Author: wisamshahin

Cranford, NJ – The Union County College Foundation is excited to welcome three members to its board. The newly elected trustees include Ryan McDevitt, Phyllis Mirabella, and Amit Patel.

Ryan McDevitt serves as the Associate Director of Local Government Affairs at Bristol Myers Squibb. A long-standing supporter of the Foundation, Mr. McDevitt has consistently championed efforts to improve access to higher education and uplift students across Union County.

Phyllis Mirabella recently retired as Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer at Kean University. A dynamic community leader, Phyllis has held various municipal leadership roles and served on several nonprofit boards. She is a passionate advocate for women and the community.

Amit Patel is Vice President of AME, headquartered in Fairfield, NJ. Mr. Patel and his family have been loyal supporters of the Foundation’s work for many years, helping to provide vital resources to students and their families.

The UCNJ County College Foundation’s mission is to cultivate resources in support of UCNJ students to accelerate the pace of their educational success. Foundation funds provide vital scholarships and innovative programs as well as equipment to enhance opportunities and experiences for students.

“We are thrilled to welcome Ryan, Phyllis, and Amit to our Foundation Board,” said Doug Rouse, Vice President for Institutional Advancement. “Each of them brings unique perspectives and talents that will strengthen our ability to serve students. Their leadership and dedication will have a powerful impact on the lives of those striving to achieve their academic and career dreams at UCNJ. We are grateful for their commitment and excited to work together to continue transforming futures through education.”

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’s Vertical Farm Hydroponic STEM-Business Project received the 2025 STEM Collaboration of the Year Award from the New Jersey STEM Pathways Network. Dr. Mohamed Mohamed, Director of Student Research & Science Laboratories and Dr. Donovan Smalls, Director of the Business Center, were recognized for their groundbreaking collaborative STEM-Business project. This cross-disciplinary project not only enhanced students’ transfer and workforce readiness skills but also contributed to the College’s food pantry offerings to help feed students in need.

Under this innovative system, plants grow vertically indoors at UCNJ with synthetic material instead of  soil and can be harvested every six weeks. STEM students observe and document the behaviors of the plants, making the necessary adjustments needed to help the plants grow and thrive. From the business side, students are tasked with creating detailed reports and developing a business plan that enables this project to become a successful farming business. STEM and business students are mentored and partner to create a successful agricultural business that also helps the College community.

“Congratulations to Drs. Smalls and Mohamed for creating an educational opportunity for the students involved in the research and the students who are nourished with the crops. With this Hydroponic Farm, students have hands-on experiences in both the STEM and business fields, preparing them for their future careers” 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 Aspen Institute College Excellence Program (Aspen) announced the inaugural participants in the Presidents & Trustees Collaborative – an initiative designed to strengthen board-president alignment in support of lasting reforms that improve community college student outcomes. UCNJ Union College of Union County, NJ is one of ten institutions across the nation to be selected for the inaugural cohort.

This multi-year effort will begin with a national cohort of ten community colleges and two statewide partnerships with the Texas Success Center and the Michigan Community College Association. The cohort members and state partners will work with Aspen to scale high-impact board development and advance governance reforms that embed student success as a core priority and sustain meaningful change.

This multi-year initiative will engage college leaders through a series of in-person and virtual sessions focused on aligning governance practices with student success priorities. Guided by Aspen’s trustee framework and lessons from Aspen Prize-winning institutions, participants will explore proven strategies for how boards and presidents can collaborate effectively to build long-term governance structures that drive student outcomes and set new standards for leadership accountability in the field.

“Over the last decade, we’ve seen that community colleges make the most progress when presidents and trustees are unified in purpose and aligned in strategy,” said Josh Wyner, executive director of the College Excellence Program. “Through the Presidents & Trustees Collaborative, we’re advancing the field by working with colleges and statewide partners to strengthen that alignment—grounding governance in student success priorities, sustaining reforms through leadership transitions, and ultimately driving long-term improvements in student outcomes.”

“The UCNJ community is honored to be selected as one of only ten institutions nationwide to participate in this collaboration with the Aspen Institute. This initiative deepens the College’s commitment to help our students earn a college credential that leads to a family living wage. We look forward to working alongside national leaders to strengthen governance practices that will support transformational change for our students” stated UCNJ’s President Dr. Margaret M. McMenamin.

By fostering stronger collaboration between presidents and trustees, the Presidents & Trustees Collaborative aims to embed student success into the very fabric of college governance. With support from Aspen and in partnership with leading institutions and statewide organizations, participating colleges will serve as national models for what it takes to sustain transformational change—and set a new standard for leadership and accountability across community colleges.

To learn more about the collaborative, visit highered.aspeninstitute.org/programs/presidents-trustees-collaborative.

About the Aspen Institute

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.

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.

 

About UCNJ Union College of Union County, NJ

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 the fourth year in a row, UCNJ hosted Open House on its Cranford Campus for prospective students and their families. More than 350 potential students learned about the College’s academic programs, destination venues connected to majors, athletic programs, and financial aid opportunities. Attendees went to sessions where they were able to meet UCNJ deans, faculty, and current students. Throughout the event, the Admissions and the Community College Opportunity Grant teams were there to answer questions and share the opportunities available at the College with prospective students.

