14th
CHANCELLOR’S AWARDS FOR DIVERSITY, INCLUSION, AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
APRIL 22, 2026 | 5–7 PM
CAMPUS CENTER, MUTLI-PURSPOSE ROOM
2026
CHANCELLOR’S AWARDS FOR DIVERSITY, INCLUSION, AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Kimberly McGuinness
CLINICAL INSTRUCTOR, SCHOOL OF NURSING–CAMDEN
This award recognizes courses or programs that create outstanding opportunities for engaged civic learning for Rutgers University–Camden students.
This nomination highlights the contributions of Kimberly McGuinness as an instructor for Community Health Nursing and her supervision of nursing students in the Rutgers–Camden Public Health AmeriCorps program, fostering engaged civic learning. Kimberly has enhanced this experience through a partnership with Better Tomorrows, offering health promotion education in blood pressure management, nutrition, exercise, and mental wellness. AmeriCorps members also run an afterschool homework clinic for local children. She opens
opportunities for students from other programs to engage and connects community members with resources from Rutgers School of Social Work and Law School clinics. This year, she and the AmeriCorps team are collaborating with the Rutgers–Camden Wellness Center to develop resources addressing substance abuse and mental well-being. Additionally, Kimberly is leading a working group to plan a Health Equity Summit, bringing together local health systems and community leaders to discuss progress in health equity and quality in the region.
ACADEMIC CIVIC ENGAGEMENT
2026
CHANCELLOR’S AWARDS FOR DIVERSITY, INCLUSION, AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Thomas Fewer
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR, MANAGEMENT, SCHOOL OF BUSINESS–CAMDEN
ACADEMIC CIVIC ENGAGEMENT
This award recognizes courses or programs that create outstanding opportunities for engaged civic learning for Rutgers University–Camden students.
Civic Innovation and Entrepreneurship is an experiential, mission-driven course that introduces students to the practice of civic innovation—developing ventures that address pressing public challenges while maintaining economic sustainability. The course responds to the growing need for new forms of problem-solving in the face of complex global and local issues, including environmental transformation, health inequities, and social and economic disparities. Over the semester, students work through a hands-on venture development process rooted in real community needs. Student teams define and analyze a civic challenge, identify impacted communities and intended beneficiaries,
mobilize resources and partnerships across sectors, and design innovative, place-based solutions that generate measurable public value. Students apply course concepts through real partnerships with Camden-based organizations, ensuring that learning is grounded in reciprocal community engagement. The course culminates in actionable venture concepts that demonstrates how entrepreneurship can serve as a tool for civic transformation. By bridging business innovation with mission-centered impact, this course advances Rutgers–Camden’s commitment to community-engaged learning and prepares students to lead with purpose in an increasingly complex world.
CHANCELLOR’S AWARDS FOR DIVERSITY, INCLUSION, AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Expungement Law Project
MEREDITH SCHALICK, CLINICAL PROFESSOR, RUTGERS LAW SCHOOL
ACADEMIC CIVIC ENGAGEMENT
This award recognizes courses or programs that create outstanding opportunities for engaged civic learning for Rutgers University–Camden students.
Professor Meredith Schalick founded the Expungement Law Project (ELP) at Rutgers Law School to provide an opportunity for law students to help people overcome past mistakes and get a second chance without the burden of old criminal convictions. Since 2017, law students have provided free legal services to hundreds of people from all over New Jersey seeking to expunge their criminal history to get better jobs and housing. Meredith
expanded ELP’s services to offer assistance with pardon and commutation applications when, in 2024, then-Governor Phil Murphy announced new clemency guidelines. In partnership with the ACLU-NJ, Meredith led ELP’s effort for colleagues and law students to assist in obtaining sentence commutations for five clients who had been incarcerated for decades due to extreme trial penalties.
