Since 1986, the Council of Black Faculty & Staff – Stockton University’s longest-established organization – has awarded over $280,000 in scholarships to students at the undergraduate, graduate and doctoral levels.  

To say that they have impacted students on their higher education journey during their 40 years on campus would be an understatement.  

“Forty years – that’s forty years of commitment, leadership and generosity from this Council, which has created brighter futures for so many Stockton students,” Stockton President Joe Bertolino said in his remarks during the Council’s 40th scholarship dinner celebration in November last year.  

“[The Council] have been champions for equity and inclusion, creating pathways to opportunity and advocating for every voice to be heard,” Bertolino continued. “Their impact is tremendous, and it’s a powerful testament to the Council’s dedication to nurturing talent, fostering opportunity and investing in the next generation of leaders.”   

One of those future leaders, Kamran Awan, expressed his gratitude for receiving the Council of Black Faculty & Staff Endowed Scholarship at a pivotal moment.  

“I used it to buy materials and books for my courses,” Awan said. “I also used it to purchase a new computer, which helped since I am majoring in Computer Science.” 

Another student, Catherine Knoll, described receiving the scholarship as “a huge relief.”  

“Paying for my undergraduate courses, and now my graduate courses, has always been stressful for me. However, the scholarship has helped me continue my education and apply for the Special Education and Reading Specialist program I have longed to take,” Knoll said.   

Beyond the physical and material, students Ashley Vargas and Cachary Tolentino attest that the scholarship has benefited them mentally and emotionally.  

“When receiving the scholarship, I felt blessed and grateful,” Vargas said. “Being awarded this scholarship has supported me personally and academically by allowing me to contribute to the needs of my family and me. I felt academically and professionally stable by having the financial support, which helped me perform successfully in my studies.”  

“The Council of Black Faculty & Staff Foundation Scholarship has tremendously helped me in all aspects of my life. It made me take a moment and stop and be grateful for what I was given," Tolentino said, describing the moment she received it. “Academically, it has given me more leeway to focus on my studies without having to worry about paying for my tuition. And personally, it's given me an opportunity to alleviate some burden off my family in paying off my tuition. Overall, the scholarship has given me much more freedom and opportunities than if I didn't receive it.”  

According to Patricia Collins, who has served as the Council’s president for the last 15 years, scholarships have been integral to the Council’s mission since day one. During her leadership, she expanded scholarship offerings to include doctoral students, who tend to fly below the radar when receiving financial help.  

“Serving in my fifth term as president, I’ve gotten to interact with many of our scholarship recipients during our dinners, and I’ve gotten to see the difference the awards have on their lives,” Collins said. “These awards tend to be the difference between staying in school or leaving, getting access to their textbooks and more. Every dollar counts for a doctoral student to be able to maintain a certain level of excellence.” 

Collins is also passionate and intentional about advocating for students working towards their degrees who don’t necessarily have a 4.0 GPA, sometimes due to personal and academic circumstances out of their control. 

“While students in excellent academic standing receive assistance and accolades, we can sometimes forget about the students who don’t have that. Those students, too, have impactful stories that I believe are important to recognize,” Collins said.   

The Council and its work touch every corner of the university – recipients come from all walks of life and in various circumstances. Collins and the Council have awarded and met students from all majors, races/ethnicities and genders, which reflects Stockton’s growing on-campus diversity.  

“We want to help as many students as possible, whether they’re on-campus or commuters, working two jobs and only attending part-time, EOF (Educational Opportunity Fund) students, first-generation – the list goes on,” Collins said. “I’m honored to be a part of the process of helping students past the finish line.”  

Collins’ fifth term as president of the Council came to an end in 2024. Looking towards the future, she found herself reflecting on the past.  

“It’s just such an honor to stand on the shoulders of the great presidents who came before me, like Pat Reid-Merritt, Shawn Donaldson and Kieth Williamson,” Collins said. “I learned from them paving the way for all of us, and I hope to see more relevance placed on the footprint that the council has made on campus.”