Stockton News - July 2, 2026
WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT
Historic Ocean Observatory Off Jersey Shore Returns to Service
A compact offshore research platform has been deployed off the Jersey Shore, revitalizing the historic Long-Term Ecosystem Observatory (LEO) site and advancing a new era of ocean research, education and marine innovation in New Jersey.
Anchored about three miles offshore of the Rutgers Marine Field Station in Tuckerton, the platform, known as the PowerBuoy®, serves as a floating data hub that delivers real-time information on ocean conditions while supporting scientific instruments, education initiatives and emerging marine technologies.
“The PowerBuoy will help unlock significant opportunities for marine research, scientific discovery and economic growth, all of which will advance New Jersey’s innovation future,” said Evan Weiss, chief executive of the New Jersey Economic Development Authority. “Under the leadership of Governor Mikie Sherrill, the NJEDA is proud to partner with Rutgers University and Stockton University to grow our green economy and position New Jersey as a national leader in sustainable technology.”
The deployment marks a major milestone in a collaborative effort among Rutgers University, Stockton University, the New Jersey Economic Development Authority and Ocean Power Technologies Inc., a publicly traded, Monroe Township-based provider of maritime technology and services. Together, the partners aim to position New Jersey as a leader in sustainable marine innovation while delivering tangible benefits for research, workforce development and economic growth.
Accounting Students Gain Real-World Experience at Convention
Stockton’s School of Business continued its tradition of student engagement at the New Jersey Society of CPAs (NJCPA) Convention & Expo, giving Accounting students a valuable opportunity to step outside the classroom and connect directly with the profession.
Stockton was the first institution in New Jersey to bring students to the NJCPA Convention & Expo — a tradition that began in 2017 when Stockton alumnus Dan Barbera partnered with Associate Professor Barry Palatnik and generously committed financial support to ensure student participation. This year, Stockton brought 30 students, contributing to a record-breaking 110 student attendees overall at the convention, which was held at Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa from June 16-19.
“Stockton was the first institution to bring students to the NJCPA Convention, and it is exciting to see how that original involvement has grown into more than 100 student attendees,” said Christopher M. Lovasz, president of the NJCPA.
With more than 500 attendees and 80 vendors, the convention offered students a firsthand look at career pathways in finance, auditing, taxation, advisory services and other areas of accounting. The event highlighted how impactful early professional involvement can be for students preparing to enter the field.
STOCKTON UNIVERSITY ATLANTIC CITY
Partnership Brings South Korean Hospitality Students to Stockton
Students from Sookmyung Women's University in South Korea spent a week at Stockton exploring how hospitality, tourism and sustainability intersect in southern New Jersey through an international partnership designed to broaden students’ global perspectives.
Stockton’s Office of Global Engagement hosted seven students and one faculty member from June 22-26. The students are studying hospitality with a concentration in industry sustainability at Sookmyung, one of the world’s largest women's universities.
The visit is part of a partnership established between Stockton and Sookmyung in 2023, centered on the institutions’ shared strengths in business, hospitality and health sciences. The collaboration provides students with opportunities to study abroad, experience another culture and gain a deeper understanding of hospitality and tourism from a global perspective.
SPOTLIGHT ON: STEVEN RADWANSKI
Steven Radwanski looks at leadership as stewardship. So, when the assistant vice president for Student
Living and Learning and executive director of Residential Life at Stockton learned
he was selected to the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU)
Emerging Leaders Program, his reaction was one of excitement and gratitude.
This program helps prepare the next generation of higher education leaders through a mix of in-person and virtual programming focused on leadership development, communication, project management and institutional change. Participants also lead a project or initiative on their home campus as part of the yearlong experience.
Here, Radwanski reflects on being part of the cohort and how the experience will help him continue to support his teams, students and the broader campus community.
FRAME-WORTHY
Welcome to the Nest!
Incoming Ospreys got their first taste of Stockton life during New Student Orientation, where they connected with classmates, learned about campus resources, began preparing for the fall semester and, most importantly, had fun.
From meeting fellow students to getting familiar with campus, orientation offered plenty of moments worth revisiting.
📸View the New Student Orientation photo album on Flickr.
WHAT'S TRENDING @ #STOCKTONU
Instagram: Meet the TALONS! Stockton's Transition Activity Leaders of New Students are your biggest supporters and want to help you make the most of your #StocktonU experience.
Facebook: Be who you are for your pride. Everyone is always welcome at #StocktonU's Multicultural Center. Special shoutout to Ter'ron Oglesby, Ivonna Taveras, Timaya McGowan and Stockton Pride Alliance for decorating and planning this month's Pride Mixer at the Multicultural Center.
InstaFred: Lake Fred's lily pad lounge is officially open. 🪷🐸 Who's hopping by today?
