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Cranford, NJ – Dr. Margaret M. McMenamin, President of UCNJ Union College of Union County, NJ, has been named to the 2025 NJBIZ Education Power 50 for the second consecutive year. This list profiles the most influential education professionals in New Jersey.

Dr. McMenamin has served as President of UCNJ since 2010 with a student-centered focus that has transformed the College’s outcomes. Under her leadership, the College’s graduation rate has more than quintupled. Most recently, the Aspen Institute recognized UCNJ as one of only ten finalists for the 2025 million-dollar Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence.

In 2020, Dr. McMenamin was named the National Marie Y. Martin CEO of the Year by the Association of Community College Trustees. She currently serves as Chair of the Advisory Board of the Higher Education Research and Development Institute and is an active member of several local and national organizations, including the Boards of Trinitas Regional Medical Center, Union County Performing Arts Cener, the New Jersey Israel Commission, and the NJ-PBS Community Advisory Board. In 2015, she was honored to serve as the Grand Marshal of the Union County Saint Patrick’s Day Parade.

“On behalf of the UCNJ community, I want to congratulate Dr. McMenamin for her recognition as an NJBIZ educational leader. Dr. McMenamin’s dedication to expanding opportunities for students and her focus on student success, particularly first-generation and underrepresented students, is an inspiration to all of us. This recognition is a reflection on her remarkable impact on the College and the surrounding community” stated UCNJ Board of Trustees 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 – Dr. Margaret M. McMenamin, President of UCNJ Union College of Union County, NJ, has received the 2025 Union County Lifetime Achievement Award from Scouting America. This award is presented to leaders who exemplify the ideals that Scouting America has expressed in the Scout Oath and Law for over 115 years.

Dr. McMenamin was recognized for her leadership and commitment to the community. She has served as President of UCNJ since 2010 with a student-centered focus that has transformed the College’s outcomes. Under her leadership, the College’s graduation rate has more than quintupled. Most recently, the Aspen Institute recognized UCNJ as one of only ten finalists for the 2025 million-dollar Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence.

President McMenamin is involved with numerous community organizations. She is an active member of several local and national organizations, including the Boards of RWJBarnabas Health Trinitas Regional Medical Center, Union County Performing Arts Center, the New Jersey Israel Commission, and the NJ-PBS Community Advisory Board. In 2015, Dr. McMenamin was honored to serve as the Grand Marshal of the Union County Saint Patrick’s Day Parade. In 2020, she was named the National Marie Y. Martin CEO of the Year by the Association of Community College Trustees. President McMenamin was selected for the 2024 NJBIZ Education Power 50 List and was the recipient of the 2025 Leaders in Workforce & Community Development, Community Agency Partner Award by the Elizabeth Development Company.

“President McMenamin’s commitment to student success and improving lives through education is what makes her an exceptional choice for the Lifetime Achievement Award,” stated UCNJ Board of Trustees Chairman Victor M. Richel. “Her visionary leadership has not only transformed UCNJ but has also strengthened the greater Union County community. This award is a reflection of the lasting impact she has made on countless students and families, and we are proud to celebrate this well-deserved honor.”

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 – Jenna Medina from UCNJ Union College of Union County, NJ in New Jersey is one of 220 Phi Theta Kappa members named a 2025 Coca-Cola Leaders of Promise Scholar and will receive a $1,000 scholarship. Medina is pursuing a degree in Cyber Forensics at UCNJ.

The Coca-Cola Leaders of Promise Scholarship Program helps new Phi Theta Kappa members defray educational expenses while enrolled in associate degree programs. Scholars are encouraged to assume leadership roles by participating in Society programs and are selected based on scholastic achievement, community service, and leadership potential. More than 600 applications were received.

A total of $220,000 will be awarded this year through the Leaders of Promise Scholarship Program. The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation provides $200,000 in funding for the scholarships, with $25,000 set aside for members who are veterans or active members of the United States military. The remaining amount is supported by donations to the Phi Theta Kappa Foundation, who provides multiple Global Leaders of Promise Scholarships earmarked for international students.

“The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation has a long history of providing financial assistance to outstanding students at community colleges,” said Jane Hale Paulsen, President of the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation. “We are proud to partner with Phi Theta Kappa to make it possible for more deserving students to achieve their educational goals and support tomorrow’s leaders of the global community.”

The funds provided by the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation not only aid college completion but also give students the opportunity to engage in Society programs and develop leadership skills to become future leaders in their communities.

