Project Overview
Based on the premise that graduate chemistry education is traditionally highly disciplinary and often disconnected from society's critical challenges, this project takes a multi-faceted approach to incorporate various perspectives into doctoral chemistry curriculum, encompassing a new team-taught course that involves SEEG dimensions, a new green chemistry elective course, and an overhaul of requirements for the doctoral qualifying research proposal and dissertation research to include substantial SEEG components.
Increased consideration of, and appreciation for, institutional contexts, policy processes, and innovation opportunities enables students to position themselves to use their chemical knowledge more effectively for change in service of societal needs, particularly with respect to sustainability and the circular economy.
This project will challenge the traditional, disciplinary-focused, pedagogical paradigm through piloting a more holistic approach to education and professional development that is purposefully aligned with the heavily integrated and interdependent world in which we live. Success in this exploratory study could lay the foundations for expansion to disciplines and institutions beyond the pilot base.
Principal Investigator
Co-Principal Investigators
About the NSF GERMINATION Program
The NSF Directorate for Engineering GERMINATION program aims to foster the development of pedagogical frameworks, platforms and/or environments to enable participants to formulate research questions and ideas with potentially transformative outcomes. The extraordinary response of the STEM research community to the COVID-19 pandemic, exemplified by the record-breaking speed of novel vaccine development, highlights the outstanding capabilities at all levels of the research enterprise. The GERMINATION program seeks to harness the immense capacities of academic researchers to similarly address other critical global challenges through supporting the development of new pedagogical approaches that train researchers to formulate and develop key research questions.
Supported by the National Science Foundation EAGER GERMINATION: Chemistry Graduate Education - Sustainability and the Circular Economy grant (EFMA-2203704).
The Jordan Hu College of Science & Liberal Arts (HCSLA) is committed to excellence in teaching, research, and service and aims to have an enduring impact on society. Our six departments—Biological Sciences, Chemistry & Environmental Science, History, Humanities & Social Sciences, Mathematical Sciences, and Physics—are home to internationally renowned research centers, award-winning researchers and educators, and outstanding students.
Rooted firmly in our mission and core values, HCSLA is guided by the following five (5) strategic objectives:
NJIT has been ranked #1 in economic mobility of our students while our graduates consistently rank amongst the highest in the country in mid-career earnings. An NJIT education truly transforms the lives of students year after year and contributes to the economic and social well-being of individuals, families, and society. We’ve recently created new degree programs designed to prepare students for the future of work and will continue to develop new programs and revise existing curricula, including the first-year experience to ensure a multitude of pathways and opportunities for our students while addressing the workforce demands of our state and nation. We aim to expand opportunities for more students to benefit from the high-quality educational experience of our programs and the research and experiential learning opportunities we provide. To enable this, along with continued sustainability of our degree programs, we will provide opportunities to more students by increasing the enrollment in our undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs, thereby expanding our impact, and benefiting more people.
HCSLA has developed a profound group of talented scientists, scholars, and artists who significantly contribute to their respective fields through high-quality research, scholarship, and student mentoring. HCSLA underpins the research mission and Carnegie Research 1 status of the institution, as discovery, knowledge creation, applied research, and innovation are infused in our culture and yield dividends for our students, faculty, and society. We are committed to focusing our efforts on the most pressing challenges of our times, including sustainability, environment, health, space weather research, and the big data revolution, and fostering collaborations with industry and other institutions. Studies have shown that students who are engaged in research and creative work pursue graduate education at higher rates than those who are not. The foundational and translational research and training conducted by our faculty and students lead to economic development with a broad impact across society. We aim to develop research initiatives, research support, and organizational structures in strategic fields that will respond to grand challenges faced by society, enhance our current faculty’s productivity, attract outstanding faculty and students, increase external research funding, and engage more students at all levels in research and scholarship.
We will continue to diversify our student body, faculty, and staff by attracting members from underrepresented groups. This extends beyond increasing the demographic diversity of students, faculty, and staff. It also encompasses how we teach, the research we conduct, and the programs we offer. Universities play a transformational role in the lives of countless students and their families. NJIT is recognized as one of the very best universities for providing students with socioeconomic transformational opportunities. As a public institution, we have an obligation to provide opportunities to all students, especially those who are disadvantaged, as this is, perhaps, where we have the greatest impact. It has been widely reported that diverse groups of people bring to bear synergistic backgrounds and skills, resulting in more creative approaches to problem-solving, research, instruction, and curricula. Meanwhile, the demographics of society and students continue to change. It is incumbent upon us not only to reflect these changes but to lead the institution and guide students to realize their own potential. HCSLA is among the most diverse colleges at the institution based on our breadth of disciplines and demographics of our students, faculty, and staff. We are committed to bolstering our leadership as an example for the campus and community and driving innovation in teaching, learning, and research while increasing the diversity of our student body, faculty, and staff.
