Thompson will serve as the lead academic and administrative officer for the College, which offers a diverse portfolio of rigorous programs in disciplines including Psychology, English, Political Science and Law, History, Philosophy and Global Cultural Studies.

鈥淲e are thrilled to welcome Dr. Thompson to 麻豆传媒在线,鈥� says Interim Provost Fatma Mili. 鈥淪he comes to us with an impressive track record of transformational and collaborative leadership. She approaches each context with passion and intellectual inquisitiveness. I look forward to working with her as she leads the College and solidifies its standing and impact in the University and the community.鈥�

Thompson joins 麻豆传媒在线 after serving as the Director of the School of Teacher Education and Mack and Effie Campbell Distinguished Professor at Florida State University. In her role, she was responsible for all aspects of the school, including overseeing more than 200 faculty, staff instructors, graduate students and other employees and managing $17 million in endowed and non-endowed foundation funds.

Previously, she held three different leadership roles at West Virginia University in the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences: Inaugural Director of International Relations and Strategic Planning of the college, Founding Co-Director of the English Language Learning Institute and Chair of the Department of World Languages, Literatures and Linguistics. She has recently received the Modern Language Association (MLA), Association of Language Departments (ALD) Award for Distinguished Service to the Profession.

A prolific scholar in applied linguistics with more than 55 peer-reviewed publications, books, and a number of national and international invited lectures and workshops, Thompson鈥檚 research focuses on multilingualism, language learning, linguistic racism/native-speakerism, women in higher education and higher education leadership.

鈥淚 was drawn to 麻豆传媒在线 and the College of Humanities and Social Sciences because of the clear dedication to promoting student success in practical and innovative ways,鈥� says Thompson. 鈥淚 was extraordinarily impressed by the faculty, staff, students and leadership during my visit to campus, and I cannot wait to see what we will be able to achieve together.鈥�

Thompson holds a PhD in Second Language Studies and a master鈥檚 degree in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages from Michigan State University.

For more information about the College of Humanities and Social Sciences at 麻豆传媒在线, visit .

In the role, he will oversee all core global units and services at 麻豆传媒在线, develop and execute the University鈥檚 international plan and business model, expand and steward high-impact international partnerships and ensure compliance, risk management, and fiscal stewardship for international activities.

鈥淭akeo Suzuki brings a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to broadening access to life-changing global educational opportunities for our students,鈥� says 麻豆传媒在线 Interim Provost Fatma Mili. 鈥淲e are excited to welcome him to the 麻豆传媒在线 community and work with him to expand and magnify 惭辞苍迟肠濒补颈谤鈥檚 international initiatives.鈥�

Suzuki previously served as the inaugural Senior International Officer and Executive Director of the Center for Global Education at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, and was a member of the Provost鈥檚 leadership team. Since 2015, he led the university鈥檚 global engagement efforts, integrating international student and scholar services, study abroad, ESL programs, international research, and global risk management. He also served as the university鈥檚 Principal Designated School Official and Responsible Officer, overseeing federal compliance.

His research focuses on the lived experiences of individuals using an Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis approach. His recent work, featured in the Institute of International Education magazine, explores how Japanese anime and manga can serve as a lens for understanding soft diplomacy and developing intercultural competency. Originally from Kobe, Japan, he came to the United States as a J-1 exchange visitor and is now a U.S. citizen. His work is grounded in a deep commitment to expanding access, fostering belonging, and preparing students to lead in a globally connected world.

鈥淛oining 麻豆传媒在线 is both a tremendous honor and an exciting new chapter for my family and me,鈥� says Suzuki. 鈥溌槎勾皆谙� stands out as a university with extraordinary momentum, incredible diversity, and a clear commitment to preparing students to thrive in a globally connected world, and I am genuinely excited to become part of the 麻豆传媒在线 community.

