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Martha Salas, Dr. Rikita Singh, and Professor Derek Weber are being honored by Raritan Valley Community College for excellence in their professional roles at the College and service to the campus community for the 2025-2026 academic year.

Martha Salas, a Molecular Biology Lab Assistant III in the Science & Engineering department, is the winner of RVCC’s inaugural Fulltime Support Staff Presidential Award. The award acknowledges and recognizes the outstanding performance of a full-time Support Staff member who demonstrates excellence in mastery of the position, commitment to growth, collaboration, and campus engagement.

Recommending her for the honor, a nominator praised Martha Salas’ efforts to prepare the laboratories for classes, stating, “Martha goes beyond preparation—she proactively troubleshoots lab activities in advance, anticipating potential challenges and ensuring student success. Her attention to detail and deep technical knowledge make her an invaluable asset to the department.”

The nominator continued: “Martha’s impact extends far beyond the laboratory. She has a proven history of working effectively with colleagues across departments and plays an active role in supporting institutional initiatives. She has served on numerous search committees for both faculty and staff positions, contributing thoughtful insight and professionalism. She has also supported Workforce Development efforts by assisting with the use of Science Department equipment, coordinating with vendors, and managing materials—including storing perishable items to ensure program continuity.”

Another nominator wrote: “Martha’s scholarly achievements are both impactful and far-reaching. Her knowledge in microbiology and molecular science has significantly supported faculty and advanced RVCC students’ understanding in these areas, as evidenced by a strong record of student success. Faculty consistently praise her content knowledge and strong work ethic. Martha is reliable, responsible, and dependable.”

Martha Salas has worked at RVCC for close to 23 years, becoming an experienced laboratory specialist in molecular biology, biotechnology, and microbiology in higher education. She holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology with a focus in Genetics from Universidad del Valle in Cali, Colombia, and a Master’s Degree in Biotechnology from Kean University.

Throughout her career, Ms. Salas has been dedicated to maintaining high-standard laboratory environments. Her work focuses on supporting microbiology, genetics, and cell molecular labs. She is passionate about science and creating inclusive lab environments that foster curiosity, innovation, and equity in STEM.

From overseeing reagents and equipment to supporting faculty, Ms. Salas strives to foster and support a STEM environment where all students can succeed. She always has been interested in connecting with educators and biotechnology professionals dedicated to hands-on research experience that can strengthen students' competitiveness for both the workforce and at four-year institutions.

Fulltime Faculty Excellence in Teaching Award

Professor Derek Weber, Professor of Microbiology, has been awarded the Fulltime Faculty Excellence in Teaching Award for 2025–2026, recognizing his exceptional commitment to student learning, instructional innovation, and academic excellence.

Dr. Weber received 13 separate nominations for the award. Students describe the faculty member and his classes as engaging, enthusiastic, passionate, accessible, extremely interesting, and fun. While his expectations in class are high, Dr. Weber remains approachable and inviting, according to his students. One person said they grew from a shy student to an avid participant because the student wanted to keep up with Dr. Weber’s energy.

One nominator wrote: “Energy comes from the genuine enthusiasm this faculty member brings to biology. Support is consistent and proactive…. His calm and confident presence contributes to a classroom culture grounded in respect and intellectual engagement…. What changed most was my approach to learning science after studying with this faculty member. Previously, memorization shaped much of my preparation. His teaching redirected attention toward understanding processes and conceptual relationships. Recognizing connections among ideas became more important than recalling isolated facts.”

Dr. Weber’s colleagues praise him for his commitment to staying ahead of the curve, including integrating AI into assessments and activities. He is also a  faculty champion for digital accessibility.

Dr. Weber joined Raritan Valley Community College in 2008, following three years as an Assistant Professor at Broward College. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Moravian University and completed his PhD in Biomolecular Chemistry at the University of Wisconsin–Madison.

Widely respected for his dynamic, student centered approach to teaching biology, Dr. Weber designs courses that emphasize active learning, scientific literacy, and real world application. His teaching approach enables students to master complex scientific concepts while developing confidence, curiosity, and strong critical thinking skills. Through innovative pedagogy, intentional use of instructional technology, and inclusive classroom practices, he fosters learning environments in which students feel both challenged and supported.

In addition to his teaching excellence, Dr. Weber is an active scholar and contributor to the broader academic community. He has served as an invited presenter at professional and academic conferences on topics such as microbiology education, career readiness, student engagement, and emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence. His scholarly work also includes authorship on three academic publications, most notably as a co author of Microbiology: An Introduction (Pearson Education, 14th edition), an internationally adopted textbook used by colleges and universities throughout North America and multiple regions worldwide. In 2022, his creation of an engaging, interactive digital laboratory manual for allied health microbiology students was recognized with the Top Hat Top Author Award.

Dr. Weber is deeply committed to mentorship and service, and works closely with students pursuing careers in healthcare, research, and other science based professions. He is dedicated to accessibility, continuous improvement, and student success.

Fulltime Administrator Presidential Award

Dr. Rikita Singh, Executive Director of the Office of Student Support, is the recipient of RVCC’s inaugural Fulltime Administrator Presidential Award. The award acknowledges and recognizes the outstanding performance of a full-time Administrator who demonstrates excellence in mastery of the position, innovation, collaboration, and campus engagement.

In recommending her for the honor, a nominator wrote: “Rikita has built a strong reputation for working collaboratively with colleagues, departments, and partners across the College. Her approach brings people together to ensure students receive coordinated and compassionate support. Colleagues across campus value Rikita not only for her expertise, but also for her openness, willingness to listen, and ability to bring thoughtful solutions to complex challenges.” In addition, Rikita “goes out of her way to advocate for and protect her team, fostering an environment where staff feel supported and valued.”

The nominator added: “Rikita maintains a visible and positive presence within the College community and continually works to make campus life safer, more inclusive, and more supportive for all. At a time when many students are navigating complex challenges in the broader world, her leadership helps create a stronger sense of care, belonging, and stability across campus.”

The praise continued: “Beyond managing several critical areas that support student success, Rikita continues to lead the campus-wide initiative to advance digital accessibility. This work reflects both forward-thinking leadership and a genuine commitment to improving systems and processes so that information and services are accessible to everyone in our community.”

Dr. Singh has spent more than a decade advancing inclusive and accessible educational experiences for students with disabilities. With a professional background in counseling, she began her career in the mental health field, supporting individuals with serious mental health conditions as they worked to reintegrate into their communities, secure employment, and access educational opportunities.

Since joining Raritan Valley Community College in 2017, Dr. Singh has worked closely with a growing number of students seeking support through the Center for Accessibility and Inclusive Education (CAIE). Her work has included developing and securing grant funding to launch a new program serving students with intellectual and developmental disabilities, as well as presenting on a range of topics aimed at fostering a more inclusive, equitable campus community.

Dr. Singh received a Bachelor’s Degree in Exercise Science from Rutgers University and a Master’s Degree in Rehabilitation Counseling from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (now part of Rutgers University). She earned a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Capella University in 2020, further strengthening her commitment to student support, inclusive practices, and institutional change. Her approach is grounded in collaboration, advocacy, and a deep belief in the transformative power of education.

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April 15, 2026

Media contact: Donna Stolzer, 908-526-1200, ext. 8383