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John Cash, Jr. serves as an esteemed educator at Dwight Morrow High School in Englewood, New Jersey, where he specializes in instructing a diverse array of subjects including Social Studies, Computer Science, and Students with Disabilities. Cash has demonstrated a steadfast commitment to academic excellence and student welfare. Notably, during his tenure, he assumed the role of Program Manager for the Information Systems Academy, fostering innovation and excellence within the academic community. Additionally, he played a pivotal role in establishing the high school’s chapter of the Computer Science Honor Society, further enriching the educational landscape. Furthermore, Cash has spearheaded cultural initiatives such as the annual African-American History Month Film Festival and the establishment of the Film & Media Club, underscoring his dedication to fostering a holistic learning environment.

Prior to his career in education, Cash contributed significantly to the commemoration of historical events as part of his role at The National September 11 Memorial & Museum. There, he collaborated closely with the Memorial Exhibition Manager in researching and developing exhibitions for the 9/11 Memorial Museum, notably contributing to the creation of the permanent memorial exhibition, In Memoriam. His responsibilities also included conducting meticulous research on the victims of the 9/11 and 1993 terrorist attacks, organizing curatorial data, and reviewing audio remembrance recordings for inclusion in the memorial exhibition. Additionally, Cash played a pivotal role in various special projects aimed at enhancing the museum experience.

Preceding his tenure at The National September 11 Memorial & Museum, Cash served in a pivotal capacity at Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, providing invaluable support in information and computer services. In this role, he adeptly managed computer support operations across diverse company endeavors including publishing, broadcast media, and product design and production, showcasing his versatility and technical acumen.

Earlier in his career, Cash honed his leadership skills at Apple, where he held the position of Lead Genius. In this role, he oversaw the day-to-day operations of Apple's service business, ensuring the delivery of comprehensive solutions to every customer. His responsibilities included supervising the Mac Genius team, providing regular updates to management on service operations, and offering strategic insights to optimize the service business and store performance.

Before joining Apple, Cash held positions at Howard University, where he served in administrative capacities and also contributed to the teaching faculty. Additionally, he enriched his professional repertoire at the U.S. Center for Military History, where he fulfilled the role of a research historian, further deepening his expertise in historical research and analysis.

Cash pursued his undergraduate studies at Howard University before transferring to �鶹��ý����, where he attained a Bachelor of Arts degree in History. Upon graduation, he commenced his professional journey by serving as a counselor and teaching assistant on campus. Furthermore, he pursued advanced education, earning a Master of Arts degree in Art History from the esteemed City College of New York, thereby enhancing his academic foundation and expertise in the field.

Currently, Cash is dedicated to his doctoral studies at Rutgers University, a testament to his commitment to scholarly advancement and academic excellence. Though he regards Atlantic City as his hometown, he and his wife have made their residence in Manhattan. His interests span various domains, including travel, art, golf, alpine skiing, and his affiliation with the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated, an association he joined during his time at �鶹��ý����.

David G. Brown is an award-winning, Artist, Educator and Publisher. He is a nationally recognized, political cartoonist, who also produces graphic novels and comic books with positive messages for others. Brown is a former Career Technical Education (CTE) instructor of Arts, Media and Entertainment for the Los Angeles Unified School District and also taught Cartooning for the California Institute of the Arts (CalArts). 2017 he Established Adobe Certification Center at Los Angeles School of Global Studies and Certified students in Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign Programs.

For over two decades Brown has been the political cartoonist for the Los Angeles Sentinel newspaper and featured contributor to the Washington Post and San Francisco Bay View newspapers. In addition to being the recipient of numerous prestigious Merit awards for “Best Editorial Cartoon” by the National Newspapers Publishers Association (NNPA); and his body of work was featured in “Best Editorial Cartoons of the Year: 2005 - 2014 by Pelican Publishing Company Inc. In 2009 he was awarded a NAACP Image Award for his political humor book “Barack, Race and the Media: Drawing my own Conclusions” The book is a collection of inspiring, yet humorous cartoons highlighting the historical Presidential campaign and election of Barack Obama the first African American President of the United States.