Most recently, UCNJ was recognized as a finalist for the $1 million dollar prize by the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program. Students who study at UCNJ can pursue a degree in more than 65 different programs across Allied Health, Business, Humanities, Social Sciences, and STEM fields. Also, the College is home to more than 15 sports and more than 35 clubs and organizations for students to join. To check out highlights from Open House, 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 Esports team won the National Junior Athletic Association Esports (NJCAAE) Championship for Call of Duty. In a two versus two matchup, student-players Bryan Carrillo and Paulo Matias won the title and broke the previous seasonal record by staying undefeated with 19 wins this season.

National champions Carillo and Matias have played on UCNJ’s Esports team for two years. Carrillo, of Plainfield, is studying Criminal Justice at UCNJ and is involved with several College engagement destinations. Carrillo also plays on the Men’s volleyball team, is a student worker on campus, and is involved as a student club leader. Matias, of Linden, is the captain of the Esports team and pursuing a degree in Fire Science Technology. This is not Matias’ first championship ring. He also earned the national champion title for Call of Duty in 2023. Matias is a tutor at UCNJ’s Academic Learning Center and is also a student club leader.

The Esports team was also named the NJCAAE Regional Champions for both Call of Duty and Fortnite. The players for Fortnite included Felix Parades, Tamir Reddick, and Roger Fortunato. The College launched its Esports program in fall 2018. At the time, UCNJ was the first two-year college in New Jersey and only one of 63 nationwide to the program.

“On behalf of the UCNJ community, I want to extend my congratulations to Bryan and Paulo for not only their national win, but for being undefeated the entire season. Both of these well-rounded students are showcasing their skills not only in Esports, but in their commitment to various on-campus activities. At UCNJ, we welcome every student to showcase their talents, both in the classroom, visiting our on-campus learning destinations, or by joining our athletic teams, clubs, and organizations,” 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 is proud to announce that student Samir Perez, of Elizabeth, has been selected as a Kaplan Leadership scholar. Perez is one of only 11 students recognized in the tristate area for this leadership opportunity.  The Kaplan Leadership Program targets students at two-year schools who demonstrate educational acumen, leadership potential, and financial need.

Born in Cuba and immigrating to the United States fourteen years ago, Perez decided to begin his education at UCNJ after learning about the educational programs, extracurricular activities, and the opportunity for growth and connection at the College. He is also a member of Phi Theta Kappa, President of the Latin Legacy Club, an Educational Opportunity Fund program student, and a tutor at the Academic Learning Center.

This spring, Perez will be graduating from UCNJ and will be pursuing his education in Computer Information Systems. Regarding his future, his career goal is to become a business analyst, a program manager, or a software engineer.

“We are incredibly proud of Samir’s acceptance into the prestigious Kaplan Leadership Program. Samir’s academic achievements, hard work, and leadership skills have set a high standard at the College, and we cannot wait to see all that he will accomplish and learn as a Kaplan Scholar. At UCNJ, we are committed to fostering an environment where students like Samir can pursue their dreams and make connections both inside and outside of the classroom” stated 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 9^th Annual Close the Gap Cocktail Reception on Wednesday, July 17 at Galloping Hill Golf Course in Kenilworth raising $60,000. This signature event supports the College’s strategic initiative to increase the graduation rates of African-American students, to effectively “close the achievement gap.” Since the launch of this campaign, the graduation rate of African American students has more than quintupled.

Each year, the Foundation recognizes leaders of distinction, with Angela Adderley receiving the 2024 Community Leader of the Year award and George L. Cooke III receiving the 2024 Frank Bolden Honorary Award. Ms. Adderley has been an entrepreneur in the fast-food industry for nearly 30 years and currently owns and operates ten McDonald’s franchises in New Jersey. Over the course of her career, she has received numerous awards and accolades, including the prestigious Ronald Award, Community Distinction Award, and most recently the Fred L. Turner Golden Arch Award.

George L. Cooke III has lived in Hillside for over 40 years and has maintained a connection to his community as a public servant, most recently as Councilman-At-Large. Mr. Cooke has been a member of the Hillside Scholarship Fund since 1986, the Lions Club since 2017, and as a trustee on the Union County College Foundation Board since 2017. He has been a tireless advocate for UCNJ students and has led several fundraising efforts to support the Close the Gap campaign.

“At UCNJ, student success and social justice are our priorities, and we believe that receiving a high-quality education is a transformative opportunity for our students. With nearly a decade of Close the Gap initiatives, the UCNJ community and our donors are committing to providing financial resources, mentorship, and opportunities for our African American students,” stated UCNJ Union College of Union County, NJ President Dr. Margaret M. McMenamin.

The Foundation launched the Close the Gap Campaign in 2015 and has raised approximately $500,000 to support student scholarships, emergency funding, and other support services. For more information on Close the Gap or to make a donation, go to https://www.ucc.edu/union-county-college-foundation/ways-to-give/donate-today/.