2026
CHANCELLOR’S AWARDS FOR DIVERSITY, INCLUSION, AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Jennifer Levy
SCHOOL OF NURSING–CAMDEN
STUDENT CIVIC ENGAGEMENT
This award recognizes students who make noteworthy contributions to communities beyond the campus through their academic and co-curricular work.
Jennifer Levy, a sophomore Nursing and Gender Studies major, is an active member of the Bonner Civic Scholars, and serves as president of our Student Governing Association. Jennifer still finds time to make a profound commitment to diverse community engagement experiences. During her first year on campus, Jennifer was known for the guide dog puppy she was socializing and training. This sparked conversations and interest around accessibility across campus ultimately leading to her founding the student organization, Disability Advocacy Alliance. At the same time, Jennifer continues to volunteer with organizations including Girl Scouts of Central and Southern New jersey, Brightview Senior Living, and the community service
ministries of Central Baptist Church, supporting youth mentorship, intergenerational connection, and outreach to local families. This year, Jennifer has worked to foster connection across campus and expand resources supporting student well-being and inclusion on campus. Through the advancement of a resolution within the Student Governing Association, Jennifer has secured a S1,000 XLR8 Project Management grant for her work in piloting peer-to-peer mental health support groups. Jennifer has also engages in conversations with New Jersey legislators, most recently including Assemblyperson Carol Murphy and Senator John Burzichelli, to advocate for resources that strengthen student civic engagement and support students.
2026
CHANCELLOR’S AWARDS FOR DIVERSITY, INCLUSION, AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Rabiyatu Sow
CAMDEN COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES
STUDENT CIVIC ENGAGEMENT
This award recognizes students who make noteworthy contributions to communities beyond the campus through their academic and co-curricular work.
Rabiyatu Sow is a senior whose leadership and service exemplify the highest ideals of civic engagement, equity, and community accountability. Pursuing dual degrees in Criminal Justice and Global Studies, with a minor in Legal Studies, she is also completing the Accelerated Master’s Program in Public Administration. As President of the Rutgers–Camden NAACP chapter, Rabiyatu has expanded student involvement in civic life, increasing membership by 63% and leading impactful initiatives such as the Sounds of Blackness Table Talks and the annual Black Excellence Gala. Her efforts have fostered meaningful dialogue, cultural awareness, and collective action while encouraging voter participation and community empowerment.
Rabiyatu also serves as a University Executive Senator in the Student Governing Association, where she advocates for student-centered resources, including initiatives to improve food pantry access and reinstate grocery shuttle services for students. Rabiyatu supports community members through her work at the Rutgers Law Clinic, helping provide free legal services to South Jersey residents. She has organized clothing drives, coordinated hygiene packet distributions for refugee communities, and mentored students as a Residential Assistant and TRiO Student Success Coach. She has been recognized as CAIR New Jersey’s Youth Leader of the Year and a member of the Pi Gamma Mu and TriAlpha honor societies.
2026
CHANCELLOR’S AWARDS FOR DIVERSITY, INCLUSION, AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Lester (Les) Engels
GRADUATE SCHOOL–CAMDEN
STUDENT CIVIC ENGAGEMENT
This award recognizes students who make noteworthy contributions to communities beyond the campus through their academic and co-curricular work.
Les Engels is a second-year doctoral student in Prevention Science at Rutgers University–Camden, where he also completed his undergraduate degree. Deeply shaped by his own experiences growing up in an urban, disadvantaged community, Les is committed to ensuring that marginalized communities have equitable access to environmental, social, and health-promoting resources. His academic and community work center on elevating community voices, strengthening neighborhood assets, and promoting justice-driven prevention efforts. Les’s scholarship exemplifies community-engaged research. His capstone project, in partnership with the New Jersey Tree Foundation, examines how tree-planting efforts in Camden relate to local gun violence rates. Using a mixed-methods
approach, Les analyzes citywide data and conducts door-to-door interviews with Camden residents to ensure the voices of those most impacted are heard. Les also has been involved in research work with Y PLAN through the Center for Urban Research and Engagement, the Growing Up with Guns Project through the Rutgers School of Social Work, the Center for Research on Ending Violence, and an Offshore Wind Energy Project with a psychology faculty member. Beyond academics, Les is dedicated to mentoring others, volunteering as an instructor for an independent study, and regularly bringing community-centered insight to his peers. Les plans to continue advancing community-engaged prevention research throughout his career.
