at the event who were born after 9/11.
"It is a responsibility to remind everyone of the feeling and the promise that was made 25 years ago," she said. "We, as a united nation, promised to never forget, and today, we remember the loss, the sacrifice, the countless acts of bravery, the compassion and the resilience that we carry forward," she said.
Daniel Cortez, president of the Student Governing Association, was among those who weren't born when 9/11 occurred.
"There was no before, only after. And following that day, our generation was taught about the horrific consequences of the loss of life and the destroyed buildings and subsequent war," he said.
"Now, years later, as a political science student, we learn about the intricacies of power dynamics, and how politics have forever changed since," said Cortez.
"But when you look past the conversations of freedom versus security or the ongoing global power struggles, you see something that we often forget in our daily lives," he added. "Humanity was not built on hate and division. It's built on love, community, and strength."
RUPD Chief Carmelo "John" Huertas focused on the heroism of first responders.
"They ran toward danger, while others were trying to get away from it. What they did was extraordinary. But there is another lesson in their courage," he said.
"On September 11, first responders showed us what it means to put the well-being of others ahead of ourselves. But service doesn't require running into a burning building or placing yourself in danger," said Huertas. "Sometimes, service is quieter. It is helping a classmate who is struggling, helping someone who is having a difficult day, standing up when you see someone being treated unfairly."
* * *
Original text here: https://www.newark.rutgers.edu/news/rutgers-newark-marks-25th-anniversary-911-ceremony-and-acts-service
* * *
Rutgers-Newark Marks 25th Anniversary of 9/11 with Ceremony and Acts of Service
By Carrie Stetler
September 11, 2026
On the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, which destroyed the iconic Twin Towers, the Rutgers University-Newark community gathered to remember that day and honor the nearly 3,000 lives that were lost.
Participants bowed their heads to observe a moment of silence at 8:46 and 9:03, the exact times when each tower was hit. The names of 37 victims from Rutgers were read aloud. Eleven ... Show Full Article NEWARK, New Jersey, Sept. 12 -- Rutgers University issued the following news: * * * Rutgers-Newark Marks 25th Anniversary of 9/11 with Ceremony and Acts of Service By Carrie Stetler September 11, 2026 On the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, which destroyed the iconic Twin Towers, the Rutgers University-Newark community gathered to remember that day and honor the nearly 3,000 lives that were lost. Participants bowed their heads to observe a moment of silence at 8:46 and 9:03, the exact times when each tower was hit. The names of 37 victims from Rutgers were read aloud. Elevenwere Rutgers-Newark alumni.
"Whether you lived through that day, whether you read about it in history books, whether you're on the land of the United States or abroad, we share that common strength to rise above adversity and take care of our neighbors when they face struggle," said RUPD Lt. Jamie Hendrix.
Hendrix encouraged those at the ceremony to focus on supporting others. This year, the acts of service opportunities were expanded from a tabling event following the ceremony to two weeks of activities ending September 18.
Participants can volunteer on community cleanup day, work at the food pantry farmer's market, register to vote, and join other efforts.
Speakers at the event focused on themes of service, compassion, remembrance and unity.
Paul Lazaro, Assistant Director of the Office of Veteran and Military Programs, noted that in the one-year period following 9/11, more than 250,000 people enlisted in the U.S. military, including himself.
He urged the next generation to find ways of serving others as a way of honoring the spirit of compassion that became a unifier for so many in the weeks following the attack.
"Your service does not have to be in a military uniform, but it will be no less impactful. Serve your families, serve your neighbors, your communities, serve this country. Please, to the rising generation, answer that call and serve," he said.
The event included a posting of colors by Junior ROTC members of Central High School and Barringer High School.
Rutgers-Newark Chief of Staff Amy Diaz recognized young people at the event who were born after 9/11.
"It is a responsibility to remind everyone of the feeling and the promise that was made 25 years ago," she said. "We, as a united nation, promised to never forget, and today, we remember the loss, the sacrifice, the countless acts of bravery, the compassion and the resilience that we carry forward," she said.
Daniel Cortez, president of the Student Governing Association, was among those who weren't born when 9/11 occurred.
"There was no before, only after. And following that day, our generation was taught about the horrific consequences of the loss of life and the destroyed buildings and subsequent war," he said.
"Now, years later, as a political science student, we learn about the intricacies of power dynamics, and how politics have forever changed since," said Cortez.
"But when you look past the conversations of freedom versus security or the ongoing global power struggles, you see something that we often forget in our daily lives," he added. "Humanity was not built on hate and division. It's built on love, community, and strength."
RUPD Chief Carmelo "John" Huertas focused on the heroism of first responders.
"They ran toward danger, while others were trying to get away from it. What they did was extraordinary. But there is another lesson in their courage," he said.
"On September 11, first responders showed us what it means to put the well-being of others ahead of ourselves. But service doesn't require running into a burning building or placing yourself in danger," said Huertas. "Sometimes, service is quieter. It is helping a classmate who is struggling, helping someone who is having a difficult day, standing up when you see someone being treated unfairly."
* * *
Original text here: https://www.newark.rutgers.edu/news/rutgers-newark-marks-25th-anniversary-911-ceremony-and-acts-service
Rhodes College: Wilkinson to Receive Distinguished Award for Modern American Poetry
MEMPHIS, Tennessee, Sept. 12 -- Rhodes College issued the following news:
* * *
Wilkinson to Receive Distinguished Award for Modern American Poetry
Published on: September 10, 2026
Dr. Caki Wilkinson, professor of English and director of creative writing at Rhodes College, is the recipient of the 2026 Aiken Taylor Award for Modern American Poetry, presented by the Sewanee Review at the University of the South in Sewanee, Tenn. She will be honored at a celebration in October at the college, which will include lectures on her poetry by writers Alice Bolin and Daniel Hornsby.
Since 1987, the ... Show Full Article MEMPHIS, Tennessee, Sept. 12 -- Rhodes College issued the following news: * * * Wilkinson to Receive Distinguished Award for Modern American Poetry Published on: September 10, 2026 Dr. Caki Wilkinson, professor of English and director of creative writing at Rhodes College, is the recipient of the 2026 Aiken Taylor Award for Modern American Poetry, presented by the Sewanee Review at the University of the South in Sewanee, Tenn. She will be honored at a celebration in October at the college, which will include lectures on her poetry by writers Alice Bolin and Daniel Hornsby. Since 1987, theSewanee Review has recognized a distinguished poet for achievement and exceptional work with the Aiken Taylor Award in Modern American Poetry. The award has celebrated notable poets such as Gwendolyn Brooks, Howard Nemerov, Louise Gluck, Billy Collins, and Jericho Brown.
A 2003 graduate of Rhodes, Wilkinson earned an MFA in poetry from Johns Hopkins University and a Ph.D. in English and comparative literature from the University of Cincinnati. She is the author of several poetry collections including Circles Where the Head Should Be, The Wynona Stone Poems, and The Survival Expo. Her poems have appeared in The New Yorker, The Nation, The Atlantic, Kenyon Review, and many other publications.
Wilkinson has received multiple awards for her poetry including the Lexi Rudnitsky/Editor's Choice Award, the Vassar Miller Prize, and the Poetry Foundation's Ruth Lilly Fellowship. In 2025, she was honored with Rhodes' Clarence Day Award for Outstanding Research and Creative Activity, one of the highest honors bestowed upon faculty.
* * *
Original text here: https://news.rhodes.edu/stories/wilkinson-receive-distinguished-award-modern-american-poetry
* * *
Wilkinson to Receive Distinguished Award for Modern American Poetry
Published on: September 10, 2026
Dr. Caki Wilkinson, professor of English and director of creative writing at Rhodes College, is the recipient of the 2026 Aiken Taylor Award for Modern American Poetry, presented by the Sewanee Review at the University of the South in Sewanee, Tenn. She will be honored at a celebration in October at the college, which will include lectures on her poetry by writers Alice Bolin and Daniel Hornsby.
Since 1987, the ... Show Full Article MEMPHIS, Tennessee, Sept. 12 -- Rhodes College issued the following news: * * * Wilkinson to Receive Distinguished Award for Modern American Poetry Published on: September 10, 2026 Dr. Caki Wilkinson, professor of English and director of creative writing at Rhodes College, is the recipient of the 2026 Aiken Taylor Award for Modern American Poetry, presented by the Sewanee Review at the University of the South in Sewanee, Tenn. She will be honored at a celebration in October at the college, which will include lectures on her poetry by writers Alice Bolin and Daniel Hornsby. Since 1987, theSewanee Review has recognized a distinguished poet for achievement and exceptional work with the Aiken Taylor Award in Modern American Poetry. The award has celebrated notable poets such as Gwendolyn Brooks, Howard Nemerov, Louise Gluck, Billy Collins, and Jericho Brown.
A 2003 graduate of Rhodes, Wilkinson earned an MFA in poetry from Johns Hopkins University and a Ph.D. in English and comparative literature from the University of Cincinnati. She is the author of several poetry collections including Circles Where the Head Should Be, The Wynona Stone Poems, and The Survival Expo. Her poems have appeared in The New Yorker, The Nation, The Atlantic, Kenyon Review, and many other publications.
Wilkinson has received multiple awards for her poetry including the Lexi Rudnitsky/Editor's Choice Award, the Vassar Miller Prize, and the Poetry Foundation's Ruth Lilly Fellowship. In 2025, she was honored with Rhodes' Clarence Day Award for Outstanding Research and Creative Activity, one of the highest honors bestowed upon faculty.
