RICHARD J. CODEY, WILLIAM “PAT” SCHUBER AMONG THE
NJ PUBLIC SERVANTS AND PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION STUDENTS TO RECEIVE AWARDS –
NJ ASPA’S ANNUAL PUBLIC SERVICE RECEPTION TO BE HELD MAY 9TH

In celebration of Public Service Recognition Week (PSRW), five accomplished New Jersey public servants and eight outstanding public administration students are to be honored at the Annual Awards Reception of the New Jersey Chapter of the American Society for Public Administration (NJ ASPA). The event will be held on May 9, 2024, at Fairleigh Dickinson University in Madison, NJ. Doors open at 3:30 P.M. and the program will begin at 4:30 P.M.

Established in 1985, PSRW is a nationwide public education campaign honoring the men and women who serve our nation as federal, state, county, local, and tribal government employees. Each year the president and Congress designate the first full week of May as PSRW and activities are held nationwide to honor public employees who put service above self. NJ ASPA award winners were nominated by association members or professors familiar with their students’ work, and the final selections were made by an NJ ASPA committee. Details about the awardees are appended.

The NJ ASPA Distinguished Public Service Award will be presented to Jillian Barrick, Business Administrator of the Town of Morristown, NJ.

Governor Richard J. Codey will receive the NJ ASPA President’s Award in honor of an extraordinary New Jersey public service career.

The NJ ASPA Distinguished Public Service Lifetime Award will be presented to William “Pat” Schuber.

The NJ ASPA Academic Excellence Award will be presented to Dr. Pengju Zhang, Ph.D., Associate Professor, School of Public Affairs and Administration, Rutgers University-Newark.

Dr. RaJade M. Berry-James, Ph.D., president of the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA), will receive the NJ ASPA President’s Award recognizing distinguished service to the field of Public Administration.

The recipients of the Public Administration Students of the Year Awards are students who have excelled in their public administration or public policy graduate studies at universities in New Jersey. These students have emerged as effective leaders among their contemporaries.

The students are:
• Carmen Acuahuitl, St. Peters University
• Nashia Basit, Rutgers University-New Brunswick
• Jessalyn Chang, Rutgers University-Newark
• Laura Natalia Castro Fuentes, Farleigh Dickinson University
• Melissa Maselli, Rutgers University-Camden
• Michael Oleaga, Kean University
• Kaitlyn Spitzer, Seton Hall University
• Eugene Wilkins, Jr., Thomas Edison State University

NJ ASPA president Dr. Lisa Mahajan-Cusack, Ph.D. will present the awards. William P. Shields, Jr., Executive Director of the national organization, American Society for Public Administration will be a special guest.

NJ ASPA is the New Jersey affiliate of the American Society for Public Administration (www.aspanet.org), the largest and most prominent professional association for public administration, devoted to advancing excellence in public service. It provides networking opportunities to public and non-profit professionals as well as developing innovative solutions to the challenges of governance. More information about NJ ASPA can be found at: www.njaspa.org. Member of the press are invited to attend; email info@njaspa.org for details.

(Details about the awardees follow on the next page.)
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New Jersey Chapter, American Society for Public Administration
2024 ANNUAL PUBLIC SERVICE RECEPTION AWARDEE SUMMARY

Jillian Barrick – Distinguished Public Service Award

Jillian Barrick, with over 20 years of public sector experience, is a dedicated professional who excels in budget management, operational efficiency, and planning and redevelopment. Her expertise has been demonstrated in her roles as the Business Administrator for the Town of Morristown since 2015, and before that in the City of Perth Amboy and the City of East Orange. Jillian’s commitment extends beyond her work—she actively contributes to organizations like the ICMA, New Jersey Municipal Managers Association, and the NJ League of Municipalities’ Legislative Committee. Her educational background includes an MPA from Rutgers University-Newark, and a B.S. in Architecture from the Georgia Institute of Technology. Jillian Barrick’s unwavering dedication to local government ensures that communities receive high-quality, cost-effective municipal services.

Richard J. Codey – President’s Award
Richard J. Codey has been an indefatigable and distinguished public servant. His career spanned decades, leaving an indelible mark on the state’s political landscape. His 40-year record-setting career of continuous service in the New Jersey Legislature began as an assemblyman in 1974 and ended as state senator in 2024. From the outset, he championed critical public welfare and mental health issues and served as a strong advocate for constituents. He served as Senate President from 2002-2010, a role in which he skillfully navigated complex policy issues and fostered bipartisan cooperation. During a one-year stint as Acting Governor, he tackled challenges from mental health reform to education funding. His compassionate leadership left an enduring impact on New Jerseyans. As we honor Richard J. Codey for his legacy of service, we recognize his integrity, resilience, and empathy. His commitment to public service exemplifies the qualities we celebrate today.

