WEST CHESTER, PA — West Chester University has received national recognition for its student organization supporting future English teachers and a No. 2 statewide ranking for its online nursing degree completion program, according to the university’s October 2026 roundup of academic and institutional achievements.
The university’s National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) student affiliate earned the organization’s 2026 Student Affiliate Excellence Award, which recognizes leadership, programming, communication and organizational performance.
The award will be presented in November. The recognized student leadership team includes President Layla King, Vice President Ruby Avalos, leadership consultant Sarah Steeves and Treasurer Kayla Risser, with Professor Pauline Schmidt serving as faculty adviser.
Separately, West Chester University’s accredited online registered nurse-to-Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN-to-BSN) program placed second among Pennsylvania programs in RNtoMSN.org’s 2027 rankings.
The private ranking evaluates factors including accreditation, graduation and retention rates, institutional reputation, and graduates’ earnings and debt.
The placement represents an assessment by a third-party ranking organization rather than a new accreditation decision.
The two recognitions were among several academic, research and community achievements identified in the university’s monthly Campus Kudos report.
History Professor Tonya Thames-Taylor was named a 2026 Window Keeper by PA Humanities, an honor recognizing Pennsylvania residents whose work strengthens communities through history, culture and public engagement.
Her recognition reflects her use of historical education and public programming to connect communities, including efforts to restore Chester County’s historic People’s Hall as a gathering space.
The university also reported that research conducted by Professor Ellie Brown’s Early Childhood Cognition and Emotions Lab has contributed to a preschool arts education model expanding nationally.
Brown’s work examined the effects of Settlement Music School’s Kaleidoscope Preschool Arts Enrichment Program on children’s emotional development and school readiness.
The research was featured in reporting by WHYY and helped inform an approach integrating arts instruction into early childhood education.
In political research, Assistant Mathematics Professor Laura Pyott and Associate Political Science Professor Shannon McQueen received coverage from The Patriot-News/PennLive for their Ram Poll, which examined political preferences and voting priorities among Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education students ahead of the midterm elections.
Political Science Professor John Kennedy also provided media commentary on the elections and the Lehigh Valley’s role as a competitive political region.
The university’s Dub-C Autism Program continued its work connecting students with employment opportunities through the Neurodiversity Employment Network of Philadelphia.
Program Director Cherie Fishbaugh has worked with the network to arrange internships, professional connections and workplace experience. Two program graduates have been hired by the organization to assist with future events.
West Chester University students also participated in national professional outreach during October.
Seventeen members of the university’s Physician Assistant Class of 2028 traveled to New York City with Assistant Professor Renee Hammoud and Associate Professor Patrick Heagey for PAs on the Plaza, an event associated with NBC’s Today show during National Physician Assistant Week.
The students joined hundreds of physician assistant students from across the country to raise awareness of the profession’s role in patient care.
Closer to campus, West Chester University’s Department of Theatre & Dance hosted its fifth annual Dance for HER fundraiser Oct. 25 at Emilie K. Asplundh Hall.
The event brought together 16 Chester County dance studios, along with performances by the WCU Dance Team and University Dance Company, raising approximately $25,000 for Unite for HER.
Founded by university alumna Sue Weldon, Unite for HER provides support services and therapies for people affected by breast and ovarian cancers.
The university’s October report also recognized alumnus David H. Reineke, a 2019 graduate who founded Synthesys, a Dubai-based technology company developing artificial intelligence voice and telephone agents in more than 70 languages.
The company, which serves more than 450 customers across six continents, received recognition through the United Arab Emirates’ Future 100 initiative.
The university’s latest recognitions span teacher preparation, nursing education, applied research and community partnerships, reflecting accomplishments by students, faculty and alumni across multiple disciplines.
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