* * *
Original text here: https://news.rhodes.edu/stories/wilkinson-receive-distinguished-award-modern-american-poetry
Princeton SPIA Afghanistan Policy Lab Community Shares Reflections on the 25th Anniversary of 9/11
PRINCETON, New Jersey, Sept. 12 -- Princeton University School of Public and International Affairs issued the following news:
* * *
September 11, 2026
Princeton SPIA Afghanistan Policy Lab Community Shares Reflections on the 25th Anniversary of 9/11
To mark the 25th Anniversary of 9/11 terrorist attacks--an event that profoundly reshaped global politics, international security, and the lives of millions around the world, the Afghanistan Policy Lab at Princeton School of Public and International Affairs shares a variety of reflections that highlight personal experiences, perspectives, professional ... Show Full Article PRINCETON, New Jersey, Sept. 12 -- Princeton University School of Public and International Affairs issued the following news: * * * September 11, 2026 Princeton SPIA Afghanistan Policy Lab Community Shares Reflections on the 25th Anniversary of 9/11 To mark the 25th Anniversary of 9/11 terrorist attacks--an event that profoundly reshaped global politics, international security, and the lives of millions around the world, the Afghanistan Policy Lab at Princeton School of Public and International Affairs shares a variety of reflections that highlight personal experiences, perspectives, professionalpaths, lessons learned and advice to future generations.
Habiba Sarabi, Former Affiliate at the Afghanistan Policy Lab, first woman Governor of the Bamyan Province; former Minister of Women's Affairs and member of the Afghanistan Negotiating Team.
"September 11 remains a reminder of how global events can reshape individual lives and how fragile progress can be. Its tragedy belongs to those who lost their lives and loved ones, while its aftermath continues to shape Afghanistan."
September 11, 2001, was a horrific terrorist attack that claimed thousands of lives in the United States and left families grieving. Its consequences extended far beyond America. For Afghanistan, September 11 marked a new chapter. It also changed my life.
I was living in Peshawar, Pakistan, as a refugee, having fled Afghanistan because of the Taliban's violence and repression. CNN broadcast images of the attacks.
As reports connected the attacks to al-Qaeda, sheltered by the Taliban in Afghanistan, my thoughts turned to my homeland. I wondered whether the world would finally pay attention to Afghan women who had endured years of repression. This did not lessen the horror of what had happened in the United States; it reflected my experience of oppression and displacement.
What followed brought changes to Afghanistan. The Taliban were removed from power, an interim administration was formed through the Bonn process, and a new political order took shape. The 2004 Constitution enshrined equal rights and political participation for women and marginalized communities, including Hazaras.
For me, these changes created opportunities that once seemed impossible. Millions of Afghan girls returned to school, women entered public institutions, and a new generation gained access to education. I served for eight years as governor of Bamyan, becoming Afghanistan's first female provincial governor. My daughter earned two master's degrees and served in government. In 2014, I ran as a vice-presidential candidate.
Much of that progress was not sustained. The Doha Agreement and withdrawal of U.S. and NATO forces culminated in the Taliban's return to power in August 2021. The consequences for Afghan women and girls have been devastating, with severe restrictions on education, work, and public life.
Looking back, I recognize both progress and its limitations. Institutions remained fragile, while corruption and political divisions persisted. Yet meaningful transformation occurred, particularly for women and girls.
Reflecting on this period, I see my life intertwined with Afghanistan's turbulent history--from a refugee witnessing September 11 in Peshawar, to a public servant contributing to national rebuilding, to a witness to the reversal of hard-won gains. Afghanistan also remains vulnerable to extremism, showing that the security concerns that shaped the post-September 11 world have not disappeared.
September 11 remains a reminder of how global events can reshape individual lives and how fragile progress can be. Its tragedy belongs to those who lost their lives and loved ones, while its aftermath continues to shape Afghanistan.
* * *
Matthew C. Weiner, Ph.D. is an Associate Dean in the Office of Religious Life. He oversees many programs including Hidden Chaplains, The Religious Life Council, and Faith Based Internships. He is the Principal Investigator (with Stanley N. Katz) for the Religion and Forced Migration Initiative, funded in part by the Henry Luce Foundation. He leads Live Music Meditation and co-curates the Stairwell Gallery.
"For two days we tried calling religious leaders, found some of them at ground zero, and held a service 48 hours after the planes hit. Kofi Annan, former Secretary General of the UN said that while the acts were called inhuman, they were indeed human acts, and that humans could act differently as well- such as in the service we were responding with. Never in my decades of interfaith work have I experienced a prayer service with such gravitas and lack of ego."
The morning of September 11th 2001, I was with Kofi Anan's security detail, and we were doing a run through for a prayer service that was to take place on Thursday. It was Tuesday morning, my friend Timur Yuskaev and I were explaining to Annan's people how the procession would work, which religious leaders would go when, and so on. There were some twenty religious leaders from every tradition in New York, each given a minute for their prayer. The service was to bless the United Nations for it's work. We had done this a few years in a row. Annans' security got the news in their ear buds that a plane had hit, and then another, and then they were gone- to the UN we can assume. And we walked up to the third floor of St. Barts church to the balcony where we watched the smoke rise and flow to over the river to Brooklyn. By then, the streets below, park avenue in our case, was already flooded with people walking home.
That night we walked in the upper east side, and the lamp posts had had made signs with the names of their loved ones, and the floors that they had been in, in the twin towers- all high level floors. A giant pile of flowers in front of the fire station. I got a call from my boss, James Parks Morton, an episcopal priest overseeing the UN Prayer Service. I thought he was calling to cancel the program- but Annan was turning the prayer service into one in response to what had just happened.
For two days we tried calling religious leaders, found some of them at ground zero, and held a service 48 hours after the planes hit. Annan said that while the acts were called inhuman, they were indeed human acts, and that humans could act differently as well- such as in the service we were responding with. Never in my decades of interfaith work have I experienced a prayer service with such gravitas and lack of ego. Later that day we held a press conference with those same religious leaders, Muslims condemning the attacks, religious leaders of other faiths calling for tolerance towards Muslims in New York. The head of the Board of Rabbis being the most vocal about the need to stick together as a city. And then on Friday, bringing a delegation of religious leaders to the 92nd Street Mosque to show solidary, with all of us sitting on the floor as prayerful participants.
There are so many other things to say about those days. There was a Jesuit Brother named Joel who worked to find the names of those who were undocumented and disappeared in the towers- their relatives too scared to ask for compensation or to share the names of those lost. There were the Muslim leaders who came to synagogues and churches and created what seemed like the first really open interfaith Iftars as a way to welcome other communities into their mosques. We created programs, helped journalists, found ways to get clergy passes to religious leaders so that they could be at Ground Zero (something the orthodox Jewish community helped with tremendously). What I recall most was a sense of bewilderment, something that one could feel at the time but all the more in the months as they past, and a sense of shared citizenship, people helping each other across religious lines in a way that I wonder if we would see today.
* * *
Hanifa Girowal, Affiliate at Princeton University's Afghanistan Policy Lab who also serves as an Advisor to the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Afghanistan. She is the Vice President of Women's Rights First (WRF), an Afghan women-led organization dedicated to documenting human rights violations and advancing women's participation in peace building and accountability processes in Afghanistan.
"A lesson I have carried from childhood: Afghan women do not only need others to speak for them. They need institutions that invest in their knowledge, leadership and ability to shape policy. Supporting spaces such as APL at SPIA, and Afghan women led organizations help to preserve that expertise at a time when Afghanistan risks disappearing from international attention."
I was in first grade, living as a refugee in Quetta, Pakistan, when I watched the towers fall on a small television in our home. My parents had fled Afghanistan during the civil war, and our first reaction was fear that another war was coming.
A few years later, our family returned to Kabul. I remember seeing thousands of girls walking to school, an opportunity my older sister and many of my female cousins had been denied under Taliban rule. Life was difficult. We had no clean water at home, and I would walk miles to bring water for my family. But we were going to school, learning English and imagining futures that had once seemed impossible.
Yet the Afghanistan I experienced in Kabul was not experienced equally. In Ghazni, I watched female cousins with little access to education being forced into marriage. I promised myself that one day I would return and open a school for girls.
I eventually studied law, worked in government and human rights, and received a Chevening Scholarship to pursue my master's degree in public international law. My human rights work also exposed me to torture, arbitrary detention, and abuses affecting communities caught between different sides of the conflict. It taught me that Afghanistan's post 2001 story cannot simply be described as either success or failure.
For many Afghan women, those years brought extraordinary opportunities. But war, corruption, political exclusion and abuses of power continued, particularly in rural and conflict affected communities. The international intervention that followed September 11 opened important opportunities, but it failed to produce an inclusive and sustainable peace.
When the government collapsed in 2021, with the arrival of Taliban, and women were again pushed out of education and public life, I felt an even greater responsibility to continue the work my generation had begun. That is why institutions such as the Afghanistan Policy Lab (APL) at the Princeton School of Public and International Affairs matter. APL creates space for Afghan researchers and practitioners to transform lived experience into policy relevant research and ensure that discussions about Afghanistan include Afghan perspectives.
