INFORMATION FOR
Twelve William Paterson University faculty and staff have been named as the recipients of the institution’s 2026 Pioneer Awards. The Pioneer Awards honor faculty and staff for their exemplary contributions, leadership, and dedication to the William Paterson University community.
“One of the things I value most about my role is the opportunity to see and celebrate the people who make our university such a special place. The Pioneer Awards are especially meaningful because they recognize colleagues who don’t just get the work done—they find thoughtful, innovative and fiscally responsible ways to make a difference in the lives of our students and our community,” says Allison Boucher-Jarvis, vice president for human resources. “While we celebrate this year’s awardees, I also want to recognize everyone who was nominated and their nominators. Each nomination reflects someone whose contributions matter and whose dedication deserves to be acknowledged. When we recognize those who help others succeed, we celebrate what makes our university great—and inspire what it can become.”
The 2026 Pioneer Award recipients are:
Award: Leadership and Professional Achievement
Nominated by: Rose Mitchell, Senior Project Coordinator, ASPIRE Grant Program
Dr. Melkamu Zeleke was nominated for his strategic vision, accountability, and results-oriented leadership. Specifically, he was recognized for his instrumental role in designing, launching, and assessing the College of Science and Health Supplemental Instruction, established in 2021 to enhance peer-to-peer academic support in rigorous entry-level STEM courses. Dr. Zeleke works collaboratively with department chairs, ASPIRE staff, peer leaders, and the Dean’s Office to ensure its success. Today, the program supports more than 20 STEM courses each semester and serves several hundred students. Its impact is both significant and well-documented: a fall 2025 study conducted by the Division of Academic Affairs found that students who attend SI sessions regularly (eight or more sessions) experience an 18 to 23 percent reduction in DFW rates, an average increase of half a letter grade, and more than a 5 percent improvement in semester-to-semester persistence. In addition to advancing student success initiatives, Dr. Zeleke has been a driving force in elevating faculty excellence across the College and beyond. He leads the College’s partnership with the American College and University Educators (ACUE), through which more than 35 COSH faculty members have completed micro-credential courses in Effective Teaching Practices since 2021.
Award: Innovation and Continuous Improvement
Nominated by: Anthony Bowrin, Dean, Cotsakos College of Business
Brian Grzymkowski was recognized for his forward-thinking approach and unwavering commitment to advancing Cotsakos College of Business (CCOB) graduate programs. His work has transformed how the College delivers graduate advising, strengthened operational efficiency, elevated service quality, and enhanced the professional growth and collaboration of staff. A defining example of his impact has been his leadership in restructuring and streamlining CCOB’s graduate student advising process, resulting in significant and measurable innovations that enable the College to meet the needs of more than twice the number of students with only a 50 percent increase in staffing. In addition, student feedback regarding advising services has been consistently positive, highlighting responsiveness, clarity, and overall satisfaction. Beyond process improvements, Brian distinguishes himself through his collaborative leadership and commitment to mentorship.
Award: Faculty as Mentor
Nominated by: Christie Jaime, Internship Site Coordinator, Department of Public Health
Dr. Corey Basch was recognized for her role as a mentor to her colleague in the Department of Public Health. Her willingness to see the potential in someone outside the traditional student-mentor relationship was transformative; under her mentorship, Christie became a co-author on 10 peer-reviewed publications and participated in multiple conference presentations. One of their collaborations, “Deconstructing TikTok Videos on Mental Health,” published in JMIR Formative Research, has been cited nearly 200 times, featured by the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing, and covered by major media outlets including the New York Times. During her career at William Paterson, Professor Basch has mentored more than 60 student researchers who appear as co-authors on more than 150 peer-reviewed publications. She generously shares her expertise in research, publication, and professional development with colleagues at every level and helps alumni plan for graduate school, prepare for job interviews, and navigate career decisions with the same investment she brought to their time on campus.
Award: Community Impact
Nominated by: Francisco Diaz, Associate Vice President for Student Development, and Eileen Lubeck, Associate Vice President and Dean of Students
Donna Minnich Spuhler, Director of Campus Activities, Service, and Leadership (CASL)
Leslie Fischgrund, Part-Time, Pioneer Pantry
Di’Andre Davenport, Marketing and Program Coordinator, CASL
Margaret Ayala-Wallace, Program Assistant, CASL
Vickie Jengo, Assistant Director, CASL
Barbee Edwards, Civic Engagement/Pioneer Pantry Coordinator
Theresa Bivaletz, Social Worker for Student Support and Resources
The members of the Hunger-Free Task Force were recognized for their work in addressing food insecurity on campus. Their collaboration, dedication, and creativity have made a significant difference in increasing number of students who report food insecurity is a challenge. Under the direction of Donna Minnich Spuhler, the CASL team has transformed the Pioneer Pantry from what began as a small closet in 2017 into a full-service food pantry that has become vital to student success. During the 2024-25 academic year, the Pioneer Pantry served 717 students through 3,273 visits. Entirely sustained through grants and donations, the pantry relies on the dedication, compassion, and innovation of the CASL team. Donna has also been instrumental in securing two OSHE Hunger-Free Campus grants totaling $102,504, along with additional grants and donations exceeding $20,000. These funds have supported food purchases, essential equipment, bus tickets to local grocery stores, and the construction of an accessibility ramp so all students can access the new, larger, pantry location. In addition to managing daily operations, staff have devoted time to ordering food, transporting donations, stocking shelves, and managing volunteers, as well as identifying additional resources, and promoting hunger awareness through social media and events. Beyond the pantry, partnerships have been established with the Community Food Bank of New Jersey and CUMAC, resulting in the acquisition of more than 58,000 pounds of free food. Other initiatives include the designation of William Paterson as a Passaic County location for CUMAC’s mobile food bank, and the establishment of the Swipe Out Hunger program, which encourages students to donate unused meal swipes to support other students; and Pio’s Food Share, which notifies students when leftover event food is available.
Award: Team Spirit
Nominated by: Emmanuel S. Onaivi, Professor of Biology, and Nan Wang, Professor of Computer Science
Rose Mitchell was recognized for leadership of the ASPIRE Grant Program, her tireless dedication to students and her extraordinary efforts in organizing and supporting a wide range of activities and events that benefit not only the students, but also the college and surrounding community. Under her leadership, the ASPIRE Program has flourished into a critical pillar of student support, easing the transition for incoming students through intensive academic preparation, mentorship, and community building. Through ASPIRE, many students—especially those from underrepresented backgrounds—have found a welcoming, supportive environment that sets the foundation for their success throughout their college journey. Her vision for early engagement has not only boosted retention rates but has also given students a strong sense of belonging before their first semester even begins. She also has played a critical role in expanding internship opportunities and creating pathways for students to gain real-world experience early in their academic careers.
Award: Unsung Hero
Nominated by: Lavina Mahtani, Director of Talent Acquisition and Employee Learning and Development
Andres Charria-Garcia was recognized for being an unsung hero as the steady force behind the University’s printing and copy center, ensuring that the needs of students, faculty, and staff are met with consistency, precision, and care, and that the facility operates with reliability and efficiency every single day. Beyond maintaining daily operations, he has made thoughtful, impactful improvements that have directly benefited the University, including identifying inefficiencies in supply management and aligning ordering practices with actual demand. This resulted in cost savings and more efficient operations, reinforcing his commitment to stewardship of University resources. He also takes a personal interest in projects, often walking colleagues through the process, helping them navigate the system, and ensuring the final product meets their needs. His humility, kindness, and pride in his work are evident in every interaction.
