About the Academic Commons
The Academic Commons is a diverse team of experts, including instructional and graphic designers, librarians, editors, videographers, and photographers. We specialize in a range of services, such as website and database development, AV support, and scholarly publishing. We’re composed of eight groups: Audiovisual Services, Educational Technology Support, Graphics & Medical Illustration, Instructional Design, the Jefferson Libraries, the Office for Professional Writing, Publishing, & Communication (OPWPC), Photography, and Video Production.
Spanning across Jefferson, we support students, educators, clinicians, postdoctoral fellows, residents, researchers, and staff. Our goal is to empower the Jefferson community through innovative resources, expert guidance, and creative solutions that elevate learning, research, and communication.
2024 - 2025: The Year of Connecting People to Possibility
In the academic year 2024 - 2025, the Academic Commons served as a connector between ideas and impact, supporting the Jefferson community in turning knowledge into action. Across campuses and disciplines, our team helped students, faculty, staff, and researchers access the resources, technologies, and guidance they needed to reach their goals.
Whether through immersive learning, instructional design, creative media, or digital scholarship, the Academic Commons continued to build a more connected, innovative, and inclusive academic experience, one that reflects Jefferson’s commitment to real-world learning, research excellence, and social impact.
Thomas Jefferson University Libraries
Thomas Jefferson University Libraries, or Jefferson Libraries, serve as a vital academic resource for the Thomas Jefferson University community: students, faculty, clinicians, staff, postdoctoral fellows, and residents. Our team supports learning, research, and professional development through expert guidance in things like information literacy instruction, resource discovery & access, grant & funding searches, and publishing. We have three academic libraries: Dixon Library (Dixon Campus), Paul J. Gutman Library (East Falls Campus), and Scott Memorial Library (Center City Campus). Not reported on in this report, the Academic Commons also supports two clinical libraries: the Luria Learning Center (Einstein Campus) and Wilmer Memorial Library (Abington Campus).
The libraries exemplified the theme of Connecting People to Possibility by offering personalized support and instruction on information literacy, scholarly publishing, and resource discovery.
Programs and expanded collections promoted inclusion, reflection, and social awareness. Events like Brain Breaks offered students space to decompress during finals, promoting well-being and a sense of belonging. Exhibits like D0M 200: Capturing Art, Medicine, & Humanity and The White Rose: How a Group of Medical Students Took on Hitler highlighted the intersection of medicine and activism, inspiring future healthcare workers to consider their roles in advancing justice and human dignity. The exhibit and presentation A Disabled Artist’s Journey through Art & Activism, with disability activist and cartoonist Wendy Elliott-Vandivier encouraged empathy and deeper understanding of disability. The libraries also offered space and support for student-led voter registration initiatives.
Gutman Library’s collection expansion, including anatomical models, graphic novels, and works by social activists and Nobel Peace Prize laureates, provided students with interdisciplinary resources that support social responsibility and lifelong learning.
Jefferson Libraries: Growing Engagement & Expanding Reach
The libraries digital presence grew in 2024 - 2025, with thousands of website and catalog visits. Library Guides, website pages maintained by librarians that offer resources and information on specific topics and courses, nearly doubled in page views and visitors.
Through InterLibrary Loan, the libraries facilitated the sharing of materials across institutions, ensuring that our users could access what they needed regardless of location.
Jefferson Digital Commons (JDC)
The Jefferson Digital Commons (JDC), which serves as the enterprise institutional repository, published Jefferson-generated research globally, fostering collaboration, innovation, and the advancement of scholarship.
Two new student journals, The Diagnostic & 1824: Honors Academic Journal, joined the JDC this year.
Jefferson Libraries: Open Access Publishing
Jefferson Libraries connected people to possibility in 2024 - 2025 by connecting researchers to global audiences via the JDC and through the Open Access Fund & Transformative Agreements. The libraries reduced financial barriers to publishing through open access support, making it easier for information to move into the hands of those who need it.
By making research more accessible, the libraries not only strengthened Jefferson’s global reputation but also helped advance equity in information dissemination, connecting research to real-world impact.
Transformative Agreements
Transformative agreements, negotiated agreements made between the Jefferson Libraries and publishers, waive Article Processing Charges (APCs) for Jefferson authors. Agreements with major publishers, including American Chemical Society, Company of Biologists, Springer-Palgrave, and Wiley, enabled the publication of 229 open access manuscripts, saving Jefferson authors and the university an estimated $560,592 in APCs. This year, the libraries added agreements with Elsevier, Microbiology Society, and the Public Library of Science (PLOS). These transformative agreements will continue to save the university and researchers money, while strengthening Jefferson's research impact and removing barriers to information. (Numbers are based on fiscal year 2024 - 2025 data.)