Through my research there, I have been able to examine questions of women's rights, exclusion, and accountability while remaining connected to the larger question of Afghanistan's future.
The same conviction led us to establish Women's Rights First, an Afghan women led organization supporting women to document violations, understand accountability mechanisms and participate in decisions affecting their lives.
Both efforts reflect a lesson I have carried from childhood: Afghan women do not only need others to speak for them. They need institutions that invest in their knowledge, leadership and ability to shape policy. Supporting spaces such as APL and Afghan women-led organizations helps to preserve that expertise at a time when Afghanistan risks disappearing from international attention.
Twenty-five years later, my lesson is simple: Peace is not merely the absence of war. It requires justice, dignity, and opportunity for everyone. Afghanistan's unfinished promise is to build that kind of peace.
* * *
Heather Mercer, President and Founder of Global Hope, a U.S.-based nonprofit, a graduate of Princeton University's School of Public and International Affairs, author, and international speaker with nearly 30 years of experience working in conflict zones, including Afghanistan, Iraq, and Syria.
"September 11, 2001 is seared into my memory. I was in Afghanistan, held captive by the Taliban for 105 days. From that prison, I witnessed events that would reshape America, the world, and the course of my own life. It was a vantage point I never would have chosen, but one I now consider a tremendous gift."
Twenty-five years after 9/11, the enduring refrain "Never Forget" still carries the weight of a nation's grief.
As I reflect on the quarter century since that day, I know I never could. September 11, 2001 is seared into my memory. I was in Afghanistan, held captive by the Taliban for 105 days. From that prison, I witnessed events that would reshape America, the world, and the course of my own life. It was a vantage point I never would have chosen, but one I now consider a tremendous gift.
From that prison cell, I confronted the brutal reality Afghan women were living under: dignity stripped away by decree, freedom stolen, futures suffocated beneath walls both visible and invisible. I left Afghanistan carrying more than the memory of captivity. I carried the women I met there--their courage, their suffering, and a visceral understanding of how tyranny destroys lives. Their stories became part of the freedom work I carried forward in the years that followed.
For two decades, the United States pursued counterterrorism and nation-building in Afghanistan--efforts that proved far harder, more costly, and in some respects more misguided than ever imagined. Yet the failures and miscalculations of that era should not obscure the essence of the struggle itself: the fight for freedom and human dignity.
That struggle still endures. Millions of Afghan women are once again living under Taliban rule, fighting for the right to exist--to speak, to learn, to participate in public life, and to shape their own lives. Their quest for dignity is costly, existential, and unfinished.
And so, as "Never Forget" remains the banner over all that was lost that September morning, perhaps this anniversary can also widen the meaning of what those words call us to remember.
Never forget lives taken.
Never forget the families forever changed.
Never forget those who served, sacrificed, and gave their lives in the years that followed.
And never forget those for whom the fight for freedom still endures--long after the headlines have moved on.
We are given one life, and none of us knows how long it will be. September 11 taught my generation that with terrible clarity. The question is what we will do with the days we are given.
For me, the answer is a commitment renewed: Invest these days in creating a safer, freer, and more just world--and never forget those who still yearn to live in one.
* * *
Nazeela Elmi, Former Professional Specialist and Resident Fellow, Afghanistan Policy Lab and Advisor at the Afghanistan Accountability Collective
"For Afghans, 9/11 became deeply intertwined with the trajectory of the country, and with the opportunities and losses of an entire generation. My own professional path grew out of these contradictions. I was fortunate to have the window of opportunity that emerged after 2001 to receive an education and imagine a future that felt increasingly possible."
The events of September 11, 2001, shaped the lives of millions of people, particularly Muslims in the United States and around the world. For Afghans, however, 9/11 became deeply intertwined with the trajectory of the country and with the opportunities and losses of an entire generation. My own professional path grew out of these contradictions. I was fortunate to have the window of opportunity that emerged after 2001 to receive an education and imagine a future that felt increasingly possible. As an elementary and high school student, I worked at a local radio station. The progress was real, and we believed Afghanistan could move toward a more democratic future.
After graduating from high school in 2016, I received a scholarship to study abroad and left Afghanistan, believing I would eventually return and contribute to my country. Upon graduating, I received a job offer in Afghanistan in August 2021. I was preparing to return home in August when the Afghan government collapsed, and the Taliban returned to Kabul. I watched from afar as the country I knew, and the future I had imagined for myself and for so many young Afghans, changed almost overnight. For Afghan women, it marked the beginning of the systematic dismantling of rights and freedoms. Afghan women had warned the international community. They knew the history and understood what a Taliban return would mean. Yet, for years, international actors and commentators were willing to entertain the narrative that the Taliban had changed. In many ways, the events following 9/11 became the starting point of a journey that led me to ask not only how states respond to terrorism, but whose security is prioritized, whose voices are heard, and what happens when counterterrorism becomes disconnected from human rights.
Afghanistan, however, is a country whose modern history has repeatedly been shaped by foreign intervention and competing geopolitical interests. It has been a pawn in the "Great Game," a buffer zone during the expansion of the British Empire, and later the site of invasions and interventions by two of the world's greatest powers, the Soviet Union and the United States. The Taliban itself emerged in the context of foreign-backed proxy warfare. Twenty-five years after 9/11, I believe we are living through a period of historical amnesia and, at times, dangerous naivete. Pragmatism understandably lies at the center of diplomacy with the de facto authorities, but pragmatism cannot absolve us of moral responsibility. Those who engage with terrorist organizations must consider not only immediate political objectives and strategic interests but also what such engagement communicates to communities that have been dehumanized and victimized by them and the implications for international security, regional stability, and legal obligations under international human rights law. The consequences are also profoundly gendered. Afghan women today are bravely warning what happens when the international community becomes desensitized to systematic violations and gender apartheid. For future generations, my greatest advice is simple: Do not forget history. Afghans deserve to live with dignity, rights, education, and hope. Twenty-five years after 9/11, the lives of Afghans and many Muslims around the world are shaped by it; the international community has a responsibility not to look away from an existential risk in the making."
* * *
Major Peter Loftus, an active-duty officer in the United States Air Force. He is currently Chief of Staff of the Air Force PhD Fellow at the Princeton School of Public and International Affairs (SPIA).
"Five years on from the fall of Kabul, what should we make of the American experience in Afghanistan? This question reminds me of a comment from former Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai. When asked about the impact of the French Revolution, he said, "It's too soon to say." The same applies for the American experience in Afghanistan. But of one thing I'm certain. We owe a debt to those who made the ultimate sacrifice during the Global War on Terror."
On 9/11 everything locked down. I was nine years old and living on a U.S. Air Force base in England. I did not know it then, but this event would fundamentally alter the trajectory of my life. Despite being a single parent with two kids, my father deployed to Iraq during the height of the violence in 2006. When he came home, he told me of waking to the sound of sirens and incoming rockets. I would experience those same sleepless nights 12 years later in Afghanistan.
What struck me about my experience in Kandahar was that while war seemed eminently coherent in books, it was anything but in practice. I saw neither causal mechanisms nor conventionally acceptable p-values. What I saw was a chaotic dance. The war was a dance between myriad fragments of many societies meandering stochastically towards ill-defined goals. It wasn't logical or predictable. It just... was.
After Afghanistan I had a choice. I could pursue the well-trodden, career-enhancing path of Weapons School, where the Air Force develops elite tactical practitioners. Or, I could take a career risk by pursuing the much less frequented Chief of Staff of the Air Force PhD Program. When reflecting on my experiences in Kandahar, I believe the U.S. military's primary challenge is not our ability to fight, but rather our ability to achieve strategic objectives. That's what led me to pursue a PhD at Princeton.
Five years on from the fall of Kabul, what should we make of the American experience in Afghanistan? This question reminds me of a comment from former Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai. When asked about the impact of the French Revolution, he said, "It's too soon to say." The same applies for the American experience in Afghanistan. But of one thing I'm certain. We owe a debt to those who made the ultimate sacrifice during the Global War on Terror. As John says in the Gospel, "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."
From the poppy fields of Belgium to the poppy fields of Kandahar, Americans have given their lives to advance the cause of liberty. We will continue to do so even in the face of defeat. Failure, after all, is a powerful instructor. Many of the lessons Clausewitz writes about in his magnum opus were learned not from victory but rather from defeat at the hands of Napoleon's army. We owe it to those who rest in Section 60 and elsewhere to reflect upon and learn from our experiences in Afghanistan.
[ The views expressed here are those of Major Loftus alone and do not constitute endorsement by the Department of War, the Department of the Air Force, or the U.S. Government.]
* * *
Muhammad Idrees Ghairat, Program Manager, Afghanistan Policy Lab at Princeton School of Public and International Affairs
"Twenty-five years after 9/11, I reflect on this period through my own journey. Considerable progress was made during the two decades after 2001, changing the lives of millions of people, including mine. I went from being a displaced teenager uncertain about his future to receiving an education, returning home, building a career with the United Nations and later with other multilateral institutions, and contributing to my country."
For many young, educated Afghans, the post-9/11 era was a time of hope and opportunity. I was able to build my career through the opportunities available during that period, including working with the United Nations. Having seen Afghanistan in the 1990s, a country marked by poverty, civil war, and isolation, I saw how the U.S. and broader international engagement after 2001 opened a window of opportunity that my generation had rarely experienced before.
