Welcome to Edition 42 of This Week at NJCU for October 31, 2022. This once-weekly Monday publication will inform the university community about all events happening each week over the next eight days on campus and offer important announcements. To submit your event or announcement for the November 7, 2022 edition, please use the form at the bottom of this communication.

All listed times are Eastern Daylight Time (EDT). All events are in-person unless otherwise noted as online, via Zoom, or hybrid.

Please scroll down to the end of this message to see our sections highlighting current faculty, staff, student and alumni news and an In Memoriam section to honor those alumni, faculty, staff, or students, who have passed.

Share your news with us at communications@njcu.edu.

Please join us this semester as we host four sessions on Abortion: Health, Rights, and Access. This will be an open dialogue on your rights, resources, and access to abortions and other reproductive justice issues.

We look forward to seeing you.

NJCU Gifts From the Heart is a toy collection drive for the RWJ Barnabas Pediatric Cancer Unit and the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Essex, Hudson & Union Counties.

Here's how YOU can help:

For RWJ Barnabas Pediatric Unit:

Unwrapped gifts for children ages 5-13 including toys, games, and books. 

Please do not donate clothing or video games unless the latter is a complete handheld console (i.e. Gameboy). 

DROP OFF your donations from November 1 to December 5 at one of the following location:

Contact Sergio Villamizar at Ext. 2170 or e-mail at svillamizar@njcu.edu if you have any questions. 

Anyone getting a booster will need to bring their COVID-19 card.

More information:
(201)-200-3456 or hwc@njcu.edu

Join Equitable Advisors for a Lunch & Learn event on Tuesday, November 1 from 11:30 a.m.- 1 p.m. This is an in-person event  held at the NJCU, School of Business, Room 203. You can also attend this information session on Tuesday afternoon, November 1 at 2 p.m. at Grossnickle Hall Room 144. 

Questions? Contact Yosra Abdalla at yabdalla@njcu.edu.

Regular testing as early detection can save your life.

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.

Stop by the Counseling Center's table for activities, raffles, and giveaways! 

Abortion: Health, Rights, and Access
Thursday, November 3

12:30-1:30 p.m. 

(View Spotlight Events for more information)

No Events Scheduled

Hosted by Jay Anderson and John Benitez

A time to listen, share and network with two of the greatest in the world!

The Bass Network @ NJCU is an opportunity to network and build community with other Bass players in a casual and relaxed atmosphere. Short master classes will be coupled with opportunities to ask questions and play with some of the greatest in the field! Bring your instrument if you want to play, or just come to listen and learn. Either way, The Bass Network @ NJCU is designed to provide a valuable opportunity for all musicians.

Hosted by Robert Edwards, John Cushing and Jermaine Bryson. Featuring Steve Turre

A time to listen, share and network with the greatest in the world!

The Trombone Network @ NJCU is an opportunity to network and build community with other trombone players in a casual and relaxed atmosphere. Short master classes will be coupled with opportunities to ask questions and play with some of the greatest in the field! Bring your instrument if you want to play, or just come to listen and learn. Either way, The Trombone Network @ NJCU is designed to provide a valuable opportunity for all musicians.

NJCU Gifts From the Heart
Holiday Toy Collection for RWJ Barnabas Pediatric Cancer Unit

Monday, November 7

(View Spotlight Events for more information)

Kay Kenny, Moonwalk, Archival inkjet print of a digital photographic montage, 20” x 24”

Reception: Saturday, November 5, 3-6 p.m. (Both galleries)
The parking deck on Culver Avenue will be open and free for the event. 

Panel Discussion: The Embankment on My Mind: Bridging Science and Art 
Tuesday, November 22 | 4:30-6:30 p.m.
The Auditorium, The Visual Arts Building

JC Friday Extended Hours: Friday, December 2, 11 a.m.- 7 p.m.

