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Dr. Monaco’s April 25, 2025 Report to the Board of Trustees 

by

Pamela Monaco

Dr. Pamela Monaco

Displaced Homemakers Program Presentation

The Displaced Homemakers Program is designed to provide services to individuals who have lost their primary source of income due to separation, divorce, disability, or death of the primary family provider.  The goal of the program is to help clients become economically self-sufficient and improve the quality of life for them and their families.  The program is funded through a grant from the New Jersey Division on Women and supplemented by the generosity of donors.  Program services include career, employment, and life counseling, connection to social and community organizations, assistance with job search as well as financial assistance for short-term certificate training.

Every year, representatives from OCC’s Displaced Homemakers Program attend the April Board meeting to provide a brief annual report on the program activities and introduce a client whose life has been significantly changed due to participation in the program.  Ms. Veronica Guevara-Lovgren, Executive Director of Student Services, Ms. Katie Mehler, Associate Director of Counseling and Student Development, and Ms. Stacy West, Displaced Homemakers Program Coordinator, will attend Thursday’s meeting.  They will introduce  Ms. Reid, a program client who has shown tremendous strength and resilience not only in her personal career development, but in a career choice that gives back to her community.  

May is Displaced Homemakers Awareness Month.  It is respectfully requested that the Board adopt a resolution proclaiming May 2025 as Displaced Homemakers Awareness Month at Ocean County College in recognition of the personal and professional achievements clients experience as a result of this program.

Community College Month

The U.S. House of Representatives officially designated April as National Community College Month in 2007.  A resolution was passed in the House of Representatives to recognize the importance of community colleges in higher education.  This designation has been celebrated annually since then.

The primary goal of Community College Month is to increase awareness and understanding of the value of community colleges.  New Jersey’s community colleges make vital contributions to the State’s economy and to academic, career, and social mobility for over 240,000 students across the state.  They offer a quality education at an affordable price to assist students in realizing their greatest potential.

It is respectfully requested that the Board of Trustees adopt the attached resolution to recognize April 2025 as Community College Month at Ocean County College.

Princeton University’s Program for Community College Engagement

On April 11, 2025, Humanities professors and administrators from all 18 New Jersey community colleges spent a full day on Princeton University’s campus for a conference focused on increasing the vitality of the humanities in the college classroom and deepening partnerships with Princeton.  The event was hosted by Princeton’s new Humanities Initiative and the Program for Community College Engagement.

Dean of the School of Arts and Humanities Jonathan Molinaro was among the participants in this inaugural Humanities Community College Convening.  He is quoted at the end of Princeton’s news article about learning how open Princeton’s resources are to community college faculty and students.  He hopes to continue a connection with Princeton’s Program for Community College Engagement.

Princeton’s news article, “New Jersey community college educators convene at Princeton to share ideas, build partnership for the humanities,” may be read at:  https://www.princeton.edu/news/2025/04/21/new-jersey-community-college-educators-convene-princeton-share-ideas-build

Expression of Appreciation

American Sign Language (ASL)-Interpreter Training Program alumna Jessica Brown shared her deep gratitude to Ms. Kathy Basilotto, Assistant Professor, and Ms. Saundra Piscitelli, Instructor, for their dedication to the ASL-Interpreter Training Program, which she credits with changing the course of her life.  Ms. Brown spoke of the lasting impact the program has had on her, both personally and professionally, sharing how she has continued her ASL education, taken on interpreting positions, and collaborated with fellow graduates on pro bono events and ongoing practice.  Ms. Brown highlighted an exciting milestone of being hired to work on an upcoming deaf film for Apple and acknowledged how these opportunities have emerged because of the program.  She emphasized that the passion and support of the professors were instrumental in helping her thrive in her work, and she expressed profound appreciation for their influence.

