Faculty and staff were also inducted into the honor society for their outstanding support of first-gen students at Centenary.

HACKETTSTOWN, NJ, Dec. 17, 2025—Centenary University inducted 10 students into Alpha Alpha Alpha—also known as Tri Alpha—a national honor society recognizing the accomplishments of first-generation students and staff. The University held its ceremony on Nov. 7, the eve of National First-Generation College Student Day recognizing the unique challenges first-gen students overcome and the invaluable contributions they make on college campuses, and later, in the workplace and their communities.

            In addition to the students, two faculty members and one staff member were inducted into the honor society for their support of first-gen students. “Centenary University is extremely proud of our inductees, who demonstrate that first-gen students have the potential to achieve great things in the classroom and beyond,” said Danielle Kovach, Ed.D., adjunct professor of special education and Tri Alpha faculty advisor. Dr. Kovach was also inducted into Tri Alpha during the ceremony. “Tri Alpha promotes academic excellence, personal growth, and leadership development, while providing opportunities for meaningful campus and community engagement.”   

Members of the Centenary University community inducted into Tri Alpha this semester are:

New Jersey

Undergraduate Students

Hudson County

Bayonne—Carmelarose Fowler

Morris County

Budd Lake—Hailey Alvarado

Columbia—Melissa Maxwell

Rockaway—Valentina Lopez

Succasunna—Danielle Kovach, Ed.D. (faculty)

Sussex County

Stanhope—Jayson Morton

Wantage—Julia Feldman

Union County

Linden—Kayla Lima

Warren County

Great Meadows—Jillian Ulanowski

Hackettstown—Linda Poisseroux, Ph.D. (faculty)

Oxford—Hailey Thomas

Washington—Layla Cumer-Tomasula

Pennsylvania

Bushkill—Sasha Jackson (staff)

Photo Caption: From left, Danielle Kovach, Ed.D., Carmelarose Fowler, Hailey Alvarado, Julia Feldman, outgoing Centenary University President Dale Caldwell, Ed.D., Valentina Lopez, Jillian Ulanowski, Linda Poisseroux, Ph.D., Jayson Morton, Layla Cumer-Tomasula, Melissa Maxwell, and Diana Alzate                                                                         

ABOUT CENTENARY UNIVERSITY

Centenary University was founded in 1867 by United Methodists and offers extraordinary learning opportunities that empower students to develop intellectually, emotionally, and interculturally—keys to career and personal success. The University aspires to advance its reputation as a world class institution offering innovative programs, including the world’s first Ph.D. in Happiness Studies and first Master of Arts in Happiness Studies, to lift the future for our students and local communities.