Keri Marable, Staff

As it gets closer to November, campaigns and election talks ramp up. One conversation that comes up during election season is the representation of women. The disparity between the total population of women compared to how many get elected or appointed has grown smaller in recent years, but when looking at the history of the number of women representatives in the swing state of Pennsylvania, the lack of representation of women in Pennsylvania has been and still is prominent. That could change this election season, with a record number of women running for state office. 

The Pennsylvania Center for Women & Politics at Chatham University cites statistics that show despite making up 50.6% of the population in Pennsylvania (US Census Bureau, 2021), women only make up 29.2% of the Pennsylvania General Assembly (PCWP, 2022). Of the 74 women in the General Assembly, 60 are members of the Pennsylvania State House of Representatives, making up 29.5% of the House. The State Senate has 50 members in total, 14 of which are women, putting the percentage of women in the State Senate at 28%. The percentage of women in the General Assembly has grown from 4% to about 30% in the last 100 years since 1923 (PCWP, 2022).

The Center also notes that of the 13 elective executive office positions in Pennsylvania, just five of these positions have been held by only 11 women since the first woman was elected to a Pennsylvania Executive Office position in 1955 (PCWP, 2022). The first woman elected to an executive office in 1955 held the Secretary of Internal Affairs position and has been the only woman ever to do so. Four women have held the position of State Treasurer since 1961. Two women have held the position of Auditor General since 1965. Only one woman has been elected Lt. Governor before, in 2003. Two women have held the position of Attorney General, the first one elected in 2011 and the second appointed in 2013.

Pennsylvania has never had a female Governor (unless one counts the wife of state founder William Penn, who governed the colony for 14 years, though many discounts her despite her vast contributions), a Chief of Staff to the Governor, Commissioner of Insurance, Public Utility Commission, Secretary of Agriculture, Secretary of Conservation and Resources, Secretary of Education, Labor or State (PCWP, 2022).

The first-time women were appointed to the Governor’s Executive Staff was in 2015. In the 19 Governor’s Executive Staff positions, 12 are currently women. There has only ever been a total of 18 women who have worked in positions of the Governor’s Executive Staff. Only 12 women have ever held a cabinet position, with the first one appointed in 2015. Women currently hold seven of the 22 cabinet positions (PCWP, 2022). 

These numbers go to show that in recent years the representation of women has grown in the Pennsylvania state government, but a representation of women in the state government, in general, didn’t exist until just before the 1950s and some positions have not been held by a woman until just a few years ago. Even now, despite making up half the state population, women only get less than a third of representation in the General Assembly. 

While there are many factors that go into a lack of representation of women in the state government, the first step in getting more women in office is to recognize the women who are running for elected positions. Over 130 women are running for a Pennsylvania state government electoral position this 2022 election season: one woman is running for Lt. Governor; nine women are running for PA representatives in the United States Congress; 20 women are running for Pennsylvania State Senate, and over 100 women are running for a position in the Pennsylvania State House of Representatives.

The Pennsylvania Center for Women & Politics at Chatham University details all  the women running and their platforms on their website. The center’s mission, according to its website, is “to increase women’s influence and leadership in public life in Pennsylvania and improve the quality of women’s lives by providing them with educational and training opportunities in politics and public policy” (PCWP, 2022). They accomplish this through their different programs, including NEWLeadership, a leadership program for women in college, as well as the ReadytoRun Pennsylvania Campaign Training for women looking to run for election. Some of the women running for office in PA now have gone through the ReadytoRun training at Chatham University. Learn more about  those women and all the other women running for election this electoral season in PA at https://www.chatham.edu/pcwp/research/election/

Claire Ortiz and Luke Szyszkiewicz, Staff Writers

This week, we took a little trip over the bridge (the Betsy, my favorite bridge) to New Jersey, the Garden State. Waking up at 7 AM on a Saturday is never easy, but the reward of bagels always makes it so much easier. Originally, we had planned to embark on a trip into Philly to review a place in the city, but Claire convinced me to drive to my home state for the bagels of my childhood. Always a good call. 

