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Excellence in Civic Learning & Community Engagement

������Ƶ received the American Association of State Colleges and Universities’ first Civic Learning and Community Engagement Award in recognition of the work of the University’s American Democracy Project (ADP) and Political Engagement Project (PEP) in encouraging students to become civically active in their communities.

The William J. Hughes Center for Public Policy

In November 2017, ������Ƶ hosted former Vice President Joe Biden, who presented the Distinguished Lifetime Achievement Award to U.S. Ambassador William J. Hughes at the William J. Hughes Center for Public Policy Honors ceremony. Biden, a long-term friend and colleague of Hughes from their time in Congress together, spoke of the need for civil discourse.

U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice Neil M. Gorsuch reflected on his career as a judge during a visit to ������Ƶ in January. Gorsuch told 500 ������Ƶ students, staff, faculty and community members that it is up to the younger generation to understand and continue to uphold the ideas on which America was founded, while also emphasizing the importance of civic service and civility.

Unite Against Hate Day

������Ƶ hosted its inaugural Unite Against Hate Day in February to strengthen the community’s efforts toward inclusion and resisting discrimination of all forms. The theme for the day was “Studying and Deconstructing Hate and Terror” and featured 21 workshops and presentations by faculty, students and guest speakers.

������Ƶ Center on Successful Aging

In November 2017, the ������Ƶ Center on Successful Aging (SCOSA) hosted its inaugural Fall Conference in conjunction with the Cape Atlantic Caregiver’s Coalition’s “We Care Because You Care” event. The day combined 20 local providers of care in Atlantic and Cape May counties with six educational sessions presented by professionals in the field of aging. The event featured engaging, energetic and educational speakers on topics relevant to professionals, providers and older adults.

Student Spotlights

Bryan Gonzalez-Mejia, a Political Science major, was named a Newman Civic Fellow by Campus Compact in recognition of his work on campus promoting civic engagement and community involvement. In addition to his involvement in the Student Senate, Model UN and ������Ƶ's Political Engagement Project and American Democracy Project, Gonzalez-Mejia served as a tutor in ������Ƶ’s Center for Community Engagement’s after-school homework project in Atlantic City and Pleasantville, and assisted with the naturalization classes offered by ������Ƶ.

Senior Jodie Davis, a Public Health major, was named a fellow by the Newman’s Own Foundation. Davis was the only student in the nation to be fully funded in this competitive educational scholarship opportunity. Davis is the former president of ������Ƶ’s chapter of the NAACP, a C.A.R.E. peer mentor, a teacher’s assistant for Organic Chemistry, a member of Alternative Spring Break, MLK Day of Service Student Coordinator and a Bonner Leader for the Office of Service-Learning.