Employee Commendation
I recently received a letter from Mr. Joe Geleta, Director of the Office of Emergency Management, New Jersey Department of Human Services, commending Ms. Jamie Prioli, Assistant Director of the Office of Disability Services, for her outstanding work and assistance in the preparation and delivery of the Pathways to Preparedness Train the Trainer sessions held on February 11, 2025, in Burlington County and February 27, 2025, in Middlesex County.
These two sessions attracted over 40 people from around the State in support of the Human Services Department’s goal to build a cadre of trainers to deliver this important training across New Jersey. Without Ms. Prioli’s valued support and assistance, it is doubtful the Department would have been able to provide these two very important training sessions.
Community College Funding
The proposed FY 2026 State budget presented by Governor Murphy cuts funding to the community college sector by $20 million. Efforts are underway to advocate against reducing state funding.
On Wednesday, March 19, 2025, OCC students Areeba Zulkarnain, Larissa Chandler, Erin Elizabeth, Adam Sherman, Bernard Graham, Mariely Quinto Sanchez, Ellie Dowek, Ryan Kanarkowski, and Madison Julian were accompanied by Vice President of Student Affairs Jerry Racioppi, Director of the Veterans and Military Resources Center Christina Hernandez, and Director of Student Life Jennifer Fazio to the Trenton Statehouse to testify and advocate for community college funding at the first State Assembly Budget Committee Hearing. Two speaking panels were organized by the New Jersey Council of County Colleges, one for the community college presidents and one for community college students, who presented testimony.
The Council and the county colleges were first to present in what turned into a seven-hour day for the Committee. This was an opportunity for OCC student, Erin Elizabeth of Brick Township, to share her uniquely personal, non-traditional student story. Students and representatives from Bergen Community College, Middlesex College, and Rowan College at Burlington County also testified. The united message to the Assembly was the importance of community colleges and the request for restoration of the proposed $20 million in operating aid. These efforts, coordinated by the NJCCC, will continue in the coming weeks.
Students will be accompanied by Ms. Jennifer Fazio on Wednesday, March 26, to present at the Senate Budget Committee Hearing. With several other colleges again planning to be present, they are hoping for similar success at the Senate hearing.
Ms. Christina Hernandez and, if available, Ms. Ilene Cohen will attend Thursday’s meeting with several students to report on their experience in Trenton and testimony before the Assembly Budget Committee.
Ocean County College Five-Year Strategic Plan
Since August 2024, a 20-person task force, led by Dr. Alexa Beshara-Blauth, Executive Director of Institutional Planning, Effectiveness, and Compliance, and Ms. Lisa Daly, Associate Director of Institutional Effectiveness, has been collaborating with the college community to develop a comprehensive five-year strategic plan (FY 2026-2030). Over 120 college employees have contributed their insights, alongside perspectives from industry partners, K-12 educators, students, and alumni. At Thursday’s meeting, Dr. Beshara-Blauth and Ms. Daly will present an overview of the process, key feedback, and the plan’s Goals and Objectives, which are set for implementation in September 2025.
As part of this initiative, the College’s updated Mission, Vision, and Values statements have been developed and will be introduced at Thursday’s meeting for review. In accordance with Bylaw #1370, Amendments to Bylaws, a bylaw revision may be proposed at one Board meeting and adopted at a subsequent meeting. Therefore, recommendations will be forthcoming at the April 24, 2025, Board meeting to revise Bylaw #1120, Mission of the College, and to approve the five-year strategic plan. Both are attached for your review before the presentation by Dr. Beshara-Blauth and Ms. Daly at Thursday’s meeting and subsequent action at the April meeting. Also attached are the proposed goals and objectives and the slides to be used during their presentation.
Honorary Posthumous Degree Award
Policy #5152.1 allows for an Honorary Associate Degree to be awarded posthumously upon the recommendation of the Academic Standards Committee and the approval of the Vice President of Academic Affairs, the President, and the Board of Trustees.
Mr. Evan Fiore, an Ocean County College student who last attended classes in Spring 2024, lost his life in a tragic accident on March 7, 2025. The OCC Registrar requested consideration for an honorary posthumous associate degree to be bestowed to Evan for his academic achievement. Evan earned 63 credits overall but needed to complete only five more credits in the business concentration to earn his degree.