Presentations to Students

  • On March 5, 2025, graduating Nursing students attended a presentation sponsored by the New Jersey Sharing Network.  Ms. Amy Keefe, RN, CPTC, Manager of Authorization and Family Services for the NJ Sharing Network, discussed the vital role of the registered nurse in organ and tissue donation.  The presentation is especially pertinent as it correlates to the curriculum covered within the final semester of the Nursing program.
  • Ms. Donna Bonacorso, RN, MSN, NEA-BC, Chief Nursing Officer and Vice President for Patient Care Services, presented information to graduating students on March 5, 2025, regarding the Nurse Residency Program at Community Medical Center.  Ms. Bonacorso discussed the application process and the schedule of events included in this year-long program.
  • Mr. Anthony Corso, RN, MSN, CCRN, CMSRN, GERO-BC, a graduate of Ocean County College, met with students on March 5, 2025, who are preparing to graduate from the Nursing program following this semester.  Mr. Corso discussed his experiences as a male nurse and his journey in nursing from a hospital volunteer to a staff nurse and educator.
  • The 3rd Annual Environmental Sciences Technical Conference, facilitated by Mr. Lincoln Simmons, College Lecturer II in Biology, was held on March 26, 2025, on campus.  This year, it was jointly presented and sponsored by Ocean County College and Kean University.  Many participating industry and corporate exhibitors were extremely happy with the conference, and some of them have volunteered to participate in next year’s event.  More than 30 corporate and institutional exhibitors attended the event and participated in presentations and panel discussions.  Well over 200 students were in attendance.
  • Representatives from the Office of the Insurance Fraud Prosecutor, including an RN specializing in fraud, spoke with graduating Nursing students on April 2, 2025.  The presentation focused on how to identify and report elder abuse and healthcare providers suspected of defrauding the Medicaid Program.
  • On April 9, 2025, the Governmental Affairs Institute sponsored a discussion titled “Impacts of Sea-Level Rise on Jersey Shore Communities with Dr. Kevin Dooley.”  Dr. Dooley is the Chair of the Political Science Department at Monmouth University.  This session examined how changes to our oceans have resulted in increased sea levels and flood tendencies.  Dr. Dooley explored how coastal communities have been affected and possible governmental and community responses.  Students had the opportunity to participate in the discussion and a question-and-answer session.  Mr. Jason Ghibesi, College Lecturer II in Political Science, facilitated this event.

Student Honor Societies

  • OCC’s Tau Iota Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa held its Spring induction ceremony on Thursday, April 10, 2025, in the Gateway Building Lecture Hall.  Dr. Jennifer Dellner and Assistant Dean Carolyn Showalter, Chapter Advisors, welcomed 117 new students into the chapter.
  • On Wednesday, April 16, 2025, Psi Beta, the national honors society for students attending two-year colleges majoring or minoring in psychology, inducted 36 new members. This club is advised by Psychology College Lecturer James Indelicato and Interim Psychology College Lecturer Kelly Bicking and is supported through the Office of Student Life.
  • On Thursday, April 17, 2025, the American Criminal Justice Association, Lambda Alpha Epsilon, held its spring induction ceremony into our Kappa Xi Sigma Chapter.  OCC’s chapter is under the advisement of Dr. Patrick Beatty, Criminal Justice College Lecturer II.  There were 44 new members  inducted into the organization.
  • Ocean County College is proud to be the first community college in New Jersey to establish a Delta Alpha Pi International Honor Society (DAPi) Chapter, joining over 200 institutions across the country.  DAPi is an academic honor society founded to recognize high-achieving students with disabilities who are attending colleges (including community colleges) and universities.  The organization celebrates and supports academic achievement, leadership, and advocacy for post-secondary students with disabilities.  

To qualify for membership, students must have completed at least 24 credits and maintained a cumulative grade point average of 3.10 or higher.  This year’s induction ceremony, being held on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, will welcome ten new members.  The ceremony will feature Mr. Neil McDevitt, Executive Director of the Deaf-Hearing Communication Centre in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania, as the guest speaker.  Mr. McDevitt is also recognized as the first Deaf individual elected to a mayoral office in the United States.

