From building beds for children in need and making sandwiches for hungry neighbors to spreading holiday cheer through handwritten cards, hundreds of Syracuse University students give back to their community every year through their involvement with their Recognized Student Organizations.

Now, it’s time to honor the passion of these student leaders through the Fall 2025 Student Organization Challenge, which awards valuable funds to the student groups with the most unique donors and the most social media interaction during October. Last year, the Syracuse University Volunteer Organization (SUVO) captured the Fall 2024 Challenge, while OrangeSeeds claimed the Spring 2025 Challenge.

Every child should have access to a bed when they go to sleep. That's the driving force behind the SUVO's annual bed-building project. Student leaders like Ryan Edwards '26 have helped build 132 beds over the past two years, partnering with the local Sleep in Heavenly Peace chapter to get them to Central New York children who need them.

On Service Saturdays, Nolan Singh '28 and his OrangeSeeds peers partner with nonprofits like We Rise Above The Streets Recovery Outreach, the Salvation Army and the Nottingham. These efforts culminate in “The Big Event,” the University's largest student-run community service project.

With the Fall 2025 Challenge in full swing, Edwards and Singh stopped by the "'Cuse Conversations" podcast to share why they give back, how volunteering has shaped them as leaders and why every student should volunteer.

Over the past 25 years, the world has witnessed the birth of the World Wide Web, the explosion of social media and the transformation of phones from push-button landlines to pocket-sized computers. The impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has the potential to be the most transformative technological advancement yet, says Adam Peruta ’00, G’04, associate professor of magazine, news and digital journalism and program director of the Advanced Media Management master’s program in the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications.

“I think AI is underhyped,” Peruta says. “What we’re going through right now is maybe even more important and going to have more of an impact than the World Wide Web, social media and mobile phones.”

In his research and teaching, Peruta explores issues around AI, including how AI that creates content will impact the future of media and how people working in media and communications must adapt to new technologies. Peruta stopped by the "'Cuse Conversations" podcast to discuss the state of AI, share helpful tips for using AI into our daily lives and explains what sets the University apart as a higher education leader in AI.

David B. Falk College of Sport Dean Jeremy Jordan looks at the academics of sport through four lenses: business, human performance, technology and community well-being. Innovation and invention drive all of those areas in this first-of-its-kind college to focus on sport-related disciplines. With the official launch of the new Falk College of Sport, Syracuse University became the first leading research institution in the country to offer a rigorous standalone college aimed at preparing students to drive innovation in and provide leadership for sport-related fields and industries.

Jordan stopped by the “’Cuse Conversations” podcast to discuss the changes in Falk, how the college’s four areas of academic excellence will strengthen its reputation as a global leader and how a multifaceted approach will elevate sport across campus.

In this moving “‘Cuse Conversation,” Newhouse School graduate Erika Mahoney ’12 discusses her powerful new podcast, "Senseless." Mahoney, a former television and radio news reporter, shares her journey through trauma, grief, resilience and recovery and reflects on her decision that led a seasoned journalist to open up about her own story after her father was killed in the 2021 mass shooting at a Colorado grocery store.

There’s a new father-son sportscasting team on the national scene, one with a decidedly Orange background: Ian ’90 and Noah Eagle ’19. Ian finished his second year as the lead announcer for the NCAA men's basketball tournament and has crafted an award-winning career calling NFL and NBA games on a variety of national broadcast networks. He’s also the longtime Brooklyn Nets TV announcer for the YES Network. Noah is a rising star, working the Super Bowl and serving as the voice of Team USA basketball at the Olympics, the radio voice of the Los Angeles Clippers, and broadcasting French Open tennis and countless primetime college football and basketball games. Sportscasting and a love for Syracuse University runs in the Eagle family, and in honor of Father’s Day, the Eagles stopped by to discuss their special bond, relive the moment in February of 2018 when Ian was calling the Syracuse vs. Miami men’s basketball game for CBS and Noah was broadcasting for WAER-FM, and reflect on the important role Syracuse University has played in their lives.

Civil and environmental engineering professor Charles Driscoll⁠ has always been interested in ways to protect our environment and natural resources, so he set about studying the large-scale effects of pollutants on the natural environment, earning a civil engineering degree from the University of Maine and both a master’s degree and a Ph.D. in environmental engineering from Cornell University. Driscoll, one of the nation’s leading experts on pollution research, developed a series of predictive environmental models that explore how chemicals in soil, water and vegetation change when exposed to air pollutants. He has devised strategies to reverse the damaging effects of acid rain and mercury contamination in lakes, including leading efforts to successfully restore nearby Onondaga Lake—once one of the most polluted lakes in the country—after developing new methods of testing for mercury. On this episode, Driscoll discusses the magnitude of his research, how he uses models to both understand the disturbances and lead restoration efforts and reflects on some of his successful remediations.

