• Date: Wednesday, August 25th, 2026

• Time: 

9:30 am to 4:30 pm (in person event)

6:30 pm to 8:30 pm (virtual event)

• Venue: Tohill Auditorium in Bunce Hall, Rowan University, 201 Mullica Hill Road, Glassboro, NJ 00828

• Theme: Your Graduate Journey: Balance. Belonging. Becoming.

• Link to the Campus Map is here .  Bunce Hall is Building #16 on the Campus Map.

Join us for breakfast, tabling with many of our campus support offices and a panel discussion with several deans.

10:am Meet (and Mingle with) the Deans

Please have a seat inside of Tohill Auditorium for on-stage programming at 10:45.

10:45am Welcome - Provost Voki Pophristic

10:45am Deans Panel:

Vincent Beachley, Associate Dean, Rowan Virtua School of Translational Biomedical Engineering and Sciences

Darren Boehning, Association Dean for Research, Cooper Medical School of Rowan University (CMSRU)

Rick Dammers, Dean, College of the Arts

Matthew Edson, Dean, Shreiber School of Veterinary Medicine

Gaetane Jean Marie, Dean, College of Education

Elizabeth Morlino, Associate Dean, College of Science and Mathematics

Moderator: Tabbetha Dobbins, Dean, School of Graduate Studies

Keynote Address
Balance. Belonging. Becoming: The Foundation for Wellbeing and Effectiveness as a Graduate Student
Dr. Leslie Spencer, Chair, Department of Health and Exercise Science; Program Coordinator, M.S. in Wellness and Lifestyle Management

Graduate school is a time of growth, discovery, and challenge—and success depends not only on academic skills but also on personal well-being. In this keynote, Dr. Leslie Spencer explores the foundations of wellness and effectiveness through the lens of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. Drawing on the work of Charles Vogl (The Art of Connection), she highlights the power of forming authentic connections based on shared values and the importance of choosing communities that support one’s goals. She also emphasizes the role of rest in sustaining balance and productivity, guided by Sandra Dalton-Smith’s insights on the different dimensions of rest. Students will leave this session with practical strategies for cultivating meaningful relationships, setting boundaries, and prioritizing self-care—tools essential for thriving in graduate school and beyond.

Speaker Bio 

Leslie Spencer, Ph.D., NBC-HWC

​​Leslie Spencer earned a PhD in Health Education from Temple University and started her academic career at Rowan University the fall of 2025.   In addition, she is a National Board-Certified Wellness Coach through the National Board of Health and Wellness Coaches.  She serves as the Chair of the Health and Exercise Science Department and faculty coordinator of three academic programs at the University: the B.A. in Wellness Management, the M.A. in Wellness and Lifestyle Management, and the Certificate of Graduate Study in Wellness Coaching.  Her research interests are in two primary areas:  1) Motivational Interviewing, wellness coaching and behavior change and 2) Improving wellness for people with disabilities, particularly those that are intellectual or developmental in nature. 

She is the founder and Director of Get FIT @ Rowan, a fitness and nutrition intervention for adults with disabilities that serves approximately 65 clients with disabilities and utilizes over 100 Rowan students as volunteer trainers each year. She has led a project to create and sustain inclusive community gardens and group home gardens in four South Jersey counties.  Dr. Spencer is the founder and leader of Snack, Chat & Chill, a virtual program for people with disabilities that provides socialization, relaxation, and an opportunity to make and enjoy a healthy snack.  Dr. Spencer is also the Lead Trainer of the Student Success Coaching program in partnership with Student Support Services at the University, in which Rowan staff and students are trained to use Motivational Interviewing strategies to coach undergraduate students who are academically at-risk.  Dr. Spencer has been awarded funding from the Horizon Foundation, New Jersey Health Initiatives, the NJ Division of Disability Services, and the South Jersey Institute for Population Health to support these programs.

Dr. Spencer has developed and taught courses at the undergraduate and graduate level, both in person and online.  She was the recipient of the University’s Lindback Award for Excellence in Teaching in 2023.  Dr. Spencer has developed and taught an Honors course and more recently developed and currently teaches a Writing Intensive course.  She has also led 3 study abroad courses, including a 5-week internship in London with a community agency serving at-risk youth.