2026
CHANCELLOR’S AWARDS FOR DIVERSITY, INCLUSION, AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Jada Lowe
SCHOOL OF NURSING–CAMDEN
STUDENT CIVIC ENGAGEMENT
This award recognizes students who make noteworthy contributions to communities beyond the campus through their academic and co-curricular work.
Jada is a sophomore nursing student whose sustained commitment to community engagement has made a meaningful impact beyond the campus. Since her first year, she has been actively involved with the Rutgers Accelerate & Renew Academy (RARA), first through Honors College service and later through AmeriCorps service, providing high-impact tutoring to youth in Camden. In response to student interest, Jada developed and launched a Debate
Club that fosters confidence, critical thinking, and civic engagement—a program she continues to lead as a Program Assistant while also supporting new tutors. In addition, Jada serves as a Bonner Civic Scholar and volunteers at St. Joseph’s Shelter. With plans to pursue a Master of Social Work, her academic path reflects her deep commitment to equity, holistic care, and community-centered service.
2026
CHANCELLOR’S AWARDS FOR DIVERSITY, INCLUSION, AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Rudra (Rudy) Sakariya
CAMDEN COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES
STUDENT CIVIC ENGAGEMENT
This award recognizes students who make noteworthy contributions to communities beyond the campus through their academic and co-curricular work.
Rudy Sakariya is a second-year undergraduate student whose community-engaged work with the Rutgers Accelerate & Renew Academy (RARA) reflects sustained commitment and meaningful impact beyond the campus. Since joining the program, he has served as an afterschool and summer tutor supporting K–12 students while also developing technology tools that strengthen program operations and align with his academic field. In addition to his
formal roles, Rudy consistently volunteers to support community and youth events, contributing wherever support is needed. As an international graduate student, his deep investment in local community work highlights a strong sense of civic responsibility and service. His integration of direct tutoring, systems-level innovation, and volunteer leadership exemplifies the spirit of this award.
2026
CHANCELLOR’S AWARDS FOR DIVERSITY, INCLUSION, AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Irene Khalel
SCHOOL OF NURSING–CAMDEN
COOPER CIVIC LEADERSHIP
This award recognizes a student who exemplifies outstanding service to the Camden community, with special consideration given to students whose engagement is through a health-related field.
The civic leadership and community health impact from Irene Khalel, a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) student, is advancing health equity in Camden.
As a Rutgers–Camden Public Health AmeriCorps Community Service Member, Irene has contributed to community-based initiatives including health screenings, resource navigation, vaccination education, and school-based nutrition and physical activity programs. Her decision to complete a second AmeriCorps term reflects exceptional dedication and long-term commitment to community wellbeing.
During her second year of service, Irene has expanded her leadership through two key roles. She serves as Rutgers–Camden’s first Rutgers Health
Service Corps ambassador, partnering with Rutgers Health to create sustainable pathways for student engagement in health-focused service. She is also leading the planning and execution of a regional Health Equity Summit, convening university and community stakeholders to center community voices and strengthen cross-sector collaboration. Irene’s work is distinguished by the integration of her clinical background and advanced nursing education with community-based service that prioritizes prevention, access, and trust-building. She views civic engagement as central to her identity as a nurse leader and to creating meaningful, lasting impact in the Camden community.
2026
CHANCELLOR’S AWARDS FOR DIVERSITY, INCLUSION, AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Paul Boyd
CCAS’25
This award recognizes individual alumni or groups of alumni for efforts and projects that benefit communities beyond the Rutgers campus.