Community engagement. Reciprocal learning. Service to others through volunteering. Those were the principles behind the creation of the Mary Ann Shaw Center for Public and Community Service in 1994 under the direction of then-Syracuse University Chancellor Kenneth Shaw and his wife, Mary Ann, who also served as the associate of the Chancellor. For 30 years, the Shaw Center has proudly served as Syracuse University’s hub for academic community engagement. By giving back to nonprofits and organizations around Syracuse through service learning and volunteering, the campus community engages in the high impact practice of experiential learning. On April 21, the 30th anniversary of the Shaw Center will be celebrated, and on this episode, former Shaw Center volunteer Derek Wallace '00 and current student volunteer Claire Ceccoli '25 discuss how their involvement with the Shaw Center transformed them into leaders in their communities.

The cutting-edge weight loss and diabetes research developed by medicinal chemist Robert Doyle has offered significant and consistent weight loss and glucose control to its recipients through peptide-based treatments. Doyle and his fellow collaborators reported that two new peptide compounds­­—GEP44 and KCEM1—considerably reduce body weight and normalize blood glucose levels without causing the typical negative side effects experienced by patients who take currently available GLP-1-based anti-obesity drugs. Doyle, the Jack and Laura H. Milton Professor and Dean's Professor of Chemistry in the College of Arts and Sciences,focuses his research on pharmaceutical drug development for the treatment of obesity and type 2 diabetes. On this episode, Doyle discusses his breakthrough weight loss research, the important role students play in advancing his research, and how, through philanthropy, his work has come to life.

Syracuse University is committed to removing barriers and creating opportunities so all undergraduates can study abroad or away before they graduate. More than 50% of students explore the world through a Syracuse Abroad center, according to Nicole Collins, director of strategic partnerships and outreach with Syracuse Abroad. With over 100 study abroad programs in 60 locations around the world, there’s a unique opportunity for every student who wants to immerse themselves in a new culture. While the spring has traditionally been when the majority of students study abroad, Collins says there’s been a shift towards the fall semester in recent years, with more students capitalizing on increased access to opportunities, increased access to financial aid, grants and scholarships and more flexibility with the programs. On this episode, Collins and Sophia Moore ’25, who enjoyed a life-changing Syracuse Abroad experience in Santiago, Chile, during the Fall 2023 semester, discuss the many benefits of studying abroad in the fall.

With the arrival of the new year, many people view this as the ideal time to figure out the changes they'd like to see and make in themselves as part of a new year, new you mentality. But as we all know, keeping those resolutions and achieving change is not easy work. It takes commitment, patience and dedication. It can be easy to fail if we make huge, sweeping goals for the new year instead of focusing on a few small, implementable changes. Thankfully, Tracey Marchese, a professor of practice in the School of Social Work in the David B. Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics, is here to help. Marchese is a big proponent of small tweaks leading to sustainable change. She offers tips and best practices for sticking to those New Year's Resolutions, provides self-care and self-help tips to help you achieve the change you want to see, examines how our mental health and well-being impacts our overall well-being, and discusses ways to deal with seasonal affective disorder.

Instead of wallowing in what could have potentially been the lowest moment of her life, Kathrine Switzer ’68, G’72, H’18 used the adversity from her historic run at the Boston Marathon as fuel to inspire women around the world to get into running. After her triumph in Boston, Switzer would go on to complete more than 40 marathons, including winning the New York City Marathon in 1974. Switzer played an instrumental role in getting the women's marathon included in the Summer Olympics, and in 2015, along with four of her friends, Switzer launched 261 Fearless, a global non-profit that empowers women through running, helping thousands of women around the world discover their self-worth and their potential through customized education and running opportunities. On this "'Cuse Conversation," Switzer discusses making history as the first woman to run the Boston Marathon, her drive to get women around the world into running, the life-altering benefits of running, what it means to be a Syracuse University alumna and how her running career was launched as a student on campus.

Syracuse University has a long, proud history of serving our veterans and military-connected students that dates back to World War I and the post-World War II era when thousands of veterans embarked on their journey to a college degree through the G.I. Bill. One of the central organizations on campus that helps the University accomplish this mission is the Office of Veteran and Military Affairs (OVMA), which, for the last 10 years has played a critical role in helping veterans, military-connected students and their family members pursue their higher education dreams. Dwayne Murray ’97 is living out his dream job as the OVMA’s deputy director, and he’s proud of the work the organization does through its programs and initiatives while serving as the University’s central hub for veteran and military-connected students. On this “’Cuse Conversation,” Murray discusses the profound impact the OVMA has had on campus and around the world, explores what sets Syracuse University apart as a best place for veterans, shares his love for working with veterans and military-connected students and more.

Misinformation and disinformation are prevalent everywhere you look these days, especially on the internet and social media. What's more troubling, our brains are struggling to process and understand what we're seeing and whether an image, a video clip or a story is real or synthetic. Thankfully, on this 'Cuse Conversation, two esteemed Syracuse University faculty members will discuss Artificial Intelligence (AI), misinformation, disinformation and the upcoming election. Jenny Stromer-Galley is an expert in political campaigns and misinformation and is a professor in the School of Information Studies. Jason Davis is an expert on misinformation and disinformation detection, and is a research professor with the Office of Research and Creative Activity in the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications. They offer up tips and tools you can use to help spot misinformation, discuss why our brains can make us our own worst enemies when it comes to detecting what's real and what's synthetic, share advice to help us be better-informed consumers of information and social media and analyze the latest research on misinformation trends in the upcoming presidential election.