Dr. Spencer is the founding advisor of the Health and Wellness Careers Club, a Rowan student club promoting wellness among future health professionals.  

At home, she is the coordinator of a church-based cooperative garden with a mission of serving food-insecure people in her hometown and is part of a team to assist refugee families as they build a life in the United States. 

College of Education Students:

Lunch and meet and greet will be in the James Hall Atrium (#6 on the map)

Ric Edelman College of Communication, Humanities, and Social Sciences Students:

Lunch and meet and greet will be in the Bozorth Hall – 129 for MSW Program (#15 on the map)

Lunch and meet and greet will be in the Bozorth Hall – 118 for All Other Programs (#15 on the map)

College of the Art Students:

Lunch and meet and greet will be at LaScala (Rowan Boulevard) with Jennie Quinn and Elizabeth Hostetter (meet on Green lawn side of Bunce Hall to walk together to the restaurant)

College of Science & Mathematics Students:

Lunch and meet and greet will be in the Science Hall Atrium (#13 on the map)

Henry M College of Engineering Students:

Lunch and meet and greet will be in the Engineering Hall, Rooms 320 and 321 (#10 on the map)

Rohrer College of Business Students:

Lunch and meet and greet will be in the Business Hall – 305 (#11 on the map)

Rowan Virtua School of Translational Biomedical Engineering and Science Students:

Lunch and meet and greet will be in the Discovery Hall – Room 409 (#38 on the map)

School of Earth & Environment Students:

Lunch and meet and greet will be in the Science Hall Atrium (#13 on the map)

Rita and Larry Salva School of Health Professions (Nursing) Students:

Lunch in Rowan Hall Atrium then proceed to Discovery Hall – Room 415 (#38 on the map)

Rita and Larry Salva School of Health Professions (Wellness & Lifestyle Management) Students:

Lunch and meet and greet in James Hall (#6 on the map)

Link to the Campus Map is here.

Overview of Resources at Rowan

List of Resource Supporting Units Present

• Bursar's OFfice

• Office of Student Equity and Compliance (OSEC)

• Graduate Student Government Association (GSGA)

• BIPOC Graduate and Professional Students Assocation (BGPSA)

• International Center (IC)

• School of Graduate Studies (SGS)

• Libraries

• Office of Socieal Justice, Inclusion, and Conflict Resolution (SJICR)

• Writing Center

• Accessibility Services

• Military Services

• Career Services

• Student Activities

• Wellness Center

• Office of Adivsing and Student Information Services (OASIS)

• Parking Office

• Rowan ID Office

This concludes the activities for the in-person orientation event.  For those who could not attend in-person orientation, there will be an evening virtual orientation event starting at 6:30pm.  The virtual event will provide a fun re-cap of the exciting day.

• 9:30 am - 10:00 am: Arrival & Registration

• 10:00 am - 10:45 am: Breakfast with Your Deans: Meet your Deans and their Office for Breakfast (Bunce Hall, Rooms 201, 202, and 203)

• 10:45am - 10:50 : Welcome Remarks by Provost Voki Pophristic

• 10:50 am - 11:30 am: Panel Discussion with the Deans  (Bunce Hall, Tohill Auditorium)

• 11:30 am - 12:00 pm: Your Graduate Journey: Balance. Belonging. Becoming

Keynote Address by Dr. Leslie Spencer (Bunce Hall, Tohill Auditorium)

• 12:00 pm - 2:30 pm: Your Academic Journey: Spend time with your Degree Program Faculty and Students

• 2:30 pm - 3:30 pm: Getting to Know Rowan (Overview of Resources such as RSN Success Plans, RowanSAFE App, Program Handbooks, Graduate Policies and Guidelines, Financial Aid- and new guidance for GradPlus Loans)

• 3:30 pm - Adjourn: Resource Fair and Ice Cream Social (Meet other Graduate Students in your Cohort)

• 4:30 pm : All Adjourn