Author: sharonsovany

Cranford, NJ – UCNJ Union College of Union County, NJ is proud to announce that two of its athletic teams have been named 2024-2025 NJCAA Academic Teams of the Year by the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA), in recognition of their outstanding academic achievements.

UCNJ’s Men’s Volleyball team earned the #1 spot nationally with a team GPA of 3.15. Also included in the national ranking was the Men’s Golf team; they secured the #3 spot in the nation for the highest team GPA, with an impressive average team GPA of 3.66.

The NJCAA Academic Team of the Year designation is awarded to collegiate athletic teams across the country that demonstrate exceptional academic performance while actively competing in athletics. To qualify, teams must maintain a collective GPA of 3.0 or higher throughout the academic year.

“At UCNJ, our athletes are student-scholars first. These national rankings are a testament to their commitment to academic excellence, and we are proud of the hard work displayed by the athletes, their coaches, and the faculty, who are supporting them on their journeys,” stated UCNJ’s President, Dr. Margaret M. McMenamin.

UCNJ is a public comprehensive community college that provides quality, affordable, accessible educational programs to the greater Union County region. It is the first of New Jersey’s 18 two-year colleges, serving both career-minded and transfer-oriented students since 1933. The College offers a wide variety of academic programs and extracurricular activities. UCNJ provides many experiential learning opportunities such as access to the Bloomberg Business Center, Innovation Center, and Student Research Lab. Additionally, students at UCNJ attend one of the top 10 community colleges in the country as designated by the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program. To learn more about UCNJ, visit www.ucc.edu.

Cranford, NJ – The Union County College Foundation hosted the 10^th Annual Close the Gap event on Tuesday, July 15 at Galloping Hill Catering in Union, New Jersey. This event supports the College’s strategic initiative to increase the graduation rates of students in Operation Graduation, a program for first-time, full-time students, to effectively “close the achievement gap.”

This year’s event honored Deborah Enix-Ross, Esq. and Dr. Margaret M. McMenamin. Mrs. Enix-Ross received the Foundation’s 2025 Distinguished Volunteer of the Year award. She currently serves as Chair of the College’s Foundation and is a passionate advocate for access to education. Mrs. Enix-Ross also has the distinction of being the Past President of the American Bar Association, 2023-24. As one of the original champions of the Foundation’s Close the Gap initiative, Mrs. Enix-Ross played a critical role in its success, helping to raise essential funds to shrink graduation disparities and ensure that every student has the opportunity to thrive, regardless of background or circumstance.

Dr. McMenamin accepted the Foundation’s 2025 Beacon of Light Award in recognition her commitment to advancing student success as the President of UCNJ. She launched the College’s Operation Graduation to improve graduation rates for all students, especially for subgroups that struggled to graduate. During her tenure, the College has more than quintupled its graduation rates. President McMenamin revitalized student services, strengthened advisement, and fostered a culture of academic excellence. UCNJ’s accomplishments under her leadership resulted in the College becoming recognized as a 2025 finalist for the Aspen Institute’s College Excellence Program.

The highlight of the evening was UCNJ student, Shemar Guthrie, who was this year’s Close the Gap keynote speaker. He shared his personal story regarding how UCNJ’s Project Achievement, an Operation Graduation program, impacted his accomplishments. An engineering major and member of the Union Honors program, Shemar said “you’ve given me more than just a scholarship. You’ve given me the confidence to dream bigger, the tools to succeed, and the belief that I belong in every room I walk into, as a student, as a future engineer, and as a leader.”

“On behalf of the Union County College Foundation, we want to congratulate two transformative leaders who have made a lasting impact on our students, like Shemar, and community. As we celebrate the 10^th anniversary of Close The Gap, I want to thank Mrs. Enix-Ross and President McMenamin for their support and generosity. Because of their unwavering dedication, thousands of students earned their diplomas from UCNJ,” stated Vice President for Institutional Advancement Douglas Rouse.

UCNJ is a public, comprehensive community college that provides quality, affordable, accessible educational programs to the greater Union County region. It is the first of New Jersey’s 18 two-year colleges, serving both career-minded and transfer-oriented students since 1933. The College offers a wide variety of academic programs and extracurricular activities. UCNJ provides many experiential learning opportunities such as access to the Bloomberg Business Center, Innovation Center, and Student Research Lab. Additionally, students at UCNJ attend one of the top 10 community colleges in the country as designated by the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program. To learn more about UCNJ, visit www.ucc.edu.  For more information on how you can support UCNJ students contact our Foundation at 908.709.7505 or email foundation@ucc.edu.

