The Office of Marketing and Communications is providing free professional headshots for you to use on your Faculty & Staff Directory pages or LinkedIn profile. Just stop by to see our university photographer, Paul Gargiulo. We'll offer these sessions at least one day each month, so if you can't make this one, check This Week at NJCU for future dates.

Nellie Brown, 2021, mixed media: archival ballpoint, graphite, India ink, color pencil, acrylic, gouache and watercolor on paper (left)

BoxingBabe 28, 2022, mixed media: archival ballpoint, graphite, India ink, color pencil, acrylic, gouache and watercolor on paper (right) 

The exhibition, BoxingBabes & Cowgirls, showcases Cheryl Gross’ most recent body of work which celebrates both real and fictitious cowgirls and women boxers as heroines. By embracing freedom, breaking boundaries, and eschewing outdated forms of gender identity, Gross created these series out of her fantasy, memory, and research of historical and contemporary women in boxing, sharpshooting, and rodeo performance. Gross’ colorful paintings honor these lesser-known trailblazers in American history with a unique style which combines kinetic splatters and illustrative figuration.

A Chorus Line examines one day in the life of a dancer, vying for a spot in the chorus of a Broadway musical. After the first round of cuts, each dancer is asked to speak personally about themselves. Discomfort opens into revelation, confession leads to redemption, and within the bright, outwardly homogenous chorus, the audience begins to see each dancer’s individuality. Based on real Broadway dancers’ stories, compiled by dancer and choreographer Michael Bennett, and with an award winning score by Marvin Hamlisch, A Chorus Line is a funny, heartbreaking, and refreshingly honest journey through these stories of strength, determination, and fortitude on the path to artistic fulfillment.

New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy announced his proposed state budget on Tuesday, February 28. As you know, NJCU needs more financial support from our state to continue providing educational opportunities to everyone—regardless of economic circumstances or background. Countless elected officials and business leaders already agree that NJCU is indispensable. But your voice matters most. Share yours on the online platform we've created to make it easier for you to send messages to your state legislators.

(See Spotlight Events for more information)

Join this TLC workshop, hosted by Samantha Benson from the New Jersey Higher Education Student Assistance Authority (HESAA), to discuss strategies on becoming financially stable, money managing skills, and powerful budgeting.

Come for information, games, prizes and our raffle.

The Gothic Knights (9-7) host the Maccabees in Skyline Conference action. NJCU has never lost to Yeshiva in men's volleyball. The Knights won the first meeting of the season on March 5, by a 3-0 outcome (25-8, 25-13, 25-12).

NJCU’s Health & Wellness Center, in partnership with Medical Essential Diagnostics, will offer a Cardiovascular Health Clinic for faculty, staff and students on March 15.

Services provided:

For more information, please visit MedicalEssentialDiagnostics.com or call the Health & Wellness Center at 201-200-3456

Are you interested in getting started on a graduate degree or certificate in business? The NJCU School of Business has virtual office hours to chat with current and prospective graduate students every Wednesday from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. via Zoom. Join us to ask questions related to curriculum, classroom hours, course modality, program-specific details, career opportunities, and more!

Questions? Text 201-603-3064.

(See Announcements for more information)

Join this TLC workshop, hosted by the Speicher-Rubin Women’s Center for Equity and Diversity, to discuss what the Women's Center offers, its resources, and the benefits of joining.

In partnership with Jersey City Medical Center (JCMC), NJCU students and staff can take advantage of free health screenings and get information about available health resources offered by JCMC. 

Special events that include Bible Study, singing, spoken word, games, contests, and refreshments. Each week something new and exciting will be presented.

(See Spotlight Events for more information)

(See Spotlight Events for more information)

Join this TLC workshop, hosted by Dr. John Blicharz, director of Tutoring & Academic Support Services, to discuss tutoring at The Hub, scheduling, and resources. To conclude, there will be a tour of The Hub and goodies!

Graduating Seniors,

Would you like to be the Student Commencement Speaker for the Class of 2023? All eligible students are encouraged to apply to become the Student Speaker for the 2023 Commencement Ceremony.