Closing Reception: Friday, December 16, 4-6 p.m. (both galleries) 
Curated by Peter Delman and Midori Yoshimoto
Organized by Maureen Crowley and Katy Lyness, Embankment Preservation Coalition

The Embankment on My Mind exhibits original art inspired by a grassroots preservation initiative that holds the promise of transforming Jersey City's treatment of open space and an emerging trail system. Sixteen botanical artists depicting local flora join 28 artists with wide-ranging responses to the site, a massive stone rail embankment in the Downtown.

1. Get your COVID-19 and Flu Shots
COVID-19 vaccines can save you from COVID-19. Get vaccinated as soon as you can.

CDC recommends a yearly flu vaccine as the first and most crucial step in protecting against flu viruses. It still recommends that international travelers stay up to date on their COVID-19 vaccines and follow the latest face mask recommendations. CDC guidelines also advise getting tested before traveling, as well as after arrival. Please check our campus vaccination and testing campaigns. GET VACCINATED!!

2. Wear A Mask
Wear a mask indoors if you are not fully vaccinated or have a weakened immune system. If you are fully vaccinated, wear a mask indoors in areas with substantial or high COVID-19 transmission.

3. Wash Your Hands
Use soap and clean running water for 20 seconds at critical times, such as after using the restroom or before eating.

4. Find Safer Ways to Celebrate the Holidays
There are many ways to enjoy holiday traditions and protect your health.

5.Consider risks

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 help us by donating non-perishable food items to help benefit those in need.

For more information, please contact communitycenter@njcu.edu.

We offer non-credit online courses in a variety of professions to help you start or advance your career in today’s top fields. Many of our Advanced Career Training courses lead to industry-recognized certifications and often include the certification exam fee in the cost of enrollment. You can start any time and financial assistance may be available.

State and local municipal employees may contribute to many charities through payroll deduction with the New Jersey Employees Charitable Campaign. Consider donating this year to a charity that is meaningful to you. charities.org/NJECC

You probably have heard of the Office of the Dean of Students (DOS), but do you know what the office does and doesn't do? Learn more by watching a short video on the DOS webpage! 

Provides FREE COVID-19 Vaccines
(Pfizer, Moderna, Novavax and J&J/Janssen)
* Vaccines available to anyone 6 months or older 

Current Vaccination Site Days: 
Mondays, 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
Wednesdays, 1-6 p.m.
Fridays, 1-5 p.m
* Hours may change due to inclement weather & holidays

Visit hudsoncovidvax.org to schedule an appointment and to find more information on additional sites and hours. Walk-ins are always welcome.

*The challenge is to accrue a minimum of 10,000 steps per day most days of the week. The person with the most steps at the end of the contest wins. 

Sign up for the PhysicalActivity Challenge 

T-shirts or water bottles will be awarded to the top 3 participants in each category.

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

Schedule subject to change depending on practice schedules.

All activities will cease 30 minutes before the building closes to allow everyone to leave the premises and time for cleaning and disinfecting.

Will you be completing your B.A. or B.S. degree this year in a subject area?

Teach while completing your dual certification program!

Contact: Carol Fleres or Charles Reid Taylor at cfleres@njcu.edu.

The Children’s Learning Center is now enrolling children for the fall semester!

CLC Highlights:

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

This fall, getting your textbooks and course materials is becoming more convenient. NJCU has partnered with Barnes & Noble for a pilot program to provide you with all your course materials by the first day of class so that you have everything you need to be successful in your courses right from the start.

Here’s how it works:

How much does it cost?
The First Day Complete program costs $24 per credit that you are registered for. For example, if you are taking 12 credits, you will be billed $288. Most students see an overall average savings of 35%-50% annually for all course materials.

Having all your course materials by the first day of class puts you at a strong advantage to succeed in your classes. The First Day Complete program will help you be prepared. We encourage you to take full advantage of this program and to go to the First Day Complete webpage to learn more. 

If you have questions about the program that are not answered on our webpage, please email the NJCU Bookstore to discuss the pros and cons of the program for you.

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.

In today's rapidly changing world, you need more digital skills than ever before to flourish and succeed in your career. The Grow with Google Career Readiness Program offers you interactive learning paths that will help you build digital and practical skills needed to thrive in internships or post-college employment. The Career Success Lab at NJCU is excited to offer you this digital tool to excel in your future endeavors. Resume writing, interview techniques, networking tips and how to succeed in a new job, are but a few lessons you can use.