Student Clubs

  • The Student Nurse Organization sponsored a blood drive in collaboration with Robert Wood Johnson/Barnabas Health (RWJ/BH) on April 22, 2025 from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in the Larson Student Center.  The students were under the direction of advisors Ms. Linda Simmons, MSN, RN, Director of Nursing Skills and Simulation Labs; Ms. Mary Susan Gill, MSN, RN, Nursing College Lecturer II; and Dr. Tamila Purpuro, PhD, MSN, RN, Nursing College Lecture II.
  • OCC’s 3rd annual Clubs for a Cause event will take place on Wednesday, April 23, 2025, from 12:00 to 4:00 p.m. on the OCC campus mall.  This year, clubs created games and activities with a Renaissance Faire theme.  Activities will include jewelry making, temporary tattoos, origami, infused oils, cyanotypes, and a fetch quest.  Students and faculty members will also perform music, recite Shakespeare, and enjoy music curated by WOCC.

The student-led activities will be complemented by a visit from the wolfdogs of Howling Woods Farm, a tactile village set-up by the educational Viking-history troupe, Clan of the Ravens.  Inflatable jousting and axe throwing games will be offered.  In addition, there will be several fundraising opportunities to assist our campus food pantry, Helping Hands, including a dunk tank featuring some of OCC’s brave professors and staff.

This annual event is led by the Assistant Director of Student Life Michelle Youngs and History College Lecturer Justin Pfeifer, English College Lecturer Kristyn Stout, and Associate Professor of Humanities Beth Brierley.  Several club leaders were on the planning committee, including leaders from the History Club, Literature Club, Improv Club, Pride Club, Psychology Club, and Art Club.

  • The OCC Math Club and Environmental Club sponsored the Dr. William J. Rickert Lecture Series for April 2025.  In this lecture series, topics in mathematics were explored beyond normal classroom presentations.  Students were able to see the human side of mathematics and be exposed to mathematical concepts and history they may never have experienced before.
  • “Nothing” by Mr. Ted Gordon, Instructor of Mathematics, was held on Tuesday, April 1, 2025, at 2:00 p.m.  As it turns out, the concept of Nothing is much more complicated than it might seem.  Does it even exist?  Philosophy, religion, science, and mathematics all struggle with the issues from Nothing.  This light-hearted presentation opened up some of the conceptual problems that Nothing brings about.
  • “What Secret Codes and Telling Time Have in Common” by Ms. Ana Wilson, College Lecturer II in Mathematics, was held on Thursday, April 3, 2025, at 12:30 p.m.  This lecture took the audience back in time to learn how to use an ancient cipher to encode and decode secret messages.  Ms. Wilson then took the audience to the present and explored the mathematics behind the cipher, which we used to tell time.
  • “Mathematics, Music to Your Ears” by Ms. Julia Kim, College Lecturer II in Mathematics, was held on Wednesday, April 9, 2025, at 12:30 p.m.  Mathematics and music have many things in common.  Ms. Kim explored these connections by examining the musical experience from a mathematical perspective, including the fact that our brain recognizes musical patterns the same way it recognizes numerical patterns. All this came to life with musical examples played by the speaker on her violin.
  • “Understanding Shakespeare’s Plays Through Category Theory” by Mr. Ameer Sohrawardy, College Lecturer II in English, was held on Thursday, April 17, 2025, at 2:00 p.m.  Category theory is used in almost all areas of mathematics to represent relationships between objects using categories and morphisms. Mr. Sohrawardy’s talk proposed an application of this branch of pure mathematics to a discipline where it is never applied.  William Shakespeare’s plays often depict complex and conflicting relationships between peoples of different races, religions, sexual orientations, and economic classes. However, students (particularly STEM students) are often at pains to understand these relationships because their given tools aren’t sufficiently evocative, illustrative, and logical.  Mr. Sohrawardy proposed that applying category theory to teach Shakespeare can be one possible answer to this dilemma. 
  • “The Golden Ratio (Phi ϕ) – A Mathematical Constant with Relevancy and Mystery” by Mr. Charles Cebula, Adjunct Associate Professor, was held on Monday, April 21, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. This presentation covered the origin of the Golden Ratio. Attendees were able to participate in presentation activities to further recognize the relevancy and mystery surrounding this significant constant.
  • “Geometry and the Shape of the Universe” by Mr. Richard Brady, Adjunct Professor of Science, was held on Wednesday, April 23, 2025, at 2:00 p.m.  This presentation allowed the audience to journey through time and space.  Going back over 2000 years, Mr. Brady inspected a sentence in an ancient math text and how it hinted at hidden universes.

