The Student Affairs branch, Student Transition Access and Retention (STARS), hosted their first Rising STAR Awards Ceremony to celebrate student achievement on April 15, 2025 at 4:30 p.m.

STARs takes initiative to prioritize scholarly success: the award presentations and dinner acknowledged the excellence, impact, and leadership of Stockton staff and students in Career Education and Development, Cultural Engagement Ospreys  (CEO), Military and Veterans Success Center, Student Transition Programs such as Transition Activity Leaders of New Students  (T.A.L.O.N.S), Academic Achievement Programs such as First Ospreys, Sankofa, and TogetHER, and the Educational Opportunity Fund (E.O.F.).

Assistant Vice president of STAR, Dr. Ana Edmondson, opened the ceremony by highlighting the offices and programs that support student achievement: “Today is all about you—the rising STARS of Stockton University.” 

Graduating senior, Jaden Hamlet, who received award recognition on behalf of Sankofa—a student retention program for minority male students on campus—reflected on his journey to receive his Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science. Hamlet shared, “My time at Stockton was not just a moment after a moment. It was a transition period.” This transition period he accredit to the various organizations on campus that kept him engaged and in a space of belonging. 

The six aforementioned departments awarded certificates to students that excelled in their respective program in addition to honoring graduates with stoles for commencement. Career Education and Development invites students, faculty and staff to explore career opportunities, so they recognized members of their department and students who supported these professional developments.

Cultural Engagement Ospreys presented awards to individuals who interned in the Empowered Leadership Conference, and the Military and Veterans Success Center thanked their members for serving both the school and the country by presenting coins and stoles. Student Transition Programs recognized the work of their team players and high impact orientation leaders, while First Ospreys acknowledged the work of their E-board and members that went above and beyond.

Sankofa and TogetHer—initiatives to promote brotherhood and sisterhood within underrepresented students—awarded outstanding leadership from both faculty and staff. Success Scholars, consisting of various academic achievement incentives, awarded their peer mentors, outstanding scholars, and coaches. Concluding the ceremony was the recognition of EOF Valedictorians’ spirit and advocacy.

Closing remarks on behalf of the Interim Vice President of Student Affairs William Latham, reminding students “We can’t go without saying how much we need opportunities to celebrate you”.