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William Paterson University continues to be a national leader in graduating adult learners –students who are over the age of 24 when they enroll to pursue a bachelor’s degree. More than one third of students earning a bachelor’s degree in the Class of 2025 are adult learners.
On May 6, the University inducted 58 students into the campus chapter of Alpha Sigma Lambda (ASL), the premier national honor society for undergraduate adult learners. This year’s cohort of inductees at WP have an average grade point average of 3.7 and average age of 38. With their induction, the University now boasts 216 members in its ASL chapter, which was chartered in 2022.
Two-time William Paterson alumna Henrietta Schleif Pesce ’72, MA ’75 presented the keynote address at the ASL induction ceremony. She described the impact that her Irish immigrant mother had on her, which led to her strong belief in the value of a college degree. “My mother often said that she wished she had an education. She regretted it all her life,” Henrietta said.
Henrietta and her husband, fellow WP graduate William J. Pesce ’73, a member of William Paterson’s Board of Trustees, are longtime, tireless supporters of the University. Together with their children, Michael and Katie, they established the Pesce Family Mentoring Institute on campus to help prepare students for careers or graduate education by connecting them with mentors who are working professionals in their intended field.
Additionally, Henrietta and Will established the Aniello J. Pesce and Carmela Pesce Scholarship, in honor of Will’s parents, to support outstanding first-generation students from the University’s Cotsakos College of Business. They also established the Maureen and Patrick O’Connor Scholarship, in honor of Henrietta’s parents, to support deserving first-generation students majoring in education.
“You have seized the opportunity to get an education, and based on your presence here tonight—you nailed it. I know what you’ve achieved and it isn’t easy,” Henrietta told the gathered adult learners at the event.
WP President Richard J. Helldobler similarly lauded the inductees in his address at the ceremony.
“At William Paterson, we pride ourselves on working tirelessly to help students deal with obstacles to success,” he said. “That’s one thing when you’re a teenager who is still living with their parents and can benefit from their support and guidance. It’s quite another for adult students, like you – many of whom are parents and/or working full- or part-time jobs while pursuing your degrees.”
“You have balanced extensive competing responsibilities at home and at work,” added Kara Rabbitt, associate provost for academic initiatives and adult & professional studies. “Your family and friends gave you strength, and thanks to their support and your efforts, you are here tonight.”
Adult learner Israel Vargas-Reyes, the newly elected president of WP’s ASL Chapter, shared his personal story during his closing remarks at the ceremony. Henrietta and her family are a big part of it.
Israel signed up for a mentor through the Pesce Family Mentoring Institute on campus with a dream to go into professional recruitment. The very day before he addressed the crowd at the ASL induction ceremony, Israel began work as a recruiter for the State of New Jersey’s Department of Children and Families.
“This was made possible by my willingness to forge ahead; yes, but it is in great part thanks to the guidance and networking connections that the Pesce Family Mentoring Institute afforded me,” said Israel, who is majoring in human resource management. “This is proof that the support systems we build here can shape what comes next.”
Henrietta herself is also such proof. Originally a nursing major, she credits the support she received from two deans at William Paterson for helping her discover and cultivate a passion for special education. She went on to work as a teacher and a consultant for educational publishers, then as a technology consultant for major publishing companies.
Henrietta later returned to school to earn certification in equine therapy, building on her love of horses, and founded Equine Time, a non-riding equine-assisted activity program that facilitates learning and growth.
“For each of you, this is the beginning,” she told the inductees, “and I am so excited for you.”
