RUTGERS UNIVERSITY–CAMDEN
MESSAGE FROM THE CHANCELLOR
PIANO TO PODIUM
LEGACY IN CAMDEN
RUTGERS–CAMDEN ALUMNUS PRESERVES RICH HISTORY OF CAMPBELL’S
INAUGURAL SCHWARZMAN SCHOLAR RISES BEYOND BORDERS
TRANSFORMING YOUNG LIVES THROUGH ENTREPRENEURSHIP
SUCCESS IN CAMDEN
INTERNS GET POINTS IN THE PAINT WITH PHILADELPHIA 76ERS
CHALLENGES INSPIRES GRADUATE’S PURSUIT OF PUBLIC SERVICE
EXPERTISE IN CAMDEN
RESEARCH HONORING
ALUMNA SUPPORTS MENTAL HEALTH OF FRONTLINE WORKERS
COMMUNITY IN CAMDEN
CIVIC ENGAGEMENT PROGRAMS RECEIVE $2.5 MILLION FROM THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY
CELEBRATING CULTURAL EXCHANGE
RAPTOR RALLY 2025
RUTGERS–CAMDEN IMPROVES STANDING IN 2024–25 NATIONAL RANKINGS
FRONT COVER: Students from Rutgers University–Camden's theater program perform in the fall production of The Rocky Horror Show. Image by Kamile Kuntz.
A Message from the Chancellor
Dear Members and Friends of the Rutgers University-Camden Community:
This year, Rutgers–Camden proudly launched Year of the Arts, a yearlong celebration of creativity and artistic expression. This initiative showcases the transformative power of visual and performing arts through a diverse slate of programming that features local talent and internationally touring acts. Through music, theatre, visual art, literature, and more, Year of the Arts aims to entertain, inspire, and demonstrate the incredible unifying power of the arts.
Year of the Arts has already garnered significant support, including grants that will further enrich our community. Academically, Rutgers–Camden is integrating the arts across disciplines, offering courses that bridge science and art, explore urban life through environmental psychology, and delve into the intersection of history, gender, and race. These initiatives not only enhance our students' educational experiences but also contribute to the cultural vitality of the Camden community.
I invite you to explore the remarkable narratives that showcase the spirit and impact of our community in the arts and throughout our campus community.
About This Issue
The Rutgers University–Camden Magazine is published by the Office of Marketing and Communications.
Chancellor
Antonio D. Tillis, Ph.D.
Vice Chancellor, Marketing & Communications
Sherrie Madia, Ph.D.
Editor
Dustin Petzold
Writers
Caroline Brobeil
Christina Lynn
Dustin Petzold
Eileen Reinhard
Creative Director
Douglas Shelton
Design & Layout
Karaamat Abdullah
Photography & Videography
Ronald Downes Jr.
Christina Lynn
Warm
Regards ,
Antonio D. Tillis, Ph.D. Chancellor
Website Address camden.rutgers.edu
Magazine Archive camden.rutgers.edu/magazine-archive
Send Feedback ruc.news@camden.rutgers.edu
Copyright © 2025 by Rutgers University–Camden
RUTGERS–CAMDEN CELEBRATES
Year of the Arts
Year of the Arts
THE INITIATIVE IS BRINGING WORLD-CLASS CREATIVE VOICES TO CAMPUS WHILE SPOTLIGHTING AND CULTIVATING HOMEGROWN TALENT
BY DUSTIN PETZOLD
The Rutgers University–Camden community is experiencing the transformative impact of creativity like never before in 2025 through Chancellor Antonio D. Tillis’s Year of the Arts. This celebration brings together internationally renowned artists, local talent, and the Camden community to showcase how music, theater, visual art, literature, and more can entertain, inspire, and unite.
Year of the Arts reinforces Rutgers–Camden’s position as an anchor for cultural growth and community engagement in South Jersey and throughout the Delaware Valley.
“This celebration will shine a light on the dynamic culture that enriches our campus while demonstrating the transformative power of the arts. ”
CHANCELLOR ANTONIO D. TILLIS
“This celebration will shine a light on the dynamic culture that enriches our campus while demonstrating the transformative power of the arts,”
Chancellor Antonio D. Tillis said. “Studies show that college students who are highly engaged in the arts are twice as likely to graduate as their peers with no arts education.”
The scope of Year of the Arts goes beyond performance and exhibition; it underscores the university’s mission to foster creativity, accessibility, and inclusivity through creative expression.
The schedule of events—which includes performances, readings, and art exhibitions both on campus and throughout the region—reflects Camden’s multicultural identity, ensuring the celebration resonates with those from all walks of life. By partnering with local organizations and showcasing diverse perspectives, the university is emphasizing the role of the arts in building community and fostering dialogue.
From February 28 to March 2, the campus will host Festival Mahogany, the first Year of the Arts headline event, featuring virtuosic classical music performances led by award-winning conductor Marlon Daniel.
Other events include the Midnight Notes late-night literary series, art exhibitions marking the 50th anniversary of the university’s Stedman Gallery, and the Mallery Concert Series, a mainstay of the Department of Visual, Media, and Performing Arts (VMPA) since 2008.
Ranky Tanky, a two-time Grammy-winning jazz ensemble rooted in the sounds and traditions of South Carolina’s Gullah region, will bring its lush vocal harmonies and expert musicianship to the historic Scottish Rite Auditorium in Collingswood, NJ. The show—much like the band itself— promises a blending of cultures and a collision of the new and familiar. Year of the Arts programming aims to introduce the Rutgers–Camden community to new styles and ideas while relying on the transcendent, universal power of artistic expression to bring diverse audiences together.