鈥淎s someone whose own life was transformed through international education, I cannot wait to work alongside 惭辞苍迟肠濒补颈谤鈥檚 students, faculty, and staff to expand opportunities for global learning, collaboration, and deeper human connection. I look forward to building a campus culture where curiosity, empathy, and intercultural understanding become part of everyday life.鈥�

Suzuki holds a doctoral degree in Higher Education Administration from Northeastern University and a master鈥檚 degree in Global E-Learning from Texas A&M University-Commerce.

This designation places 麻豆传媒在线 among institutions nationwide that demonstrate a sustained commitment to serving the military community. As an R2 research institution with a Friendly status, the University was evaluated on key measures including student support, academic outcomes, retention and career readiness for military-affiliated learners.

This recognition reflects 惭辞苍迟肠濒补颈谤鈥檚 ongoing commitment to helping military-connected students and families succeed through flexible learning opportunities, dedicated resources and a student-centered approach designed to support long-term academic and career achievement.

鈥淢ilitary-connected students and families bring exceptional leadership, resilience and real-world experience to our campus community,鈥� says Jon Gubitosi, assistant director of Veteran and Military Services. 鈥淲e are proud to support their educational journeys and help them reach their academic and career goals through programs designed with their needs in mind.鈥�

The Military Friendly Schools庐 designation is based on a comprehensive evaluation process that assesses institutions on student retention, graduation outcomes, career placement and the effectiveness of services supporting military-connected students. The recognition serves as a national benchmark for institutions committed to serving those who have served.

To learn more about programs and support for military affiliated students at 麻豆传媒在线, visit the University鈥檚 Veteran and Military Services webpage.

About Military Friendly庐

Military Friendly庐 is the standard that measures an organization鈥檚 commitment, effort, and success in creating sustainable and meaningful benefits for the military community. Over 2,900 organizations compete annually for the Military Friendly庐 designation. Military Friendly庐 is a service-disabled, veteran-owned small business. Military Friendly庐 is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Department of Defense or the federal government. Results are produced via a rules-based algorithm. The data-driven Military Friendly庐 lists and methodology can be found at .

in May during the 2026 Excellence in Policing Awards Ceremony held at the Richard J. Hughes Justice Complex in Trenton by Attorney General Jennifer Davenport and Executive Director Isa M. Abbassi of the Office of Policing Strategies and Innovation (OPSI). The annual event honors outstanding service and innovation among law enforcement agencies across New Jersey while highlighting efforts that strengthen relationships between police agencies and the communities they serve.

The 麻豆传媒在线 Police Department was one of fifteen agencies selected through a highly competitive statewide process that included more than 150 law enforcement agencies competing for a share of $500,000 in available grant funding.

About the Grant

The department was awarded $49,999.90 to support the continued development of comprehensive officer wellness programming focused on resilience, stress management, peer support, recovery, and healthy coping strategies. Funding will assist with training opportunities, educational materials and wellness resources including:

• Department-wide wellness event with a speaker focused on resilience, stress management, and trauma exposure
• Overtime funding to ensure full officer participation in trainings and wellness initiatives without impacting operations
• Strengthened peer support program with tools and resources to promote early intervention and internal support
• Implementation of ongoing wellness programming that supports stress reduction, recovery, and overall wellbeing
• Wellness kits and educational materials that reinforce healthy coping and daily wellness practices
• Expanded engagement to include officer families and retirees and strengthen long term support systems

鈥淭his funding will help us continue building a sustainable wellness program that recognizes the real impact stress, trauma, and burnout can have on law enforcement professionals,鈥� said Timothy Fox, Associate Vice President and Chief of Police at 麻豆传媒在线. 鈥淥ur goal is to provide meaningful support, practical resources, and a culture where wellness and resilience are prioritized for our officers, civilian staff, retirees, and families.鈥�

Chief Fox expressed his appreciation for this grant to Attorney General Jennifer Davenport and also recognized the leadership of Isa M. Abbassi and Andrew Caggiano for their collaborative efforts to prioritize officer wellness initiatives throughout New Jersey law enforcement.

