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A Note from the Executive Director’s Desk

I am pleased to report that on April 13, 2019, the SCCE submitted the Carnegie Reclassification appli-

cation to renew Stockton University’s Carnegie Elective Classification for Community Engagement.

This reclassification process occurs every ten years. Stockton University first received the Classifica-

tion in 2010 and is one of 361 institutions currently classified as a Carnegie Community Engaged cam-

pus. We will learn the outcome of our reclassification application in December 2019.

What is the Carnegie Classification for Community Engagement?

“The Carnegie Foundation's Classification for Community Engagement is an elective classification,

meaning that it is based on voluntary participation by institutions. The elective classification involves

data collection and documentation of important aspects of institutional mission, identity and commit-

ments and requires substantial effort invested by participating institutions. It is an institutional classi-

fication; it is not for systems of multiple campuses or for part of an individual campus.

The classification is not an award. It is an evidence-based documentation of institutional practice to be

used in a process of self-assessment and quality improvement. In this way, it is similar to an accredita-

tion process of self-study. The documentation is reviewed by a National Review Panel to determine

whether the institution qualifies for recognition as a community engaged institution.” (Carnegie Foun-

dation’s Classification for Community Engagement: https://www.brown.edu/swearer/carnegie)

We thank all the Academic Schools, Units, and Departments in the Division of Academic Affairs and

Student Affairs for collaborating with the SCCE in the Carnegie Reclassification application.

We also thank our editors—Dr. Diane Falk who edited the context section of the

document and Dr. Claudine Keenan who edited the entire application.

We thank our community partners for their support in the Carnegie Reclassifica-

tion process.

We thank all the Academic Schools, Units, and Departments in the Division of

Academic Affairs and Student Affairs for collaborating with the SCCE in the Car-

negie Reclassification application.

In This Issue: Page 1 A Note from the Executive Director Page 2—4 Snapshots from our Work Page 5-6 8 Questions with SCCE Fellow Jessica Perez Page 7—SCCE Programs in Review

Dr. Merydawilda Colo n, PhD, LSW Executive Director, Stockton Center for Community Engagement

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2018—2019 SCCE STUDENT FELLOWS AND INTERNS

SCCE SNAPSHOTS Quick Notes from our Work

The SCCE continues to represent Stockton at the

Community Resources Roundtable, a consortium of

70 community, state and federal organizations who

meet quarterly to share resources and address social

issues affecting Atlantic County residents. Meetings

were held on January 17, 2019 and April 25, 2019.

Dr. Merydawilda Colo n facilitated three Spanish-

English workshops among the residents of the Pleas-

antville High-Rise Senior Apartments this spring.

These resident-led events bring Spanish-speaking

and English-speaking residents together to help each

learn the other’s language.

The SCCE’s project for the 2019 Dr. Martin Luther

King, Jr. Day of Service was a community food drive

which netted 530 pounds of food. The food was col-

lected from neighborhoods in Galloway and was de-

livered to the Beacon Hope Chest on Jimmie Leeds

Road in Galloway.

Patricia W. (Trish) Collins, SCCE and SCOSA commu-

nity engagement liaison recently attended the 15th

Annual Diversity and Leadership Conference in Dal-

las, TX and had an opportunity to network with oth-

ers in leadership roles from national and interna-

tional companies and organizations, gaining addi-

tional knowledge on how to promote diversity and

inclusion. The conference theme was Power of Di-

versity and Inclusion, and addressed a range of

themes including understanding how to become a

better leader, and establishing ways of embracing

multiculturalism and diversity. Conference high-

lights included keynote addresses by Retired Gen-

eral Colin Powell and Former President Barack

Obama.

SCCE student fellow Emily Medwick and Social Work

Intern Keyuana Griffin joined Chef Joseph Hendri at

the Junior Chef cooking competition event at the

Pennsylvania Avenue Elementary School in Atlantic

City on March 26, 2019 to raise awareness about the

Campus Kitchen Project at Atlantic City. Along with

supporting the Atlantic City youth who were com-

peting, Emily and Keyuana connected with judge

Bob Klein of the Sodexo Stop Hunger Foundation

and Stephan Johnson of the Community Food Bank

of New Jersey. Judges Chef Michael Brennan, Chef

Pam Green, and Morgan Hendrick were also there in

support of the aspiring young chefs. Overall, the in-

augural event was a success and all participants

were able to connect through the art of cooking.

Marcus Molynaux* Maria Durante* Carolyn Amesquita* Lidia Martinez Sarah Delicio* Yomaris Acosta* Christine Whaley Jason Rehani Jessica Perez* Bryan Mejia-Gonzalez Kayla McDermott-Cobbs*

Sam Adelman Sabrina Delgado Christina Crenny* Emily Medwick Chrissy Bishop* Tricia Onyango Sarah Mount Natalia Morales* Gianna Nitti* Cailee Readie Kerstin Maguire

Shoanne Seijas* Carly Conticchio* Erika Perez Nashalie Ayala-Romero Jonathan Schwartz Keyuana Griffin* Shaun Stebbins* Ashley Jones * Denotes a graduating senior

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The SCCE held three TD Bank

WOWZone financial literacy

events at its Homework Comple-

tion Programs in December. Stu-

dents in the programs learned

about banking, saving, and budg-

eting and had a pizza party with

the SCCE staff. The events were

supported by a TD Bank Founda-

tion Grant.