Student Trips

  • Dr. Stephen Agresti, College Lecturer II in Criminal Justice, and Ms. Michelle Youngs, Assistant Director of Student Life, accompanied 12 students from the Criminal Justice program to Washington, D.C., for four days during OCC’s Spring Break, March 17-23, 2025.  The trip included a visit to the FBI Building, where students engaged in training, a historical tour, and an introduction to careers in the FBI.  The trip also included a visit to the U.S. Supreme Court.  At the court, students met with representatives and individuals who have helped mold the U.S. criminal justice system.
  • On March 31, 2025, Ms. Anais Mompoint, College Lecturer II in Social Work, and Ms. Ana Tuzio, Field Outreach Coordinator, accompanied 24 social work students to the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), New Jersey Chapter, Annual Conference at the Hard Rock Hotel in Atlantic City, New Jersey.  This trip was made possible by Perkins funding and additional support from the Ocean County College Foundation to ensure transportation for all. 

The conference welcomed hundreds of social work professionals and students from across the tri-state area to share best practices within the field and networking opportunities.  The 24 OCC students had the option to choose from various breakout sessions and participated in the following:  Suicide Prevention Strategies; Supporting Latino/a Youth in Child Welfare; Chronic Pain and Mental Health; The Trauma of Incarceration; Diagnosis in the Age of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM); and many more.  A special Student Mentoring Session and luncheon were also held for students across social work programs at various institutions.

  • Student Life has sponsored several daytrips this semester for students, faculty, and staff.  The outings included Times Square, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Natural History Museum, the Broadway show, “English,” and Grounds for Sculpture. 
  • From Thursday, April 3, 2025, through Sunday, April 5, 2025, members of the Tau Iota Chapter of Ocean County College traveled to Kansas City, Missouri, to attend the Annual Phi Theta Kappa Catalyst International Convention.  The students who represented OCC were Chapter President Areeba Zulkarnain, Vice President Nayeli Rojas, Vice President of Scholarship Larissa Chandler, and members Laura Garzon Salinas and Annelie Lopez.  The students were accompanied by Ms. Jen Fazio, Director of Student Life.  Tau Iota was recognized for being a Reach Chapter in the Middle States Region.

