Friday, August 7, 2026
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Man Sentenced to 23 Years for Aggravated Sexual Assault and Burglary Charges

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File Photo

MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll, First Assistant Prosecutor Maggie Calderwood, Chief of Detectives Robert McNally, and Morristown Police Chief Darnell Richardson confirmed the sentencing of Brian K. Session, 53, formerly of Jersey City, for acts of Aggravated Sexual Assault and Burglary that occurred in Morristown in 2017 and 2018.

On July 6, 2023, the Honorable Judge Ralph E. Amirata, J.S.C, sentenced Session to an aggregate sentence of 23 years incarceration in New Jersey State Prison. Specifically, Session was ordered to serve 18 years New Jersey State Prison on a first-degree Aggravated Sexual Assault offense, subject to the No Early Release Act, Parole Supervision for Life and Megan’s Law, with a consecutive sentence of 5 years New Jersey State Prison with 2.5 years of parole ineligibility for five counts of Burglary.

After a number of delays caused by Session’s requests for adjournments and the COVID-19 trial shutdown, the case was scheduled for trial in September 2022. Facing a 30-count indictment alleging acts including Burglary, Theft, Kidnapping and Aggravated Sexual Assault, Session pled guilty on September 29, 2022, one day before opening statements were set to begin. At that time, Session admitted to breaking into five separate apartments with the intent to commit theft in Morristown in November and December of 2017.

Session also admitted to entering into an apartment in Morristown without the victim’s permission on January 18, 2018, with the intent to steal items from within the apartment. While Session was burglarizing the apartment, the victim returned home. The victim reported that she was physically attacked, bound, and sexually assaulted against her will. At the time of his plea, Session admitted to sexually assaulting the victim during the course of the burglary. Prior to sentencing, Session filed a motion to withdraw his guilty plea on March 9, 2023, claiming ineffective assistance of counsel and that he did not have time to review evidence in the case. The State opposed the motion. Judge Amirata denied defendant’s request on July 6, finding that defendant’s arguments “defied credibility” based upon the evidence in the record, and that the interests of justice would not be served by granting defendant’s motion.

The State was represented by Chief Assistant Prosecutor Meg Rodriguez and Assistant Prosecutor Samantha Polizzi.

Prosecutor Carroll would like to acknowledge the Morristown Police Department, specifically Detectives Scott Weaver and Robert Edwards, the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office’s Sex Crimes/Child Endangerment Unit and General Investigations Unit for their efforts in this investigation and prosecution.

Law Enforcement Investigating Bank Robbery in Netcong

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MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll, Chief of Detectives Robert McNally, and Netcong Borough Chief Russ Van Houten confirm an active investigation into a bank robbery that occurred the morning of July 7, in the Borough of Netcong,

At approximately 10:12 a.m., law enforcement received a 9-1-1 call reporting a bank robbery had occurred at the Fulton Bank, 9 Ledgewood Avenue, Netcong.

The subsequent investigation has revealed that a male suspect entered the bank branch and demanded money. No weapon was displayed or threatened. The suspect fled the bank with approximately $14,000 in U.S. currency.

The suspect is believed to be a white or Hispanic male, in his 20’s or 30’s. He was last seen wearing a red hooded sweatshirt and a blue surgical-style facemask. He was carrying a shoebox sized box.

Numerous law enforcement agencies are currently participating in this investigation, including the Netcong Police Department, the Morris County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigations Unit, the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit, the New Jersey State Police, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Anyone with information about this incident is urged to call the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office – Major Crimes Unit at (973) 285-6200 or Netcong Police Department at (973) 347-7700.

Morris County Sheriff Seeks Public Assistance in Identifying Suspects

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MORRIS COUNTY — The Morris County Sheriff’s Office Warrants and Special Investigations Section is reaching out to the public for assistance in identifying the individuals responsible for a theft incident. During the Garden State Comic Fest at Mennen Sports Arena in Morris Township on Sunday, June 25, between 3:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m., a cash box containing approximately $500.00 was stolen from a vendor.

