State names Rowan University employee EOF Champion
State names Rowan University employee EOF Champion
November 24, 2008
The New Jersey Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF) Department named Shalanda Gray, an Instructional Technology Specialist at Rowan University's Camden Campus, an EOF Champion at its November conference.
Gray, a Folcroft, Pa. resident, has been employed by Rowan since 1999 and became involved with the campus' EOF program in 2001 when she saw a need that she could fill.
"The summer program needed an instructor for a technology course, which I felt qualified to fill as the Instructional Technology Specialist," Gray explained. "I have an invested interest in all of our students because I want them to succeed. Some of the ones I instruct become students I mentor."
Before working for Rowan, Gray was a telephone/online help desk consultant, but describes her current position as a perfect fit.
"My previous job was for a corporate company, but working in higher education is completely different," Gray said. "It allows for face-to-face interaction, as well as hands-on experiences with the faculty, staff and students."
In addition to instructing a computer literacy course for EOF students each summer, Gray takes pride in mentoring students. Her mentoring activities range from helping students with technological issues and helping them edit school papers to forming relationships with them and discussing issues that may arise in their personal lives.
Because of her volunteering efforts, Donavan McCargo, Director of The Camden Campus EOF, nominated her for the state award, describing her as "a catalyst for change and a woman respected by both her peers and students."
In addition to going beyond her job duties with the EOF program, Gray also serves as the staff adviser to the Alliance of United Cultures, a student organization.
Gray, who received a bachelor's degree from Bloomsburg University in communication studies in 1996 and a master's from LaSalle University in professional communication in 2000, is currently pursuing her doctorate in educational leadership from Rowan.
Gray, a Folcroft, Pa. resident, has been employed by Rowan since 1999 and became involved with the campus' EOF program in 2001 when she saw a need that she could fill.
"The summer program needed an instructor for a technology course, which I felt qualified to fill as the Instructional Technology Specialist," Gray explained. "I have an invested interest in all of our students because I want them to succeed. Some of the ones I instruct become students I mentor."
Before working for Rowan, Gray was a telephone/online help desk consultant, but describes her current position as a perfect fit.
"My previous job was for a corporate company, but working in higher education is completely different," Gray said. "It allows for face-to-face interaction, as well as hands-on experiences with the faculty, staff and students."
In addition to instructing a computer literacy course for EOF students each summer, Gray takes pride in mentoring students. Her mentoring activities range from helping students with technological issues and helping them edit school papers to forming relationships with them and discussing issues that may arise in their personal lives.
Because of her volunteering efforts, Donavan McCargo, Director of The Camden Campus EOF, nominated her for the state award, describing her as "a catalyst for change and a woman respected by both her peers and students."
In addition to going beyond her job duties with the EOF program, Gray also serves as the staff adviser to the Alliance of United Cultures, a student organization.
Gray, who received a bachelor's degree from Bloomsburg University in communication studies in 1996 and a master's from LaSalle University in professional communication in 2000, is currently pursuing her doctorate in educational leadership from Rowan.