Atlantic Cape Community College’s Center for Student Success (CSS) presented awards to graduating students for their outstanding academic achievements, as well as, faculty and staff members for their unsung dedication this school year during the Annual Graduate Awards Ceremony on May 2 in the Walter E. Edge Theater on the Mays Landing campus.
“Today, we gather together to celebrate the academic achievements, dedication and perseverance of all of you, our graduates. This marks the beginning of your milestone and we look forward to celebrating with you on graduation day,” said Dean of Students Stacey Zacharoff. “Today also begins the end of one chapter and an exciting beginning of another. We celebrate and allow you the opportunity to reflect upon your experiences here at Atlantic Cape because we know that once you graduate you will go on and spread the word letting everyone know that at Atlantic Cape we truly are a family.”
The CSS program offers a variety of services that include, but are not limited to, counseling, academic advisement, monitoring of academic progress, leadership development, mentoring, assistance with transfer process and cultural activities. At this year’s Commencement, 281 students will be graduating from the College’s special programs.
Such academic support programs that are available to help eligible students attain their academic goals include the Educational Opportunity Fund Program (EOF), Student Support Services (SSS), New Jersey STARS (NJSTARS), Center for Accessibility (CFA) and Men of Atlantic Cape (MAC).
The ceremony began with graduating students receiving a certificate signifying their academic achievements. Many of those students bestowed upon a college faculty or staff member the Extra Miler Award for going above and beyond to help them succeed along the way. Overall, more than 265 students were recognized for their successes as a CSS-eligible student.
The following college faculty and staff members were recognized with an Extra Miler Award, which rewards those who have gone above and beyond to help a student achieve success during their time at Atlantic Cape: Jeanine DiNardo (3), Kyle Fields, Keith Forrest, Wendy Gray, Jerome Ingram, Lynette Ingram, Najah Jones (4), David Jungblut, Cheryl Knowles-Harrigan, Linda Koch, Karla Maisto, Svetlana Marzelli, Jean McAlister, Angela Migliaccio, Stephanie Natale-Boianelli, Renee Patterson, Jessica Reynolds, Rich Russell, Dr. Beth Sanders-Rabinowitz, Christine Scarpa, Amy Shelton, Eric Stewart, Dr. Ashley Sullivan, Michelle Togashi and Dr. Francis Toriello.
Atlantic Cape CSS staff members announced the staff and student award winners in the following categories:
Staff Awards
Paula Stewart Davis Award: Samantha Adelman, Jessica Gustafson and Dr. Raymond Keller. The award is named after Paula Stewart Davis, a former Atlantic Cape retired Dean of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management.
Student Awards
Juan Alvarez Award: Imani Gray
Director’s Award: Lilibeth Garcia (EOF) and Jessica Gross (SSS)
Outstanding Achievement Award: Tina Austin (SSS), Brooklyn Fennen (EOF) and Isaiah Watson (MAC)
EOF Outstanding Academic Achievement: Brooklyn Fennen and Lilibeth Garcia
EOF Academic Achievement Award: Tina Austin
Counselor’s Awards
In Memory of Juan Alvarez Award: Imani Gray
Director’s Awards (3.0-3.49 GPA): Lilibeth Garcia and Jessica Gross
Outstanding Academic Achiever Awards (3.5 GPA or higher): Tina Austin, Brooklyn Fennen and Isaiah Watson
Learn more about the Center for Student Success at atlantic.edu/student-life/student-resources/counseling/index.php.
View a photo gallery from this event on Flickr at https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCcB6c.