Eligibility:

For any questions email: Jdessources@njcu.edu

The NJCU softball team (2-4) plays its first home doubleheader of the season. Game one begins at 1 p.m.

Game two begins at approximately 3 p.m., or 30 minutes after the conclusion of game one.

Every employee is responsible for reading the documents listed below and completing the Acknowledgement of Receipt form.

Contact: Director of EEO/AA/Diversity, Lisa Marshall, lmarshall@njcu.edu

(See Announcements for more information)

Workshop and games! Light refreshments will be served.

Attend a fun, de-stressing, and creative event to help raise funds for TLC students, henna, and paint!

There is still time to apply for multiple scholarships and grants through the HACU scholarship program. Make sure to apply before the deadline.

The New Jersey Division of Civil Rights (DCR) is looking for summer interns. The DCR seeks highly motivated individuals with a passion for protecting civil rights to participate in its Summer 2023 internship program. The internships will last for a minimum of eight weeks.

Every employee is responsible for reading the documents listed below and completing the Acknowledgement of Receipt form.

Contact: Director of EEO/AA/Diversity, Lisa Marshall, lmarshall@njcu.edu

The federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (LAD) prohibit New Jersey public sector employers from discriminating against applicants or employees on the basis of disability. NJCU is providing training to all employees regarding their rights and obligations under these laws through the Vector Solutions web portal.

Contact: Human Resources Department, HR@njcu.edu or 201-200-2335

This training consists of two courses delivered through the Vector Solutions web portal. These online courses are part of our ongoing commitment to address Title IX requirements, DEI efforts, and anti-bias training.

Contact: Human Resources Department, HR@njcu.edu or 201-200-2335

The State of New Jersey requires that all employees complete Ethics training. If you did not participate in a trainer-led Zoom Ethics session held in February, you need to complete your training using pre-recorded training modules. Visit the Ethics webpage for links and more details.

Contact: NJCU Ethics Liaison Officer, Alice Blount-Fenney, ablountfenney@njcu.edu

The University Advisement Center has launched our new Instagram account! This page will be the best way to keep up to date with all that’s happening in the UAC Office!

Please be sure to follow us @NJCU_UAC

Earn a Certificate in Digital Skills Training for FREE

The Grow with Google HSI Career Readiness Program allows NJCU students to gain the digital skills they need to find and land jobs and internships that they need to be successful. Once they complete a module, students will receive an official Google certificate that they can put on their resume as well as a Google Swag Bag. The program is 100% free for NJCU students! Sign up today!

If you have any questions, please contact Career Success Lab Graduate Assistant Camila Saez at csaez@njcu.edu or visit Grossnickle Room 103.

If you are a freshman or sophomore looking for a support system on campus, TLC is the community you've been searching for! To qualify you must be a first-generation student, income eligible, or a student with disabilities, and a US citizen or US resident. Enter for a chance to win a gift card!

We have updated the Faculty & Staff Directory templates so that you can now add your profile picture, CV/resume, a bio, your educational background, professional affiliations—and anything else that you feel is important for people to know about you.

Providing more profile information is a way you can show that you care about providing personal support to our students, so we encourage everyone to take advantage of these new features. Our Interim President's profile is a great example of what you can do with yours.

We have refreshed the NJCU logos and formalized our branding guidelines. By presenting our brand consistently, we can positively influence how people think and feel about NJCU. In the long run, this helps us recruit more students and faculty and raise more money to support programs and student scholarships.

As a part of that work, we've provided photos, email footers, Zoom backgrounds, PowerPoint templates, and more that you are free to use when you communicate about NJCU. 

Keep an eye out for announcements about Brand Ambassador Trainings. We'll be offering Zoom sessions on branding best practices soon.

Drawing Reverberation Series, mixed media on paper, 24 x 35 inches. [Detail]

This solo exhibition of mixed media works on paper by Bangladesh-born, New York-based artist Firoz Mahmud, engages his cultural and political heritage, touching on themes like war and conflict, legacies of the Bengal region, and dreams of immigrant families in new lands. The Drawing Reverberation series of mixed media drawings on homemade papers delineate how foreign rulers from Persia came to greater Bengal for trading and preaching Islam. The sociopolitical issues during the Mughal era and the British East India company’s strategic colonial past are the core of this series of works on paper.