FROM THE SIDELINES
12 Ospreys Receive CSC Academic All-District Honors
Twelve Stockton student-athletes received College Sports Communicators Academic All-District Track & Field/Cross Country honors for the 2025-26 academic year.
The criteria for eligibility were a minimum 3.50 grade-point average, sophomore or higher standing, and either a top-50 performance at an NCAA cross country regional or a top-50 regional ranking in an individual track & field event, indoor or outdoor. Each institution receives a maximum of six men’s spots and six women’s spots on the Academic All-District teams.
Senior Kayla Kass led the way with her third consecutive CSC Academic All-District accolade, becoming the 10th Stockton student-athlete with three Academic All-District honors. Kass was a CSC Academic All-America® Second Team selection last year.
Junior Elaina Styer collected her second straight CSC Academic All-District nod. On the men’s side, seniors Joey Addeo and Ben Laster, along with junior Kevin Lu-Chua, earned CSC Academic All-District honors for the second year in a row.
Seniors Rachel Hayes, Eva Morrison and Maddy Valasek, and junior Sarah Rutledge completed the list of Stockton women’s awardees with their first career CSC Academic All-District honors.
Senior Shane McDevitt and juniors Chris Griffin and Johnathan Holden were first-time CSC Academic All-District men’s awardees.
SOARING FORWARD: GO OSPREYS
Strategic Plan Update- Moving from Vision to Action
Stockton has reached an important milestone in the implementation of its Strategic Plan, Soaring Forward: Strengthening Community, Advancing Excellence.
At its June meeting, the Board of Trustees reviewed the strategies and actions that will guide the University’s work across the plan’s five priorities: Cultivate a Community of Care: Belonging and Pride; Inspire Minds: Teaching, Learning, and Scholarship; Empower Student Success; Anchor in Purpose: Serving the Region and Beyond; and Sustain Tomorrow: Stewardship and Innovation.
The update marks a significant step forward as Stockton moves from vision to action. As the University prepares for FY27, divisional goals should be tied to the Strategic Plan, with members of the University community continuing to follow guidance from their Divisional Executive to align priorities, goals and resources with the plan’s strategies and actions.
The full set of priorities, objectives, strategies and actions, along with the associated timeline, is now available in the ClearPoint report within the Strategic Plan area in the portal’s Employee tab.
For more information, visit here.
OSPREY NOTES
Palladino Featured in AcOps Magazine
Provost Michael Palladino is featured in the summer 2026 issue of AcOps Magazine, published by Coursedog.
In the article, Palladino discusses Stockton’s work to overhaul its scheduling approach and quickly launch a new J-Term, highlighting how academic operations decisions can have significant budget implications for institutions.
Read the full article on Page 7 of the magazine.
Shuttle Service Suspended July 3-4
The Stockton shuttle service will not operate Friday, July 3, or Saturday, July 4, in observance of the Independence Day holiday.
Regular shuttle service will resume Sunday, July 5.
Members of the Stockton community are encouraged to plan transportation accordingly.
Confirm Your Ospreys in Summer Session III
Happy Summer, faculty! As Summer Session III has begun, it's almost time to Confirm your Ospreys!
Faculty are reminded to complete the Academic Engagement process by confirming student attendance/academic activity. The process for Summer Session III is to be completed by Monday, July 6. The Office of Financial Aid will use this information to make adjustments to student financial aid disbursements based on each student's confirmed number of credits.
Each instructor will be responsible for confirming student attendance or participation in an academic activity. For online courses, faculty are reminded to include an assignment or discussion activity during the add/drop period so that the student's attendance can be confirmed.
The link to complete the Academic Engagement process can be found under the faculty tab within the goStockton portal.
For more information and a list of frequently asked questions, visit stockton.edu/academicengagement.
🫐 Did You Know? July is National Blueberry Month. New Jersey is one of the nation's leading blueberry producers, and South Jersey is home to many of the state's blueberry farms.
POLLING ALL OSPREYS
The results are in and Ospreys are officially in summer mode. In last week’s poll, 44% of respondents said their official summer personality is “Beach bag packed at all times,” making it the top choice. “Find me in my garden” came in second with 28%, followed by “Happiest in the air conditioning” and “Boardwalk nights,” each with 11%. “Road trippin’” rounded out the results with 6%.
Looks like Stockton is split between toes-in-the-sand energy and dirt-under-the-fingernails bliss, with a few wise souls choosing the sacred hum of central air.
UPCOMING EVENTS
🖼️ Art Exhibits hosted by the Noyes Museum of Art
July 4: Independence Day(University closed July 3 in observance)
July 7:Faculty Forum - Sharks: Myth and Reality
July 16: Ed.D. in Organizational Leadership Summer Mixer
July 15: Alumni Author Virtual Publishing Workshop
July 17: 10th Annual Pinelands Summer Short Course
July 21: Alumni Author Summer Social 2026
Aug. 2: Stockton Day at Morey's Piers