William “Pat” Schuber – Distinguished Public Service Lifetime Award
William “Pat” Schuber has dedicated his life to public service. He served as Mayor of Bogota, represented the 38th legislative district in the New Jersey General Assembly, and held the position of Bergen County Executive for 12 years. Beyond politics, Schuber’s commitment extended to academia. As a senior lecturer at Fairleigh Dickinson University, he chaired the University’s Institutional Review Board, curated the master’s program in Cyber and Homeland Security, and led university strategic planning efforts. His legacy of service continues through community involvement, including organizing Bergen Leads, guiding historical tours, and serving as the official historian of Oradell, NJ. He has a lifetime of service and distinction.

Pengju Zhang, Ph.D. – Academic Excellence Award
Dr. Pengju Zhang is an associate professor and International Program Director in the School of Public Affairs and Administration, Rutgers-Newark. He is a prolific scholar who has published 17 peer-reviewed journal articles, many recognized as top downloads or best papers. His prolific research output, steadfast commitment to addressing New Jersey’s public administration challenges, teaching, invited lectures, and service to professional associations demonstrate his exceptional contributions to research, education, and public engagement in New Jersey.

RaJade M. Berry-James, Ph.D. – President’s Award
Dr. RaJade M. Berry-James currently serves as the senior associate dean of faculty and academic affairs at the L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU). She is an elected Fellow of the National Academy of Public Administration (NAPA) and serves as the Chair of the Standing Panel on Social Equity in Governance. Her research, teaching, and community engagement focus on the theory of change, the applied practice of public administration, diversity, equity, and inclusion, as well as assessment and accreditation in higher education. She has also designed award-winning courses and taught graduate classes in various areas, including research methods, public policymaking, and social equity. Dr. Berry-James has a New Jersey hook, receiving her Ph.D. from the Rutgers-Newark School of Public Affairs and Administration in 1999.

Public Administration Students of the Year Awards
Carmen Acuahuitl, St. Peters University
Carmen is passionate about amplifying underrepresented Latina voices in government. Her experience includes internships at the Union County Public Defender’s Office and with Assemblywoman Angelica Jimenez. She has managed social media and programs for L.I.N.D.A. Organization, a non-profit that assists vulnerable women. Currently an aide for NJ’s 32nd Legislative District, Carmen’s heart and tenacity will drive exceptional accomplishments in public administration.

Nashia Basit, Rutgers University-New Brunswick
Nashia Basit excels in her dual Masters of Public Policy and Masters of Urban Planning program with a 3.8 GPA. She is a prestigious ANHD/Morgan Stanley Community Development Graduate Fellow and Eagleton Institute of Politics Graduate Fellow. Nashia’s commitment to public service is evident through her roles with the NJ Legislature, EDA, and community organizations.

Jessalyn Chang, Rutgers University-Newark
Jessalyn Chang is committed to engaging in socially meaningful work and exploring additional areas of community service. She currently serves nonprofits focused on healthcare, animal welfare, and senior assistance. Jessalyn hopes to leverage her MPA knowledge to further expand her impact in these areas of interest.

Laura Natalia Castro Fuentes, Fairleigh Dickinson University
Natalia’s impressive background includes a B.S. in Environmental and Sanitary Engineering from Bogotá, Colombia, where she worked on air quality standards. Before attending FDU, she provided technical, environmental, and regulatory support for community gardens and worked to mitigate diseases. Natalia works at the NJ Board of Public Utilities, specializing in pipeline safety.

Melissa Maselli, Rutgers University-Camden
Melissa Maselli’s academic journey has been exceptional, boasting a 3.9 GPA and induction into Pi Alpha Alpha. She is a natural leader, inspiring peers with her passion for public service and making a difference. Melissa’s impact extends beyond the classroom through her work as a representative of the student government association, constituent advocate, intern coordinator, and co-founder of TEDxRutgersCamden.

Michael Oleaga, Kean University
Michael Oleaga is a skilled communications expert with experience in administration, digital, and project management across non-profits and public organizations. He has contributed as an editor for local journals and newspapers, and actively supports non-profits focused on social equity, including the Institute for Social Equity & Sustainability.

Kaitlyn Spitzer, Seton Hall University
Kaitlyn Spitzer is the Seton Hall MPA Student of the Year, graduating with highest honors and a 4.0 GPA. She was selected as a Wind Institute Fellow for the NJEDA, where she is conducting research on attitudes towards offshore wind farms to inform policy makers across the country.

Eugene Wilkins, Jr., Thomas Edison State University
Eugene Wilkins, Jr. exhibits a strong commitment to public service through his extensive experience in law enforcement and military service. His six years with the U.S. Coast Guard included critical roles in disaster relief and drug interdiction, showcasing his dedication to aiding communities in need. As a police officer since 2009, including a recent promotion to sergeant, Eugene continues to serve and protect the Old Tappan, NJ community.