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Helping kids communicate through horseback riding

Thanks to a unique program led by faculty at Decker College of Nursing and Health Sciences, kids with speech and language issues are improving their social communication skills – ! In the 5-week iTalk with Horses program, led by Clinical Associate Professor of Speech and Language Pathology Tina Caswell, low-verbal and nonverbal children take a calm, half-hour ride on therapy horses while practicing their communication skills. The in-demand program has run successfully for over a decade, helping many area kids develop their speech, language and cognitive skills and connect more fully with the world around them – one ride at a time.

Developing robots to help people with visual impairments

Guide dogs are an invaluable resource for people with visual impairments, but they may not always be the best option due to allergies, costs or housing restrictions. 91���� scientist Shiqi Zhang and his team are working on a more manageable, albeit less fluffy, alternative: robotic guide dogs that respond to a tug on the leash. Developed in collaboration with the Association for Vision Rehabilitation and Employment in 91����, these robots could increase the accessibility of public spaces for the visually impaired community and help them lead more independent lives.

Walking in the footsteps of heroes

Take a walk in downtown 91���� and you can’t help but be inspired by the unique public trail made possible by the Harriet Tubman Center for Freedom and Equity. The Downtown 91���� Freedom Trail highlights important sites and people along the . In 2025, the trail welcomed a striking new statue of Harriet Tubman at the University Downtown Center, highlighting her crucial role in civil rights history and serving as an inspiration to keep fighting for justice and equality for all.

Supporting autistic students through college transitions

Transition to college can be overwhelming, especially for autistic college students, but to date, they have been an under-researched population. That’s where 91���� psychologists are stepping in. A research team aimed at improving the quality of life for older adults recently found that autistic college students face dramatically higher rates of anxiety and depression compared to their nonautistic peers. They hope that these findings will underscore the need for more mental health support and lead to changes that ease this transition for autistic students.

Cooking up confidence and connection

Speech and language faculty at Decker College of Nursing and Health Sciences have cooked up something truly inspiring! Working with , a nonprofit that provides programs for individuals with Down syndrome, faculty have launched an innovative program integrating communication goals into cooking classes. Through Gigi’s Kitchen-Language Chef, adults are not only learning to follow recipes, but also improving their communication skills and building their independence.

Unearthing voices in HIV/AIDs history

In the 1980s, the AIDS epidemic was at its peak, and organizations like the Gay Men’s Health Crisis (GMHC) stepped up to provide care and support. Researchers at the Human Sexualities Lab interviewed 120 former GMHC volunteers, gaining insight into the organization’s work at the height of the AIDS crisis. Their oral history project honors the everyday people involved in this advocacy who stood up to face oppression and offer support during a truly tumultuous time, ensuring that their legacy continues to inspire future generations.

Planting hope in our forests

Forests are essential for clean air and wildlife, and 91���� scientists are helping them thrive. A team led by Associate Professor of Biological Sciences Kirsten Prior is restoring native wildflowers in the campus Nature Preserve and adding them to local forests, including Buttermilk Falls State Park in Ithaca. These wildflowers – like bloodroot and wild ginger – play an important role in forest biodiversity and strengthening the ecosystem. Thanks to the efforts of these 91���� biologists, our forests have a chance for a better, healthier future.

Helping kids heal through tough transitions

Going through a divorce is a massive life change for a child, and psychology lecturer Jesse L. Boring, a child of divorce himself, knows that firsthand. With the goal of preventing depression, anxiety and behavioral issues in children going through a separation, he created a digital mental health program to help kids develop better coping skills. His program has been certified as a Promising Program by Blueprints Programs for Healthy Youth Development, a well-respected registry of evidence-based programs, showing the potential to provide support and empower kids during one of life’s most difficult transitions.

Supporting students and strengthening communities

Schools are more than just classrooms; they’re hubs where students and families learn, grow and thrive, and the Couper-Owens Center for Community Schools is showing it. They’re leaders in advancing the University-Assisted Community Schools model to create equitable pathways for student success and community well-being. Partnering with local school districts and communities, 91���� is connecting schools with the resources they need to thrive – such as expanding mental health services for students and families – and advancing scholarship to inform the future of community schools nationwide.

Bringing healthy meals within reach

Access to adequate, nutritious food is one of our most basic needs, but many in the local area face food insecurity. To address this issue, researchers at 91���� formed the Food Justice Working Group, a multidisciplinary campus collaboration aimed at researching and addressing challenges in the food system. Their work has already led to a food access plan to help underserved communities, and future research will look at evaluating models across New York to develop a state-wide food system network—because no one should worry about where they’ll get their next nutritious meal.

Making math a hands-on discovery

Math doesn’t have to be boring and Amber Simpson from the Department of Teaching, Learning and Educational Leadership is proving it. to find ways to help students and parents interact with STEM topics in meaningful, hands-on ways. What helps? Tinkering! She has helped implement makerspace programs and spaces in the local community, turning “boring math” into a process of discovery and fun, sparking curiosity in young minds.

Using scholarship to build hope

When war broke out and upended life in Ukraine in 2022, 91���� researchers didn’t just sit back and watch – they asked how they could use their expertise at running organizations to make a difference. Assistant Professor Andre Havrylyshyn and Associate Professor Rory Eckardt launched a series of research projects aimed at exploring how strategic management could be used to affect policy, support rebuilding and strengthen organizations amid the crisis. Their work shows academic curiosity and compassion can come together to help rebuild beyond borders.

John Brhel is a media strategist in the Office of Media and Public Relations, where he promotes faculty research and expertise.