A founding member of his alma mater, �鶹��ý���� State University’s Alpha Alpha Chapter of the IOTA PHI THETA Fraternity, the school awarded him their 2011 �鶹��ý���� School of Arts and Humanities’ Professional Achievement award and 2022 nominated Black Alumni Trailblazer for his long-standing artistic career in service to his community. An exhibiting artist, his work has been shown in the Bay Area and Los Angeles.

In October of 2009 the U.S. State Department and Brazilian Consulate sponsored a cultural exchange visit, selecting Brown to exhibit his political cartoons and comics in Brazil. He is the former Chairman of the Board of the Museum of African American Art Los Angeles, where he was a board member for over a decade. His versatility as a commercial artist and designer has produced excellence in other areas including photography, multi-media and illustration through his promotional work for clients including Los Angeles International World Airport, Automobile Club of Southern California. Warner Bros., City of Los Angeles, Wells Fargo Bank, Getty Foundation, California African American Museum, ABC-TV and others.

"In the Summer of 1973 I enrolled in �鶹��ý���� State College, now �鶹��ý����. The College was only a couple of years old and had just started a student newspaper, the Argo. I applied and became the first political cartoonist for the paper, and it gave me an opportunity to express my and other students’ opinions through my cartoons; often challenging the administration on issues such as more Black Studies, high tuition and overcrowded dorms! Within a year I was promoted to Associate Editor. One of the many skills I learned was how to design advertising for local businesses near the campus. That experience led to me learning about the newspaper, media and advertising industries. In addition, while at �鶹��ý����, I designed posters for the theatre department, concerts, contributed to Stockpot, the student literary magazine and freelanced for local advertising agencies. Little did I know at the time how this experience would became the foundation to my career!"

Mr. Peter Cheris earned his bachelor’s degree in engineering at New Jersey Institute of Technology and his master’s degree in information systems at Stevens Institute of Technology.  After several years working in nuclear engineering, he began a career in finance and banking working for corporations as diverse as TIAA-CREF, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, and Amazon.  Mr. Cheris is currently a Senior Executive at Synchrony Bank in Technology Governance. In addition to his professional achievements, Peter is dedicated to community service.  He is a New York City High School mentor which gives him the opportunity to pay it forward.  He is a life-long learner and credits his commitment to education with any success he has enjoyed in life.  He loves to travel, read, spend time with family, and give to causes and institutions whose missions align with his commitment to education.

Emily Heerema-Smith is an occupational therapist in Brick, NJ. She has her BA in Literature and MSOT from �鶹��ý����. She is a certified brain injury specialist, registered yoga teacher, and mother to Elise. 

Danielle Jonas-Staveckas has worked with the Noyes Museum of Art of �鶹��ý���� for over four years in her current role of Professional Services Specialist 4. Her duties include overseeing daily operations, financial reconciliation, art exhibitions across all locations, managing the NMA Gift Shop, grant writing, and more. Prior to her employment with the NMA, Danielle has worked across the arts and retail sectors in various roles including gallery assistant, retail manager, and buyer. Danielle's educational background includes an M.S. in Arts Administration from Drexel University (2019) and a B.F.A. in Painting from �鶹��ý���� (2014). Her thesis “Art Galleries at the Jersey Shore: Sustaining an Arts Business in a Seasonal Shore Town” was published in December 2019. Danielle's current artistic practice focuses on exploring fiber arts including crocheting, quilting, and bespoke clothing.

"As an arts and humanities student, �鶹��ý���� gave me an educational experience that balanced structure and flexibility. I was able to take specialized classes with outstanding professors, but also explore classes outside of my major. This concept of balancing specialization with exposure to other topics still plays an important role in my current profession. As an employee for the Noyes Museum of Art of �鶹��ý���� University, I get to focus on my specialized tasks but also serve as a professional mentor to students in a museum setting. In a way, it feels like my student experience has come full circle where I went from being a student in ARHU to mentoring and working alongside students in ARHU."

Christina Noble is a dynamic leader, community advocate, educator, and artist based in Southern New Jersey. She currently serves as the Director of Youth Services for the City of Atlantic City, where she established and now leads the division's holistic, youth-centered programming. Her career spans over a decade of impactful work in education, nonprofit, and municipal leadership, where she has consistently championed equity, creativity, and youth and community empowerment.

