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Convocation marks the traditional beginning of the academic year and offers a unique opportunity to rededicate ourselves to NJCU’s mission of teaching, research, and service. The ceremony serves as a proud reminder of the tremendous depth of knowledge of our faculty and their commitment to the NJCU community.
We've created a webpage where you can post and view messages to students, faculty, staff, and speakers. Be sure to visit on the day of the event to be eligible to win raffle prizes!
NJCU Afro-Peruvian Ensemble
Directed by Gabriel Alegria
Composed by Juan "Cotito" Medrano
Arranged by Gabriel Alegria & Freddy "Huevito" Lobatón
As a proud federally designated Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSIs; postsecondary institutions that enroll at least 25% Latinx undergraduate students), we are thrilled that our keynote address will be delivered by Gina Ann Garcia, associate professor in the department of Educational Foundations, Organizations, and Policy at the University of Pittsburgh, and author of Becoming Hispanic-Serving Institutions: Opportunities for Colleges & Universities.
Garcia teaches master’s and doctoral students pursuing degrees in higher education and student affairs. Her research centers on issues of equity and justice in higher education with an emphasis on three core areas: HSIs, Latinx college students, and race and racism in higher education.
She has made numerous presentations at national conferences, including the American Educational Research Association (AERA), Association for the Study of Higher Education (ASHE), and ACPA College Student Educators International, and given talks at more than 25 colleges and universities. She has also co-authored multiple publications in top journals including American Educational Research Journal, The Review of Higher Education, and Journal of Diversity in Higher Education.
Garcia had garnered multiple honors and awards. She was the recipient of postdoctoral fellowships from both the Ford Foundation and the National Academy of Education/Spencer. She also received the Early Career Scholar Award from AERA’s Hispanic Research Issues SIG and in fall 2018 she was the recipient of the ASHE CEP Mildred García Award for Exemplary Scholarship (Junior).
Garcia graduated from California State University, Northridge with a bachelor’s degree in marketing and the University of Maryland, College Park with a master’s degree in college student personnel. She also earned a Ph.D. in higher education and organizational change from the University of California, Los Angeles.