Galloway, N.J. — Tara Williams has been part of the Stockton community since 2006 when she began as assistant director of Alumni Relations and the Annual Fund. In 2009, she joined the team in Graduate Admissions and has been there ever since, taking on different roles and responsibilities, and currently serves as the director of Graduate Admissions.

Williams was recently selected as a 2023 Lead New Jersey (LNJ) Class Fellow. Each year the program accepts a new cohort of Fellows, and they engage in a year of networking events, learning sessions, seminars and other educational opportunities that culminate with a graduation ceremony in December.

“Lead New Jersey opens challenging possibilities to a highly select group of Fellows to learn the cutting-edge issues that shape our lives, to link directly with talented leaders who are making improvements around New Jersey, and to lead as a champion of their own most cherished ideas and values,” Williams said.

The process before someone can be selected as a fellow involves submitting an application, resume, essays and professional references.

“I have been interested in this program for a few years but needed the confidence boost to apply. Thanks to my colleagues, and specifically, my boss, Dr. Robert Heinrich, who encouraged me to apply, I finally took a risk and applied,” Williams reflected. “I was thrilled to have been accepted and am looking forward to immersing myself in this year-long experience. I refer to myself as a ‘forever student,’ so being back in a classroom setting is exciting for me.”

Through her experiences at LNJ, she hopes to gain additional leadership training and knowledge and learn more about our diverse state.

When speaking to Williams about the work she does here at Stockton, you can tell she is one of the lucky people who loves what they do.

“The absolute best part of my job is seeing someone learn they have been accepted to graduate school. Recently, an Ed.D. student showed me a video she recorded of herself as she opened up her acceptance packet. I don’t get to see or experience those moments often, so to see the raw emotion and joy as she was reading the words on her acceptance letter (a letter we send out daily) meant a lot to me,” she beamed. “It’s easy to forget how much happiness we bring to families when you are going through your daily grind in admissions, so to be reminded of that was a precious moment.”

“What is better than seeing someone accepted into our graduate programs is seeing someone walk across the stage with their diploma. I am very proud to work in graduate admissions and have a small role in our students’ career and educational journey.”

Reported by Mandee McCullough

Photos submitted