Griffins @ Home


In 2020, Gwynedd Mercy University launched the Griffins @ Home Virtual Event Series, a fun way to stay connected and share our community's expertise!

We continue to host GMercyU alumni, faculty, and staff for the series, and we hope that you will tune in to experience our virtual offerings. Each event has a unique registration, and once registered, you will receive the Zoom details. Sessions are free and most will be recorded and posted on this page following the event. The events are evening sessions that run between 45-60 minutes.

Have an idea for a session and would like to participate? Contact Gianna Quinn in the Office of Alumni Relations at alumni@gmercyu.edu or 215-641-5554.


Griffins @ Home Virtual Series Archive


Creative Ideas for Your Resume and Cover Letter
Wednesday, April 6, 2022

In this presentation hosted by Nick Schaefer, GMercyU's Director of Career Development, we will share tips to add some spark to your resume and cover letter to help you stand out against the competition.

Presentation coming soon!


What Is Your Love Language?
Thursday, February 3, 2022

GMercyU alumna Katie Starrantino '12 led Griffins in a session on learning the love languages and which love language speaks to you.

Click here to view event recording!


Yoga with Sarah Sibel '13
Thursday, April 29, 2021

GMercyU alumna Sarah Sibel '13 served as yoga teacher for this event sponsored by the GOLD Young Alumni Committee. Pre-registration is required.

Click here to view event recording!


How to Ace Your (Virtual) Interview
Thursday, March 11, 2021

You’ve sent out resumes and have been invited to interview…virtually. Now what? Join us as Nick Schaefer, Director of GMercyU’s Career Development Office, leads us through discussion with tips and tricks on how to prepare and ace your Zoom (virtual) interview. Turn that interview into a job offer. You don’t want to miss this session!

Click here to watch the presentation!
Click here to view a PDF of the presentation!


Valentine's Day Cooking Class
Wednesday, February 3, 2021

Looking to treat your Valentine to a nice dinner? Are you unsure of your menu or where to start planning?

Gwynedd Mercy University Dining Services Executive Chef Jason Padmore is here to help. Tune-in as Chef Jason provides a live demonstration on how to make a culinary masterpiece. Take notes or cook from your home while receiving tips and tricks to take your menu to the next level for your sweetie!

Who can resist an at-home cook who has mastered surf n’ turf? …no one, that’s who! Upgrade your Valentine’s Day to Valentine’s Yay! with the help of GMercyU!

Click here to watch the presentation!
Click here for recipe cards!


Managing Your Child's At-Home Learning Experience
Thursday, September 24, 2021

GMercyU Education Professor and Director of the Autism Institute Deborah Schadler shared ideas to help families — during this time of online and at-home learning — find ways to create structure and work with incidental teaching, while finding and utilizing teachable moments.

Click here to watch this session!
Click here to view the presentation!


Help Your Child Thrive as a Digital Learner and Leader
Wednesday, September 30, 2021

GMercyU alum Dr. Matthew Friedman '20 led us in a discussion on the challenges and digital dilemmas that students face in today's society, giving them the skills they need to succeed as digital learners, leaders, and citizens of tomorrow. We also learned about the tools that parents need to help promote internet safety at home and at school.

Click here to watch this session!
Click here to view the presentation!


Fitness Class
Wednesday, October 7, 2020

Alumna and Alumni Association Board member Lesley Greene ‘16 led us in a great Zumba workout session!

Click here to watch this session!


Veteran's Day Talk with the Museum of the American Revolution
Wednesday, November 11, 2020

Military families have always played an important role in supporting those fighting on the front lines. During the Revolutionary War, they raised children, worked with the armies on campaign, held down the home-front, made supplies, and raised funds. A museum educator led us in a "Then and Now: Military Families during the Revolution and Today" discussion, exploring the stories of the women and children who supported the military on and off the battlefield and learn how their experiences compare to military families today. This session was not recorded.