Cranford, NJ – This summer, eleven UCNJ Union College of Union County, NJ students will participate in Princeton University’s Transfer Scholars Initiative (TSI) summer program. This highly selective program offers an exceptional opportunity for students to take courses at Princeton for free.

This summer’s TSI program is scheduled to run from June 28 through August 15, and it is an opportunity for community college students to enroll in a full-time, eight-week academic curriculum, in which they will take two for-credit Princeton courses at no cost to the student. TSI participants will have the opportunity to engage with Princeton employees and students and will have access to campus resources comparable to Princeton undergraduates.

When they are not in classes, TSI students will receive support to successfully complete their associate degree and transfer advisement from Princeton staff and faculty. Transfer scholars also receive a stipend to cover expenses, including travel, and will be able to live on Princeton’s campus.

The eleven scholars from UCNJ attending Princeton’s TSI include:

• Astin David, from Rahway, computer science major
• Vinit Shah, from Avenel, chemistry major
• Sabrina Da Silva, from Roselle Park, Psychology major
• Katherine Jovel, from Elizabeth, Business major
• Katherine Gonzalez, from Elizabeth, health science major
• Nevaeh Boyd, from Roselle Park, studying Psychology major
• Kelly Constante Yanzapanta, from Plainfield, Business major
• Diya Patel, from Iselin, health science major
• Javon Scott, from Hillside, computer science major
• Juan Pablo Vega Rojas, from Roselle Park, computer science /engineering major
• Vincent Zeferino, from Elizabeth, history major

“On behalf of the UCNJ community, I want to congratulate our scholars who will attending Princeton University’s Transfer Scholars Initiative program. This is a transformative opportunity for our students to learn and explore one of the country’s ivy league institutions at no cost to them. Their participation reflects their hard work and dedication to their studies at UCNJ, and we look forward to seeing all they will accomplish” stated UCNJ’s President Dr. Margaret M. McMenamin.

For more information on Princeton’s TSI program, go to https://tsi-ebcao.princeton.edu/

UCNJ is a public comprehensive community college that provides quality, affordable, accessible educational programs to the greater Union County region. It is the first of New Jersey’s 18 two-year colleges, serving both career-minded and transfer-oriented students since 1933. The College offers a wide variety of academic programs and extracurricular activities. UCNJ provides many experiential learning opportunities such as access to the Bloomberg Business Center, Innovation Center, and Student Research Lab. Additionally, students at UCNJ attend one of the top 10 community colleges in the country as designated by the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program. To learn more about UCNJ, visit www.ucc.edu.

 

Drs. Demond Hargrove and Sara Lacagnino Named Aspen Rising Presidents Fellows, Commit to Learning Stronger Student Outcome Practices

Cranford, NJ –  The Aspen Institute College Excellence Program (Aspen) announced today that Vice President of Student Development Dr. Demond Hargrove and Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Sara Lacagnino at UCNJ Union College of Union County, NJ, are two of 40 leaders selected for the 2025-26 Aspen Rising Presidents Fellowship. Rigorously selected from among over 120 applicants, fellows will learn from—and apply to their own contexts—lessons from over a dozen years of Aspen research about how to lead an institution to higher and more equitable levels of student success.

Many sitting community college presidents plan to retire in the next decade, creating an opportunity for college trustees and system heads to select leaders who have the skills and knowledge to achieve better outcomes for students. Aspen Presidential Fellows represent the next generation of diverse college leaders, including by institution and geography, representing 19 states and ranging from small rural to large urban colleges. The fellows will work closely with highly accomplished community college presidents and thought leaders over ten months to learn from field-leading research, examine demographic and labor market conditions in their communities, assess student outcomes at their colleges, and advance a clear vision for excellent outcomes for all their students while in college and after they graduate.

“Our research on excellent colleges reveals that they have a few big things in common: They have presidents who focus on a few large-scale reforms that transcend enrollment and completion goals and centrally focus on whether graduates are set up to succeed in the next stage of their lives—either the world of work or at a university where they aim to earn a bachelor’s degree,” said Josh Wyner, executive director of the College Excellence Program. “This cohort of fellows is clearly committed to advancing student success and has the talent to lead transformational reforms. We are really looking forward to our year with them in the fellowship and bringing their talents into our alumni network.”

