Renee Garcia and Julie Michaels
The Dr. Bil Leipold and Dr. Joe Bertolino Scholarship supports undergraduate (part-time or full-time) SCJ students interested in social justice and changing the criminal justice system. Assistance is awarded to high achieving undergraduate Criminal Justice students with demonstrated financial need.
The scholarship is the result of a generous donation from Drs. Leipold and Bertolino, both of whom have strong ties to Rutgers University. Dr. Leipold is currently Associate Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Services & Experience at Rutgers University-Newark and served as SCJ Associate Dean of Academic Programs & Students Services for many years. Dr. Bertolino, the current President of Southern Connecticut State University, graduated from Rutgers-Camden with a master’s degree in Social Work. Drs. Leipold and Bertolino are well known for their work on social justice issues and leadership in higher education. Others in the School of Criminal Justice Community have joined Drs. Leipold and Bertolino and generously donated to this award.
The 2022 recipients of the Leipold and Bertolino Scholarship are Renee Garcia and Julie Michaels.
Renee Garcia
BS Criminal Justice, May 2023
Renee Garcia is pursuing her BS in Criminal Justice at Rutgers-Newark and will graduate in May 2023. Renee received the Dr. Bil Leipold and Dr. Joe Bertolino Scarlet Promise Grant in the spring of 2022.
“Words cannot express my sincere gratitude for selecting me to be one of the recipients of the Dr. Bil Leipold and Dr. Joe Bertolino Scholarship. Since I was a little girl, I have had a strong passion for law enforcement and the criminal justice system. I grew up wanting to do everything I can to make a change for a better future for the criminal justice system. As I prepare to walk the graduation stage in May, I have put this money towards my education here at Rutgers–Newark since I was able to complete my degree this past winter by taking two courses. Upon my completion at Rutgers, I look forward to going straight into law enforcement and become a Sheriff’s Officer in New Jersey.” -Renee Garcia
Julie Michaels
BS Criminal Justice, May 2023
Julie Michaels is pursuing her BS in Criminal Justice at Rutgers-Newark and will graduate in May 2023. Julie also received the Dr. Bil Leipold and Dr. Joe Bertolino Scholarship in the spring of 2022.
“I was struggling after 12 years of incarceration. I tried to work at McDonalds because I was concentrating on making money to restart my life. When I walked into the CJ building at Rutgers, I had chills because this was where I was supposed to be. I was worried about how I could start my life over and finish my degree. I used the grant to help supplement my income instead of working. That way I could put all of my energy into my education. I am proud to say that I have a 4.0 and the grant helped me keep maintaining it.” -Julie Michaels