Meet Our Speakers

Dr. Emily Battaglia

Assistant Professor of Nursing at Widener University

Dr. Emily Battaglia is a dedicated nursing professional with experience in medical-surgical nursing, research, and nursing education. She currently serves as an Assistant Professor at Widener University, where she integrates her clinical experiences into an academic environment. She believes learning is a lifelong process and should be enjoyable. 

Working closely with students has allowed her to enhance her student-teacher partnership, which she believes is an integral component of teaching. Her role as a Family Nurse Practitioner has shaped her research interest in the mental and physical health impacts on adolescents who vape. Dr. Battaglia's work highlights the need for a deeper understanding of the mental, physical, and social factors associated with vaping, which can provide valuable insights for developing effective screening tools, preventive education, and cessation programs. Through her teaching and research, Dr. Battaglia aims to uphold and promote the health of the adolescent population.

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John DeSantis

Math teacher, Widener University alumnus, and member of an award-winning pet therapy team

John DeSantis is a high school math teacher who earned his Masters in Education from Widener University. His dog, Ingrid, is an eight-year-old rough collie. Together, they have been a certified pet therapy team since April 2021. In that time, John and Ingrid have made over 800 visits to schools, senior healthcare and rehab facilities, businesses, first responder stations, and community events to bring comfort and ease anxiety for the people they meet.

John and Ingrid were selected for the Collie Club of America Ambassador Award for 2023 signifying them as the best community service team in the country. The Chester County Commissioners awarded them a Proclamation recognizing their service to the community. Ingrid has earned the “Gold Dog” Gold Medal for her accomplishments.

Kristina Dorsett

Liaison to the Health Sciences and Outreach Coordinator at Widener University

Kristina serves as liaison to the health sciences and outreach coordinator for Wolfgram Memorial Library on Widener’s Chester, PA campus. She has experience working in corporate science as well as being the User Experience (UX) designer for a team of instructional designers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. She was drawn to librarianship because she loves helping people find what they are passionate about. She is a specialist in evidence-based practice, mindfulness, and team science. Her professional interests include the use of graphic design in health literacy, social justice issues in health care, and UX for libraries.

Kristina has been awarded with the Eta Beta chapter’s “Friend of Nursing” award and the “Friend of MSA” Award from Widener University's former Office of Multicultural Student Affairs. She strives to include diversity, equity, and inclusion in her teaching and work on campus through collaboration and promoting information literacy skills.

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Keeshea Turner Roberts, Esq.

Assistant Professor of Law, Widener University Delaware Law School

Keeshea Turner Roberts is an Assistant Professor of Law at Delaware Law School, where she teaches Family Law, Civil Procedure, and Poverty Law. A distinguished expert in family law and civil justice, she has over two decades of experience.

Keeshea began her legal career as a public benefits and family law litigator at the Neighborhood Legal Services Program, rising to manage a neighborhood office. She also served as co-director of the Civil Protection Order Project (CPOP)—a first-of-its-kind program providing legal services to respondents in domestic violence cases.

In 2021, the Association of American Law Schools named her a Bellow Scholar for her groundbreaking research on the benefits of legal counsel for respondents in civil protection cases. Her research also explores the relationship between law, structural inequality, and access to justice. Additionally, she writes on the African American experience, including anti-racism and Critical Race Theory.

Prior to Delaware Law, she taught at Howard University School of Law and lectured at law schools throughout the D.C. area. She is admitted to practice in the District of Columbia.

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Dallas Woodruff

Communication Studies Student at Widener University

Dallas Woodruff is a communication studies major in her junior year. She serves as the president for the Public Relations Student Society of America as well as the vice president for Widener University’s radio station. She is a student worker for University Relations and a social media intern with the Communications Department. She worked as a research assistant for the textbook Speaking Professionally. 

In addition, Dallas has a marketing-focused internship with Intermetro Industries Corporation and works as a freelance podcast consultant. She is also a member of Lambda Pi Eta, the official honor society of the National Communication Association, and was recently placed on the President’s List for her academic achievements. She has earned certifications in social media marketing as well as search engine optimization. Her passions and interests include hiking, wellness, writing, and educating others on Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. 

Dr. Shaakira Abdullah

Sexologist and Family Nurse Practitioner

Dr. Shaakira Abdullah, also known as The Halal Sexpert, is a Sexologist with a Ph.D. in Human Sexuality and a Family Nurse Practitioner with a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree. She is passionate about providing sexuality education to the Muslim community from an Islamic Perspective based on their religious beliefs and values. Dr. Abdullah teaches courses for couples, singles, and parents and facilitates life-changing international retreats. Her goal is to help Muslims and people of faith learn how to maintain a comfortable balance between their spirituality and sexuality.