Bagelati is a relatively new place, opening a few years ago. However, it does have the same owner as my bagel place as a child, so the taste is largely nostalgic for me. Although we said we were changing up our review style and getting one sandwich and one with cream cheese, neither of us could resist the draw that a bagel sandwich just seems to have. Naturally, Claire ordered a sausage, egg, and cheese on a poppy bagel, while I ordered a bacon, egg, and cheese on an everything bagel. These bagels and the respective sandwiches were “scrum-diddly-umptious,” so said Claire. 

The bagels themselves were perfectly sized, warm, crispy but airy; an almost perfect bagel. The only things we would change would be to add some more filling on the sandwich, as well as seed the bagels just a tad more. Overall, we would rate this place a 4.25/5, our BEST rating yet. 

Catch us next week when we’re back in Pennsylvania at Fill A Bagel in Jenkintown. Go Phils!

Keri Marable, Staff

La Salle University offers many resources for career skill building and tries to position its students to be ready to enter the job field of their choice. One program strives to connect students with alumni or other professionals in the student’s field and gives them an opportunity to “shadow” professionals during a typical day of their work. Previous job shadow employers host partner companies, including the Eagles, Comcast, the Phillies, CBS, Penn Medicine, and more.

The Explorer Shadow Program takes place over winter break or a mutually convenient date for both the student and the host by Feb. 28th, 2023. Students get to network with professionals in their host’s workplace for a day, as well as observe, participate, and learn about the industry, the host’s role, and the organization. They receive a behind-the-scenes look at what professionals  in their field do and where they work by “shadowing” the host through a typical day’s activities. The day might include touring the office or place of business, meeting other staff members who work in distinct roles at the company, observing meetings, and working on small projects. A job shadow is also an ideal time to ask questions or get expertise and career advice.

Offered since the 2017-2018 school year, the program has served 260 students with Job Shadow matches. All students are eligible to take part in the Explorer Shadow Program at La Salle University. The Career Center recommends this program for students who are undecided about their career goals to explore options, students who are clarifying different options they are interested in, and students who know what field they want to go into and are ready to jump in. Students can participate in multiple sessions by reapplying and completing orientation each year. Students are expected to supply their own transportation to the job shadow site. The host of their organization will cover the cost of lunch.

The Student Program Contact, Noelle Stueck, believes this program can benefit any student at La Salle in a multitude of ways: “Explore a career field of interest, without the commitment of an internship, gain first-hand knowledge of a real work environment and on-the-job etiquette. Uncover opportunities for future careers. Connect directly with your host (an alumnus and/or other professional), who can serve as an excellent resource for career, job, and internship advice.”

Noelle recommends that students “come prepared with questions about the job, career field, the company, etc. in order to get the full experience of what the host does behind the scenes on a day-to-day basis.” She also highlights the importance of being able to enroll in the program each year: “Students have been able to see if the career they are interested in is the right path for them or create a contact and mentor from alumni to engage with about their future career path.” She adds that “the more involvement and growth this program has, the more likely it can expand into an every semester program where students can have multiple shadow experiences a year. It is an easy opportunity to gain experience in your field of interest and to continue building your resume.”

The application for the program is included on their online Canvas course. Students can enroll in the Explorer Shadow Program Canvas course at   https://lasalle.instructure.com/enroll/MGLEN6. Complete the first two modules of the Explorer Shadow Program Canvas course, including the application and orientation, by Oct. 14th, 2022. Students looking for more information can email the Student Program Contact, Noelle Stueck at stueck@lasalle.edu or the Program’s general email, shadow@lasalle.edu. Students can also stay updated on the program’s social media pages @lasalleuesp on Instagram and Facebook. More information can also be found on the La Salle University website at https://www.lasalle.edu/student-life/career-center/current-students-2/explorer-shadow-program/

Luke Szyszkiewicz and Claire Ortiz, Staff Writers

Welcome back to Bagel Reviews with Luke and Claire! Today, we’ll be reviewing Paulines! But actually, only Claire will be reviewing Pauline’s, as she got a bagel, I did not. 