NJIT and HCSLA, to a large degree, remains a hidden gem, a place that offers tremendous opportunity for education, professional development, and knowledge creation. Increased name recognition for us will greatly assist in student recruiting to offer more access and opportunities for students to benefit from the NJIT experience. Increased visibility of our research, programs, and people will enhance the impact of our efforts, increase dissemination of our research, and increase the competitiveness of our students and faculty to receive prestigious scholarships, fellowships, awards, and research grants. We aim to escalate the visibility and recognition of the College, its programs, students, and faculty through marketing and branding, increasing nominations to prestigious awards and fellowships, and pursuing recognition by professional societies and national academies.
HCSLA has a tradition of partnership with the community, state, and professions to share our talents and resources, and provide assistance in areas of need. For example, with our colleagues in the Center for Pre-college Programs (CPCP), we founded the Newark Math Success Initiative, a collaboration among HCSLA, CPCP, the City of Newark Mayor’s Office, and the Newark Board of Education designed to enable more students from Newark public schools to attend NJIT and realize their goals and dreams through progressive calculus-based math skills development of rising high school seniors, and professional development of math teachers in the Newark public schools. Faculty and students from the biological, chemical, biochemical, and environmental sciences have been engaged with the Newark-based organization Students2Science, which aims to inspire, motivate, and educate area elementary, middle, and high school students to pursue STEM careers by providing an authentic, state-of-the-art laboratory experience complete with modern instrumentation and meaningful interactions with professional scientists. Following our leadership to create Future Ready Schools New Jersey, HCSLA created the STEM for Success initiative, an integrated program to broaden participation in STEM, especially for those in traditionally underrepresented groups, by fostering collaborative change. Through our Theatre Arts & Technology program, we are intimately engaged in the community through the Newark Arts Festival, Newark Improv Festival, Newark Playwrights Festival, Young Playwrights Festival, and outreach to local area high schools. All these and other similar initiatives bring our experience and talents to the community and help inform our own efforts – on campus and off – while serving critical needs and gaining visibility. We aim to expand the College’s mission to better serve local communities within Newark as well as the State of New Jersey and the various companies and professional societies with which we engage.
2026 HCSLA Awards
- May 6
- 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM
- Central King Building, Agile Strategy Lab (L-70)
The HCSLA Awards are given in celebration of the accomplishments across the Jordan Hu College of Science & Liberal Arts and wider NJIT communities. Award nominations, evaluations, and selections are made collectively between the Office of the Dean and HCSLA Awards Committee.
Keynote Speaker
2026 Awardees
Jay Kappraff Award for Excellence in Science and the Arts
Dr. Kenneth J. Lacovara
Founding Dean, School of Earth & Environment at Rowan University
Director, Jean & Ric Edelman Fossil Park
Distinguished Alumni Awards
Andrew J. Deek, DDS, MD
B.A. Biology '13
Robert Kurkjian, PhD
M.S. Environmental Science '95
Alycia Leiby, MD
B.S. Science, Technology & Society '98
Nebojsa Murisic, PhD
Ph.D. Mathematical Sciences '08
Zachary D. Wellbrock
B.A. History '07
Rising Star Alumni Awards
Timothy Daudelin, DDS, MS, FACP
B.S. Biology '16
Andrew Esteves
B.S. Biochemistry '16
Mary Henshaw
B.S. Chemical Engineering, Minor in Legal Studies '18
Loni Fiscus
B.A. Theatre Arts and Technology and Digital Design '21
Shan Fung
B.S. Mathematical Sciences '16
Stephanie Maruca Donnelly
B.S. Applied Physics ’14
Distinguished Research Award
Brooke Flammang
Department of Biological Sciences
Rising Star Research Award
Pier Alexandre Champagne
Department of Chemistry & Environmental Science
Excellence in Undergraduate Education Award
Kristen Severi
Department of Biological Sciences
Excellence in Teaching Award – Senior University Lecturer
Donivyn Schmidt
Department of Mathematical Sciences
