��Ƶ News - Feb. 27, 2026 - University Relations & Marketing

��Ƶ News - Feb. 27, 2026

WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT

Lifelong Impact of Scholarships Emphasized at Foundation Dinner

Megan Dumas, a senior Education and Human Development major, recently received the Previti Family Scholarship, which will allow her to continue advancing in her studies and her professional career without financial burden.

But earning a bachelor's degree almost didn’t happen for the 33-year-old.

During the ��Ƶ Foundation Scholarship Recognition Dinner on Feb. 19, Dumas told more than 200 guests that she didn’t pursue higher education until 10 years after graduating high school.

Six years after earning her associate degree from Atlantic Cape Community College — graduating with high honors and a 4.0 GPA while working full time as a paraprofessional in an elementary school at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic — Dumas turned to ��Ƶ to continue her collegiate journey.

The Absecon resident is already making plans to pursue and earn her master's degree — and she credits it all to the philanthropic efforts of ��Ƶ’s community.

“Because of ��Ƶ, and because of the generosity of our donors, I am able to pursue dreams that have been evolving for the past 33 years,” said Dumas, who was one of more than 700 students to receive a scholarship. “Thank you for investing in all of our futures. It is an honor to stand here before you today. Not as someone who is late… but as someone who never gave up.”

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��Ƶ Poll: Two-thirds of N.J. Voters Say Tariffs Led to Higher Prices

Two-thirds of New Jersey voters think the tariffs implemented by the Trump administration have led to higher prices for them and their families according to a ��Ƶ poll released Feb. 25. One in five (21%) said they’ve had no effect, and 8% said they’ve led to reduced prices.

The poll of 700 New Jersey voters was conducted from Feb. 6-16 by the William J. Hughes Center for Public Policy at ��Ƶ and has a margin of error of +/- 3.7 percentage points.

Among the two-thirds of voters who said tariffs have increased prices are 93% of Democrats, 62% of Independents and 22% of Republicans.

About half of Republicans (51%) think the tariffs have had no effect on the price of goods compared to 4% of Democrats and 23% of independents. Nearly 1 in 5 Republicans said they think the tariffs reduced prices whereas only 1% of Democrats and 8% of independents think the same.

“Tariffs have long been used by governments, including the United States, to protect domestic industries, address perceived unfair trade practices, and advance other political interests, but they often come with trade-offs like higher consumer prices, more expensive inputs for domestic industries, and retaliation from other countries,” said Tina Zappile, Hughes Center director and associate professor of Political Science.

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FRAME-WORTHY

Blizzard Blankets Campus, Creating Winter Wonderland

While the Blizzard of 2026 disrupted much of the state, it left behind a striking winter scene at ��Ƶ. Lake Fred was dressed in white, offering a picture-perfect view in the storm’s aftermath, as a few brave members of the campus community stepped out to take in the beauty.

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WHAT'S TRENDING @ #STOCKTONU

: How did you spend the blizzard of '26?

: The ��Ƶ experience in 60 seconds… 🦅💙

: Back before there were smartphones and Instagram.... In honor of #NationalRetroDay, here are a few images featured in the 50th anniversary mural on the Campus Center bridge.

FROM THE SIDELINES

Ospreys Earn NJAC All-Conference Honors

��Ƶ’s basketball teams earned multiple NJAC honors for the 2025-26 season.

three men's basketball players On the , Justin Harper was named to the NJAC Second Team, while Eriq Campbell and Tayvon Gaither received Honorable Mention recognition after helping lead the Ospreys to a 16-10 record.

For the , Zemirah Enalls was voted NJAC Rookie of the Year, andGrace Speer and Bre Evans earned all-conference honors.

NJAC Update: The men’s team was eliminated in the NJAC Tournament semifinals on Wednesday, Feb. 25, against TCNJ. The women fell to No. 17 William Paterson in their semifinal matchup.

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

OSPREY NOTES

Education 360: ��Ƶ Highlights the Full Circle of Education

��Ƶ Public Health alumna Kim Straniero, community outreach specialist for the Brain Injury Alliance of New Jersey, partnered with ��Ƶ to educate nearly 150 local high school students on Wednesday, Feb. 25.