Paul Boyd is a Rutgers–Camden alumni who earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Philosophy and was a Rutgers–Camden’s first-ever Truman Scholar. He was a criminal justice advocate and focused on systemic change while being a student and continues to do so as a founder of his organization, Cornerstone Alliance Initiative. His leadership models what it means to graduate from Rutgers–Camden, in that he focuses his work in an organization focused on breaking cycles of incarceration, homelessness, and marginalization. His leadership as
a former student and now as an alumnus is one that commands attention and recognition. He embodies what Rutgers–Camden alumni are all about by putting his education, experience behind passion and purpose with the work he is doing through the Cornerstone Alliance Initiative. This organization is focused on breaking cycles of incarceration, homelessness, and marginalization. Paul’s leadership and service is a model for Rutgers–Camden alumni and students alike.
ALUMNI CIVIC ENGAGEMENT
2026
CHANCELLOR’S AWARDS FOR DIVERSITY, INCLUSION, AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
City of Camden
YOUTH SERVICES DEPARTMENT
COMMUNITY PARTNER CIVIC ENGAGEMENT
This award recognizes a community partner organization that has worked with Rutgers University–Camden to bring benefits to communities beyond the Rutgers campus.
Through a strong partnership between the City of Camden Department of Human Services and Rutgers–Camden, Taylor Ali and the Division of Youth Services have advanced a model of community-informed programming rooted in listening, shared decision-making, and sustained collaboration. Across multiple initiatives, Taylor has worked closely with Rutgers–Camden DICE staff to ensure that university resources are connected to the priorities and lived experiences of Camden youth and families. Through conversations with families, youth participants, and community center staff, she consistently identifies gaps in services and opportunities for improvement. These insights have informed the development of several collaborative initiatives supported through the Community Partnership Centers
(CPC) grant, funded by Congressionally directed funds. One example of this collaboration is the development of enhanced after-school programming that includes both academic support and social-emotional learning opportunities. CPC funding supported the hiring of facilitators who support weekly programming at community centers, offering young people dedicated space to build communication skills and strengthen peer relationships. Taylor also worked with Camden YMCA staff and Rutgers–Camden partners to adapt the YMCA’s “Y-Achievers” curriculum into Camden Achievers, supported by the Rutgers–Camden REACH grant. This initiative blends an evidence-based college and career readiness model with the experiences and aspirations of Camden youth.
2026
CHANCELLOR’S AWARDS FOR DIVERSITY, INCLUSION, AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Debra Holmes
AMERICORPS
COMMUNITY PARTNER CIVIC ENGAGEMENT
This award recognizes a community partner organization that has worked with Rutgers University–Camden to bring benefits to communities beyond the Rutgers campus.
Debra (Debbie) Holmes is a Rutgers–Camden Public Health AmeriCorps member serving through the HealthyWE Corps at Branch Village in the Centerville neighborhood of Camden, serving since Fall of 2023. Her primary role in the HealthyWE Corps is to support Better Tomorrows in delivering a high quality outof-School-time experience for youth living in Branch Village, serving four afternoons per week. Debbie serves alongside nursing students in our Rutgers–Camden Public Health AmeriCorps program and provides
guidance and collaboration for our students as they serve this neighborhood, enabling us to build authentic relationships with the neighbors in Branch Village. Her voice leads us to be more responsive to the community needs and develop programming that is engaging and reciprocal. Beyond her commitments in the Branch Village neighborhood, Debbie also helps manage her church’s regular food pantry services. Debbie is a committed individual who brings a heart of service and absolute joy for life to her engagement with our program.
2026
CHANCELLOR’S AWARDS FOR DIVERSITY, INCLUSION, AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Carla Giaudrone
ASSOCIATE
PROFESSOR, SPANISH, CAMDEN COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES
COMMUNITY ENGAGED SCHOLARSHIP
This award recognizes faculty whose scholarship involves a reciprocal partnership with the community, meaningfully engages community-based knowledge, and/or provides a direct and tangible benefit to the community in which it was performed.
