Location: Savitz Hall Atrium

Arrive, visit the registration desk, pick up Summit materials, and connect with fellow students.

Location: Savitz Hall Atrium

Start the day with opening remarks from Dr. Rory McElwee, Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs and Dean of University College, followed by a review of the Summit agenda and resources by Brianna Metzger, Pre-Health Advisor. A QR code for the digital program will be provided to participants.

Location: Savitz Hall RM 242 | Rowan Thrive: Purpose

This student-centered panel explores how students can find their own 'flow' in college by building meaningful connections, getting involved, and discovering what makes their experience unique.

Panelists will share authentic experiences about finding community, stepping outside their comfort zones, and balancing academics, relationships, involvement, and career goals. The conversation will highlight how campus involvement can help students discover their strengths, values, interests, and sense of belonging. Rather than pursuing a 'perfect' college experience, students will be encouraged to embrace their own path and pace—and create an experience that feels right for them.

Facilitator: Drew D’Elia, MA: Career Counselor, Rowan University

Panelists: Charbel El Khouri, Kori Greenberg, and Tashir Ballard

(Option A) What If You Took a Different Path? Discovering Post-Graduation Options

Location: Savitz Hall RM 242 | Rowan Thrive: Purpose / Emotional / Financial

What if you explored your options before you had to choose one? The 'What If?' Workshops encourage students to look beyond the traditional path of graduating and immediately securing a full-time job.

This interactive session introduces students to the many possibilities available after graduation so they can begin exploring their options early and make informed decisions about their future. Students will discover pathways such as graduate and professional school, full-time and part-time employment, gap years, fellowships, service opportunities, teaching programs, and alternative career paths. Rather than asking students to figure out exactly what they want to do after graduation, this workshop encourages them to ask: 'What if I explored this?' 'What if there’s an option I haven’t considered?' 'What if I started preparing for it now?”

Presenter: Drew D’Elia, MA: Career Counselor, Rowan University 

(Option B) Design Your Future: Building a Four-Year Career Success Plan

Location: Savitz Hall Room 217 | Rowan Thrive: Purpose

College is more than earning a degree. It's an opportunity to build the experiences, skills, and connections that lead to career success. In this interactive workshop, students will create a personalized four-year career plan that maps out key milestones from their first year through graduation. Through guided activities, self-assessments, peer discussions, and planning exercises, participants will identify career goals, explore experiential learning opportunities, develop career readiness competencies, and create an actionable roadmap for internships, networking, leadership, and post-graduation success. Students will leave with a customized career plan and practical next steps to help them make the most of their college experience.

Presenter: Joe Hofmann, MA: Career Counselor, Rowan University

Location: Savitz Hall Atrium

Enjoy complimentary snacks and mocktails in the atrium, network with peers, and recharge before the keynote session.

Location: Savitz Hall Atrium | Rowan Thrive: Purpose

Your college journey isn’t about finding one perfect path—it’s about exploring, experimenting, and paying attention to the clues along the way. In this interactive keynote, we’ll explore three powerful questions: What brings you alive? What are your gifts? And where can you make a difference? You’ll uncover the strengths, interests, experiences, and values that can help guide your next steps—and discover why changing your mind, trying something new, or taking the long way around might actually be part of the plan. You don’t need a map. You just need to know what to look for.

Speaker: Lindsay Johnson, EdD, LPC, LADC: Assistant Director, Well-Being

(Option A) Describe. Decide. Roll: Who Are You Becoming?

Location: Savitz Hall Room 217 | Rowan Thrive: Purpose

College is a time of exploration, change, and growth. This interactive workshop invites students to create their own character sheet and reflect upon their strengths and values. Using the framework of Dungeons & Dragons, students will journey through different prompts (describe) and work together in small teams to decide what to do and ultimately, how those decisions make an impact (roll). Students will leave with a better understanding of themselves and how what you know about others can also help you learn more about yourself.