“The importance of Year of the Arts as a means of bringing cultural enrichment to our beloved Camden community cannot be overstated,” Chancellor Tillis said. “The celebration is highlighting the depth and breadth of artists who practice their craft in our community and speak to the diverse tastes of our multicultural city. It is a blessing to be experiencing the incredibly unifying power of the arts right here at Rutgers–Camden.”
For More Information, visit: camden.rutgers.edu/arts-2025
Piano to Podium:
The Upward Movement of Conductor Marlon Daniel
Daniel’s Festival
Mahogany will showcase the works of Black composers and musicians at Rutgers–Camden.
BY EILEEN REINHARD
From being recognized as a piano prodigy
at age seven to leading world-class orchestras and heading international classical music festivals, Marlon Daniel, a musician, composer, and conductor, is justifiably admired for his many talents. However, Daniel, an educator and mentor to upcoming musicians and conductors, takes pride in safeguarding that people of color can flourish in the elite world of classical music.
Daniel and Rutgers University–Camden are joining forces to host Festival Mahogany, held on campus from February 28 to March 2. Daniel will lead the Camden-based Symphony in C orchestra in two concerts spotlighting the works of Black composers. Additionally, at a symposium and chamber concert titled “Shattering the Glass Ceiling,” Chancellor Antonio D. Tillis will lead a panel discussion exploring the state of art and culture in the 21st century.
Daniel, a native of the West Side of Chicago, rose to prominence as a pianist and conductor after graduating from the Manhattan School of Music. The glass ceilings he hit over and over could not prevent his talent from shining through as he worked to achieve success.
“No Black conductors are leading any of the top ten American orchestras,” Daniel said. “That includes the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and the Los Angeles Philharmonic. Worldwide, there are few conductors of color leading the great orchestras. It is my goal to see that change. Would I love to be the first Black American top ten orchestra leader? Absolutely. But my mission is greater than individual achievement.”
Systemic racism has been long prevalent in the world of classical music, according to Daniel. He does not shy away from saying that while Black women have achieved success as opera singers, it seems the sight of a Black man leading a mostly white orchestra remains discomforting to classical music audiences.
Daniel has become a champion of the works of composers of African and African American descent, hoping to educate today’s audiences about the history of classical musicians and conductors of color. He has become particularly immersed in the history and influence of the 18th-century musician, composer, and conductor Chevalier de Saint-Georges. Daniel was the first conductor in over 230 years to lead a performance of SaintGeorges’ long-lost opera, “L’Amant Anonyme.”
Saint-Georges was born in French-governed Guadeloupe in 1745 to a white nobleman father and a Black mother. He moved to France to study music and became a conductor of the Paris Opera. Saint-Georges was the first classical composer of African descent to attain widespread acclaim in European music. U.S. President John Adams called Saint-Georges “the most accomplished man in Europe.”
“The wildest thing is that Saint-Georges was a notable influence on Mozart and other composers, yet that is not celebrated today,” said Daniel, who founded the Saint-Georges International Music Festival to address this oversight. “The importance of musicians, composers, and conductors of color appears to have been written out of the history books.”
Daniel believes that greater access to opportunities for orchestra musicians is needed today to increase the number and visibility of persons of color in classical music.
“We are here in classical music. We are here, and we will always be here. Now we need recognition.”
MARLON DANIEL
“We are here in classical music,” emphasized Daniel. “We are here, and we will always be here. Now we need recognition.” Daniel praises organizations that are addressing this imbalance. “There are increasingly more ways for young people to be introduced to, and mentored in, classical music.”
As for his earliest mentor, Daniel cites his grandmother as his greatest influence. When he was a child, Daniel would watch with her on television Live at Lincoln Center. The show featured the New York Philharmonic Orchestra under its then-leader, conductor Leonard Bernstein, who often held special programs for children to expose them to classical music. Daniel said of his much-loved grandmother, “She watched Live at Lincoln Center, so I watched it,” he said. “I loved what I was seeing!”
When asked for a career highlight, Daniel said that following a symposium on classical music, which he led for about 400 school children, a girl of color from the audience walked up to him and said, “Now I know I can do anything.” A visibly moved Daniel recalled of this moment, “For me, that was a powerful validation. What that girl said proved I am doing the work I am meant to do.”
February 28 – March 2, 2025
Rutgers–Camden Alumnus Preserves Rich History of Campbell’s
Scott Hearn CCAS’15 GSC’17 keeps watch over 150 years of food Americana
BY CHRISTINA LYNN
On the lower level of the recognizably red Campbell’s corporate headquarters, Rutgers–Camden History alumnus Scott Hearn’s office is not a cubicle so much as a vintage treasure trove. As the company’s corporate archivist, Hearn stewards a collection of more than 10,000 artifacts. In addition to the signature soups of Campbell’s, the collection includes items from brands like Pepperidge Farm, Prego, Swanson, and other pantry staples that line millions of shelves across America and beyond.
“People always asked me what I could do with a history degree,” Hearn said. “There's a world of stuff you can do with a history degree. You don't have to be a professor. You could be a corporate archivist. You could fall into a role that you never even knew existed.”
Originally from Burlington County, Hearn began his undergraduate journey directly out of high school but soon felt not quite ready for college life; he took a break and took to the road. After a few years and many more miles on his odometer, he went back to community college and was later accepted at Rutgers University–Camden, where his academic and professional aspirations quickly started to fall into place.
