Joyce Carson is flanked by son, Justin (at left) and husband Jeff and twin brother Jeff. Photo credit: OPOC.
Joyce Carlson, senior executive assistant in the Office of the Executive Dean at the School of Environmental and Biological Sciences (SEBS), has retired after a 25-year career at Rutgers University. In recognition of Joyce’s dedication to creating a welcoming environment and supporting the SEBS/NJAES community, a retirement gathering of her family and Rutgers colleagues was held in her honor on October 23.
“Joyce has been the welcoming presence in the dean’s office, taking care of visitors and making sure everything ran smoothly,” said Laura Lawson, SEBS executive dean. “We are all grateful for the opportunity to work with her. We will miss her and wish her the very best in this new stage of life.”
Joyce’s career at Rutgers began as a program coordinator in the Office of Continuing Education and Global Programs at the Graduate School of Education (GSE), at the time led by professors David Muschiniski and Darren Clarke. She spent six years at GSE before her move to the George H. Cook campus to serve as a senior administrative assistant in the SEBS Office of the Executive Dean, at the time under the leadership of Robert Goodman.
L-R: Joyce Carlson is flanked by former SEBS Executive Dean Robert M. Goodman and current SEBS Executive Dean Laura Lawson.
In 2015, Joyce was promoted to the position of senior executive assistant. Altogether, she “had the privilege of working for Bob for 14 years until he stepped down” as the Executive Dean of SEBS and Executive Director of NJAES in June of 2020.
“Joyce was a reliable and profoundly trusted partner during our years together in the Executive Dean’s office. Her joyful outlook, patience, understanding, and welcoming demeanor inspired all of us with whom she interacted. Her steady competence and confidence were reassuring in trying times, and her ready smile and positive outlook created a terrific working environment for all,” said Goodman.
Joyce was also instrumental in the transition of Laura Lawson to her new leadership role of SEBS and NJAES, lending a steady hand and sharing her vast institutional knowledge with the Executive Dean for the past five and a half year until her recent retirement.
“I had an excellent working relationship with both Bob and Laura, and loved working at Rutgers, and will hold on to all the wonderful experiences and memories.”
Joyce gratefully acknowledges the colleagues, students, faculty and administrators from across SEBS/NJAES who became a meaningful part of her life for almost two decades. In her retirement, Joyce plans to travel and spend more time with her precious grandchildren and hopes to stay in touch with many of her Rutgers colleagues.