As always, she ordered a sausage egg and cheese on a plain bagel. They don’t have poppy bagels, a strike against them. She really enjoyed it! We always enjoy Pauline’s. Although I didn’t order a bagel, and therefore my review doesn’t matter for this place, the Breakfast Crunchwrap was incredible. My personal favorite on the menu, and what I would recommend to anyone. 

Although this is a shorter review, that does not mean we hated it. We love Pauline’s, everyone does. Overall, a rating of 3/5 Gritty’s would be the verdict, and its locality to La Salle makes it the most popular spot for student’s to get their breakfast sandwich fix on Saturday mornings.

Keri Marable, Staff

La Salle University’s well-renowned Nonprofit Center is a hidden gem amongst the students at La Salle. Despite being a beacon in the professional world of nonprofits in the Greater Philadelphia area and beyond since 1981, the students at La Salle know little about the Nonprofit Center, its offerings, and discounted rates for students.  

According to their website, the mission of the Nonprofit Center at La Salle University is “to build the capacity of the nonprofit sector.” While their primary focus has been the Greater Philadelphia region, they have a reputation in nonprofits throughout the country. 

The Nonprofit Center strives to enhance the “management, operations, and governance of nonprofit organization” through services including educational programs, consulting, leadership development and information sharing, with “the ultimate goal of enabling nonprofits to meet fully the needs of their communities.”

In accordance with their mission, the Nonprofit Center offers educational courses and certification programs. These certification programs include a certificate in Nonprofit Management and a certificate in Fundraising. Professionals can receive discounted certificate package prices by becoming a member of the Nonprofit Center. Undergraduate and graduate students receive a larger discounted rate on courses and certification programs. 

The Nonprofit Center’s web page on the Certificate in Nonprofit Management says it “provides…a diverse and well-balanced knowledge of nonprofit administration and operation.” The broad curriculum looks at the entire nonprofit ecosystem as a whole and in its individual components including board development, communications, financial management, fundraising, human resources, supervision, program evaluation, and strategic planning. The certification program aims to prepare “the leaders of our region’s nonprofit sector to be strategic, efficient and effective,” as stated on their webpage. 

They are offering the certificate in their traditional format (ten, full-day, in-person*, week day classes), as well as the option of online classes, both as a full-day and as evening sessions during the 2022-23 session. Participants can pick and choose from these options to complete the certificate over 5 months, 8 months or the 3 years given to attend all the classes. The center will also continue their partnership with Bucks County Community College, who will offer classes in a full-day and in-person option. The Nonprofit Center recommends this program to new executive directors, senior management on the leadership track, or anyone in the nonprofit sector looking to refresh their skills. 

The Nonprofit Center’s website describes the Certificate in Fundraising as being designed for anyone who wants to advance in the field of fundraising, even if they have no formal training in fundraising, but seek instruction in the basic skills and methods of resource development. 

The courses in this certificate provide a “foundation in the critical fundamentals of fundraising” and a continuation of “skills development in all the key areas of resource development.” The Nonprofit Center webpage on the Certificate in Fundraising says the program also gives participants a “strong grounding in the concepts, trends and practices that guide successful and ethical fundraising.” 

The courses needed to complete the program look at the importance of a strong mission, program strategy, management practices, and board and staff leadership in the more introductory classes, while the advanced courses focus on the major fundraising vehicles, where participants gain practical knowledge that will enable them to design and execute each activity. 

The Nonprofit Center recommends this certificate program to executive directors and board members looking to “gain increased confidence and knowledge to support their essential roles as fundraisers for their causes”. The 2022-23 session of the Certificate of Fundraising is offered fully online.

While directed at professionals working in the nonprofit sector, with discounts for those who become members of the Nonprofit Center, the courses and certifications are available to undergraduate and graduate students at discounted rates as well.  

The cost per course for undergraduate students is $20, and when paid for as a package, $200. They discounted the programs for graduate students as well, 50% off their member rate, costing $77.50 per course, $775 as a package. This compares greatly to $1,850, the total cost of the courses needed to complete a certification program for a non-member, as well as $1,395, the discounted rate for members, or even the program package rate, when the price for members drops to $1,188. Undergraduate and graduate students at La Salle can take advantage of these discounted rates and receive Certificates in Nonprofit Management or Fundraising while getting their degree.

