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Education

WGU establishes office in New Jersey to increase engagement with students, alumni, and external partners in northeastern states

Dr. Rebecca Watts appointed as Regional Vice President to lead team in 12-state region

SALT LAKE CITY–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Western Governors University (WGU) announced today that it has established an office in the greater New York City area to increase support for students, alumni, and external partners in 12 states in the Northeast. The university has appointed Rebecca Watts, Ph.D., as Regional Vice President.

Watts will lead university operations across the 12-state area—spanning the Eastern Seaboard from Virginia to Maine. In her role with the online, nonprofit university, she will help guide the strategic direction of WGU and further raise its profile among prospective students and university partners. She will play an instrumental role in developing and strengthening relationships with partner organizations that expand student access—especially among historically underserved student populations—to WGU’s nationally recognized postsecondary programs. Her leadership will also provide effective communications to external and internal audiences and strengthen WGU’s position as a leading organization in higher education.

Watts brings 17 years of experience as a leader in higher education. Previously, she was chancellor of WGU Ohio, a partnership between the state of Ohio and WGU to expand access to affordable higher education for Ohio residents through online, competency-based programs that address key workforce needs.

Prior to WGU, Watts served as executive director for the University of Wyoming Trustees Education Initiative, a statewide effort to support Wyoming’s K–12 schools with innovative educator preparation. As associate vice chancellor for P–16 Initiatives at the Ohio Department of Higher Education, she led educator preparation program review and approval, college readiness efforts, and STEM scholarship and college-access programs.

Watts holds a doctorate in higher education leadership from Ohio University and degrees in communication, including a master’s degree from the University of Illinois at Springfield, a bachelor’s degree from Sangamon State University, Ill., and an associate degree from Lincoln Land Community College, Ill. She lives in Jersey City, N.J.

About WGU

Established in 1997 by 19 U.S. governors with a mission to expand access to high-quality, affordable higher education, online, nonprofit WGU now serves more than 121,000 students nationwide and has more than 195,000 graduates in all 50 states. Driving innovation as the nation’s leading competency-based university, WGU has been recognized by the White House, state leaders, employers, and students as a model that works in postsecondary education. In just 23 years, the university has become a leading influence in changing the lives of individuals and families, and preparing the workforce needed in today’s rapidly evolving economy. WGU is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, has been named one of Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies, and has been featured on NPR, NBC Nightly News CNN, and in The New York Times. Learn more at www.wgu.edu

Contacts

Contact for media inquiries:
Dulcey Antonucci, WGU Communications

Dulcey.antonucci@wgu.edu

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Local News

Ocean County Teacher of the Year pitches at Trenton Thunder ballpark

TRENTON, N.J. — A history teacher for more than 10 years now,

William “Bill” Smith is Ocean County Teacher of the Year, 2018. Here he is celebrating his award at the ballpark at a Trenton Thunder game.
— Provided photo

William “Bill” Smith recently threw the first pitch at the Trenton Thunder game to celebrate his award for 2018-19 Ocean County Teacher of the Year.

Smith is from Hamilton and graduated from Rider University, but is currently teaching at Southern Regional Middle School in Manahawkin, where his seventh and eighth graders, and colleagues are really proud of him.

He states, “My students, past and present, seemed really proud of me. Many of them told me they posted news articles about it on their social media pages.”

Each year, the New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) initiates a four-step process to select a teacher within the State as NJ State Teacher of the Year.

It is an initiative that is also known as the Governor’s Educator of the Year Program.

The first step of the process starts with each school in the State selecting a teacher for Teacher of the Year.

Next, each teacher writes a series of essays to be named County Teacher of the Year.

Then, the 21 County Teachers of the Year make a video of them teaching instructional lessons in their classrooms.

Third, the NJDOE then selects six finalists for interviews in front of a nine-personal panel.

Finally, the NJDOE announces the NJ State Teacher of the Year.

Smith hopes to be a finalist, but says, “Just to make it this far has been an incredible experience. I’ve been so honored and humbled to make it this far.”

Smith also explained that when teachers win State Teacher of the Year, they have to leave the classroom from January to June to work for the State.

“The winner is gonna be completely out of the classroom. That would be a big adjustment for me,” he said.

However, he also mentioned that he agreed to the challenge, and would embrace the journey and the opportunity to affect change in a positive way.

But he would miss his students if he goes to the State.

“That part would be a bit sad. I am so much more comfortable in the classroom. That’s where I really thrive,” he said.

Smith says he has an average class size of around 25 students and they like his engaging and interactive teaching style, and his passion for history.

He said the positive rapport that he fosters with his students is one of his greatest strengths, and his students are one of the main reasons he won this award.

Smith studied history and education at Rider University from where he graduated in 2007, and has taught in Hunterdon and Burlington counties before teaching in Ocean County.

