Student Success Conference 2025: About
The 2nd Annual Student Success Conference is an event for Rutgers University–New Brunswick faculty and staff. The conference is a collaborative initiative between Student Affairs and Undergraduate Education, with a committee comprised of representatives from all corners of the university.
Call for Programs
Shape Student Success
Programs for consideration were due no later than Wednesday, October 23, 2024, at 1 pm, and should focus on those topics relevant to the student success objectives outlined in the Academic Master Plan, including: creating a welcoming, equitable, and supportive learning environment for all students; prioritizing on-time graduation with minimal debt for all students; and expanding high-impact learning opportunities to best prepare students for future success.
Session Formats
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There will be four different session formats for the conference. Each is described below and some include topics requested by last year’s participants or committee members.
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These sessions will teach a skill, strategy, or concept that is beneficial to student success work across roles. Examples include how to conduct a specific kind of assessment, how to communicate effectively with students via email and other platforms, how to use Canvas Analytics for program and course management, and many others. The goal is for participants to leave this session knowing how to apply a new skill or concept to their work. These should be interactive and presented in a workshop format, with clear learning objectives for participants.
Some suggested topics for this session format include:
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Understanding how mindset can impact our interactions with students and their approach to their work: This session would focus on how professionals and faculty can intentionally coach students into a growth mindset and discuss the importance of students being in a growth-centered environment.
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Creating effective surveys: This session would focus on best practices in assessment design, as well as some lesser-known technical skills in Qualtrics.
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Talking to students about and addressing their Basic Needs (housing, food, etc.)
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These sessions will present a narrative about a specific program, strategy, instructional method, or intervention that has demonstrated positive outcomes for students.
Any program, activity, or strategy that can be replicated by other programs could be addressed in these sessions. This is an opportunity for campus partners to learn more about the program or project and consider ways that its success can be replicated or expanded.
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These sessions are intended to be highly interactive guided discussions around a particular topic. Conversation guides, small group activities, and the creation of a shared resource could all be elements of these sessions.
Topics requested by previous participants and committee members are below:
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Examining the use of AI on campus: This session would open a discussion about how AI is being used, can be used, and shouldn’t be used to support student success. Ethical implications as well as practical implications could be included.
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Working with Neurodivergent students and/or students with disabilities.
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These sessions are an opportunity for Rutgers–New Brunswick faculty, staff, and students to share research related to student success. These sessions should include the research aims, methods, results, and discussion. The study does not have to be published to be considered.
About the Committee
The conference planning committee includes members from departments across campus as well as from Student Affairs and Undergraduate Education. This diversity of representation ensures a comprehensive and inclusive approach to conference planning.
Conference Administrative Team
Sal Mena (Honorary Conference Chair)
Sr. Vice Chancellor of Student Experience
Carolyn Moehling (Honorary Conference Chair)
Sr. Vice Provost and Vice Chancellor for Undergraduate Education
William Jones (Conference Planning Committee Chair)
Executive Director
Career Exploration and Success
Thomas E. Cuthbert (Conference Business Manager)
Department Administrator
Cook/Douglass Learning Center
Experiences & Marketing Subcommittee
Rachel Joseph (Subcommittee Chair)
Sr. Program Coordinator
Office of Transfer and Non-Traditional Students
Tara Smith (Subcommittee Chair)
Assistant Director, Marketing & Communication
Student Affairs, Marketing
Laura Zottarelli (Subcommittee Chair)
Student Services Advisor
One Stop Student Services Center, New Brunswick
Tamiah Brevard-Rodriguez
Director
Aresty Research Center
Tasha Coleman
Sr. Program Coordinator
Learning Centers
Sarah Kravits
Learning Specialist
Learning Centers
Abby Kucks
Assistant Director, Community Engagement and Programmatic Initiatives
