On a Walk Through Campus, Chancellor Tonya Smith-Jackson Meets the Rutgers-Newark Community

As the first day of classes began, Rutgers-Newark Chancellor Tonya Smith-Jackson toured campus, meeting and greeting students, staff, faculty, and local business owners along the way.

It was an opportunity for the new chancellor, who stepped into her role last month, to get acquainted with Rutgers-Newark at its liveliest, when the school year officially begins.

“The excitement is in the air. I see it everywhere,’’ she said. “I can tell we’re all happy to be here.’’

Her start-of-the-semester tour, led by Arcelio Aponte, Interim Senior Vice Chancellor for Administration and Economic Development and Chief Financial Officer, began at Ruth Bader Ginsburg Hall and ended with lunch at Stonsby Commons Dining Hall. Stops included a visit to the Business School, where the chancellor also said hello to staff inside the building’s Starbucks, a walk through the new One Stop Student Center in Conklin Hall, and a look at the Life Sciences Center.

She also stopped at  local businesses, including Qaalis Cafe on Halsey Street, which was celebrating its grand opening yesterday, and neighborhood landmarks like Robert’s Pizzeria, which marks its 40th anniversary this year, and McGovern’s Tavern.

At every stop, Smith-Jackson introduced herself to students, asking about their majors, the student organizations they belonged to, and what brought them to Rutgers-Newark. Some gave hugs and joined her in group photos.

“Tell me your story,’’ she said to third-year student Ola Ajose, an accounting major who arrived on campus after transferring from Middlesex County College.

Ajose described her path to college as a “bit of a struggle” after high school but said she was glad that after two years at community college, she landed at Rutgers-Newark.

“We’re glad to have you here,’’ Smith-Jackson replied.

When she spotted members of Rutgers-Newark’s softball team carrying their gear on University Avenue she stopped to express support. “All we do is win, win, win no matter what!” she sang as they posed with her for a photo.

Students also took the opportunity to welcome their new chancellor.

Kalila Scott, president of Rutgers-Newark’s National Association of Black Accountants chapter and a member of both the Honors College and Honors Living-Learning Community, embraced Smith-Jackson and assured her, “You’ll be amazing. I’m so excited you’re here.’’

Eren Kahyaoglu found common ground with Smith-Jackson, who came to Rutgers-Newark after serving as Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University.

Kahyaoglu, who is majoring in Computer Science and Management Information Systems, mentioned that he just finished a Wells Fargo summer internship based in Charlotte, North Carolina, and they discussed what they liked about the city.

Smith-Jackson also greeted faculty members, including Tyler Kaneshiro, a part-time lecturer who was playing piano at Clement’s Place in preparation for his Fundamentals of Music Class.

“Today is a hand-out-the-syllabus, getting-to-know-you day,’’ he explained to the chancellor, who said she might want to sit in on his class this semester.

At the end of her tour, Smith-Jackson said it was easy to see that Rutgers-Newark is one of the most diverse campuses in the nation. “We have so many different people and lived experiences here. Rutgers-Newark is getting it right,’’ she declared.

She praised staff and faculty for providing students with a warm, welcoming, and organized start to the semester. “To see the dedication and commitment to excellence, it exceeded my already high expectations,’’ said Smith-Jackson.