Voces de la Comunidad, created and directed by Carla Giaudrone, is an environmental humanities and community-engaged initiative that connects climate research with the lived experiences of Camden residents. Developed through collaboration among faculty, students, and community partners, the project explores the intersection of environmental justice, public art, and grass root expression of Camden’s Spanish speaking communities. At the heart of VOCES is a commitment to making climate knowledge accessible to the communities most affected by environmental risks. Through bilingual storytelling, zine-making workshops, and public events, students and community members translate complex scientific
research—particularly on extreme heat and urban environmental conditions—into accessible, culturally relevant resources. Zines serve as creative tools that allow participants to express environmental concerns while sharing the cultural knowledge, lived experiences, and creativity of Camden’s Latinx community. At the same time, VOCES provides Rutgers students with meaningful opportunities to engage in collaborative research, public scholarship, and community partnerships. By bringing together environmental science, environmental humanities, and community knowledge, Voces de la Comunidad demonstrates how universities can work alongside communities to advance environmental justice and climate resilience.
CHANCELLOR’S AWARDS FOR DIVERSITY, INCLUSION, AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Supporting Incarcerated Parents and Their Families Research Group
LAURA NAPOLITANO, ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR, DEPARTMENT OF SOCIOLOGY, ANTHROPOLOGY AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE, CAMDEN COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES; THE NATIONAL RESOURCE CENTER ON CHILDREN AND FAMILIES OF THE INCARCERATED; THE CAMDEN COUNTY CORRECTIONAL FACILITY; AND EMERITA
COMMUNITY ENGAGED SCHOLARSHIP
This award recognizes faculty whose scholarship involves a reciprocal partnership with the community, meaningfully engages community-based knowledge, and/or provides a direct and tangible benefit to the community in which it was performed.
The Supporting Incarcerated Parents and their Families project utilized publicly engaged scholarship to rethink the relationships between Rutgers–Camden, the Camden County Correctional Facility (CCCF), and the community of children and families impacted by mass incarceration. The work had five primary goals: 1) Integrate and communicate local knowledge regarding the experiences and needs of families with incarcerated parents at CCCF to jail officials; 2) Improve visiting experiences for children and families with incarcerated parents; 3) Provide resources to strengthen family bonds to incarcerated parents and the caregivers caring for their children both during incarceration and upon release; 4) Create training models for correctional staff to recognize and
understand the dignity of incarcerated parents; and 5) Collect accurate data on the number of jailed parents and the children they parent to develop future programming. In collaboration with community partners, they trained jail staff on best practices to ensure data was collected in a sensitive, trauma-informed manner. They provided valuable resources to community and family members, as well as to incarcerated parents re-entering the community upon their release. They provided toys and decorations for the visiting spaces. Additionally, they worked with two local community groups to conduct focus groups with formerly incarcerated parents and adolescents with parental or other familial incarceration experiences to provide qualitative feedback to jail administrators.
FACULTY JANE SIEGEL
2026
CHANCELLOR’S AWARDS FOR DIVERSITY, INCLUSION, AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Jamille Nagtalon-Ramos
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR, SCHOOL OF NURSING–CAMDEN
This award recognizes individuals whose leadership and sustained action strengthen Rutgers–Camden’s mission and advance meaningful outcomes for students, faculty, staff, and the broader community. This award recognizes those who help cultivate a supportive, respectful, and missiondriven campus environment—one that enables academic excellence, engagement, and opportunity to flourish.