Why Digital Skills Training?
Digital literacy, problem-solving, and creative skills are essential for current and future jobs. Yet, among 18- to 25-year-olds, less than half (44%) believe their education system is preparing them with the skills they need to enter the workforce. We at Grow with Google have a responsibility to ensure that the young people we serve can gain the skills required for the workplace. Then, they can move toward their bright and successful futures knowing they are well-prepared.

Read more about the partnership between NJCU and Google in NJCU News.

For more information call 201-200-3587 or email communitycenter@njcu.edu.

This bi-weekly drop-in group aims to create a safe space where currently enrolled students can identify potential stressors and set goals for the upcoming week, engage in conversations around wellness and connect with other students by giving and receiving support and feedback.

Every other Tuesday from September 27 through December 6

Join us in the celebration of First-Gen students, faculty, & staff.

Enjoy music, games, free goodies, and so much more!

NJ SNAP will have a representative available on campus to help fill out your application.

The NJCU Art Department is proud to present four distinct alumni's work at this year's Art Fair 14C: Zugeiy Yepez (BFA 2017), Krystle Lemonias (BFA 2017), Darren Fisher (MFA 2014), and William A. Ortega (BFA 1998).

The Fair will be held at the Armory at 678 Montgomery Street, Jersey City, on November 10-13.
For details, see https://artfair14c.com/

Please come and visit our booth.

NJCU students pay just $5 for admission.

Hosted by Tim Horner, Winard Harper and
Jeff “Tain” Watts with Freddy “Huevito” Lobaton

A time to listen, share and network with the greatest in the world!!

The Drums Network @ NJCU is an opportunity to network and build community with other drums players in a casual and relaxed atmosphere. Short master classes will be coupled with opportunities to ask questions and play with some of the greatest in the field! Come to participate, or just come to listen and learn. Either way, The Drums Network @ NJCU is designed to provide a valuable opportunity for all musicians.

Hosted by Professor Edvige Giunta and NJCU senior Kailee Morel

In 2002 The Feminist Press published The Milk of Almonds: Italian American Women Writers on Food and Culture, an anthology of memoir, fiction, and poetry by fifty-four writers. Editors Louise DeSalvo and Edvige Giunta aimed at subverting the conventional narrative of food, gender, and ethnicity. The anthology included established and emerging authors, including many authors who had not yet published a book. Twenty years later, one of the editors and several of the contributors come together to reflect on the cultural significance of this groundbreaking anthology and the community it helped to forge.

Stop by the Counseling Center's table for activities and info on our services.

The Office of Career Services at the NJCU School of Business invites you to attend an exclusive networking dinner with executives from Veris Residential on Monday evening, November 14, 2022, in downtown Jersey City (the location will be sent upon acceptance into the program).

Veris Residential develops, owns, and manages premier multifamily communities in New Jersey, New York, and Massachusetts. Veris specializes in creating sustainable properties with a society-centric focus that improves the communities they serve. Selected guests will meet with influential industry leaders eager to share their expertise. This is an excellent opportunity to expand your network with professionals in the business world.

To participate in this program, applicants must register using this link.

We will be selecting only 20 students to participate. If interested, please RSVP as soon as possible. Please feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions!

Questions? Contact: Yosra Abdalla yabdalla@njcu.edu

Early detection can save lives.

Signup information will be available soon for the next Campus Conversations.

Safety First
HIV & COVID TESTING

Hosted by Nick Biello and Larry Bustamante. Featuring Sam Dillon, Andrew Gould, and Paul Jones

A time to listen, share and network with the greatest in the world!

The Saxophone Network @ NJCU is an opportunity to network and build community with other saxophone players in a casual and relaxed atmosphere. Short master classes will be coupled with opportunities to ask questions and play with some of the greatest in the field! Bring your instrument if you want to play, or just come to listen and learn. Either way, The Saxophone Network @ NJCU is designed to provide a valuable opportunity for all musicians.