“History was one of the only things I ever found engaging in school,” Hearn said. “Rutgers has a great name, but the key was that they had a good history department. It was close to home, and I knew I could get a good education there.”
"People always asked me what I could do with a history degree. There's a world of stuff you can do with a history degree. You don't have to be a professor. You could be a corporate archivist. You could fall into a role that you never even knew existed.”
SCOTT HEARN
Rutgers–Camden’s dual-degree program also appealed to Hearn, who was eager to complete his undergraduate and graduate degrees successively.
“Being an older student, I knew that if I didn’t start my master’s right away, I was never going to do it,” he said. “So I started taking graduate courses while finishing my bachelor's degree.”
One of Hearn’s classes was taught by Professor of History Charlene Mires, then-director of the Mid-Atlantic Regional Center for the Humanities (MARCH), an interdisciplinary historical research hub at Rutgers–Camden. Mires connected her student with the Encyclopedia of Greater Philadelphia, a civic project through MARCH with the goal to amass the most comprehensive digital-first reference guide for the greater Philadelphia region.
Under Mires’s direction, Hearn managed the Encyclopedia’s social media presence and began to connect news events with the collection’s historical essays. The knowledge he gained through the project, along with an archival role with the City of Philadelphia, led Hearn to a role telling the stories of the Camden-based Campbell’s, where he has served for more than six years.
Hearn is the company’s preservationist and as well as its anecdotalist on the details behind the artifacts. Within Campbell’s, Hearn shares company lore in talks to new staff, visitors, employees, and guests at events like Family Days. He curates colorful building displays filled with vintage brand packaging and art from the organization’s vast collection, which spans corporate records, advertising, cookbooks, and licensed products.
Hearn continuously seeks to add to the records, keep Campbell’s history safe, and collect new items to build out the collection.
“We have a lot of great stuff, but there are items missing,” Hearn said. “My job is to fill in those gaps and create a fuller history that is not just businessor brand-based, but also employee-based, because those are interesting stories that we don’t want to be left out.”
One such story was that of retired employee Daisy Lee Riley, a Camden native who, in 1943, became one of the first Black women to work for the company. Hearn and his colleagues invited Riley back to Campbell’s for her 100th birthday celebration last fall, shortly before her death in December.
Hearn also shared that the iconic Campbell’s green bean casserole has South Jersey roots, as it was developed in 1955 by an employee named Dorcas Reilly. On the internet alone, the company’s recipe is viewed an estimated four million times each Thanksgiving season.
The sheer scale of managing the organization’s historical product repository can be daunting for Hearn, who has found professional camaraderie online with fellow corporate archivists from companies such as McDonald’s and Pokémon USA. That challenge is eased by the satisfaction he finds in responding to a historical query, answering a consumer question, or locating a long-lost recipe based on just two ingredients.
Hearn is also proud to represent his company’s longstanding ties to the area. “What I appreciate the most is that the business is 155 years old, founded in 1869 in Camden, New Jersey. And where are we right now? We're still in Camden, New Jersey,” he said. “It's wild to think that a company founded in Camden in 1869 is still going strong and growing consistently.”
It isn’t lost on Hearn that less than a mile away, his education at Rutgers–Camden now helps him oversee the vast archives of one of the nation’s most storied food brands.
“Studying history is a skill; you have to be trained,” Hearn said. “If you study history, you'll learn that it’s much more expansive and much grayer than you do in high school. It’s great to know the date something happened, but what caused it? That's the key. And Rutgers–Camden has one of the best history programs around for this. Students come out well prepared for whatever they want to do.”
Rutgers–Camden’s Inaugural Schwarzman Scholar Rises Beyond Borders
Alumna’s jam-packed journey of scholarship and activism will lead her to China to pursue a master’s degree
BY DUSTIN PETZOLD AND CHRISTINA LYNN
Alumna Tania Martinez has been named a Schwarzman Scholar, the first person from Rutgers University–Camden to earn the prestigious honor. Schwarzman Scholars is considered one of the most selective graduate programs in the world.
Image courtesy of Schwarzman Scholars
MARTINEZ has been chosen as one of approximately 200 students nationwide who will travel to Tsinghua University in Beijing to complete a one-year, fully funded master’s program in global affairs. She is one of three scholars selected this year from across the university.
“I feel very lucky and very humbled to have been chosen,” said Martinez, a 2022 RutgersCamden graduate. “I’m proud to be part of a cohort that is dedicated to the public good, and I‘m also excited to learn from peers and through firsthand experiences in China.”
Martinez’s story begins in an unlikely place for a Rutgers University–Camden student: Arkansas, where, born to a Guatemalan mother and Mexican father, she was part of a small but vibrant Latino community. As she grew older, the promise of a future in New York and New Jersey beckoned. Martinez craved a life where she could be surrounded by diversity and work to help others through a career in immigration policy.
Just three years removed from earning her bachelor’s degree at Rutgers–Camden—where she was a triple major in political science, philosophy, and global studies—Martinez has already realized her dream of working as an advocate in one of the nation’s most dynamic hubs for immigrant life. Currently serving as assistant director of the intergovernmental affairs team for the Department of Small Business Services in New York City, she will travel to Beijing in August to begin her studies.
“One of my biggest motivators in pursuing this opportunity was the values of the Schwarzman program,” Martinez said. Since 2015, the program has sought to create global leaders for the 21st century, giving them hands-on experience in China to work toward a more peaceful and prosperous future for all. “The idea of global connection really resonates with me, especially as it relates to China. It’s critical to be more interconnected and understanding of one another—not just between different cultures, but also different fields.”
