DALLAS TWP. — Misericordia University is among 36 postsecondary institutions of higher education in Pennsylvania awarded nearly $1 million collectively from the inaugural “It’s On Us PA’’ grant program to address campus sexual assault.
Misericordia was awarded $25,400 from the grants program to implement strategies on campus to address the goals of the governor’s campaign. More than 60 applicants competed for funding. The grants were selected using a blind evaluation process by a team assembled by the Department of Education.
The mission of Misericordia and the concerns of the Sisters of Mercy form the foundation of the Misericordia University “It’s On Us” Campaign, an initiative through which Misericordia affirms its commitment to the campus-wide education of sexual assault prevention and healthy relationships.
In 2013, Misericordia entered into a focused dialogue regarding programming necessary to challenge students, faculty and staff with the responsibility to impact the campus community on the issues of eliminating barriers of reporting, the need for structured training, and the importance of known on- and off-campus resources for sexual assault victims.
Misericordia University launched its own “It’s On Us’’ campus in the spring to encourage healthy relationships and prevent sexual assault. More than 400 members of the campus community, including students, staff, faculty and administration attended the program that was hosted by the peer educators’ student organization, Promoting Healthy Relationships Through Education Empowerment (PHREE).
The campus came together again in the fall when President Thomas J. Botzman, Ph.D., and representatives of Gov. Tom Wolf, Sen. Lisa Baker, R-20, Lehman Township, and Rep. Karen Boback, R-117, Harveys Lake, participated in the “It’s On Us PA’’ pledge and officially signed it.
Launched in 2014, the national initiative is an awareness campaign to help put an end to sexual assault on college campuses. “It’s On Us’’ asks everyone to make a personal commitment to be part of the solution. Many colleges and universities – including Misericordia University – throughout the country have joined the discussion and stand strong in the prevention ownership by implementing their own campaigns.
Misericordia University Dean of Students Amy Lahart, co-chair of PHREE, is one of the first to sign the ‘It’s On Us’ pledge poster, solidifying a commitment to continue to support students and foster an environment for healthy relationships on campus.
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Misericordia University Dean of Students Amy Lahart, co-chair of PHREE, is one of the first to sign the ‘It’s On Us’ pledge poster, solidifying a commitment to continue to support students and foster an environment for healthy relationships on campus.
PHREE peer educators, from left, Thomas Scott, Huntington Station, N.Y.; Elena Uriba, Coopersburg, Pa.; Ewelina Taran, Gouldsboro, Pa., PHREE advisor; Kerri Ciriello, Pompton Lakes, N.J.; Brandon Dean, Monroeville, N.J.; Tristen Snyder, Bloomsburg, Pa.; Palmer Steiner, Millville, Pa.; Emily Szeflinski, Raritan, N.J.; Devin Crevani, Milford, N.J.; Sabrina Figueroa, Centereach, N.Y.; Zack Sabaday, Saint Clair, Pa.; Krissy Kuntzman, Northampton, Pa.; and Danielle Kissane, Bloomingburg, N.Y., helped launch the ‘It’s On Us’ sexual assault prevention campaign at Misericordia University in April.
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PHREE peer educators, from left, Thomas Scott, Huntington Station, N.Y.; Elena Uriba, Coopersburg, Pa.; Ewelina Taran, Gouldsboro, Pa., PHREE advisor; Kerri Ciriello, Pompton Lakes, N.J.; Brandon Dean, Monroeville, N.J.; Tristen Snyder, Bloomsburg, Pa.; Palmer Steiner, Millville, Pa.; Emily Szeflinski, Raritan, N.J.; Devin Crevani, Milford, N.J.; Sabrina Figueroa, Centereach, N.Y.; Zack Sabaday, Saint Clair, Pa.; Krissy Kuntzman, Northampton, Pa.; and Danielle Kissane, Bloomingburg, N.Y., helped launch the ‘It’s On Us’ sexual assault prevention campaign at Misericordia University in April.
Misericordia University President Thomas J. Botzman signed the ‘It’s On Us PA’ pledge with representatives from state elected offices. His signature shows the commitment of the campus community to the campaign that encourages healthy relationships and the prevention of sexual assault. From left, Ann Houssock, Dallas District Office Manager for Rep. Boback; Cassandra Coleman, director, Northeast Regional Office of the Governor; President Botzman, and Thomas J. Yoniski, Jr., field representative for Sen. Baker, join students in posing for a picture after signing the pledge.
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Misericordia University President Thomas J. Botzman signed the ‘It’s On Us PA’ pledge with representatives from state elected offices. His signature shows the commitment of the campus community to the campaign that encourages healthy relationships and the prevention of sexual assault. From left, Ann Houssock, Dallas District Office Manager for Rep. Boback; Cassandra Coleman, director, Northeast Regional Office of the Governor; President Botzman, and Thomas J. Yoniski, Jr., field representative for Sen. Baker, join students in posing for a picture after signing the pledge.
University awarded $25,400 from governor’s ‘It’s On Us PA’ grant program