Finding Spiritual Direction
Wednesday, November 18, 2020

In these trying times, and as the holidays approach, do you find that you have spiritual questions and concerns? Retired chaplain and alumna, Judy Talvacchia ’69, MDiv., led us in a discussion on spiritual direction and how it can help raise your consciousness and put you in touch with divine guidance. Judy also offered some tools for spiritual reflection during significant moments in life.

Click here for a helpful guide!
Click here to watch presentation!


Cooking Class
Thursday, June 18, 2020

GMercyU alumni association board member and chef, Toni Lorraine Johnson ’13/’15, showed us how to make her delicious Shrimp Curry from her own home!

Watch Chef Toni work her magic!
Click here to try it yourself - Chef Toni's Curry Shrimp Recipe


Fitness Class
Wednesday, June 24, 2020

Looking to spice up your lunch hour? Join fellow Griffin, Maddie Herman ‘19, GMercyU’s Assistant Director of Intramurals and Recreation, for a free, 30-minute bodyweight workout, in real time. No weights at home? No problem! In this workout you’ll use your own bodyweight; all you’ll need is a mat and your water bottle to stay hydrated!

Click here to workout with Maddie!


Lunch & Learn - Teaching History Through Comics
Wednesday, July 1, 2020

Do you or someone you know love comic books? Learn how alumnus, Tim Smyth ’08, uses comic books in his high school history classroom. Tim takes learning history to a whole new level and takes his teaching globally. He has been published by PBS and has presented at comic cons nationally. Tune in to hear more from this teaching super hero!

Click here to learn more about Teaching History Through Comics!


Bedtime Stories for Little Griffins
Thursday, July 2, 2020

Education professor and alumna, Mary Jo Pierantozzi ’72, is here to read to a bedtime story to your little Griffins. Tune in to see what “Ms. P" has selected for story time.

Click here to listen to Ms. P's story!


Lunch & Learn - American Sign Language
Wednesday, July 8, 2020

Have you ever wanted to learn American Sign Language (ASL)? GMercyU alum, Brian Smith ’08 a Nationally Certified Sign Language Interpreter and his colleague, Debbie Lawrence, a Professional Development certified trainer of ASL, hosted a Griffins at Home session to teach the basics of ASL.

Click here to learn ASL with Brian and Debbie!
Click here to view the ASL Handouts!


Lunch & Learn - Managing Burnout & Compassion Fatigue
Thursday, July 16, 2020

Are you feeling tired, frustrated, or just unsure of how to move forward in these times? Perhaps juggling everything from child/adult care to working from home seems too much. Join GMercyU's Daniel Jordan, Assistant Director of Counseling Services for a lunch and learn on managing burnout and compassion fatigue during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Click here to learn more about Managing Burnout & Compassion Fatigue!


Bedtime Stories for Little Griffins
Thursday, July 23, 2020

Education professor and alumna, Mary Jo Pierantozzi ’72, is here to read to a bedtime story to your little Griffins. Tune in to see what “Ms. P" has selected for story time.

Click here to listen to Ms. P's story!


Understanding Emotional Intelligence
Wednesday, August 5, 2020

Charmaine Maddrey-Smith ’08, ’10, ‘15, adjunct professor and alumna, led us in discussion about emotional intelligence. Most understand why and how intellectual intelligence is key in academia. The question is “How does emotional intelligence benefit academia?” What is it and how does it look in an institution of learning? During our time together, we will uncover answers that will allow us to discover the importance of emotional intelligence in not only academia, but in every aspect of our lives.

Click here to learn more about Understanding Emotional Intelligence!

Check out the additional resources below:

What's your emotional IQ? (PDF)
Answer Key for EI IQ Assessment (PDF)


Virtual Event Details

  • Zoom virtual event waiting room will open 10 minutes prior to the presentation.
  • All guests may keep video on, unless otherwise noted.
  • All guests will be asked to “mute” their microphones.
  • Questions/answers will be taken via Zoom chat box during or after presentations.
  • Events will be recorded and posted to our website for viewing at a later time.
  • If you have difficulties logging in, please contact alumni@gmercyu.edu