“I’m proud to be part of a cohort that is dedicated to the public good, and I‘m also excited to learn from peers and through firsthand experiences in China. ”
TANIA MARTINEZ CCAS'22
Martinez’s time at Rutgers–Camden laid the groundwork for her future accomplishments. Her ambition extended beyond academics; she was an active member of College Democrats and Project 555, which reached 555 of New Jersey’s high schools in its efforts to encourage youth voter participation. She even started a podcast, Voices of Immigration, that caught the attention of Rutgers President Jonathan Holloway, who dubbed her “the busiest person in Camden.” Martinez said Rutgers–Camden was the ideal setting in which to accomplish her academic and extracurricular goals.
“The level of community engagement with South Jersey and Philadelphia was something I found unique about Rutgers–Camden,” Martinez said. “I feel lucky that I ended up here, because I grew a lot. The faculty and my peers were all invested in each other, and, a lot of people had similar lived experiences to me. I was inspired by everyone I went to school with.”
Toward the end of her undergraduate career, under the mentorship of Laura Collins, Director of the Office of Scholar Development and Fellowship Advising, Martinez applied to and was chosen for the Urban Fellows program in New York City, an opportunity that led to her current role. She has stayed in touch with Collins after graduating, and the two would discuss other potential scholarships and fellowships. Both recognized Schwarzman as a great fit.
“I’m fortunate to have known Tania throughout her undergraduate years and to have witnessed her impact,” Collins said. “She has always demonstrated a clear vision of how she wants to effect change. It’s evident that she is a thoughtful leader who will contribute to and benefit from the Schwarzman community.”
While China is uncharted territory for Martinez, she is looking forward to her year in Beijing.
“I’ll miss my family and friends and New York City, but even though I’m nervous, I’m excited as well,” Martinez said. “I love exploring different cities to see how they are designed and how they operate. I’m also interested in Chinese migration policy and how it can inform our policies here in the United States.”
As she prepares for the next phase of her academic life, Martinez is encouraging her fellow Rutgers–Camden Scarlet Raptors and other Latino scholars to boldly pursue their passions.
“I used to be afraid to ask for support, but I’ve been empowered by my community to be here,” Martinez said. “I know more of us can overcome our fears and lean on our community to lift each other up and discover new opportunities.”
Rutgers–Camden students and alumni are encouraged to connect with the Office of Scholar Development and Fellowship Advising to consider awards and opportunities that may help them achieve their goals. Learn more at: https://camden.rutgers.edu/osdfa
EXPERTISE IN CAMDEN
Research Honoring Alumna Supports Mental Health of Frontline Workers
Rutgers–Camden nursing professor aims to better support and strengthen the nursing workforce
BY EILEEN REINHARD
The sudden and unexpected death of a young person by suicide creates a bleak landscape where it can feel impossible to make sense of the senseless. The April 2022 death of Hillary F. Herskowitz, 25, an alumna of Rutgers University School of Nursing, remains difficult to understand for her family, friends, and colleagues. However, her passing is helping inspire research into potentially life-saving educational and organizational changes that may ensure increased self-care support is available for
health professionals.
According to Assistant Professor of Nursing Catherine Stubin, who has a Ph.D. in nursing science, cases of burnout—caused by cumulative workplace stress—surged among health care professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic. She said contributing factors include excessive workloads, administrative paperwork burdens that eat into patient-care time, limited control over scheduling, and a deficit in readily available psychological support. Stubin said while there have always been social, cultural, and organizational factors contributing to burnout in the health care industry, these factors were heightened during the pandemic.
The recipient of a $5,000 faculty fellowship from the Senator Walter Rand Institute for Public Affairs (WRI), a research center based at Rutgers–Camden, Stubin is using the funds to gather insights into burnout and the prevention of burnout-related physical and mental illnesses.
The research is under the umbrella of the Hillary Project, an initiative named in Herskowitz’s honor. This inaugural study is set to be the beginning of ongoing initiatives regarding burnout that will bolster existing services, curricula, and new programs at the Rutgers–Camden School of Nursing.
“I have been a registered nurse for 40 years and a nurse educator for 25 years,” Stubin said. “I have seen firsthand what happens when nurses do not take care of themselves. The opportunity to work on the Hillary Project also spoke to me personally. A college-age loved one survived a suicide attempt after struggling with mental health issues. This is an opportunity to find out from our students, alumni, leadership, and practice partners how our School of Nursing is addressing selfcare, resilience, and the potential for burnout in the workplace.”
WRI conducts policy and practice-relevant research on social and community issues, such as public health, workforce development, food security, and much more. WRI also provides support to a variety of faculty and centers across Rutgers–Camden to conduct South Jerseyfocused research.
“I am pleased we are supporting this vital research,” said WRI Director Mavis Asiedu-Frimpong. “Through this fellowship and Dr. Stubin’s research, we ignite a partnership between WRI and the School of
Nursing to support our students in managing stress and burnout. We also positively impact the health care received by the people of South Jersey, because many of our nursing school alumni stay in our region as clinicians.”
The School of Nursing has become a leader in exploring the consequences of burnout. “It is a privilege to participate in the Hillary Project,” said Rutgers–Camden School of Nursing Dean Donna Nickitas. “The Hillary Project is a way to re-ignite health, resilience, and well-being, providing much-needed support to the nursing and health care workforce. I am proud to honor Hillary’s memory and that of all nurses who lost their lives or experienced depression, burnout, or trauma from COVID-19.”