Presenter: Chrissy Feil, MEd: Director, Well-Being & Resiliency

(Option B) Community Impact Lab with the Office of Volunteerism & Community Engagement (VCE)

Location: Savitz Hall Room 242 | Rowan Thrive: Purpose

 Engage in hands-on, community-focused projects during this interactive session:

• Decorate & Plant Flowerpots for Local Seniors: Personalize flowerpots with stickers and ribbons, then plant flowers to be delivered to local senior centers. Supplies: flowerpots, stickers, ribbons, dirt, and plants
• Write Letters to Seniors: Create thoughtful, encouraging letters for local seniors using watercolor paints and markers. Supplies: paper, watercolor paints, and markers

Facilitators: Andrew Perrone, EdD: Assistant Director, and Alexandria Kerr, Graduate Coordinator, VCE

Charbel El Khoury is from Beirut, Lebanon. He graduated from Rowan University with a bachelor’s degree in Computing and Informatics and is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering, with a research focus on developing AI for the detection and classification of breast arterial cancer. Charbel also works as a Security Analyst at Rowan University. During his undergraduate experience, he was actively involved in multiple student organizations while working as a Resident Assistant, Teaching Assistant, and Technology Support Worker.

He has served as President of the Rowan Paintball Club for two years and continues to hold the position. Through his experiences outside the classroom, Charbel has developed valuable skills, built meaningful connections, and explored opportunities that have shaped his academic and professional journey.

Kori Greenberg is a junior at Rowan University majoring in Economics and Political Science. During her time at Rowan, she has worked with several university departments, including Career Services, Housing, Political Science and Economics, and Civil and Environmental Engineering.

Kori has conducted research on Central Asia and presented a paper with her research partner at the Northeastern Political Science Association. She is a proud member of ASCEND and ASPIRE and has participated in SGA’s LEAD program. She also serves on CA Council, is the Professional Development Chair for Rho Sigma Alpha, and serves as a Vice President of a student organization.

Tashir Ballard is a first-generation college graduate, Diversity and Inclusion professional, and entrepreneur committed to creating spaces where people are seen, valued, and empowered. At Rowan, Tashir is currently pursuing his M.A. in Diversity & Inclusion at Rowan University. He serves as the Interfaith & Spiritual Exploration Graduate Coordinator within the Center for Belonging & Student Engagement, where he supports interfaith programming, student belonging, faith-based organizations, and inclusive campus initiatives. His work is grounded in the belief that meaningful inclusion goes beyond representation, it requires intentional community-building, dialogue, and action.

Tashir is also the Founder & CEO of The Ballard Bakery, a faith-centered bakery built around his passion for baking, creativity, and community. The Ballard Bakery’s foundations is built upon, “Renewing spirits with sweet treats.” The bakery seeks bring people together through food while creating moments of joy, connection, and encouragement. Across his academic, professional, and entrepreneurial work, Tashir continues to explore the intersections of diversity, faith, identity, community, and social justice.

Lindsay Johnson, EdD, LPC, LCADC, received her Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Fordham University in 2011 and her Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Rowan University in 2022. Lindsay is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor.She serves as the Assistant Director of Well-Being and works to integrate the Thrive framework into the policies, practices, and programming here at Rowan. Lindsay is passionate about weaving well-being into all aspects of the university to create a supportive environment that fosters resiliency and meaningful living for all students, faculty, and staff. Lindsay has presented nationally and internationally on topics around well-being, values-based living, and prevention programming. She also loves to spend time with family and friends, travel, be silly, and do mostly anything sports-related.

Christine Feil, MEd, is currently the Director of Well-Being and Resiliency in the Center for Well-Being at Rowan University. She oversees the Rowan Thrive and Rowan Cares programs which focus on providing education, engagement, and advocacy for well-being for students, faculty, and staff. Chrissy earned a Master of Education in Counselor Education from Clemson University and a Bachelor of Science in Human Development from the University of Delaware. Her extensive experience includes supervising staff, developing strategic engagement plans, and teaching leadership courses. Chrissy loves coffee, gardening (both indoor and outdoor), podcasts, and seeing pictures of your pets!

Joe Hofmann, MEd, is a Career Counselor at Rowan University. He supports students with career exploration, resume review, job and internship search strategies, mock interviews, and networking. Joe earned his Master of Education in Educational Administration and Supervision from Rutgers University and his Bachelor of Arts in Spanish and Latin American Studies from the University of Delaware. He has worked with students in career development, academic advising, and international education for more than ten years. 

Alexandria Kerr serves as Graduate Coordinator for the Office of Volunteerism & Community Engagement at Rowan University. She is currently pursuing her Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Management through the Rohrer College of Business. Throughout her time at Rowan, she has also helped coordinate services at The Shop, the University's food pantry & resource center.