The female suspect is described as a Hispanic female in her 30s, wearing a white Calvin Klein t-shirt, black sweatpants, and a white hat. The male suspect is described as a Hispanic male in his late 30s, wearing a grey Aeropostale shirt, grey sweatpants, and a black hat.

If you have any information regarding this incident, please contact the Morris County Sheriff’s CrimeStoppers. You can click here to submit information or call (973) COP-CALL. Alternatively, you can use the “P3 Tips” app on any mobile device. Remember, your anonymity is guaranteed, and you may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.00.

Florham Park Police Officer Kyle Kepler Honored by MADD

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Florham Park Police Officer Kyle Kepler

FLORHAM PARK — Florham Park Police Officer Kyle Kepler was recently honored with an award from Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) on June 22, 2023. This recognition was bestowed upon him in recognition of his exceptional achievements in the field of Drunk Driving arrests throughout 2022.

During the course of 2022, Officer Kepler made a remarkable 20 DUI arrests within Florham Park Borough. By apprehending these intoxicated drivers, he effectively removed them from our roads, thereby playing a crucial role in potentially safeguarding numerous lives.

Officer Kepler’s dedication and commitment to combating drunk driving have had a significant impact on our community, and his accomplishments have been duly acknowledged by MADD through this prestigious award.

We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Officer Kyle Kepler for his outstanding performance and invaluable contributions in ensuring the safety and well-being of our residents.

Kepler is being honored among the other Morris County Officers who also exhibited extraordinary effort in the area of DUI detection and arrests.

Chatham Township Man Charged for Alleged Stabbing Incident

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The Morris County Correctional Facility, located at 43 John Street in Morris Township, serves as the primary detention center operated by the Morris County Sheriff’s Office.

MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll, Chief of Detectives Robert McNally, and Chatham Township Police Chief Thomas Miller confirmed that Brian Kozub, 39, of Chatham Township has been arrested in connection with an alleged stabbing that occurred in Chatham Township on July 4, 2023.

On July 4 at 10:50 p.m., the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office was notified of an alleged stabbing that transpired at a residence on Buxton Road. Kozub is accused of stabbing the 51-year-old male victim in the neck with a pocketknife. The defendant and victim were reportedly celebrating the Fourth of July.

The victim was transported to Morristown Medical Center where he was listed in critical condition.

Kozub was subsequently charged with second-degree Aggravated Assault, third-degree Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, and fourth-degree Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose.

Kozub is currently lodged at the Morris County Correctional Facility, pending a detention hearing.

Editors Note: A criminal complaint is merely an accusation. Despite this accusation, the juveniles are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

The Morris County Sheriff’s Swore in Two New Officers

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Nicole Levendusky and Mark Slinger

MORRIS COUNTY — Nicole Levendusky and Mark Slinger were sworn in as Sheriff’s Officers for the Bureau of Law Enforcement. These officers were previously employed at the Sheriff’s Office for the Bureau of Corrections.

Officer Slinger hails from Roxbury. He attended the County College of Morris and York College, receiving his bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. Officer Slinger has been assigned to the K-9 unit since March of 2020 and currently works with a search and rescue and explosives detection black lab named Odie and a Dutch Shepard named Zara, who is trained in patrol and narcotics.

While working in corrections, Officer Slinger has received employee of the month twice at the Morris County Correctional Facility and a few awards while assigned to the MCSO Canine Unit. He and Canine Zara have received top dog at USPCA PD1 Trials twice and have completed at USPCA PD1 Nationals in Georgia.

Officer Levendusky is originally from Butler. Much of her experience before the Morris County Sheriff’s Office was focused on sports, coaching, and working/training dogs. Officer Levendusky was initially hired by the Morris County Sheriff’s Office Bureau of Corrections. She has worked in various positions within the jail, including intake.

Most recently, she has been assigned to the Canine Unit and works with Canine Ollie in narcotics.

“We wish them good luck as their careers with the Sheriff’s Office continue to evolve,” officials said.