Following the establishment of a democratic government, women and girls returned to schools and universities. They became teachers, journalists, entrepreneurs, government officials, and professionals. Young Afghans studied abroad and returned home with new ideas. For many of us, there was a sense that our lives did not have to be defined only by war and displacement.
At the same time, the conflict continued, and corruption and weak institutions remained serious problems. While many young Afghans embraced education and professional opportunities, others were drawn into extremist groups and the continuing war.
Twenty-five years after 9/11, I reflect on this period through my own journey. Considerable progress was made during the two decades after 2001, changing the lives of millions of people, including mine. I went from being a displaced teenager uncertain about his future to receiving an education, returning home, building a career with the United Nations and later with other multilateral institutions, and contributing to my country.
After the Taliban's return in 2021, unfortunately, young people, especially women and girls inside Afghanistan, no longer have those opportunities. There are many examples, but the ban on girls' education beyond sixth grade alone demonstrates how much has been lost.
I still believe today: When young people are given education, opportunity and a reason to hope, their lives change, and sometimes so does the direction of a country.
* * *
Original text here: https://spia.princeton.edu/index.php/news/princeton-spia-afghanistan-policy-lab-community-shares-reflections-25th-anniversary-911
* * *
September 11, 2026
Princeton SPIA Afghanistan Policy Lab Community Shares Reflections on the 25th Anniversary of 9/11
To mark the 25th Anniversary of 9/11 terrorist attacks--an event that profoundly reshaped global politics, international security, and the lives of millions around the world, the Afghanistan Policy Lab at Princeton School of Public and International Affairs shares a variety of reflections that highlight personal experiences, perspectives, professional ... Show Full Article PRINCETON, New Jersey, Sept. 12 -- Princeton University School of Public and International Affairs issued the following news: * * * September 11, 2026 Princeton SPIA Afghanistan Policy Lab Community Shares Reflections on the 25th Anniversary of 9/11 To mark the 25th Anniversary of 9/11 terrorist attacks--an event that profoundly reshaped global politics, international security, and the lives of millions around the world, the Afghanistan Policy Lab at Princeton School of Public and International Affairs shares a variety of reflections that highlight personal experiences, perspectives, professionalpaths, lessons learned and advice to future generations.
Habiba Sarabi, Former Affiliate at the Afghanistan Policy Lab, first woman Governor of the Bamyan Province; former Minister of Women's Affairs and member of the Afghanistan Negotiating Team.
"September 11 remains a reminder of how global events can reshape individual lives and how fragile progress can be. Its tragedy belongs to those who lost their lives and loved ones, while its aftermath continues to shape Afghanistan."
September 11, 2001, was a horrific terrorist attack that claimed thousands of lives in the United States and left families grieving. Its consequences extended far beyond America. For Afghanistan, September 11 marked a new chapter. It also changed my life.
I was living in Peshawar, Pakistan, as a refugee, having fled Afghanistan because of the Taliban's violence and repression. CNN broadcast images of the attacks.
As reports connected the attacks to al-Qaeda, sheltered by the Taliban in Afghanistan, my thoughts turned to my homeland. I wondered whether the world would finally pay attention to Afghan women who had endured years of repression. This did not lessen the horror of what had happened in the United States; it reflected my experience of oppression and displacement.
What followed brought changes to Afghanistan. The Taliban were removed from power, an interim administration was formed through the Bonn process, and a new political order took shape. The 2004 Constitution enshrined equal rights and political participation for women and marginalized communities, including Hazaras.
For me, these changes created opportunities that once seemed impossible. Millions of Afghan girls returned to school, women entered public institutions, and a new generation gained access to education. I served for eight years as governor of Bamyan, becoming Afghanistan's first female provincial governor. My daughter earned two master's degrees and served in government. In 2014, I ran as a vice-presidential candidate.
Much of that progress was not sustained. The Doha Agreement and withdrawal of U.S. and NATO forces culminated in the Taliban's return to power in August 2021. The consequences for Afghan women and girls have been devastating, with severe restrictions on education, work, and public life.
Looking back, I recognize both progress and its limitations. Institutions remained fragile, while corruption and political divisions persisted. Yet meaningful transformation occurred, particularly for women and girls.
Reflecting on this period, I see my life intertwined with Afghanistan's turbulent history--from a refugee witnessing September 11 in Peshawar, to a public servant contributing to national rebuilding, to a witness to the reversal of hard-won gains. Afghanistan also remains vulnerable to extremism, showing that the security concerns that shaped the post-September 11 world have not disappeared.
September 11 remains a reminder of how global events can reshape individual lives and how fragile progress can be. Its tragedy belongs to those who lost their lives and loved ones, while its aftermath continues to shape Afghanistan.
* * *
Matthew C. Weiner, Ph.D. is an Associate Dean in the Office of Religious Life. He oversees many programs including Hidden Chaplains, The Religious Life Council, and Faith Based Internships. He is the Principal Investigator (with Stanley N. Katz) for the Religion and Forced Migration Initiative, funded in part by the Henry Luce Foundation. He leads Live Music Meditation and co-curates the Stairwell Gallery.
"For two days we tried calling religious leaders, found some of them at ground zero, and held a service 48 hours after the planes hit. Kofi Annan, former Secretary General of the UN said that while the acts were called inhuman, they were indeed human acts, and that humans could act differently as well- such as in the service we were responding with. Never in my decades of interfaith work have I experienced a prayer service with such gravitas and lack of ego."
The morning of September 11th 2001, I was with Kofi Anan's security detail, and we were doing a run through for a prayer service that was to take place on Thursday. It was Tuesday morning, my friend Timur Yuskaev and I were explaining to Annan's people how the procession would work, which religious leaders would go when, and so on. There were some twenty religious leaders from every tradition in New York, each given a minute for their prayer. The service was to bless the United Nations for it's work. We had done this a few years in a row. Annans' security got the news in their ear buds that a plane had hit, and then another, and then they were gone- to the UN we can assume. And we walked up to the third floor of St. Barts church to the balcony where we watched the smoke rise and flow to over the river to Brooklyn. By then, the streets below, park avenue in our case, was already flooded with people walking home.
That night we walked in the upper east side, and the lamp posts had had made signs with the names of their loved ones, and the floors that they had been in, in the twin towers- all high level floors. A giant pile of flowers in front of the fire station. I got a call from my boss, James Parks Morton, an episcopal priest overseeing the UN Prayer Service. I thought he was calling to cancel the program- but Annan was turning the prayer service into one in response to what had just happened.
For two days we tried calling religious leaders, found some of them at ground zero, and held a service 48 hours after the planes hit. Annan said that while the acts were called inhuman, they were indeed human acts, and that humans could act differently as well- such as in the service we were responding with. Never in my decades of interfaith work have I experienced a prayer service with such gravitas and lack of ego. Later that day we held a press conference with those same religious leaders, Muslims condemning the attacks, religious leaders of other faiths calling for tolerance towards Muslims in New York. The head of the Board of Rabbis being the most vocal about the need to stick together as a city. And then on Friday, bringing a delegation of religious leaders to the 92nd Street Mosque to show solidary, with all of us sitting on the floor as prayerful participants.
There are so many other things to say about those days. There was a Jesuit Brother named Joel who worked to find the names of those who were undocumented and disappeared in the towers- their relatives too scared to ask for compensation or to share the names of those lost. There were the Muslim leaders who came to synagogues and churches and created what seemed like the first really open interfaith Iftars as a way to welcome other communities into their mosques. We created programs, helped journalists, found ways to get clergy passes to religious leaders so that they could be at Ground Zero (something the orthodox Jewish community helped with tremendously). What I recall most was a sense of bewilderment, something that one could feel at the time but all the more in the months as they past, and a sense of shared citizenship, people helping each other across religious lines in a way that I wonder if we would see today.
* * *
Hanifa Girowal, Affiliate at Princeton University's Afghanistan Policy Lab who also serves as an Advisor to the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Afghanistan. She is the Vice President of Women's Rights First (WRF), an Afghan women-led organization dedicated to documenting human rights violations and advancing women's participation in peace building and accountability processes in Afghanistan.
"A lesson I have carried from childhood: Afghan women do not only need others to speak for them. They need institutions that invest in their knowledge, leadership and ability to shape policy. Supporting spaces such as APL at SPIA, and Afghan women led organizations help to preserve that expertise at a time when Afghanistan risks disappearing from international attention."
I was in first grade, living as a refugee in Quetta, Pakistan, when I watched the towers fall on a small television in our home. My parents had fled Afghanistan during the civil war, and our first reaction was fear that another war was coming.
A few years later, our family returned to Kabul. I remember seeing thousands of girls walking to school, an opportunity my older sister and many of my female cousins had been denied under Taliban rule. Life was difficult. We had no clean water at home, and I would walk miles to bring water for my family. But we were going to school, learning English and imagining futures that had once seemed impossible.
Yet the Afghanistan I experienced in Kabul was not experienced equally. In Ghazni, I watched female cousins with little access to education being forced into marriage. I promised myself that one day I would return and open a school for girls.
I eventually studied law, worked in government and human rights, and received a Chevening Scholarship to pursue my master's degree in public international law. My human rights work also exposed me to torture, arbitrary detention, and abuses affecting communities caught between different sides of the conflict. It taught me that Afghanistan's post 2001 story cannot simply be described as either success or failure.