Jamille Nagtalon-Ramos demonstrates an extraordinary commitment to inclusive excellence through communityengaged research, initiatives, and student mentorship that have significantly advanced the visibility, inclusion, and support of Filipino and Filipino American students and communities at Rutgers–Camden and beyond. Central to Jamille’s work is her Pinay Health research, which addresses critical health inequities affecting Filipino communities, an often-overlooked population in public health research and higher education. Grounded in cultural responsiveness and community partnership, this work centers Filipina voices, lived experiences, and community knowledge. Jamille produces scholarship that is academically rigorous and directly beneficial to the communities it serves. Equally impactful is her
dedication to mentoring a pipeline of Filipino American undergraduate and graduate student researchers across all of Rutgers, many of whom are first-generation college students. She has secured funding to support student research dissemination at regional, national, and international conferences. Through this mentorship, students gain research skills, confidence, and a strong sense of belonging, opening numerous career pathways. Beyond the classroom, Jamille has cultivated sustained partnerships with Filipino community organizations locally, nationally, and internationally. She organized the first-ever Filipino American History Month celebration at Rutgers–Camden and developed the first Philippines Learning Abroad program in Rutgers’ 250-year history, expanding inclusive global learning opportunities.
CAMPUS IMPACT LEADERSHIP AWARD
2026
CHANCELLOR’S AWARDS FOR DIVERSITY, INCLUSION, AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Samantha Mae Dela Cruz
UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT, SCHOOL OF NURSING–CAMDEN
This award recognizes individuals whose leadership and sustained action strengthen Rutgers–Camden’s mission and advance meaningful outcomes for students, faculty, staff, and the broader community. This award recognizes those who help cultivate a supportive, respectful, and missiondriven campus environment—one that enables academic excellence, engagement, and opportunity to flourish.
Samantha Dela Cruz exemplifies servant leadership through her unwavering commitment to community engagement at Rutgers University–Camden. She has intentionally built inclusive spaces, amplified underrepresented voices, and launched sustainable initiatives that create lasting connections between the university and the communities it serves. A cornerstone of her impact is her role as Founding President of the Asian Rutgers Collective (ARC), established in Fall 2025 to address the absence of a broad, unifying Asian cultural organization at Rutgers–Camden. ARC promotes cultural celebration, leadership development, and cross-cultural solidarity among Asian students. Samantha institutionalized social responsibility by embedding an annual philanthropic event into ARC’s
constitution, ensuring long-term support for Asianfocused causes. Her commitment to equity extends globally through participation in a Study Abroad program in the Philippines. Samantha has advanced health equity research as a Research Assistant on the Tita Dyad Study under Jamille Nagtalon-Ramos. The study examines cultural barriers affecting sexual and reproductive health conversations among Filipino American women. Her contributions supported national dissemination at the National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women’s Health and Sigma Theta Tau conferences. Additionally, Samantha demonstrated inclusive leadership through FLIPS (Filipino League of Innovative Pinoy Students) and Sigma Delta Tau Sorority, coordinating inclusive programming and large-scale service initiatives.
CAMPUS IMPACT LEADERSHIP AWARD
2026
CHANCELLOR’S AWARDS FOR DIVERSITY, INCLUSION, AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Jamie Cattell
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR, E3-STEM
This award recognizes individuals whose leadership and sustained action strengthen Rutgers–Camden’s mission and advance meaningful outcomes for students, faculty, staff, and the broader community. This award recognizes those who help cultivate a supportive, respectful, and missiondriven campus environment—one that enables academic excellence, engagement, and opportunity to flourish.
Jamie Cattell serves as the Assistant Director for the Institute for Empowering Equitable Education in STEM (E3-STEM) and has demonstrated exemplary dedication and devotion to providing equitable access to STEM education for students on the Rutgers–Camden campus and in the local community as well. Through her work, Jamie serves in multiple capacities, working to create and provide resources for current students to while also working with faculty, staff, and administration to transform academic spaces so that they are responsive to the diverse needs of Rutgers–Camden’s student body.
