Welcome to Edition 209 of This Week at NJCU for the week of June 1, 2026. Connect with us at communications@njcu.edu.

A Note from the Editor:

When we produced our first edition of This Week at NJCU five years ago, we hoped it would become a reliable connection between our university and the people who make it extraordinary: students, faculty, staff, alumni, and influencers in our community. What it became was so much more — a trusted resource that bridged the gap between what was happening on our campus and opportunities for our readers to be involved, grow, and improve their lives.

To every student, faculty and staff member, alumnus, and friend who opened this newsletter each week, shared it with others, and made it a part of your NJCU experience: thank you. Your readership and enthusiasm made every edition worth every word.

This will be the final edition of This Week at NJCU. As our university begins its next chapter through the merger with Kean University, becoming Kean Jersey City, we close this one with enormous gratitude and pride.

None of this would have been possible without the exceptional team behind the scenes in the Office of Communications and Marketing — especially Madelynne DelaRama, Allison Thornton, Rayne Clark, and the entire This Week at NJCU team, whose creativity, dedication, and care gave this newsletter its voice week after week. It has been an honor to serve this community through these pages, and we are deeply grateful for every reader who made This Week at NJCU a part of their week.

— Ira Thor, Associate Vice President for University Communications and Marketing (and the entire This Week at NJCU team)

Monday, June 1 to Saturday, June 6, 2026 • 12-6 p.m.
NJCU Visual Arts Gallery
Visual Arts Building Lower Level, 100 Culver Ave.

Awards Reception: Saturday, June 6, 2026 • 3:30-6:00 p.m.

The Jersey City Eco-Youth Art Exhibition is a collaboration between Ronald E. McNair Academic High School's Environmental Club and the Embankment Preservation Coalition. More than 80 students representing a diverse range of ages and perspectives from across Jersey City submitted work spanning an impressive breadth of mediums — from paintings and sculptures to drawings.

These young artists highlight the beauty of our natural world with imagination and skill, drawing inspiration from Jersey City's unique ecosystems — the Embankment's "floating forest" on Sixth Street, the waterfront that borders the city, and its numerous parks — and underscoring the importance of protecting these spaces for generations to come.

Email mcnairenvironmentalclub@gmail.com if you have any questions or concerns

Tuesday, June 2, 2026 • 10 a.m.
Virtual Event

NJCU faculty and staff are invited to participate in Kean University’s Tuition Hearing for Academic Year 2026-2027. We encourage you to learn more about the proposed budget and share your perspectives as part of this important process.

The Tuition Hearing for Academic Year 2026-2027 will take place on Tuesday, June 2 at 10 a.m. in a virtual format.

The University is recommending the Board of Trustees consider a 5–7% increase on tuition and fees for the upcoming academic year to support the proposed FY27 budget plan.

A link to the live meeting will be posted 30 minutes prior to the Tuition Hearing on the Kean.edu homepage.

A draft budget is now available on the Budget Office webpage.

Tuesday, June 2, 2026 • 5 p.m.
Virtual Event

Ready to step into the classroom? 🍎 Join New Jersey City University for a virtual info session covering everything you need to know about earning your Certificate of Eligibility (CE), preparing for the Praxis Content exams, and exploring our Alternate Route programs in P-3, ESL, Elementary, and Secondary Education. 📚✨ Get expert guidance, learn about flexible course and endorsement options, and all attendees receive an application fee waiver code! 🎉

Tuesday, June 2, 2026 • 5-8 p.m.
Gilligan Student Union Multipurpose Rooms A & B

NJCU's Pride Center, in partnership with Hudson Pride Center, invites all gender diverse individuals to the Gender Affirming Boutique IV — a free shopping experience designed to help you affirm your gender with clothing and accessories at no cost.

This welcoming and affirming event is free for all gender diverse individuals. Registration is required — secure your spot today!

For more information, contact Gabriella Gomez at gabby@hudsonpride.org

Presented in partnership with NJCU Pride Center, NJCU Counseling Center, Garden State Equality, Planned Parenthood of Metropolitan New Jersey, edge, HiTOPS, LGBTQ+ Health & Wellness Center at Bergen New Bridge Medical Center, and Project TEA — Trans Empowerment in Action.

Wednesday, June 3, 2026 • 5 p.m.
Virtual Event

Ready to turn your passion for teaching into a New Jersey classroom career? 🍎🚀 Join New Jersey City University’s dynamic Zoom info session to explore our Alternate Route pathways in P-3, ESL, Elementary, and Secondary Education—and learn how to get certified faster and smarter. 📚✨

Tuesday, June 9, 2026 • 12–1 p.m.
Virtual Event via Zoom

This webinar by Creative Financial Group will outline and explore four potential options for your company's retirement assets, while highlighting the importance of making an informed decision. This event is a collaboration between the Kean and NJCU Offices of Human Resources and the Well-Being at Kean program.

Friday, June 12 to Friday, June 26, 2026
NJCU Visual Arts Gallery
Visual Arts Building Lower Level, 100 Culver Ave.