For many Afghan women, those years brought extraordinary opportunities. But war, corruption, political exclusion and abuses of power continued, particularly in rural and conflict affected communities. The international intervention that followed September 11 opened important opportunities, but it failed to produce an inclusive and sustainable peace.
When the government collapsed in 2021, with the arrival of Taliban, and women were again pushed out of education and public life, I felt an even greater responsibility to continue the work my generation had begun. That is why institutions such as the Afghanistan Policy Lab (APL) at the Princeton School of Public and International Affairs matter. APL creates space for Afghan researchers and practitioners to transform lived experience into policy relevant research and ensure that discussions about Afghanistan include Afghan perspectives.
Through my research there, I have been able to examine questions of women's rights, exclusion, and accountability while remaining connected to the larger question of Afghanistan's future.
The same conviction led us to establish Women's Rights First, an Afghan women led organization supporting women to document violations, understand accountability mechanisms and participate in decisions affecting their lives.
Both efforts reflect a lesson I have carried from childhood: Afghan women do not only need others to speak for them. They need institutions that invest in their knowledge, leadership and ability to shape policy. Supporting spaces such as APL and Afghan women-led organizations helps to preserve that expertise at a time when Afghanistan risks disappearing from international attention.
Twenty-five years later, my lesson is simple: Peace is not merely the absence of war. It requires justice, dignity, and opportunity for everyone. Afghanistan's unfinished promise is to build that kind of peace.
* * *
Heather Mercer, President and Founder of Global Hope, a U.S.-based nonprofit, a graduate of Princeton University's School of Public and International Affairs, author, and international speaker with nearly 30 years of experience working in conflict zones, including Afghanistan, Iraq, and Syria.
"September 11, 2001 is seared into my memory. I was in Afghanistan, held captive by the Taliban for 105 days. From that prison, I witnessed events that would reshape America, the world, and the course of my own life. It was a vantage point I never would have chosen, but one I now consider a tremendous gift."
Twenty-five years after 9/11, the enduring refrain "Never Forget" still carries the weight of a nation's grief.
As I reflect on the quarter century since that day, I know I never could. September 11, 2001 is seared into my memory. I was in Afghanistan, held captive by the Taliban for 105 days. From that prison, I witnessed events that would reshape America, the world, and the course of my own life. It was a vantage point I never would have chosen, but one I now consider a tremendous gift.
From that prison cell, I confronted the brutal reality Afghan women were living under: dignity stripped away by decree, freedom stolen, futures suffocated beneath walls both visible and invisible. I left Afghanistan carrying more than the memory of captivity. I carried the women I met there--their courage, their suffering, and a visceral understanding of how tyranny destroys lives. Their stories became part of the freedom work I carried forward in the years that followed.
For two decades, the United States pursued counterterrorism and nation-building in Afghanistan--efforts that proved far harder, more costly, and in some respects more misguided than ever imagined. Yet the failures and miscalculations of that era should not obscure the essence of the struggle itself: the fight for freedom and human dignity.
That struggle still endures. Millions of Afghan women are once again living under Taliban rule, fighting for the right to exist--to speak, to learn, to participate in public life, and to shape their own lives. Their quest for dignity is costly, existential, and unfinished.
And so, as "Never Forget" remains the banner over all that was lost that September morning, perhaps this anniversary can also widen the meaning of what those words call us to remember.
Never forget lives taken.
Never forget the families forever changed.
Never forget those who served, sacrificed, and gave their lives in the years that followed.
And never forget those for whom the fight for freedom still endures--long after the headlines have moved on.
We are given one life, and none of us knows how long it will be. September 11 taught my generation that with terrible clarity. The question is what we will do with the days we are given.
For me, the answer is a commitment renewed: Invest these days in creating a safer, freer, and more just world--and never forget those who still yearn to live in one.
* * *
Nazeela Elmi, Former Professional Specialist and Resident Fellow, Afghanistan Policy Lab and Advisor at the Afghanistan Accountability Collective
"For Afghans, 9/11 became deeply intertwined with the trajectory of the country, and with the opportunities and losses of an entire generation. My own professional path grew out of these contradictions. I was fortunate to have the window of opportunity that emerged after 2001 to receive an education and imagine a future that felt increasingly possible."
The events of September 11, 2001, shaped the lives of millions of people, particularly Muslims in the United States and around the world. For Afghans, however, 9/11 became deeply intertwined with the trajectory of the country and with the opportunities and losses of an entire generation. My own professional path grew out of these contradictions. I was fortunate to have the window of opportunity that emerged after 2001 to receive an education and imagine a future that felt increasingly possible. As an elementary and high school student, I worked at a local radio station. The progress was real, and we believed Afghanistan could move toward a more democratic future.
After graduating from high school in 2016, I received a scholarship to study abroad and left Afghanistan, believing I would eventually return and contribute to my country. Upon graduating, I received a job offer in Afghanistan in August 2021. I was preparing to return home in August when the Afghan government collapsed, and the Taliban returned to Kabul. I watched from afar as the country I knew, and the future I had imagined for myself and for so many young Afghans, changed almost overnight. For Afghan women, it marked the beginning of the systematic dismantling of rights and freedoms. Afghan women had warned the international community. They knew the history and understood what a Taliban return would mean. Yet, for years, international actors and commentators were willing to entertain the narrative that the Taliban had changed. In many ways, the events following 9/11 became the starting point of a journey that led me to ask not only how states respond to terrorism, but whose security is prioritized, whose voices are heard, and what happens when counterterrorism becomes disconnected from human rights.
Afghanistan, however, is a country whose modern history has repeatedly been shaped by foreign intervention and competing geopolitical interests. It has been a pawn in the "Great Game," a buffer zone during the expansion of the British Empire, and later the site of invasions and interventions by two of the world's greatest powers, the Soviet Union and the United States. The Taliban itself emerged in the context of foreign-backed proxy warfare. Twenty-five years after 9/11, I believe we are living through a period of historical amnesia and, at times, dangerous naivete. Pragmatism understandably lies at the center of diplomacy with the de facto authorities, but pragmatism cannot absolve us of moral responsibility. Those who engage with terrorist organizations must consider not only immediate political objectives and strategic interests but also what such engagement communicates to communities that have been dehumanized and victimized by them and the implications for international security, regional stability, and legal obligations under international human rights law. The consequences are also profoundly gendered. Afghan women today are bravely warning what happens when the international community becomes desensitized to systematic violations and gender apartheid. For future generations, my greatest advice is simple: Do not forget history. Afghans deserve to live with dignity, rights, education, and hope. Twenty-five years after 9/11, the lives of Afghans and many Muslims around the world are shaped by it; the international community has a responsibility not to look away from an existential risk in the making."
* * *
Major Peter Loftus, an active-duty officer in the United States Air Force. He is currently Chief of Staff of the Air Force PhD Fellow at the Princeton School of Public and International Affairs (SPIA).
"Five years on from the fall of Kabul, what should we make of the American experience in Afghanistan? This question reminds me of a comment from former Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai. When asked about the impact of the French Revolution, he said, "It's too soon to say." The same applies for the American experience in Afghanistan. But of one thing I'm certain. We owe a debt to those who made the ultimate sacrifice during the Global War on Terror."
On 9/11 everything locked down. I was nine years old and living on a U.S. Air Force base in England. I did not know it then, but this event would fundamentally alter the trajectory of my life. Despite being a single parent with two kids, my father deployed to Iraq during the height of the violence in 2006. When he came home, he told me of waking to the sound of sirens and incoming rockets. I would experience those same sleepless nights 12 years later in Afghanistan.
What struck me about my experience in Kandahar was that while war seemed eminently coherent in books, it was anything but in practice. I saw neither causal mechanisms nor conventionally acceptable p-values. What I saw was a chaotic dance. The war was a dance between myriad fragments of many societies meandering stochastically towards ill-defined goals. It wasn't logical or predictable. It just... was.
After Afghanistan I had a choice. I could pursue the well-trodden, career-enhancing path of Weapons School, where the Air Force develops elite tactical practitioners. Or, I could take a career risk by pursuing the much less frequented Chief of Staff of the Air Force PhD Program. When reflecting on my experiences in Kandahar, I believe the U.S. military's primary challenge is not our ability to fight, but rather our ability to achieve strategic objectives. That's what led me to pursue a PhD at Princeton.
Five years on from the fall of Kabul, what should we make of the American experience in Afghanistan? This question reminds me of a comment from former Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai. When asked about the impact of the French Revolution, he said, "It's too soon to say." The same applies for the American experience in Afghanistan. But of one thing I'm certain. We owe a debt to those who made the ultimate sacrifice during the Global War on Terror. As John says in the Gospel, "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."
From the poppy fields of Belgium to the poppy fields of Kandahar, Americans have given their lives to advance the cause of liberty. We will continue to do so even in the face of defeat. Failure, after all, is a powerful instructor. Many of the lessons Clausewitz writes about in his magnum opus were learned not from victory but rather from defeat at the hands of Napoleon's army. We owe it to those who rest in Section 60 and elsewhere to reflect upon and learn from our experiences in Afghanistan.
[ The views expressed here are those of Major Loftus alone and do not constitute endorsement by the Department of War, the Department of the Air Force, or the U.S. Government.]
