Engage NJ selected the first Kesselman Student Fellows for the Advancement of Democracy, including a team of three Stockton University students.
The fellowship program was established this spring and named in recognition of retiring Stockton President Harvey Kesselman, who has been a staunch advocate for the advancement of human rights in New Jersey.
The Kesselman Student Fellowships empower teams of students to work on local community projects that advance democracy by finding solutions to connect people across differences and by removing barriers to opportunity faced by individuals in local communities.
From Stockton University, Olivia Lovett of Somers Point, Lauren Whaley of Port Republic, and Andrea Sandoval of Freehold were selected for their project “Dignity and Access.” Their goal is to increase the resources of the Osprey Pantry, Stocktons on-campus student pantry, to improve overall health, well-being and dignity of the students it serves.
“I am very proud that the inaugural teams of Kesselman Fellows include Stockton students whose project will have a profound impact on our community,” said Kesselman, who is retiring June 30.
Teams from St. Peter’s University and Raritan Valley Community College were selected for projects that strive to preserve the cultural knowledge of immigrants and eliminate student food insecurity, respectively.
“We are putting our best foot forward to give these teams of Kesselman Fellows the support and kudos they deserve. They will carry the name with pride and purpose, while their $1,000 award will provide them with the financial resources to achieve their goals,” said Saul Petersen, executive director of Engage NJ.
Each team will conduct their project during the 2023-2024 academic year while being provided opportunities for professional pathway coaching and skills development opportunities, including consensus-building, public speaking and networking.
Engage NJ promotes student action to advance democracy while developing the skills and competencies to thrive in 21st century life and work.
