Winter 2024 / Around the Green

Wilson College student-athletes must juggle the demands of their academics and their competitive schedules. Sprinkle in responsibilities of campus life and soon you’ll see it takes dedication and commitment to be a Phoenix. The challenge is great, but the reward and personal development is immeasurable, and it’s an experience that many cherish.

Two student-athletes, a sophomore and a senior, who both happen to be education majors, reflect on how lessons learned in the competitive environment translate to helping them succeed in the classroom and beyond.

Delaney Fulfer ’24, Special Education (Pre-K-12)

Lacrosse and Field Hockey

Delaney loves being a Phoenix. She describes her time at Wilson as one of growth … personal development that has extended far beyond academics and athletics.

When not student teaching or competing on the field, Delaney serves as president of the Athletics Association, the Student- Athlete Mentors, and the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC). She is also one of Wilson’s SAAC representatives to the United East Athletic Conference and has a work study position on campus with the Athletics Communications office.

Delaney points to team camaraderie as the main driver of her leadership skills. “Being a two-sport student-athlete has helped me to be a stronger leader and has given me the confidence to take ownership of my learning. I have made incredible connections on campus that have led me to have a guaranteed job after graduation.”

After earning her degree from Wilson, Delaney plans to teach special education and continue her current position as a club lacrosse coach. Eventually, she says she hopes to earn a master’s degree in the field and add additional certifications to her skill sets, continuing her professional growth and understanding.

Assistant Professor of Education Daniela DiGregorio, Ph.D. has high hopes for Delaney’s teaching career. “Delaney is a passionate education major with a love for children with special education needs. In my courses teaching English Learners and Educational Psychology, Delaney went the extra mile to learn a variety of different teaching strategies to assist diverse and marginalized students. She will be an outstanding teacher.”

Shelly Novak, head coach of Women’s Field Hockey, agrees Delaney’s hard work on and off the field will serve her well. “Delaney is a team player. She is a positive and supportive teammate and always puts her team first. She is the first one to lift a player if they are having a bad day and she always has a way of making the team smile.”

Jacob McCoy ’26, Health and Physical Education K-12

Men’s Volleyball

Jacob chose to attend Wilson because he could earn his education degree and continue to play a sport that he loves. Our small, close-knit campus offered an immediate sense of family for Jacob, providing a comforting and supportive environment that perfectly blends his academic goals with his athletic passions.

When not in the classroom or on the court, he serves in a leadership role as vice president of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, and looks forward to the opportunity to lead as president next year.

When asked to reflect on his experience, he shares that, “Being a student-athlete is a big responsibility. And, being a student comes first, which is arguably the hardest part. I have developed a strong work ethic, which helps me give my all to my class assignments. You must manage your time; it’s difcult, but rewarding at the same time because you can learn so much about yourself.”

After graduation, Jacob plans to become a Physical Education teacher at the elementary level. “I want students to be eager and excited to come to my classroom. Having a positive environment for students can help them learn and achieve so many new things.”

Professor DiGregorio believes Jacob’s dedication on the court will translate to his career goals. “Despite his busy schedule, Jacob managed to have perfect attendance in my Educational Psychology course. He frequently participated in our discussions, applied the theory to real life scenarios, developed excellent teaching philosophy, and analyzed the classroom observations in detail. I know he will be a dedicated Health and Physical Education teacher.”

Head Men’s Volleyball Coach Aaron Hoke ’19 agrees, “Jacob comes to practice each day with a great attitude and work ethic. His growth as a player has been tremendous and that’s largely in part to how much effort he puts into practice every day. He leads by example.”

Name: Madhuri Sharma

Title: Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice

Education and Degrees:

Bachelor of Laws

Master of Laws in Criminal Justice

Master of Science in Criminal Justice

Doctor of Criminal Justice (Anticipated 2024)

What inspired you to pursue a career in criminal justice, and how did this path lead you to Wilson?

My career choice sprouted from my upbringing in a neighborhood inhabited by criminal justice professionals such as judges, magistrates, public prosecutors, police officers, etc. I found myself increasingly interested in interactions with all the criminal justice stakeholders and fascinated with the power, authority, and decision-making aspects that came along with the profession. After getting into the legal profession, I began to understand the complexities of the legal world, and I wanted to bring about change especially for underrepresented minorities such as women.