* * *
Muhammad Idrees Ghairat, Program Manager, Afghanistan Policy Lab at Princeton School of Public and International Affairs
"Twenty-five years after 9/11, I reflect on this period through my own journey. Considerable progress was made during the two decades after 2001, changing the lives of millions of people, including mine. I went from being a displaced teenager uncertain about his future to receiving an education, returning home, building a career with the United Nations and later with other multilateral institutions, and contributing to my country."
For many young, educated Afghans, the post-9/11 era was a time of hope and opportunity. I was able to build my career through the opportunities available during that period, including working with the United Nations. Having seen Afghanistan in the 1990s, a country marked by poverty, civil war, and isolation, I saw how the U.S. and broader international engagement after 2001 opened a window of opportunity that my generation had rarely experienced before.
Following the establishment of a democratic government, women and girls returned to schools and universities. They became teachers, journalists, entrepreneurs, government officials, and professionals. Young Afghans studied abroad and returned home with new ideas. For many of us, there was a sense that our lives did not have to be defined only by war and displacement.
At the same time, the conflict continued, and corruption and weak institutions remained serious problems. While many young Afghans embraced education and professional opportunities, others were drawn into extremist groups and the continuing war.
Twenty-five years after 9/11, I reflect on this period through my own journey. Considerable progress was made during the two decades after 2001, changing the lives of millions of people, including mine. I went from being a displaced teenager uncertain about his future to receiving an education, returning home, building a career with the United Nations and later with other multilateral institutions, and contributing to my country.
After the Taliban's return in 2021, unfortunately, young people, especially women and girls inside Afghanistan, no longer have those opportunities. There are many examples, but the ban on girls' education beyond sixth grade alone demonstrates how much has been lost.
I still believe today: When young people are given education, opportunity and a reason to hope, their lives change, and sometimes so does the direction of a country.
* * *
Original text here: https://spia.princeton.edu/index.php/news/princeton-spia-afghanistan-policy-lab-community-shares-reflections-25th-anniversary-911
La Salle University Appoints Sports Law Expert Levine to Lead Growing Sport Management Curriculum
PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania, Sept. 12 -- La Salle University issued the following news:
* * *
The business behind the game
September 11, 2026
As an assistant professor in the Department of Management and Leadership, Jeff Levine, J.D., Ph.D., is set to become an integral part of shaping the University's Sport Management Program.
Jeff Levine, J.D., Ph.D., has always been passionate about the sports industry. That passion is something he's been growing since his days as an undergraduate student.
"My path has really given me an opportunity to gain the foundation in various areas of expertise ... Show Full Article PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania, Sept. 12 -- La Salle University issued the following news: * * * The business behind the game September 11, 2026 As an assistant professor in the Department of Management and Leadership, Jeff Levine, J.D., Ph.D., is set to become an integral part of shaping the University's Sport Management Program. Jeff Levine, J.D., Ph.D., has always been passionate about the sports industry. That passion is something he's been growing since his days as an undergraduate student. "My path has really given me an opportunity to gain the foundation in various areas of expertisethat are incredibly important in today's sports management industry," he said.
At the University of Michigan, Levine pursued a degree in sports management and communications. He deepened his appreciation for the industry when he became a student manager for the University of Michigan football team and learned what went into the day-to-day operations of a Big Ten Conference team.
In the classroom, he began to learn more about the legal world of sports. He began to understand the fundamental role the law plays in the industry and set his sights on working as an attorney for a professional sports team.
Following his time at Michigan, Levine earned a Juris Doctor degree, along with a Certificate in Sports Law from Tulane University Law School. He subsequently worked in the legal department of the National Hockey League's Arizona Coyotes, gaining firsthand experience with the legal and business issues surrounding a professional sport organization. (The Arizona Coyotes have since relocated to Utah and renamed the Mammoth).
After his time with the Coyotes, Levine practiced law but eventually realized that traditional legal practice was not his long-term calling. He continued writing and researching sport law, began providing media commentary on legal issues in sport, and discovered another outlet for bringing those interests together: teaching.
He began teaching as an adjunct faculty member at two universities and later earned his doctorate from the University of Louisville in educational leadership, evaluation, and organizational development with a sport management specialization.
Eight years later, Levine, who calls himself an "accidental academic," has found his new calling and has spent time in various faculty positions at universities across the country. Most recently, he served as an associate clinical professor of sport business and led the esports business minor at Drexel University's LeBow College of Business, where he had previously helped design and direct one of the country's early university esports business degree programs.
He now brings his talents to La Salle University as an assistant professor of management and leadership. He will be an integral part of shaping the next chapter of the institution's Sport Management Program which launched in 2024.
"What really attracted me to La Salle was the combination of mission and opportunity," Levine said. "I've always believed strongly in practical, student-centered education, and I saw a great deal of alignment between that and the Lasallian emphasis on individualized attention, respect of the individual, inclusion, the importance of practical education, and really educating the whole person."
As Levine enters his new role at 20th and Olney, he will be primarily responsible for growing the Sport Management Program. Right now, his focus is on continuing to evolve the curriculum with future goals of integrating travel study opportunities into the program as well as considering how it could expand to the graduate level.
"I was particularly excited to join the Sport Management Program at a point where there is a great opportunity to contribute to the program's continued growth," he said.
In Levine's classroom, and the program beyond, students can expect to discuss a wide variety of topics including marketing, event management, esports, analytics, law, and communications.
Throughout all of his courses, Levine said his goal is to give students a strong foundation in the sports business world no matter what area of the industry they choose to pursue. But, in an industry that can change as rapidly as the sports industry, he wants them to be able to take that knowledge a step further and be change agents in their field.
"I hope they can go out and change the sport management industry or address an issue that relates to something that they're passionate about," he said.
He cited issues such as expanding access and inclusion and addressing disparities affecting vulnerable populations as examples of areas where students can look beyond profit maximization and consider how they might help improve the sport industry as a whole.
Levine also wants to see students gain hands-on experience in the field through experiential learning, internships, co-ops, and partnerships. He hopes to help provide some of these opportunities so students can really learn if this is the career for them.
"This is an area that is not just a paycheck; it's a passion, and it's something that they can really pour themselves into," he said.
Levine hopes to pull students in even more through his energetic, conversational, and interactive teaching style.
"I use a lot of current examples, and I think that in the classroom there should be discussion, there should be disagreement, but there should also be some humor, and students should be interested. I want students to feel comfortable engaging with the material rather than simply sitting there and listening to me talk," he said.
He wants students to learn from each other and their various perspectives as well. At the end of a course, he hopes to see them walk away with the ability to identify a concept in the real world, and be able to analyze, communicate, and take action.
Levine sees how the sports industry is multi-faceted and connects to so many aspects of everyday life. But, most importantly, it's about providing a space that lends itself to special moments that only sports can create.
"Sports are about connection. They're about belonging. They're about putting people together regardless of their backgrounds," he said.
That connection and belonging is something Levine has also seen in the ethos and the mission of La Salle. He hopes to help play a small part in carrying on Saint John Baptist de La Salle's teaching legacy as he enters the classroom.
"La Salle has this mission and values that they've been following for over 160 years, and that shows that it's not just talking the talk; they've got the track record, and I'm excited to see what sort of manifestations that creates for me, and how I can kind of be helpful in fulfilling that mission," he said.
- Meg Ryan, M.A. '24
* * *
Original text here: https://www.lasalle.edu/news/the-business-behind-the-game/
* * *
The business behind the game
September 11, 2026
As an assistant professor in the Department of Management and Leadership, Jeff Levine, J.D., Ph.D., is set to become an integral part of shaping the University's Sport Management Program.
Jeff Levine, J.D., Ph.D., has always been passionate about the sports industry. That passion is something he's been growing since his days as an undergraduate student.
"My path has really given me an opportunity to gain the foundation in various areas of expertise ... Show Full Article PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania, Sept. 12 -- La Salle University issued the following news: * * * The business behind the game September 11, 2026 As an assistant professor in the Department of Management and Leadership, Jeff Levine, J.D., Ph.D., is set to become an integral part of shaping the University's Sport Management Program. Jeff Levine, J.D., Ph.D., has always been passionate about the sports industry. That passion is something he's been growing since his days as an undergraduate student. "My path has really given me an opportunity to gain the foundation in various areas of expertisethat are incredibly important in today's sports management industry," he said.
At the University of Michigan, Levine pursued a degree in sports management and communications. He deepened his appreciation for the industry when he became a student manager for the University of Michigan football team and learned what went into the day-to-day operations of a Big Ten Conference team.
In the classroom, he began to learn more about the legal world of sports. He began to understand the fundamental role the law plays in the industry and set his sights on working as an attorney for a professional sports team.
Following his time at Michigan, Levine earned a Juris Doctor degree, along with a Certificate in Sports Law from Tulane University Law School. He subsequently worked in the legal department of the National Hockey League's Arizona Coyotes, gaining firsthand experience with the legal and business issues surrounding a professional sport organization. (The Arizona Coyotes have since relocated to Utah and renamed the Mammoth).
After his time with the Coyotes, Levine practiced law but eventually realized that traditional legal practice was not his long-term calling. He continued writing and researching sport law, began providing media commentary on legal issues in sport, and discovered another outlet for bringing those interests together: teaching.
He began teaching as an adjunct faculty member at two universities and later earned his doctorate from the University of Louisville in educational leadership, evaluation, and organizational development with a sport management specialization.
