Seton Hall MPA Students Confront Food Insecurity Across New Jersey

As food insecurity continues to rise across the Garden State, students in Seton Hall University’s Master of Public Administration program are stepping up to meet the moment. According to the Community Food Bank of New Jersey, nearly 800,000 New Jersey residents—more than one in 11—struggle with hunger, including over 200,000 children. The COVID-19 pandemic, inflation, and soaring housing costs have only exacerbated the issue, disproportionately impacting low-income families, seniors, and students.

In response, M.P.A. students under the guidance of Gabrielle Rossi, Ph.D., have taken direct action. Graduate students Kayla Strube, Timothy Dziekan, and Shayne Simmons recently participated in CFBNJ’s 24-hour Pack-a-Thon, helping prepare thousands of meal bags for distribution statewide. The event reflects the M.P.A. program’s enduring commitment to servant leadership, experiential learning, and civic engagement.

This dedication to public service was further emphasized during a recent visit to campus by former Lieutenant Governor Kim Guadagno. Previously president and CEO of Fulfill Food Bank and now executive director of Mercy Center in Asbury Park, Guadagno engaged students in a candid conversation on the ethical responsibilities and complexities of public service. She praised Seton Hall students for their energy and readiness, sharing lessons from her work in government, nonprofit leadership, and anti-poverty advocacy.

“Our students are living examples of applied public administration,” said La’Tesha Sampson, Ph.D., director of the M.P.A. program. “They’re not waiting to graduate before making an impact—they’re already out in communities, innovating solutions to real problems.”

Graduate student Shayne Simmons, a member of the M.P.A. program, has played a leading role in Seton Hall’s food security initiatives. Through partnerships with organizations like Table to Table and CFBNJ, Simmons has helped implement food recovery and redistribution programs on campus. His capstone research focuses on raising awareness about food insecurity among commuter and residential students, an issue exacerbated by rising tuition and housing costs, along with recent changes to federal and institutional aid policies.

As Seton Hall prepares to host its Capstone Poster Presentations on May 1, the university community will have the opportunity to explore a wide array of student-led projects addressing today’s most urgent social issues, from nonprofit innovation to sustainable food systems. These efforts exemplify the M.P.A. program’s core values: ethical leadership, practical application, and a steadfast commitment to social justice.

Categories: Campus Life, Faith and Service, Nation and World