Reveal for Wellness Center Is Set

A new Wellness Center is opening on the campus of Brookdale Community College. The creation of the wellness center was made possible by a generous bequest from Caroline Huber. The focus of the Center will be on total wellbeing with a thoughtful design created for spirituality, physical health, mental health, social relationships, and intellectual development. Programs and services will be available for Brookdale students, employees, and the community. In addition, $150,000 will establish a Caroline Huber Memorial Scholarship Fund for students of financial need in the Humanities program. 

“We are grateful for the generous donation bequeathed by Caroline Huber to make our vision for a wellness center on campus a reality and scholarships for our students possible,” said Dr. David M. Stout, president of Brookdale Community College. “With mental health concerns escalating, this donation gives us the ability to face the needs of our community and ensure that we are putting the health and safety of our students at the top of our priority list.” 

A Reveal ceremony for the Wellness Center is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. on April 26, in the Student Life Center, Navesink Rooms II & III. Participants will view the architectural design renderings for the Center, meet the newly appointed Director Dinneen Jackson, community partners taking part in the Wellness Center, and the Caroline Huber Memorial Scholarship recipients. In addition, remarks will be made by Dr. Stout, Deputy Director of the Monmouth County Commissioners, Susan Kiley, and Sam Huber.  

The architectural plans for the two-story space include a reflection room for meditation, Brookdale’s food pantry, Helping Hands, dedicated office space for Monmouth County Social Worker Sylvina Mendez, and two offices for community partners. In addition, there is a courtyard that will be landscaped to provide a relaxing, peaceful Zen area.  

“Having a wellness center located on Brookdale’s campus is a testament that Brookdale is not only interested in the academic success of students, but also in their holistic success,” said Belinda Asimoah, vice president of Wellness for Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) Honor Society and a nursing and creative writing major at Brookdale Community College. Belinda was a member of the strategic planning and selection committee for the wellness center director.  

The Vision of the Wellness Center is to empower a compassionate community dedicated to personal wellbeing, social connection, and collective engagement. Many of the activities and workshops Jackson has planned will be designed to reduce stress and anxiety and provide nutritional guidance.  

Everyone who knows Jackson knows that she is passionate, skilled, and knowledgeable about wellness. She received her AA in Business and also in Education from Brookdale Community College, her BA in Urban Studies from Rutgers University, and her MA in Integrative Holistic Health Studies from Georgian Court University. In addition, she is a National Board Certified-Health and Wellness Coach (NBC-HWC), a Certified Mental Health First Aider, and Reiki Master.  

For the past decade, she has shared her passion for health and wellness with the Brookdale community and beyond. She presented Work-Life Balance for the American Association of Women in Community Colleges (AAWCC), Holistic Health Reunion and Graduate Program for Georgian Court University, and Instructor of Holistic Health, and Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) for Continuing and Professional Studies Life Long Learning program at Brookdale Community College.  

Jackson has received many awards, including The National Society of Leadership & Success Excellence in Teaching Award, Excellence in Service to Students Award, and The Administrator Peer Recognition Award.  

Jackson’s expectations for the Wellness Center mirror the mission of the Center: To connect students, employees, and community members to campus resources and local partners that will support basic needs, enhance individual and community wellness, and promote social justice.