“On behalf of the UCNJ community and as a previous Aspen Presidents Fellow, I want to congratulate Dr. Hargrove and Dr. Sara Lacagnino for being selected for the Aspen Rising Presidents Fellowship. Both fellows display an unwavering commitment to student success and this recognition is a testament to their leadership” stated UCNJ’s President Dr. Margaret M. McMenamin.

Rising Presidents Fellows are chosen based on their commitment to student success, the extent to which they exhibit the characteristics of excellent presidents revealed in our research, and interest in pursuing a college presidency within five years of completing the fellowship. As Aspen Presidential Fellows, they join a network of over 430 forward-thinking peers—197 of whom are sitting college presidents—who are applying concrete, grounded, and innovative strategies to meet student success challenges at their colleges.

The Aspen Rising Presidents Fellowship is made possible by the generous support of the Burton Family Foundation, Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Philanthropies, College Futures Foundation, and the Mellon Foundation.

For bios and photos of all 40 leaders, visit as.pn/RPF-C10

UCNJ is a public comprehensive community college that provides quality, affordable, accessible educational programs to the greater Union County region. It is the first of New Jersey’s 18 two-year colleges, serving both career-minded and transfer-oriented students since 1933. The College offers a wide variety of academic programs and extracurricular activities. UCNJ provides many experiential learning opportunities such as access to the Bloomberg Business Center, Innovation Center, and Student Research Lab. Additionally, students at UCNJ attend one of the top 10 community colleges in the country as designated by the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program. To learn more about UCNJ, visit www.ucc.edu.

The Aspen Institute College Excellence Program aims to strengthen higher education leadership and practice to improve student outcomes—with the ultimate goal of advancing economic mobility and developing talent for the good of each individual and society as a whole. For more information, visit our website and follow us on LinkedIn, Bluesky, and X.

The Aspen Institute is a global nonprofit organization whose purpose is to ignite human potential to build understanding and create new possibilities for a better world. Founded in 1949, the Institute drives change through dialogue, leadership, and action to help solve society’s greatest challenges. It is headquartered in Washington, DC and has a campus in Aspen, Colorado, as well as an international network of partners. For more information, visit www.aspeninstitute.org.

Cranford, NJ – UCNJ Union College of Union County, NJ held its spring commencement ceremonies for the class of 2025 on May 21 at the College’s Cranford Campus. There were two ceremonies to accommodate more than 700 graduates and their families. UCNJ President Dr. Margaret M. McMenamin presided over the commencement ceremonies.

The ceremonies included the conferral of Associate Degree in Science, Arts, Applied Science, Certificates, and Certificates of Achievement, and a presentation of the Alumni Prize and the Post-Day Memorial Award. These special recognitions highlighted graduates who demonstrated academic excellence, leadership, and involvement in extracurricular activities. The UCNJ celebrations included presentation of awards and the traditional address to the graduating class.

In the morning ceremony, the Alumni Prize was presented to Reynaldo Bautista, a computer science graduate from Elizabeth. The Post-Day Memorial Award was presented to students Omowonuola Oyedele, an engineering major from Woodbridge and Odudu Ekpenyong, a computer science major from Springfield. Ekpenyong was selected as a recipient of the national Jack Kent Cooke Foundation transfer scholarship which can provide him with as much as $55,000 a year to complete a bachelor’s degree. The ceremonies included a student speaker to represent the graduating class. The student speaker for the first ceremony was Jackson Donzella, who earned his degree in chemistry and is from Plainfield.

In the afternoon ceremony, the Alumni Prize was presented to Griffin Cederquist, a psychology graduate from Plainfield. The Post-Day Memorial Award was presented to Yarddy Jaramillo, President of the College’s Phi Theta Kappa honor society chapter and business major from Newark, and Rachel Sweet, a psychology major from Cranford. Sweet was one of two students who received this year’s Margolies Family Transfer Scholarship to support her bachelor’s degree attainment. The student speaker for the second ceremony was Faris Gabriel Areqiat, who earned his degree in computer science and is from Elizabeth.

“UCNJ’s Class of 2025 represents a group of high achieving and hardworking students. I congratulate them on their academic achievements and earning their associate degrees at UCNJ. We are committed to helping all students graduate and supporting their economic mobility. Whether they continue their education at a 4-year institution or enter the workforce, I look forward to seeing where their journey continues” stated UCNJ’s President Dr. Margaret M. McMenamin.

