Berkeley College Honors student Genise Rouse of Sayreville, NJ, presented her thesis, “Elderly Dealing with Depression,” at the Berkeley College 2016 Research Symposium held in Midtown Manhattan on August 26, 2016. Ms. Rouse said that older people are at risk for depression and resistant to treatment because they do not want to burden their families.

More than 30 Berkeley College Honors Program students presented solutions to address important issues in their fields at the 2016 Honors Scholars Research Symposium held at Berkeley College in Midtown Manhattan on Friday, August 26, 2016. Research topics were varied, ranging from healthcare comparisons among countries to the use of disproportionate force by police against minorities.

Byron K. Hargrove, PhD, Director, Berkeley College Honors Program, greeted the presenters, faculty, staff, family and friends, and introduced the program.

“Not only are you bright, having been on the Dean’s or President’s List to be selected to this learning community, the Berkeley College Honors Program. You also are learning to be student scholars, to share your ideas about current events and their solutions. This fall you will be among 165 students in the Honors Program. We are going to push you, challenge you, and celebrate with you,” he said.

“You know more about your subject than anyone here,” said Michael J. Smith, Berkeley College President. “Enjoy yourself; share your knowledge; find your area of interest; and read everything you can.”

Research topics selected by the Honors students included child abuse, dealing with depression in the elderly, and social welfare in the United States. Brain performance based on genes or lifestyle, successful relationships while living with bipolar disorder, and the importance of psychological health to the human body were topics selected in the category of stress, health and mental health.

For more stories about Berkeley, scroll down:

Berkeley College Student And Champion Downhill Longboarder Appear On Television With Joanna Gagis
Law Enforcement Officials, Faith-Based Leaders And Educators Address Social Issues Impacting The Hispanic Community At Berkeley College In Newark

Those related to science and ethics included protecting animals in research, and the negative impacts of genetically modified organisms on human beings, for example. Other categories included international/global issues, and business, fashion, and design.

“Because of your abilities and your skills, there will be higher expectations,” President Smith also told the students. “The honors cords you wear at graduation represent much.” He urged them each to help others and to help another student get to the graduation stage. “The power of your effort will be multiplied in ways you cannot know,” he said.

Berkeley College Honors student Kaitlyn Breur of Parsippany, NJ, presented her thesis, “Art Therapy’s Impact on Daily Life.” Ms. Breur explained that even when you fix a physical health problem, you are left with the stress, and art therapy helps to manage the daily stress.

“Elderly Dealing with Depression,” was the topic of the thesis presented by Berkeley College Honors student Genise Rouse of Sayreville, NJ. Ms. Rouse said that older people are at risk for depression and resistant to treatment because they do not want to burden their families.

Emily Pross (right), 19, of Vernon, NJ, discusses becoming a longboarding world champion while earning a degree from Berkeley College during an appearance on the public television program Life & Living with Joanna Gagis on August 20, 2016.

Berkeley College Student And Champion Downhill Longboarder Appear On Television With Joanna Gagis

Berkeley College student and longboarding world champion Emily Pross, 19, of Vernon, NJ, was featured on the public television program Life & Living with Joanna Gagis on August 20, 2016. During the show, Ms. Pross discussed her journey toward becoming a top-ranked female downhill longboarder in the International Downhill Federation (IDF) while working towards a Marketing Communications degree from Berkeley College, expecting to graduate in 2018.
Watch the entire segment with Ms. Pross here.

Ms. Pross often travels around the world to compete in longboarding races, having recently returned from this summer’s 2016 International Downhill Federation Euro Tour. With clear goals, a supportive family and flexible scheduling of classes, Ms. Pross has been able to succeed at Berkeley College while taking courses online and in Dover, NJ. She has been named to the President’s List at Berkeley College since the Fall 2015 Quarter.

Berkeley College recently became one of Ms. Pross’ sponsors, providing additional support as she travels to compete. “Not every day do you get a sponsor from outside of the downhill longboarding industry, and it meant a lot to me that my school would also have my back at the world circuit this year,” she said during the interview.