Stubin added that the nursing school has been layering self-care into its curriculum for some time. One example is the “Wellness Wheel,” a visual tool that prompts introspection into emotional, social, financial, physical, intellectual, and other factors. Working with the wheel can help students with goal setting and with adopting self-care and resilience strategies.
The research Stubin is undertaking through the WRI fellowship will provide both quantitative and qualitative analysis of the effects of burnout and recommendations on how to address it in the workplace.
“The psychological well-being of students is paramount,” Stubin said. “It directly affects their educational progress and impacts their transition into the nursing profession.”
Hillary F. Herskowitz
Catherine Stubin, assistant professor of nursing
“The psychological well-being of students is paramount. It directly affects their educational progress and impacts their transition into the nursing profession."
CATHERINE STUBIN
Jane Massey Licata, a WRI advisory board member and teaching professor at Rutgers Law School in Camden, is the founder of the Hillary Project and a contributor of a $5,000 matching grant for Stubin’s research. Licata personally knew Herskowitz, who was a family friend for many years.
“I have been teaching undergraduate, graduate, and law students for more than 20 years, but during the pandemic, I saw that students’ education and careers would be forever impacted by this disruption to their lives,” Licata said.
Licata recalled that Herskowitz had been working as a staff nurse at the University of Pennsylvania and then briefly at Planned Parenthood when the effects of burnout seemed to change her outlook on life.
“Hillary did not die of COVID-19, but it was as if she gave up on life itself amid so much loss and death,” Licata said.
Licata noted that the change in Hillary’s usually positive outlook was unexpected.
“I knew Hillary as she grew into a kind and compassionate nurse who wanted to help others,” Licata said. “My expectation now is that the Hillary Project will offer a gateway of hope and help for health workers.”
If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, dial 988 or text TALK to 741741. Mental health resources are available to Rutgers–Camden students via the Student Wellness Center: https://wellnesscenter.camden.rutgers.edu
Teaching With Heart
BY CHRISTINA LYNN
Lecturer inspires mathematical minds nearly 60 years after
his
graduation from Rutgers–Camden
Paul Moré Jr. CCAS’65 teaches mathematics courses on the campus where he studied more than 60 years ago. Selected as one of two honorees this year for the Chancellor’s Award for Teaching Excellence for Lecturer Faculty, the Rutgers–Camden alumnus views his role as a privilege.
“At this stage of my life, I realize the gift I have for motivating, encouraging, and helping young people,” Moré said. “I feel really fortunate to be in an environment where I can use those gifts, and the best thing about the job is how appreciative the students are.”
Moré’s own journey began when he was a self-described independent spirit, the 11th of 13 children, many of his possessions handme-downs from older brothers. Finances were tight. His gateway to higher education came from an NJ State Scholarship, which, at $1,600, paid his full tuition to Rutgers in the fall of 1961.
Financial hardship prevented Moré from studying engineering and living at the New Brunswick campus, so he changed majors and schools, studying mathematics at Rutgers–Camden. There, he thrived as a student-athlete on the men's basketball team and as president of the Lambda Sigma Chi fraternity.
Moré’s Rutgers–Camden degree would help propel a full-time career that included decades spent working for the United States Army and, later, the Department of Defense, as a civilian employee. While with the Army, he completed a lifelong goal to become an engineer, earning a master’s degree from Penn State University. In his time with the military, he tested pilot ejection systems on aircrafts and worked on glideslope indicators, which help planes land.
When Moré retired, he thought back to something his former colleagues had expressed: “People always told me I had a
knack for explaining things clearly and could have been a teacher,’” he said. Indeed, he had taught elementary math classes as a graduate assistant while studying for his master’s degree.
The stars aligned back at Moré’s alma mater, where he joined the Rutgers–Camden Department of Mathematics to teach calculus and precalculus courses, predominantly for business and economics majors.
Despite having taught for more than 20 years, Moré said his teaching approach has continuously evolved to reach the most students, especially those who find math courses difficult.
“Some students come in and can almost teach the class, while others struggle,” Moré said. “So, you feel that out the first couple of weeks. And then you try to reach a happy medium so that you're connecting with everybody.” Many of his civilian work experiences also make their way into math lectures: “Students find these reallife examples refreshing and can see the connection from the classroom to their possible working environments,” he said.
One of the joys of Moré’s tenure at Rutgers–Camden has been reading the feedback from former students on their time in his class. “Sometimes when I read the students’ evaluations, I am brought to tears,” he said. “They are so kind and appreciative; the things they say help me know I'm doing what I'm supposed to be doing.”
Driven by a set of guiding principles, Moré shows no signs of “retiring” from teaching.
“I love being in the classroom,” Moré said. “At my age, I think my students expect some wisdom or knowledge. My goal is to try to meet their expectations. It seems like I usually do.”
Moré Jr. during his time on the Men's varsity basketball team
Transforming Young Lives through Entrepreneurship
Rutgers–Camden program inspires high-school and undergraduate students to innovate in business and beyond.
BY CAROLINE BROBEIL
For Oscar Holmes IV, associate dean of undergraduate programs and an associate professor of management at Rutgers School of Business–Camden, his appreciation for how distinct experiences at a young age can set a person's life on the right track comes from his lived experience.
“As a first-generation student who grew up poor but in a nurturing rural area in Virginia, I have direct knowledge of how important it is to provide opportunities as early as possible to students and how much they can transform someone's life,” said Holmes. “I am a direct beneficiary of family members, educators, and community members who provided opportunities for me and feel it is my duty to pay it forward."