The earlier version of the exhibition was presented at the York College in York, Pennsylvania. 

Stop by throughout the week to learn about the services provided by the office of Tutoring and Academic Support Services. During your visit, we will show you how to register and self-schedule appointments for tutoring, academic coaching, and academic workshops.

Want to register and book appointments now? Visit the Tutoring and Academic Support Services course found on Blackboard. All students have access. 

Contact:
Dr. John Blicharz, Director
Tutoring and Academic Support Services
The Hub, Guarini Library, 1st Floor
201-200-3513
thehub@njcu.edu

Looking for an internship or job? The State of New Jersey is a top employer looking for new talent. Find out what opportunities are available and show the State how our students and alumni are the best group of diverse workers and leaders around.

Particularly recruiting for instructors in the areas of High School Science (Biology, Chemistry, Physics), High School Math (Algebra II and Geometry), and High School ELA (11th and 12th grade).

Job Qualifications

For any questions, please reach out to njcuprecollege@gmail.com.

Have you been looking for the moment to fulfill your career dreams in a new field or advance in your current industry? Our online courses allow you to earn the industry-recognized certification you need to achieve your new career dreams.

CLC is now enrolling children for the Spring semester! 

CLC Highlights:

Learn More:
To enroll your child or learn more, call 201-200-3342 or email the CLC at njcuclc@njcu.edu.

The NJCU Career Success Lab is happy to announce that New Jersey City University is now partnering with Handshake, a career management platform to help students and alumni discover new career paths and find jobs and internships. 

What’s Handshake?
Handshake is the #1 site for college students to find jobs. Career offices at 1,400+ higher ed institutions utilize Handshake and there are 750,000+ employers recruiting on Handshake—from every Fortune 500 company to nonprofits, startups, and more. Schools that join Handshake see on average a 3x increase in the size and diversity of their employer network.

Claim your account today and get recruited by the top employers for full-time, part-time jobs and internships—no experience required. Use the link below or download the App.

Please know that on July 16, 2022, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline became “988,” replacing the previous 1-800-273-8255 (TALK) number. Today, “988” is the three-digit, nationwide phone number to connect directly to the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. By calling or texting 988, you’ll connect with mental health professionals 24/7 that provides confidential support to people in suicidal crisis or mental health-related distress. Those experiencing a mental health crisis or those worried about someone who may need crisis support can call this number.

Veterans can press “1” after dialing 988 to connect directly to the Veterans Crisis Lifeline which serves our nation’s Veterans, service members, National Guard and Reserve members, and those who support them. For texts, Veterans should continue to text the Veterans Crisis Lifeline short code: 838255.

These centers are supported by local and state sources as well as the Department of Health and Human Services’ Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The 988 Lifeline provides 24/7, confidential support to people in suicidal crisis or mental health-related distress.

*This 7-Week challenge is to accrue a minimum of 10,000 steps per day on most days of the week. The person with the most steps at the end of the semester wins. Your phone’s step counter, Fitbit, or Apple watch can be used. This is on the honor system and you are responsible for entering your own steps on the following Google Sheet.

Please take a screen shot of your weekly steps for your records and in case, we ask for proof. Trophies and/or T-shirts will be awarded to the top three participants in each category

To sign up for any activity, please stop by the JMAC weight room OR email Sergio Villamizar at svillamizar@njcu.edu.

OPEN GYM SPRING 2023
Open Gym for the Spring Semester is Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 11 a.m.-12:45 p.m.

The open gym schedule is subject to change without notice due to practices, events, or rentals

Everyone must present a valid ID to enter the facility. There are no exceptions.

Letter to the Editor: Murphy silent as NJCU students’ lives, futures hang in the balance (Donna Farina, Ph.D.)
[March 10, 2023; NJ.com/Jersey Journal]

NJCU’s online nursing program gets nearly $800K boost 
[March 10, 2023; NJBiz]

NJCU’s Music, Dance, and Theater Department brings Broadway classic to the stage
[March 8, 2023; NJ.com/Jersey Journal]

Marc Brown, Jr. makes college pick; will play for his father, Marc Brown Sr. at NJCU
[March 6, 2023; NJHoops.com]

Ribbon-cutting for Small Business Development Center; Hudson Regional Hospital hosts Secaucus students | Business Notes
[March 1, 2023; NJ.com/Jersey Journal]

Artist reception, talk today for ‘Firoz Mahmud: Early Episodes II,’ on display till March 16, at NJCU 
[February 21, 2023; NJ.com/Jersey Journal]

Free event. No registration required.