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 and extracurricular activities. UCNJ provides many experiential learning opportunities such as access to a Bloomberg Business Center, Innovation Center, and Student Research hub. Additionally, students at UCNJ attend one of the top 10 community colleges in the country for 2025 as designated by the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program. To learn more, visit www.ucc.edu.

Cranford, NJ – UCNJ Union College of Union County, NJ student-golfer Patrick Murray won the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Region XIX Golf Championship on May 14 at the Ash Brook Golf Course in Scotch Plains, NJ.

Murray is a two-time Garden State Athletic Conference champion and now a two-time NJCAA Region XIX champion. In 2024, he placed first in all nine tournaments he entered. He is a returning All-American that will be competing again at the NJCAA Division 3 National Championship from June 3 through 7 in Chautauqua, New York. He’s coached by the College’s Associate Professor in Business, Marc Postiglione. In addition to being an excellent golfer, Murray also excels in the classroom. He has a near perfect GPA and is graduating from UCNJ this spring with a degree in sport management. Murray is also involved on campus as a part of the Sport Management Advisory Committee, a member of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee, he serves as a peer tutor in the Academic Learning Center and is a member of Phi Theta Kappa honor society. This fall, Murray plans to attend Kean University to purse a bachelor’s degree in sport management and play on their newly formed golf team.

“We wish Patrick continued academic and athletic success. We’re very proud of him and his many accomplishments while at UCNJ. We also extend our thanks and appreciation to Coach Postiglione for supporting Patrick both on the golf course and in the classroom,” stated UCNJ 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 and extracurricular activities. UCNJ provides many experiential learning opportunities such as access to a Bloomberg Business Center, Innovation Center, and Student Research hub. Additionally, students at UCNJ attend one of the top 20 community colleges in the country for 2025 as designated by the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program. To learn more, visit www.ucc.edu.

Cranford, NJ – UCNJ Union College of Union County, NJ held its spring commencement ceremonies for the class of 2024 on May 15 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 Juan Vasquez, a computer science major from Elizabeth. The Post-Day Memorial Award was presented to Nicole Resende, an engineering major from Union, and Myrvens Sylvestre, a computer science major from Roselle. The ceremonies included a student speaker to represent the graduating class. The student speaker for the first ceremony was Precious Opaola, a social services major from Linden. She is a Kaplan Leadership program scholar who will attend Princeton University in the fall.

In the afternoon ceremony, the Alumni Prize was presented to Damari Bernia, a business major from Elizabeth. The Post-Day Memorial Award was presented to Sophia Argenziano, an English major from Clark, and Michaela Fajardo, a psychology major from Elizabeth. The student speaker for the second ceremony was Fajardo. She was named to the New Jersey All-State Academic Team and is finalizing her transfer plans.

“At UCNJ, we are transforming our community, one student at a time. I am proud of our graduates and excited to witness the positive impact they will make in their communities and beyond,” stated Dr. 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 and extracurricular activities. UCNJ provides many experiential learning opportunities such as access to a Bloomberg Business Center, Innovation Center, and Student Research hub. Additionally, students at UCNJ attend one of the top 20 community colleges in the country for 2025 as designated by the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program. To learn more, visit www.ucc.edu.

 

Cranford, NJ – Longtime UCNJ Coach Donna Herran (UCNJ ’85), of Cranford, was named an inaugural inductee into the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Region XIX Hall of Fame. Herran became assistant coach of the women’s basketball team in 1975 and went on to serve as head coach from 1980 through 1999.

Coach Herran accomplished much during her time at UCNJ. Under her leadership, the team accrued 537 wins and had five National Tournament appearances. During her first season, the team won the first Garden State Athletic Conference, Region XIX Conference Championship, and a bid for the 1976 National Tournament held in Kansas. On six occasions, she was named the NJCAA Region XIX Coach of the Year. In honor of Herran’s many contributions to the Region, NJCAA Region XIX presents a deserving coach each year with the “Donna Herran Coach of the Year Award.”

In 1996 and 1997, she was named both the NJCAA National District Coach of the Year and received the Converse Coach of the Year award. Herran was inducted into UCNJ’s Athletic Hall of Fame in 2001 and received the New Jersey National Girls and Women in Sports Award in 2009. Currently, she serves as a member of the College’s Board of Governors.

“I am honored to extend my heartfelt congratulations to Coach Herran on this well-deserved recognition.  She has been a dedicated member of the College community for many years, from coaching to her current membership on the College’s Board of Governors. Her dedication to the College and presence in the UCNJ community is admirable. This recognition is a testament to her contributions both on and off the basketball court, and we are proud to celebrate this achievement,” stated UCNJ Board of Trustee’s Chair 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 and extracurricular activities. UCNJ provides many experiential learning opportunities such as access to a Bloomberg Business Center, Innovation Center, and Student Research Hub. Additionally, students at UCNJ attend one of the top 20 community colleges in the country for 2025 as designated by the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program. To learn more, visit www.ucc.edu.