One way Holmes pays it forward is by leading the Rutgers University Student Executive (RUSE) program, which he has been doing since its inception in 2017. The nine-week co-curricular program, open to Rutgers–Camden undergraduates and regional high school students, covers basic business concepts and welcomes guest speakers to share their experiences and insights with the participants.
HOLMES
The students also collaborate in teams to prepare for and participate in an end-of-program business pitch competition, with cash prizes and bragging rights awarded to the winners. While the cash prize is appreciated, the students find the knowledge and experience they gain from the program most valuable.
“I was really excited to meet new people and network with the students and the guest speakers," said Maurquay Moody, a senior at Camden Prep High School who participated in the Spring 2024 RUSE session. He emphasized that connecting with new people expanded his worldview, which was important to him as he makes decisions about college and beyond.
For Kaylah Waite, a junior at Camden County Technical High School–Gloucester Township Campus who is participating in RUSE for a second time, the program has served to fortify her dreams and help her map out how to make them happen.
“I enjoyed the guest speakers who shared their experience being entrepreneurs because I also want to be an entrepreneur and open my own business, and hearing from them truly inspired me," she said.
One alumna of the program, Bria Terrell, has done what Waite hopes to do. Terrell was part of the initial group of students who participated in the program as a high school student in 2017, its inaugural year, and again in 2018. At that time, she was already making cakes and other sweets for sale to family and friends in her local community.
With the knowledge she gained from her time with RUSE and a fundamental drive to develop her business, she has gone on to build Bite Sized Blessings, LLC, hosting pop-up shops in Philadelphia-area ShopRite supermarkets and expanding her sales overall. Her success was recognized in the fall 2022 edition of Black Innovators Magazine.
"The RUSE program helped me understand that there are people who want to help if you are driven and passionate about your vision," said Terrell. "That's important because you cannot do everything by yourself; to be successful, you must learn to delegate, ask for help, and trust others."
Terrell, who is currently enrolled in college studying chemical engineering while running her business, credits mentors like Holmes and others she met from her time with RUSE—people she may not have otherwise connected with in her life—with helping to shape and support her vision even as she faced challenges and setbacks. For Holmes, that is exactly the point.
“There is a proverb that states prepare the child for the path, not the path for the child,” said Holmes. “Though I believe we should prepare people for the path, I think it is also incumbent upon us to do some path engineering to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to be successful, not just those who are the luckiest or have the easiest paths.”
“I enjoyed the guest speakers who shared their experience being entrepreneurs because I also want to be an entrepreneur and open my own business, and hearing from them truly inspired me.”
KAYLAH WAITE
Rutgers–Camden Interns Get Points in the Paint with Philadelphia 76ers
A memorandum of understanding between them will create new internship opportunities for students from Rutgers–Camden
BY CAROLINE BROBEIL
Thanks to a new partnership between the university and the NBA franchise, the Philadelphia 76ers will soon welcome three new interns from Rutgers–Camden.
On Monday, October 7, Chancellor Antonio D. Tillis and Magda Moncrief, vice president of human resources for the Philadelphia 76ers, signed a memorandum of understanding formalizing a collaborative alliance between the two organizations to develop new internship opportunities for students at Rutgers–Camden.
Chancellor Tillis expressed his gratitude to the Sixers organization and recognized Leslie Walker, a Sixers employee and Rutgers–Camden alumni, who first suggested creating an internship program with her alma mater.
“The 76ers organization is aligned with many of the same guiding principles that shape our work at Rutgers–Camden, including the aim to provide opportunities for the people in our community. This is a perfect partnership because our students, at least one of whom each semester will be a Camden resident, will come to understand it’s not just what you see on the court, but what happens on the inside and the varied array of exciting career prospects available in professional sports.”
CHANCELLOR ANTONIO D. TILLIS
Chancellor Antonio D. Tillis and Magda Moncrief, vice president of human resources for the Philadelphia 76ers
Lara Price, the Philadelphia 76ers' chief operating officer, echoed Chancellor Tills' sentiment and noted the focus the organization places on community involvement.
“When we developed this state-of-the-art training and practice facility, we had the specific intention to become more integrated into the community of Camden, whether it is through community events or job creation,” said Price. “This new partnership will allow the students of Rutgers–Camden to understand that the professional opportunities available with us go well beyond the basketball court."
The students will officially begin on October 15 and work with the organization throughout the fall semester in various areas, including finance, IT, and communications. In welcoming them to the organization, Moncrief encouraged the students to embrace the opportunity of the experience.
"We anticipate you will learn a lot, but we expect we will also learn a lot from you and encourage you to contribute and share your ideas during your time here,” said Moncrief. "We want you to be able to share stories of your time here even as you move on in your careers and lives."
For the interns – Daveigh Villanueva (CCAS ‘27), a Camden city native, Anderson Guaman (CCAS ’27), and Khamani Wade (RSBC’26) – this is both a chance to grow and a chance to live out their dreams.
“I’ve been a fan for a long time, so the opportunity to work closely with the Sixers is really a dream come true,” said Villanueva. “I hope to gain experience not only in journalism but also in marketing and promoting my favorite team.”
For Guaman, the chance to work with such a well-known organization is something he never could have imagined when he was younger.
“I’m a first-generation student who immigrated from Ecuador, so I never expected I would be presented with an opportunity like this. Having an IT internship with the Sixers means a lot to me, and I'm excited about what this experience will bring.”
