Author: sharonsovany

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.

The UCNJ Union College of Union County, NJ Board of Governors swore in Mathew Nazzaro, the latest appointed member. Board of Trustees Chair Victor M. Richel welcomed the new member at a joint meeting of the College’s Board of Trustees and Board of Governors.

Mr. Nazzaro serves as the Chief of Police in Cranford. He is a member of the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police and the Union County Police Chiefs Association. Throughout his time as a police officer, Chief Nazzaro has earned many awards and recognitions, including the 2022 FBI-LEEDA Trilogy Award, the 2016 Cranford Knights of Columbus Police Shield Award, and in 2015, he received the AzureMasada Lodge No. 22 First Responder of the Year.

Mr. Nazzaro (’04) earned an associate degree in Criminal Justice from UCNJ. He then went on to attain a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in Public Administration from Kean University.

“We are proud to welcome Chief Nazzaro to the UCNJ Board of Governors. Not only does he bring his experience as a leader in law enforcement and public service, but also as an alumnus. He has an appreciation for UCNJ’s mission and is dedicated to serving his community. I look forward to the insight and expertise he will bring to help shape the UCNJ community” stated Board Chairman Victor M. Richel.

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 community joined hundreds of members of Union County to march in the 28^th Annual Union County St. Patrick’s Day Parade. President Margaret M. McMenamin proudly led the charge of over 80 UCNJ students, faculty, and staff as they walked down Morris Avenue in Union.

Attending the St. Patrick’s Day Parade is a tradition for the UCNJ community. Dr. McMenamin served as Grand Marshal of the Parade in 2015 and was named the 2023 Woman of the Year by the Irish Business Association of NJ, part of the Greater Westfield Area Chamber Commerce. To check out highlights from this event, 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 – Three UCNJ Union College of Union County, NJ students majoring in computer programs have been selected as semifinalists for the prestigious Jack Kent Cooke Foundation (JKCF) Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship. This highly competitive JKCF award provides up to $55,000 per year for two to three years to support recipients in completing their bachelor’s degree at any accredited four-year undergraduate institution in the United States.

The UCNJ semifinalists were selected from a pool of more than 1,600 applicants nationwide. To qualify, students must have at least a 3.5 GPA, demonstrate exceptional academic ability, leadership, and demonstrate financial need. Finalists will receive not only a significant financial award, but also educational advising, access to internship opportunities, study abroad experiences, graduate school funding, and connections to a network of more than 3,400 fellow Cooke scholars and alumni.

The UCNJ semifinalists are:

Faris Areiqat, from Elizabeth, is majoring in computer science. A dedicated student leader, he is a member of Phi Theta Kappa (PTK), the President of the Computer Science Club, a member of both the men’s volleyball team and the Esports team, and a tutor at the College’s Academic Learning Center (ALC). Areiqat plans to continue his education in computer science with a focus on programming at a four-year institution, with future plans to open his own business.

Odudu Ekpenyong, from Springfield, is also pursuing a computer science degree. He serves as Vice President of Public Relations for PTK, Vice President of the Entrepreneurs Club, is a member of the Cybersecurity Club, an Union Honors scholar, and works part-time at the College’s Student Service Center. After earning his associate degree, he plans to pursue a bachelor’s degree in aviation science with a concentration in professional piloting, aiming to become an airline captain and mentor underrepresented pilots. Notably, Ekpenyong was selected as a 2024 Coca-Cola Leaders of Promise Scholar, an honor awarded to only 210 PTK scholars nationwide.

Samir Perez, also from Elizabeth, is majoring in computer information systems technology. He is a PTK member, President of the Latin Legacy Club, an Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF) student, an ALC tutor, and was recently named a Kaplan Leadership Program scholar. After graduating from UCNJ, Perez will transfer and plans to earn a bachelor’s degree in computer information systems, and pursue leadership roles in the field. His goal is to support small businesses through technology and innovation while proudly representing his heritage and culture.

UCNJ’s President Dr. Margaret M. McMenamin praised the students, stating, “On behalf of the UCNJ community, I want to extend my congratulations to Faris, Odudu, and Samir for being recognized as semifinalists for the distinguished Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Transfer Scholarship. We are proud of their achievements and excited to see how they advance in their academic and professional careers. We strive to provide our students with the support and opportunities they need to accomplish their dreams.”

Giuseppe “Seppy” Basili, Executive Director of the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation, underscored the significance of this award sharing, “Our Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship represents a lifeline for exceptional community college students to actualize their academic dreams. This year’s semifinalists exemplify the extraordinary talent found within community colleges across America, and we’re excited to congratulate this group as we celebrate a quarter century of work as a Foundation.”

The finalists for the JKCF Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship are expected to be announced in May 2025.

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.