Upcoming Events
RBS Staff Newsletter
• • • •
2/17 - Communications Skills II (NWK) 2/20 - Presentation Skills II 2/27 - Grants Pre-Award Focus 3/03 -Time Investment (NB)
Volume 1 | Issue 2 | January/February 2020
STAFF SPOTLIGHTS
DID YOU KNOW?
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
A Message from Dean Lei Welcome to the second issue of the RBS Staff Newsletter. RBS staff members, individually and collectively, are critical toward every achievement of RBS and the experience of our students and alumni. This newsletter exemplifies your work, your many exciting initiatives, and your important contributions toward enhancing the culture of our workplace. Thank you and Go Team-RBS!
In This Issue... •
Staff Spotlights
•
MBA Her Way Program
•
Sustainability Conference
•
Rankings
•
Parking Updates
•
Starbucks
•
A Journey of a Lifetime
•
Staff Recognition Awards
•
Spring Semester Professional Development Workshops
•
Dress Down Fridays
•
Sports Illustrated and more...
Would you like to go down in history as the person who named the RBS Staff Newsletter? We are soliciting help to name our Staff Newsletter. The newsletter name and winner will be announced in the next issue. The winner will also win all of the below swag items! Rules and Guidelines: • Submit original ideas only. • Limit the name to just a few words; something that captures the spirit of the RBS Staff Newsletter as a positive, open forum for sharing RBS news, events, photos, ideas, programs, achievements and more. • Be creative and clever, just like the staff at RBS. • Submit ideas to rbsstaffnews@business.rutgers.edu • The deadline for entries is Monday, March 16th.
The “Winner’s” Swag Prize
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RBS Staff Newsletter
Table of Contents 03 Staff Spotlights Trudy-Ann Morris Hewitt Ben Lohmann Wanda Mendez 04 Program Spotlights MBA Her Way Sustainability Conference 05 Did You Know? Rankings 06 Facilities Parking Update Departmental Moves Starbucks 08 Human Resources Staff Recognition Award Hires and Separations of 2019 Staff Promotions 12 Committee Updates Professional Development Core Staff Leadership 14 Staff News & Acknowledgments Event Highlights Muddy Paws Rescue Dress Down Fridays Sports Illustrated SUGGESTIONS, ITEM SUBMISSIONS, AND/OR FEEDBACK? Interested in being a part of the Newsletter Committee, please contact us! rbsstaffnews@business.rutgers.edu This issue’s contributors: Brenda Anderson, Jennifer Diaz, Dana Harris, Luke Greeley, Nancy Kiley, Melissa Rivera, Vibu Udayaraj
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Volume 1 | Issue 2 | JAN/FEB 2020
Staff Spotlights Trudy Ann Morris Hewitt
Congratulations Wanda Mendez, Assistant Dean of Career Management who just completed her Master’s Degree in Liberal Arts here at Rutgers!
Program Coordinator
Department: MAccy Financial Accounting Years of Service: Ten years at RBS (August 2019) Duties: Trudy provides advising to current and prospective students, and works closely with our international students to ensure F-1 visa compliance. She manages marketing initiatives, social media accounts, special projects, and event planning. Hobbies: She loves creating memories with her family, enjoys reading books by James Baldwin, Maya Angelou, Toni Morrison, James Patterson, or Stephen King. “My guilty pleasure is watching the ID Channel, Murder She Wrote and Psych.” Favorite Quote or Words of Advice: When Trudy was little, her grandmother would always say, “What is for you will not pass you.” It’s always resonated with her and has become a daily mantra.
Ben Lohmann Assistant Dean
Department: RBS-Newark Undergraduate Program Years of Service: Six years and three months. Ben started with RBS in October 2013 Duties: Ben provides supervision, leadership, and management within the Newark Undergraduate Program Office. He helps develop and implement strategies designed to improve and enhance the Newark Undergraduate student experience. Hobbies: Ben enjoys watching sports (namely the New York Yankees, Denver Broncos, New Jersey Devils, and Seton Hall Pirates basketball) and running. Him and his wife recently bought a house, so his newest hobby has become working in andaround the house to make it theirs. Favorite Quote or Words of Advice: “No matter how small and important what we are doing may seem, if we do it well, it may soon become the step that will lead us to better things.” – Channing Pollock. “Whatever you do may seem insignificant to you, but it is most i mportant that you do it.” – Mahatma Gandhi
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RBS Staff Newsletter
Program Spotlights
MBA Her Way
The MBA Her Way Program is a RBS program that provides an opportunity for women interested in earning an MBA to learn more about our various MBA program their options. Interactive info sessions are held during each semester, featuring admissions staff and RBS MBA alumnae who share their first-helped them grow personally and professionally. Want to learn more? Contact Briana McTigue or visit here for dates and information sessions.
