Stockton News - June 4, 2026
WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT
Conference Promotes Leadership to Students with Disabilities
About 250 high school students with disabilities from throughout southern New Jersey attended the 16th annual Dare to Dream Student Leadership Conference on campus on May 28.
Stockton’s Learning Access Program (LAP), in collaboration with the state Department of Education’s Office of Special Education, presented the conference, which featured presentations from accomplished students and adults with disabilities who have demonstrated exemplary self-advocacy and leadership skills, said LAP Director Anthony Thomas.
“The conference program also included a variety of breakout sessions that provided attendees with opportunities to gain insight into the transition planning process for a successful future,” Thomas said. “High school students also participated in workshops led by their peers who are developing their own leadership skills.”
Naz Onel Selected for Inaugural Lindback Teaching Award
Stockton Professor Naz Onel had just returned to her office after being honored for 10 years of service at the annual Employee Recognition Day on May 7 when she received even more exciting news.
She had been selected as the inaugural winner of Stockton’s Lindback Distinguished Teaching Award.
“Reading the congratulations letter from Provost Michael Palladino was a moment of pure joy. It was deeply moving to read that my commitment to inclusive teaching practices and my ability to inspire students from various backgrounds truly embody Stockton's mission of student-focused education,” said the professor of Business Administration. “Receiving this honor is a wonderful milestone that celebrates both my journey at Stockton since 2015 and the incredible growth of the diverse learners I have been privileged to teach every day.”
Onel will receive a $4,000 stipend, a commemorative plaque and will be recognized at an event in the fall semester. The award is funded by the Christian R. and Mary F. Lindback Foundation. Since 1961, the foundation has recognized outstanding faculty members at colleges and universities in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. This year, Stockton joined 51 other institutions as part of the program.
Student Awarded Prestigious PR Fellowship
Stockton rising senior Laura Leonel was recently selected one of 12 nationwide recipients of a prestigious Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Foundation fellowship.
Leonel, a Communication Studies major from Long Branch, was selected as part of the Foster the Future fellowship program, a collaborative initiative between Mission North, communications agency partners and the PRSA Foundation to mobilize the public relations and communications industry for transformative change.
Leonel was awarded a paid internship this summer with LaunchSquad, a public relations and marketing agency based in San Francisco but with team members across the country.
“When I first applied to this fellowship, I honestly thought, ‘There’s no way they’ll choose me,’” Leonel said. “As a first-generation student from a smaller university, opportunities like this often feel out of reach. This experience reminded me that potential isn’t defined by where you come from, and I’m incredibly grateful that PRSA and LaunchSquad recognized mine.”
WHAT'S TRENDING @ #STOCKTONU
Instagram: Kindergartners, a college and conservationists are giving Northern Diamondback terrapins a second chance.
Facebook: When New Jersey invests in public higher education, it is investing in people who will live here, work here and lead here.
X: If you're missing Lake Fred, here is your invite to come back this summer for a nature walk. The mountain laurel is in full bloom and the warblers have been darting through the foliage.
FROM THE SIDELINES
Stockton Coaches Named Region IV Coaching Staff of the Year
Stockton head softball coach Mavreen Hering and assistant coaches Abby Mace, Joe Costantini, Michelle Neveling and Alexis Bermudez were named the NFCA Region IV Coaching Staff of the Year by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association.
In her 11th year, Hering and her staff led Stockton to a 30-9 record, the NJAC regular-season title, a national ranking and an NCAA Tournament berth, all firsts in program history.
The Stockton coaching staff guided the Ospreys to their highest win total in a decade. Stockton entered the NFCA national poll for the first time on March 31 and remained nationally ranked for the rest of the season.
The team also captured the NJAC regular-season title with a 16-2 league record. Hering, Mace, Costantini, Neveling and Bermudez were also voted NJAC Coaching Staff of the Year. The Ospreys went on to play the program’s first NCAA Tournament games earlier this season.
DeLierre Named All-America Honorable Mention by USA Lacrosse Magazine
Stockton junior Alex DeLierre was named All-America Honorable Mention by USA Lacrosse Magazine for the 2026 season.
DeLierre led Stockton in goals with 57 and points with 62, while also finishing second on the Ospreys in ground balls with 47 and tied for third in caused turnovers with 13.