Excellence in Teaching Award – University Lecturer
Priyanka Rana Concepcion
Department of Mathematical Sciences
Excellence in Teaching Award – Adjunct Faculty
Deborah Morrison-Santana
Federated Department of History
Excellence in Research Award
Sijie Yu
Department of Physics
Excellence in Scholarship Award
James Lipuma
Department of Humanities & Social Sciences
Excellence in Service Award
David Fisher
Department of Chemistry & Environmental Science
Outstanding Staff Award
Kim Chen
Department of Humanities & Social Sciences
Lanzerotti Prize
Yousef Mortaja
Department of Physics
Spirit of "Doc" Award
Bilal Syed
Federated Department of History
Outstanding Undergraduate Student Award
Austin McStotts
Department of Aerospace Studies/ROTC
Kristina Camia
Department of Biological Sciences
Jonas Muller
Department of Chemistry & Environmental Science
Bilal Syed
Federated Department of History
Shailee Shah
Department of Humanities & Social Sciences
Thomas Omiatek
Department of Mathematical Sciences
Aryiadna Yesmanchyk
Department of Physics
Outstanding Graduate Student Award
Gianpiero Fiorentino
Department of Biological Sciences
Lai Wei
Department of Chemistry & Environmental Science
Mark Fasano
Department of Mathematical Sciences
Keitarou Matsumoto
Department of Physics
HCSLA Dean’s Scholars receive a distinctive honors education and other opportunities, including:
- Honors courses within the Jordan Hu College of Science & Liberal Arts.
- Invitation to participate in the Dean’s Leadership Council.
- Professional networking with distinguished speakers and industry leaders.
- Honors advising through the Jordan Hu College of Science & Liberal Arts.
- Meet faculty early in your studies regarding undergraduate research experience.
- Funding opportunities for research and travel.
- Priority consideration for admission to the Albert Dorman Honors College through sophomore year.
HCSLA Dean’s Scholars can choose to apply to become an Albert Dorman Honors Scholar after the completion of their first or second year.
- Seats are limited and the application process is competitive, but applications from HCSLA Dean’s Scholars will be given priority during their evaluations.
How to Apply?
- To be considered, prospective students should apply through the Albert Dorman Honors College application on the Common Application by checking the box, “Are you interested in the Albert Dorman Honors College?”
- The HCSLA Dean’s Scholars program may only be joined by first-time, full-time freshmen.
Program Requirements:
In order to fulfill the requirements of the program, HCSLA Dean’s Scholars will:
- Take at least three honors-only courses offered by HCSLA.
- Attend at least one ADHC colloquium/guest speaker per semester (HCSLA Dean’s Scholars are encouraged to attend co-sponsored ADHC-HCSLA speaker events).
- Maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0.
Questions:
- For questions about the HCSLA Dean's Scholars program, please contact Dr. Bhavani Balasubramanian, Associate Dean for Undergraduate Studies
Earn your bachelor's and a degree in medicine, optometry, dentistry or physical therapy in seven years (instead of the usual eight) or in law in six years (instead of seven).
As a CSLA major, you may qualify for the following accelerated programs in conjunction with your bachelor's degree:
- Medicine: MD at the New Jersey Medical School of Rutgers, Newark, Ponce Health Sciences University, New York Institute of Technology - College of Osteopathic Medicine, St. George's University Medical School, Granada, West Indies, or at American University of Antigua.
- Dentistry: DMD at Rutgers School of Dental Medicine, Newark.
- Physical Therapy: Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) at Rutgers School of Health Related Professions, Newark.
- Optometry: OD at the SUNY College of Optometry.
- Law: JD at Pace Law School and Seton Hall Law School,
- Physician's Assistance: 3+3 with Rutgers School of Health Related Professions.
- Medical Lab Science program with Rutgers School of Health Related Professions, Newark.
Rutgers School of Public Health - Masters in Public Health
Rutgers School of Health Professions - Medical Lab Science program
Several master's programs at NJIT allow you to take graduate classes as an undergraduate; in some cases, the classes count toward both your bachelor's degree and your master's degree. In addition, NJIT offers a program that allows you to earn a bachelor's at NJIT and an MS in Physician Assistant (MSPA) at UMDNJ.