Brookdale Celebrates Global Impact at 14th Annual Global Citizenship Project Awards

In a celebration of student leadership, faculty commitment, and community engagement, Brookdale Community College hosted its 14th Annual Global Citizenship Project (GCP) Awards Ceremony, recognizing individuals who exemplify global awareness, social responsibility, and transformative education in action.

The event, held on campus, honored recipients of the Community Member and Employee Engagement Awards, Global Citizenship Distinction graduates, curricular and co-curricular award recipients, and faculty-nominated students for outstanding academic work focused on global issues.

Honoring Community Leaders

This year’s Community Member Engagement Awards were presented to:

• Markus Rodriquez, Director of the Office for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Long Branch Public Schools
• Christine Maber, YMCA of Greater Monmouth County Fitness Center Associate and graduate student in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
• Itzel Perez Hernandez, Immigrant Rights Organizer with the American Friends Service Committee and YMCA Board Member

Employee Engagement Awards were given to:

• Joir Kamphuis, Bilingual Student Success Coach
• Summer Deaver, Director of the Caroline Huber Holistic Wellness Center

Reflections from the Keynote Speaker

Keynote speaker Itzel Perez Hernandez delivered an emotional and inspiring reflection on her journey from Brookdale student to national immigration policy advocate:

“Ten years ago, Brookdale bet on a student like me. Today, I get to help create equitable education policies that impact thousands. That’s the power of belief, of mentorship, and of being seen. “When we invest in young people—no matter what—we create ripple effects that can change communities, systems, and futures.”

Global Citizenship Distinction Graduates

Two students were honored with the Global Citizenship Distinction (GCD) award:

• Brooke Sheroke, A.S. in Business Administration
• Vivek Patel, A.S. in Business Administration

To earn this distinction, students integrate global education into their coursework while participating in co-curricular programming and completing a capstone project focused on global issues.

Kelsey Maki, who introduced the GCD scholars, emphasized the meaning of the award:
“This is the highest student honor the GCP bestows. It’s not just a line on a résumé—it’s a testament to compassion, action, and intellectual curiosity.”

Brooke Sheroke reflected on how the program shaped her worldview:
“My capstone focused on global water access—something we take for granted but that’s a crisis for millions. GCD helped me connect my business studies to real-world issues. The program made me more open-minded, collaborative, and globally aware. It changed the way I see the world—and my role in it.”

Vivek Patel spoke of the connections made through the program:
“GCD helped me break out of my shell and realize I could lead and contribute. I studied poverty in Africa, served as secretary of the club, and learned that empathy, not just ambition, matters in business.”

Faculty-Nominated Curricular Excellence

Professors from across disciplines nominated students for exceptional academic work on global topics. Presenting faculty included Professors Kelsey Maki, Elana Maloney, Barbara Barrella, Elisa Elorza, Rajkumari Wesley, Jess Levine, and Ashley Zampogna-Krug.

Professor Ashley Zampogna-Krug emphasized the foundational role of open inquiry and exposure to diverse ideas in her teaching:
“One of the greatest gifts I was given as a college student was the gift of exposure to ideas. “My professors didn’t tell me what to think—they gave me the space to explore, to research, and to connect with people and perspectives that I hadn’t encountered before. That’s what I try to give my students now. My goal as an educator is to provide that same space—one that’s grounded in facts and research, not just headlines or social media. Within the curriculum, there’s always room to help students discover a corner of the world—or of themselves—that they haven’t explored yet. Hearing from our students today gives me so much hope for the future.”

Celebrating Student-Led Clubs and Projects

The GCP also recognized outstanding student involvement in global education and advocacy through club leadership and collaborative campus events.

Outstanding Involvement Awards were presented to members of:

• Students for Global Citizenship (S4GC)
• Dreamers+
• International Student Association (ISA)

Special recognition went to those involved in:

• Voices Unseen (The Current)
• MATH 015 Embedded Tutors Program
• S-STEM Scholars Program
• Pi Day partnership with Long Branch Public Schools
• Women in Engineering, Science, & Technology (WEST)
• Biology, Art & Design, and Reading Program Initiatives
• In Purpose and Global Read Printmaking Exhibitions

Dr. Janice Thomas, Director of the International Education Center, offered closing remarks, underscoring the theme of the day:
“This celebration reminds us that global citizenship is not just about crossing borders,” said Dr. Thomas. “It’s about opening hearts and minds to the shared humanity in us all.”

The ceremony celebrates another milestone in Brookdale’s dedication to cultivating global awareness and socially responsible leaders ready to shape a more equitable world.

For more information about the Global Citizenship Project and how to get involved, visit brookdalecc.edu/international/global-distinction/