Student Success Initiatives

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 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.

Inspire the Future

Inspire the Future is the institution’s initiative dedicated to increasing the graduation rates of the Hispanic population. Using similar proactive advising strategies as Operation Graduation, advisors work one-on-one with students to promote on-time degree and certificate completion. Inspire the Future includes career services opportunities, workshops, and various social engagement events are held on and off campus related to personal and professional development for the Hispanic population to foster a culture of student success.

Meet Our Staff

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 2024), Rowan University

Email: duane.reid@ucc.edu

Call/Text: TBA

Virtual Office: https://unioncc.webex.com/meet/duane.reid

Meet Our Staff – Operation Graduation

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 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

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

Kobe Penn headshot

Kobe Penn, Student Services Generalist

Focus: “My goal is to help students recognize their potential and grow into the best versions of themselves.”

Education: BA Political Science, Minor in African American Studies

Email: kobe.penn@ucc.edu

Call/Text: 973-437-3501

Virtual Office (Webex room): https://unioncc.webex.com/meet/kobe.penn

Meet Our Staff – Inspire the Future

Yuri Bisono headshot

Yuri Bisono, Student Services Specialist

Focus: “Be a source of solid advocacy and encouragement to our students using the tools and maximum resources to achieve academic and professional excellence to continue shaping the path for equity and diversity in the communities.”

Email: yuri.bisono@ucc.edu

Call/Text: 908-866-5263

Education: BA, Art Therapy, Minor in Psychology, New Jersey City University; MA in liberal studies, Thomas Edison State University

Virtual Office: https://unioncc.webex.com/meet/yuri.bisono