CELEBRATING EXCELLENCE AWARDS

The engagement recipient is committed to the University's mission and contributes to its success. The recipient's contributions may include designing a workplace where employees feel inspired by their work, attracting talented employees, fostering collegiality, responsiveness, and trust, establishing avenues and dialogue that help employees, students, and alumni feel valued and appreciated, and reflecting Rowan's pillars, vision, and values through action. 

Helen Cardoso, Assistant Director of career access and engagement at the Advising & Career Exploration Center, encourages students to tap into their inner resources to shine and succeed. “Through my experience shadowing Helen, I have seen firsthand how dedicated she is to supporting students,” says a student intern nominator. “She genuinely cares about our success and consistently goes above and beyond to help us bring out our best.” Cardoso tailors resume feedback, job search strategies and mock interviews to meet each student’s specific needs and goals. As a result, students feel confident and well prepared when engaging with prospective employers. She also collaborates with staff across departments to coordinate career fairs, workshops and employer outreach. An encouraging mentor, she demonstrates leadership and nurtures growth by teaching and guiding students. In addition, Cardoso provides students in the human resources intern program with hands-on professional experience and strengthens the department’s ability to support students. “These efforts improve the overall student experience by making career resources more accessible, personalized and impactful,” the student says.

Chiara Latimer, director of the Center for Neurodiversity and the Autism PATH Program, takes a deeply student-centered approach in advancing opportunities for neurodivergent students. Leading a team of PATH coaches, she takes time to understand each student and their needs, empowering and supporting them to succeed academically and professionally. “Chiara skillfully provides personalized support to autistic and neurodivergent students while simultaneously working to enhance learning and workplace environments that better serve their needs,” a colleague says. “She helped me address concerns with my professors in a professional and effective manner, ensuring my needs were communicated clearly and allowing me to maintain my independence and advocate for myself,” says a student. “Students in the PATH program truly light up around her because she creates a space where everyone feels they belong,” says another student. Latimer has served as a catalyst for transformative change, developing career development initiatives tailored to the needs of neurodiverse students and cultivating partnerships with organizations to expand career opportunities and enhance student employability, according to another colleague.

Marisol Flores-Young faces unique challenges in her role as assistant director of Environmental Services at the Shreiber School of Veterinary Medicine at Rowan University. Flores-Young ensures future veterinary students work in a building that is clean, safe and functional, which is no easy task in a facility that features classrooms, laboratories and a public-facing veterinary hospital on the first floor. “She and her staff worked tirelessly around the clock after our building was completed to ensure that it was prepared for our first class of DVM students — less than two weeks after building completion!” according to an administrator. “In addition to her extraordinary work ethic, she brings a warm, positive attitude to every interaction,” a colleague says. A strong leader, Flores-Young values her teams, bringing them together for Environmental Services Week in the fall, where they enjoy special meals, games, prizes and recognition. “Making them know how much they are valued and appreciated keeps them going strong throughout the year,” a colleague says.