鈥淭he partnership between the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police and OPSI continues to demonstrate the importance of supporting the mental health and wellness of law enforcement professionals,鈥� Chief Fox said. 鈥淧resident Andrew Caggiano and Executive Director Isa Abbassi deserve tremendous credit for helping make programs like this possible and for ensuring agencies across New Jersey have opportunities to strengthen wellness resources for their personnel and families.鈥�

Chief Timothy Fox and Tisheka Allen.

Chief Fox also acknowledged the contributions of Tisheka Allen, who leads the department鈥檚 Office of Community Resilience and Officer Wellness and played a critical role in both the development of the successful proposal and the department鈥檚 long-term wellness strategy.

鈥淭isheka was truly the driving force behind this initiative,鈥� Chief Fox said. 鈥淗er passion for officer wellness, trauma-informed support, and building meaningful resources for our personnel helped turn this proposal into a reality. Just as importantly, she will play a key role in ensuring these funds are used in the most impactful and thoughtful way possible to benefit our officers, civilian staff, retirees, and their families.鈥�

Allen has helped expand the department鈥檚 focus on wellness and resiliency by strengthening peer support efforts, developing wellness programming, and helping foster a culture where seeking support and prioritizing wellbeing are encouraged throughout the organization.

The department鈥檚 wellness initiatives reflect 麻豆传媒在线鈥檚 broader commitment to employee wellbeing, leadership development, and community-centered public safety.

The program will prepare professionals to support the academic, behavioral and emotional success of children and adolescents in school settings. Designed for individuals committed to improving student outcomes, the program combines doctoral-level coursework, supervised field experiences, and applied training to give graduates the skills needed to lead and deliver services across educational and child-focused environments.

麻豆传媒在线 has designed the hybrid PsyD program for early-career and experienced professionals. The program will offer multiple tracks to earn a degree, including:

• A three-year advanced standing track for certified school psychologists seeking to complete their doctoral degree
• A five-year pathway for students entering with a bachelor鈥檚 degree in psychology or a closely related field

Students in both tracks will meet the coursework requirements for licensure as a psychologist in New Jersey. Students in the five-year pathway will also meet requirements for New Jersey Department of Education School Psychologist Certification and earn a graduate certificate in Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS).

The program joins 10 doctoral-level programs at 麻豆传媒在线, including the Teacher Education Teacher Development PhD program in CEEL. 麻豆传媒在线 offers approximately 116 graduate degree and certificate programs in hybrid, fully online and in-person formats across its colleges and schools.

鈥淭he College for Education and Engaged Learning is excited to announce the launching of this doctoral-level program,鈥� says Dean Vincent C. Alfonso. 鈥淭his much-needed program will educate graduate students to serve children, youth and families at a time that is especially critical. The value added to educational settings, related entities and society is immeasurable.鈥�

To apply to the Doctor of School Psychology program at 麻豆传媒在线, visit /academics/programs/psyd-school-psychology/.

Vice President for Development and Alumni Engagement Rita Walters welcomed the glittering crowd of nearly 300 guests that included Steve Adubato 鈥�80 and Evie Colbert, and shared a video illustrating the impact of contributions to the University as a lead-up to presentation of the evening鈥檚 honorees.

Kent Sluyter, chairman of the Board of Trustees, presented the first of the event鈥檚 two awards to Rose C. Cali 鈥�80, a devoted alumna and lifelong champion of 麻豆传媒在线 whose leadership, philanthropy and service have strengthened the University and enriched the community for decades. He noted the many ways that Ms. Cali has contributed to 麻豆传媒在线, including as a Trustee, as a Foundation Board member, and as champion of the John J. Cali School of Music. Through her philanthropy, including an endowed scholarship she established with her late husband, John, Ms. Cali has opened doors for generations of talented music students.

