April 21, 2026 — Take a look at the latest news in student life and activities from across the Poughkeepsie campus and beyond!

Faculty of the Year Awards
The Student Government Association (SGA) hosted the Faculty of the Year Awards (photo above), recognizing professors who made a lasting impact on the student body. Among the 21 nominees were three part-time faculty members and three professors from each school. “This event is an opportunity for students to come together and thank our faculty for everything they have taught,” said Ana Domenici '27, SGA vice president of academic affairs. “At Marist, we have the opportunity to become closer to our professors, and the Faculty of the Year Awards event is a place where this happens.” Students also honored the late Dr. Gregory Machacek, recognizing the significant impact he left on his students.

Pop Culture Association Conference 2026

Dr. Messina poses with students in front of a welcome sign. From left to right: Danika Parsons '26, Jazi Khraishi '26, Grace Naccarato '26, and Dr. Messina. Photo courtesy of Dr. Messina.

Earlier this month, Jazmin Khraishi '26, Danika Parsons '26, and Grace Naccarato '26 traveled to Atlanta to take part in the Pop Culture Association conference. Building on their fanfiction research from Dr. Cara Messina’s Fall English capstone course, they presented their work to engaged audiences. “PCA in particular was an inclusive, inviting conference, specifically for undergraduate students,” said Dr. Messina. She presented her own research at the conference after receiving the Peter Rollins Travel Grant for Early-Career Faculty, offering a preview of her forthcoming book Critical Fandom: Representations of Race, Gender, and Sexuality in Fan Fiction.

Desserts Around the World

The Cabaret packed with students eager to try different desserts. Photo by Tori Hegenauer '27/Marist University.

The Student Government Association’s Diversity Equity and Inclusion Branch and Student Programming Council joined forces with various affinity groups across campus to present "Desserts Around the World" in the Cabaret on April 7. At the entrance, participants grabbed a dessert passport to prepare for their journey. Traveling from table to table, they made their way "across the globe" sampling different desserts. Each table represented a different culture on campus, giving participants the chance to try something new while learning where it comes from and who it represents.

Pushcart Prize Reading

Philip Schultz reads various excerpts of his poetry from “Enormous Morning.” Photo by Emily Portnov '29/Marist University.

Acclaimed poet Philip Schultz visited campus for a Pushcart Prize reading, engaging students and faculty with his award-winning poetry. Along with winning the Pushcart Prize, his work has been published in magazines such as The New Yorker. Schultz’s visit was the third in a series of events made possible by Marist's three-year Pushcart Prize sponsorship, launched in November 2024. During his reading, Schultz resonated with students as he reflected on the adversity that shaped his path, encouraging them to persevere through hardship.

Marist Red Fox Financial to DC

Participants from left to right: Shyamal Amin '26, Jake Zappala '27, Helena Reis '26, and Madison Chan '26. Photo courtesy of Jay Pantaleo.

The student leaders of Marist Red Fox Financial traveled to Washington, D.C. to attend the America's Credit Unions' Governmental Affairs Conference, the largest and most influential government relations conference in the credit union industry. The conference featured dynamic sessions with federal policymakers, regulatory leaders and industry experts shaping credit union priorities and real-world impact. Through coordinated Capitol Hill meetings led by the New York Credit Union Association, students met with Reps. Pat Ryan and Josh Riley and attended special events hosted by Hudson Valley Credit Union and Salesforce.