“Research shows that Phi Theta Kappa members are four times more likely to complete a college degree than their peers,” said Amanda Karpinski Gorman, Interim Executive Director of the Phi Theta Kappa Foundation. “The Leaders of Promise Scholarships recognize students for what they have achieved already and assure that financial need isn’t an obstacle to achieving their academic goals.”

“On behalf of the College community, I want to congratulate Jenna for earning this recognition as a Coca-Cola Leaders of Promise Scholar. Her commitment to academic excellence and leadership is a reflection of her hard work. We wish her continued success as a member of Phi Theta Kappa and are excited to see her further achieve her educational and career goals” stated UCNJ’s President Dr. Margaret M. McMenamin.

About UCNJ

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.

About Phi Theta Kappa

Phi Theta Kappa is the first honor society recognizing the academic achievement of students at associate degree-granting colleges and helping them to grow as scholars and leaders. The Society is made up of more than 4.4 million members and nearly 1,250 chapters in 11 countries, with approximately 220,000 active members in the nation’s colleges. Learn more at ptk.org.

UCNJ Union College of Union County, NJ joins a national network of community colleges working to align programs with good jobs and bachelor’s pathways, addressing local talent needs and changing student lives.

Cranford, NJ – Today, UCNJ joins the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program’s expanded Unlocking Opportunity network – an initiative designed to help community colleges reform programs in ways that improve student outcomes – ensuring students earn degrees that lead to good-paying jobs.

UCNJ, alongside 54 other colleges, will join 10 pilot institutions in a growing national effort to align their programs and student​ advising with the two most important goals of community college students: ​leaving college with a credential and​​​ ​​a good job or ​transferring and ​completing a bachelor’s degree. Through three years of focused reforms, these colleges will work with Aspen to assess current programs, set goals, and implement research-based reforms to increase student success.

“We are excited to join the Aspen Institute’s Unlocking Opportunity network, with a goal of ensuring that our students successfully transfer and pursue high-value careers that provide a family sustaining wage. By aligning our programs with strong transfer pathways and continuing to improve student outcomes, the College community is fulfilling its mission to advance economic mobility, while addressing the workforce needs of our community,” stated UCNJ’s President Dr. Margaret M. McMenamin.

“Every year, millions of students rely on community colleges for a low-cost pathway to what they assume will be a high-value credential,” said Josh Wyner, Executive Director of the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program. “They rightly assume that the degree and certificate programs their colleges offer will deliver a good job and fulfilling career either directly after community college or after transferring and earning a bachelor’s degree. The leaders at each of the 55 colleges that have signed up for Unlocking Opportunity have made clear that they will spend the next three years working towards the kinds of reforms needed to make that assumption a reality for thousands more students.”

The multi-year initiative will engage college leaders and teams through a series of virtual and in-person sessions focused on scaling reforms that align their community college programs with available good jobs and bachelor’s degree pathways in their regions. Guided by lessons from successful reforms implemented by the 10 Unlocking Opportunity pilot institutions, the new 55 colleges will set goals to increase student enrollment in and completion of high-value workforce and transfer programs, while reducing lower-opportunity pathways.

The 10 Unlocking Opportunity pilot institutions are on track to collectively move over 20,000 students into high-value programs of study​ that lead to good jobs​. With this expansion, Aspen will (for at least the next three years) track and support progress for 65 participating colleges, including those 55 just selected. Aspen will use insights from this work to inform the broader field through fellowship programs, publications, and state partnerships to provide professional development to college leaders and teams.

 

The full list of colleges joining the expanded network is available here.

Unlocking Opportunity, developed in partnership with the Community College Research Center, is supported by Arnold Ventures, Ascendium Education Group, Bank of America, ECMC Foundation, and JPMorganChase. The expansion of the Unlocking Opportunity network is made possible by the support of JPMorganChase.

To learn more about the network, visit https://highered.aspeninstitute.org/programs/unlocking-opportunity

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 aspeninstitute.org.

Cranford, NJ – UCNJ Union College of Union County, NJ Board of Trustees Chairman Victor M. Richel will receive the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) 2025 Northeast Regional Award for Trustee Leadership at the 56^th Annual ACCT Leadership Congress in New Orleans. By receiving the Northeast Regional Award, he is eligible to receive the national M. Dale Ensign Trustee Leadership Award. The national winner will be named at the Leadership Congress.