It is respectfully requested, following the procedure to the policy, that the Board of Trustees consider the granting of a degree in Associate in Science, General Studies, Business, to Mr. Evan Fiore. If approved, his family will be invited to attend Ocean County College’s 2025 Commencement Ceremony on May 21, 2025, to accept the award.
Faculty and Staff Presentations, Publications, and Achievements
In October 2024, Dr. Marilyn Kralik, Professor of Humanities, was one of twelve panel members selected to participate in the first-ever gathering of community college art museum/gallery professionals at a national conference entitled “Art for All: Connecting Campus and Community” in Bridgeport, Connecticut. Working with the OCC Foundation, Dr. Kralik has since initiated several community partnerships involving outreach into vulnerable populations in Ocean County, including veterans, persons with autism, the Deaf and CODA communities, the LGBTQ+ population, and the Hispanic/Latinx community, introducing the arts as a means of expression without words. Suggestions from OCC’s Fine and Performing Arts Advisory Board and the Committee for Access and Belonging may result in further expansion into Ocean County’s
Black/African-American community and local groups affiliated with suicide prevention and substance abuse.
On March 6, 2025, Dr. Madison Peschock, College Lecturer II in English, presented a paper titled “The War of Words and The Battle of Two Scholarly Camps” at the Northeastern Modern Language Association (NEMLA) conference in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
On Sunday, March 9, 2024, Ms. Kate Quinn-Sánchez, College Lecturer II in Spanish, presented at the pedagogy roundtable on “How to Incorporate Culture into the Language Classroom” at the NEMLA conference in Philadelphia.
Executive Vice President of Finance and Administration Sara Winchester served on a Middle States accreditation team visit to SUNY Niagara, a community college located in Niagara Falls, New York, from March 9 to 12, 2025. By participating in the accreditation process of another institution, we deepen our understanding of the standards and criteria used to evaluate educational quality, which can help improve OCC’s compliance and performance.
Student Honors and Awards
Mr. Nicholas Forlenza, a second-year Interpreter Training Program student, was recently accepted into Gallaudet University’s Bachelor of Interpretation program.
Student Clubs and Activities
The Computer Science Club participated in a Major League Hacking Hackathon at the University of Delaware on March 1 and 2, 2025. These Hackathons aim to develop and enhance students’ technical skills and help them become competitive applicants in technology-related careers. Computer Science Club students Max Kripinski, Jair Garcia, Barbara Grusky, and Russell Cender competed in the event and built an AI chatbot to help manage a kingdom during the Middle Ages. They also attended workshops on project building and internships.
On March 10, 2025, comedian Mr. Wink Smith presented a comedy show, “SEE Me Fail,” which was free for all to attend on campus. The comedy show highlighted the importance of American Sign Language in the Deaf community in a lighthearted way. Mr. Smith performed in American Sign Language, and interpreter services were provided.
On March 10, 2025, he also presented a three-hour workshop for American Sign Language and Interpreter Training Program students titled “Into and Enter: What is the difference? Examining Structures to Improve Conceptualization.”
On March 11, 2025, the Student Nurse Organization (SNO) held a Career Day. Representatives from 22 agencies attended the event. Students were provided with information on applying for positions within various healthcare agencies after completing the Nursing Program. Information was also available to students currently attending the Nursing Program regarding applications for Nursing Assistant positions while they continue their studies and enroll in a BSN completion program. Ninety-three students participated in this event.
On March 12, 2025, a Social Work Career Day and Networking Brunch was held for all Social Work students and Practicum Partners. They heard from speakers and social work professionals about the field of social work and the various roles one can have within the profession.
The OCC Mathematics Club celebrated mathematics’ most famous and fascinating number, Pi (π), on March 13, 2025. The Mathematics Club prepared activities that moved students around campus from one place to the other while holding the main event in the Instructional Building. The following activities to celebrate Pi Day at Ocean County College were organized by Ms. Jeong Kim, College Lecturer II in Mathematics and Mathematics Club Advisor; student Mr. Daniel Goetchius, President of the Mathematics Club; and Ms. Michelle Youngs, Assistant Director of Student Life:
- Have a Piece of PI – Students could pick up a piece of pie from the Helping Hands Food Pantry, Room 017, in the Library, from 10 a.m. to noon to start the celebration. The Helping Hands Food Pantry co-sponsored this event.