I came to Wilson because the Criminal Justice program was in its early infancy and there was exceptional faculty and administrative support for its growth. The overwhelming, meaningful, and welcoming ambience of the College was simply irresistible for me. I am proud to be a part of the Wilson College community.

Can you share a pivotal moment in your career that deeply impacted your perspective on criminal justice?

A moment came during my presentation of a research paper at the World Criminology Congress in the year 2016. Immediately after I finished presenting, a professor of criminology raised a query about the plight of the defendants, especially those languishing in jails due to their inability to arrange for hefty bail bonds. Pondering over their financial helplessness, I realized that many defendants were waiting in jails before they had been found guilty. Therefore, I resolved to focus on the reduced reliance or elimination of cash bail bonds for my dissertation.

What is a common misconception about working in criminal justice that you often encounter?

A common misconception is that true justice is served only by inflicting harsh penalties on those found guilty. The prefix “criminal” attached to the word “justice” has a biasing tendency. It leads us to think that criminals must be punished rather than helped or rehabilitated; moreover, the criminal justice system should provide justice to not just the victim but the accused, since our adversary system relies on the notion of “innocent until proven guilty.”

What guiding principles have you followed in your career, especially when faced with ethical dilemmas?

My father once told me that the path to justice is never an easy one. Following his advice in my career, whenever I have encountered ethical dilemmas, my instant reaction is to not jump to hasty generalizations or conclusions about situations or people. I deal, react, and respond to people based on the Three Principles (Child, parent, and adult ego state) envisioned by Eric Berne in his book – “Games People Play.” The insight into our own patterns of  behavior and communication offered via these principles has always helped me to face all ethical dilemmas. Being a teacher, I know that I must engage students from diverse backgrounds and needs. Thus, many times I think with my heart and feel with my head. Though, I must say that every day is a learning experience for me.

Could you give an example of how classroom discussions or projects lead to deeper understanding or transformative learning experiences?

I encourage students to ask questions then answer the queries using real-life experiences. I remember in-person interactions with many inmates in jail made me much more empathetic than I was earlier. Experiential learning is always fruit bearing and I hope to provide similar experiences to my students as I become more familiar with Wilson and the Chambersburg community.

How do you prepare students to understand and respect the diverse backgrounds and experiences they will encounter in their professional lives?

Being an Indian settled in the U.S., I can very well understand the challenges of interacting with students from diverse backgrounds. Listening with an unprejudiced mind, loving heart, smiling face, and welcoming gestures are the basic strategies I use. Expressing curiosity as a learner, a fellow traveler, and as a group member smooths  all the potential bumps on the road to effective and meaningful communication.

What are your aspirations for the future of the Criminal Justice program and how do you envision the program evolving to meet the changing needs of society?

We have been helping our students develop strong theoretical and qualitative foundations. I would like to see our program branch out towards a more quantitative side of research. More specifically, I would like to combine theory with practice by introducing courses such as Research Methods, GIS (Geographic Information System), and others, that will help students develop skills that will set them apart in the job market.

How can students make the most of their time in the Criminal Justice program at Wilson College?

I try to encourage students to participate more in classes and be a part of every College event with an open mindset. I would also like to encourage students to recommend relevant and/ or necessary changes to nurture the Criminal Justice program to its highest potential. Interning with local criminal justice agencies and other community organizations, students can apply their academic knowledge in the real world and contribute towards making Justitia Omnibus (Justice for All) an achievable goal.

As the temperatures drop, the College heats up with a variety of events that keep students, faculty, staff, and alumni on the move. Some are time-honored traditions, while some brought new faces to campus. 

Wilson College students, faculty, and staff marched into the holiday season during the Chambersburg Christmas Parade. 

Faculty and staff served students at one of the best loved Wilson traditions, Thanksgiving dinner. 

President Wes reads students ‘Twas the Night Before Finals.

Seniors pose for a photo during the White Dinner. 

The Wilson community and guests gathered for the one hundred third Christmas Vespers, a moving and celebratory event to mark the holiday season. 

Women’s soccer is all smiles as they volunteer at IceFest. Student athletes from baseball, field hockey, and mens’s soccer teams also lent a hand. 

Visitors posed for photos with the Phoenix wings ice sculpture at IceFest in downtown Chambersburg. 

Wilson College recognized Martin Luther King Jr. Day by hosting Centering Love, Healing, & Liberation in our Social Justice Work, a Talk by Durryle Brooks, Ph.D. Many thanks to the Black Student Union and the Office of Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion for leading this event.