INFORMATION FOR
The College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences is the largest college at William Paterson University, and home to a diverse population of more than 3,000 students. Our programs provide insight into the past and explore solutions for the future, enabling our students to build their careers, pursue advanced academic studies, and empower positive change.
We offer a wide range of outstanding programs in the visual and performing arts, communication arts, and the humanities and social sciences. Students have the opportunity to work closely with a dedicated faculty of teacher-scholars including many Fulbright fellows and others of international prominence who bring real-world experience to the classroom. In our college there are extensive opportunities for artistic creation, performance, scholarship, study abroad, and hands-on learning as a part of your academic experience.
Our internship program is designed to provide career experience that helps you connect your current educational program to your future as a successful professional. Students also benefit from state-of-the-art resources ranging from HD television broadcast studios, animation and game design labs to recording studios and a social media lab, among others. They can also participate in college conferences, academic clubs, and honor societies.
We are home to a number of signature experiences that make us unique in New Jersey and to students around the nation and world, including our internationally renowned—jazz studies program and our award-winning campus radio station, 88.7 WPSC/Brave New Radio (named “College Radio Station of the Year” by the National Association of Broadcasters).
Dean, College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
EMAIL: davisw@wpunj.edu
PHONE: 973-720-2731
OFFICE: Atrium 260
Associate Dean, College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
EMAIL: razzorel@wpunj.edu
PHONE: 973-720-3282
EMAIL: hilld@wpunj.edu
PHONE: 973-720-3036
As more working parents juggle the demands of employment, childcare, and elder care, faculty research at William Paterson University is helping to clarify how those pressures affect mental health—and why some parents experience greater strain than others.
Deniz Yucel, professor of sociology at William Paterson University, co-authored research that takes a distinctive approach to understanding psychological well-being among employed parents. Rather than examining caregiving demands as a single burden, the study distinguishes among different caregiving situations and considers how strongly parents identify with their professional roles.
Using data from a national sample of employed parents in the United States, Yucel and her co-author examined caregiving across three groups: parents caring for typical children, those caring for children with special needs or medical fragility, and those caring for both a child and an elder—often referred to as the “sandwich generation.”
What makes the research especially impactful, Yucel notes, is its focus on work-role salience—the degree to which individuals prioritize their work identity relative to their family role—and how that orientation shapes mental health outcomes.
“We found that this factor—work-role salience—strongly shapes how caregiving demands relate to mental health outcomes, with notable differences by gender,” Yucel explains. “Women who place greater significance on their professional role than their family role are more likely to suffer pronounced psychological consequences.”
Persistent societal expectations that women should take on most caregiving responsibilities can intensify this strain, particularly for those who are deeply invested in their careers, Yucel adds.
The study also found clear differences across caregiving groups. Parents with typical childcare responsibilities reported the lowest levels of psychological distress. Parents in the sandwich generation experienced the highest distress, followed closely by those caring for children with exceptional needs.
These findings carry growing significance as workforce and demographic trends continue to shift. More than 72 percent of married U.S. mothers were in the labor force as of 2023, and the U.S. population age 65 and older continues to grow rapidly. As a result, more than half of Americans in their forties are now part of the sandwich generation, according to the study.
“Many working parents today, particularly mothers, are facing far more pressure to balance childcare, elder care, and employment demands than previous generations in the U.S.,” Yucel says. “Paying closer attention to the unique experiences of these workers is critically important.”
Yucel notes that employers can play a meaningful role by expanding supports such as remote work options, paid caregiver leave for both child and elder care, and counseling resources tailored to caregivers.
Her research reflects William Paterson University’s ongoing commitment to faculty scholarship that addresses pressing social and workforce issues, offering insights for employers, policymakers, and families navigating increasingly complex caregiving responsibilities.
The study, “Extra Caregiving Demands, Work-Role Salience, and Psychological Distress Among Employed Parents,” appears in the peer-reviewed journal Applied Research in Quality of Life.
The Center for Chinese Art at William Paterson University is dedicated to preserving and sharing the artistic heritage of China and integrating its rich tradition into the University's curriculum. Students will not only have the opportunity to view Chinese art, but draw upon its philosophy and incorporate its techniques in order to participate effectively in the increasingly global world of visual arts.
Combining coursework dedicated to the rigorous investigation of art with a broad spectrum of the most current tools and technology yields artworks that push the limits of the imagination. The activities and technology at the Center for New Art support and supplement the Art Department curriculum while also extending to other departments within the University.
"At William Paterson, I had the opportunity to get research experiences during my undergraduate studies, and that's kind of rare. I also have amazing professors who push you because they want you to be successful. They really want to help--they're not just leaving you out there alone. I really like that and feel supported here."
Sidal Yurt Earned her BA in psychology at WP in 2023 and continuing for her MA and PsyD in clinical psychology International Student from Turkey
"William Paterson was such a great force and inspiration to finding what I want to do in life. It's opened so many doors for me and allowed me to see my potential. Now that I see it, I'm going to run with it."
Justyn Chapman Double Major in Popular Music Studies and Public Relations | Class of 2023
"The resources here are top notch. William Paterson has hidden gems throughout the campus and the classrooms—resources that can really help a person grow and develop, not just in academics but also in their professional life."
Hosanna Nitro Communication/ Public Relations Major | Class of 2023
"The professors here have pushed me to grow as an individual. They encouraged me to take part in class discussions and debates, helping me go from shy and reserved to someone who speaks up and is willing to challenge herself. As a result, I was able to take part in a prestigious internship for a U.S. Congresswoman, where I recruited volunteers, participated in voter turnout events, and learned a great deal about re-election campaigns. I cannot thank my professors enough."
Dhruvisha Patel Political science, litigation paralegal at DiFrancesco, Bateman, Kunzman, Davis, Lehrer & Flaum, PC | Class of 2023