In collaboration with the Brain Injury Alliance of New Jersey, ��Ƶ hosted an interactive, interprofessional learning program focused on brain injury care. The event brought together students, faculty and community partners for a day of hands-on education. Participants explored a range of health disciplines through concussion-focused lessons, demonstration stations and a multidisciplinary panel discussion. The program was designed to help students better understand the diverse roles within health care and the importance of teamwork in supporting individuals with brain injuries.

The event was made possible through the contributions of numerous faculty, staff and community partners, including Ali Moradi, Tara Crowell, Rebecca Mannel, Heather Green, Christine Gayda, Lee Bryant, Brenda Sterling, Delores Mozelle-Wright, Alysia Mastrangelo, Jan Boney, Adam Popowitz, MaryAnn Schiattarella, Rania Almajid, Stephanie Griffin, Fallon Duelly and Straniero. Graduate students across multiple programs also played a key role by leading demonstrations and engaging participants in applied learning, including Duelly, MPH; Norina Cobb, SLP; Joanna Mazzuchetti, SLP; and Anna McGinnis, OT.

“This immersive experience allowed students to gain meaningful insight into health care career pathways while seeing firsthand how interprofessional collaboration enhances patient outcomes,” Crowell said. “It reflects ��Ƶ’s continued commitment to preparing future health professionals through experiential and community-engaged learning.”

Town Hall Provides Updates on Enrollment, Budget and ��Ƶ

President Joe Bertolinohosted his annual Town Hall on Feb. 18, providing updates on key institutional priorities and addressing questions from faculty, staff and students. During the event, he discussed enrollment trends, the University’s budget outlook, ongoing campus initiatives and efforts to strengthen the academic enterprise. He also shared updates on the Strategic Plan implementation process and how ��Ƶ is responding to changes in the broader higher education landscape.

Questions that were not addressed live and their answers are available in the through March 27.

FAFSA Completion Appointments Available

Do your students need assistance completing their 26-27 FAFSA? The Office of Financial Aid is hosting several FAFSA Completion Appointments throughout the spring semester to assist students in completing their application for financial aid.

Appointments are available at 10 a.m., 11 a.m. and noon on March 3, March 31 and April 14. Additional appointments are offered at 1 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. on March 19 and April 9. Evening appointments will be held at 6 p.m. on March 4 and April 1.

Students and their FAFSA contributors are encouraged to attend ahead of the state’s April 15 deadline. Appointments can be scheduled at stockton.edu/contactfinaid through Ospreys Navigate using go��Ƶ portal login credentials.

Important Financial Aid Dates to Remember

It’s that time of year again! Please encourage your students to apply for 2026-27 financial aid by the university's March 1 Priority Date. Filing early ensures students receive their aid offer and have plenty of time to complete requirements before the fall bill due date.

If they can't apply by March 1, let's make sure they don't miss the April 15 deadline! Anyone who received TAG or the ��Ƶ Promise in the 25-26 academic year must complete their 26-27 FAFSA or NJ Alternative Application by April 15, 2026, to be considered for those funds in 26-27.

Students can learn more and get started at stockton.edu/fafsa.

Reminder: Review Tuition & Fee Scenarios Prior to Annual Tuition Hearing March 3

Prior to determining tuition and fees for the upcoming year, the Finance and Professional Services Committee of the Board of Trustees will hold a public hearing as required by New Jersey statute. The University’s Annual Tuition Hearing will be held on Tuesday, March 3 at 4:30 p.m. in the Michael Jacobson BOT Room in the Campus Center. This is an opportunity for the views of the ��Ƶ community to be shared with members of the Board of Trustees.

University leadership has prepared several tuition and fee scenarios for your consideration. You can view these scenarios in the . You will have the opportunity to comment on the proposed FY 2027 tuition and fee increases during the March 3 meeting. If you would like to make a public comment, either by appearing in-person, or by having your comment read during the meeting, please in advance to ensure time is allotted for your comment. Registration to attend the meeting is not required. The hearing will also be available via a , but please refer to the above instructions should you wish to make a public comment. Comments will not be accepted via Zoom.

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