Five UCNJ Student Leaders Attend Susan N. Wilson New Leadership Summer Institute

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.

From left: Libni Vizcaino, Jenna Medina, Nehomie Vilbrun, Rachel Sweet, Pamela Bazan

UCNJ Receives STEM Collaboration of the Year Award

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.

From left: Director of the Business Center Dr. Donovan Smalls and Director of Student Research & Science Laboratories Dr. Mohamed Mohamed

UCNJ Selected to Join the Aspen Institute’s Inaugural President and Trustee Collaborative Focused on Student Success

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.

 

11 UCNJ Scholars Accepted into Princeton’s Summer Program

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.

 

Two UCNJ Leaders Selected for the Aspen Institute’s Rising Presidents Fellowship

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.

UCNJ’s Spring 2025 Commencement Marks New Beginnings for More than 700 Graduates

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.

UCNJ held two commencements on the campus in Cranford on Wednesday, May 21, 2025. This photo is from the first commencement which took place at 10am. / Russ DeSantis Photography and Video, LLC / Russ DeSantis Photography and Video, LLC

Union County College Foundation’s Annual Golf Outing Raises over $210,000

Cranford, NJ – This spring, the Union County College Foundation hosted the 33rd 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.

Odudu Ekpenyong from UCNJ Awarded a National Community College Transfer Scholarship

Lansdowne, VA (May 9, 2025) – Odudu Ekpenyong, a student at UCNJ Union College of Union County, NJ, is one of 90 high-achieving community college students selected to receive the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation’s Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship. The highly competitive national scholarship aims for Cooke Scholars to complete their undergraduate educations with as little debt as possible. The award, which is last dollar funding after all institutional aid, can provide Odudu Ekpenyong with as much as $55,000 a year to complete a bachelor’s degree.

Ekpenyong, of Springfield, NJ, will graduate from UCNJ this spring with a computer science degree. He serves as Vice President of Public Relations for the Iota Xi Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa (PTK), Vice President of the Entrepreneurs Club, is a member of the Cybersecurity Club, an academic tutor, and is an Union Honors scholar. Notably, Ekpenyong was selected as a 2024 Coca-Cola Leaders of Promise Scholar and was part of the All-NJ State Academic Team in recognition of his scholarly achievements. 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. His dream transfer institutions include Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Purdue University, and Tuskegee University.

The 2025 cohort marks one of the largest in the Foundation’s 25-year history, reinforcing its continued commitment to creating debt-free pathways to higher education for high-achieving students with financial need.

“This year’s cohort reflects the remarkable talent and determination thriving in community colleges nationwide,” said Giuseppe “Seppy” Basili, Executive Director of the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation. “As we mark 25 years of impact, we remain committed to amplifying the successes of these students and opening doors to the opportunities they deserve.”

While nearly 80% of community college students aspire to earn a bachelor’s degree, only 16% reach that goal within six years. The Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship, which makes this goal more attainable for selected students, provides last-dollar funding of up to $55,000 per year for up to three years and eases the financial burden of completing a four-year degree. Beyond funding, Scholars receive personalized advising to guide their academic and professional journeys. Scholars also gain access to a nationwide network of more than 3,400 Cooke Scholars and Alumni, along with opportunities for internships, study abroad, and graduate school support – ensuring they have every tool needed to thrive beyond community college.

“We are proud of Odudu. Being named Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Scholar will allow him to transfer to and graduate from a university of his choice – debt free. Our previous Cooke Scholars have successfully transferred to Columbia, Dartmouth, Michigan, and UPenn. UCNJ has the top Honors Program in New Jersey and our students benefit from small class sizes, expert but compassionate faculty, along with a price that can’t be beat. Our College is the destination of choice for discerning students who want a great education, an engaging college experience, and an affordable price. I look forward to seeing what great things he will do with this transformative scholarship opportunity,” stated UCNJ President Dr. Margaret M. McMenamin.

This year’s selection process drew more than 1,600 applications from community colleges across the nation. The 90 new Scholars were selected from a semifinalist pool of 467 students. Applicants were evaluated based on their academic achievement, unmet financial need, persistence, and leadership qualities.

A complete list of the 2025 Cooke Transfer Scholar finalists and their respective community colleges is available here. To learn more about the Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship, visit the website here.

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About The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation

The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation is dedicated to advancing the education of exceptionally promising students who have financial need. Since 2000, the Foundation has awarded almost $304 million in scholarships to more than 3,400 students from 8th grade through graduate school, along with comprehensive educational advising, career pathway counseling and other support services. The Foundation has also provided $136 million in grants to organizations that serve such students. www.jkcf.org

Media Contact: Julia Florence, media@jkcf.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.

UCNJ Hosts Open House for Prospective Students

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.

UCNJ Professor Dr. Kabak Receives Educator of the Year Award

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.

FDU, 3ed Annual Hospitality and Tourism Reception & Celebration