ANDERSON GUAMAN
Wade echoed the enthusiasm of his fellow interns.
“This opportunity means everything to me,” said Wade. “I grew up playing basketball, and for the Sixers to take a chance on me for my first internship, it's like a dream come true, that I can be in the NBA in some kind of way.”
SUCCESS IN CAMDEN
Triumph Over Health Challenges Inspires Graduate’s Pursuit of Public Service
As
Adam Colgate earned his degree, health challenges helped him see new sides of his professors and classmates
BY DUSTIN PETZOLD
When Adam Colgate was diagnosed with cancer in November 2023, it was not the first time a health challenge had drastically altered the course of his life. Years earlier, while living on North Carolina’s Outer Banks, Colgate survived a sudden brush with death that eventually set him on the path to attend Rutgers University–Camden.
“I was eating peaches—something I had done all the time without a problem—when I had a severe allergic reaction and had to be evacuated off the island,” Colgate recalled. “On the way to the hospital, I thought I was going to die and that this was where my story ended. I hadn’t really done anything for anyone. I partied myself to death, and that was it.”
After the incident, the Haddon Heights, New Jersey native pondered his next move. An avid guitarist and theater performer, he had set out to build a career as a musician and songwriter, believing he had no use for a college degree. But with his mother having recently returned to school and his two older brothers having previously attended Rutgers–Camden, the possibility re-entered his mind.
“I didn’t always envision myself going to college when I was young, but when I did, I thought about coming here,” Colgate said.
This month, Colgate is graduating from Rutgers-Camden with a bachelor’s degree in political science and a minor in history, reaching a key milestone in his nontraditional higher-education journey. Along the way, support from faculty mentors and the campus community allowed him to rediscover his love of learning even as he dealt with the impacts of cancer. He plans to walk in the commencement ceremony this spring.
Following his near-fatal allergic reaction, Colgate was determined to make the most of his second chance, enrolling at Camden County College with the intention to transfer to Rutgers–Camden. While his love of music and performance remained, another field of study was calling his name: political science.
“I grew up in a house that talked about politics and history,” Colgate said. “My father is a Teamster, and he and my grandfather are both members of the International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers, so unions and labor were common topics for us.”
Colgate completed his two years of community college and enrolled at Rutgers–Camden as a junior. Despite his progress, he came to campus still unsure if he would stay long enough to earn his degree. That quickly changed with the help of faculty from the Departments of Political Science and History.
“Once I got to Rutgers–Camden, my imposter syndrome really subsided,” Colgate said. My first day on campus, I had political science classes with Professors Tim Knievel and Anthony Grasso. I was so impressed with the lectures, and I felt very confident I would get a great education here. I could tell I was surrounded by people who cared about students.”
The Rutgers–Camden experience proceeded smoothly for Colgate until August 2023, when he could tell something was not right with his health. Having just turned 26, he no longer had health insurance, so had no choice but to wait for a diagnosis.
“I was able to get insurance through school, and in November 2023, I was diagnosed with cancer,” Colgate said. “My professors were incredible in their response—not just as educators, but as people. They let me put on the brakes, and I got an extension to finish the semester. They went the extra mile to check in and make sure I was doing well with my health. The coursework could come later.”
Colgate underwent surgery, and, not a candidate for chemotherapy, required invasive scans that tracked the progression of his health every three months. Even when he was ready to return to campus, his health challenges were not over, and it was clear that his experience as a student would be different.
“After surgery, I wasn’t able to carry anything over ten pounds, so I got an accommodation from the Office of Disability Services (ODS) to have all of my books digitally on my laptop,” Colgate said. It seems like such a small thing—and for the ODS folks, it’s just another part of the workweek, but it made such a tremendous difference.”
Colgate found that his studies distracted him from the ever-present anxieties that accompany cancer treatment. In addition to his classes, he frequently attended History Club meetings and made use of the Chancellor’s Experiential Learning Fund to take on an internship with Knievel, an assistant teaching professor in the Department of Political Science, on the use of artificial intelligence in government institutions.
“Having coursework to focus on was actually an important outlet,” Colgate said. “I try to share good energy, because when I was struggling, little brushes with people on campus—like someone asking how my day was— were so important.”
Colgate’s Rutgers–Camden journey has left him with multiple faculty mentors. His perseverance in the face of obstacles caught the attention of his instructors, earning praise from across academic disciplines.
Wendy Woloson, professor of history
“I cannot fully express how exceptional Adam is as a student and a person,” said Wendy Woloson, professor in the Department of History. “I was one of Adam’s instructors and served as a resource when he came to me with his personal challenges. It is important to give students space to discuss their emotions, and I am delighted that Adam has navigated those challenges to achieve his goal of earning a degree.”
Just over a year after his diagnosis, Colgate has completed the coursework required for graduation and—even more importantly—responded positively to treatment, hitting all the milestones needed for a clean bill of health. Before he walks in Rutgers–Camden’s May 2025 Commencement ceremony, Colgate will confront yet another challenge: the LSATs, which he will doubtlessly approach with characteristic grace and positivity.
“I want to build a more compassionate future. The past couple years have presented so many challenges, but I’ve learned that even the steps backwards are part of the dance. You can find your rhythm by leaning on others and getting through it together.”
ADAM COLGATE
Rutgers–Camden Civic Engagement Programs Receive $2.5 Million from the State of New Jersey
BY CAROLINE BROBEIL
Rutgers University–Camden, a nationally recognized leader in experiential learning opportunities for students, recently celebrated a $2.5 million appropriation from the State of New Jersey to support the expansion of its civic engagement programs.