Career Services at NJCU is excited to bring you the following events for the months of October and November:

Music students from the brass studio showcase their work in solo and ensemble performances.

Hosted by Rachel Therrien with Nathan Eklund, Bria Skonberg and Bobby Shew

A time to listen, share and network with the greatest in the world!

The Trumpet Network @ NJCU is an opportunity to network and build community with other trumpet players in a casual and relaxed atmosphere. Short master classes will be coupled with opportunities to ask questions and play with some of the greatest in the field! Bring your instrument if you want to play, or just come to listen and learn. Either way, The Trumpet Network @ NJCU is designed to provide a valuable opportunity for all musicians.

Curated by Peter Delman and Midori Yoshimoto
Organized by Maureen Crowley and Katy Lyness, Embankment Preservation Coalition

The Embankment on My Mind exhibits original art inspired by a grassroots preservation initiative that holds the promise of transforming Jersey City's treatment of open space and an emerging trail system. Sixteen botanical artists depicting local flora join twenty-eight artists with wide-ranging responses to the site, a massive stone rail embankment in the Downtown.

Be A Hero. Donate Blood.

The NJCU Holiday Choral Concert will take place on Sunday, December 11, 2022 at 3 p.m. in the Margaret Williams Theatre on the NJCU campus. The concert will feature performances by the NJCU Concert Chorale and Chamber Singers, both under the direction of Dr. Robert Prowse. The songs will span five centuries and will include songs from Christian and Jewish traditions, plus popular music for the holiday season. 

Free Admission.

The woodwind chamber ensemble concert features all the woodwind chamber ensembles and soloists at NJCU this fall.

Free for all. 

The Pop/R’n’B Ensemble is the creation of the NJCU Music Business program. It is dedicated to performing classic “pop” with a focus on rhythm & blues music from the pens of 20th century tunesmiths whose work ruled the airwaves from the 1960s to the present day.

Free admission. 

In Spring 2022, students and faculty in the Early Childhood Education department completed a week-long international field experience trip to Sweden. Dr. Jale Aldemir, a professor in the  Early Childhood Education department, created and led the Sweden program. This international program was a joint effort between NJCU and University of North Carolina Wilmington. The students from both universities visited different educational programs established for early childhood and elementary students in Eskilstuna and Stockholm. During the trip, the students had the opportunities to interact with children in schools, conduct observations, participate in classroom field trips, and converse with teachers, principals and local politicians on the education system in Sweden. They participated in a workshop entitled "philosophy with children" at Soderton University. The group returned to the U.S. with many memorable moments and experiences. Dr. Aldemir is thankful to our Swedish partners for providing our NJCU students with a transformational study abroad experience. 

Congratulations to Janelle McIntosh-Evans, Employee Relations Manager in the Human Resources Department, who has completed a Doctorate of Business Administration from Capella University, specializing in Leadership, with a perfect 4.0 GPA. Her dissertation was entitled "Empowering Leaders with DE&I Resources and Strategies to Improve Employee Workplace Engagement in Customer-Centric Organizations."  

McIntosh-Evans joined the NJCU family in March 2022 after having spent 16 years in labor relations with the Newark Public Schools.

Freshman Meadow Ciccarella (Hawthorne, N.J. and Hawthorne H.S.) of the women's golf team was selected as the Atlantic East Conference Women's Golfer of the Week on October 25. | Read more

Dr. Edvige Giunta of the English Department was the presenter of the plenary address at the University of Pittsburgh this week during its 54th annual Italian American Studies Association Conference held from October 27-29. The Italian Program of the University of Pittsburgh and the Italian American Program of the Senator John Heinz History Center co-hosted the event.  | Read more 

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

Allana Clarke ‘11 (B.F.A.) has the work from her first solo institutional exhibition — 𝘈𝘭𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘢 𝘊𝘭𝘢𝘳𝘬𝘦: 𝘈 𝘗𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘶𝘭𝘢𝘳 𝘍𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘴𝘺 — now on display from October 8, 2022 – January 8, 2023 at the Art Omi Newmark Gallery in Ghent, N.Y. A Trinidadian-American artist, Clarke is known for her inventive use of materials such as sugar, cocoa butter, and hair-binding glue to confront histories of colonialism and Western standards of beauty. | Learn more

