Stockton News - April 17, 2026 - University Relations & Marketing

Stockton News - April 17, 2026

WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT

AI, Workforce Challenges Highlight Higher Education Conference

The use of artificial intelligence and preparing students for careers to meet evolving workforce demands are two of the most pivotal issues facing higher education in New Jersey.

Fortunately, the state’s public colleges and universities are uniquely positioned to address those issues, according to several of the speakers at a conference held April 13 at Stockton.

“Folks are looking at different ways that higher education can contribute to make a difference in a community, and I think we need to focus in and realize that innovation happens here,” said State Sen. Joseph P. Cryan, chair of the Senate Committee on Higher Education. “In New Jersey, you provide the most highly educated workforce in the United States. So, we are deeply well positioned and able to adjust accordingly to what we can do. But how we do it, those are the debates that we need to have.”

Cryan was the keynote speaker for “The Power of Public Colleges and Universities: Driving Innovation, Workforce and Partnerships for New Jersey’s Future.” The William J. Hughes Center for Public Policy hosted the conference along with Stockton’s Office of Government Relations and President Joe Bertolino.

University’s Arts and Culture Summit Expands to Two Days

Don’t tell Jane Golden that the arts can’t have an impact on a city or community.

The founder and executive director of Mural Arts Philadelphia leads the nation’s largest public arts program with more than 4,000 works created through collaborations with community organizations, city agencies, schools, nonprofits and the private sector. Her story inspired the more than 200 people who attended the third annual Arts and Culture Summit at Stockton University on April 9 and 10.

During its history, more than 25,000 city residents have participated in a Mural Arts Philadelphia program or tour, and more than 250 artists have been employed, Golden said.

“It’s about impacting individuals. It’s about impacting the community and by extension there is a huge impact on the civic life of the city of Philadelphia because we have turned our city into an outdoor museum,” she said. “But it’s a museum that values and respects the citizens. We’re creating work that has true resonance with the people who live here.”

This year’s summit expanded to two days and included events on Stockton’s Galloway and Atlantic City campuses. It kicked off April 9 with the 17th annual Paul Lyons Memorial Lecture by Golden in the Performing Arts Center and continued April 10 with a series of panel discussions culminating in the annual Hip Hop Block Party in Atlantic City’s O’Donnell Park.

PHOTO: Stockton studentJackson O'Brien leaps into the air during his performance of 'Amore' with fellow student Rosa Balistreri during the third annual Arts and Culture Summit at Stockton Atlantic City.

📸 View more photos on Flickr.

Are You Ready for the Gala?

After a triumphant return to Stockton's Galloway campus last year, the annual Foundation Scholarship Benefit Gala will be back at the Campus Center at 6:30 p.m. tomorrow, Saturday, April 18.

This year’s strolling reception will feature a variety of food and drink stations, live entertainment, raffles, and interactive experiences led by faculty and students. The evening will include A Garden Affair in the Grand Hall, where the Campus Center will be transformed into a garden-inspired celebration with a string quartet, curated raw bar, charcuterie and an exclusive auction. Guests can also enjoy energized performances on the Main Stage in the Event Room, featuring a live DJ, surprise musical acts, a vibrant dance floor, and a Mediterranean-inspired spread. For a more relaxed atmosphere, An Intimate Evening in the Art & Music Café will offer a full buffet and carving stations, along with opportunities to browse student artwork and enjoy live performances in the Campus Center Coffeehouse.

To show our appreciation for the difference you make at Stockton every day, a special faculty and staff ticket price is available. Purchase tickets for $200 by selecting “Faculty/Staff” or “Faculty/Staff Friend.”

SPOTLIGHT ON: GRADUATE ADMISSIONS

Graduate Admissions Team Presents at National Summit

Stockton University’s Graduate Admissions team presented “From Campus to Cap & Gown: Building Internal Pipelines to Graduate School” at the 2026 NAGAP Graduate Enrollment Management Summit, held April 8–11 in Baltimore, Maryland.

The team included Tara Williams, director of Graduate Admissions; Matthew Shaw, assistant director of Graduate Admissions; and Jennifer Radwanski, associate director of Graduate Admissions.

Their session highlighted Stockton’s efforts to guide undergraduates toward advanced study through intentional, data-informed pathways that begin early in the student experience. The team shared strategies for identifying and engaging first-generation, underrepresented and high-achieving students who may not initially see graduate education as within reach, along with how those efforts are supported through thoughtful CRM design and coordinated communication.

Attendees got a look at Stockton’s full-circle approach—from campus awareness campaigns to targeted recruitment, marketing and admissions processes.

“The presentation sparked meaningful conversations among graduate enrollment management professionals and underscored Stockton’s commitment to expanding access and supporting students as they envision their next academic step,” said Radwanski.

FRAME-WORTHY

Sunshine and Spring Days Arrive on Campus

Spring was in full swing on campus as students soaked up the sunshine, blowing bubbles, relaxing on the grass and enjoying the warmer days between classes.