Eight years later, Levine, who calls himself an "accidental academic," has found his new calling and has spent time in various faculty positions at universities across the country. Most recently, he served as an associate clinical professor of sport business and led the esports business minor at Drexel University's LeBow College of Business, where he had previously helped design and direct one of the country's early university esports business degree programs.
He now brings his talents to La Salle University as an assistant professor of management and leadership. He will be an integral part of shaping the next chapter of the institution's Sport Management Program which launched in 2024.
"What really attracted me to La Salle was the combination of mission and opportunity," Levine said. "I've always believed strongly in practical, student-centered education, and I saw a great deal of alignment between that and the Lasallian emphasis on individualized attention, respect of the individual, inclusion, the importance of practical education, and really educating the whole person."
As Levine enters his new role at 20th and Olney, he will be primarily responsible for growing the Sport Management Program. Right now, his focus is on continuing to evolve the curriculum with future goals of integrating travel study opportunities into the program as well as considering how it could expand to the graduate level.
"I was particularly excited to join the Sport Management Program at a point where there is a great opportunity to contribute to the program's continued growth," he said.
In Levine's classroom, and the program beyond, students can expect to discuss a wide variety of topics including marketing, event management, esports, analytics, law, and communications.
Throughout all of his courses, Levine said his goal is to give students a strong foundation in the sports business world no matter what area of the industry they choose to pursue. But, in an industry that can change as rapidly as the sports industry, he wants them to be able to take that knowledge a step further and be change agents in their field.
"I hope they can go out and change the sport management industry or address an issue that relates to something that they're passionate about," he said.
He cited issues such as expanding access and inclusion and addressing disparities affecting vulnerable populations as examples of areas where students can look beyond profit maximization and consider how they might help improve the sport industry as a whole.
Levine also wants to see students gain hands-on experience in the field through experiential learning, internships, co-ops, and partnerships. He hopes to help provide some of these opportunities so students can really learn if this is the career for them.
"This is an area that is not just a paycheck; it's a passion, and it's something that they can really pour themselves into," he said.
Levine hopes to pull students in even more through his energetic, conversational, and interactive teaching style.
"I use a lot of current examples, and I think that in the classroom there should be discussion, there should be disagreement, but there should also be some humor, and students should be interested. I want students to feel comfortable engaging with the material rather than simply sitting there and listening to me talk," he said.
He wants students to learn from each other and their various perspectives as well. At the end of a course, he hopes to see them walk away with the ability to identify a concept in the real world, and be able to analyze, communicate, and take action.
Levine sees how the sports industry is multi-faceted and connects to so many aspects of everyday life. But, most importantly, it's about providing a space that lends itself to special moments that only sports can create.
"Sports are about connection. They're about belonging. They're about putting people together regardless of their backgrounds," he said.
That connection and belonging is something Levine has also seen in the ethos and the mission of La Salle. He hopes to help play a small part in carrying on Saint John Baptist de La Salle's teaching legacy as he enters the classroom.
"La Salle has this mission and values that they've been following for over 160 years, and that shows that it's not just talking the talk; they've got the track record, and I'm excited to see what sort of manifestations that creates for me, and how I can kind of be helpful in fulfilling that mission," he said.
- Meg Ryan, M.A. '24
* * *
Original text here: https://www.lasalle.edu/news/the-business-behind-the-game/
Hofstra Welcomes Nicole Levy As Head Women's Lacrosse Coach
HEMPSTEAD, New York, Sept. 12 -- Hofstra University issued the following news:
* * *
Hofstra Welcomes Nicole Levy As Head Women's Lacrosse Coach
Stephen Gorchov
Hofstra University Vice President and Director of Athletics Rick Cole Jr. announced today the appointment of Nicole Levy as the new head coach of the Hofstra women's lacrosse program.
Levy is the 10th head coach in the history of the program, which recently celebrated its 50th anniversary.
One of the brightest rising coaches in collegiate lacrosse, Levy comes to Hofstra following a highly successful coaching career that has included ... Show Full Article HEMPSTEAD, New York, Sept. 12 -- Hofstra University issued the following news: * * * Hofstra Welcomes Nicole Levy As Head Women's Lacrosse Coach Stephen Gorchov Hofstra University Vice President and Director of Athletics Rick Cole Jr. announced today the appointment of Nicole Levy as the new head coach of the Hofstra women's lacrosse program. Levy is the 10th head coach in the history of the program, which recently celebrated its 50th anniversary. One of the brightest rising coaches in collegiate lacrosse, Levy comes to Hofstra following a highly successful coaching career that has includedstops at Syracuse, Florida, and Colorado, along with extensive experience on the international stage. She has helped lead teams to a pair of NCAA Final Fours, coached and mentored 14 All-Americans, and established herself as an elite recruiter, offensive strategist, and developer of student-athletes.
"We could not be more excited to welcome Nicole Levy to Hofstra and have her lead our women's lacrosse program," said Cole Jr. "Nicole is a winner, an outstanding recruiter, a tremendous teacher, and someone who has made an impact everywhere she has been. She has competed and coached at the highest levels of our sport, and throughout this process, her passion, energy, and vision for Hofstra women's lacrosse stood out. Just as importantly, Nicole understands that developing champions is about much more than what happens on the field. She cares deeply about the student-athlete experience and developing young women as players, students, and people. We believe she is the perfect person to lead the next chapter of this proud program, and we could not be more thrilled to welcome Nicole to the Hofstra family."
"I am incredibly honored, excited, and energized to be the head coach of the Hofstra women's lacrosse program," said Levy. "From the moment I stepped on campus, I could feel the passion, commitment, and tremendous potential that defines Hofstra. I want to thank President Susan Poser, Vice President and Director of Athletics Rick Cole Jr., and the members of the search committee for believing in me and giving me this incredible opportunity. We have big goals for this program. We want to compete for championships, earn our way into the NCAA Tournament, and build a program that makes our University, our alumnae, our families, and our fans proud. This is more than just another coaching position for me. This is home, and I cannot wait to get to work with our student-athletes and build something special together. I also want to thank Shannon Smith for everything she has done for Hofstra women's lacrosse. Her passion and commitment to the program and its student-athletes have made a lasting impact, and I have tremendous respect for all she accomplished during her time at Hofstra."
Levy arrives in Hempstead after serving as the offensive coordinator and recruiting coordinator at her alma mater, Syracuse. In her first season back with the Orange, Levy helped Syracuse to a 14-6 record and an appearance in the NCAA Sweet 16, while developing three student-athletes into IWLCA All-Americans. She also helped Syracuse sign a recruiting class ranked among the top five nationally.
Prior to returning to Syracuse, Levy spent two seasons as the offensive coordinator at Florida, helping lead the Gators to back-to-back NCAA Final Four appearances in 2024 and 2025.
Levy's impact at Florida was particularly evident during a historic 2024 campaign. The Gators led the nation in scoring offense at 17.61 goals per game, points per game at 26.48, scoring margin at +9.09, shot percentage at .550, and clearing percentage at .959. Florida also ranked second nationally in free-position percentage (.639) and third in assists per game (8.87). The Gators established program records with 405 goals, 204 assists, 609 points, 603 shots on goal, and a .550 shooting percentage.
That season, the Florida staff was named the American Athletic Conference Coaching Staff of the Year and the IWLCA South Region Coaching Staff of the Year.
Before her tenure at Florida, Levy spent four seasons as the offensive coordinator at Colorado from 2019 through 2023, where her responsibilities included offensive development, practice planning, and recruiting.
Levy has also built an impressive coaching resume on the international stage. She serves as an assistant coach with the Ireland Senior National Team and helped Ireland finish 11th in the world at the 2026 World Games in Tokyo. She previously served as an assistant coach and national team player development coach with Ireland's U20 National Team, helping the program improve from 19th to 10th at the 2024 U20 World Championship in Hong Kong.
A decorated player before beginning her coaching career, Levy starred at Syracuse from 2016 through 2019. She was named the 2016 ACC Rookie of the Year, earned All-Northeast Region honors four times, helped the Orange advance to the NCAA Final Four during her freshman season, and served as a team captain as a senior. Levy ended her career ranked 10th in points (222), tied for ninth in goals (141), and tied for eighth in assists (81) on Syracuse's career charts. She later competed professionally for three seasons with Athletes Unlimited.
Levy earned her degree in human development and family science from Syracuse's David B. Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics in 2019.
WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT NICOLE LEVY
"The Hofstra program, its alumnae, families, and current players are extremely lucky to have Nicole as their new leader. She brings a unique blend of elite teaching, cutting edge IQ, and true care for her players. She continues to learn and shares her pure love of the game everywhere she goes. Hofstra just hit a home run!"
Eileen Ferry
Head Women's Lacrosse Coach
Bryant University
* * *
"Nicole has tremendous passion for the game of lacrosse. She has a drive for success that was fostered from her playing days and grown stronger through her coaching experience. I am confident that Coach Levy will have tremendous success as she leads Hofstra."
Gary Gait
Head Men's Lacrosse Coach
Syracuse University
(Syracuse women's lacrosse coach from 2007 to 2021)
* * *
"Nicole is an exceptional coach, leader, and person, and I am incredibly proud of her and excited to see her take this next step in her career. She has an incredible ability to connect with student-athletes, earn their trust, and bring out the very best in them both on and off the field. Nicole's work ethic, character, passion for the game, and commitment to developing young women make her an outstanding addition to Hofstra. I know she will make a tremendous impact on the program and the lives of the student-athletes she coaches."