While appearing on the show, Ms. Pross also touched upon her efforts to break down barriers for women in the mostly male driven sport. “In the 21st Century, you would think guys would be open to women being allowed in their space, such as in skateboarding … unfortunately that’s not the case,” she said.

Ms. Pross’ next race will occur at the Red Bull Donner Pass on September 10, 2016, in Donner Pass, CA. She will also be competing in the Soldiers of Downhill from October 7-9, 2016, in Bainbridge, OH. Click here to watch footage of Ms. Pross practicing for the Kozakov Challenge in the Czech Republic.

(Top) Rev. Jose C. Lopez, CEO/President New Jersey Center for Empowerment and Community Development, addresses a panel of community leaders at the Hispanic Leadership Forum at Berkeley College. (Above, L to R) Moya Bansile, Professor, Legal Studies, Berkeley College School of Professional Studies; Margarita Rivera, Assistant Prosecutor, Essex County Prosecutor’s Office; Angela Harrington, Berkeley College Assistant Vice President, Communications and External Relations; Camelia Valdes, Passaic County Prosecutor; Rev. Lopez; Juanita Lopez; and Joel Martinez, Campus Operating Officer, Berkeley College Newark. Not pictured is Ralph Grant, PhD, Vice President, Operations and Public Affairs, Pillar College.

Law Enforcement Officials, Faith-Based Leaders And Educators Address Social Issues Impacting The Hispanic Community At Berkeley College In Newark

Officials from law enforcement, higher education and the local faith-based community came together for a dialogue on strengthening New Jersey’s communities during the Hispanic Leadership Forum on Social Justice, held August 22, 2016, at Berkeley College in Newark. The panelists addressed issues facing diverse urban communities including juvenile justice, prison re-entry, bail reform and higher education.

“Fear is in town today. We must look at each person as another self and address the pain and suffering that is harmful to our communities,” said Rev. Jose C. Lopez, CEO/President, New Jersey Center for Empowerment and Community Development, which organized the Forum. “Civil dialogue can help eliminate fear and is a starting point,” said Rev. Lopez.

The panelists opened the dialogue with their personal and professional histories, and related in many instances how the encouragement of a single person helped them overcome misperceptions and barriers to attaining their education and professional aspirations. The group discussed race, culture, class and gender and the roles they play in law enforcement, the judicial system, education and the quality of life in communities.

Moya Bansile, Professor, Legal Studies, Berkeley College School of Professional Studies, said one-on-one mentorship, education and social reform, are among the factors in fostering social equity among America’s diverse society. “I want to motivate and inspire my students to develop a sense of self-awareness and a depth of knowledge about the (U.S.) Constitution and to feel comfortable challenging systems and laws to make them fairer.”

Camelia Valdes, Passaic County Prosecutor, discussed a constitutional amendment on bail reform in New Jersey being piloted in Passaic County. The bail reform law, which goes into effect on January 1, 2017, requires full hearings within 48 hours for the most dangerous defendants, said Ms. Valdes. At the same time, most low-risk offenders who cannot afford to pay bail, and who meet certain requirements, would not have to spend time in jail prior to their court hearing. “These reforms will have an impact on expediting our most violent offenders and will reduce the county jail population,” Ms. Valdes said.

Ms. Valdes and Margarita Rivera, Assistant Prosecutor, Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, also spoke about how socio-economic disparities, including gaps in education and employment, impact crime and the criminal justice system.

“If we are going to have a responsible conversation about crime, we need to talk about all the factors that lead to crime,” Ms. Valdes said.

“We have to address the factors (that lead to crime) and educate the public,” added Ms. Rivera.

Ralph Grant, Vice President, Operations and Public Affairs, Pillar College, said that access to education plays an important role in reducing crime and opening opportunities for youth.

“We need to ask ‘How do we get from where we are to where we want to go?’ ” Mr. Grant said. “Yes, education is expensive, but if you think education is expensive, try ignorance.”

The panelists also conversed with Berkeley College faculty about important social justice issues that should be discussed in the classroom, such as the ripple effects of incarceration on communities and families, and equity in media coverage.