UCNJ is a public comprehensive community college that provides quality, affordable, accessible educational programs to the greater Union County region. It is the first of New Jersey’s 18 two-year colleges, serving both career-minded and transfer-oriented students since 1933. The College offers a wide variety of academic programs and extracurricular activities. UCNJ provides many experiential learning opportunities such as access to the Bloomberg Business Center, Innovation Center, and Student Research Lab. Additionally, students at UCNJ attend one of the top 10 community colleges in the country as designated by the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program. To learn more about UCNJ, visit www.ucc.edu.

Cranford, NJ – This spring, the Union County College Foundation hosted the 33^rd annual Golf Outing at Fidler’s Elbow Country Club. More than 250 golfers, guests, and volunteers attended, making this outing the largest and most successful in Foundation history.

Thanks to the generosity of sponsors and participants, more than $210,000 was raised to provide crucial funding for scholarships, academic programming, and emergency student assistance for UCNJ students.

The day concluded with a celebratory dinner, which included a keynote address by Carlos Leon-Hernandez, a proud UCNJ graduate and scholarship recipient. Sharing his personal journey, Leon-Hernandez spoke passionately about how the Foundation’s support transformed his education and future, reinforcing the profound impact that donor contributions have on students’ lives.

To check out highlights from this year’s Golf Outing, click here.

UCNJ is a public comprehensive community college that provides quality, affordable, accessible educational programs to the greater Union County region. It is the first of New Jersey’s 18 two-year colleges, serving both career-minded and transfer-oriented students since 1933. The College offers a wide variety of academic programs and extracurricular activities. UCNJ provides many experiential learning opportunities such as access to the Bloomberg Business Center, Innovation Center, and Student Research Lab. Additionally, students at UCNJ attend one of the top 10 community colleges in the country as designated by the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program. To learn more about UCNJ, visit www.ucc.edu.

Cranford, NJ – UCNJ Union College of Union County, NJ congratulates Dr. Gina Kabak for receiving the Honorary Dr. Richard Wisch Educator of the Year Award from Farleigh Dickinson University. Dr. Gina Kabak is a senior professor in Business at UCNJ and has been teaching at the College for nearly twenty years.

Dr. Kabak began her education journey at UCNJ, where she graduated with an associate degree in Business. She later earned her bachelor’s in Hotel, Restaurant, and Tourism Management from Farleigh Dickinson University and her master’s in Science Management from Thomas Edison State University. Dr. Kabak completed her doctorate in Business Administration with a specialty in Strategy and Innovation from Capella University.

Professor Kabak is known for her student-centered teaching philosophy and prioritizes building strong relationships where students feel seen, heard, and challenged. She enjoys watching her students grow and hopes they walk away from her classes with the skills to succeed both academically and personally. When she is not teaching, Dr. Kabak advises the Women’s Empowerment Club, which supports women at UCNJ and raises money for their scholarship each semester.

“On behalf of the UCNJ community, I want to congratulate Dr. Kabak for being recognized as Educator of the Year from FDU. Dr. Kabak encourages her students to think critically and collaborate with each other, helping them to succeed both inside and outside of the classroom. We are grateful that she is part of the College’s community and for the impact she continues to make on our students” stated UCNJ’s President Dr. Margaret M. McMenamin.

UCNJ is a public comprehensive community college that provides quality, affordable, accessible educational programs to the greater Union County region. It is the first of New Jersey’s 18 two-year colleges, serving both career-minded and transfer-oriented students since 1933. The College offers a wide variety of academic programs and extracurricular activities. UCNJ provides many experiential learning opportunities such as access to the Bloomberg Business Center, Innovation Center, and Student Research Lab. Additionally, students at UCNJ attend one of the top 10 community colleges in the country as designated by the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program. To learn more about UCNJ, visit www.ucc.edu.

UCNJ Union College of Union County, NJ hosted STEM Research Day in the Victor M. Richel Student Commons, located on the College’s Cranford Campus. More than 15 research projects were presented by UCNJ student-scholars.

