Stockton News - Dec. 1, 2023
WHAT WE’RE TALKING ABOUT
Annual Latino Visitation Day Breaks Attendance Record
More than 1,000 students from nearly 30 high schools throughout New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Maryland heard the message loud and clear at Stockton University's annual Latino Visitation Day Nov. 30: if your goal is higher education, you can overcome the obstacles and earn a college degree.
Stockton University ranks seventh in the nation among colleges and universities with the highest graduation rates for Hispanic students and overall minority students, according to a 2022 Chronicle of Higher Education report. In the 2022-23 academic year, 19% of Stockton students identified as Hispanic.
Heather Medina, director of Admissions, was admittedly emotional when she saw the crowd of students filing into the Sports Center. Not so long ago, she was a student and member of Los Latinos Unidos, the student organization that started Latino Visitation Day.
“It is just such a joy to see all of these smiling faces today, and we hope that you all consider and choose Stockton. This is our way of saying to you all: Welcome home,” Medina said. “Latino Visitation Day was born when I was a student here and started off with two schools, and today, I’m pleased to say that this is the largest ever in the history of the university.”
Medina introduced Nelida Valentin, chair for Stockton’s Board of Trustees and proud 1986 graduate who was part of the Educational Opportunity Fund program and served as president of Los Latinos Unidos during her time as an undergraduate.
After sharing her journey from a first-generation student to a leader in higher education, Valentin encouraged the crowd to think of their own journeys and what they hope to accomplish.
“You see, I was the first and only in my family to attend college, and when you are the first, there is not a lot to look back on: You just have to move forward. I can tell you unequivocally that my Stockton experience has translated into a lifetime commitment to education and community service. My journey through Stockton University has served as a testament to the transformative power of education, and you too can be on that journey toward transformation,” Valentin said.
Initiatives to Support Teachers Already Benefiting Students
For Ariana Ramirez and Emily Loeb, teachers are so much more than just people handing out worksheets in front of a classroom.
“We are parents in school. We are nurses. We even have to be comedians at times,” said Ramirez, a Stockton University senior who wants to be an elementary school teacher. “You have different learners in class, and you have to address all their needs.”
“They are role models, mentors, and, of course, educators, all wrapped up in one,” said Loeb, a 2023 Stockton graduate who teaches environmental and marine science at Atlantic City High School. “I am able to have such a large impact on the lives of my students.”
But it’s not easy being a teacher, and it’s not necessarily the highest paying job right out of college, which has led to a shortage across the country. Two new programs announced Wednesday in a Stockton classroom by the New Jersey Higher Education Student Assistance Authority (HESAA) are trying to help grow the state’s educator workforce.
As part of the New Jersey Teacher Loan Redemption Program, teachers can receive up to $5,000 per year up to a maximum of $20,000 in student loan redemption. The educator has to teach in a pre-K through 12th grade class in either mathematics, science, special education, English as a second language (ESL) and/or career and technical education at one of a select number of schools. The program was expanded this year to include both public and private loans and the application period will close on Feb. 1, 2024.
STOCKTON UNIVERSITY ATLANTIC CITY
Stories of Atlantic City Students Reunite with Community Members
Stories of Atlantic City completely changedEmily Montgomery's life.
For as long as she can remember and especially during her time as a Communication Studies major at Stockton University, she wanted to be a broadcast journalist.
And after graduating in 2021, she did - working as an online content creator for Fox 29 in Philadelphia.
"But I just decided that through my work with Stories of AC that I wanted more from the news world," said the Palmyra native.
She now works with Mighty Writers, a nonprofit that offers free reading and writing programs for children aged 7-17 years old in Philadelphia and Atlantic City.
"I did storytelling like this with Stories of Atlantic City in a more positive perspective rather than the doom and gloom you see on TV, and it just made me crave that restorative storytelling that focuses on community," Montgomery said. "Every person has a story, and every community has a story. Those are the kinds of things that I want to share."
WHAT'S TRENDING @ #STOCKTONU
Facebook: The holiday season has been in full swing at #StocktonU! 🦃
Instagram: We're giving away $1,000,000 in Stockton Foundation Scholarships!
X: Christmas has come early this year at the @StocktonPAC!
FROM THE SIDELINES
Stockton Tops Rutgers-Camden 63-50
Stockton University used a balanced attack to defeat Rutgers-Camden 63-50 in a road game. Four Ospreys scored in double figures led by Trina Deveney-Bethea with 12 points.
Deveney-Bethea shot 6-10 from the field. Skylar Fowlkes recorded her first career double-double with 11 points and a career-high 10 rebounds to go with a game-high four steals.
Brianna Robinson tied her career best with 10 points while Emma Morrone tallied 10 points, nine rebounds, four assists and three steals. Stockton outrebounded Rutgers-Camden by a whopping 53-29 and scored 25 points off turnovers.
Four Ospreys Selected NFHCA All-Region
Four Stockton University field hockey players were selected for NFHCA Region IV honors by the National Field Hockey Coaches Association. Junior Allie Palumbo and sophomore Carlee Thompson were chosen NFHCA Region IV First Team.
Sophomore Kirsten Bailey and freshman Kaelin Drey were named NFHCA Region IV Second Team. Palumbo, Thompson, Bailey and Drey helped Stockton tie the school record with 15 victories this season.
Palumbo became the first player in the program's 21-year history to be selected all-region three times. The forward was voted NFHCA Region IV Second Team in 2021 and 2022. Palumbo was also an NJAC First Team selection and two-time NJAC Player of the Week this season.
🗓️ View the full schedule of all upcoming athletic events here.
OSPREY NOTES
New Issue of Celebrate Diversity Digest Released
The Fall 2023 issue of the Celebrate Diversity Digest, a comprehensive ezine that invites readers to learn more about Stockton University’s commitment to campus diversity, equity, inclusion and social justice, is now available.
In addition to a new look, readers will find interesting stories about the ways that the university promotes inclusion and belonging both inside and outside of Stockton, two new article series that delve into topics that particularly impact staff and faculty members, and news stories that further the conversations surrounding diversity in higher education here on campus.
Celebrate Diversity is an initiative of the Campus Committee on Diversity and Inclusive Excellence.
Stockton University 2023 Annual Report Now Available
The 2023 Annual Report highlights the Stockton community's dedication to teaching, learning and inclusive student success. Read more about what our students, faculty and staff accomplished in the 2022-2023 academic year.
Read the SCOSA December Newsletter
Read the Stockton Center on Successful Aging (SCOSA)'s December newsletter for interesting upcoming events and newly added programming.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Fall 2023 Professional Development Opportunities
Nov. 30 - Dec. 2: 🩰Fall Choreography Project
Dec. 4: Grad Research Symposium
Dec. 8-9:The Nutcracker
Dec. 9: 🧅🎄Second Saturdays: Ornament Decorating
