Dr. Monaco’s Spring 2024 Colloquium Remarks

Spring 2024 Colloquium Speech
Pamela Monaco
January 18, 2024

Good Afternoon,

I hope you enjoyed a good morning. I have to compete against the conditions of a warm, dark room and full stomachs. I hope to keep your attention.

I had prepared an introduction, but I would like to talk about what I heard and observed this morning instead. During the break out sessions, I stopped in and listened. The conversations were engaging, genuine, and open and honest. To use a metaphor—and you know I love metaphors—these sessions offered seed for change, and all of you seem to be the open and fresh soil willing to accept these seeds. What we need now is to continue to nurture these seeds so they germinate into positive fruits of change. I don’t know exactly how we do that, so I am asking your assistance in thinking about how best to keep the conversation going. I look forward to your ideas.

Now, to switch metaphors, to the meat and potatoes of the State of the College. Spring is a busy semester.  In addition to the work you do with students in classes, through advising, counseling, visits to the library, work with teams and clubs, and academic support, this is the semester with some large events—the pinning ceremony for our nursing students, honors recognition, PTK induction, the Gala, and, of course, commencement. We are also celebrating our 60^th anniversary; 60 may not have the ring of 50, but it is an important milestone that must be celebrated.

Fall enrollment is looking positive right now

Credits show a gain of 2.45%, and student enrollment numbers indicate a  gain of 3.81%

We also continue to have a nice gain in the area of stop out students, we are 58 students ahead of last year, which is a 12.06% increase over last year and +400 students, which is a gain of 10.97%.

Much of this improvement is because of the encouragement, the kindnesses, and the trust you have placed in our students and in each other. To those of you who are working with Kate Mohr’s team through Early Alerts, we see the results with greater fall to spring enrollment. Our increased enrollment is also because Anna Regan’s advising team visited each one of the Student Success Seminars and helped students make choices for the next semester. This is also because of the problem solving of Sheena Hartigan, Jim Campbell , and the entire HUB staff who addressed situations that put certain students at a disadvantage. This encouraging data point is also a result of the willingness of faculty to collaborate with the Counseling Center  to reach out when a student was suffering so trained professionals were able to provide the support and guidance needed. It is because of the work of Jen Fazio, Christina Hernandez, and Michelle Youngs, who have mentored students to join clubs, have helped all of us to destigmatize the food support we can offer, and have created the warm and inviting Veterans Resource Center that veterans truly do call home. It’s the work of Kayci Clayton and her grants team who have worked with so many of us to provide resources to support our students.   It’s Ilene Cohen and the athletics staff who create the environment for amazing teamwork and athletic competition. It is the work of the Foundation, that provides financial support to students, subsidizes study abroad, and brings outstanding speakers and events to our campus. It’s the men and women In Facilities, the Security force, the people in the Library and EOF and Displaced Homemakers and Financial Aid and Accounting, and Disabilities Services, and TRiO and  the Testing Center, and in all the offices on campus who have treated our students with kindness, respect, and assistance. Truly, everyone has done his/her/their part to make every person feel supported and welcomed at Ocean County College. Thank you so very much.

Back in August, I shared with you some goals I wanted to work on throughout the fall semester, so I would like to take some time to provide an update on these goals. Later, I will share some of what I learned going to college this fall, and speak about the work we will continue in the spring.

The first goal I shared in August was removing OCC from Warning Status with the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. Just this week we submitted our final version of the interim Monitoring Report to MSCHE. We have so much to be proud of.  Under the leadership of Alexa Bashara-Blauth, James Marshall, and Cara Dubitsky, we relied on the Core Team and the Stakeholder Group to accomplish a lot of work in just a few months. We worked with the Change Leader consultants to conduct listening sessions to hear from all of you what was working and what was not.  Those sessions identified the element of trust on this campus as one of the primary challenges. Unfortunately, that is not something that changes instantly. I must earn your trust, and I hope I am in the process of doing so. Together, we are creating a more collaborative culture. Among the many changes in place or in process are:

• A Cabinet with faculty representation has replaced the President’s Leadership Team and a tradition of holding college-wide Cabinet Connections has been initiated
• We created a space and a literal place for the Senate Chair at our Board meetings
• Teams have been formed with representation from across the College to collectively address challenges and opportunities
• Town Halls were restructured to allow for genuine conversation rather than one-way communication
• I meet regularly with SGA and FAOCC representatives
• The Board meeting times have been changed to provide a better opportunity to participation in the meetings
• I attend Senate meetings
• The Board established a separate committee that provides opportunity for students to share ideas and concerns with the trustees
• Conversation continues with the Board of Trustees on how we can work together collaboratively

There is, of course, more work to do, but I believe we are living shared governance and have a healthier campus than we did when MSCHE visited this time last year.  Let me acknowledge the Core Team members who met regularly and worked tirelessly on addressing the concerns of MSCHE:  Alex Beshara Blauth, Cara Dubitsky, David Bordelon, Karin Smith, Donna Rosinski-Kauz, Stuart Martinsen, Mary Lancaster, Tracy Walsh, Dori Londres, Laura Wagner, James Hadley, James Marshall, Donna Carbone, and Lincoln Simmons.  I am looking forward to welcoming a team of four individuals—three peer reviewers and our liaison—on Wednesday, February 21, and Thursday, February 22.  When we learn from the team the groups they would like to meet on February 21, we will share that information with you. I encourage you to participate in these meetings and certainly attend the public reading of the team’s findings on the morning of the 22^nd.