At two special ceremonies, Chancellor Antonio D. Tillis and many Rutgers–Camden students welcomed legislative leadership to campus to celebrate this important commitment by the state.
On Wednesday, October 2, Chancellor Antonio D. Tillis was joined by New Jersey State Sen. Troy Singleton in the university’s Campus Center. Chancellor Tillis thanked Sen. Singleton for his steadfast support of Rutgers–Camden and its mission.
“This university has a long history of encouraging our students to engage with the community because it is understood that education doesn't just happen in the classroom," Chancellor Tillis said. "Theory and practice pollinate when you can go out into the world and use what you have learned, and this additional funding will allow us to further elevate the student experience here at Rutgers–Camden."
“This university has a long history of encouraging our students to engage with the community because it is understood that education doesn't just happen in the classroom."
CHANCELLOR ANTONIO D. TILLIS
Sen. Singleton voiced his support for the Rutgers–Camden and applauded the variety of experiential opportunities it provides to students while also serving the community.
“I am proud to support Rutgers–Camden’s civic engagement initiative with this $2.5 million investment,” Sen. Singleton said. “Through civic engagement, students learn and understand their responsibility to the community and the immeasurable impact they can have as scholars and future leaders.”
New Jersey State Sen. Troy Singleton alongside Senior Vice Chancellor Nyeema C. Watson and Chancellor Antonio D. Tillis
New Jersey State Sen. Troy Singleton presents a check to Rutgers University–Camden.
On Monday, October 7, Chancellor Tillis welcomed New Jersey Assembly Majority Leader Louis D. Greenwald, who was joined by Assemblyman William Spearman and Assemblyman William F. Moen, Jr., and expressed his gratitude for their unwavering support of Rutgers–Camden.
"I want to thank you for all you have done on behalf of RutgersCamden," Chancellor Tillis said. "It is because of your efforts that we are able to garner national and international acclaim for this university and provide unique and meaningful learning experiences for students."
Assembly Majority Leader Greenwald shared that his mother, a Camden native, instilled in him the importance of community involvement as a child. While she grew up in a time when women did not have as many opportunities as they do now, she was determined to make a difference. She served in a variety of elected positions, eventually becoming the first woman to serve as a surrogate for the New Jersey Superior Court in 1993.
“This grant represents the hopes and aspirations of this university’s students, as well as the opportunity that exists in Camden and throughout the region because of Rutgers–Camden," Majority Leader Greenwald said. "This grant will allow for greater community engagement so, together, we can create opportunities for generational transformation through tutoring, mentorship, and other kinds of civic outreach. That’s what this grant represents, and I dedicate this to my mom.”
Assemblymen Spearman and Moen echoed the importance of investing in programs that support civic scholarship, recognizing the critical importance of creating opportunities for young people to become involved and have a voice in their communities.
Celebrating Cultural Exchange
BY CHRISTINA LYNN
On October 30, 2024, Rutgers–Camden hosted the inaugural Chancellor’s International Student Luncheon, welcoming students from 20 countries to the Campus Center—a cultural exchange over a meal featuring cuisines from around the world.
“You are the reason why we are here: your courage, your tenacity,” Chancellor Antonio D. Tillis told the students. “It takes a lot to uproot, because you have to reimagine and rediscover yourselves as you move from place to place. We're pleased that one of the places that you chose is Rutgers University here in Camden.” He added that roughly 300 international students are matriculating at all levels of the university.
Marcus Kissoon of Trinidad, a student in the childhood studies Ph.D. program, said he has felt supported by an inclusive community at his home away from home.
“I’ve come to understand that Camden is a sort of microcosm of what an imagined world of justice and equality could look like,” he said. “When I came here, the quality of care and services offered to me, being an immigrant, was surprising to me. So, I really do appreciate the opportunity to study here.”
New Jersey Assembly Majority Leader Louis D. Greenwald, Assemblyman William Spearman, and Assemblyman William F. Moen, Jr. present a check to Rutgers University–Camden.
Scarlet Raptor Rally
Spectators cheering on the men’s and women’s basketball teams at the Scarlet Raptor Rally which took place on January 22.
A U.S. News & World Report Top University
Colleges for Veterans
#39 Best Online Bachelor's Programs
#21 Best Online Bachelor's in Business
#6 Best Online General Management MBA #98 National Universities #46 Top Public Schools #15 Top Performers on Social Mobility #63
#61 Best Online Masters' in Business
#28 Best Online Masters’s in Business for Veterans
#88 Best Online MBA
#56 Best Online MBA Program for Veterans
Rutgers University–Camden saw significant gains and best-ever rankings on the publication’s most prestigious lists. Rutgers–Camden came in at #46 nationally in Top Public Universities, up from #49 in the 2023-2024 rankings.
The university held steady on the Best National Universities list, coming in at #98 for the second straight year.
“Our rankings reflect significant hard work across the university,” Chancellor Antonio D. Tillis said. “These gains reflect the commitment of our dedicated staff, accomplished faculty, and gifted students to Scarlet Raptor Excellence. Together, we will continue to elevate Rutgers in South Jersey and the Delaware Valley.”
Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost Sandra Richtermeyer said, “The latest rankings are another example that demonstrate ways in which our faculty, staff, and students are flourishing. Exceptional research and scholarship have propelled us forward and brought national attention to the quality of our academic programs.”