Faculty Emeritus Rich Peterson presented the second award to Ori Eisen 鈥�97, an innovator and global leader in cybersecurity whose career protecting people online, and whose commitment to giving back, exemplifies the impact of a 麻豆传媒在线 education. His curiosity, and his dedication to uncovering the facts, contributed to his success as the fraud czar at American Express and later as a provider of fraud detection software to financial institutions. Today, he is known around the world as 鈥淒r. Fraud.鈥�

When President Koppell took the podium, he highlighted the enormous impact that a public-serving institution like 麻豆传媒在线, one that is devoted to accessibility and excellence, can have in students鈥� lives, and in the community.

鈥淲e promote the public good in the communities we serve,鈥� he said. 鈥淯niversities, and public universities in particular, are anchors: rooted in our communities, shaped by them and committed to their long-term wellbeing. We make real change through community partnerships, research opportunities and hands-on learning experiences.鈥�

After sharing the achievements of some of the University鈥檚 most promising students and most accomplished faculty members, Dr. Koppell pointed to 惭辞苍迟肠濒补颈谤鈥檚 selection as one of the first institutions designated by the Carnegie Foundation鈥檚 Elective Classification for Leadership for Public Purpose, making 麻豆传媒在线 one of only four institutions to be recognized as a federally designated Hispanic Serving Institution and as a Carnegie-classified community engaged as well as research institution. 鈥淚t is a significant achievement, and an enormous responsibility, to be a national leader in both scholarly purposes and public engagement,鈥� he noted.

Dr. Koppell鈥檚 remarks hit a particularly high note with the announcement of the Carpe Futurum Fund, a new initiative that will invest in scholarships, research and collaboration, and community partnerships that will position 麻豆传媒在线 as the standard-bearer of public higher education. 鈥淭he Carpe Futurum Fund will allow us to build on our vision, share our story and continue delivering both access and excellence,鈥� he said, adding that the expanded access for students, enhanced academic programs and strengthened community partnership created by the Fund will benefit 麻豆传媒在线 and its students for generations to come.

Dr. Koppell was in the process of appreciating the range of disciplines taught at 麻豆传媒在线, as demonstrated by the evening鈥檚 honorees 鈥� a professor dedicated to fighting cybercrime and a philanthropist who is deeply invested in nurturing new generations of musical artists 鈥� when a dozen or so of 惭辞苍迟肠濒补颈谤鈥檚 talented performing art students launched into a surprise performance. By the time they completed their rendition of 鈥淵ou Can鈥檛 Stop the Beat鈥� and 鈥淎nother Openin鈥� Show,鈥� the audience was awed, inspired and ready for a truly gala evening.

In closing, Dr. Koppell thanked everyone in the room for their contributions to the past, present and future of 麻豆传媒在线. He also invited the guests to take a moment to speak with the students in attendance. As he put it, 鈥渋n them, you will see the impact of everything we do, and everything we value, at 麻豆传媒在线.鈥�

Photos by John J. LaRosa and Ian Peters for 麻豆传媒在线

Sherrill, who has devoted her career to serving others as a Navy helicopter pilot, former federal prosecutor and Congresswoman before becoming New Jersey鈥檚 57th Governor, will give the Commencement address as part of the morning ceremony.

“Governor Sherrill embodies the values at the core of 麻豆传媒在线,鈥� says 麻豆传媒在线 President Jonathan Koppell. 鈥淗er lifelong commitment to public service, her pursuit of a more equitable and inclusive society and her record of transparent, fact-driven policymaking align closely with our mission. She has been part of the Red Hawk community for years as our neighbor and Congressional representative, and I am honored to have her address our graduates during her first Commencement as Governor.”

Governor Sherrill鈥檚 time in office 鈥� representing New Jersey鈥檚 11th Congressional District before becoming Governor in January 鈥� has been defined by efforts to better the lives of Garden State residents, families and our many diverse communities. As Governor, she has focused on making New Jersey affordable by freezing utility rate hikes and promoting a more transparent and accountable state government.

