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Cranford, NJ – UCNJ Union College of Union County, NJ is proud to announce that Dr. Maris Lown, who serves as the College’s Vice President for Academic Affairs, has been promoted to Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs. In her role as Vice President of Academic Affairs, Dr. Lown manages all academic divisions of the College overseeing the deans of the respective academic divisions and is responsible for all credit-based instructional staff, including faculty, academic specialists, and adjuncts. The title of Provost signifies that Dr. Lown is the senior most executive at the College under the President.

Since Dr. Lown joined the College in 2011, she has spearheaded a revolution of the College’s academic programs in support of UCNJ’s emphasis on student success outcomes. The Academic Affairs Division, under Dr. Lown’s leadership, is critical to ensuring that students succeed thanks to an invested and committed faculty. Through college-wide initiatives, over the past decade, the first-time, full-time on time graduation rate at the College has more than quintupled. Additionally, the College has now twice been recognized by the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program, as a Top 150 Community College in 2021 and as one of 25 Semifinalists in 2023.

Beyond her role at the College, Dr. Lown has presented at conferences for the Middles States Commission on Higher Education and serves as a peer evaluator for Middle States. Her extensive experience in accreditation, assessment, curriculum development, and program development provides direction, guidance, and vision for faculty in these areas. In 2018, Dr. Lown was the first recipient of the inaugural Dr. Lawrence A. Nespoli Community College Leadership Award, given by the New Jersey Council of County Colleges. Dr. Lown earned her Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Rowan University, her master’s degree in nursing from Boston University, and her bachelor’s degree in nursing from Boston College.

“I am grateful for Dr. Lown’s leadership and support at the College. Her dedication and work ethic make her an invaluable member of my leadership team. Over the years, she has been a trusted advisor and colleague. This is a well-deserved recognition,” stated UCNJ’s President Dr. Margaret M. McMenamin.

UCNJ Union College of Union County, NJ is a public, comprehensive community college that provides quality, affordable, accessible educational programs to the greater UCNJ 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 25 community colleges in the country for 2023 as designated by the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program. To learn more, visit www.ucc.edu.

Cranford, NJ – The UCNJ County College Foundation is excited to welcome five members to its board. The newly elected trustees are:

• Adam Bell, of Short Hills, is President of The Rotuba Extruders, Inc. and Pen Company of America which is based in Linden.
• Azariah Clifton, of Bloomfield, currently serves as Community Relations Coordinator for Infineum based in Linden.
• Stephanie Forrest, who is from Summit, is the Government Affairs Officer for South Jersey Industries based in UCNJ.
• Carmen Rivera, of Clark, is the Vice President Business & Community Development Officer at Spencer Savings Bank in Elizabeth.
• Barry Rossen, who is from Westfield, serves as Executive Vice President of Hansome Energy Systems in Linden.

The UCNJ County College Foundation’s Mission is to cultivate resources in support of UCNJ UCNJ of UCNJ County, NJ 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 UCNJ students.

“The Foundation is happy to welcome these five generous community leaders to its Board. Each new member brings their unique business and industry expertise coupled with the desire to make a positive impact on the greater UCNJ County region. With their help, we hope to expand our ability to support the students at UCNJ Union College of Union County, NJ,” said Foundation Executive Director Doug Rouse.

If you are interested in learning more about how you change the lives of UCNJ students, email Doug Rouse at douglas.rouse@ucc.edu or call (908) 709-7113. To learn more about the UCNJ County College Foundation go to www.ucc.edu/union-county-college-foundation.

Two UCNJ Students Named 2023 Coca-Cola Leaders of Promise Scholars

 Cranford, NJ – Camila Taddeo and Maryann Ossai are two Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society (PTK) scholars from UCNJ Union College of Union County, NJ who were selected as 2023 Coca-Cola Leaders of Promise Scholars and will each receive a $1000 scholarship. Taddeo, of UCNJ Township, is the President of UCNJ’s PTK chapter and is studying nursing. She has also received the StudyBuddy TEAS & HESI Prep award, a $300 value. In partnership with PTK, this award will provide members with access to StudyBuddy.live, an eLearning platform that provides completely asynchronous online courses that focus on conceptual understanding of the material to help students achieve higher scores on exams. Ossai, of Hillside, is majoring in public administration and was selected as a 2023 Coca-Cola Military Leaders of Promise Scholar.

