Seton Hall University Ph.D. Candidate Selected to Present at International Forum

SOUTH ORANGE, N.J. - Daria Pizzuto, of Plainfield, N.J., doctoral candidate in Seton Hall University’s College of Education and Human Services’ higher education leadership, management and policy program, was selected to present on student engagement strategies at the 37th Annual European Higher Education Society Forum in Austria.

The European Higher Education Society (EAIR) is an international association that supports research development in higher education research, policy and practice, to the general benefit of higher education. Each year it selects the top higher education researchers, practitioners, students, managers and policy-makers to present at its annual forum, held in different countries around Europe. This year’s conference was held at Danube University Krems in Austria from August 30 through September 2 and focused on how to better position higher education institutions.

Pizzuto’s presentation, which is based on an academic paper that will be published by EAIR, explored active learning strategies and student engagement. “European universities do not generally employ active learning strategies but utilize a ‘classic’, lecture style of teaching,” she said. “I used a student engagement study to expand and find four evidence-based strategies that foster student engagement.”

She credits the higher education leadership, management and policy program’s faculty for providing her with the skillset needed to present at the conference. “The professors in my Ph.D. program really make all the difference. They teach us to continuously seek research opportunities out and empower us to take initiative to choose our own research topics.”

“We encourage all of our students to present their work at conferences. Translating what they have learned through coursework, students are able to broaden their network, further develop presentation skills and promote opportunities for successful publication,” said Rong Chen, associate professor and program director. “Daria’s presentation in Austria not only reflects Seton Hall’s mission, which is to foster cross-cultural understanding and to encourage students to take global responsibilities, but also our higher education program goal, which is to mentor our students to pursue research with national and international impact.”

“My favorite thing about being a part of the Ph.D. program is the tremendous confidence, both in my personal and professional life, that it gives me,” said Pizzuto. “The faculty are so supportive and go above and beyond just teaching us about higher education but also qualities like taking initiative, holding an academic argument, taking an active stand, professionalism and networking.”

Pizzuto, a world language teacher in Basking Ridge, N.J., took advantage of her time in Europe, also visiting: Germany, Ireland and Austria’s capital Vienna. She encourages aspiring Ph.D. students to apply to Seton Hall’s Ph.D. in higher education program and encourages fellow doctoral students to submit their proposals and present at conferences.

The Ph.D. in Higher Education Leadership, Management and Policy, offered through Seton Hall University’s College of Education and Human Services, is designed to provide students with a broad understanding of the interrelated societal and organizational dimensions of higher education, in preparation for senior administrative, policy development and management posts in colleges and universities, as well as government agencies and foundations, or for careers in teaching and research. The program offers the opportunity to focus in areas, such as administration and education policy, international and comparative higher education, organizational culture and change and the academic profession.

In addition to the Ph.D. in Higher Education Leadership, Management and Policy program, the Graduate Programs of Higher Education offer a M.A. in Higher Education and Student Affairs, Ed.D. in Higher Educational Leadership, Management and Policy and Ph.D. in Education Research, Assessment and Program Evaluation. For more information, please visit http://www.shu.edu/academics/education/graduate-programs.cfm.

ABOUT SETON HALL UNIVERSITY

One of the country’s leading Catholic universities, Seton Hall University has been developing students in mind, heart and spirit since 1856. Home to nearly 10,000 undergraduate and graduate students and offering more than 90 rigorous academic programs, Seton Hall’s academic excellence has been singled out for distinction by The Princeton Review, U.S. News & World Report and Bloomberg Businessweek.

Seton Hall, which embraces students of all religions, prepares its graduates to be exemplary servant leaders and global citizens. In recent years, the University has experienced record-breaking undergraduate enrollment growth as well as nearly a 100-point increase in the average SAT scores of incoming freshmen. Since 2007, Seton Hall students and alumni have been awarded 18 Fulbright Scholarships as well as other prestigious academic honors including a Rhodes Scholar. A founding member of the new Big East Conference, the Seton Hall Pirates field 14 NCAA Division I varsity sports teams.

The University’s beautiful main campus is located in suburban South Orange, New Jersey, and is only 14 miles from New York City – offering its students a wealth of employment, internship, cultural and entertainment opportunities. The University’s nationally recognized School of Law is prominently located in downtown Newark.

For more information, visit www.shu.edu.