To learn more about the Nonprofit Center, please visit https://www.lasallenonprofitcenter.org/.

To learn more about the Certificate Program in Nonprofit Management, please visit https://www.lasallenonprofitcenter.org/what-we-do/certificate-programs-in-nonprofit-excellence/nonprofit-management/.

To learn more about the Certificate Program in Fundraising, please visit https://www.lasallenonprofitcenter.org/what-we-do/certificate-programs-in-nonprofit-excellence/fundraising/.

Luke Szyszkiewicz and Claire Ortiz, Staff Writers

Welcome back to Bagel Reviews with Claire and Luke. This week, we took a trip just outside of city limits to the ‘burbs. Our bagel quest took us to Horsham. Just wanna give a quick shoutout to Joanna, weekly reader, and  my sister, for treating us to the bagels. 

This new spot, Bagels and Bread House, was a quaint little spot with such a cool vibe. We really enjoyed it. The everything bagel in particular was quite nice, and a little different than usual. Most everything bagels don’t include salt, this one did. I liked that a lot. I wish they had seasoned the bagels a bit more though. I, of course, got a bacon egg and cheese on an everything bagel. Claire got a sausage egg and cheese on a poppy bagel, as usual. The filling of the sandwich was quite nice compared to others we’ve reviewed, but the bagel itself could have been just a little bit more seeded. Overall, we’re gonna give it a 3.75/5 Gritty’s. Comparing it to Trops, we enjoyed the filling here more, as well as the choices of bagels. Our best review yet! 

Tune in next week for our review of La Salle’s local breakfast place and fan favorite, Pauline’s Deli.

Luke Szyszkiewicz and Claire Ortiz, Staff Writers

This week, Claire and I got bagels at the place closest to home: the Dining Hall. During Breakfast for Dinner Week, we were blessed with a night of build-your-own breakfast sandwiches, and we couldn’t turn it down.  It was practically BEGGING us to review. It derailed our original plans for the upcoming weekend, a trip to Pauline’s which will be reviewed soon!

Now, keep in mind we only rate things in terms of Gritty’s, the wackiest Philadelphia mascot. Our choices were bacon AND sausage (big points from Claire), eggs, and a few different cheeses that I don’t remember the name of. Anyway, I chose a bacon, egg, and cheese, OBVIOUSLY. They only had plain bagels though. SO sad. Claire got a sausage, egg, and cheese, and she loved it. We both added some maple syrup to the bagel, which is an homage to her favorite bagel place, which sadly is outside of the Greater Philadelphia Area, and won’t be reviewed (yet!). An honest review, from Luke, a 2 out of 5. The bagel itself was nothing to write about, but the filling was honestly delish, better than I expected. Claire gave it a 2.5! out of 5. She was ecstatic about the addition of sausage to the menu, and that bumped up the score for her. Overall, we’d rate it a 2.25/5 Gritties. Tune in next week for our review on Bagel and Bread House in Horsham, PA.

Jorden McVeagh, Editor

On Thursday Sept. 14, La Salle’s National Society of Leadership and Success had their Orientation night for new members. For those who haven’t heard of NSLS, it is a national chapter playing host to 1,675,341 members across 771 chapters. La Salle’s chapter was created in June of 2021 by Azaria Soto, Dr. Elizabeth Schroeder, and Dr. Patrick Coyle. The chapter vision is simple but one that shows what is to gain from becoming a member. “Our vision is to help members achieve personal growth, cultivate lasting relationships, and obtain career success”. At their orientation the organization was able to welcome 13 new members to add to their 493 total. 

NSLS  helps provide students with the opportunity to gain excellent experience from a career and personal development standpoint. Not only do students get to network and meet new people at the beginning of their professional careers, but they can also get involved to develop habits that will transfer over into the real world. There are many executive board positions that allow students to run meetings, plan events, and create a plan for growing the organization throughout the year. This is not limited to just one major either. It is open to anyone who wants to join and grow and develop transferable leadership skills. There will be one more orientation night for any students that either missed the first or are interested in joining. The date for the make-up session is Monday Sept. 19. Anyone who may be interested in this should attend this session to learn more about NSLS and begin the process of joining the organization. 