On February 8, 2019 and March

8, 2019, the SCCE held nightclub

events at Jeffries Tower and Alt-

man Terrace in Atlantic City for

the older-adult residents living

there. The events were staffed

by SCCE Student Fellows and

Stockton volunteers and fea-

tured party decorations, dance

music, a pasta dinner, and a

mocktail bar. The events were

attended by almost 50 residents

and were very well-received.

Drs. Michelle McDonald, Lori

Vermeulen, and Merydawilda

Colo n presented “Beyond the

Boardwalk: Leading Change as

an Anchor Institution in Atlantic

City” at the AASCU Winter Meet-

ing 2019, Amelia Island, Florida.

The presentation explored some

of the university’s key initiatives

for community support and re-

development—in the K-12 sys-

tem, in coordination with local

partners, and within the campus

curriculum—and demonstrated

how Stockton is using the

threads of its past to help lead

change in the future.

On Monday, March 18, 2019, the

SCCE invited university commu-

nity partners to a breakfast on

campus to discuss our history of

collaborations and how we can

strengthen them in the future.

Over 15 partners came to what

will be an annual event.

The Institute for Faculty Devel-

opment and the SCCE held its

annual spring workshop series

on Scholarship of Engagement.

On February 21, 2019, Dr. Victo-

ria Schindler presented on

“Integrating Community Engage-

ment: Scholarship,” on March

21, 2019, Dr. Christina Jackson

presented on “Integrating Com-

munity Engagement: Teaching,”

and on April 18, 2019, Dr. Daniel

Tome presented on “Integrating

Community Engagement: Civic

Action.” Videos of the presenta-

tions are available on the SCCE

website.

On May 8, 2019 the SCCE co-

hosted the third Annual Natural-

ization Ceremony in collabora-

tion with the United States Citi-

zenship and Immigration Ser-

vices. Twenty-eight people from

20 different countries, including

two Stockton University stu-

dents and their mother, received

United States citizenship. The

ceremony received positive cov-

erage by The Press of Atlantic

City.

On January 24 the SCCE held a

Career Development Pilot Work-

shop in collaboration with Vol-

unteers of America’s Safe Return

Program for Safe Return clients

interested in exploring career

paths and the steps to begin pur-

suing their career. The work-

shop was well received, and we

expect to continue this collabo-

ration with Volunteers of Ameri-

ca in Atlantic City.

SCCE SNAPSHOTS Quick Notes from our Work, Continued...

28 South Jersey residents took the Oath of Allegiance and were sworn in as new American Citizens on May,8, 2019

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On January 30,

2019 students

from Texas Ave-

nue School in

Atlantic City

visited Stock-

ton’s Atlantic City

and Galloway Campuses. Twenty-nine

students in eight grade toured Atlantic City’s new

academic and residential buildings and engaged in a

STEM activity. Dr. Tara Luke and Linda Dotts guided

the children in the creation of an electronic badge

and Dr. Anna Pfeiffer-Herbert conducted a workshop

about marine mammals. After these activities, the

children visited the Galloway campus where they

toured the Campus Center, the Arts Gallery, and the

Performing Arts Center. Heather Swenson Brilla il-

lustrated the Stockton University website to the chil-

dren and engaged them in a question and answer

session about their academic interests, potential uni-

versities they would like to attend, financial aid, and

how to seek additional information on these topics.

On Thursday, April 11th, SCCE Faculty Fellow Dr.

Christina Jackson facilitated her first Justice and the

Environment symposium with over 70 students in

attendance. Several community partners presented

including CATA farmworkers support committee,

The Nanticoke Lenni Lenape tribal nation, Food and

Water Watch and the New Jersey Organizing Project.

Our keynote speaker, Melissa Miles (pictured) from

the Ironbound Corporation discussed her personal

and professional journey to becoming an environ-

mental justice organizer in Newark, New Jersey. This

event was sponsored by the Hughes Center and the

Center for Community Engagement. Special thanks

to Dr. Michael Klein of the Hughes Center, Dr. Mery-

dawilda Colo n, Trish Collins, and Heather Swenson

Brilla of the Center for Community Engagement.

Panelists at the symposium were: Pastor John Nor-

wood, Nanticoke Lenni Lenape tribal nation, Meghan

Hurley, CATA farmworkers collective, Jocelyn Saw-

yer, food and water watch, Amanda Devecka- Rinear,

New Jersey Organizing Project

Melissa Miles discusses the history of environmental advocacy in the Ironbound neighborhood in Newark, NJ

Trish Collins and the students from Texas Avenue School pose in the Atlantic City Academic Building

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What does a typical day as a Fellow look like? I spend most of my

time at the Pleasantville Homework Program and the Naturalization

Classes in Atlantic City so I get the benefit of working with two different

populations. When I am at the homework program, I spend my time

with children that are in grades K-12. My day there usually consists of

talking to the kids about how their day went, helping with their home-

work, and playing fun educational games. In the naturalization classes, I

help teach a class for adults who are on the path to citizenship. We prac-

tice the 100 questions on civics and American government that the in-

terviewers will draw from and some simple English phrases to help

them pass the interview.