Upcoming RBS Event Jeana Wirtenberg of MGB is currently organizing a 2-day Sustainability Conference taking place at 1 Washington Park on March 26th and 27th. Staff are welcome to submit proposals for presentations and/or register to attend. Information can be found at the conference website here.
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Volume 1 | Issue 2 | JAN/FEB 2020
Did You Know? Have you ever wondered why rankings are so essential? Rankings are everywhere in the press, websites and guidebooks. It’s easy to get rankings fatigue. However, each new ranking highlighting one of our programs is a celebration of what we are accomplishing together at RBS. There are over 500 AACSB-accredited business schools in the U.S. and rankings give one set of data for prospective students to determine which b-school is the right fit for them. When we achieve a positive ranking for RBS, it is a reflection of all the hard work we do to provide the best education, experience and employment opportunities for our students. To see a list of our rankings, visit https://www.business.rutgers.edu/about-rbs/ rankings..
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RBS Staff Newsletter
Facilities Gravel and Green
New Brunswick staff will be relieved to know that RBS employees may continue to park in the Gravel Lot behind South Tower… until further notice. In the meantime, please keep in mind, that RBS employees are only allowed permitted parking in the GREEN LOT on Livingston; NOT the Yellow Lot.
New Homes, Same Faces
In an effort to consolidate, better synergize, and maximize office usage across both campuses, over 40+ individual moves have occurred recently and resulted in the following major re-locations for some of our programs and teams. The majority of the moves included the following departments: • • •
Marketing Department - NWK: From Various Floors to 6th Floor Student Development Center - NWK: From 11th Floor to 4th Floor Career Management - NB: From 1st Floor to 5th Floor
Two Campuses, One Email To better streamline facility-related matters across both campuses, RBS-Facilities@business.rutgers.edu was launched on January 14th to replace the various room reservation and repair-reporting emails. All inquiries related to room requests, office assignments, and general building repairs can be directed to this new email account.
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Volume 1 | Issue 2 | JAN/FEB 2020
A Grande Opening On February 3rd, RBS along with Rutgers Gourmet Dining officially welcomed the opening of Starbucks to 1 Washington Park. Starbucks-1 Washington Park is the largest of its kind in the country, and the second Starbucks location on the Newark Campus. The space features bleacher style seating, various independent nooks, and casual group seating for students, faculty, and staff to study and collaborate.
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RBS Staff Newsletter
HR News Streamlined Support
In an effort to streamline Human Resource processes at RBS, RBS-HR@business.rutgers.edu was launched last Fall. Grievances, disciplinary actions, leaves, risk management, crisis management, litigation, and confidential information can be directed to Dee White. All other issues, can be send to the email above.
Staff Recognition Award Update
As part of Dean Lei’s continued effort to recognize the extraordinary efforts of our RBS staff team members, there are 5 new Staff Awards. We encourage faculty and staff to use this as an opportunity to highlight the hard work and dedication of our staff members. Staff Awards: 1. Outstanding Performance Award 2. Rising Spirit Award 3. Staff Spirit Award 4. Enhancing the Student Experience Award 5. Unity Award For more information, please contact Associate Dean Rivera. Nomination forms must be sent to HR via email: rbs-nominate@business.rutgers.edu
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Volume 1 | Issue 2 | JAN/FEB 2020
s A Journey of a Lifetime On Thursday, December 5th, staff from both the New Brunswick and Newark campuses joined together for a moving Professional Development Workshop called A Journey of a Lifetime: Techniques for Researching Your Ancestors. Workshop facilitator, Robin Semple (Assistant Vice Chancellor for Development for Strategic Initiatives at Rutgers-Newark), provided knowledgeable advice and offered some helpful tips for exploring your family’s heritage. RBS employee Nelson Figueras, Business Specialist, shared the powerful, personal story of his childhood escape from Cuba in the 1960’s and his recent search for long-lost relatives, historical information, and the truth about his father’s role in that country’s turbulent revolutions. Both Robin and Nelson have found the genealogy journey challenging, emotional and rewarding.