Amanda O'Leary
Head Women's Lacrosse Coach
University of Florida
* * *
"We're unbelievably excited for Nicole in this next journey. She's going to make an immediate impact at Hofstra, just as she did here, both as a coach and a player. Her passion for the game and for developing student-athletes is contagious. She's a very bright mind and will be a great addition at Hofstra. A lot of hard work went into this opportunity, and we couldn't be prouder of Nicole."
Regy Thorpe
Head Women's Lacrosse Coach
Syracuse University
* * *
"I'm so excited for and proud of Nicole as she takes this next step. Working with Nicole, first as a player and then the past year as a coach, has been an absolute pleasure. She has a natural ability to connect with student-athletes and get the best out of them. Hofstra is gaining a coach who has immense passion for the development of her players, both on and off the field. Everyone she works with has been positively influenced in some way, and I know she'll continue to excel in her next role."
Caitlin Defliese Watkins
Associate Head Women's Lacrosse Coach
Syracuse University
* * *
"I am so excited for Nicole and this incredible opportunity at Hofstra. Shannon did an incredible job at Hofstra and I have no doubt Nicole will build on that solid foundation and find tremendous success. Nicole has had the opportunity to work at some of the nation's top programs, each that gives her its own unique experience. She is bringing a wealth of knowledge to Hofstra from these experiences on every front and I have no doubt Nicole will help Hofstra achieve great things during her tenure."
Ann Elliott Whidden
Head Women's Lacrosse Coach
University of Colorado
* * *
Original text here: https://news.hofstra.edu/2026/09/11/hofstra-welcomes-nicole-levy-as-head-womens-lacrosse-coach/
* * *
Hofstra Welcomes Nicole Levy As Head Women's Lacrosse Coach
Stephen Gorchov
Hofstra University Vice President and Director of Athletics Rick Cole Jr. announced today the appointment of Nicole Levy as the new head coach of the Hofstra women's lacrosse program.
Levy is the 10th head coach in the history of the program, which recently celebrated its 50th anniversary.
One of the brightest rising coaches in collegiate lacrosse, Levy comes to Hofstra following a highly successful coaching career that has included ... Show Full Article HEMPSTEAD, New York, Sept. 12 -- Hofstra University issued the following news: * * * Hofstra Welcomes Nicole Levy As Head Women's Lacrosse Coach Stephen Gorchov Hofstra University Vice President and Director of Athletics Rick Cole Jr. announced today the appointment of Nicole Levy as the new head coach of the Hofstra women's lacrosse program. Levy is the 10th head coach in the history of the program, which recently celebrated its 50th anniversary. One of the brightest rising coaches in collegiate lacrosse, Levy comes to Hofstra following a highly successful coaching career that has includedstops at Syracuse, Florida, and Colorado, along with extensive experience on the international stage. She has helped lead teams to a pair of NCAA Final Fours, coached and mentored 14 All-Americans, and established herself as an elite recruiter, offensive strategist, and developer of student-athletes.
"We could not be more excited to welcome Nicole Levy to Hofstra and have her lead our women's lacrosse program," said Cole Jr. "Nicole is a winner, an outstanding recruiter, a tremendous teacher, and someone who has made an impact everywhere she has been. She has competed and coached at the highest levels of our sport, and throughout this process, her passion, energy, and vision for Hofstra women's lacrosse stood out. Just as importantly, Nicole understands that developing champions is about much more than what happens on the field. She cares deeply about the student-athlete experience and developing young women as players, students, and people. We believe she is the perfect person to lead the next chapter of this proud program, and we could not be more thrilled to welcome Nicole to the Hofstra family."
"I am incredibly honored, excited, and energized to be the head coach of the Hofstra women's lacrosse program," said Levy. "From the moment I stepped on campus, I could feel the passion, commitment, and tremendous potential that defines Hofstra. I want to thank President Susan Poser, Vice President and Director of Athletics Rick Cole Jr., and the members of the search committee for believing in me and giving me this incredible opportunity. We have big goals for this program. We want to compete for championships, earn our way into the NCAA Tournament, and build a program that makes our University, our alumnae, our families, and our fans proud. This is more than just another coaching position for me. This is home, and I cannot wait to get to work with our student-athletes and build something special together. I also want to thank Shannon Smith for everything she has done for Hofstra women's lacrosse. Her passion and commitment to the program and its student-athletes have made a lasting impact, and I have tremendous respect for all she accomplished during her time at Hofstra."
Levy arrives in Hempstead after serving as the offensive coordinator and recruiting coordinator at her alma mater, Syracuse. In her first season back with the Orange, Levy helped Syracuse to a 14-6 record and an appearance in the NCAA Sweet 16, while developing three student-athletes into IWLCA All-Americans. She also helped Syracuse sign a recruiting class ranked among the top five nationally.
Prior to returning to Syracuse, Levy spent two seasons as the offensive coordinator at Florida, helping lead the Gators to back-to-back NCAA Final Four appearances in 2024 and 2025.
Levy's impact at Florida was particularly evident during a historic 2024 campaign. The Gators led the nation in scoring offense at 17.61 goals per game, points per game at 26.48, scoring margin at +9.09, shot percentage at .550, and clearing percentage at .959. Florida also ranked second nationally in free-position percentage (.639) and third in assists per game (8.87). The Gators established program records with 405 goals, 204 assists, 609 points, 603 shots on goal, and a .550 shooting percentage.
That season, the Florida staff was named the American Athletic Conference Coaching Staff of the Year and the IWLCA South Region Coaching Staff of the Year.
Before her tenure at Florida, Levy spent four seasons as the offensive coordinator at Colorado from 2019 through 2023, where her responsibilities included offensive development, practice planning, and recruiting.
Levy has also built an impressive coaching resume on the international stage. She serves as an assistant coach with the Ireland Senior National Team and helped Ireland finish 11th in the world at the 2026 World Games in Tokyo. She previously served as an assistant coach and national team player development coach with Ireland's U20 National Team, helping the program improve from 19th to 10th at the 2024 U20 World Championship in Hong Kong.
A decorated player before beginning her coaching career, Levy starred at Syracuse from 2016 through 2019. She was named the 2016 ACC Rookie of the Year, earned All-Northeast Region honors four times, helped the Orange advance to the NCAA Final Four during her freshman season, and served as a team captain as a senior. Levy ended her career ranked 10th in points (222), tied for ninth in goals (141), and tied for eighth in assists (81) on Syracuse's career charts. She later competed professionally for three seasons with Athletes Unlimited.
Levy earned her degree in human development and family science from Syracuse's David B. Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics in 2019.
WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT NICOLE LEVY
"The Hofstra program, its alumnae, families, and current players are extremely lucky to have Nicole as their new leader. She brings a unique blend of elite teaching, cutting edge IQ, and true care for her players. She continues to learn and shares her pure love of the game everywhere she goes. Hofstra just hit a home run!"
Eileen Ferry
Head Women's Lacrosse Coach
Bryant University
* * *
"Nicole has tremendous passion for the game of lacrosse. She has a drive for success that was fostered from her playing days and grown stronger through her coaching experience. I am confident that Coach Levy will have tremendous success as she leads Hofstra."
Gary Gait
Head Men's Lacrosse Coach
Syracuse University
(Syracuse women's lacrosse coach from 2007 to 2021)
* * *
"Nicole is an exceptional coach, leader, and person, and I am incredibly proud of her and excited to see her take this next step in her career. She has an incredible ability to connect with student-athletes, earn their trust, and bring out the very best in them both on and off the field. Nicole's work ethic, character, passion for the game, and commitment to developing young women make her an outstanding addition to Hofstra. I know she will make a tremendous impact on the program and the lives of the student-athletes she coaches."
Amanda O'Leary
Head Women's Lacrosse Coach
University of Florida
* * *
"We're unbelievably excited for Nicole in this next journey. She's going to make an immediate impact at Hofstra, just as she did here, both as a coach and a player. Her passion for the game and for developing student-athletes is contagious. She's a very bright mind and will be a great addition at Hofstra. A lot of hard work went into this opportunity, and we couldn't be prouder of Nicole."
Regy Thorpe
Head Women's Lacrosse Coach
Syracuse University
* * *
"I'm so excited for and proud of Nicole as she takes this next step. Working with Nicole, first as a player and then the past year as a coach, has been an absolute pleasure. She has a natural ability to connect with student-athletes and get the best out of them. Hofstra is gaining a coach who has immense passion for the development of her players, both on and off the field. Everyone she works with has been positively influenced in some way, and I know she'll continue to excel in her next role."
Caitlin Defliese Watkins
Associate Head Women's Lacrosse Coach
Syracuse University
* * *
"I am so excited for Nicole and this incredible opportunity at Hofstra. Shannon did an incredible job at Hofstra and I have no doubt Nicole will build on that solid foundation and find tremendous success. Nicole has had the opportunity to work at some of the nation's top programs, each that gives her its own unique experience. She is bringing a wealth of knowledge to Hofstra from these experiences on every front and I have no doubt Nicole will help Hofstra achieve great things during her tenure."
Ann Elliott Whidden
Head Women's Lacrosse Coach
University of Colorado
* * *
Original text here: https://news.hofstra.edu/2026/09/11/hofstra-welcomes-nicole-levy-as-head-womens-lacrosse-coach/