The Coca-Cola Leaders of Promise Scholarship Program helps new PTK 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. Nearly 1,100 applications were received.

A total of $213,000 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, which 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 Hopkins, 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 Dr. Monica Marlowe, 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.”

“Thank you to PTK for awarding both Camila and Maryann with this scholarship. We know that finances are one of the largest barriers to pursuing and completing a degree, and scholarships make a huge difference. Awards like this allow students to focus on their academics versus worrying about how to pay for their education. We are grateful to PTK for recognizing and investing in our scholars,” stated UCNJ’s President Dr. Margaret M. McMenamin.

About Phi Theta Kappa

Phi Theta Kappa is the premier 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 3.8 million members and nearly 1,300 chapters in 11 countries, with approximately 240,000 active members in the nation’s colleges. Learn more at ptk.org.

About UCNJ

UCNJ Union College of Union County, NJ is a public, comprehensive community college that provides quality, affordable, accessible educational programs to the greater UCNJ 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 25 community colleges in the country for 2023 as designated by the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program. To learn more, visit www.ucc.edu.

 

$408 Million Dollar Annual Economic Impact Due to UCNJ Union College of Union County, NJ

Cranford, NJ – Lightcast, a firm that provides labor market analytics, has released a study on the annual economic impact of UCNJ Union College of Union County, NJ on the County. The results revealed a positive impact on the regional economy in large part through the College’s ability to enhance graduates’ careers with increased job opportunities and higher incomes.

Among the most noteworthy impacts of the College on the Community include the following:

• UCNJ produced a total economic impact of $408.6 million in added income in Union County last year.
• The College produced increased earnings from alumni of nearly $347 million last year.
• Residents of the County who complete an associate degree earn an average of $48,900 per year – which is approximately $11,000 more than a high school graduate in UCNJ County earns.
• One out of every 71 jobs in Union County is supported by the College and its students.

“This economic impact study affirms that an investment in the College benefits all of Union County. As a result of graduating from the College, our community reaps the benefits of a more educated and skilled workforce. This also helps increase the economic standing of individual families and our County as a whole because those who can better provide for themselves result in decreased need for government-supported social services. Our community is fortunate to have access to an affordable, high-quality education at the College. The data shows their education here leads to increased lifetime earnings and improved quality of life,” said the College’s Board of Trustees Chairman Victor M. Richel.

UCNJ Union College of Union County, NJ 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 25 community colleges in the country for 2023 as designated by the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program. To learn more, visit www.ucc.edu. You can read more about UCNJ’s Economic Impact Study findings at https://www.ucc.edu/administration/institutional-research/.

UCNJ Union College of Union County, NJ President Dr. Margaret M. McMenamin Selected for the Aspen Institute’s Presidents Fellowship

Cranford, NJ – The Aspen Institute College Excellence Program has announced that Dr. Margaret M. McMenamin, President of UCNJ Union College of Union County, NJ, has been selected for the inaugural class of the Aspen Presidents Fellowship. This program, made possible with support from JPMorgan Chase, focuses on developing a sustainable and comprehensive reform agenda that advances excellence and equity in student outcomes at scale.

This class of fellows represents the diversity of our nation’s community colleges. They lead institutions across 14 states that collectively educate over 280,000 students in varied settings, from a rural college of 700 students to an urban one with enrollment over 24,000. The incoming class of Presidents Fellows is 56% women and 44% people of color.

Selected through a competitive process, the fellows will, over 12 months, work closely with a faculty of leading community college presidents and senior staff from the Aspen Institute. They will learn about and compare their practices to those of field-leading colleges, analyze their students’ graduation and post-graduation outcomes, and advance their priority reforms aimed at delivering excellent and equitable student outcomes.

