Stockton News - Oct. 2, 2026 - University Relations & Marketing

Stockton News - Oct. 2, 2026

WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT

Constitution Day Speaker Explores Rights of Immigrants

Constitutional rights can provide critical protections for immigrants facing detention and deportation, but those protections depend on people willing to affirm and defend them, immigration law scholar Alina Das told a Stockton audience Sept. 29.

Das delivered Stockton’s annual Constitution Day lecture, “Rights, Resistance, and the Deportation Machine. She is a Professor of Law and James Weldon Johnson Professor at NYU School of Law, where she is co-director of the Immigrant Rights Clinic.

“Constitution Day gives us an opportunity to do something universities should do especially well: ask difficult questions, examine ideas carefully, listen to different perspectives, and deepen our understanding of the rights and responsibilities that shape our democracy,” said Joe Bertolino, Stockton president.

Ospreys Study Marsh-Nesting Shorebirds

On a September morning with the temperature holding tight to summer, Alyssa Schlauberg, a junior Environmental Science major, stood on Townsends Inlet beach looking through a spotting scope zoomed in on an American oystercatcher.

Schlauberg is one of six interns working with The Wetlands Institute on a pilot study aimed at understanding how oystercatchers utilize saltmarsh habitats. Beach-nesting oystercatchers have been studied since 2003, but as climate change and coastal development alter available oceanfront habitat, the birds are utilizing saltmarsh along the bay.

The Wetlands Institute was awarded a grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s Atlantic Flyway Shorebird Initiative to support research on determining where oystercatchers are selecting marsh nesting territories and the size of the population.

Explore Stockton’s Fall Art Exhibitions Across South Jersey

Art galleries at Stockton University locations in Galloway, Atlantic City and Hammonton will showcase a diverse collection of media this fall, including printmaking, sculpture, mixed media and paintings.

The exhibitions will feature works by Stockton faculty and students as well as regional and national artists, with receptions, workshops and other special events scheduled throughout the semester.

SPOTLIGHT ON: LAUREN BALASCO

Lauren Balasco, associate professor of Political Science at Stockton, recognizes the hurdles facing colleges and universities, from enrollment challenges to funding barriers. She hopes participating in the Department Chair Leadership Institute (DCLI) through the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) will help her address these concerns while giving her resources she can bring back to the university.

Balasco, chair of Stockton’s Political Science program, is one of 31 higher education leaders selected for the national cohort. DCLI is designed to enrich participants’ current skills and foster dynamic, strategic and empathetic leaders.

In the following interview, Balasco discusses what made her apply to DCLI, how she hopes it will impact her current role as a program chair at Stockton and the delicate balance of navigating and adapting to university needs.

FRAME-WORTHY

LGBTQ+ History Month Flag Raising

Stockton University continued an annual tradition on Oct. 1 with the raising of a rainbow flag at the Arts & Sciences Circle to signify the start of LGBTQ+ History Month.

Student representatives from the Pride Alliance and Queer and Trans People of Color Alliance spoke at the ceremony. Jecce Carmen, president of the Pride Alliance, described the flag as “a powerful symbol of visibility, of belonging, and of hope.”

The observance was created by Rodney Wilson, a history teacher at a Missouri high school, in 1994. The following year, LGBTQ+ History Month was added to the list of commemorative months in a resolution forwarded by the General Assembly of the National Education Association. October was chosen as the month of observance as National Coming Out Day already existed as a holiday on Oct. 11. The first march for gay rights in Washington took place on Oct. 14, 1979.

📸See more photos from the LGBTQ+ Flag Raising on Flickr.

WHAT'S TRENDING @ #STOCKTONU

InstaFred: Loa Katz, a senior Environmental Science major, used her camera and a sketchbook to study caterpillars around Lake Fred.

Facebook: Kylie Kolmer ‘24 will be performing as part of the dance team at tonight’s Philadelphia Flyers season opener against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Instagram: Happy National Coffee Day! Let’s find out what local spots keep our Ospreys soaring!