Whippany Park Alumnus Dr. Alyssa Marie Vassallo Graduates from Medical School

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Alyssa Vassallo

HANOVER — Congratulations to Dr. Alyssa Marie Vassallo on her recent graduation from Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine! Graduating from medical school is a significant achievement. With her graduation on May 6, 2023, Dr. Vassallo is now ready to embark on the next phase of her medical journey as a resident physician.

Starting in July, Dr. Vassallo will be joining The University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill as a resident physician in the Department of Pediatrics. This is an exciting opportunity for her to further her medical training and gain valuable experience in the field of pediatrics. Chapel Hill is known for its renowned medical programs, and Dr. Vassallo’s residency there will undoubtedly contribute to her growth as a physician.

Whippany Park High School, where Dr. Vassallo graduated in 2012, can be proud of her accomplishments. It’s always inspiring to see alumni go on to excel in their chosen careers. Dr. Vassallo’s dedication and hard work have led her to this significant milestone, and her future as a pediatrician at The University of North Carolina looks promising.

Wishing Dr. Alyssa Marie Vassallo all the best in her residency at The University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill and a successful and fulfilling career in pediatrics!

Announcing the Fourth Marking Period Honor Roll at Hanover Park High School

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Hanover Park School District serves Hanover Park High School and Whippany Park High School

EAST HANOVER — The following is the honor roll for Hanover Park High School for the fourth marking period.

Distinguished Honors are for grades of 4.00 or above for the marking period. High Honors are for grades of 3.50 to 3.99 for the marking period. Honors are for grades of 3.00 to 3.49 for the marking period.

Distinguished Honors
Grade 12

Patrek Wagdy Abdou, Kayla Ahearn, Isabella Algieri, Kabir Singh Arora, Lindsay Jade Baitinger, Thomas Frederick Bartlett, Abby Bayait, Briana V Becerra, Amil Bhardwaj, Samantha L Bogash, Julia Casola, Rebecca R Civitillo, Molly Cocco, Alyza May Dooley,Carlos Esteban Escobar,Alexandra Figurelli, Isabella Firooznia, Brandon Fischer, Christian Giuliano, Leanne Barbara Gregory, Meryem Guvener, Alexandra Huang, Holden Sunho Kim, Dylan m Krajkovich, Mallory Marie Krug, Brayden Christopher Krus, Catherine Lee, Jack Michael Lemongello, Gia Leonardis, Cassandra Rayna Ling, Anthony LoCascio, Isabella Marinelli, Sophia Nicole Maugeri, Eric Brian May, Matthew Mullen, Lindsey O’Brien, Anthony Joseph Pandullo, Angela Patricia Paradiso, Max David Pereira, Genesis Eden Perez, Christopher Perillo, Charles Brian Rafanello, Morgan Ranco, Kylie Ruff, Rachael Saccento, Adriana Maria Salzano, Colleen Rose Sannito, Nicolina Lyn Schwindt, Viren Shah, Morgan Shepard, Neev Siram-Ranga, Christopher Smith, Peyton Elizabeth Sward, Alexandra Lizette Tate, Anna Thach, Jenna Vitale,Michael Thomas Vuong, Natalie Eva Weinstock, Alexander David Yang, Cody Yang, Erol Sefa Yuksel, and Stanley Zhang.