Dr. McMenamin became the College’s eighth president in 2010 and is its first female president. Upon her appointment, Dr. McMenamin set forth an aggressive agenda centering on improving student success outcomes. She revitalized student services, strengthened academic advising, partnered with faculty to improve teaching and learning, and engaged the entire campus community in renewing their collective commitment to student success. During her tenure at UCNJ, the College has more than quintupled its graduation rate. In 2019, Dr. McMenamin served as Chair of the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. Middle States is the regional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education performing peer evaluations of over 525 institutions of higher education. In 2020, Dr. McMenamin was named the Marie Y. Martin National CEO of the Year by the Association of Community College Trustees. In 2022, the Aspen Institute for College Excellence named UCNJ as one of only 25 semifinalists for the Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence.

“Scaled improvements in student outcomes at our nation’s community colleges requires excellent leadership,” said Josh Wyner, executive director of the College Excellence Program. “I am continually inspired and motivated by the dedication and expertise that our fellows bring to the work of advancing excellence and equity on their campuses, and I look forward to supporting them as they improve outcomes for their students.”

JPMorgan Chase’s philanthropic support for the Aspen Presidential Fellowship is part of the firm’s New Skills at Work initiative to prepare young people for the future of work and meet the growing demand for skilled workers, and the $30 billion commitment to advance racial equity and drive an inclusive economy.

“We are incredibly proud of Dr. McMenamin for being selected as an Aspen Presidents Fellow. I have no doubt she will be an asset to this fellowship by offering a wealth of knowledge for the benefit of community colleges across the nation. She has proven to be a dynamic and effective leader while earning the College national recognitions for our student success outcomes,” stated UCNJ’s Board of Trustees Chair Victor M. Richel.

For bios and photos of the extraordinary leaders, visit LINK.

The Aspen Institute College Excellence Program supports colleges and universities in their quest to achieve a higher standard of excellence, delivering credentials that unlock life-changing careers and strengthen our economy, society, and democracy. We know it takes visionary college leaders to achieve this higher standard and we make it our mission to equip them with the knowledge, skills, and research-backed tools to inspire change, shift practice, and advance the capacity of colleges to deliver excellent and equitable student outcomes. For more information, visit our website and follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter.

The Aspen Institute is a global nonprofit organization committed to realizing a free, just, and equitable society. Founded in 1949, the Institute drives change through dialogue, leadership, and action to help solve the most important challenges facing the United States and the world. Headquartered in Washington, DC, the Institute has a campus in Aspen, Colorado, and an international network of partners.

About JPMorgan Chase

JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE: JPM) is a leading global financial services firm with assets of $3.7 trillion and operations worldwide. The Firm is a leader in investment banking, financial services for consumers and small businesses, commercial banking, financial transaction processing, and asset management. A component of the Dow Jones Industrial Average, JPMorgan Chase & Co. serves millions of customers in the United States and many of the world’s most prominent corporate, institutional and government clients under its J.P. Morgan and Chase brands. Information about JPMorgan Chase & Co. is available at www.jpmorganchase.com.

 

About UCNJ

UCNJ Union College of Union County, NJ is a public, comprehensive community college that provides quality, affordable, accessible educational programs to the greater UCNJ 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 25 community colleges in the country for 2023 as designated by the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program. To learn more, visit www.ucc.edu.

Cranford, NJ – UCNJ UCNJ of UCNJ County, NJ held its annual Convocation on September 5, 2023. Convocation, traditionally held the day before fall classes start, marks the beginning of the new academic year at UCNJ. This year’s Convocation theme was titled “Navigating the Future of Learning and Work” and featured keynote speaker Maria Flynn, President and CEO of Jobs for the Future (JFF). JFF is a national nonprofit that drives transformation in the American workforce and education systems.

Prior to Ms. Flynn’s keynote, UCNJ’s President Dr. Margaret M. McMenamin provided a “State of the College” with remarks from Dr. Sara N. Lacagnino, UCNJ’s Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of Curriculum and Accreditation, who chairs the College’s Futures Task Force. Following Ms. Flynn’s keynote, she facilitated a panel featuring Dr. Aaron Fichtner, President of the New Jersey Council of County Colleges; Sarah S. Keh, Vice President of Inclusive Solutions at Prudential Financial; Susan Benavente, UCNJ ’20 alumna and a current security analyst at a large New Jersey corporation; and Colin Newman, Director of Workforce & Economic Development for Amazon. The College has been an Amazon Career Choice partner thanks to the leadership from New Jersey Senate President Nicholas P. Scutari and the UCNJ County Commissioners who were instrumental in forging this partnership. UCNJ’s 2023 Convocation focused on how to prepare UCNJ students for the workforce of tomorrow.