- Students played Mathematics Games, such as Prime Climb, in the Game Room, Instructional Building, Room 204, from 11 a.m. to noon.
- Pi in Story Form – Students wrote a story using words with the length of the digit and had pizza in the Instructional Building, Room 115, from 12:15 to 1:00 p.m.
- Women in STEM Lecture – Presented by Mr. Richard Brady, Adjunct Professor of STEM in the Instructional Building, Room 115, 1 to 2:30 p.m.
The OCC Mathematics Club also celebrated Women’s History Month along with Pi Day. Mr. Brady’s presentation talked about the women who have contributed to mathematics, physics, and astronomy. Some of these contributions have been major, and some of these women have never received proper recognition for their discoveries, leading to the women almost being forgotten. This presentation highlighted these women so they are remembered.
- Building a Paper Chain of Pi from 2:30 to 3:14 p.m. in Room 115 of the Instructional Building where students made a paper chain of pi with different colors representing the pi digits. The Pi Chain Art is displayed in the Atrium of the Instructional Building until the end of March.
On March 14, 2025, Dr. Justin Pfeifer, College Lecturer II in History, led a group of a dozen students to Stockton University’s Holocaust Resource Center for a tour of its museum and collections. Students examined historical artifacts, learned from the exhibits, and engaged with the USC Shoah Foundation’s Dimensions in Testimony.
Nursing faculty and 133 students attended the New Jersey Nursing Students Annual Convention on March 27, 2025, in Atlantic City. The convention’s focus was “The Nursing Journey Continues: Promoting Learning, Connections, and Opportunities.” Attending the convention provides students with opportunities to meet with peers and potential employers.
Student Support Services and Activities
The Advising Office is hosting multiple training opportunities this Spring for all campus advisors. Topics include using Student Planning/Academic Plans and Advising for Pre-Nursing Students.
Advising hosted NJ Transfer for a virtual training session on using this transfer tool. This training was open to all campus advisors and staff.
Thanks to the diligent efforts of Ms. Jennifer Kipp, NJ STARS Coordinator, it was confirmed with the State that NJ STARS students are eligible to participate in 3 + 1 programs. Assuming all NJ STARS eligibility requirements are met, a student can receive an NJ STARS scholarship for the first three years of the 3 + 1 program while attending OCC and a NJ STARS II scholarship in the fourth year at a New Jersey college or university.
There are 232 NJ STARS students enrolled for the Spring 2025 semester, which is an approximate 5% decrease from this time last year. In the Fall 2024 semester, 199 NJ STARS students achieved the distinction of being recognized on the President’s Honor List.
The NJ STARS Club raised $440 during the Fall 2024 semester for the Ashley Lauren Foundation, a local organization based in Brielle that assists families of children diagnosed with cancer.
Advising has been actively preparing for and promoting the new 3+1 partnership with Stockton University through a series of collaborative efforts and initiatives. The team worked closely with the Registrar to create degree audits for the 3+1 programs and developed academic plans (curriculum tracks) that students pursuing a 3+1 degree can follow.
Advising partnered with College Relations to build a dedicated 3+1 webpage, including publishing curriculum guides. To further support students and advisors, next step checklists were created, and advisor training sessions were executed to ensure all advisors are knowledgeable about the 3+1 programs.
Advising also hosted two 3+1 Information Sessions in collaboration with Stockton University and planned two Advising Sessions, where students graduating in the Spring can declare the Advanced and Continuing Studies major, utilize academic plans, and register for classes starting April 3, 2025. These efforts reflect a comprehensive approach to ensuring the success of the 3+1 partnership.
The Student Success Team has responded to over 200 alerts from 27 unique instructors for the Spring 2025 terms, thus far. Alerts range from concerns about courses or attendance to student issues regarding basic needs, mental health, and more.
Student Success Coaches Madison Caldwell, Melissa Gutzmore, and Jenna Puglisi delivered financial literacy workshops in two sections of Business Law in collaboration with Professor of Social Sciences Lynn Kenneally and Business Studies Adjunct Faculty Member Jeff McWeeney on both February 27 and March 5, 2025. Students participated in hands-on learning activities to provide foundational understanding of financial literacy by making real-world decisions for a pizza shop they are running in class.