He is enjoying his distinction, and has more recognition and speaking events to attend. He also plans to go to Germany next April to learn about their education system. And, he said he might also shoot for the stars and apply for a Fulbright Grant.

Meanwhile, all the County Teachers of the Year are waiting to hear who will make the finals for the State Teacher of the Year announcement Oct. 3

Categories
Local News

NJ-04 produces annual art competition winners from among 650k students

HAMILTON, N.J. — Since 1982, more than 650,000 high school students have participated in the national Annual Congressional Art Competition, and this year’s winners from NJ 4th Congressional District were awarded at

Brynna Fisher from Princeton Day School is a winner this year in the Annual Congressional Art Competition.
— Provided photo
Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital-Hamilton (RWJ-Hamilton) Lakefront Tower Gallery recently.

Congressman Chris Smith (NJ-04), who sponsors the annual art show for high school students in NJ 4th Congressional District, announced the 2018 winners.

“The 2018 competition was one of the largest in 25 years,” Smith said. “We had many talented entries from across Mercer, Monmouth and Ocean counties. I congratulate ‘Best-In-Show’ winner, Jordan Heine. Her ‘American Graffiti’ was amazing. I congratulate all the winners and participants. The judges had a tough time picking the winners because of the amount of quality entries.”

The students’ artwork was displayed at RWJ-Hamilton art gallery since March 19. Judging took place on March 23, and the award ceremony took place April 12.

Student’s artwork in the Lakefront Tower Gallery at RWJ Hospital.
— Provided photo
RWJ-Hamilton CEO and President Richard Freeman attended the ceremony.

“Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital graciously hosted this competition at its wonderful Lakefront Tower Gallery,” said Smith. “Hospital visitors, as well as employees and patients have again responded positively to the show.”

The eight students who won this year are:

• Best in show – Jordan Heine, 11th grade, Wall High School; “American Graffiti” (acrylic on canvas)
• First place runner-up – Micayla Augustyn, 12th grade, Wall High School; “Dog Daze of Summer’’ (oil on canvas)
• Second place runner-up – Kylie Frew, 10th grade, Freehold Township High School; “City Hall” (colored pencil)
• Third place runner-up – Brynna Fisher, 10th grade, Princeton Day School; “The Point of Construction” (mixed media collage)
• Honorable mention – Sarah Fakult, 11th grade, Freehold Township Regional High School; “Empower the Bully Breed with Flowers” (oil on canvas)
• Honorable mention – Gazal Mathur, 9th grade, Robbinsville High School; “Sea’s Sick” (colored pencil)
• Honorable mention photography – Cece McCarthy, 12th grade, Red Bank Regional High School; “Sky Light (digital photography)

Three judges chose this year’s winners at RWJ March 23. The judges are Debbie Jencsik and Jim Inzero of Ocean County; and Rich Thompson of Mercer County.

“I am grateful to the judges for lending their time and expertise to this show,” said Smith. “I also thank RWJ-Hamilton President Richard Freeman and his staff, as well as the invaluable assistance of Lakefront Gallery curator Sheila Geisier and other members of the Princeton Photo Club which manages shows at the gallery. They all did an amazing job.”

The Congressional Institute sponsors this national high school art competition each year. It is an effort to recognize and foster artistic talent in each congressional district.

Students submit their entries to their Member of Congress office, and a panel of judges selects the winners. Participation in the contest is at the discretion of each member office.

The Best in Show winners are recognized at an annual awards ceremony in Washington, D.C., and the artwork are displayed for one year at the U.S. Capitol.

For more information about eh 2018 NJ-04 show or to view recent years’ winners, click here.

Categories
Art & Life

NJ playwright envisions DREAM Act reality

Manuel vs. The Statue of Liberty, an award-winning musical comedy by a Princeton playwright, Noemi de la Puente, addresses the issue of illegal immigration and the “absurdities” brilliant students usually face in America’s schools, given the absence of the DREAM Act.

A Princeton University undergraduate who was an illegal immigrant, and could not accept a scholarship to Oxford University, UK, because he could not leave the United States to travel — considering he was undocumented, fights with the Statue of Liberty in the show. His story inspired the musical comedy. The character Manuel in the play represents this student.

Manuel vs Statue of Liberty from Michelle Dryden on Vimeo.

The Statue of Liberty depicts the “diva democracy’’ on immigration in the United States. De la Puente said that a musical comedy was the best vehicle to drive home the messages of the play. She said that the music is multicultural and the comedy lightens notions on the very serious reality of immigration in America.

Manuel vs. The Statue of Liberty play has won awards, including NYMF in 2014. The Statue of Liberty herself has won an individual award. This comedy has been shown at theaters in New York and at local theaters in New Jersey. This play was also at a Princeton University theater earlier this weekend.