What are examples of projects you are working on? Right now, I am working on translating the mock in-

terview packet that we use for the naturalization classes into Spanish. Most of our students speak primarily Span-

ish, and some of them are permitted to take the naturalization interview completely in Spanish, depending on

their age and how many years they have been a permanent resident. The mock interview packet is only available

in English. I wanted to provide a version in Spanish, not only for the students that are taking the interview in

Spanish, but it also for the students that primarily speak Spanish and that are taking the interview in English. It’ll

be more helpful for them if they completely understand the questions that they are being asked.

What are the skills and experiences you use daily? For the homework program, creativity and patience

are key. Some children do not want to do homework and I do not blame them at all. That’s where the student fel-

lows and volunteers come in and make it fun. A math homework sheet can seem boring until you bring funny pic-

tures or colored markers into it. Patience is needed in any type of teaching setting because there are going to be

students that pick up the information quickly and some students that don’t.

What attributes does someone need to have to be really successful as a Student Fellow? Creativity and

patience. Creativity is needed to make up activities for the students that you are helping. Not only for the children

at the homework program but the students at the Naturalization classes as well. Adults still want to have a class

that is fun and educational.

What are the biggest challenges that you face in your work? The biggest challenge that I face while at the

homework program would be gaining respect from the children. Sometimes I am not sure when to put my foot

down when setting the rules for the program. I want the children to have fun and learn but we also have to teach

them to respect the room we are in and respect others. I am still trying to find a balance between being a “fun tu-

tor” that they can share their silly stories with and still being listened to when setting down the rules.

8 QUESTIONS WITH SCCE STUDENT FELLOW Jessica Perez

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How could you use this experience for advancement or professional development? I will be attending

Temple University for Speech-Language Pathology. A lot of this field has to do with children and motivating

them to improve their speech, reading and writing. Working at the homework program has confirmed that I

truly want to make a difference in children’s lives as a professional.

What’s your favorite part about working at the SCCE? For the naturalization class, just being a part of

someone's journey in becoming a citizen is rewarding. Every year we have a naturalization ceremony where

we get to witness dozens of people become a naturalized citizen. It may not seem so important looking on the

outside of it, but this changes a person’s life completely. They can finally vote in a federal election. A lot of

these people also do it for their family. If they were to get their citizenship, their children under 18 are auto-

matically granted citizenship. These people want to be able to give their family the “American Dream” they

always hoped for.

What gets you most excited about the SCCE's future? All the new fellows! Although a lot of fellows are

graduating this year, I am excited to see how the center will grow with all the new faces. With new faces

come new ideas and these ideas can bring so much to each of our programs.

4 students in the SCCE Naturalization Class became citizens in the 2018—2019 academic year.

Pictured above: Joaquín Escobar shows the

class his Certificate of Naturalization

Pictured at Left: Efraín Victoria Lasso shows

the class his Certificate of Naturalization

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SCCE PROGRAMS IN REVIEW What We Have Been Doing This Semester

HOMEWORK COMPLETION PROGRAMS

The Homework Completion Programs at Stanley Holmes Village, Buzby Village, and the Pleas-antville Public Library continue to be well at-tended and successful in helping our youth.

Our newest program, in collaboration with the Boy Scouts of America , the Michaels Organization, and Better Tomorrows, at Maryland Avenue is growing well and will expand to four days per week in the fall semester.

The programs are held from Monday to Thursday from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm.

ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNERS CLASSES

The classes continue to meet at Saint Mary’s Episcopal Church: 118 West Bayview Ave., Pleas-antville, 08232 on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm and at Ministerio Por Gracia Sois Salvos: 111 North 3rd St., Pleasantville, 08232 on Fridays from 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm.

AFTERNOON TEA AND OLDER ADULT GAME DAY The SCCE has maintained the number of program days in Atlantic City and Pleasantville and is now bringing a larger team of Stockton volunteers, Student Fellows, faculty and staff to five Housing Authority residential complexes in Atlantic City, Community Havens, an older adult housing facili-ty in Atlantic City, and the housing authority high-rise in Pleasantville. These programs are well-received by the residents and the number of Stockton volunteers keeps growing!

NATURALIZATION CLASSES

Taught by Jessica Perez in conjunction with Dr. Mery-dawilda Colo n’s course “The Paths the US Citizenship”, the SCCE’s Naturalization Classes meet at the Atlantic City Campus Academic Building every Tuesday from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm. The program had its 17th graduate in February 2019 as one more student passed the Naturalization exam to become a US Citi-zen.