Opening reception: Friday, June 12, 2026 • 3–6 p.m.
Closing reception: Friday, June 26, 2026 • 12–5 p.m.

Join NJCU Galleries for a salon-style exhibition exploring memory as interpreted by the artist. Organized by three recent NJCU Bachelor of Fine Arts graduates — Via Bonilla, Samantha Castro, and Ai'jhana Cutler — the exhibition features multimedia works by 35 artists selected through an open call. Admission is free.

Tuesday, June 16, 2026 • 9-11:30 a.m.
Virtual Event via Zoom

This is a live, interactive web presentation designed for State PERS & TPAF Employees (PERS and TPAF members employed by a N.J. State department, State agency, State Institution, or a N.J. State College/University) who are planning to retire. This webinar takes a step-by-step approach to the retirement process and explains what happens after you submit your application. We explain your benefits, survivor options, group life insurance, loan repayment provisions, and the taxability of your pension. There is also a brief discussion of State Health Benefits Program (SHBP) coverage in retirement. This webinar is approximately 2 ½ to 3 hours in duration including a Q&A period.

Sponsored by the NJ Division of Pensions and Benefits. You will receive a Zoom link upon registration.

Thursday, June 18, 2026 • 5 p.m.
Virtual Event

💸🎓 Feeling overwhelmed by how to pay for grad school? Take charge of your future at the HESAA Graduate Financial Aid Workshop, where expert advisors will break down loans, repayment options, and funding resources—clearly and confidently. 🚀💡 Walk away empowered with smart borrowing strategies, personalized guidance, and the clarity you need to invest in you.

Gilligan Student Union Rooms 216-217
Tuesday, June 23 2026 • 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

No matter where you are in life—whether you’re just getting started or planning for retirement—a session with a financial consultant can help you create a plan for your goals. And, it’s at no additional cost as a part of your retirement plan. You’ll get answers to these questions and more:

Register your sessions at tiaa.org/schedulenow. For additional information, contact the HR Department at HR@njcu.edu.  

June 29 – July 30, 2026 • 1-3 p.m. (Monday–Thursday)
Hepburn Hall

NJCU’s Summer 2026 Pre-College Programs are now open for enrollment, giving high school students (Grades 9–12) the opportunity to build real-world skills in a structured, supportive, on-campus environment. Students will complete self-paced online courses with in-person coaching, combining flexibility with hands-on guidance in our computer labs.

Students can explore high-demand fields like:

With courses starting at just $175, this program is designed to challenge students while helping them gain practical, career-ready skills before graduation.

Spots are limited! Request more information today and start building your future this summer.

For more details or to enroll, contact the Office of Adult and Continuing Education at 201-200-3089 or email conted@njcu.edu.

This summer, give high-achieving students in grades 7 through 11 the opportunity to explore, discover, and innovate at the NJCU STEAM Academy, a highly competitive program designed for gifted and talented students who are passionate about science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics.

Through hands-on activities, experiments, and engaging instruction, students will build critical thinking skills while exploring exciting STEAM concepts in a collaborative learning environment.

Students will engage in interactive learning experiences that spark curiosity, creativity, and innovation, all while preparing them for future academic success.

Space is limited due to the program’s competitive nature.

Learn more and apply today by visiting njcu.edu/steam, contacting us via email at steamacademy@njcu.edu, or by phone at 201-200-2307.

June 29–July 23, 2026 • 9:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Hybrid Format

Join us for this 16-day hybrid math program offered by NJCU to help students complete prerequisite-level Math courses before the start of the Fall 2026 semester!

Tuition is FREE, but students must commit to the 16-day program as an investment in their education to test out of Math 100 or 112.

Deadline to Sign Up: Sunday, June 21, 2026, or sooner if the classes are filled.

For more information, contact: Prof. Chigr — fchigr@njcu.edu; Dr. Ding — yding@njcu.edu; or Dr. Teclezghi — bteclezghi@njcu.edu

Housing applications for the Fall 2026–Spring 2027 are now open! Apply early through eRezLife, complete all sections, review your contract, and submit your application fee.

Requirements include a completed FAFSA form, full-time registration, immunization records, and proof of insurance! Apply today at https://njcu.erezlife.com/

NJCU Students, as part of an ongoing needs assessment, we invite you to participate in a brief survey and share your feedback on the mental health services and campus climate at NJCU.

The survey includes 33 questions in multiple-choice and rank-order formats, along with a few open-ended questions at the end where you may share additional feedback. The survey should take approximately 10–15 minutes to complete.

Your participation is entirely voluntary, and you may exit the survey at any time without consequence. All responses are anonymous and will be used solely to enhance student support services and inform educational publications related to student well-being at NJCU. Please note that no financial or other incentives are offered for participation.

Your feedback is valuable in helping us strengthen mental health support and create a more supportive campus environment. We sincerely appreciate your time and input.

All events/announcements must be submitted no later than Wednesday at noon to be included in the weekly email newsletter that will be released on the following Monday.