Student Support Services and Activities

  • Enrollment Services fielded 810 in-person visits in the Student Enrollment Building during March, an increase of almost 17% during the same month last year.  Most students were helped with Tier 1 enrollment-related issues or met with an advisor.
  • The HUB team completed 3,220 outgoing calls, for a total of 204.5 hours, during the month of March.  Additionally, the Success team made 2,555 outgoing calls, totaling 147.25 hours during March.
  • The newest College Academy at Lacey Township High School, which will begin Fall 2025, received advising from Assistant Director of Educational Resources Elaine Schardien.  In total, 38 students were advised and registered for the upcoming term.
  • Dr. Gay Huggins-Dickey, Director of Career Services, visited OCC Manahawkin on Thursday, April 3, 2025.  Throughout the morning, “Dr. D.” visited individual classrooms to introduce herself and highlight the many opportunities available to students through the Career Services Department.  After her classroom visits, Dr. D. made herself available in the OCCM Student Lounge to answer student questions and provide additional guidance.  As a follow-up to her visit, two job opportunities in seasonal hospitality and health care were shared with the OCCM community.
  • Advisors met with students in all sections of Student Success this Spring.  This effort was coordinated by Associate Director Michele Connolly.  The goal of these sessions is to teach students how to understand and utilize their Academic Plan and to assist them with registration for the Fall 2025 semester. 
  • Advising hosted three Stockton 3+1 information sessions for faculty and staff.  Attendees learned more about 3+1 program details, degree requirements, and next steps for interested students.
  • New student advising via multiple pathways is currently underway.  New students are able to walk-in to meet with an advisor; they also have the option of scheduling in-person and virtual appointments.  Students work with an advisor to learn how to interpret the My Progress screen in Student Planning, which allows them to track degree completion.  
  • Advising is partnering with the Hub to execute High School Pathways advising and registration sessions.  Students from area high schools will be visiting OCC and meeting with advisors in the same small-group format as the New Student Registration sessions. 
  • Assistant Director of Advising Victoria Rod partnered with Records and Registration, the School of Nursing, and the HUB to provide Pre-Nursing Information Sessions for students this Spring.  Over 50 students attended in-person and via HyFlex.  Students received information on admission to the Nursing program as well as an overview of the Nursing curriculum, clinical work, and expectations.  Also included in the presentation this Spring was information about the Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education (FIPSE) grant.
  • NJ STARS Coordinator Jennifer Kipp reports there are 232 NJ STARS students enrolled this Spring semester.  She reported that 196 full-time and 3 part-time NJ STARS students achieved President’s Honors in the Fall 2024 semester.  Ms. Kipp also participated in three NJ STARS Information Sessions for high school students and their families.

Community Outreach

  • On April 5, 2025, Stoned Soul Picnic, who paid tribute to the songs of Joni Mitchell, Carole King, and Laura Nyro, performed for patrons at the Gia Maione Prima Foundation Studio Theatre.
  • The following week, on April 12, 2025, Vance Gilbert, a multi-talented actor, singer, and guitarist, received a standing ovation in the same location. 
  • The Planetarium, in addition to all of its regular school and public shows, participated in OCC’s Easter Egg Hunt on Wednesday, April 9, 2025, and will be a part of Take Your Child to Work Day on Thursday, April 24, 2025.
  • In celebration of Earth Day, the Novins Planetarium hosted two days of activities for families as part of the NASA FOCUS grant on April 18 and 19, 2025, which included a special guest from Jenkinson’s Aquarium – LILO, an African penguin, and its handlers.  
  • OCC Manahawkin Summer and Fall course offerings have been shared with the Guidance teams at Southern Regional, Lacey, Barnegat, Pinelands Regional, and MATES High Schools.  These teams are now sharing the information with their school communities to raise awareness about enrollment opportunities at OCCM.  This effort also ties into the second year of the initiative of inviting local high schools to visit OCCM during Express Enrollment Days.  During these visits, graduating seniors will take a brief informational tour of the OCCM building before continuing to the main campus to complete the rest of their enrollment process.
  • On April 3, 2025, a post-secondary planning night took place at Lakewood High School.  There were over 200 attendees.

Additional presentations occurred at Point Pleasant Borough High School for College and Career Planning for juniors on April 1 and 4, 2025, and Collier High School Career Day on April 2, 2025, and a multi-lingual language presentation at Southern Regional High School on April 2, 2025.