The HUB team completed 904 in-person transactions in the Student Enrollment Building in the month of February, which is an increase over the prior year. Students waited an average of just over four minutes for service.
Enrollment Services spent over 220 hours on the phone in the month of February. The Student Success Team made over 2,000 outgoing calls for 114 hours of phone time, while the HUB made over 1,400 calls and spent more than 107 hours on the phone.
The Counseling Center has been working diligently to provide services to students and the campus community, serving over 100 unique students in the last month alone. The CARE Team has responded to 69 reports this month.
To meet the needs of our students, the Counseling Center staff coordinated with OCC Manahawkin and the Veterans and Military Resources Center to provide on-site counseling services. Students have been receptive to this outreach and have been able to schedule regular counseling sessions at these locations with increased accessibility.
On February 13, 2025, Ms. Darra Stack, Student Intervention Specialist, and Ms. Kelly Petrolis, Prevention Education Coordinator, led Question, Persuade and Refer (QPR) suicide prevention trainings to students in both the Social Work Program and Workforce and Strategic Partnerships. Through these efforts, 25 students were trained to respond to a potential mental health crisis by providing evidence-based support interventions.
On February 28, 2025, Ms. Darra Stack and Ms. Kelly Petrolis provided Mental Health First Aid training to 17 Social Work students. This training expands on what is learned in QPR and further develops the skills necessary for individuals to identify and support mental health needs in the community.
On February 21, 2025, the Counseling Center and Displaced Homemakers Program of Ocean County collaborated with “A Partnership for Change” to provide professional development on the topic of domestic violence. Thirteen members of our faculty and staff attended and gained valuable knowledge and skills to support individuals who may be experiencing various forms of abuse in personal relationships.
On March 4, 2025, the Counseling Center hosted a speaker presentation from Minding Your Mind. This presentation featured a young adult sharing her personal experience with mental health in college and how she found support and recovery. Nineteen students were in attendance to hear this message of resilience and hope.
On March 12, 2025, Ms. Darra Stack and Counseling Specialist Cameron Scarano participated in Social Work Career Day, offering their professional experience and expertise to OCC students interested in pursuing a social work career. Students were able to ask questions and make valuable networking connections to professionals in the field.
OCC’s graduate student interns from Kean Ocean’s Counselor Education program have provided various groups and tabling events as opportunities for students to connect on campus and gain valuable information and resources about available mental health supports. Under the clinical supervision of Ms. Katie Hueth, Associate Director of the Counseling Center, these students have expanded outreach and provided additional assistance to OCC’s campus community.
Outreach to Students
Ms. Mary McKeon spoke at the Perkins Career Day event for Career and Technical Education (CTE) students on Wednesday, March 12, 2025. Ms. McKeon is a software engineer for MailChimp, a division of Intuit, and is the daughter of Ms. Bridget Feneis, OCC Assistant Professor of Mathematics.
Mr. John Preusse, Academic Affairs Technician, represented the School of Nursing and Health Sciences at a Pre-Nursing Information Session on February 11 and March 26, 2025. The session was offered in person and remotely. Information sessions are held for students who intend to enter the Nursing Program.
Community Outreach
On March 24, 2025, Dr. Madison Peschock, College Lecturer II in English, facilitated and organized the 100th birthday celebration of southern author Flannery O’Connor. Dr. Monica Miller and Dr. Bruce Gentry, both from Georgia State College, presented talks on Ms. O’Connor’s life, and the biopic Wildcat about her life was shown four different times on campus. Those in attendance also indulged in birthday cupcakes to honor Ms. O’Connor.
On March 25, 2025, Dr. Justin Pfeifer, College Lecturer II in History, hosted Holocaust survivor Ms. Maud Dahme for a presentation titled “A Survivor’s Journey.” Ms. Dahme shared her personal experiences, as told in her book Chocolate the Taste of Freedom: The Holocaust Memoir of a Hidden Dutch Child of being hidden by Christian families during World War II in the Netherlands.
The Planetarium hosted a successful FOCUS: Family Science Night about the NASA Clipper Mission on February 27, 2025. Staff assisted the Planetarium in educating about 65 youth and their family members about this groundbreaking mission to Europa. This activity was funded by a NASA Anchor grant.