Christina holds a Master of Arts in American Studies from �鶹��ý���� and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Human Development from Howard University. She also earned her Certified Public Manager credential from Rutgers University, where she received the prestigious Askew Award for her exemplary public service capstone.

Previously, Christina served as Project Manager for Stories of Atlantic City at �鶹��ý���� University, where she was the first to hold the role and earned the Engage Local Award in the 2021 NJ News Commons Excellence in Local News Awards—an honor selected from among nearly 400 news organizations and freelancers across the United States. Her work in that role centered on community storytelling, media equity, and youth and community engagement.

She is deeply engaged in civic life, serving as a board member, founding member, or active member to numerous community-focused organizations, including the NAACP, NJ News + Info Collaborative, NJ Community Media Collective, Atlantic City Food Access Coalition, and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Her leadership also extends to youth-focused and equity-driven initiatives like the Atlantic City Early Childhood Advisory Council and the ACHS Teen Center Community Liaison Board.

Christina is also an internationally recognized dancer, choreographer, producer, and director. She has performed, taught, and created work in countries such as Switzerland, The Netherlands, and the Czech Republic. In recent years, she embarked on a solo journey to over 30 countries to study culture and native dance forms. She has co-directed and choreographed sold-out original productions in the Atlantic City area and continues to teach, perform, and host workshops and events both locally and internationally.

Whether through public service, performance, or community collaboration, Christina remains committed to creating spaces where young people and communities can thrive, express, and lead.

Steve Rogers is a documentary filmmaker and television producer with a background in journalism. A 1993 graduate of �鶹��ý����, Rogers began his career working as a journalist and documentarian in New Jersey. He later joined the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences in New York City, where he held several key roles, including Director of the Daytime Emmy Awards and Executive Director of the Technology & Engineering Emmys. After a decade with the Emmys, Rogers created and produced the Emmy-nominated series Driving Jersey and Here's The Story, which he has been producing for the past ten years.

"My most beloved experience learning at �鶹��ý���� came from the pages of great books and within the classrooms of my Literature program.   My original intention, or the hopes of my father actually, was to study at �鶹��ý���� and then proceed to advanced studies and schooling in Law.  Essentially, my dad wanted a lawyer in the family. But soon after taking some general Lit classes and being turned on by what was on the page and how it could be explored more deeply, talked about, dissected and enjoyed more thoroughly, I decided to make a shift towards what I loved and to not pursue what I perceived would win me a great financial future."

"My dad was reluctant for me to switch or declare my intention of getting a degree in Literature because he worried about my future. "You'll never be able to pay your bills," he said, "the chances of being successful with a degree in Literature are slim."  But when I insisted that this is what I wanted to do, he said, "well, at least you'll be able to tell a better story when you're done." And indeed that has always been the case.  I have not made a fortune, but I have made a life in storytelling.  In my case, the storytelling has taken the form of documentary film work.  In the classrooms at �鶹��ý���� with professors like Ken Tompkins, Stephen Dunn, Norma Grasso and Tom Kinsella I read, listened and learned well the path of good storytelling and I am grateful for that!"

Stefan Schulz is the co-founder of Orpical Technology Solutions, a digital transformation agency focused on helping organizations reclaim time and redirect it toward high-value, human-centered work. Known as a business efficiency unicorn and undercover journalist, Stefan built frameworks like TIME² and From Burnout to Breakthrough—tools originally designed to streamline operations and drive profitability, but that have since become personal catalysts for creative exploration.

His journey bridges the practical and the poetic. Through his work at Orpical, Stefan has led hundreds of initiatives that empower individuals and teams to escape the grind of low-impact work and rediscover a sense of purpose. That same ethos carries into his writing. His literary works—including GREETINGS and OSWALD—serve as proofs of concept for his belief that when we buy back time, we make room for what makes us human: creativity, connection, and meaning.

Stefan believes business and the arts are not opposites, but deeply intertwined. His commitment to the humanities stems from a conviction that storytelling, introspection, and creative inquiry are essential not only for personal fulfillment but for cultural and organizational transformation. He sees technology not as a replacement for human expression, but as a way to protect and elevate it.

A �鶹��ý���� graduate with a degree in Communication Studies, Stefan is proud to return as a member of the Arts & Humanities Advisory Board to support the next generation of boundary-crossing thinkers and creators.