2022 Division of Student Affairs Retreat

The Spotlight Award recognizes the contributions of an individual or group who has shown outstanding efforts to support our campus community during the COVID-19 pandemic. This individual’s or group’s contributions over the past year to support others during these challenging and unprecedented times have proven to be invaluable.

2021 Recipient: COVID-19 Testing Center (under the direction of Dr. Luis DeJesus, Housing & Residence Life and Dining, Anwaar Najmi and Tayden Judge)

The Assessment Award is presented to an individual or group that demonstrates a commitment to utilizing continuous assessment to implement best practices that improve services and enhance the student experience. The award celebrates all types of assessment, affirms that assessment is a learning process and values the entire continuum of knowledge and experience that make up that process.

2021 Recipient: Gary Santos-Mendoza, Intercultural Resource Center

2020 Recipient: Not Awarded

2019 Recipient: Erica Williams, Dean of Students

The Scarlet Raider Award recognizes the individual or group who best exemplifies the true “Raider” spirit of the University, Division, and greater Community. The individual or group’s “spirit” is demonstrated through positive attitude, acts of University loyalty, teamwork, creativity, and cooperation. They serve as a model that demonstrates what it means to take pride in Rutgers University - Newark.

2021 Recipient: Rusty Flores and Jose Gomez

2020 Recipient: Brian Fanning, Athletics and Recreation

2019 Recipient: Taylor Miller, Violence Prevention and Victim Assistance

The Division Partner Award recognizes an outstanding individual, department or group from one of RU-N’s academic divisions or departments, who has made significant contributions to student development and learning as demonstrated through collaboration, involvement and partnerships with Student Affairs. The recipient continuously goes above and beyond their own occupational requirements to enhance the mission of Student Affairs by providing guidance, mentorship, advocacy, and advising; promoting leadership, personal responsibility and self-governance; and fostering an environment of inclusivity and appreciation for all.

2021 Recipient: Zeinab Said, Enrollment Services

2020 Recipient: Kevin Dowlin, IT

2019 Recipient: Aaron Gibbs, Business

The Outstanding New Staff Award is presented to a staff member with less than two years of service within the Division who has demonstrated exemplary performance. This individual is one who has consistently produced high quality work, made a significant impact on campus life, and developed outstanding relationships with students, as well as other University and Community partners. This staff member has demonstrated strong leadership through a willingness to help others and collaboration with other departments within the Division.

* The two years of service is defined by two annual years. The 2022 recipient's employment date must be on or after January 1, 2020.

2021 Recipient: Jack Wilson, Ryan Farrell, and Lydia Green

2020 Recipient: Cristhian Altamirano, Disability Services

2019 Recipient: Christie Howley, Violence Prevention and Victim Assistance

The Graduate Student Award of Excellence will recognize a graduate student who has gone above and beyond expectations or honors a special, unique or extraordinary effort they have made within an assistantship or position. They demonstrate strengths in areas such as instruction, advising and assisting students, research and creative activity, outreach and/or service to the University, community and/or profession. Nominees must be a graduate student in good standing with the University and employed by a department within the Division of Student Affairs.

2021 Recipient: Alvyn Dimaculangan, Student Life and Leadership

2020 Recipient: Ange Benjamin, Community Standards

2019 Recipient: Janique Sanders, Student Life and Leadership

The Spirit of Student affairs Award recognizes an individual staff member or group, that best exemplifies excellence, innovation and collaboration in their work and embodies the spirit of student affairs, including both our mission statement and goals. Recipient(s) have unselfishly gone above and beyond expectations to provide outstanding service to students, within the Division of Student Affairs, and Rutgers University – Newark.

** This award has been combined with the Innovation Award and Excellence in Collaboration Award, awarded in previous years**

2021 Recipient: Nikita Pandit, Student Life and Leadership

2020 Recipient: Ayat Ibraheim, Housing and Residence Life

2019 Recipient: Tracy Clarke, Counseling Center

The Outstanding New Program or Service Award recognizes a new program or service that successfully meets the needs of RU-N students. It is responsive to student demands and is designed to be student-centered. The service is a resource to students that commands the support of the university community and is well-regarded and appreciated in its service to students at RU-N.

2021 Recipient: The Responsible Raider Program

2020 Recipient: The Career Closet; Bernadette So, Wenylla Reid, Theresa O’Neil, Henry Rodriguez

2019 Recipient: Student Orientation Advising Registration (SOAR)

The Vice Chancellor’s Award recognizes the staff member whose commitment to Rutgers University-Newark and the Division of Student Affairs is unmatched. This staff member’s consistency, creativity, dedication and solution-oriented outlook contributes to making RU-N a wonderful educational experience for students and a positive work environment for staff. This staff member is an inspiration to others, a total team member and a believer in all that is RU-N and Student Affairs.

2021 Recipient: Dr. Anice Thomas, Health and Wellness

2020 Recipient: Daniel LaFuente, Housing & Residence Life

2019 Recipient: Theresa Tantay-Wilson, Health Promotion Division