FROM THE SIDELINES

Women's Soccer Opens NJAC Slate with 1-0 Win

The women's soccer team used a lone goal and held off Rutgers-Camden by a 1-0 score on Wednesday, Sept. 30. Kylee Reissek scored the only tally of the match for the Ospreys. It was the NJAC opener for both teams.

Reissek scored her third goal of the year at 21:31 on an assist from Erin Lally for the 1-0 lead. The tightly contested match stayed on the side of the Ospreys through the rest of the half. Stockton held a slim 5-4 advantage in shots during the first 45 minutes of play.

The Scarlet Raptors amped up the pressure during the final period, outshooting the visitors 4-1 but could not find the back of the net. Two shots were on net, but goalkeeper Tori Vliet was up to the task and Stockton came away with the 1-0 victory.

Vliet made four saves in posting her fourth shutout of the season and lowering her goals against average to a paltry 0.71.

Stockton will play their first NJAC home game on Saturday, Oct. 3, when the Ospreys face Ramapo College at G. Larry James Stadium. Game time is scheduled for 2 p.m.

Men's Soccer Wins NJAC Opener 3-0

The men's soccer team began conference play with a resounding 3-0 victory over Rutgers-Camden on Sept. 30 at G. Larry James Stadium. Aiden Hoenisch led the Ospreys with a goal and an assist.

Hoenisch got the scoring started by volleying a feed from Chris Krall under the crossbar with 19:04 gone in the game. Stockton later broke the match open with a pair of goals in the second half.

Cooper Adinolfi made it 2-0 with his team-leading fifth marker of the season just over three minutes after halftime. Hoenisch started the play with a corner kick that Derek Tindall headed toward the net, where Adinolfi headed it home.

Freshman Landon Hoenisch added his first career goal on a beautiful 20-yard rocket to the top right corner in the 76th minute. Owen Edwards collected an assist with a feed to Hoenisch.

Stockton goalkeeper Cole Butler made two saves, including a diving stop in the first half, for his third shutout of the season.

Stockton's next game will be an NJAC matchup at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 3, at Ramapo.

🦅 Athletics News and Upcoming Game Information🦅

SOARING FORWARD: IN ACTION

Stockton's Mission: Evolving through Shared Governance

Early in the strategic planning process that resulted in the new strategic plan, Soaring Forward: Strengthening Community, Advancing Excellence, a representative working group of faculty, staff and students came together to examine Stockton’s Mission, Vision and Values and consider how they should evolve to reflect who we are today and where we are headed.

From this work an updated Mission Statement emerged, which reads, "Our mission is to empower individuals to become thoughtful and engaged leaders who thrive in a rapidly evolving world. As a public university, Stockton creates an environment for academic excellence through inclusive, interdisciplinary, and hands-on educational experiences."

Led by Mission, Vision and Values Working Group Co-Chairs Mike Law, associate professor of Biology, and Tara Williams, director of Graduate Market Engagement & Strategic Partnerships, the team sought input from faculty, staff and students, alumni, trustees and other members of the community through surveys, open forums and feedback sessions, providing multiple opportunities for members of the university community to participate in the process.

That work informed the updated Mission, Vision and Values incorporated into the new Strategic Plan by the Strategic Plan Writing Team, led by Emari DiGiorgioand Heather McGovern, both professors of Writing and First-Year Studies. The revised Mission, Vision and Values language was endorsed by the Strategic Planning Steering Committee, shared with faculty, staff, and union leaders, and then reviewed and approved by the Senior Leadership Team and the Board of Trustees on Sept. 10, 2025.

The university is taking the next step to formalize the updated Mission Statement through the university’s policy process. A first reading of the policy was brought to the Board of Trustees at their Sept. 10, 2026 meeting. The policy process does not change the mission approved through the strategic planning process but formally incorporates that language into University policy.

Please visit the Strategic Plan website to learn more about Soaring Forward and follow our progress.

OSPREY NOTES

Meet Our New Faculty: Part 3

Each week, we’ll highlight faculty members beginning new roles at Stockton, sharing details about their work on campus and interests beyond it. Today, we spotlight Michael Hinman, assistant professor of MAED Program; and Roisin O’Neill, assistant professor of Economics.