“We are thankful that Maria Flynn along the panelists shared their expertise and advice with our faculty and staff. Their outlook on the future of the workforce in America is illuminating and reiterates that we must remain agile and nimble to meet workforce needs in our region. We proudly continue to offer an excellent and affordable education to the UCNJ County community, whether someone is a first-time college student, or they are a returning adult trying to learn a new skill or earn a industry credential,” stated President McMenamin.

UCNJ UCNJ UCNJ of UCNJ County, NJ is a public, comprehensive community college that provides quality, affordable, accessible educational programs to the greater UCNJ 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 25 community colleges in the country for 2023 as designated by the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program. To learn more, visit www.ucc.edu.

Cranford, NJ – Join the UCNJ County College Foundation on October 20 for the 31st Annual Scholarship Gala. The event will be held at the Westwood in Garwood beginning at 6pm and the theme is “90 Years of Excellence: Honoring the Past, Celebrating the Present, Embracing the Future.” This year, the Foundation will be honoring Bristol Myers Squibb, Thomas Bracken, and J. Anthony Manger.

The Gala is the Foundation’s signature fundraising event of the year providing financial support for UCNJ students and helps to ensure that economic status is not a roadblock to academic success. The Foundation allocates resources for scholarships, housing, emergency funding, and more.

This year, Tom Bracken, President and CEO of the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce, who has consistently exemplified leadership and dedication to the growth of the greater New Jersey community, is being recognized as the 2023 Man of the year. Bristol Myers Squibb is being recognized as the 2023 Corporate Partner of the Year for their outstanding commitment to corporate social responsibility and their pivotal role in advancing education. J. Anthony Manger, Esq. will be the 2023 recipient of the prestigious Fiat Lux Award in recognition of his extraordinary contributions to illuminating paths for others.

“We look forward to honoring these deserving recipients who have been champions of our students through their generous support of the Foundation. Our honorees, and all who support the College’s Foundation, are critical in helping us fulfill our mission of transforming our community, one student at a time. Sometimes the difference to getting a student to graduation is a Foundation scholarship. Every little bit helps and is appreciated,” stated UCNJ President Dr. Margaret M. McMenamin.

The UCNJ County College Foundation Gala is selling tickets and has sponsorship opportunities available. For more information on the UCNJ County College Foundation Gala, please visit www.ucc.edu/gala2023, contact the Foundation office at (908) 709-7505 or email foundation@ucc.edu.

Cranford, NJ – UCNJ UCNJ of UCNJ County, NJ has partnered with Jobs for the Future (JFF), Achieving the Dream (ATD), and the New Jersey Council of County Colleges (NJCCC) to enhance the economic mobility of adult students. Nine colleges across three states are involved, including New Jersey, Michigan, and Virginia. UCNJ will collaborate with other NJ colleges to enhance student success.

Each state will receive $200,000 for this 18 month initiative. Funding is supported by Ascendium, the Frederick A. DeLuca Foundation, and ECMC Foundation. The grant will support UCNJ’s efforts to improve academic advising with an emphasis on utilization of career tools and help increase the retention rate for part-time underrepresented minority adult students. This initiative aligns with UCNJ’s institutional priority of social justice and equity. This population is critical to achieving our state’s attainment goal of 65 percent of working age New Jerseyans having a degree or credential of value by 2025.