Rutgers Collaborative Center for Community Engagement
Rania Plazas
Assistant Director, Rutgers Internships and Co-Op Programs
Career Exploration and Success
Aaron Ratzan
Assistant Director, Career Success Strategist
Career Exploration and Success
Jaletta Reames
Assistant Director, Meetings & Events
Student Centers & Activities
Mary Ann Schrum
Director
Student Affairs, Parent's Association
Jakora Thompson
Director
Student Affairs, Paul Robeson Cultural Center
Larry Worthey
Assistant Director, Marketing & Visual Identity
Career Exploration and Success
Operations & Logistics Subcommittee
Paul Fischbach (Subcommittee Chair)
Director, Operations
Campus Recreation
Jason Moore (Subcommittee Chair)
Senior Director
Office of the Provost
Tiffany Rice (Subcommittee Chair)
Sr. Program Coordinator
Career Exploration and Success
Jay Stefanelli (Subcommittee Chair)
Director
One Stop Student Services Center, New Brunswick
Christina Chisholm
Senior Director
Division of Diversity, Inclusion and Community Engagement — Educational Equity Group
Marisa Felice
Assistant Director
Student Affairs, Parent's Association
Cheryl Jackson
Sr. Program Coordinator
Office of the Vice President of Student Affairs
Aida Martin
Director
Rutgers Health Services
Paolo Miyashiro Bedoya
Graduate Program Coordinator
Center for Social Justice Education & LGBT Communities
Zachary Mroz
Residence Life Coordinator
Residence Life
Laura Randolph
Associate Drean
Student Affairs, Dean of Students
James Register
Sr. Program Administrator
Byrne Family First Year Seminars
Mackenzie Ryan
Event Coordinator
Student Centers & Activities
Programming & Speakers Subcommittee
Stacey Blackwell (Subcommittee Chair)
Executive Director
Learning Centers
Krista Klein (Subcommittee Chair)
Director
Honors College
Dayna Weintraub (Subcommittee Chair)
Assistant Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs
Student Affairs
Susan Bennett
Associate Director, First-year Career Engagement
Career Exploration and Success
Aisling Cassidy
Assistant Director
Student Affairs, Dean of Students
Hebbah El-Moslimany
Learning Specialist
Learning Centers
Stacey Kohler
Assistant Director, 4WARD Career Pathways Program
Career Exploration and Success
Ariel Leget
Assistant Director, Residence Life
Residence Life
Anny Lu
Assistant Director, Professional Development Programs
Career Exploration and Success
Andrea Rydel
Assistant Dean
Honors College
Topher Sutton
Associate Director, Operations
Career Exploration and Success
Jackson Toomey
Learning Specialist
Learning Centers
Jackasha-Janaee Wiley
Senior Director
Division of Diversity, Inclusion and Community Engagement
Jennifer Wiseman
Nurse Practioner
RHS Hurtado Health Center
About the Award
The Student Success Champion Award recognizes exceptional faculty, staff, and a team or department whose work contributes to the university's mission of enhancing student success.
Nominate a Student Success Champion
This award will celebrate individuals who exemplify the goals and priorities outlined in the Academic Master Plan and promote student success. Award recipients demonstrate outstanding commitment to transforming the student experience in ways that prioritize belonging, well-being, and overall success.
Nominations were due Friday, February 7, 2025.
Nomination Eligibility and Criteria
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- All full-time and part-time faculty or staff members at Rutgers University–New Brunswick who support student success through their role are eligible for this award.
- Any department, office, or team within Rutgers University–New Brunswick that has collectively made a significant impact on student success is eligible for this award.
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- Nominations can be submitted by peers, supervisors, or students. Both awards allow for self-nominations.
- Nominators will choose one or more of the following contributions and then be asked to expand on the contribution in depth.
Individual Awards
- Demonstrated dedication to creating an inclusive and supportive environment that promotes student belonging and success.
- Significant contributions to initiatives that support student well-being and success, including academic advising, mentoring, learning and instruction, counseling, career development, or financial literacy.
- Active involvement in projects that support on-time graduation and reduce student debt.
- Commitment to developing high-impact learning opportunities for students, including organizing workshops, career-readiness programs, and experiential learning experiences.
Team/Office/Department Awards
- The team or department demonstrates collaborative efforts to support the University's goals of creating an equitable and inclusive student experience.
- Programs or services developed by the team have made substantial improvements in student outcomes, particularly in terms of retention, graduation rates, reducing student debt, and post-graduation success.
- Contributions to expanding high-impact learning opportunities that enhance students' academic and professional readiness.
- A clear commitment to student success that aligns with the principles of the Academic Master Plan, including initiatives that focus on belonging, well-being, and preparing students for a diverse, global workforce.