Grade 11

Arianna Marie Allonardo, Eduardo Alvarez, Sonya Anderson, Peter Anthony Behrens, Connor Bender, Liam Bill, Michael Burton Blumberg, Thomas Michael Callanan, Mia Ann Capo, Kaylee Michele Capodanno, William G Carlucci, Ryan Thomas Carrell, Nadia Lana Castaneda, Michaela Chigwedere, Samantha Cicerone, Sydney Reese Cinquemani, Brandon Nicholas Cohen, Dylan Thomas DeSena, Nikki YuXiang Ditta, Tyson Driscoll, Jacquelyn Rose Durso, Anna Maria Dymnicki, Michael Nicholas Farrell, Jake Ferrara, Nicholas Gatsonis, William Getts, Isabella Giorgi, Evan Joseph Gongora, Ana Daniella Gonzalez, Nadine Gregorio, Kyle Hahn, Rachel Anne Henning, Andrea Maria Ho, William Alexander Howden, Caitlyn Huang, Courtney Irwin, Kfir Katzav, Isabella Rose Kowalski, John Thomas Kowalski, Christopher Dominick La Rosa, Delaney Shae Lalor, Anna Jean Larsen, Kevin Loparnos, Jack Lowinger, Cameron Loyal, Elijah Jacob Luzniak, Francesca Macolino, Alvin Jacob Mathew, Makayli Marie Matias, Hanna Elisabeth Miller, Braeden Cotter Minkowitz, Madeline Mochnal, Amber Giada Mohamed, Bridget Maribel Montes De Oca, Sophia Marie Morris, Mia Catherine Mullen, Francis Murray, Vrishank Naithani, Mia Grace Nuciforo, Odera Ogonna Orjiekwe, Austin Joseph Pastena, Ava Carolyn Patanella, Krish Patel, Nikhil Patel, Siddh Patel, A’Kosha Damorna Perkins, Ashley Peterson, Sienna Rose Petro, Alaina Noelle Piscitelli, Brett Michael Pizzano, Govindi Shyla Ramcharan, Celine Sofia Ramos-Rodriguez, Eva Noelle Scaglione, Kenneth Joseph Scaglione, Bethany Ivy Sepaul, Katherine Shallis, Ryan Takla, Ilana Michelle Taylor, Daniel Thach, Mya Torres, Thien M Tran, Justin Layne Varsalone,Kaden Vuong, Luella Walters, Matthew Wang, Carson Ryan Winters, and Olivia Anna Zielonka.

Grade 10

Trevor Anderson, Visa Annamalai, Cory Peterson Apgar, Logan Babb, Jack Berman, Danielle Bulbin, Grace Chang, Derek Tzuhsuan Chuang, Jillian Alyse Ciprich, Giovanni Michael Conte, Amanda Cosentino, Autumn Mae Costa, Halle Cox, Paige Croessmann, Nicolas Michael DelVecchio, Mia DePinto, Thomas E DeTitta, Sarah Noelle Diamante,Sophia Isabella Duarte, Katherine Loraine Escobar, Emilio Farina, Christian Farrell, Daniela Elyse Kozlow, Sara M Krajkovich, Alexis Francesca Langereis, Julianna LaSala, Abigail Meredith Liebhauser, Jessica Adrianna Ling, Sabrina May Lorette, Steven Harris Marlin, Alessandra Filomena Marzullo, Elisa Mayan, Isabelle Grace Medich, Aleksander Scott Merrick, Cristina Angelina Messana, Saif Mokhemar, Peter Vincent Nemeth, Neely McKenna O’Connell, Cadence Elizabeth O’Connor, Ryan Emma O’Leary, Adam Ouksili, Nicolette Francesca Peluso, Connor Perillo, Daniella Concetta Piscitelli, Ashley Antoinette Pomante, Fjolla Qosaj, Manuela Restrepo, Michael S Rinaldi, Richard Charles Sannito, Levi King Sherry, Victor Smirnov, Hannah Minh An Tran, Alex Wronko, Selah Yearwood, and Charlize Zhang.