Transformative Agreement Publishing By the Numbers
Jefferson Open Access Fund
If a Jefferson author’s chosen journal isn’t covered by one of the transformative agreements, they can apply for support through the Jefferson Open Access Fund. The fund helps authors publish in open access journals by covering up to $2,500 in APCS for eligible submissions. Thanks to the Open Access Fund in 2024 - 2025:
The Textile & Costume Collection
The Textile & Costume Collection at the Gutman Library, housed in the Design Center, connected people to possibility by serving as a powerful resource for education and inspiration. With its museum-quality archive of historic textiles, ranging from printed and woven to non-woven materials, the collection empowered Jefferson students, faculty, and researchers to explore the intersection of design and history. By welcoming community groups and industry experts, and offering access to the curator’s expertise, the collection encouraged collaboration, creativity, and lifelong learning.
Digitized items added to Past Perfect include Pre-Columbian textiles, Japanese dresses, Chinese textiles, and textiles from the 17th - 20th centuries.
Highlights of the year: Harmony Weavers Guild tour of the Design Center, Designers You Should Know exhibit series (curated by staff member Ann Wilson) and the Study Away trip "Uzbekistan Textiles on the Silk Road," with nine students. Read the article, "Travels on the Silk Road: Spring Break in Uzbekistan" by student Dusty Prancl to learn about the trip from the student perspective.
The Marion J. Siegman, PhD, FAPS, Archives
The Marion J. Siegman PhD, FAPS, Archives (Siegman Archives), part of the Scott Library, enjoyed a very successful year of growth and impact. The archives secured new acquisitions (mentioned below). The archives supported global scholarship, assisting visiting researchers from Italy and Germany exploring Jefferson’s historical impact on mental health and emergency medicine.
Closer to home, archival architectural drawings helped resolve structural issues in campus buildings, while presentations, photo exhibits, and historic walking tours brought Jefferson’s legacy to life for broader audiences. Through conservation, collaboration, and storytelling, the archives continued to empower discovery and deepen understanding across disciplines.
Collection Additions
The archives enhanced its collection with materials that deepen the understanding of Jefferson's medical and institutional legacy. Notable additions included patient notes and drawings of Dr. Gary Carpenter, a conserved 1882 clinic book from Dr. RJ Levis, a 1950s portable EKG machine, and 19th-century obstetrical forceps used at Jefferson Medical College.
Collaborations & Events
The archives hosted exhibits for departments across disciplines, from Occupational Therapy to Psychology. This year also marked the first time use of The Forum, a new teaching space within the archives, where Scott Librarians and F. Michael Angelo, Robert M. Stein, MD '68, FACC, FAHA Archivist, collaborated to present library and archival resources as part of course instruction, enhancing hands-on learning and interdisciplinary engagement.
In Spring 2025, Jefferson celebrated the endowment of F. Michael Angelo's position. Michael was installed as the inaugural Robert M. Stein, MD '68, FACC, FAHA Archivist, recognizing his 24 years of dedication to preserving Jefferson's history. This endowment was made possible through the generosity of Dr. Robert M. Stein, an alum and passionate historian, and it will ensure that the work of the Siegman Archives will continue for generations to come.
Instructional Design
Our Instructional Design team, which includes curriculum and instructional design experts, played a vital role in connecting people to possibility. Through personalized consultations and partnerships, the team helped educators integrate evidence-based teaching strategies and best practices into their instruction. Their work supported Jefferson’s commitment to a high-touch, high-impact, real-world learning environment by enhancing course design and fostering student engagement. The team grounded their efforts on data-driven assessment, ensuring that teaching excellence and meaningful student learning remain the focus. A few highlights:
The team launched The Learning Curve, a podcast featuring Jefferson faculty who share classroom successes and challenges to foster community, encourage innovation in the classroom, and support student success.
The team partnered with the College of Pharmacy to launch the Pharmacy Resident Teaching & Learning Program. Participants earn a digital badge by applying evidence-based teaching in classroom and clinical settings. The team created a custom workshop, developed self-paced courses, and supported mentored teaching observations.
In partnership with the College of Population Health, instructional designers created asynchronous micro-learning content for Value-Based Healthcare, the first course in Click, Learn, Advance. These courses cover key topics in population health through audio, video, and interactive exercises.
Educational Technology Support
The Educational Technology Support team helped educators integrate technology that enhance learner engagement and success. Through exploration and implementation of emerging tools, including this year’s expanded adoption of virtual reality initiatives, the team embraced digital resources that enrich Jefferson’s Nexus Learning approach and help connect people to possibility.
