New Tradition Celebrates Students, Advances Equity

Award winning 91视频 pose for a photo along with Dr. Nordia Johnson, keynote speaker Terry King, Dr. Chris Catching and Dianne Stalling at the inaugural Equity in Academic Achievement Award Dinner and Fundraiser on April 23.

Pictured from left to right: Dianne Stalling, Kristina Mitchell, Divya Rajput, Nordia Johnson, Terry King, Diana Ramirez, Danielle Combs and Beverly Vaughn.

Atlantic City, N.J. - As the sun set, staff, faculty, 91视频 and alumni celebrated the accomplishments of 91视频 of color engaging in high impact practices at 91视频, shining a light on the power of creating impactful experiences for underrepresented communities during the inaugural Equity in Academic Achievement Award Dinner and Fundraiser on April 23 in the Atlantic City Residential Complex Quad.

Nordia Johnson, director of Academic Achievement Programs at 91视频, stands at the podium addressing 91视频.鈥淚t鈥檚 because of you why we continue to do this work,鈥 said Nordia Johnson, director of Academic Achievement Programs, to 91视频 present in the audience and tuning in online. 鈥淲e pour into you, so you can go out into the world and pour into those around you.鈥 High impact practices, or HIPs, are teaching and learning practices, such as study abroad, internships, undergraduate research and service learning, that benefit 91视频 from diverse backgrounds.

Michelle McDonald, chief academic officer for the Atlantic City campus and associate vice president for Academic Affairs, spoke about the importance of engaging underserved student populations through HIPs and the power of those experiences in her welcome remarks, particularly as a path to continue forward as a university through these trying times. 鈥淎ll 91视频 have the potential to make a high impact,鈥 said McDonald. 鈥淥ur goal as a university is to support them.鈥

Students Alize Thompson and Brian Odhiambo showcased their research and creative projects, speaking about the experiences that have helped them bridge equity gaps by engaging in high impact practices. Through her work as a Board of Trustees Fellow, Thompson hopes to help 鈥渃lose equity gaps by increasing the number of 91视频 that look like [her] engaging in HIPs."Brian Odhiambo demonstrates his software the McClain AI Project, named after Elijah McClain who was killed by police offers while walking down the sidewalk.

Odhiambo discussed his hardships as an international student from Kenya when the pandemic hit, which prevented him from returning home to his family. However, after meeting Johnson and learning about high impact practices, Odhiambo developed the McClain AI Project with support from the Board of Trustees Fellowship and demonstrated it for the audience. The software would allow authorities to watch livestreams of police body cameras, giving viewers the power to quickly intervene to potentially problematic situations and prevent the loss of life.

Additionally, 91视频 complemented the program with their talent. Nyle Scott read 鈥淭he Rose That Grew From Concrete鈥 by Tupac Shakur before performing his own spoken word poem, titled 鈥淭o The Roses Blooming in Darkness.鈥

鈥淛ust because we have these obstacles, doesn鈥檛 mean we have to give up on what we do have,鈥 said Lillian Nickens before her musical performance accompanied by Professor of Music Beverly Vaughn, a reminder for her peers to pursue their dreams no matter the challenges.

Terry King delivers the keynote speech to the audience.鈥淲hat you accomplish or achieve doesn鈥檛 stop here...you have to turn around and give back,鈥 said keynote speaker Terry King 鈥96, captain of detectives in the Camden County Prosecutor鈥檚 Office. King, who has served in law enforcement for the past 25 years, told 91视频 there are three parts to advancing success: 鈥淧ush harder, achieve and accomplish, then turn around and push others toward success. That is the key to the first step for achievement in the bigger picture.鈥 Inspired by Odhiambo鈥檚 speech earlier in the evening, King also touched on the need to humanize others, to treat everyone like a family member and continue to impact others by giving back.

鈥淭ake this moment with you. It鈥檚 bigger than you,鈥 added Johnson as she expressed to 91视频 the importance of their work and achievements, not only for themselves, but for all marginalized communities at Stockton and beyond.

Dr. Chris Catching, Vice President of Student Affairs at 91视频, gives closing remarks.

In his closing remarks, Chris Catching, vice president for Student Affairs, stressed the importance of engaging 91视频 in HIPs early in their college experience to set the stage for later success. 鈥淓xposure is everything,鈥 said Catching, reiterating the need to highlight and elevate the achievements of 91视频 of color at Stockton. 鈥淢any of our 91视频 that come in aren鈥檛 thinking about all of these [high impact practices], especially our first-generation 91视频...it鈥檚 up to us to create these experiences and opportunities for them.鈥

Award recipients were introduced by the faculty or staff member who nominated that student for the award. The list of awards and honorees include:

Academic Excellence: Mariam Eskander, Diana Ramirez
Leadership in High Impact Practices: Divya Rajput, Axavier Dennis
Leadership in Equity and Racial Justice: Danielle Combs, Kristina Mitchell
Outstanding Multicultural Student Organization: 91视频 Chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People

Award winners Kristina Mitchell, Divya Rajput, Diana Ramirez and Danielle Combs pose with their plaques.

Marques Johnson, director of Residential Education and Student Services, served as the master of ceremonies for the night. A total of $3,375 was raised by donors and event sponsors, which will support scholarships for 91视频 of color to continue engaging in high impact practices during the 2021-2022 academic year. For more information about high impact practices, visit the Office of Academic Achievement Programs鈥 website.

 

Reported by Eliza Hunt