Representatives from VA Healthcare of NJ, and the Secaucus Vet Center will be on campus to answer questions for Veterans and their family members on Wednesday, March 22 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Office of Military & Veterans Services, GSUB Room 127. All are welcome to visit, sign up for available programs and/or have their questions answered.

Featuring:

Maria Andrade '19, who earned a B.S. in Criminal Justice at NJCU, will discuss her career in education as well as her Latinx advocacy work.

Maria is currently Site Director of NJ GEAR UP/College Bound at NJIT. She also serves on the Steering Committee for the Latino Action Network (LAN). With LAN, she has worked toward policy reform in criminal and social justice and has testified in Senate hearings for many bills.

A Chorus Line examines one day in the life of a dancer, vying for a spot in the chorus of a Broadway musical. After the first round of cuts, each dancer is asked to speak personally about themselves. Discomfort opens into revelation, confession leads to redemption, and within the bright, outwardly homogenous chorus, the audience begins to see each dancer’s individuality. Based on real Broadway dancers’ stories, compiled by dancer and choreographer Michael Bennett, and with an award winning score by Marvin Hamlisch, A Chorus Line is a funny, heartbreaking, and refreshingly honest journey through these stories of strength, determination, and fortitude on the path to artistic fulfillment.

The mission of Pedagogy Day is to bring together scholars, educators, and students to exchange ideas on current evidence-based teaching and learning practices. The theme for 2023 focuses on how the human mind functions in a distracted world through sustained attention. How can we minimize distractions, e.g., by filtering out irrelevant stimuli during a learning process? Let’s critically engage in the assessment of digital education for effective usage and growth.

Keynote
Ann Wallace, Poet Laureate of Jersey City
"The Words to Survive: On Teaching and Writing through Illness and Long COVID"

Ann Wallace graduated from Drew University in 1992, one month after her cancer diagnosis. Photo courtesy of Ann Wallace.

Spark Talk
Joel Katz, award-winning filmmaker and NJCU Professor on "Teaching Tech to Both Sides of the Brain"

If you have any questions, you can reach out to Prof. Lukas J. Helikum (School of Business) at lhelikum@njcu.edu.

Join us for this free spring concert featuring the NJCU Brass Studio.

Criminal Justice Alumnus Dr. John Blicharz will discuss issues in crime and education, his career in higher education, as well as other career pathways.

Dr. Blicharz graduated from NJCU with an M.S. in Criminal Justice in 2016 and earned his TESOL certification from The Teachers College, Columbia University ('20) and Ph.D. in Literacy Education at St. John's University ('21). He is currently the Director of Tutoring and Academic Support Programming, also known as The Hub, at NJCU. John will discuss the importance of education and the effects of crime on education. Additionally, while students in criminal justice programs may choose better-known careers in the field, others may follow pathways to education and/or scholarship. Here, it is important to draw upon educational theories and strategies, particularly while working with underserved communities which are often affected by crime and the criminal justice system.

Join us for the NJCU Multi-Style String X-travaganza with special guests Regina Carter, Celil Refik Kaya, John Benitez, and Joe Deninzon!

In lieu of an admission fee, we kindly ask that you offer a contribution to the Multi-Style Strings Scholarship Fund.

This year, our annual gala represents a return to what is most important to all of us: helping our students change their lives for the better through higher education.

The event will feature student stories and performances, as well as an opportunity to network with NJCU alumni, students, friends, faculty, and staff, all while enjoying cocktails and dinner. 

When you reserve a ticket for yourself or a group, please also consider sponsoring a deserving student so they may enjoy the event. Dinner begins at 7 p.m.

Proceeds will benefit the NJCU Foundation and its mission of supporting the University and its students.

The Gen Ed Symposium celebrates critical and creative work done by students in any General Education course!