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WATCH: Embracing our Best Spiritual and Sexual Selves

Dr. Carla Barqueiro

Assistant Professor of Political Science and International Relations at Widener University

Carla Barqueiro is an assistant professor of political science and international relations at Widener University, a first-generation college graduate, and a proud immigrant to the United States. While growing up in the multicultural city of Montreal, her diverse family and community inspired a passion and interest in global politics. She became increasingly interested throughout her undergraduate degree in understanding under what conditions states use violence against their own citizens, and how the international community can play a key role in curtailing state repression. Barqueiro developed a burgeoning interest throughout her graduate studies in understanding human insecurity, and the means through which diverse voices, those that are often marginalized in political discourse, can contribute to a deeper understanding of the politics of harm.

In addition to her work in academia, Barqueiro has worked in government in a multilateral setting for the Permanent Mission of Canada to the Organization of American States on issues related to citizen security and hemispheric security in Latin America and the Caribbean. She also worked in the non-profit sector on human rights advocacy and the prevention of mass atrocities at the Montreal Institute for Genocide and Human Rights Studies (MIGS). Barqueiro draws heavily on her multisectoral professional experience in her teaching and research.

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WATCH: Humanizing Immigration Discourse and Policy in the USA

Dr. Loyd Bastin

Associate Dean of Science, Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry, and Coordinator of Undergraduate Research at Widener University

Dr. Loyd Bastin holds a B.A. in Chemistry and a Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry. He is currently the Associate Dean of Science, a Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry, and Coordinator of Undergraduate Research at Widener University where he has taught Organic Chemistry, Biochemistry, and Sustainability since 2004. He has engaged more than 50 undergraduates in research projects related to the development of greener methods for synthesizing pharmaceuticals and the development of new greener laboratory experiments for the undergraduate chemistry curriculum. Dr. Bastin has dedicated his academic career to the incorporation of sustainability and research into the undergraduate curriculum. He has several peer-reviewed articles and book chapters discussing the incorporation of sustainability, environmental justice, political advocacy, and green chemistry into the curriculum. He has co-edited the book Integration of Green and Sustainability Chemistry Principles into Education and two special issues on Advances in Green Chemistry Education in Green Chemistry Letters and Reviews.

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WATCH: Green Chemistry, Sustainability, and Environmental Impact

Dante DiBattista

Community Servant, Leadership Coach, and Inspirational Speaker

Dante DiBattista is an award-winning community servant, leadership coach, and inspirational speaker who has worked with clients ranging from schools to nonprofits to global Fortune 500 companies. An emerging pioneer in the art and science of leadership development, Dante challenges the prevailing ideas of authority and how they are applied in the workforce today.

A leading voice on the future of work and the emerging challenges that come with it, Dante is uniquely positioned to coach leaders on how to leverage emotional intelligence and psychology research to drive company performance without sacrificing the well-being of team members. The most recent project resulted in generating an increase of over $11.16 million in net profit margins by building a transformational leadership development training program that increased employee engagement, reduced turnover, and maximized productivity. Dante leverages his graduate-school education in Organizational Leadership, the findings from his own research, and over seven years’ experience to help solve complex business challenges.

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WATCH: Conflict is the Contagion of Leadership 

Kendall Gordon

Producer, Editor, and Videographer for CoastLife TV and Widener University Communication Studies Graduate

Kendall Gordon is a producer, editor, and videographer for CoastLife TV in Milton, Delaware. An accomplished communication studies graduate from Widener University, she completed her degree magna cum laude in May 2024. With a strong academic background, Kendall earned multiple honors, including the Dean’s List and membership in the National Society of Leadership and Success, Lambda Pi Eta, and Phi Eta Sigma honor societies.

Drawing from a transformative four-month study experience in Hawaii, Kendall’s TED Talk explores strategies for staying present and mindful in a fast-paced world. The serene and immersive environment of Hawaii provided Kendall with profound insights into the importance of mindfulness, which she now shares to help others cultivate focus and presence in their daily lives.

WATCH: Finding Presence: Lessons on Mindfulness and Slowing Down

Dr. Michelle Lyttle Storrod

Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice at Widener University

Michelle Lyttle Storrod is an assistant professor of criminal justice at Widener University, where her scholarly pursuits center on the intricate intersection of youth, social media, and crime. Specifically, her research delves into how young individuals utilize social media platforms and mobile devices within the context of victimization and criminal activities. Her focus extends to understanding the multifaceted ways in which gangs leverage social media, encompassing both expressive aspects of gang culture and the instrumental facets of gang operations such as drug trafficking, sex trafficking, and the orchestration of violence.

Drawing from over a decade of practical experience working with gangs in London, Storrod’s research direction is deeply rooted in a commitment to supporting young people. Her aim is to meticulously identify the harms they face and to develop evidence-based interventions aimed at disrupting cycles of violence. Through this lens, Storrod’s scholarly endeavors are not merely academic pursuits but a dedicated effort to empower communities and mitigate the adverse impacts of crime and victimization on vulnerable youth.

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WATCH: How Gangs Utilize Smartphones for Digital Harm