Advisory regarding Southern California wildfires

Advisory regarding Southern California wildfires

On behalf of everyone at Thomas Edison State University, we hope that students affected by the wildfires in Southern California remain safe. The University is offering accommodations to students affected by the wildfires:

  • Students who are directly impacted by the fires and who are currently registered in courses for the November 2024, December 2024 and January 2025 terms have the option of receiving a free eight-week course extension without mentor approval; or, a 100% tuition credit for their course(s) to a future term. Affected students should submit a Request for Course Extension Form or a Request for Course Withdrawal Form indicating “Southern California wildfires” as the reason for the request. Please note that TECEP exams in these terms cannot be extended, nor credited for tuition after the exam has been taken.
  • Impacted students who are currently on a course extension for the September 2024 and October 2024 terms can request a second eight-week extension on their current term at no additional cost.

Request an Accommodation: Students affected by the wildfire and evacuations who need an accommodation should contact the Office of the Registrar by email at registration@tesu.edu or by phone at 609-777-5680. Accommodation requests should be submitted by January 24th. Requests after that date can be accommodated if the student provides documentation of the reason for the late request.

TESU Partners with Hunterdon County in an Innovative Leadership Academy for Its Public Employees

December 05, 2023
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Hunterdon County Department of Administration
Gretchen Larsen, Hunterdon County Department of Administration, (second row, fifth from left) and fellow TESU Leadership Academy students joined Dr. Malcolm Oliver, (second row, first from right) dean of the Watson School of Public Service at TESU during her cohorts’ graduation in November 2023.

Hunterdon County, N.J., public employees recently enhanced their government leadership, community service, public budgeting, human resource management and strategic planning expertise through Thomas Edison State University’s (TESU) Local Government Leadership Academy. The innovative program is the result of a collaborative effort between the county and TESU’s John S. Watson School of Public Service.

The Hunterdon County Board of Commissioners recognized 17 of its employees from the academy’s recent graduating cohort during a ceremony in November.

The Public Sector Leadership Development Program was conceived during a New Jersey Association of Counties annual meeting last year. During the gathering, representatives from Hunterdon County inquired about the development of a training program for their midlevel managers with the School’s staff.

“The program we created is ideal for public service professionals who are eager to expand their leadership abilities, better serve their communities or continue their studies,” noted Dr. Malcolm Oliver, dean of the School. “The program’s structure and expectations are designed to accommodate their schedules with a curriculum that is immediately applicable to their work environments and professional aspirations.”

According to Oliver, the inaugural program participants completed four group projects that integrated effective internal communications, motivators for a career in public service, employee health and wellness in addition to work-life balance themes. The instructors for the courses included Dominic Novelli, DPA, former administrator, Bergen County; David G. Brown, II, MPA, manager, Township of Ocean; and Christopher Shultz, DPA, assistant dean, Heavin School of Arts and Sciences at TESU. Participants earned a certificate upon completion of the program.

“What we learned was immediately relevant to our day-to-day work in municipal and government settings,” said Gretchen Larsen, a confidential aide in the Hunterdon County Department of Administration who celebrated the completion of the program with fellow employees during a ceremony on Nov. 14. “Since we interact with the public daily and deliver essential services to our community, expanding our communications and problem-solving skills while managing resources more efficiently benefits everyone we serve.”

Larsen and members of her cohort completed an oral presentation and culminating report during the program. She noted that the experience fostered cross-departmental collaborations and provided an opportunity for employees to network, share best practices and learn from each other.

“There are many benefits for local governments taking part in this leadership training,” Larsen pointed out. “It equips employees with the skills and knowledge they need to enhance their professional performance and inspires agencies to optimize their current employees’ talents and attract new employees by demonstrating an investment in their most important asset.”

The fully customizable program is currently offered to public and nonprofit agencies throughout New Jersey and follows a two-month series of classes. For more information, visit the Watson School of Public Service or email watsonschool@tesu.edu.