📸 View more photos on Flickr.

WHAT'S TRENDING @ #STOCKTONU

Instagram: For every occasion, the Stockton Bookstore has your back 🩵🥹

Facebook: The challenges facing higher education are real and they require us to stay steady, to stay focused, and more importantly, to work together. About 100 state legislators and community and higher education leaders joined me this week at the second annual ‘The Power of Public Colleges and Universities’ higher education conference hosted by Stockton University Hughes Center and Stockton’s Office of Government Relations.

InstaFred: It's a perfect day to take a walk and admire my beauty.

FROM THE SIDELINES

Stockton V8 Wins Gold Medal at Knecht Cup

The women's rowing team competed with two varsity eights and one varsity four at the Knecht Cup, held April 11–12 at Cooper River Park, highlighted by a gold medal performance from the varsity eight.

The Ospreys captured the Division III title for the second time in four years, winning the grand final in 7:30.21—just 0.86 seconds ahead of St. Mary’s (Maryland) on April 12. Stockton qualified for the final with a second-place finish in its April 11 heat, posting the second-fastest time among 12 teams. After trailing St. Mary’s in the preliminary race, the Ospreys rebounded to secure the win in Sunday’s final.

Stockton’s second varsity eight also advanced to the grand final after winning its April 11 heat in 7:39.36, finishing 0.94 seconds ahead of Case Western Reserve. The boat placed fifth overall in the April 12 final.

In the varsity four event, a lineup featuring four freshmen gained valuable experience, finishing fifth in its April 11 heat before placing third in the petite final on April 12.

Up Next: Stockton returns to action April 18 at the Upper Schuylkill Challenge, hosted by Bryn Mawr in Conshohocken, Pennsylvania.

Men’s Lacrosse Routs Neumann

The Stockton men’s lacrosse team won its third straight game April 14 with a 28-4 victory over Neumann University. The Ospreys scored the first 11 goals in just over nine minutes of the opening quarter and built a 13-1 lead. From there, Stockton outscored the Knights 15-3 the rest of the way.

Freshman Jimmy Wasko led the offense with a career-high six goals, while 16 different Ospreys found the net. Stockton carried a 17-1 lead into halftime and extended its advantage to 20-2 after the third quarter. Wasko added three more goals in the second half, while fellow freshman Trevor Klapmuts scored twice. Nate Sears recorded assists on the final four goals to set a career high.

Up Next: Stockton closes out its regular season with a home game against Kean University at 6 p.m. on April 18.

🦅 For more athletics news and upcoming game information, visit here.🦅

SOARING FORWARD: IN ACTION

Strategies and Action Plans

Our Strategic Plan Implementation Team has been working hard to set the university up for success in meeting our objectives and attaining our goals for each of the five priorities: Cultivate a Community of Care, Inspire Minds, Empower Student Success, Anchor in Purpose, and Sustain Tomorrow. Priority co-leads (PCLs) and action team leads (ATLs), in collaboration with divisional executives, are actively developing strategies and identifying concrete actions to support each priority.

The Implementation Team anticipates finalizing these strategies and actions by April 27 to share with the Board of Trustees by their May 7 meeting.

Please visit the Strategic Plan website for the complete set of priorities, goals, and objectives.

If you have questions or would like to contribute, contact strategicplan@stockton.edu.

Thank you for your continued hard work and contributions to the university’s strategic plan.

Read previous Implementation Updates here.

STOCKTON SITES & CENTERS

An Evening of Remembrance: Honoring Six Million Lives

The Sara and Sam Schoffer Holocaust Resource Center hosted a community-wide Yom HaShoah commemoration on April 13 at Beth El Synagogue in Margate, honoring the six million Jewish victims of the Holocaust. The program featured a memorial service and a keynote from Holocaust survivor Raymond Polak, who shared his family’s experience during World War II.

View the Flickr gallery for more moments from the evening.

OSPREY NOTES

New Digital Accessibility Standards Begin April 24

Effective April 24, 2026, all digital content produced and maintained by Stockton University must meet Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 AA standards, as required under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

This applies to materials such as webpages, documents, course content, emails and social media. Meeting these standards is both a legal responsibility and part of Stockton’s commitment to creating an inclusive and equitable experience for all members of our community.

To help support this effort, all employees are required to complete the Vector Solutions Digital Accessibility Training module, which provides practical guidance for creating accessible content in your day-to-day work.

To learn more about ongoing efforts and available resources, please visit the Digital Accessibility page.

If you encounter digital content that may not be accessible, please contact Valerie Hayes, University ADA/504 Coordinator, by email at valerie.hayes@stockton.edu, the generic email dandi@stockton.edu, or call 609-652-4695.

🦅 One-Click Break: Bald Eagle Nest Cam

Take a moment to check in on a live bald eagle nest, where you might catch parents feeding their young, guarding the nest, or just taking in the view. Nature, no filter needed.