Success Stories

Ryan LuurtsemaName: Ryan Luurtsema
Hometown: Galloway, NJ
Class: 2019
Major: Hospitality and Tourism Management

Why did you choose Stockton?

My Wife's recommendation and sheer Military and Veteran dedication to ensuring that "everything" is taken care of. I applied to four different universities and at the time in 2016 Tom O'Donnell, the previous Director of Military and Veteran Services and Assistant Dean of Enrollment personally worked with me while my family was stationed in Germany.

Why did you choose your major?

I am quite the people person. I wanted to major in something that I knew I could carry my own hospitable personality into. With South Jersey really evolving into a multi-tourism-platform, whether it be Food and Beverage, Hotels and Casinos, or even Tourism, South Jersey offered a lot, and Stockton University had all right specialties offered for the major.

What do you hope to get out of your academic program?

A little bit of everything...Hospitality and Tourism Management is a broad degree. You won't really shine until you go for your graduates degree into a specialty of Hospitality, however with the undergrad, it gives you a little bit of expertise on how to run a business, manage employees, understand the legalities of human resources. I believe that is the best foundation of any college graduate to attain and to move up in the "ranks" of society. Not knowing everything of just one topic, but knowing a lot from a variety of topics.

What kinds of opportunities have you gained within your academic program (travel, research opportunities, etc.)?

I have had a great time at Stockton University from traveling around Greece for 12-days as a Veteran understanding initiative, to being nominated as the 2018-2019 Student Veteran Organization President. One of the best opportunities that all students have the power and support of being a student at Stockton University is their individual voice. All faculty members from the general staff to the president, I noticed appreciate and respect everyone's voice when it comes to change, support, and new ideas on how to make Stockton University better.

Extracurricular Activities / Internship Opportunities:

I have a lot of plans and dreams that I know I'll never grow bored with. After Stockton I would like to continue being a liaison balance for Veterans and companies internally, whether it be for Human Resources, or Recruiting. All Veterans have a voice, and all Veterans can offer a different dynamic to society because we are culturally different from the average American.

What are your proudest accomplishments?

Even though this has happened recently, I believe it will evolve into something truly magnificent in the future. I had a distinct opportunity to represent the Student Veteran Organization, as well as being a Student Veteran to the inaugural meeting of the New Jersey Coalition of Veteran Higher Education

Ashley JonesName: Ashley Jones
Hometown: Millville, NJ
Class: 2016
Major: Psychology

Why did you choose Stockton?

Stockton had a great program for my intended major and school wasn't far from home.

Why did you choose your major?

I have always had a curiosity of the mind and how if functioned. This lead to a concentration of studying the idea of mental health in high school then in college.

What do you hope to get out of your academic program?

I hoped to get an expanded understanding in psychology and its different elements. Going to different schools you learn a different perspective that heightens your understanding of the subject and that is what I got here at Stockton University.

What kinds of opportunities have you gained within your academic program (travel, research opportunities, etc.)?

From my academic program I have gained opportunities to work in research studies and more so after graduation use the skills that I have gathered to impact the success of the student population I work with.

Extracurricular Activities / Internship Opportunities:

Stockton's Student Veteran Organization

Future Plans:

Furthering my education and pursuing a Masters in Social work. Hopefully with the degree to further my reach in helping the community and possibly helping the veteran population on a grander scale.

What are your proudest accomplishments?

I would have to say one of my proudest accomplishments would be now in my career fostering the same sort of comradery and success that the institution gave me when I was at Stockton. That bond as a student has carried me past the point when I thought I was through. I couldn't be more grateful and humbled by the work that I do with the help of Jason Babin to continue the success of our students.

Stacey BarlettoName: Stacey Barletto
Hometown: Franklin, WI
Class: 2022
Major: Social Work

Why did you choose Stockton?

I chose Stockton because of the great foundation it has for education for veterans and their families.

Why did you choose your major?

I want to give back in a way to my own community I have no been able to yet.

What do you hope to get out of your academic program?

I want to gain the knowledge in social work in order to help out other veterans.

What kinds of opportunities have you gained within your academic program (travel, research opportunities, etc.)?

I was able to gain new friendships that can help me gain my degree.

Extracurricular Activities / Internship Opportunities:

I plan to get my degree in social work with a focus in veteran affairs.

What are your proudest accomplishments?

That I finally was able to make it to college. I am a proud military wife and mother to two young children. I put my degree on hold due to my husband's career and my family now I am able to gain my degree while raising a family sometimes alone due to my husbands military duties.