On March 1, 2025, Mr. Seán Dager, treated the Grunin Center patrons to an afternoon of Sea Shanties, where he sang and played his Irish Bouzouki. He was accompanied by the entire audience.
Ms. April Varner performed Jazz from the Great American Songbook on March 9, 2025, to a packed house in the Gia Maione Prima Foundation Studio Theatre.
The OCC music club and community members enjoyed violinist Ji In Yang for the semester’s second Afternoon Recital Series on March 14, 2025.
On March 12 to 15, 2025, magician Kevin Spencer brought his “Magic for Everyone” programs to OCC. His residency included a school performance and a public performance, as well as visits to nine classrooms in elementary schools around Ocean County.
The Ocean County Teen Arts Festival, led by Assistant Director of Education and Community Engagement Jaclyn Wood, and sponsored by the Ocean County Cultural and Heritage Commission and OCC Foundation, was held on March 18 and 19, 2025. OCC faculty and staff participated in leading 35 workshops and 498 student adjudications in fine and performing arts for more than 1,000 students from 15 Ocean County high schools. Those who participated were:
- Nat Bard, Instructor of Humanities and Fine Arts
- Ralph Bertini, Adjunct Faculty Member, Humanities and Fine Arts
- Mr. Adam Hutcheson, Adjunct Faculty Member, Humanities and Fine Arts
- Sungji Kim, Adjunct Faculty Member, Humanities and Fine Arts
- Catherine Mancuso, Dean, Academic Affairs Processes and Faculty Development
- Carolina Newman, Multi-Language Navigator
- Lauren Simon, Enrollment Services Advisor
- Novins Planetarium Staff
- OCC students Gianna Masi and Joananne Shoemaker
- Members of both the Music Club and the Theater and Improv Club
The Grunin main stage theater’s LED lighting upgrade has been completed and staff training has begun.
The OCC Repertory Theater completed a successful run of Amedeus from March 14 through 23, 2025.
The Novins Planetarium hosted the WRAP program for a viewing of Big Astronomy and career discussion with Novins Planetarium Associate Director Cara Muscio.
The Planetarium is also collaborating with the Lakewood Blue Claws for its upcoming Space Day to bring more publicity to both venues. Planetarium staff helped the Blue Claws videographers film a journey from the stadium to the stars to celebrate player Orion Kerkering.
Thank you to Mr. Jeff Kurz, Ocean County College Manahawkin (OCCM) Student Services and Recruitment Advisor, for representing OCCM at the Southern Ocean County Chamber of Commerce Job Fair event at The Mainland on February 27, 2025. Mr. Kurz connected with various stakeholders to promote awareness of OCCM and networked with job seekers about the prospect of teaching courses at OCCM in Fall 2025.
Assistant Director of Educational Resources Elaine Schardien collaborated with the Business Department to host a Supply Chain workshop on March 7, 2025. Toms River South and Lakewood high schools sent 65 students to participate in workshops and had the opportunity to create hygiene bags with FIPSE Program Manager Jim Campbell. The event was a great success and gave students the chance to visit the college campus and participate in career-readiness opportunities.
Ms. Calleigh Kearns, Enrollment Services Advisor for Partnerships and Outreach, presented to Embrella, a partner organization that works to assist students associated with the foster care system. There were ten students and staff members present to learn about College 101 on February 27, 2025.
Ms. Lauren Simon, Enrollment Services Advisor for College Pathways, along with student Valeria Quintero assisted the Planetarium with the NASA FOCUS Family Science Night by tabling for middle school students and the general public. There were 100 attendees at the event.
Enrollment Services participated in several multi-lingual College Knowledge events, including one at Manchester High School and one at Jackson Memorial High School.
The Enrollment Team visited the students at the Academy of Law and Public Safety (ALPS), Ocean County Vocational Technical School, to assist with registration for Early College and were able to help 60 students on February 21, 2025.
OCC’s graduate student interns from Kean Ocean’s Counselor Education program have provided various groups and tabling events as opportunities for students to connect on campus and gain valuable information and resources about available mental health supports. Under the clinical supervision of Associate Director Katie Hueth, these students have expanded outreach and provided additional supports to OCC’s campus community.