Grade 9

George Joseph Abdy, Ava Adochio, Daniel James Amalfitano, Madison Barros, Lindsay Marie Behre,Natasha Kiersten Blumberg, Jack Botwin, Ava Caccavelli, Jonathan Christopher Callanan, Gianmarco Canziani, James Carney, Jimmy Casola, Sabrina Casola, Evangelina Chaveco, Kayla Isabel Chung, Daniela Cicalese, Sophie Cicerone, Tanvi Vadhri Daita, Skylinn Margarita Deaza, Mia DeNicola, Christopher DeTitta, Christina Rose DiGrazio, Julianna DiRienzo, Andrea DiSessa, Ryan Vincent Diskin, Margaret Lee Dolan, Elisha Banez Domingo, Addison Nicole Doscher, Piotr Jan Dymnicki, Ava Esposito, Alexa Gabrielle Gagliardo, Cristina Galhofo, Joshua Ho, Abigail Rose Holmes, Cory Hueston, Jade Hueston, Scott Hunter, Jr, Ishan Kapadia, Hudson Cooper Kelly, Harlan Jungho Kim, Samantha Mary Larena, Michela Domenica Le Rose, Audrey Yun-Jee Lee, Matthew Chun-Ning Lei, Kelly Lu, Juliana Madigan, Ruby Chava Marlin, Valentino Michael Martinez, Allison Massarano, Salvadore Vincenzo Mazzuca, Gabriella Caterina Messana, Ian Monks, Brenda Moreno Arias, Kayla Jade Nemec, Chinwe Adaeze Orjiekwe, Isabela Pereira Melo,Marta Petrash, Dev Anand Ramcharan, Ella Ava Santos, Matthew Brian Scharfstein, Sydney Marie Shepard, Julia Shrager, Matthew Hyoeun Suh, Darya Tarasevich, Emily Thach, Caden Thomas, Thi T Tran, Ava Marie Trinity, Heidi Tsai, Nina Tsai, Hailey Underwood, Alejo Viera Perez,Kaitlin Delilah Vitti, Ryan Vodala, Fiona Wang, Jessica Lynn Yang, Iclal Gokce Yapici, and Sandy Zhong.

High Honors
Grade 12

Alyssa Grace Alfano, Jaelyn Atterbury, Sofia Califano, Victoria Lucia Cesaro, Emily Cifello, Sofia Marie Dellanno, Christina Marie Ebanks, Natalie Gorthey, Elizabeth Kate Greberis, Jazmine J Greene, Joshua Andrew Hastie, William Reese Kelly, Joshua James Lockhart, Arthur Charles Longo, Stephanie Marelli, Joshua P Mathai, Gary Samuel Milshteyn, Ioanna Spiridon Mitropoulos, Ifeoluwa Oduwole, Alberto Michael Pereira, Daniel Shane Porcaro, Francesca Renzi, Gianna Marie Renzullo, David Silva, Juliana Grace Spinelli, Jordan Straub, Emma Grace Torrao, Abigail Ward, Alyssa M Clark, and Olivia Jinel Prosper.

Grade 11

Alyssa Vani Brijpaul, Noah Augustus Burmeister, Isabella Dina Califano, Justin Christopher Capizano, Domenic Jack D’Alessio, Robert Ngille Davis, Valentino Della Grazia, Jessica DiLauri, Brandon A Giuca, Mariajose Grajales Orejarena, Jonathan M Karpinski, Nicolette H Keane, Diedo Lalvay, Antonio Miguel Monteiro, Dylan Bruce Peterson, Joseph E Piccininnni, Daniel Piedade, Gabriella Rescigno, Rohan Gabriel Rey, Luke Riordan, Ryan James Roberts, Kayla Rodriguez, Gabriela Rossy, Milena Alessandra Scalzo, Christian Michael Scerbo, David Storch, Vincenza Ucci, Andrew Todd Underwood, and Mia Zirpoli.

Grade 10

Juliana Behringer, Gabriella Ann Brady, Anthony Joseph Carbone, Cristian John Cesaro, Alicia Marie Cosentino, Gia Noelle D’Alessio, Anzor Ali Dzhatdoyev, Jana Elshafei, Abbie Jean Franco, Samantha Ann Frasco, Ian Raymond Holmes, Tina P LaRosa, Luke Andrew Lemongello, Joseph Longo, Ariana Nelis Lopez, Robert Nicholas Mercuro, Jemal Sterling Mitchell, Hope Madison Rempfer, Natalia Rodriguez, Emily Ruzicka, Avani Sohoni, and Tamara Wingate.