Mr. Richel is a distinguished banking executive, civic leader, and philanthropist, whose lifetime of service has left a profound impact on the greater Union County region. Mr. Richel was a Vice President for Elizabethtown Gas, and it was under his leadership that the company gifted its building in Elizabeth to the College. He has been a member of the UCNJ Board of Trustees for more than 40 years and has served as Chairman for 30 years. Mr. Richel also serves as Chairman of the Board of RWJBarnabas Health Trinitas Regional Medical Center in Elizabeth. His leadership was instrumental in facilitating Trinitas’ merger in 2022 with RWJBarnabas Health, one of the largest healthcare systems in the state. In addition to his many civic and business accolades, he is a beloved husband, father, and grandfather.

In 2021, Chairman Richel received the ACCT Trustee Leadership Award for the Northeast Region for the first time. Mr. Richel was recognized by the New Jersey Hospital Association as Hospital Trustee of the Year in 2018. He was honored by the YWCA of Union County in 2017 for Advancing Education & Economic Empowerment for Girls and Women. In 2016, he received the Ronald D. Winthers Community College Trustee Leadership Award from the New Jersey Council of County Colleges. In addition, Mr. Richel received the Ellis Island Medal of Honor in 1999 – an award given to notable American citizens who have demonstrated outstanding commitment to serving their communities.

It is a testament to Mr. Richel’s leadership and commitment to student success that UCNJ was named as one of only 10 finalists nationwide for the 2025 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence, the nation’s signature recognition of high achievement and performance among America’s community colleges.

“We are honored by ACCT’s two-time recognition of our devoted Board Chairman Mr. Richel. He has devoted more than 40 years of service to the College community. We are indebted to him for the invaluable leadership he has provided to UCNJ. He loves our students, our community, and our College,” stated UCNJ’s President Dr. Margaret M. McMenamin.

The ACCT represents more than 6500 elected and appointed trustees who govern more than 1000 community colleges throughout the United States. The ACCT annually recognizes trustees and other community college leaders in each of its five regions for their contributions.

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 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 – UCNJ Union College of Union County, NJ has received official notice that the institution’s accreditation has been reaffirmed by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). This is a significant milestone in the College’s ongoing commitment to its Mission, student learning and support services, institutional improvement, and leadership.

Institutions in the MSCHE region undergo a comprehensive self-study and peer review to renew their certification every eight years. The preparation for the visit was led by the College’s self-study tri-chairs, Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Sara Lacagnino, Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of Humanities Dr. Melissa Sande, and Associate Professor of Business Marc Postiglione. More than 140 UCNJ faculty and staff members participated in the process, contributing to the self-study and engaging directly with the visiting peer review team.

“Accreditation reaffirms the strength of our academic programs, student support services, integrity, and operational effectiveness,” stated UCNJ’s President Dr. Margaret M. McMenamin. “This achievement reflects the dedication of our faculty and staff who work daily to ensure our students receive excellent and affordable education.”

The MSCHE is a non-governmental, peer-reviewed organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. It accredits more than 500 colleges and universities, ensuring that institutions uphold rigorous standards of quality and continuous improvement.

With its accreditation reaffirmed, UCNJ continues to provide educational opportunities both in-person and virtually to thousands of students across its campuses and locations. The College offers over 65 academic programs and was selected as a 2025 finalist for the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program.

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 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 – Five UCNJ Union College of Union County, NJ students were selected to participate in the Susan N. Wilson New Leadership New Jersey Summer Institute, held at Rutgers University.

The Susan N. Wilson NEW Leadership® New Jersey program is a non-partisan, residential leadership institute designed to educate and empower the next generation of women leaders. Over five intensive days, students engaged directly with elected officials, community leaders, and policy experts. Through workshops, panel discussions, and collaborative projects, participants explored the role of women in American politics and developed practical leadership skills to effect positive change in their communities. This year’s leadership program began with a keynote from New Jersey State Senator Teresa Ruiz.

The five student-leaders from UCNJ that participated in the leadership program include:

• Pamela Bazan, from Linden, liberal arts major
• Jenna Medina, from Roselle Park, cyber forensics major
• Rachel Sweet, from Cranford, psychology graduate
• Nehomie Vilbrun, from Elizabeth, criminal justice major
• Libni Vizcaino, from Roselle, public administration major

“On behalf of the UCNJ community, I want to congratulate these five student leaders who were selected to participate in this initiative to deepen their understanding of political systems and strengthen their voice as future leaders. We’re proud of their achievements and look forward to witnessing their future successes” stated UCNJ’s President Dr. Margaret M. McMenamin.

Upon completion of the program, the students were awarded certificates and inducted into the national NEW Leadership® alumnae network, joining a distinguished community of women leaders from across the country.

For more information on NEW Leadership® New Jersey, visit: https://cawp.rutgers.edu/programs/new-leadershipr/susan-n-wilson-new-leadershipr-new-jersey

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.