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RBS Staff Newsletter Please join us in welcoming RBS team members for 2019: Name
Title
Department
Start Date
Gal Atia
Program Coordinator
Business of Fashion
3/18/2019
Laura Chacon
Edit Media Specialist I C/W
Communications & Marketing
7/15/2019
Nancy Kiley
Administrative Assistant
Dean’s Office
1/7/2019
Brenda Anderson
Program Coordinator I
Dean’s Office
4/29/2019
Melissa Rivera
Sr. Associate Dean of Administration & Finance
Dean’s Office
8/12/2019
Vibu Udayaraj
Program Coordinator
Dean’s Office (PTL)
2/4/2019
Sam McKenzie
Director of Development
Development
4/22/2019
Briana McTigue
Admissions Officer
MBA Admissions
4/8/2019
Zachary Stachniewicz
Program Coordinator I
MBA Program
1/29/2019
Khalia Scribner
Administrative Assistant
MSIS
8/26/2019
Lisa Minieri
Career Management Specialist
OCM - Undergraduate NWK
9/9/2019
Beth Fieseler
Career Counseling Officer
OCM NWK & NB
7/8/2019
Cris Frasica
Program Coordinator I
OCM NWK & NB
7/15/2019
John Renaldo
Career Counseling Officer
OCM NWK & NB
8/19/2019
Purvi Kapuriya
Career Counseling Officer
OCM NWK & NB
9/3/2019
Sodigi Karibi-Whyte
Sr. Program Administrator
OCM NWK & NB
9/9/2019
Lisa Rossini
Sr. Program Administrator
OCM NWK & NB
9/16/2019
Sofia D’Rozario
Unit Computing Specialist
OTIS
3/18/2019
Constance Sullivan
Users Support Services Specialist
OTIS
5/6/2019
Shakira Willoughby-Little
Instructional Technology Specialist
OTIS
9/3/2019
Rowland Privett
Administrative Coordinator
OTIS
10/7/2019
Noa Gafni
Executive Director
RICSI
8/1/2019
Hannah Salto
Program Coordinator I
Student Development Center
8/7/2019
Haiyan Liu
Program Administrator
Supply Chain Management
1/28/2019
Dijha Allen
Student Counselor
Undergraduate - NB
8/12/2019
Armanda Cerqueira
Student Counselor
Undergraduate - NWK
4/15/2019
Amy Castillo
Assistant Dean III
Undergraduate - NWK
7/1/2019
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Volume 1 | Issue 2 | JAN/FEB 2020
Best of luck and farewell to the following staff members who are no longer working at RBS: Name
Title
Department
Jaqueline Adams
Administrative Assistant
Accounting & Info. Systems
Katie Agosta
Publications Assistant
MSIS
Courtney Clarke
Program Coordinator
OTIS
Raphael Cohn
Coordinator Student Services
International Programs
Robert Demicco, Jr.
Director
Development
Loubna Erraji
Director of Career Management & Alumni Relations
EMBA
Aaron Gibbs
Assistant Dean III
Undergraduate - NWK
Andrew Gogates
Career Counseling Officer
OCM NWK & NB
Cynthia McDermott-Hicks
Senior Department Administrator
Dean’s Office
Manish Kumar
Associate Dean of Administration & Finance
Dean’s Office
Zoe Makropoulos
Program Coordinator II
OCM NWK & NB
Ying Ni
Assistant Dean III
International Programs
John Perez
Career Management Specialist
OCM NWK&NB
Kevin Riordan
Director
Center for Real Estate
Michelle Tomitz
Program Coordinator
Alumni & Corporate Engagement
Dolores Stammer
Regional Manager
SBDC
Arleen Verendia
Administrative Assistant
MSIS
Jacqueline Vinasco
Program Coordinator
MBA Student Services
Brandon Womble
Program Coordinator I
Dean’s Office
Yongwei Zhang
Executive Director
International Programs
Staff Promotions
Please join us in congratulating the following staff promotions: •
Daurell Haurey, Academic Coordinator Accounting & Information Systems
•
Ben Lohmann, Assistant Dean Undergraduate - NWK
Current RBS Job Opportunities •
Classroom Support Technician Class 4 - OTIS
(https://jobs.rutgers.edu/hr/postings/110988) We will continue to share job openings as they are available.
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RBS Staff Newsletter
Commitee & Professional Development Updates Professional development programs prepare staff for advancement opportunities, increase collaboration, boost morale, and improve job satisfaction. With those goals in mind, we are pleased to announce the upcoming workshops. To find out more and/or register, please click here.
Upcoming Workshops • • • • • • • • • •
02/17 - Communications Workshop II – NWK, Room 1123, (11AM -1PM), lunch provided 02/20 - Presentation Skills Workshop II - NWK, Room 921, (9AM - 12PM) & NB, Room 4095, (1:30PM - 4:30PM) 02/27 - Grants - Pre-Award Focus - NWK, Room 1102A & NB, Room 3095, (11AM - 1PM), lunch provided 03/02 - Time Investment/Optimization Workshop - NB, Room 4095, (10AM - 1PM), lunch provided 03/03 - Time Investment/Optimization Workshop - NWK, Room 652, (10AM - 1PM), lunch provided 03/ 05 - Grants - Post-Award Focus - NWK, Room 1102A & NB, Room 4095, (11AM - 1PM), lunch provided 03/17* - Microaggressions - NB Room 4095, (11AM - 1PM), lunch provided 03/19* - Microaggressions - NWK Room 652, (11AM - 1PM), lunch provided 04/07 - Cyber Security - NB Room 4095, (10AM - 12PM) 04/09 - Cyber Security - NWK Room 652, (10AM - 12PM)
* - Indicates tentative
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Volume 1 | Issue 2 | JAN/FEB 2020
Mini and Mighty
The Mini-MBA Program is now underway! This year’s program topic is ‘Driving Innovative Business Solutions’ and includes representation from the following departments: Accounting & Information Systems, Center for Real Estate, MBA Student Services, Graduate Admissions, Undergraduate Programs, OTIS, NJ-SBDC, MBA Programs, RICSI, and the Dean’s Office.