Luke Szyszkiewicz and Claire Ortiz, Staff Writers

In a new series for the Collegian, Claire and I look to peruse and rank the BEST bagel places in the Greater Philadelphia Area. Why bagels do you ask? I just really enjoy bagels. Top tier breakfast food. 

Today, we visited Philly Style Bagels in Fishtown. A measly 45-minute train commute to Fishtown brought us to this small hole in the wall bagel place. Now, keep in mind I only rate things in terms of Gritties, the wackiest Philadelphia mascot. Back to bagels. As always, I ordered a bacon, egg, and cheese on a toasted everything bagel. Simply my favorite. Claire, begrudgingly, also ordered a bacon, egg, and cheese, due to it being the only type of breakfast sandwich on the menu. MAJOR red flag. 

The first thing we noticed about these bagels was the size of them, and not in a good way. These had to be the smallest bagels in the history of bagels. They were nice and doughy though, with a nice crust. Props for that. The next issue that arose was the filling of the breakfast sandwich. An exact quote describing it:

“You know the square scrambled eggs you would get at a high school cafeteria?”-Claire

Lots of issues with this bagel place. Not much to rank positively in this list, but it did just enough to avoid the bottom of the barrel ranking. We would give it 2/5 Gritties.

Nya Griffin, Staff 

Header Image: Image courtesy of Shayna Mercier

Shayna Mercier, class of ‘22, studied full time in La Salle’s psychology program. After joining the nursing department during her sophomore year, she began to find another passion leading her towards psychology. This is her story of her life, obstacles she overcame and the path that La Salle University offered her to catapult her into the next chapter of her life. 

Mercier was born in Miami, Florida, the middle child of eight siblings. After conflict between her parents arose, her father left when she was eight years old. When Mercier was around 11 years old, her mother then moved to Philadelphia taking her and two of her siblings with her. She was going through family dysfunction and began to deal with trauma and harassment from her mother. Mercier said her mom would tell her things like “Your dad left us because of you.” She said those moments caused her to shut down. “I didn’t have a voice, and even now in relationships with friends, significant partners etc. I still struggle with this,” said Mercier.

“Words mean more than what is set down on paper. It takes the human voice to infuse them with shades of deeper meaning.”

– Maya Angelou

La Salle University stood out to Mercier when applying to colleges because of her getting a scholarship, as well as the colorful, serene atmosphere on campus. Mercier shared that she was once a “troubled” kid that needed support and wants to be that support system for future and present children and adolescents who find their voices unheard and are getting into trouble because an environment of chaos and violence is all they know. Mercier has that experience with lashing out, and after shoplifting and getting arrested as a juvenile, she realized that’s not the path she wanted to go down. She wants to give back to those who are stuck in situations similar to her’s and help those in need using what she learned here at La Salle.

Now, a senior in psychology, she has surpassed multiple obstacles and has made a difference in her own life and is on a path to change others’. Her nieces and nephews are her inspiration for wanting to become a child psychologist or work in speech pathology. What also inspired her was negativity from outsiders, and her wanting to prove their narratives wrong. 

Graduating will be one of many great accomplishments for Mercier and her family. It has shown her strength, willingness, tenacity and grace to continue on through life and overcome those trials and tribulations that she came across. “I want to be a speech pathologist to help those in need who can’t express themselves and feel that their voice is unheard,” Mercier added. 

She has inspired her siblings and friends and hopes that one day her story will touch the children that she’ll work with and help to propel her legacy. “I want to be a boss lady who devotes her life to better other people’s lives, even those who have hurt me,” Mercier said. She ultimately overcame her family struggles, and communicating with her mother is more positive now. 

Mercier is now excited to walk across the stage with her diploma on Saturday. “It would have been easy to give up, and to give in to everything around, but I knew I had to continue to go forward and now I made it,” Mercier said. Mercier is a doer, and she has shown people that through hard times comes motivation and that troubles don’t last always. She has truly been a light, and her strength and resilience have bolstered her into a world full of possibilities and her future endeavors will create more success in a world that has many rooms to fill.