In the Spotlight - November 2025
Welcome to the first edition of In the Spotlight, a new series from the Department of Marketing and Communications designed to highlight the achievements, creativity, and leadership of DSU faculty and staff.
Whether it’s earning an award, being published in a journal or magazine, presenting at a conference, securing research funding, completing a major project, or making a meaningful impact in the community, we are going to share these moments with the DSU community and beyond. Editions will be released periodically throughout the year.
Jasmine Couch, Design Manager in the Department of Marketing and Communications, received the Delaware ACE Women’s Network (DAWN) Rising Star Award, which honors women in higher education who demonstrate leadership potential and a strong commitment to their institution and community. Couch is recognized for her creative direction, innovative approach to visual storytelling, and ability to inspire collaboration across campus. Her design work helps shape how the University visually represents its mission and message to the world.
Dr. Christopher Heckscher, Professor of Environmental Science, recently co-authored a paper published in Nature: Scientific Reports. His research examines how hurricanes and tropical storms influence bird populations in Delaware, revealing long-term effects on the physical traits and survival of migratory species. The study draws on years of field data collected through his lab with the help of DSU students and alumni, showcasing the University’s ongoing commitment to research that connects science and community impact.
Dr. Dannaé L. Orisamolade, Director of the Early Childhood Lab School, authored two chapters in the forthcoming publication Anti-Racism in Early Childhood Education: Challenging Whiteness to Implement Just Practices from Teachers College Press. Her chapters, “Recognizing the Contributions of Black Women and Amplifying Their Voices to Transform Early Childhood Education” and “Empowering Narratives of Black and Brown ECE Educators” (co-authored with Dr. Crystal M. Timmons), offer both a call to action and practical strategies for transforming early childhood education toward equity and justice.
Teresa Rodriguez, Graphic Designer in the Department of Marketing and Communications, was named the 2025 winner of the inaugural Wilmington International Film Festival Screenwriting Contest. Her winning short script, No More Candy, tells the story of a young woman who must outwit a sinister trick-or-treater who invades her home on Halloween night. The contest was open to writers across the region and required submissions to feature Delaware or nearby landmarks. As part of her award, No More Candy will be produced as a short film by Film Brothers Productions, a Wilmington-based company, and premiered at next year’s festival.
Dr. Pietro Sasso, Associate Professor of Higher Education, continues to be a national voice in the study of student culture and belonging. He was recently featured on FOX Seattle, CBS Albany, KATU Oregon, KHQ Pullman, and WBBJ Jacksonville for his research on college hazing and the factors that contribute to campus safety and prevention. Dr. Sasso also published a new book, Blurring Boundaries and Binaries: Belonging, Gender, and Mixed Heritages in Higher Education in the United States, through Emerald Publishing. The book explores how identity, culture, and belonging intersect within higher education, expanding national discussions on inclusion and representation.
Dr. Yi Zhang, Associate Professor in the Department of Languages and Literatures and Director of ESL Programs, served as Lead Section Editor for the Routledge Handbook of Language and Social Media around the World, an international collaboration that explores how language and communication evolve across digital platforms. Dr. Zhang also authored a chapter focused on language play, humor, and cultural expression in Chinese digital spaces, contributing to the global conversation on multilingualism and digital literacy.
To be considered for a future edition, please send a high-resolution photo and your information to enews [at] desu.edu.