DeLierre added the All-America Honorable Mention nod to a CLC First Team honor and two CLC Offensive Player of the Week awards this season. The attack finished second in the conference and 29th in NCAA Division III in goals per game at 3.35. He also placed seventh in the CLC in points per game at 3.65.
Ospreys are collecting honors, awards and postseason milestones across Stockton Athletics.Check out the latest accomplishments and cheer them on. Go Ospreys!
STOCKTON SITES & CENTERS
Students, SRI & ETTC Help High Schoolers Learn About Robotics
Students from Absegami and Middle Township high schools and the Atlantic County Institute of Technology took part in a hands-on robotics workshop created with Stockton's Southern Regional Institute and Educational Technology Training Center (SRI & ETTC) on May 29.
Students worked together to develop, build and program their own mini golf course using Hummingbird Robotics kits. Each school joined an interactive Zoom session where they worked together to brainstorm golf courses before unleashing their imaginations on scraps of cardboard.
Absegami students worked with SRI & ETTC representatives to build and program their own golf hole. One representative was Carly Cianciulli, a Liberal Studies major with minors in Disability Studies and Childhood Studies, who came from her hometown of Buena to help the students code their projects. Across all three schools, more than 130 students participated in this workshop. Read more about the programs offered by the SRI & ETTC.
OSPREY NOTES
Administration & Finance Holds Annual Retreat
The Division of Administration & Finance held its annual retreat on May 27 at Stockton Atlantic City. In addition to team-building exercises, training was provided on the use of AI, digital accessibility and the university’s strategic planning process.
“The Division’s annual retreat provides an opportunity to reconnect with A&F team members and dedicate time to advancing key initiatives impacting Stockton and the higher education industry," said Jennifer Potter, senior vice president for Administration & Finance and Chief Financial Officer.
Graduating Students Inducted into Honor Societies
Toward the end of the 2025-26 academic year, graduating students were honored for their achievements in academic programs and student organizations, as well as inducted into honor societies, before Commencement ceremonies in the Sports Center and Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall. Here is a collection of some of those ceremonies and recognitions.
PHOTO: The Stockton School of Business Chapter of Beta Gamma Sigma honored its 2026 inductees on April 23 at the Campus Center.
Sports Center Closure and Campus Access Impacts Begin June 5
Stockton has been selected as a Team Base Camp for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and will host the Haiti National Team this summer.
The team is expected to be on campus from June 8 through at least June 24. If Haiti advances out of group play, the team could remain on campus through the end of June.
Haiti will begin training on Tuesday, June 9. All practices and training sessions will be completely closed to Stockton employees and the general public. There will be no exceptions for credentials or passes to enter the secured perimeter of the Sports Center and G. Larry James Stadium during the team’s stay.
The Sports Center will be closed beginning at 5 p.m. on Friday, June 5, through the end of the day on Sunday, June 28. This closure includes all offices, the Trustees Memorial Fitness Center, Athletic Training and the Sports Center Arena.
The Stockton community should also expect increased police and security activity in and around the secured perimeter of the Sports Center during this time, including the presence of New Jersey State Police, Homeland Security, Secret Service, Stockton Police and other local authorities.
Thank you for your cooperation as the university supports this international event.
🧀✨ Did You Know?
June 4 is National Cheese Day. So yes, this week’s Stockton News pairs nicely with sharp cheddar, campus updates and a little end-of-week optimism. If you needed an excuse to enjoy a cheesy little treat, look no further. You’re welcome.
UPCOMING EVENTS
💻 Professional Development Opportunities
🖼️ Art Exhibits hosted by the Noyes Museum of Art
June 4-5:Second Biennial Mid-Atlantic Intergenerational Conference
June 10: Dr. Yitzhak Sharon Retirement Reception
June 11:Business is Great When We Gather Downtown!
June 13: 18th Annual G Larry James Legacy Bike Ride
June 16: Vera King Farris Documentary Screening
June 17: Juneteenth Event
June 18: Alumni Achievement Awards 2026
June 19: Juneteenth at Noyes Arts Garage of Stockton University
June 23: Faculty Forum - The Ethics of Creativity in the Age of Generative Media
July 7: Sharks: Myth and Reality