The team provided 4,363 hours of educational technology support to Jefferson faculty and students. To further provide necessary support, staff member Razie Amzovski took on a new role as Library Instructional Support & Assessment Specialist, to provide dedicated, hands-on support to faculty and students using ExamSoft and similar assessment technologies.
Extended Reality (XR) Support for High-Touch, High-Impact Learning
Jerry Fillman, formerly an Instructional Designer, stepped into a newly established role of Immersive Learning Developer, supporting Jefferson’s commitment to high-impact, real-world education. In this role, Jerry will lead the integration of Extended Reality (XR) technologies, bringing digital tools into learning spaces to enhance simulation-based education.
In collaboration with the College of Nursing and the Sidney Kimmel Medical College's Emergency Medicine Department, Jerry is developing immersive XR simulations. These include a clinical safety scenario challenging nursing students to identify hazards in a patient room, and a bioterrorism response simulation in an emergency room setting for medical students. By expanding Jefferson’s portfolio of immersive tools, and the staff to support them, these projects exemplify Jefferson's Nexus Learning approach, connecting learners to real-world possibilities.
The Office for Professional Writing, Publishing, & Communication (OPWPC)
A team of editors and communications professionals, the OPWPC, promotes clear, concise, and impactful scholarly communication across the Jefferson community. It aims to connect people to the possibility of sharing their scholarship with the world. This year, the team reviewed 260 documents and 116 presentations, with 108 manuscripts ultimately published, underscoring the OPWPC's role in strengthening Jefferson’s reputation in teaching and research.
Extending Impact Through Writing and Connection
The OPWPC continued to expand its reach and impact with a range of meaningful programs. The team hosted monthly writing retreats and the annual Jefferson Center for Interprofessional Practice & Education (JCIPE) retreat.
Pam Walter, manager in the OPWPC, also served on the editorial board of Evanescent: A Journal of Literary Medicine and the Drs. Theresa and Charles Yeo Writing Prize. This year, the OPWPC also piloted a creative writing workshop at The Hill at Whitemarsh, bringing the power of storytelling to a geriatric community.
Media Services
The Media Services department works across Jefferson to connect people with the possibility to share and teach through visual and digital communication. Supporting classrooms, events, and creative projects, the team provides expertise in Audio Visual Services, Graphics & Medical Illustration, Photography, and Video Production. Whether helping faculty present research, capturing the spirit of Jefferson through photography, or producing videos that tell stories of our community, the Media Services team enables Jefferson to communicate ideas clearly and compellingly.
Spotlight on Video Production
The Video Production team played a vital role in connecting people to possibility by creating dynamic, real-world learning tools that enhance education and safety across the enterprise. From producing over 40 physical diagnosis clips for the Physician Assistant program’s study guide to crafting a telemedicine overview instructional video for Jefferson Residents, the team brought clinical education to life in accessible, high-impact formats. The Einstein Safety Initiative video supported a safer, more informed workspace by helping staff navigate challenging patient interactions
Staff Highlights
Awards
ELIZABETH TEN HAVE received the Journal of Emergency Nursing Authors of the Year Award from the Emergency Nurses Association for her 2024 research paper, "Triage Accuracy in Pediatrics Using the Emergency Severity Index."
Publications
ABBY ADAMCZYK co-authored the article, "Transition from graduate medical education to independent practice: A scoping review" in the journal Academic Medicine: Zavodnick, J., Adamczyk, A., Diemer, G., Kuchera, T., Leonard, N., & Jaffe, R. (2024).
ABBY ADAMCZYK, EMMETT BOOTH, and GARY KAPLAN presented their poster, "Librarian Support for Hospital GME Programs: Evaluating a New Position" at the 2025 Medical Library Association (MLA) conference.
Presentations
ABBY ADAMCZYK, DOROTHY BERENBROK, MICHAEL HOPWOOD, AND TIMBER WEBER presented the poster, "Improving Accessibility of Anatomical Study Aids" at the 2025 MLA conference.
F. MICHAEL ANGELO participated in the "Educator Values" panel presentation at the 2025 Faculty Days.
Staff presented a poster co-created by GARY KAPLAN, IRMA QAVOLLI, and ELIZABETH TEN HAVE titled, "Opening Up Access: Using Transformative Agreements to Diversity Health Sciences Publishing" at the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) annual conference.
ELIF GOKBEL co-presented the Exploring an Artificial Intelligence Tool for Improving Literature Synthesis session at Faculty Days 2025.
DEMI HARTE, LEAH MILLER, and JACOB SANTOS presented the Podcasting to Foster Community session at Faculty Days 2025.
BECKY MILLER co-authored a poster, "Using AI to support nursing student success," which was presented at the American Nursing Informatics Association Annual Conference.
JULIE PHILLIPS served as a faculty member and presenter at the 2024 Institute for New Educational Developers (INED) conference.