  • On April 11, 2025, 24 students from Central Regional High School were treated to workshops on multi-media design and TV production in collaboration with Academic Affairs.  The students also toured the campus and enjoyed lunch.
  • Enrollment Services hosted the second annual Easter Egg hunt for the community on April 9, 2025.  With 260 RSVPs, children of the community in various age groups were able to hunt for eggs on the beautiful campus.  They enjoyed snacks, temporary tattoos, and Spring treats.
  • On April 3, 2025, Ms. Calleigh Kearns, Enrollment Services Advisor, tabled at the Toms River Excellence Expo with about 50 students stopping by the table.  This event was hosted at Toms River High School North and included members of the Toms River school district from K-12.
  • Enrollment Services advisors participated in the Ocean County School Counselors Association (OCSCA) College Fair on April 10, 2025, in Toms River.  Representatives were able to meet with hundreds of potential students from throughout the county.
  • Express Enrollment Days have begun at the college for Fall registrations for the class of 2025.  Thus far, five high schools have visited the college, including Central Regional and Donovan Catholic.
  • On March 27 and 28, 2025, Columbian salsa sextet, Las Guaracheras, came to OCC for a variety of programs.  For their first show, they played a pop-up performance in the Student Center for OCC students, with a workshop for the Grunin Performing Arts Academy Students following.  The next day, they performed a school show for K-12 students and held their public performance in the evening.  This event was funded in part by a grant from the Mid-Atlantic Arts organization. 
  • Mr. Ken Waldman, aka Alaska’s fiddling poet, joined the Grunin Center for a three-day residency from April 8 through 10, 2025.  During this time, he visited the K-12 schools and completed 8 programs with 15 elementary classes, plus a show for adults with disabilities on the OCC campus. 
  • In collaboration with Lehigh University, a virtual poetry reading and talk with Ms. Tracy K. Smith, former two-term U.S. Poet Laureate and Pulitzer Prize winner, took place on April 14, 2025, for OCC and Lehigh students. 
  • The Entrepreneur Club’s 5th Annual Sink or Swim was successfully held at Ocean County College on Thursday, April 3, 2025, from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. in the Gateway Auditorium.  The event welcomed over 60 attendees, half Ocean County College and Kean Ocean students.  It showcased the creativity and business acumen of local high school students from Brick Township, Jackson Memorial, Toms River South, and Toms River East as they pitched their innovative product or service ideas before a panel of distinguished judges.  Congratulations to this year’s winners:
  • 1st Place ($3,000), Milb Central from Toms River High School South
  • 2nd Place ($2,000), Vitasync from Toms River High School East
  • 3rd Place ($1,000), TR Grind from Toms River High School South

The Club expressed appreciation to all who made the event possible, including:  The Entrepreneur Club; College Relations; the OCC Foundation; the IT team; Facilities; Ms. Laura Paolillo, College Lecturer in Business; Ms. Laura Hurley, Career Services Coordinator,  Kean Ocean; the Greater Toms River Chamber of Commerce; and those who judged the competition:

  • Mr. J. Mark Mutter, Part-Time Teacher in Law
  • Mr. Jim Hadley, College Lecturer II in Accounting
  • Ms. Ann Marie Baker, Vice President at Design 446
  • Ms. Lori Pepenella, President of the Southern Ocean Chamber of Commerce
    • Mr. Steve Vetter, owner of Burger 25, who provided free milkshakes for all participants and gift card giveaways to the top three winners.

Additionally, there were so many wonderful teachers, guidance counselors, and vice principals who spread the word about the Sink or Swim event and supported their students as they developed exceptional concepts and pitches. They also invited OCC college lecturers to visit the high schools to discuss the competition rules, offer business plan writing tips, and share information about other programs and upcoming events that high schools can take advantage of, such as the Supply Chain Symposium.  The symposium was another event that saw great success, with a high turnout of 50+ high school students.

