Brookdale Inducts New Members into Tau Upsilon Alpha Human Services Honor Society

Brookdale Community College proudly welcomed a new class of inductees into the Beta Kappa Chapter of Tau Upsilon Alpha (TUA), the National Organization for Human Services Honor Society. The ceremony celebrated the academic excellence, service commitment, and leadership potential of students dedicated to making a difference in their communities.

The mission of Tau Upsilon Alpha is to honor academic excellence, foster lifelong learning and leadership, and promote excellence in service to humanity. The TUA emblem symbolizes the tireless efforts of human services professionals working to empower individuals through education and service.

The event featured a keynote address by Gina Hooper, a Brookdale alumna and respected leader in the human services field, who inspired the inductees to pursue their careers with compassion, resilience, and a commitment to lifelong learning.

The Brookdale Class of 2025 inductees represent a diverse and passionate group of students and professionals committed to careers in social work, counseling, community support, and human services leadership. Their stories reflect resilience, compassion, and a deep desire to serve populations in need, from children with disabilities to survivors of trauma and those struggling with addiction and mental health challenges.

Meet the Inductees:

Ava Bonanno is a continuing student in the Human Services program and a member of NSLS and Psi Beta. Previously, she founded a mental health club, “Every Mind Matters,” at her former university and aspires to work in hospital social work.

Abigail Entwistle, graduating this spring, is transferring to Rutgers at Brookdale. She is passionate about supporting survivors of domestic violence and works as a Direct Support Professional at Family Resource Associates.

Brooke Meberg plans to pursue a master’s in social work, possibly at Ramapo or West Chester University. Her interests include addiction, corrections, and domestic violence. She currently works multiple part-time jobs, including supporting children with disabilities.

Renata Mongillo is an immigrant student graduating in the Fall 2025 and transferring to Rutgers. Inspired by the impact of addiction on youth, she aims to work in substance abuse prevention and treatment.

Nisha Narang co-leads the peer support group “Autism on a Deeper Level” and works at the Brookdale Wellness Center. She is a first-generation college student dedicated to counseling individuals on the autism spectrum. She will graduate in May.

Andrea Peralta, discovered a need for bilingual ABA therapists through her internships and plans to become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, working closely with youth populations. She will be graduating this spring and transgerring to Rutgers University on the Brookdale campus.

William Ring plans to serve the autistic adult population and has co-developed the “Autism on a Deeper Level” support group at Brookdale. He is currently an intern at the Caroline Huber Holistic Wellness Center and will graduate this May.

Kevonna Robinson will graduate in Fall 2025, and is transferring to Rutgers. She brings nine years of experience as a Direct Support Professional. She aims to become an LCSW and Clinical Therapist for individuals with mental health and substance use challenges.

Aparajita Sahoo, will graduate in Spring 2026, is passionate about creating community awareness. She also explores her creativity through poetry and short stories and works as a Life Enrichment Manager at Sunrise Senior Living.

Yuririan Santiago-Reyes is graduating from Brookdale this Spring and will continue her studies at Rutgers University on the Brookdale campus. As a proud first-generation college student, she is passionate about serving the Latino youth population and positively impacting her community.

Jennifer Wojcio is graduating this spring, and is also a full-time psychology major at Montclair State University. She is committed to advocating for individuals facing substance use disorders, especially those who lack access to adequate resources or face systemic barriers to recovery. Her ultimate goal is to work in addiction counseling, harm reduction, or advocacy, ensuring people receive the support they need to rebuild their lives.

Alum Gina Hooper was also honored and inducted at the ceremony in recognition of her professional achievements and contributions to the field. Hooper holds an Associate Degree from Brookdale and a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees from Rutgers University. She carries multiple credentials including MBA, LMSW, LCADC, CASAC Master, CCS, and ICADC. She serves as the Executive Director of Ikon Recovery Center and is an Advisory Board Member for both Philadelphia’s Project Grace and Brookdale’s Human Services Program.

As these inductees continue their journeys, many transferring to Rutgers University or pursuing advanced degrees, they embody the spirit and mission of Tau Upsilon Alpha: a lifelong commitment to service, leadership, and excellence in the human services field.

For more information about the Psychology and Human Services Program at Brookdale Community College and the Beta Kappa Chapter of Tau Upsilon Alpha, visit brookdalecc.edu.