Stockton University’s Office of Global Engagement (OGE) hosted their Inaugural International Education Week Banquet & Awards Ceremony on November 19 at 6:00 p.m.

The ceremony started off with dinner and was followed with opening statements by Dr. Patricia Sagasti Suppes. Suppes thanked the professors, student interns, student workers, international students, and study abroad “champions.” Suppes addressed the international students and said, “We are all richer because you are here.”

Stockton University has had an increase in the number of student’s studying abroad from the spring semester of 2024. Stockton University has also been in nationwide statistics—having six of it’s students receive the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship in the last two years.

Although this event was a banquet to celebrate students and faculty for awards, it also highlighted the celebration of different cultures for international education week. Stockton’s OGE confirmed this by the food menu choice and the dance performances held by the Pakistani Student Association and Indian Student Association of Stockton University.

“The event was such a great experience, and I had a lot of fun showcasing our culture. As a first generational student, moments like this feel meaningful because they remind me how important it is to celebrate where we come from.” Laiba Khan, event coordinator of Pakistani Student Association, noted.

Finally, the award ceremony and winners of “Doors Around the World” were announced. “Doors Around the World” was a competition set by Stockton’s OGE, where all faculty, school and center officers competed to create and decorate the best “culture door.” Decorations were to showcase culture and history, language, or symbols of one chosen country.

The complete list of awards and awardees include:

• OGE Student Leaders & Interns:
• Abbygale Mooney
• Khrystyna Svystovych
• KaMiya Riley
• Jacklyn Kwarteng
• Mrugahski Brahmbhatt

• COIL Faculty:
• Dr. Felicia Chew
• Dr. Christopher DiSanto
• Dr. Judith Vogel
• Dr. Thushani Rodrigo-Peiris
• Dr. Benjamin Agyare
• Dr. Tait Chirenje
• Dr. Martiza Jauregui
• Dr. Harman Aryal
• Dr. Michael Rodriguez
• Dr. Michele Gaguski

• “Doors Around the World” Winners:
• 3rd Place, Lester Block, School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics (NAMS).
• 2nd Place, School of Social & Behavioral Sciences.
• 1st Place, School of Health Sciences.

• OGE Faculty Fellow 2025:
• Professor Mariana Smith
• Professor Janice Joseph

• Faculty Erasmus+ Recognition:
• Dr. Robert Gregg
• Dr. Donnetrice Allison
• Dr. Judith Vogel

• Student Erasmus+ Recognition:
• Matthew Marroccelli

• Faculty Fulbright Recognition:
• Dr. Trina Gipson-Jones

• Gilman Scholarship Recognition Summer 2025:
• Victoria “Tori” Ottinger
• Shakila Riaz

• Gilman Scholarship Recognition Spring 2025:
• Jacklyn Kwarteng

• CIEE Latin American Fellowship Recognition:
• Maria Becerra

To learn more about studying abroad, please visit the Office of Global Engagement in F-028.