Professional Development

  • Beginning this academic year, the Office of Academic Affairs implemented a new process for the Faculty of the Year Award to include more engagement and input from students.  A survey was launched on February 27, 2025, and over 240 student responses were received from students. They nominated 101 individuals, and 85 were eligible for the award.  The committee is currently meeting to review nominations and is excited to share the winners with the campus community in early May.
  • The Association of College and University Educators (ACUE) and Ocean County College have entered a partnership to advance student success through effective teaching.  ACUE representative Dr. Martha Bless offered a faculty info session at the March School meetings where faculty could ask questions and learn about the Effective Teaching Practices Certification.  The first cohort will begin in Fall 2025, and it currently has 28 participants enrolled. It is anticipated there will be a  full cohort of 30 participants by Fall semester.
  • Dr. Jack Kelnhofer, College Lecturer II in English, invited all interested course instructors to attend an Arts and Humanities Professional Development Session, “Maximizing Teaching Efficiency and Student Engagement with CANVAS,” held on March 20, 2025.  The session, led by Dr. Kelnhofer, with assistance by Dean Jonathan Molinari and Assistant Dean Samantha Glassford, was attended by 15 faculty members from across campus and focused on hands-on demonstrations and expert guidance that demonstrated strategies for optimizing course design, utilizing advanced grading and feedback tools, and incorporating interactive elements to create a more dynamic learning environment. Additionally, the group discussed best practices for managing discussions,  automating repetitive tasks, and integrating multimedia resources to support diverse learning styles.
  • The ASL II for Law Enforcement class, taught by Ms. Saundra Piscatelli, Instructor, along with the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, gave a presentation on Wednesday, April 2, 2025, on domestic violence and what typically happens when someone is stopped for a traffic violation.  Professors Saundra Piscitelli and Kathy Basilotto provided pro bono interpreting services.  Communication visor cards were given to all Deaf drivers in attendance.  Jimmy, the emotional support service dog, was also in attendance.  This opened a much-needed dialogue between law enforcement and the Deaf community that will benefit all.  The Law Enforcement students and Sign Club hope to have future presentations on a variety of law enforcement topics.
  • Dr. Ali Botein-Furrevig participated in a seminar offered by the National Association of Scholars, ”Professors Speak Out,” a collaboration of stories of faculty members from various fields, all of whom have been investigated by their own colleges or universities and whose disturbing narratives reflect the growing frequency of absurd campus investigations, which often result from the expression of disfavored opinions.

Dr. Botein-Furrevig attended an interactive discussion at Congregation B’nai Israel of Toms River, featuring Dara Horn, author of People Love Dead Jews:  Reports from a Haunted Present.

Grants

Under the FIPSE grant, Dr. Kathleen Mohr, Executive Director of Enrollment Services, and Mr. Jim Campbell, Program Manager of the FIPSE Grant, were able to attend poverty simulation training in St. Louis, Missouri, from March 24 to 26, 2025.  The poverty simulation kit is now at Ocean County College, and training collegewide can be offered.

The FIPSE grant currently serves 118 registered students at the college. To date, the program has served 195 students in total, exceeding the goal of 150 students.  In the past month alone, the grant has ensured that four students have not had their gas or electric shut off, prevented two evictions, distributed over $7,000 in grocery and gas cards, and provided an additional $10,643 for emergency funding.

Center for Holocaust, Genocide, and Human Rights Education

  • Dr. Ali Botein-Furrevig presented four lectures and PowerPoints for 2025 Holocaust Days of Remembrance.  The theme of the presentations was “Women and the Holocaust,” including “Saving the Children”; “Women in the Ghettos and Camps”; “Jewish Women in Germany and Poland in Interwar and Early War Years”; and “Sisters in Resistance.”
  • The  flag was displayed on campus, courtesy of and thanks to History College Lecturer II Rob Marchie and the History Club.
  • Dr. Botein-Furrevig is working with panel participants for an Interfaith Conversation in Fall 2025.
  • A community seminar is being finalized: “Introduction to History of Yiddish Film 1900-1939,”including precursors, postwar silent pictures, Golden Age of Yiddish cinema in Poland and the U.S.  Depending on interest, the program will be ongoing.
  • Dr. Botein-Furrevig began to work on a forthcoming book, In Such Times as This: Teaching about the Holocaust and Antisemitism in a Post- October 7th  World.

Workforce Development and Strategic Partnerships

Career Services

  • 107 employers were added to the Handshake database since March, providing 179 employment opportunities across New Jersey.
  • One-on-one career coaching sessions were held, including resume writing and Focus 2 with 6 students.
  • Since the start of the Spring semester, 14 employers tabled at the Student Center to network with OCC students, including employers ranging from healthcare, business, criminal justice, and finance.
  • Five new opportunities were created for employment, internships, and job shadowing:
  • John Bonino, Esq. – Internship, Criminal Justice, with SBG Law Group
  • Chef Wayne Carrington – Culinary with Vibe n Slurp, Toms River, New Jersey
  • Ms. Kaitlyn Gary – Employment-Healthcare with Acadian Ambulance Service, Brick, New Jersey
  • Dr. Virnda Shah – Employment-Healthcare with Advocare Heal and Care Pediatrics, Freehold and Hightstown, New Jersey
  • Vivamee – Internship/Summer Employment, Culinary/Hospitality, with Ms. Catherine McDonnell, Little Egg Harbor, New Jersey