Thanks to her contributions, the E3-STEM Institute has secured numerous grants (over $800,000 in new funds) – from funders such as the Rutgers Equity Alliance for Community Health, the Henry Luce Foundation, and the Glenn W. Bailey Foundation – expanding the reach of the work of the E3-STEM Institute as well as the resources that the Institute is able to provide to its students. The programs provided by the Institute have proven to produce high-impact outcomes, supporting student learning and career readiness, all while contributing to Rutgers’ commitment to inclusive education.
CAMPUS IMPACT LEADERSHIP AWARD
2026
CHANCELLOR’S AWARDS FOR DIVERSITY, INCLUSION, AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Clinton McNair
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR, PUBLIC POLICY AND ADMINISTRATION, CAMDEN COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES
FACULTY AWARD FOR RESEARCH WITH SOCIETAL IMPACT
This award recognizes faculty whose research addresses pressing societal challenges and contributes to understanding across diverse populations and contexts, advancing knowledge and solutions that benefit society.
Clinton McNair is an assistant professor in the Department of Public Policy and Administration at Rutgers University–Camden. He received his Ph.D. from the political science department at the University of Oklahoma. His research areas include public administration and public policy, with a focus on social equity, nonprofits, race, emergency management, and local government. His research analyzes public perceptions of social equity and the influence of
representation. He is building his research portfolio to discuss ways to improve equity and preparedness in the aftermath of a disaster. Additionally, he researches how local governments and nonprofits collaborate to improve living conditions in impoverished communities across America. His practical experience working in the nonprofit sector established the foundation for his current work and research.
2026
CHANCELLOR’S AWARDS FOR DIVERSITY, INCLUSION, AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Tamara Nelson Calhoun
ASSISTANT
PROFESSOR, PSYCHOLOGY, CAMDEN COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES
FACULTY AWARD FOR RESEARCH WITH SOCIETAL IMPACT
This award recognizes faculty whose research addresses pressing societal challenges and contributes to understanding across diverse populations and contexts, advancing knowledge and solutions that benefit society.
Tamara Nelson has authored more than 25 peer-reviewed publications examining how contextual and cultural factors shape mental health and treatment-seeking among racial and ethnic groups, with a focus on African American/Black women. Integrating public health and clinical psychology, her work investigates how structural inequities and gendered racial stressors contribute to psychological distress while identifying culturally grounded pathways to resilience. She served as a coinvestigator on a South Jersey Institute for Population Health–funded community-integrated care framework for perinatal prevention and partnered with communitybased doulas in South Jersey and Philadelphia to assess the feasibility of screening for perinatal mental health disorders. Findings from this work, published in the
American Journal of Community Psychology, contributed actionable knowledge to strengthen maternal mental health systems. Through her Resilience, Equity, and Community Mental Health Research Lab, Tamara has mentored more than 25 students, many of whom are firstgeneration, co-authoring publications and presenting at national conferences. Several mentees have received competitive awards and fellowships, and her two most recent graduate students will enter fully funded Ph.D. programs at the University of Michigan and Howard University this fall. Her scholarship, mentorship, and community partnerships advance equitable mental health and perinatal mental health care while training the next generation of socially engaged scholars.
2026
CHANCELLOR’S AWARDS FOR DIVERSITY, INCLUSION, AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Youwen Zhang
ASSISTANT
PROFESSOR, CHEMISTRY, CAMDEN COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES
FACULTY
AWARD FOR RESEARCH WITH SOCIETAL IMPACT
This award recognizes faculty whose research addresses pressing societal challenges and contributes to understanding across diverse populations and contexts, advancing knowledge and solutions that benefit society.
Youwen Zhang is recognized for establishing a transformative framework that integrates scientific rigor with inclusive pedagogy. Guided by a strong commitment to educational equity, Youwen developed the “Education without Discrimination and Differentiated Instruction” initiative. This program incorporates virtualization models and culturally relevant examples to make complex chemical principles more accessible to students from diverse academic backgrounds. In addition to curricular innovation, including the strategic redesign of Biochemistry course pathways, Youwen has cultivated
a research and mentoring environment defined by inclusion and opportunity. As an active contributor to Empowering Equitable Education in STEM, the Zhang laboratory serves as a vital training ground for emerging scholars. The research group includes a diverse cohort of women, African American students, and international trainees. Through dedicated mentorship of graduate students and the creation of shadowing opportunities for undergraduates, Youwen is fostering the development of the next generation of scientific leaders.