Outlined below are past professional development workshops. Please email us with your feedback and to suggest other professional development topics. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
12/02 - Communications Workshop I - NB 12/03 - Open Lab Session w/ Ann Griffin - NWK 12/04 - Performance Management Training - NWK 12/05 - Geneology Presentation - Both Campuses 12/13 - Communications Workshop I - NWK 12/18 - Ethics Training: Working with Relatives - Both Campuses 01/07 - Excel Workshop (Introduction) - NWK 01/09 - Excel Workshop (Intermediate) - NWK 01/10 - Excel Workshop (Introduction) - NB 01/13 - Excel Workshop (Advanced) - NWK 01/14 - Excel Workshop (Intermediate) - NB 01/16 - RU Care Team Presentation - Both Campuses 01/17 - Excel Workshop (Advanced) - NB 02/05 - FERPA Workshop - Both Campuses 02/10 - Communications II Workshop - NB 02/13 - Presentation Skills I Workshop - NWK
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RBS Staff Newsletter
Staff News Innovation Challenge
A new creative program was introduced last month by Can Uslay, Vice Dean, Academic Programs and Innovations. Each month, RBS faculty and staff will be challenged to submit innovative ideas addressing a specific topic of interest or concern to the entire RBS learning community. The December 2019 Innovation Challenge was “Fun at RBS,” and the January focus was on “Improving the Student Experience.” We have all pondered matters here at RBS and casually proposed our ideas to friends and coworkers. The RBS Innovative Challenge is an exciting chance to really have your voices heard and a meaningful way for you to contribute to the success of RBS. Coming from the unique perspective of staff members, who are “on the ground running” every day, this is a wonderful opportunity to share your insightful thoughts and suggestions. Check your inbox for Can’s most recent announcement (January 9th) for complete details and email your proposals to innovate@business.rutgers.edu .
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Volume 1 | Issue 2 | JAN/FEB 2020
RBS Family Retreat
On Friday, September 27th Dean Lei hosted the Inaugural RBS Faculty and Staff s Retreat at Forsgate Country Club in Monroe Township, New Jersey. The goal of the afternoon retreat was to bring faculty and staff together in a relaxed and positive atmosphere to celebrate “Team RBS”. Faculty and staff participated in activities designed to encourage collegiality and fun. The day ended with the RBS Banner flyover!
Collecting for a Cause
Beta Gamma Sigma will be hosting a Supplies Drive for the entire month of February. From February 7 to March 6, BGS will be collecting blankets, outerwear (e.g. jackets, gloves, scarves, hats), and feminine products in the RBS undergraduate office. Please help support this cause for homeless and women’s shelters. Donations can be dropped off at the Undergarduate Office at 100 Rock.
Muddy Paws Rescue Congratulations Hannah Murphy and her family on winning the Petco Foundation’s $25,000 grant on behalf of Hudson's rescue Muddy Paws Rescue in NYC in December 2019. The Murphys shared their story with the Petco Foundation on how their dog Hudson changed Hannah's life when they began running together, shortly after their son "B" was born, and it won their National Holiday Wishes Grant Competition. Hudson is one of 50 winners across the U.S. and their story won third place.
Core Care The mission of the Core Staff Leadership Team is to provide staff a voice to senior RBS leadership while working on improving the culture of Rutgers Business School through standardized communication, resources, respect for diversity, a commitment to professional growth, and creating a centralized forum to bridge the gap between Newark and New Brunswick. Ther goal is to work together to maintain a high standard for all Staff members. For more information visit here.
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RBS Staff Newsletter Dress Down Fridays
Dean Lei is excited to announce Dress Down Fridays. Please join Amy, VIbu, and Yasmin every Friday by showing your Rutgers Pride! Share your photos with the Newsletter Committee to be featured in our next issue!
Spotted in Sports Illustrated
Look who made it into the February issue of Sports Illustrated! Our very own Matt Peyrek has been captured in the article ‘How Steve Pikiell Defied the odds and Resurrected Rutgers Basketball’ by Laken Litman.
Thank You
Thank you to our staff who participated and supported our 2019 re-accreditation process and educational conferences: AACSB Re-accreditation, MAACBA Conference, and Innovations in Undergraduate Business Education. Your hard work and dedication made each of the efforts a success!
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