Save the date and bring your friends and classmates!

Please submit your own proposals for the General Education Symposium at the link below! 

For more information, contact Professor Joshua Fausty, Gen Ed Symposium organizer, or Professor Scott O'Connor, Director of General Education.

Join us for this free NJCU Classical Guitar Studio Spring Concert: Guitar Favorites from Renaissance to the 21st century.

Directed by Patrick Burns, the NJCU Symphony of Winds and Percussion will present Hidden Gems, an evening of music consisting mainly of works which are rarely performed today. The repertoire, created over the course of nearly a century, represents composers from Japan, Great Britain, and the United States, and features two compositions by Clifton Williams (1923-1976) on the 100th anniversary of his birth.

The NJCU Spring Choral Concert will take place on Sunday, April 23 at 3 p.m. in the Margaret Williams Theatre. The concert is free and open to the public. Featuring the NJCU Concert Chorale under the direction of Dr. Robert Prowse, the program will center around the Requiem of John Rutter. Rutter’s inspiring and uplifting music is a cross between classical and popular styles, on traditional Latin and English texts. The Concert Chorale, a student choir of 45 singers, will also perform the work as part of a massed choir at Carnegie Hall in March.

Join us for this free spring concert featuring the NJCU Woodwind Studio.

Sponsored by the NJCU Jazz Studies Program.

Reservations: Call 917-385-0703

The program will be announced soon and will run 5-11 p.m. both days.

Criminal Justice Alumnus Dr. Jason Williams will discuss his career in criminal justice research and advocacy. Dr. Williams will also share career advice. 

Dr. Jason Williams graduated from NJCU with a Master of Science in Criminal Justice in 2010. He is an Associate Professor of Justice Studies at Montclair State University where he has published criminological research in the areas of race, ethnicity, and gender. His advocacy work is in social justice. He has worked alongside the NJ Institute for Social Justice toward the passage of NJ's Restorative and Transformative Justice for Youths and Communities Pilot Program bill.

SciFi Ensemble is a string quartet with percussion, specialized in movie and video game music. It combines music and body make-up in the same show, creating a fresh, genuine, and fun experience for all audiences. An original show with exclusive arrangements and a multidisciplinary artistic team form the basis of this unique project.

SciFi Ensemble was born with the aim of making known the great compositions of both cinema and television, with a big emphasis on video game music. Showing a repertoire, with great names and high-quality scores that are not usually heard in concert.

Let yourself be carried away by the music of the classics of animation, the dazzling energy of the heroes and heroines of video games, and the fantasy of science fiction hits.

NJCU Opera Workshop will present Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s Così fan Tutte (They Are All the Same!) on Saturday, May 6 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, May 7 at 3 p.m. The performances will take place at NJCU’s West Side Theatre. Directed by Dr. Robert Prowse, and sung by NJCU voice students and alumni, the opera will be performed in Italian with English dialog. A favorite of the comic opera repertoire, Così fan Tutte tells the story of a pair of lovers who foolishly make a bet that their fiancées will be loyal to them, even in the face of great pressure to be unfaithful. Costumes, disguises, and outlandish plot twists ensure fun for cast and audience alike.

The NJCU Pop/R&B Ensemble will be performing a variety of songs dating from the 1960s to the present day. It's a fun and joyful concert that you won't want to miss.

Senior Polina Agutina (Evaptoria, Ukraine/Number 6) of the NJCU women's indoor track and field team earned Honorable Mention All-New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) status for the 2022-23 season after placing third in the triple jump at the 2023 NJAC Indoor Championship meet on February 20. Her distance was a leap of 10.60 meters. She is now a three-time All-NJAC performer in her career between the indoor and outdoor seasons, with one First-Team accomplishment. | Read More

Senior sprinter Dave Etienne (Jersey City, N.J./Dickinson) of the NJCU men's track & field program was recognized as a United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) All-Metro Region honoree for the 2023 NCAA Division III Indoor Track & Field season, in both the 200-meter dash and 400-meter dash. The recognition is given to the top five individuals in each event in their respective regions. Etienne's personal record time of 21.71 ranks third in the Metro region, while his personal record time of 48.17 in the 400 meters ranks fourth in the region. | Read more