Todd L.W. Doney `06 M.F.A., NJCU alumnus and artist, has a dozen of his latest works which vividly portray the beauty of Northern New Jersey on exhibit from Friday, Nov. 4 to Thursday, Dec. 1 at the Broadfoot and Broadfoot LLC Gallery, located at 819 Main Street in Boonton, N.J. He is a professor of fine arts at County College of Morris. To learn more, visit todddoney.com. | Learn more

Katie Feehan '07 and '09 M.S. (B.S. in Criminal Justice with minor in Pre-Law Studies; M.S. in Criminal Justice), a New Jersey State Trooper, was one of the troopers deployed to Puerto Rico to assist the residents of the island on the road to recovery after the devastation caused by Hurricane Fiona on September 21. In those two weeks, Feehan conducted traffic details, performed welfare checks, and supplied water to those in need. They also had the opportunity to bring various school supplies to an elementary school on the island in need. Feehan, one of the greatest women's soccer players in school history and a three-time Academic All-American, was inducted into the Lawrence R. Schiner NJCU Athletics Hall of Fame in 2017. She has served as an NJCU adjunct professor in the Criminal Justice department since Fall 2021, currently teaching such classes as Criminal Investigation, and was a former long-time NJCU assistant women's soccer coach.

Kevin Hajduk '04 (M.A. in Educational Technology) is one of 10 candidates vying for three, three-year seats on the Edison (N.J.) Board of Education. Hajduk is an incumbent after being appointed to fill a vacancy in April. | Read more

Emilia Lorenz '22 (B.F.A in Photography) is the recipient of this year’s Jill Homcy Memorial Award, presented by the Bergen County Audubon Society. The award is in recognition of her efforts in promoting the preservation of the environment in the Meadowlands through her stunning landscape and wildlife photography and videography. For her senior thesis, as NJCU, Emilia produced “Encroachment of the Meadowlands,” a video in which she interviewed several Meadowlands scientists and experts to explore the region’s delicate urban ecosystem that exists amongst development. | Read more

Ashante Timoll ‘01 (B.S. in Finance) was inducted into the Shaw University (NC) Athletics Hall of Fame as part of its 2012 National Championship team, where she was an assistant coach. Timoll, who served as head coach for the NJCU women’s basketball team for five years from 2005-10, spent 10 years as an assistant coach at Shaw (2010-2020) before retiring. Today, she is an accomplished voiceover artist. An example of her voiceover work can be heard in a recent Ford commercial. | Read more

Dr. Elizabeth Uchegbu '05 (M.A. in Early Childhood Education) has written and illustrated a newly published book, entitled "A Pandemic Party". It was released by Dorrance Publishing Co., Inc. The story is told from a child's perspective, and teaches that problems can sometimes be a challenge or a reason to be innovative. Uchegbu, an Irvington, N.J. resident, has been a preschool teacher for over 18 years. | Read more | Order a copy

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

Dr. William Kennedy Venino '63 and M.A. '65 (B.A. in Social Science), of Belmar, N.J., formerly of Orange, N.J., passed away on October 23, 2022 at the age of 83.

A 1986 inductee into the Lawrence R. Schiner NJCU Athletics Hall of Fame in the sport of men's basketball, Bill scored 997 career points in only two and a half seasons. Considered one of the greatest players of his era at the college, he was a two-time First-Team All-NJSCAC selection in both 1961 and 1963 when he set several JCSC scoring and assist records. He helped lead JCSC to the first of its record 13 conference championships during the 1960-61 campaign.

A former teacher, he later served as an adjunct college professor, school psychologist, counselor, chief psychologist, and licensed clinical psychologist in private practice. He was married to Gothic sweetheart Brenda Venino ‘65. | Obituary

Joseph Edward Toscano '99 (B.A. in English-Creative Writing) of Little Silver, N.J. and formerly of Jersey City, N.J., passed away on July 26, 2022, at the age of 50. | 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.