Inclusive Student Success

black bar with blue, yellow and white stripe accents — Inclusive Student Success

�� is committed to providing an affordable, high-quality, interdisciplinary education that is grounded in the liberal arts and prepares students for healthy, productive and meaningful lives.

First-Generation Students Honored at New Pinning Ceremony

Students at last year’s National First-Generation Week Reception learned just how large of a community they have at �� when Christopher Catching, vice president for Student Affairs, shared that around 50% of the students here identify as first-generation students.

“Being first-generation is part of the DNA here,” Catching said. “This institution was founded in 1969 and officially opened in 1971, and it’s always served first-generation and post-traditional students. Based on this year’s numbers, about 4,700 students identify as first-gen.”

First-generation students are students whose parents or immediate families don’t currently hold a four-year college/university degree. This can impact one’s college experience, as explained by Priya Parikh, a student and treasurer for First Ospreys.

“Being a first-gen student comes with many struggles, some of which include being unaware of college processes and filing the FAFSA,” Parikh said.

A group of 8 first-generation students in front of a screen announcing National First Generation Week — First-generation students were honored during the National First Generation Week Reception.

However, being a first-generation student at �� doesn’t have to be a struggle but an identity to be proud of. After getting support from offices such as Career Education and Development and Financial Aid, both Parikh and Aleyshka Barbosa, president of First Ospreys, can attest to that.

“Being first-generation has been more of a strength of mine here at �� and our campus culture,” Parikh said. “Being able to present your first-generation identity on our campus is something to be proud of, and I hope you all leave here today feeling proud to wear it on your sleeve.”

“I hold (being a part of First Ospreys) super dear to my heart and, my friends will tell you, being first gen is one of my biggest identities,” Barbosa said. “I’m very proud of it, and I hope that you all can feel how proud I am of you all. This is a big thing to celebrate.”

Catching’s sentiments about the reception mirrored Barbosa’s, as he considered it a “momentous occasion.”

Career Fair Returns in Person

“I came here with five resumes, and now I’m going to have zero left.”

Dharamavtar “D.A.” Khullar of Galloway, like most of the students who attended the Career Fair last October, had a successful time meeting different employers and organizations looking to hire �� students.

The job fair was Khullar’s first one; he usually has part-time and seasonal employment, but he’s now looking for something more permanent that encompasses his interests in either medical malpractice law or developmental psychology. He says that he was unsure about what the fair was going to be like, but six business cards later, he is happy to share that it has been very beneficial.

“It went better than I expected,” Khullar said while filling out an application. “Everybody was super nice, and it’s been really good. I’m hoping everything pans out.”

Two students walk through a gymnasium lined with tabling employers — Students worked on their interview skills while meeting with potential employers during the Career & Internship Fair.

Ashlee Roberts, then acting director of the Career Education and Development office, said the office implemented changes to the fair’s structure to make it run smoother for both students and employers. This was the first in-person fair since February 2020.

The biggest change was shifting the dress code from suits required to business casual.

“It is important our students know the language of dress codes and what they entail, but we also must foster their ability to assess the expectations of their chosen career fields,” Roberts said. “Everyone isn’t expecting a suit. This change increased access to more students by removing a potential financial barrier and supported earlier exposure for first and second-year students.”

Learn More about Career Education & Development

Inaugural Conference Demonstrates Strength of Student Leaders

The first cohort of the Cultural Engagement Ospreys (CEO) interns held the inaugural Inclusive Leadership Conference on April 14 in the Campus Center.

The conference included live music, free sessions on thrifting and headshots, an interactive fair about the art of origami, henna and gaming, and other educational sessions throughout the day. In addition, the conference included two keynote speakers who are also Educational Opportunity Fund alumni — Anyelis Cordero, CEO of Propel on Purpose Coaching, and Akeem Lloyd, CEO of A Leadership Journey.

The conference also provided students from Ocean County College, Rowan College of Burlington County and Hudson Community College an opportunity to check out �� University and the programs/initiatives that are offered here on campus.

Ana Edmondson, assistant vice president of Student Transitions, Access and Retention Programs, supported the students in organizing the conference, which she said has prepared them for the world after graduation by developing their National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) career competencies.

A group of students and administrators in front of a balloon arch spelling out Inclusive — The Cultural Engagment Ospreys (CEOs) interns held the inaugural Inclusive Leadership Conference on April 14.

“The conference schedule has been organized in such a way to be dynamic, immersive, interactive and entertaining to excite students to learn more about this crucial topic on diversity and inclusion and educate the attendees on the value of becoming inclusive leaders,” Edmondson said. “The CEO Interns are strengthening their skills in communication, critical thinking, equity and inclusion, leadership, professionalism, teamwork and technology.”

Gilchrist Urges Students to Move Forward Fearlessly

What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you hear, “WTF?”

Well, for motivational speaker Erika Gilchrist, it’s her brand and the mantra that she created to empower herself and others: women thriving fearlessly.

The fearlessness and ease that Gilchrist exudes were palpable – the students, staff and faculty who came to listen to her story in the Campus Center Board of Trustees Room on March 20 were enthralled with her confident presence.

“Erika came out, and she helped everybody feel more comfortable and empowered from being her authentic self,” Sean Trin, a Finance major who attended the program, said. “She got everybody laughing and that really set the tone for the rest of the presentation.”

The presentation, “Moving Forward Fearlessly,” was the second part of the power-based personal violence (PBPV) awareness series created by Tierra Houston of the Women’s Gender & Sexuality Center (WGSC).

In her talk, Gilchrist began her story with her early years of struggle: she was orphaned by age 3, sexually assaulted and abused while under the care of her grandparents, suffered from houselessness and domestic abuse at the hands of two partners, and even survived a suicide attempt.

“Y’all, I was out of here,” Gilchrist explained. “I had mentally and emotionally said goodbye to my family and everything – I was done. But when I came to, I said to myself, ‘I don’t want to do that again.’ My life actually started that day. When I came to and my head lifted, only one word came to my mind: ‘unstoppable.’ That moment is when the unstoppable woman was born, and I had a lot of work to do.”

Highlights from ��'s Veteran Community

�� Again Receives Military Friendly Designation

�� earned top honors for its outreach to military veterans by receiving the Military Friendly School Gold designation.

It’s the second year in a row the school accepted a Military Friendly designation, but the first time it received the Gold award. The designation is for the 2023-24 year in the small public school category. Last year, the school was awarded Silver status. The designation comes from the Military Friendly Schools survey, which is the longest-running and most comprehensive review of college and university investments in serving military and veteran students.

“This designation proves ��’s continuing commitment to supporting military veterans seeking higher education and providing them with resources to be successful,” said Michael Barany, director of the Military and Veterans Success Center at ��. “I’m especially thrilled that �� has been upgraded to Gold status for this very prestigious designation.”

Institutions earning the Military Friendly Schools Awards designation were evaluated using public data sources and responses from a proprietary survey. More than 1,800 schools participated in the 2023-24 survey and only 250 schools were selected for “Gold” award status for their leading practices, outcomes and effective programs.

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