Junior Naomi Henry (Brooklyn, N.Y./Wingate) of the No. 16 nationally ranked women's wrestling team, earned All-America honors for the second time in her career on March 4 after finishing seventh overall at the 2023 National Collegiate Women's Wrestling Championships (NCWWC) in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The placement concluded her career as a groundbreaking wrestler for NJCU. She amassed a 25-6 record in 2022-23 with nine wins by fall and six technical falls, including a 20-5 mark at 123 pounds. She notched two first-place tournament finishes. Teammate and sophomore 109-pounder Izabella Frezzo (East Rutherford, N.J./Becton Regional) was also a national qualifier this year. | Read more

On February 20, senior co-captain hitter James Bajor (Bayonne, N.J./Bayonne) of the men's volleyball team was named NJAC Player of the Week for the second consecutive week — and second time in his career. | Read More

On February 27, NJCU student-athletes received three weekly awards from the New Jersey Athletic Conference. Senior outfielder/pitcher Josh Hernandez (Lake Worth, Fla./Park Vista Community) of the baseball team was named NJAC Baseball Player of the Week for the second time in his career. Freshman Jalynn Clark (Irvington, N.J./Elizabeth) of the women's basketball team was named NJAC Rookie of the Week for the third time in her career. Freshman Erik Narvaez (Newark, N.J./Newark East Side) of the men's volleyball team was named NJAC Rookie of the Week for the first time in his career. | Read more

On March 6, NJCU student-athletes received four weekly awards from the New Jersey Athletic Conference. For the second week in a row and third time in his career, senior outfielder/pitcher Josh Hernandez (Lake Worth, Fla./Park Vista Community) of the baseball team was named NJAC Baseball Player of the Week. Freshman outfielder Natalie Rosales (Union City, N.J./Jose Marti STEM Academy) of the NJCU softball team was named NJAC Softball Rookie of the Week for the first time. First-year setter Alex Casais (Bayonne, N.J./Bayonne) of the men's volleyball team was named NJAC Men's Volleyball Rookie of the Week for the second time this year. Finally, freshman Sophia Jurina (Munich, Germany/Carl-Spitzweg-Gymnasium) of the women's tennis team was selected as the NJAC Women's Tennis Rookie of the Week for the first time. | Read more

On February 22, three student-athletes on the NJCU men's volleyball team swept all three weekly awards given out by the Skyline Conference. For the third week in a row — and the fourth time in his career — senior co-captain hitter James Bajor (Bayonne, N.J./Bayonne) was named Skyline Conference Player of the Week, while senior libero Nico Figueroa (Jersey City, N.J./County Prep) was tabbed Skyline Libero of the Week and freshman outside hitter Ethen Lugo (Kearny, N.J./Kearny) earned Skyline Rookie of the Week. The awards were the first in the careers of both Figueroa and Lugo. | Read more

Do you have news to share? Email communications@njcu.edu

Linda Craddock '82 (B.A. in Media - Television Production) recently released her first Christian fiction novel, “I Walked a Mile.” The book was released in November, and is available at all online book retailers. Craddock is a United States Air Force veteran. | Read more

Owen Ryan '85 (B.A. in Business Administration), a former member of the NJCU Board of Trustees, has been named co-CEO of BlackLine, Inc. He has served as a member of the BlackLine Board since August 2018, and as Chair since January 2023. | Read more

NJCU Alumni, do you have news to share? Email communications@njcu.edu

Ronald J. Szymanski '81 (B.A.) of Howell Township, N.J., formerly of Jersey City, passed away on February 27, 2023 at the age of 69. He worked for the US Postal Service, retiring after 36 years as a Supervisor. He coached basketball for St. Paul of the Cross and Our Lady of Victories in Jersey City. After relocating to Howell Township he continued to coach in the Howell Township Public Schools, Howell Pop Warner Football, Recreational Basketball, Soccer, Softball, and Little League. He also served as a substitute teacher for the Howell Public Schools. | Obituary

If you would like to submit information for the In Memoriam section, please contact: communications@njcu.edu.

Past alumni are memorialized on the In Memoriam section of the NJCU website.

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.