After graduating from the Naval Academy in 1994 鈥� the first class of women eligible for combat roles on ships and aircraft 鈥� Governor Sherrill spent 10 years on active duty in the U.S. Navy, where she served as a Sea King Helicopter pilot and led missions throughout Europe and the Middle East.

Following her time in the Navy, she graduated from law school and worked in private practice before joining the U.S. Attorney鈥檚 Office in New Jersey. As an Outreach and Re-entry Coordinator, she established programs to develop trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve and helped people leaving prison to gain employment, housing and education to restart their lives. As an Assistant U.S. Attorney, she prosecuted federal cases to keep the state鈥檚 communities safe and worked to take illegal guns off the streets of New Jersey.

麻豆传媒在线鈥檚 Commencement Exercises will be held on both May 11 and May 12 at the Prudential Center. For more information, visit 惭辞苍迟肠濒补颈谤鈥檚 commencement website.

鈥嬧�婽hat early decision changed everything. Brzezinski hadn鈥檛 expected an answer so quickly. 鈥淭hen I got the email and I was like, 鈥極h, I got into college.鈥欌�� In that moment, she says, the whole process suddenly felt real and changed the tone of her final year at Howell High School.

鈥淚t was a little more relaxing,鈥� she says. While she did go ahead and apply to other colleges, 鈥淚t definitely made the application process more manageable and a lot less stressful.鈥� Because the program is non鈥慴inding, Brzezinski could keep exploring options while holding a secure offer at 麻豆传媒在线.

Dana Brzezinski talks with friends on the 麻豆传媒在线 quad on a spring afternoon. (Photo by University Photographer Mike Peters)

What Sealed the Deal?

By the time she applied, Brzezinski had already fallen for the campus. 鈥淚 liked the community, and all of the buildings are beautiful,鈥� she says. 鈥淵ou could tell that the staff, the professors, when you saw them walking around, you could tell that they like their jobs.鈥� She also noticed something different about the students: 鈥淵ou see all the students outside together, talking instead of everyone just looking down at their phones. I feel like it’s just different here.鈥�

Now an aspiring elementary school teacher and first鈥憏ear Educational Foundations major, Brzezinski is already getting involved in campus life. She has joined the Future Educators Club and is eyeing the gardening club and other activities. 鈥淥verall, my freshman year is pretty good,鈥� she says. 鈥淚 can already tell that the elementary education program is a great fit for me.鈥�

Ready to Start Your 麻豆传媒在线 Journey?

High school juniors who want the same head start can learn more at Early Bird Admissions Program. Submit the online by June 15 to be considered. Look out for admission decisions and preliminary scholarship offers in July. Use early offers to talk with your family about finances and plan your next steps.

鈥淩ose and Ori exemplify the very best of 麻豆传媒在线,鈥� said 麻豆传媒在线 President Jonathan Koppell. 鈥淩ose exemplifies the spirit of community and generosity that we seek to cultivate. Ori has had a remarkable career launched by his years at 麻豆传媒在线. In different ways, each has transformed lives and communities while remaining closely connected to the values and mission that define 麻豆传媒在线.鈥�

Rose C. Cali 鈥�80

A proud alumna of 麻豆传媒在线, Rose has served the University in many capacities, including as a Trustee beginning in 1991, and as a member of the 麻豆传媒在线 Foundation Board and the John J. Cali School of Music Advisory Board. She is also the founder and former President and CEO of the Yogi Berra Museum and Learning Center.

Her loyalty and love for the University live on through an endowed gift for music student scholarships that Rose and her late husband, John, established. Through the John J. Cali School of Music, the Cali family鈥檚 generous support has transformed the University鈥檚 music program, strengthening its growth and excellence and impacting hundreds of students through scholarships.

Rose has also dedicated herself to countless causes in New Jersey, including the 麻豆传媒在线 Public Library, 麻豆传媒在线 Film Festival, Liberty Science Center and Jazz House Kids, among others.

鈥淚 love to attend events and concerts at the University and especially enjoy attending performances by the amazingly talented students from the Cali School,鈥� says Cali.