Ocean County Achievement Center

  • Participated in Read Across America with Lakewood Schools to promote literacy in celebration of the birthday of  Dr. Seuss.
  • Hosted a Job and Resource Fair on March 5, 2025, featuring 48 vendors and over 200 guests, including participants from the Center’s programs.
  • Outreach events in March:
  • March 6, 2025 – Pinelands Regional School-Based Youth Services Career Fair
  • March 26, 2025 – OCC Mall Outreach:  Tabling at the Ocean County Mall to share program information with the community
  • March 27, 2025 – Jackson School District Trade and Jobs Fair and Brick Township High School Adult Transition Fair
  • March 28, 2025 – Good Ideas Conference

Adult Transition Center

  • Two participants began a fourteen-week Professional Skills Workshop series focused on career readiness and personal development.
  • Upcoming career exploration trips will include visits to the Blue Claws Stadium and Kearney Bank to provide real-world exposure.

Adult Education, Civics, and Workforce Preparation Program(AECWP/Title II)

  • ESL participants started a Basic Computer Skills workshop series to strengthen digital literacy.
  • On March 14, 2025, eight Workforce Readiness participants attended a Title II Orientation and Registration session.
  • On March 19, 2025, ESL participants attended a presentation covering immigration, awareness, safety, and rights.
  • On March 21, 2025, the Spring 2025 High School Equivalency and ESL Registration was held; it included 60 new students for ESL, and 29 new students for High School Education, with additional participants added to the waitlist.
  • The Title II Consolidated Adult Basic Skills and Integrated English Literacy and Civics Education proposal was submitted to the New Jersey Department of Labor on March 31, 2025.
  • On April 7, 2025, Advanced ESL students and instructor Lori Jefferies met with me for a follow-up discussion on the recent New York City Broadway trip to see English.  The group will share reflections on their experience and read selected segments from the play at a future meeting.

Work Readiness Assistance Program (WRAP)

  • Eight participants completed the Exploration of Career Pathways and Entrepreneurship (ECPE) course and earned the Customer Service and Sales credential.
  • Examination for the Certificate of Proficiency in English (ECPE) participants attended a “Minding Your Mind”counseling event, where a peer speaker shared personal experiences and challenges with mental health and how they overcame them.
  • Exploration of Career Pathways and Entrepreneurship (ECPE) guest speakers and tours:
  • B&B Sunoco:  The business owner shared his career journey to opening a mechanic shop and gave a hands-on demonstration of various vehicle functions.
  • Red House Music and Rehearsal Studio:  Students toured the facility and spoke with the owner about small business ownership.
  • Tutoring Center:  An overview of what the Tutoring Center offers.
  • Planetarium Visit: Students attended a tour and show at the planetarium, learning more about STEM career pathways
  • Participants attended and assisted with the Achievement Center Job and Resource Fair, gaining experience while networking and exploring potential career opportunities.

Workforce Education

  • A partnership was formed with Southern Ocean Medical Center(Hackensack Meridian Health) in Manahawkin to launch Allied Health programs, starting with the Patient Care Technician program on June 16, 2025.  Supported by the NJ Pathways program, the initiative offers fully subsidized tuition for ten students, clinical training hosted by the hospital, and early interview opportunities, streamlining the transition from education to employment in healthcare.
  • The 2026 Workplace Literacy and Basic Skills Training Program proposal was submitted to support English Language Learners in the private and nonprofit sectors.  The program bundles ESL with professional and personal development courses to boost confidence, workforce readiness, and access to credit-bearing programs, which will advance OCC’s goal of becoming a Hispanic-Serving Institution by increasing credit enrollment among Hispanic students.
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