Professional Development
On March 14, 2025, Ms. Pamela Bogdan, College Lecturer II in Engineering, represented OCC at the Essex County Schools of Technology’s Comprehensive Local Needs Assessment (CLNA). CLNA is a vital part of the Perkins Grant program, where stakeholders provide input to the program leadership to continue driving each program to meet the needs of a technical workforce. Ms. Bogdan has been asked to share her expertise in industry and post-secondary education for CLNA activities for Ocean County K-12 schools and other institutions throughout New Jersey.
Workforce Development and Strategic Partnerships
Ocean County Achievement Center
Adult Transition Center
Vice President of Workforce Development and Strategic Partnerships Joseph Konopka is thrilled to announce that through a new Memorandum of Understanding partnership with the Achievement Center, the St. Francis Community Center Educational and Career Services Department will be able to be a part of a seven-week, self-paced course on Exploration of Career Pathways and Entrepreneurship to participants of the RISE Program. This valuable training will be available to 50 participants during their seventeen-month grant program, generating an impactful $50,000 in career exploration revenue. The project aims to provide participants with the tools and knowledge necessary to explore their career options and entrepreneurial aspirations. We look forward to the success of this partnership and the positive impact it will have on Ocean County residents.
Adult Education, Civics, and Workforce Preparation Program
The Consolidated Adult Basic Skills and Integrated English Literacy and Civics Education Notice of Grant Opportunity was released on March 3, 2025. Ocean County has been allocated $1,100,823, from the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development for the period July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026, with the potential for five-year funding through June 30, 2030. The proposal submission deadline for year one is April 4, 2025; a recommendation will be presented to the Board of Trustees at Thursday’s meeting to adopt a resolution authorizing application for these funds. The official award notification will be issued on June 10, 2025. To date, 565 students have enrolled in this program, surpassing the contracted service level by 128%.
Recent outreach efforts include engagement with the Lacey Township High School Guidance Department, participation in the Brick and Beyond Event at Brick Memorial High School, and engagement with the Ocean Partnership for Children In-Person Provider Resource Fair.
A Student Book Club has been launched to foster sustainable reading habits and promote critical thinking, personal reflection, imagination, and empathy. The club’s first selection, We Are Not Free by Ms. Traci Chee, tells the story of Japanese-American teenagers living in California after the Pearl Harbor attack, who are sent to an internment camp in the California desert. The novel is based on the author’s interviews with her grandparents and great aunts and uncles, who were teenagers during their internment.
Work Readiness Assistance Program
An additional $101,683 has been received from the County Youth Employment Activities funds, increasing the Work Readiness Assistance Program (WRAP) contract award to $446,683, up from $345,000. These additional funds will support expanded career exposure activities, events, and opportunities for certifications and credentials for participants.
Participants obtained the following certificates during Exploration of Career Pathways and Entrepreneurship:
- 7 earned the Bloodborne Pathogens Certificate
- 7 earned the Certificate in QPR – Question, Prevention
- 13 earned the Microsoft Course Certificate
- 4 earned the OSHA ten-hour General Industry Certificate
Career Services
Dr. Gay Huggins-Dickey joined the Career Services team as the new Career Services Director. With her extensive experience in career development, industry partnerships, and student support, Dr. Huggins-Dickey will play a key role in enhancing career services programs. She will help connect students with valuable internships, externships, and job opportunities, provide career counseling, and strengthen our relationships with employers.
Workforce Education
Starting in April 2025, Workforce Education is pleased to offer both the OSHA 10 and OSHA 30 certification courses. These courses are part of the ongoing commitment to enhance safety training and professional development at OCC.
Workforce Education has partnered with the Southern Ocean Chamber of Commerce to launch the Job Opps Forum, a series of events designed to support individuals entering the workforce. These forums will provide invaluable resources and opportunities for participants and will be held at the OCCM campus.
Mr. Sergio Torrico Saniz was welcomed to the Workforce Education team as the new Assistant Director. With his expertise, the team is looking forward to the many contributions and fresh ideas he will bring. Mr. Saniz will play a key role in expanding and enhancing training programs, driving initiatives that meet the evolving needs of our community, and supporting workforce readiness.