Operation Graduation
Operation Graduation works with a specific group of first time, full-time cohort students with the goal of on-time degree and certificate completion. Advisors monitor academic performance with semester progress notes through graduation, encourage timely registration of required courses, and assist with possible completion scholarships.
Project Achievement
Project Achievement is the institution’s initiative dedicated to increasing the graduation rates of African American males. Using similar proactive advising strategies as Operation Graduation, advisors work one-on-one with students to promote on-time degree and certificate completion. Project Achievement includes a social programming component known as the Black Male Achievers program at Union County College. Various social engagement events are held on and off campus related to personal and professional development for Black men to foster a culture of student success.
Meet Our Staff – Operation Graduation
Duane Reid, Director of Student Success Initiatives
Focus: “My goal is to advocate for all students and to create equitable opportunities for students to graduate on time.”
Education: AS Criminal Justice, Essex County College; BA Criminal Justice, Rutgers University; MPA Public Administration, Rutgers University; Ed.D Educational Leadership (Anticipated conferral 2022), Rowan University
Email: duane.reid@ucc.edu
Call/Text: TBA
Virtual Office: https://unioncc.webex.com/meet/duane.reid
Rocio Francisco, Student Services Generalist
Focus: “My goal is to focus on dynamic advising strategies, help students accomplish their career goals, and help them graduate on time.”
Education: AS Liberal Studies, Union County College; BS Accounting, Kean University
Email: rocio.francisco@ucc.edu
Call/Text: 908-271-8717
Virtual Office: https://unioncc.webex.com/meet/rocio.francisco
Morgan Thompson, Student Services Specialist
Focus: Assisting students in their academic studies by creating educational plans that will help them reach there academic and future career goals.
Education: BA Psychology, Caldwell University; MA School Counseling, Caldwell University
Email: morgan.thompson@ucc.edu
Call/Text: TBA
Virtual Office: https://unioncc.webex.com/meet/morgan.thompson
Valerie Wilbon, Student Services Generalist
Focus: “My goal is to advocate for students to have and use the various resources at Union County College to be as successful as they desire.”
Education: BA Sociology, Minors in Africana Studies and Music, Rutgers University
Email: valerie.wilbon@ucc.edu
Call/Text: 908-444-6482
Virtual Office: https://unioncc.webex.com/meet/valerie.wilbon
Meet Our Staff – Project Achievement
Dr. LaVon Williams, Associate Director of Student Success Initiatives
Focus: “My goal is to remind students that they did not get this far, just to get this far!”
Education: AS Liberal Studies, SUNY Canton; BS Mass Media, SUNY Plattsburgh; MS Sports Management, SUNY Cortland; Ed.D Educational Leadership, Rowan University
Email: williams@ucc.edu
Call/Text: 908-368-1137
Virtual Office: https://unioncc.webex.com/meet/williams
Salim Williams, Student Services Generalist
Focus: “I have a passion for guiding, exhorting, and motivating students to reach academic success.”
Education: AS Liberal Studies, Union County College; BS Criminal Justice and Minor in Psychology, Rutgers University
Email: salim.williams@ucc.edu
Call/Text: 646-580-7062
Virtual Office: https://unioncc.webex.com/meet/salim.williams
Clinton Miller, Jr., Student Services Generalist
Focus: “My goal is to encourage everyone I encounter, of all ages, to be the very best that they can be as they strive to make a positive impact in the world in which they live because of the gifts, talents, and abilities that are resident within their very being.”
Education: BA Elementary Ed K-8, MA Behavioral Science, Kean University; MS Christian Counseling, Carin University
Email: clinton.miller@ucc.edu
Call/Text: 929-314-1238
Virtual Office: https://unioncc.webex.com/meet/clinton.miller