On Friday February 25, 2022, Rutgers School of Social Work hosted the Dr. Paul Shane Annual Policy Symposium: Democracy in Crisis: A Call for Political & Social Justice. Programming included:
Introduction and Welcoming Remarks | DuWayne Battle, Cathryn C. Potter, and Lenna Nepomnyaschy, Rutgers School of Social Work
Keynote | Marla Blunt-Carter, Rutgers School of Social Work
Marla Blunt-Carter, MSW has committed her life to serving others. Blunt-Carter currently serves as Assistant Professor of Professional Practice. Prior to her career in academia, she held numerous positions in politics and practice including Projects Manager in the Senate office of then U.S. Senator Joe Biden; a State Director for the 2008 Obama/Biden presidential campaign; a Senior Agency Liaison in the Executive Office of the Obama Administration; and Senior Advisor for Delaware Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester.
Meditation | Anthony Nicotera, Seton Hall University
Anthony has his law and social work degrees, is an educator, clinician, development professional, licensed social worker and counselor, multifaith spiritual practitioner, and leader. He has over 20 years of spiritual and clinical counseling, coaching, and teaching experience, as well as nonprofit leadership and management experience. He serves as Assistant Professor in the Bachelor of Social Work Program in Seton Hall University's Department of Sociology, Anthropology, and Social Work. He also serves as Adjunct Professor in New York University's Silver School of Social Work, where he has been teaching courses in social justice, nonviolent peacemaking, multifaith leadership and spirituality for the past 13 years.
Featured Discussion | Stanley Neron, City of Elizabeth
Discussion Title: Federal Policy in NJ & Crisis in Haiti
Stanley Neron is an experienced inspirational speaker, human service and social service advocate, and spiritual steward. His commitment to service to others manifest in many aspects of his life. Neron hold's a bachelor's degree in public administration and collateral in Africana studies and is determined to assure that students of color achieve, enter and complete their educational goals.
A Call to Action | Elizabeth Lawrence & Monika Soto
Elizabeth Lawrence is a graduate of the Columbia University School of Social Work, where she earned her degree in International Social Welfare and Policy. Previously, she was the Director of Constituent Services and Deputy Chief of Staff for Assemblyman and Policy Chair Gary Schaer in the 36th Legislative District of New Jersey. Elizabeth is the Director of the Office of Constituent Relations in the Office of Governor Phil Murphy. Monika Soto is a graduate of Seton Hall University where she earned her BSW and Columbia University where she earned her MSW. Monika currently serves as Justice Ambassador Program Manager at Prison Fellowship.
The event also included student poster presentations. View and comment on each student poster by clicking on the links below.
Georgian Court University
Lydia Bovasso - Minority Parents and School Involvement
Chloe Kassner - Visitation Policy
Rutgers University
Idalizes Asgarali - Mental Health
Nancy Barna - Food Insecurity Among Groups at Risk
Alexandra Chis Luca - Missing Indigenous
Jennifer Del Rosario - Medicaid Substance Use
Sandrine Gashema - Police Brutality
Jatzary Gutierrez - Reducing Extreme Economic Inequality
Kamirah Hinton - Standby Custody
Danielle Luczak - Public Safety
Emma Melhorn - Reproductive Act
Annette Netta - SUPPORT Act of 2018
Jennifer Peterson - Investigation of Sexual Abuse
Mina Ryan - Texas Heartbeat Act
Jana Sasser - Mental Health Diversion
Shanti Shah - Mental Health Services for Students Act
Samantha Tulipani - Drinking Water and Wastewater
Clinton James Weatherborn - The EQUAL Act of 2021
Seton Hall University
Margaret Bautista - Ending Homelessness and Transitional Housing
Tamana Bawa - Bridging the Digital Divide Among Older Adults
Brigid Benko - Violence Against LGBTQAV
Sarah Nicole Chodnicki - The Lethal Link Between DV and Firearms
Emily Chou - Violence Across the Life Course
Chelsea Cordero - Economic Equality
Caitlin Delaney - Reducing the Health Gap
Camren Fitzsimmons - Putting an End to Homelessness, Where to Start
Alexandra Iosim - One Spill at a Time How Oil Spills Are Harming Wildlife Oceans People
Amanda Lauschus - Health Disparities and Democracy
Daniella Maffei - Smart Decarceration
Alexandra Meza - Food Policy in America
Markie Moore - Environmental Justice
Carolyn Murray - Assistive Technology in Special Education
John Serzan - Decrease Barriers to the Voting Process for Young Adults
Renee Wint - The Connection Between People of Color and Voting Rights
Lori Zerrusen - Galvanizing Democracy
St. Elizabeth University
Serene Clares Deeb - Policies that Impact Housing as a Social Determinant of Health
Marinely Gurrero - The Issues of Poverty Within America Solving the Social Injustice
Lissette Ortiz - Let's Create Economic Stability for Foster Care Youth
Kay Williams - Racial Disparities Pregnancy
Stockton University
Rebecca Dill - Family Violence Prevention
Jared Lombardi - Suicide Prevention
Logan Molitor - School Based Mental Health Programs
Isabelle Sanger Johnson - Matthew's Law
Christina Seel & Danielle Fischer - Home Grown Medicine Policy
