Janel Owens, Vice President of Student Affairs

RUTHERFORD, NJ – Felician University today announced it is partnering with Hunger-Free Campus, a federal grant program administered in New Jersey by the Secretary of Higher Education, to eradicate food insecurity on campus.

Food insecurity rates in the United States have increased dramatically since the COVID-19 pandemic, negatively impacting student performance. College students who experience food insecurity – called by some the “invisible epidemic” – are more likely to fail a class, record more absences, and suffer more often from depression and anxiety. Felician recognizes that student success is linked to consistent, sufficient food access and is taking steps to combat the “invisible epidemic” of hunger on college campuses. 

“Our students’ success and overall well-being is our top priority,” said Janel Owens, Felician Vice President of Student Affairs. “Hunger on college campuses is one of the greatest obstacles to student success nationwide. We’re committed to addressing that problem by not only eliminating the stigma associated with hunger, but also by providing practical hunger-free programming to students.”

Alexis Libert, a doctoral candidate in the Department of Counseling Psychology, also assisted in the grant application.

Alexis Libert, Doctoral Candidate of Counseling Psychology

Felician University’s Office of Student Affairs began developing anti-hunger programming for the upcoming academic year upon receipt of the grant. Their agenda includes establishing a Hunger Task Force, that will conduct annual student surveys on hunger, developed by the New Jersey Secretary of Higher Education in order to create and present a best practices profile for solutions based on their findings.

Additional programs and initiatives will focus on educating students on the use of SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits, expanding resources such as the onsite food pantry, Our Sisters’ Pantry, and establishing a “Swipe Out Hunger” student meal-sharing program. 

Felician University’s Office of Student Affairs and soon, its Hunger Task Force, are dedicated to promoting student success through eradication of hunger on campus. Through its food security programming, Felician University seeks to achieve the official state designation as a “Hunger Free” campus.

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About Felician University

Felician University inspires and engages more than 2,100 undergraduate, graduate, and adult education students through programs in the Schools of Arts & Sciences, Business & Information Sciences, Nursing, and Education. Over the past five years, Felician University has ranked 3rd among private institutions in New Jersey for best value according to payscale.com and #1 Safest College Campus in New Jersey according to niche.com. The Master of Science in Nursing program is ranked one of the best online graduate nursing programs in the nation by U.S. News and World Report. Felician University was designated as a Military Friendly School (Gold Status) for the ninth year recognizing its strong support for Veteran students.  The university is recognized for its diversity as an HSI (Hispanic Serving Institution) and MSI (Minority Serving Institution), having underrepresented students comprise more than half of the student population. With campuses in Rutherford and Lodi, New Jersey, the Franciscan values of social justice, compassion, and respect for human dignity serve as an inclusive foundation for transforming the lives of tomorrow’s leaders. For more information, please visit