Michael Hinman

Roisin O’Neill

What courses or subjects will you be teaching at Stockton?

O’Neill: I will be teaching a wide range of economics courses. Right now, I teach Introduction to Macroeconomics.

Hinman: I am teaching in the MAED program, primarily courses focused on educational leadership.

What is your area of research or professional specialty?

O’Neill: I work in labor and public economics, with a focus on family and gender. My research explores parents’ experiences in the labor market, paid family leave policies and how fathers’ behaviors affect existing gender gaps. I also work in disability economics, exploring how labor policies affect people with disabilities.

Hinman: I study how educational leaders make consequential decisions under conditions of uncertainty, limited information and organizational constraints. If you’re interested in behavioral economics, professional protocols, decision-making or educational leadership, I’d love to talk with you.

What drew you to Stockton?

O’Neill: I was drawn to Stockton for its public liberal arts education, emphasis on high-quality teaching, welcoming and passionate community and beautiful campus!

Hinman: As an Atlantic County native, my involvement with Stockton actually predates my attendance there in the late 1980s. Stockton has maintained its teaching-first orientation, and that is something I appreciate and value.

What’s on your Kindle or nightstand right now?

O’Neill: I am reading, and loving, “The White Album” by Joan Didion.

Hinman: Let’s face it: It’s mostly course-related reading these days. But I do love a good shipwreck story, such as “The Wager.”

What’s one fun fact about you that students or colleagues might be surprised to learn?

O’Neill: When I was an undergraduate, I was on the track and field team!

Hinman: Even given the impressive range of degrees earned by Stockton faculty, I am guessing mine is the only curriculum vitae that includes Ringling Bros. Clown College (’85).

President Joe's State of the University Address Oct. 8

Reminder: President Joe’s State of the University Address will be held this Thursday, Oct. 8, from 1:30-3 p.m. in the Campus Center Theatre. A Zoom option is also available for those unable to attend in person.

Students Can Discover Stockton at Oct. 17 Open House

Stockton will host its fall Open House on Saturday, Oct. 17.

The event kicks off at 11 a.m. in the Sports Center, 101 Vera King Farris Drive in Galloway. Prospective first-year and transfer students can meet President Joe Bertolino and engage with Admissions staff to learn more about the university.

From there, attendees can tour campus with Stockton’s student Admissions Ambassadors, join academic sessions to learn more about majors, explore campus housing options and drop by the Information Fair in the Campus Center and sample Stockton’s food services.

Vote by Oct. 4 for Stockton’s Refreshed Alma Mater

Community voting for the Alma Mater Refresh is open through Oct. 4. Listen to the compositions and cast your vote for the one you feel best represents Stockton and the Osprey spirit for future generations.

Vote for the Alma Mater.

Keep Your Communications on Brand

The university’s online Brand Guide has the tools and resources you need to help ensure your materials look, feel and sound like Stockton.

The guide includes approved logos and marks and guidance for their use, official colors and fonts, accessible color combinations, photography and imagery guidance, and key brand messaging.

Please visit the Stockton Brand Guide to help keep our communications consistent, recognizable and accessible. Have questions or need clarification on a project you’re working on? Reach out to University Relations & Marketing at university.relations@stockton.edu for guidance.

It’s FAFSA time!

The 2027-2028 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is available now at fafsa.gov.

The FAFSA is a student’s application for all federal, state and institutional need-based financial aid programs. All students are encouraged to complete the FAFSA each year.

Please encourage your students to file their 2027-2028 FAFSA early to avoid missing any deadlines. Learn more at stockton.edu/fafsa.

Students who identify as a New Jersey Dreamer will not complete the FAFSA. They will complete the NJ Alternative Application for Financial Aid at hesaa.org.

Financial Aid is here to help. Anyone who needs assistance with their application for financial aid can schedule a FAFSA Completion appointment with our office. Students can make an appointment beginning Oct. 16 at stockton.edu/contactfinaid.

One-Click Break: Float into Friday with the moon jellies at Monterey Bay Aquarium. Watch these translucent drifters pulse through the water and give your brain a few quiet minutes off. 🌙🪼