Spring 2026

Dear Friends, 

Welcome to the Spring 2026 issue of ASCEND. In it you will see that our faculty and students are expanding their scholarly and artistic boundaries. 

Michael LaCombe, PhD, associate professor of history, explores the intersection of Long Island’s 1980s reality and the Netflix hit series Stranger Things. Department of Dance graduate Frida Molina ’23 put in the work and became a featured dancer for Bad Bunny. And in the sophomore physics lab course of Matt Wright, PhD, professor and chair of physics, students learn to turn their imaginations into real-life solutions. 

We also spotlight our impressive College of Arts and Sciences alumni. The College proudly inaugurates its Board of Advisors, a group of distinguished alumni supporting the academic innovation and career opportunities for our students. And in the latest edition of our “What Can You Do With a Degree in ___” alumni series, we showcase the amazing careers of our Department of Art and Art History graduates. As you’ll see, studying art at Adelphi is a flourishing path.  

Thank you for keeping up with the latest news coming from the College of Arts and Sciences—for the most current coverage of our happenings, please follow us on Instagram @adelphi_cas. 

From photographing A-listers to supporting young patients through the healing power of art, Adelphi University Department of Art and Art History alumni are proving that an art degree can lead to a thriving career. Meet four alums whose work spans the runway and the hospital, the classroom and the corporate world.

Michael LaCombe, PhD, associate professor in the Department of History, combines his passion for history and love of the hit series Stranger Things in an exploration at the intersection of 1980s reality and Netflix fiction.

We’ve tapped a distinguished and representative group of Adelphi University alumni to support strategic initiatives, academic innovation and career opportunities for students in the College of Arts and Sciences.

Adelphi’s new Manhattan Center is opening this summer. Check out these programs in the College of Arts and Sciences that will be part of its Fall 2026 launch:

• Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning 

• Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing

Explore Graduate Programs

• March 10 | Graduate Student Financial Aid 101 Virtual Info Session | Virtual 

• March 27 | Tips for Completing Your Graduate Application | Virtual

• April 1 | Graduate Networking Event | Nexus Building

• April 9 | Connect With a Graduate Admissions Counselor | Virtual

• April 22 | Graduate Programs Virtual Information Session | Virtual

• May 5 | Connect With a Graduate Admissions Counselor | Virtual

Writers & Readers Festival | April 15–17 | Garden City Campus

Authors Jodi Picoult, Susan Lucci and more join Alice Hoffman ’73, ’02 (Hon.) and faculty from the MFA in Creative Writing program and the Department of English for a celebration of storytelling and reading.

Adelphi New York Undergraduate Humanities Conference | April 24 | Manhattan Center 

A gathering of undergraduate ideas from across the tristate area’s colleges and universities that highlight the relevance of “The Humanities in an Age of Intelligent Machines.” 

23rd Annual Scholarship and Creative Works Conference | April 28 | University Center 

Students from all disciplines present their research and creative work to the Adelphi community and beyond. New features this year include humanities and social science panel presentations, art gallery presentations, film screenings and a 24-Hour Play Festival, Research Is for Everyone.

A flashback to our Fall 2025 Dance Adelphi has us excited about the Department of Dance’s Spring 2026 performances (April 22–26)!

Follow us on Instagram @adelphi_cas.

See what's happening at the Adelphi University Performing Arts Center.

Look for College of Arts and Sciences events.

We invite you to be part of the College of Arts and Sciences community on social.

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