According to JFF, the Improving Economic Mobility for Adult Learners Initiative aims to improve postsecondary success for adult learners. This initiative was developed to further expand what states and individual institutions have already done to improve the outcomes for adult learners at two-year colleges. JFF defines adult learners as individuals who are 21+ years old and have not yet completed a postsecondary certification or degree.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for us to re-focus on our non-traditional students. Our non-traditional students face added challenges including additional work and family obligations, so we are committed to providing the added support these students need. We believe that working together with JFF and ATD through the Improving Economic Mobility for Adult Learners Initiative, we can refine our approaches and demonstrate progress on some key leading indicators, with a goal of closing those achievement gaps. We are grateful to JFF and ATD for their partnership in this critical endeavor not just for those individual students but for our UCNJ County community as a whole,” stated UCNJ’s President Dr. Margaret M. McMenamin.

UCNJ UCNJ UCNJ of UCNJ County, NJ is a public, comprehensive community college that provides quality, affordable, accessible educational programs to the greater UCNJ 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 25 community colleges in the country for 2023 as designated by the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program.

Cranford, NJ – UCNJ UCNJ UCNJ of UCNJ County, NJ is proud to announce that Chemistry Professor Shahrzad “Sherry” Heidary, will receive the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) 2023 Northeast Region Faculty Award. Professor Heidary will formally accept the award in October at the Awards Presentation during the 54th Annual ACCT Leadership Congress in Las Vegas. By receiving the Northeast Region award, Professor Heidary is eligible to receive the national William H. Meardy Faculty Member Award. The winner will also be named at the Leadership Congress in Las Vegas.

Professor Sherry Heidary joined the College in 2006 as an adjunct instructor. During her time at the College, she has served as an advisor to the Student Government Association, American Honors Council, and Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society. Additionally, she serves as a Trustee on the UCNJ County College Foundation Board and as a board member of the YWCA of UCNJ County. Professor Heidary is highly present and visible on campus, goes above and beyond for students, and extremely active in scholarship and fundraising endeavors. In fact, both of the College’s 2023 Jack Kent Cooke Foundation transfer scholarship recipients received the Professor Heidary scholarship to help fund the cost of attendance. She has a B.S. in Polymer Engineering and a M.S. in Polymer Science.

“We are very proud of Professor Heidary. There is no one more deserving of this recognition. She is a master teacher, and she loves her students. She goes above and beyond to help them excel in their classes. For a chemistry professor to be truly beloved, it is quite the feat. We count Professor Heidary among our most outstanding faculty at UCNJ,” stated UCNJ’s President Dr. Margaret M. McMenamin.

The ACCT is a non-profit educational organization that represents more than 6500 elected and appointed trustees who govern more than 1200 community colleges, and over 11 million students, throughout the United States. The ACCT annually recognizes trustees and other community college leaders in each of its five regions for their contributions.

UCNJ UCNJ UCNJ of UCNJ County, NJ is a public, comprehensive community college that provides quality, affordable, accessible educational programs to the greater UCNJ 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 25 community colleges in the country for 2023 as designated by the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program. To learn more, visit www.ucc.edu.

Cranford, NJ – UCNJ UCNJ UCNJ of UCNJ County, NJ golfer Patrick Murray finished eighteenth in the nation, earning All-American honors, at the National Junior Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division III National Golf Championship. The golf tournament was held in June in Chautauqua, New York.

As Murray swung through the competition, he earned an impressive score of 309 over the combined four-day tournament. Murray’s finish was the second best ever for UCNJ at a National Tournament. Murray’s academic performance was on par with his scoring; he earned a 4.0 GPA in the spring 2023 semester and was recognized as an All-American Honor student at the conclusion of nationals. Murray is a well-rounded student, serving as a peer tutor in UCNJ’s Academic Learning Center and is co-president of the Student Athlete Advisory Council.

“We are proud of Patrick’s performance at this year’s national championship. We look forward to seeing him compete for UCNJ again as he received a return bid to nationals next year. This is a fantastic achievement for Patrick under the leadership of our golf coach Professor Marc Postiglione,” stated UCNJ’s President Dr. Margaret M. McMenamin.

UCNJ UCNJ UCNJ of UCNJ County, NJ is a public, comprehensive community college that provides quality, affordable, accessible educational programs to the greater UCNJ 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 25 community colleges in the country for 2023 as designated by the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program. UCNJ offers 16 athletic programs for student-athletes. For more information on UCNJ’s athletic offerings, visit https://www.unionowls.com/landing/index.