2026
CHANCELLOR’S AWARDS FOR DIVERSITY, INCLUSION, AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Briana Fleming
EVENTS AND PROGRAM MANAGER, EVENTS OFFICE
SPIRIT OF CIVIC ENGAGEMENT
This award recognizes individuals and/or teams who embody Rutgers University–Camden’s core commitment to civic engagement in the ways that they interact with the campus and external communities.
Briana Fleming exemplifies the true spirit of civic engagement through her unwavering support of the Division of Diversity, Inclusion, and Community Engagement at Rutgers University–Camden. As Events and Program Manager, Briana plays a vital role in ensuring that DICE’s mission-driven programming— from large-scale initiatives like summer programs, College Signing Day, and the DICE Awards, to smaller but equally meaningful gatherings—runs seamlessly and with intention. She is a strategic partner known for her responsiveness, deep knowledge of campus processes, and ability to solve complex challenges with calm and care. By expertly managing logistics and
building strong connections across campus, Briana allows DICE and its partners to focus on advancing equity, fostering belonging, and serving the Rutgers–Camden community. Briana has even gone above and beyond her staff role to support student learning and transformational community engagement by leveraging her professional expertise to facilitate the XLR8: Project Management program for 11 student project teams who are implementing grant-funded campus and community engagement initiatives. Her professionalism, generosity, and collaborative spirit make her an invaluable contributor to the university’s civic mission.
2026
CHANCELLOR’S AWARDS FOR DIVERSITY, INCLUSION, AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Antonio D. Tillis
CHANCELLOR OF RUTGERS UNIVERSITY–CAMDEN
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
This award recognizes individuals and/or teams who embody Rutgers University–Camden’s core commitment to civic engagement in the ways that they interact with the campus and external communities.
Chancellor Antonio D. Tillis receives the DICE Lifetime Achievement Award, recognizing his extraordinary commitment to advancing civic and community engagement at Rutgers University–Camden. Since his arrival in 2021, Chancellor Tillis has boldly positioned Rutgers–Camden as both a premiere academic institution and an anchor partner in the city’s growth, vitality, and opportunity. His leadership has been defined by an unwavering belief that higher education must serve as a catalyst for social mobility, economic development, and community empowerment. Under his guidance, Rutgers–Camden has expanded its civic footprint in Camden. He has championed initiatives that bring Rutgers directly into Camden neighborhoods— from community partnership centers supporting workforce development, health, and education, to strengthened collaborations with the Camden City School District that create clear pathways for local students to access higher education. These efforts reflect a deep understanding that institutional success is inextricably linked to the wellbeing of the surrounding community. Chancellor Tillis has advanced large-scale strategic programs that elevate both
the university and the city. Through initiatives like the “15 in 5” strategic framework and the university’s 2023–2028 Strategic Plan, he has prioritized inclusive excellence, research innovation, and community engagement as core pillars of progress. For Chancellor Tillis, this work is deeply personal. As a first-generation college student himself, he has consistently advocated for access, equity, and belonging—ensuring that all students at Rutgers–Camden see themselves reflected in pathways to success. His leadership has secured millions of dollars in external funding to support civic and community engagement and student academic success, to further ensure that every student who attends Rutgers–Camden can advance, thrive, and be an agent of positive change. Throughout his distinguished career, Chancellor Tillis has exemplified the very spirit of civic engagement that this award honors— bridging scholarship and service, institutional leadership, and community impact. As he prepares to conclude his tenure as chancellor, his legacy in Camden is both enduring and profound: a strengthened university, a more connected community, and a shared vision for a more equitable future.