Before the student-scholar research posters were shared in the Richel Commons, the UCNJ community gathered in the Roy Smith Theater. UCNJ’s Vice President for Administrative Services Dr. Bernard Polnariev and Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Sara Lacagnino welcomed the students and congratulated them on their success. The keynote speakers were both from PsychoGenics, Dr. Afshin Ghavami, Vice President of Research Operations and Dr. Mark Varney, Chief Scientific Officer. The speakers discussed their careers in research, the impact research can make on millions of lives, and how researchers shape the future of medicine. For highlights from Research Day, click here.

UCNJ is a public comprehensive community college that provides quality, affordable, accessible educational programs to the greater Union County region. It is the first of New Jersey’s 18 two-year colleges, serving both career-minded and transfer-oriented students since 1933. The College offers a wide variety of academic programs and extracurricular activities. UCNJ provides many experiential learning opportunities such as access to the Bloomberg Business Center, Innovation Center, and Student Research Lab. Additionally, students at UCNJ attend one of the top 10 community colleges in the country as designated by the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program. To learn more about UCNJ, visit www.ucc.edu.

Cranford, NJ – The UCNJ Union College of Union County, NJ’s Men’s Volleyball team won the NJCAA Region XIX Championship and will advance to the NJCAA National Invitational. This marks the first championship win since the program began at UCNJ in 2023.

The Men’s Volleyball team dominated the tournament, defeating Northampton Community College 3-1 to claim the Region XIX title. The all-tournament MVP was Middle Blocker Javon Scott. Also recognized at the game were Sebastian Arias, Jaden Guzman, and Daniel Silva, who were named to the all-tournament team.

Head Coach Kevan Pidgeon-Hammock was named NJCAA Coach of the Year. Under his leadership, the team finished their season with an overall record of 22 wins and 6 losses. They also clinched the Garden State Athletic Conference (GSAC) Championship, going 10-0 in conference matchups. This secured the Men’s invitation to compete in the 2025 NJCAA Men’s Volleyball Invitational, taking place at Finger Lakes Community College.

“On behalf of the UCNJ community, I want to congratulate the Men’s Volleyball team and Coach Pidgeon-Hammock on their well-earned victory. In just two years since the program’s inception, our student-athletes have dedicated their time and energy to ensuring success. We wish them the best at the national tournament and look forward to many successful seasons to come” stated UCNJ’s President Dr. Margaret M. McMenamin.

UCNJ is a public comprehensive community college that provides quality, affordable, accessible educational programs to the greater Union County region. It is the first of New Jersey’s 18 two-year colleges, serving both career-minded and transfer-oriented students since 1933. The College offers a wide variety of academic programs and extracurricular activities. UCNJ provides many experiential learning opportunities such as access to the Bloomberg Business Center, Innovation Center, and Student Research Lab. Additionally, students at UCNJ attend one of the top 10 community colleges in the country as designated by the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program. To learn more about UCNJ, visit www.ucc.edu.

Cranford, NJ – UCNJ Union College of Union County, NJ announced that Dr. Hellen Castellanos Brewer was appointed as the new President of College of the Mainland in Texas City, Texas. Dr. Brewer served as the Vice President of Student Development at UCNJ from 2014 to 2017. She is a dedicated higher education leader with a distinguished career in academic and student affairs.

Dr. Brewer has prioritized student success during her career. Most recently, she served as the Executive Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs at College of the Mainland, where she played a pivotal role in advancing student services and academic excellence. Prior to that, she was the Vice President for Student Services at the same institution.

Dr. Brewer holds a doctorate in Education Leadership, Management, and Policy from Seton Hall University, a master’s degree in Counseling from Trinity Washington University, and a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Maryland-College Park.

“On behalf of the UCNJ community, I want to extend my congratulations to Helen as the new president of College of the Mainland. She is dedicated to student success, and we are incredibly proud that she was selected to lead the college. President Brewer will continue to make a difference in the lives of students and the higher education community” stated UCNJ’s President Dr. Margaret M. McMenamin.

UCNJ is a public comprehensive community college that provides quality, affordable, accessible educational programs to the greater Union County region. It is the first of New Jersey’s 18 two-year colleges, serving both career-minded and transfer-oriented students since 1933. The College offers a wide variety of academic programs and extracurricular activities. UCNJ provides many experiential learning opportunities such as access to the Bloomberg Business Center, Innovation Center, and Student Research Lab. Additionally, students at UCNJ attend one of the top 10 community colleges in the country as designated by the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program. To learn more about UCNJ, visit www.ucc.edu.