Ori Eisen 鈥�97

Dedicating his life to fighting online crime, Ori Eisen鈥檚 distinguished career has seen him serve in prominent roles at American Express and found both companies and charities 鈥� all while supporting his alma mater.

After serving as the Worldwide Fraud Director for American Express, Eisen founded 41st Parameter 鈥� the leading online fraud prevention and detection solution for financial institutions and e-commerce. After 41st Parameter was acquired by Experian in 2013, he founded Trusona, the company he still operates today.

Also a dedicated philanthropist, he has founded the charity, Ball to All, a charity that donates free soccer balls around the world to children who have never had one, and founded Original Films, partnering with the world’s most creative storytellers to tell stories that need to be told. He also volunteers with Thorn, the digital defenders of children.

Ori and Mirit Eisen, through their generous philanthropy, established the Eisen Mental Health Fund at 麻豆传媒在线. The fund is currently supporting a pilot project that improves student mental well-being utilizing the evidence-based Penn Resilience Program.

鈥淲e wanted to support the students of 麻豆传媒在线 with a groundbreaking program for mental well-being. It is hard enough to get accepted into higher education, and it is harder to stay a student with all of life鈥檚 challenges. Giving students the tools to cope with the stress and create more work/life balance is a dream come true.鈥�

Proceeds from the Gala will establish the President鈥檚 Carpe Futurum Fund, which will fund University priorities to help 麻豆传媒在线 seize the day and best serve the future. Through the Carpe Futurum Fund, the University will broaden access to rigorous education and exceptional learning opportunities by providing scholarship support, advance research and form partnerships that enhance prosperity, democracy and wellbeing in the communities it serves.

The funds will also count towards 惭辞苍迟肠濒补颈谤鈥檚 ONE DAY for 麻豆传媒在线 campaign totals, helping the University create opportunities, elevate achievements and celebrate its students.

鈥淭he Carpe Futurum Fund is designed to ensure 麻豆传媒在线 continues to expand opportunity, invest in innovation and deepen our impact in the communities we serve. By supporting our students, our research and our partnerships, this fund will help us build a future that is more inclusive and responsive to the challenges of our time,鈥� says Koppell.

Celebrate 麻豆传媒在线 is open to the public and will be held in the University鈥檚 Conference Center, located on the seventh floor of University Hall. Visit the Celebrate 麻豆传媒在线 website for more information.

The 麻豆传媒在线 programs that participate in the annual survey include Education, Public Health, Audiology, Speech-Language Pathology, Clinical Psychology, Business specializations including Accounting, Business Analytics, Finance, Marketing and Supply Chain Management; Fine Arts and the University鈥檚 Part-Time MBA program.

Highlights from the 2026 Best Graduate Programs Rankings:

• The University鈥檚 Master of Public Health ranked No. 142 overall, up 26 spots from No. 168 in 2025
• 惭辞苍迟肠濒补颈谤鈥檚 Doctor of Audiology ranked No. 49, up 12 spots from No. 61
• The University鈥檚 Doctor of Clinical Psychology ranked No. 168, up 8 spots from No. 176
• The institution鈥檚 overall ranked No. 104 overall and tied for second in N.J.

惭辞苍迟肠濒补颈谤鈥檚 Graduate Offerings

麻豆传媒在线 offers 116 graduate and eight doctoral programs across a range of disciplines in its 13 colleges and schools.

鈥淲e are very proud of this recognition of the exceptional quality of 麻豆传媒在线鈥檚 graduate programs,鈥� says Interim Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Fatma Mili. 鈥淚t affirms our mission to provide excellent education and make it accessible to students in our communities and beyond. These programs have been specifically designed to meet the needs of the region鈥檚 workforce and to allow professionals to upgrade their skills in ways that fit their lives and careers. These rankings show why 麻豆传媒在线 continues to be a top-choice institution for students at all stages of their lives.鈥�

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