Grade 9

Gianna Hope Bogash, Liam Casey, Jake Colatrella, Jack Connolly, Amanda Iria Cunha, Ava Marie Damurjian, Tara DeFazio, Madison Brooke DeRosa, Nicholas diFrancscantonio, Anthony Joseph DiLauri, Grace Eilers, Jack Galante, Jared Ryan Gerben, Moayad Mojtaba Gusemalseed, Gianna Faith Hastie, Nicholas A Ionete, Jack Kovacs, Michelle Krook, Jaden Loyal, Mario Marrano, Kayla Mulholland, Avery Leigh Neilan, Sonny Occhipinti, Chase Olszewski, Christopher Anthony Reyes, Marcello Luca Scalzo, Lauren Addison Schmit, Madison Isabella Viana, Alexa Vitale, Robert James Vogt, Wylder David Wickham, Mia Grace Williams and Isaiah Brady Zeitz.

Honors
Grade 11

Matthew Amuah, Phoebe Sara Feldman, Meghan Lorraine Pridham, Eliza Brooke Farinhas, and Karl Brody Halgren.

Grade 10

Nicholas Bassolino, Joseph Mohamed Tantawi, Michael Anthony Weakland, and Kirollos Khristo.

Grade 9

Sofia Rose Bassolino, Samantha Jane Manias, Juan Martin Ryzwaniuk, Gianna Nicole Emerick, Louis Ronald Rowe, and Adam Leonid Shnayderman.

Former Sales Representative Sentenced to 60 Months in Prison for Defrauding Public Health Programs

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File Photo

MORRIS COUNTY — Former sales representative Matthew Puccio, 41, from Randolph, has been sentenced to 60 months in prison for his involvement in a fraudulent scheme targeting public health benefits programs. U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger confirmed the sentence, which was handed down by U.S. District Judge John Michael Vazquez in Newark federal court. Puccio was found guilty on July 19, 2022, of conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud following a seven-day jury trial.

The scheme revolved around the fraudulent billing of medically unnecessary compound prescriptions. Compound medications are specialized prescriptions tailored by pharmacists to suit the specific medical requirements of individual patients. Although these medications are not approved by the FDA, they may be prescribed when an FDA-approved drug does not adequately address a patient’s health needs, such as allergies to certain ingredients.

Between November 2014 and March 2016, Puccio participated in a conspiracy that involved submitting fraudulent compound medication prescriptions to public health benefits programs. Marketing companies hired and compensated sales representatives like Puccio to acquire compound medications for themselves and others, disregarding medical necessity. Their focus was on health plans that offered high reimbursement rates for compound medications.

Puccio took advantage of this situation by working as a sales representative for multiple compounding pharmacies. He targeted individuals with health plans covering compound medications and persuaded them to obtain prescriptions, regardless of medical necessity. Puccio and his accomplices enlisted the help of two physicians based in New Jersey to sign medically unnecessary prescriptions for beneficiaries they had recruited.

Once the prescriptions were written, the compounding pharmacies Puccio was affiliated with filled them. These pharmacies received reimbursement from the health plans and, in turn, paid Puccio a percentage of the reimbursement amount. As a result, Puccio and his co-conspirators caused substantial financial losses to public health benefits programs.

Lissa Joseph Receives Scholarship from New York Tech

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New York Institute of Technology

EAST HANOVER — Lissa Joseph has been awarded the Theodore K. Steele Memorial Scholarship at the New York Institute of Technology. The scholarship is awarded to first-year students with a GPA of 3.8 or higher.

New York Institute of Technology’s six schools and colleges offer undergraduate, graduate, doctoral, and other professional degree programs in in-demand disciplines including computer science, data science, and cybersecurity; biology, health professions, and medicine; architecture and design; engineering; IT and digital technologies; management; and energy and sustainability.

A nonprofit, independent, private, and nonsectarian institute of higher education founded in 1955, it welcomes nearly 8,000 students worldwide. The university has campuses in New York City and Long Island, New York; Jonesboro, Arkansas; and Vancouver, British Columbia, as well as programs around the world. More than 114,000 alumni are part of an engaged network of physicians, architects, scientists, engineers, business leaders, digital artists, and healthcare professionals. Together, the university’s community of doers, makers, healers, and innovators empowers graduates to change the world, solve 21st-century challenges, and reinvent the future. For more information click here.

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