For many adolescent students with developmental disabilities, the pursuit of higher education is filled with roadblocks and can be a daunting task for both aspiring students and their families. But thanks to InclusiveU, an initiative from the Taishoff Center for Inclusive Higher Education, students of all ages with intellectual and developmental disabilities are empowered to come to campus and experience college life in a fully inclusive setting, learning the necessary skills to thrive in the classroom and find a job after graduation. InclusiveU Director Brianna Shults G'20 travels across the country advocating on behalf of InclusiveU, meeting with policymakers, politicians and higher education leaders while pushing for policy change to make higher education accessible for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Shults and current InclusiveU student Matthew Falanga '26 joined the podcast to discuss the life-changing opportunities InclusiveU affords its students, how InclusiveU has made a profound impact on campus and across the world, how InclusiveU has become the standard-bearer for how colleges run an inclusive higher education program, and how this program benefits not only the participating students but the greater campus community as well.

The Fran Brown era got off to a fantastic start when the Syracuse University football team defeated Ohio University 38-22 Saturday afternoon before a raucous crowd inside the JMA Wireless Dome. Since his hiring, Brown has been focusing on once again turning the Orange into national championship contenders. But this job is about more than football for Brown, who uses the life lessons the sport teaches to transform his players into men who are invested in their community and put the needs of the team above their own needs. With excitement building around the Orange football team, Brown stopped by the “’Cuse Conversations” podcast to discuss how he’s making his mark on the program, why he’s all-in on Syracuse University football and how his upbringing shaped and molded him into the leader he is today.

When the Goon Squad formed in 1944, its original purpose was to reinforce Syracuse University’s campuswide policy requiring all new students to wear beanie caps during their first semester on campus. Sue Weber ’68 fondly recalls wearing her beanie when she arrived in the fall of 1964, and her beanie and the straw Goon Squad hat she received when she joined as a sophomore are among her most precious Syracuse University mementos. While first-year students are no longer obligated to wear their class beanie, the Goon Squad is still one of the most impactful traditions on campus. Celebrating 80 years of making a difference in the lives of first-year students, the Goon Squad—featuring more than 550 student leaders—will greet new students and lend a hand during move-in at residence halls as part of Syracuse Welcome, the University’s new student orientation program. Weber and current Goon Squad member Jack Withee '26 reminisce about their own experiences moving into Syracuse University, share when they knew they wanted to join the Goon Squad and discuss the lasting impact and legacy of the Goon Squad.

Each summer, the College of Professional Studies at Syracuse University hosts the Fulbright pre-academic program⁠, which prepares international Fulbright students to embark on their graduate degrees and research opportunities. This year, 44 students from 20 countries around the world will spend four weeks on campus discovering American culture, learning about life as a graduate student in the U.S. and developing the necessary research skills. El-Baz Abdallah and Budoor Alsaadi discuss their beneficial experiences as International Fulbright students participating in the program, how they assimilated to life as students in the United States and how they plan on using their research to make a difference.

When the Summer Olympics begin later this month in Paris, France, one of Syracuse University’s best-known alums will be front and center. In many ways, it’s a role veteran sportscaster Mike Tirico ’88 knew he wanted at an early age. On this Olympic-themed episode of the "'Cuse Conversations" podcast, Tirico talks about getting ready for the games, his sleep schedule while in Paris (it’s rough), his commitment to helping our young broadcast students and, as a first-generation student who met and married his wife here, his love for Syracuse University.

Beginning in the fall, Syracuse University’s electronic sports, or esports, academic degree program will welcome admitted students to campus for classes. This past academic year served as “Year Zero” for the esports degree program, which employs a holistic, experiential learning-based approach that will prepare students for career success in various industries, leveraging the largest collection of faculty and staff members of any esports program on a college campus. It’s an all-encompassing venture, including both the academic degree program and the competitive teams that vie for national championships in their respective games. Joey Gawrysiak, executive director of the esports degree program, was hired last August to bring his visionary research and skills to campus. He discusses the evolution of the esports program on campus, the progress made in its first year, the expanded opportunities available to students and what’s planned for the future.

Attending college was not on Leondra Tyler’s ’24 mind when persistent bullying and harassment forced her to drop out of high school in the tenth grade. The same was true for Omnia Shedid L’24, who grew up chasing chickens and running through her grandparents’ corn fields on a small, rural village in Banha, Egypt. Yet when Syracuse University holds its 2024 Commencement exercises Sunday morning, both Tyler and Shedid will be honored and celebrated for their perseverance and resilience in the face of immense adversity. A non-traditional student, Tyler will graduate cum laude with dual degrees in neuroscience and psychology from the College of Arts and Sciences and the College of Professional Studies through the Part-Time Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP) and plans on becoming a doctor. Shedid, the president of the College of Law’s Class of 2024, landed her “dream job” as an honors attorney with the government after graduation. Tyler and Shedid discuss their surreal paths to Commencement, how their time on campus reinforced their drive to make a difference once they graduate and how they plan on utilizing their degrees to help out those less fortunate.