The second goal was to improve Enrollment and Retention. Just as with the first goal, this is not a goal that is achieved overnight. We will be working on this goal as long as I am president. We have lots of good work in progress. As I shared earlier, enrollment is ahead of last year, particularly with continuing students and stop out students. I also shared the important role we all have in making progress on our enrollment and retention goals.

• We are building our relationships with other colleges. I have met with the presidents of Kean, Stockton, Georgian Court, Farleigh Dickinson, and Monmouth Universities; and, in each case, the university is eager to work with us to create smooth transfer pathways. The universities are interested in 3+1 and 3+2 programs. Laura Wills, the academic deans, Jerry Racioppi, and Sheena Hartigan are all working on making these opportunities real.
• We are working on new degree options. The dental hygiene prospect continues to develop. Several of us met with people from Delta Dental and the New Jersey Dental Association. We received much encouragement to continue to explore how to offer this program. Conversations persist with potential advisory board members and possible funding sources. We are also exploring radiography and veterinary technician programs.
• Our Workforce and Professional Education division offers a lot of untapped potential. Based on a suggestion from an adjunct professor, Tom Gialanella reached out to the New Jersey Department of Education to inquire about OCC offering the alternate route program for college graduates who want to become New Jersey certified teachers but lack teacher education coursework. Joe Konopka, Tom, and Meredith Riddle are determining what we would need to do to offer this option. In addition, Joe is researching options for other programs, finding employers we can serve with our options, and determining gaps.
• Through Tom Gialanella’s connections with the high schools, I have been very fortunate to have met with many superintendents, including Brick, Southern Regional, and Toms River Regional. Tom also brought me to a Superintendent’s Roundtable, and Sheena and Tom have introduced me to the Ocean County School Counselors Association, the Ocean County guidance counselors, and the New Jersey Association of School Administrators Women in Leadership. We are demonstrating our commitment to our partnerships with the high schools and our willingness to explore creative ways to problem solve.

The third goal was the creation of a new Strategic Plan. Alexa and her team are working now with the leaders of our current strategic plan to close it out so we can create a new Strategic Plan, one that articulates the collective goals and objectives of the College. I am asking for broad participation in this work, for the Strategic Plan will be the responsibility of all of us. We are taking a somewhat different approach in this work, with several plans feeding into this new plan. For example, Jerry Racioppi is leading a sizable team of faculty, staff, and students who are developing our Strategic Enrollment Management Plan. This group is subdivided into other working groups focused on retention, communication, adult learners, Hispanic learners, and so forth. The goals will be integrated into the college-wide plan. We also have some other planning groups. The DEI committee has developed a series of goals. We will soon advertise for a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion leader, which we anticipate filling later this spring, and this person will have the opportunity to review our progress and the structure of the committee. DEI goals will feed into our overall Strategic Plan.

We will also begin the development of a Sustainability Plan. We have all experienced the changes occurring in our climate and our environment. The College has a responsibility to do no harm, if possible, and leave for our students and others a world in which we have stemmed the potential damage that could be done. We should adopt practices and systems that protect our environment and contribute to the health and wellbeing of others. This means thinking too of our curriculum and how we can teach students to be better stewards of our spaces. Students care deeply about what we do to sustain our world, and we can be leaders in our communities through efforts to contain waste, protect our green spaces, build efficiencies, address food deserts, promote healthy living, and value Barnegat Bay and our ocean. Please be on the lookout for a call to participate.

These plans will roll up into the master Strategic Plan. In early spring, we anticipate a call for participation that will include the Board of Trustees, faculty, staff, and students.

The last goal presented in the fall was on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Access. We have an active committee working on these efforts, led by Eileen Garcia and Ken Malagiere. This fall Ken and Eileen presented to the Board the mission and vision of the committee and provided an overview of the work to date. That presentation provided the context for a second presentation to the Board the following month by the committee members. The committee has continued to move forward on various projects. In addition, plans are progressing to offer the Social Justice Academy this summer for the second time. The inaugural class members have been implementing the commitments made last summer and will be providing an update later in the spring. The Cultural Heritage Committee has designed a calendar for recognizing the events and people that align with the federal heritage calendar, and this active group is building resources and activities to help us honor our diversity and provide educational opportunities.

We are putting our words of commitment into tangible actions. Sheenah Hartigan and Jim Campbell  recognized that we were implementing a practice that hurt immigrant students who wanted to attend OCC. In simplifying the approach using an equity lens, the new policy meant Janine Emma realized better time utilization in the registrar’s office, we provided greater opportunity to students who may not have had three years of high school in the county, and we demonstrated a commitment to a population of students whose native language is not English. Gina Opauski, Joe Konopka, Maysa Hayward, Eileen Garcia, and Jonathan Molinaro have been working collaboratively to determine how to better serve bilingual students and provide a bridge between non-credit and credit programs. In addition, with Patti Gianotti, Joe, and Jerry, we are working with the Orthodox community on career opportunities for Orthodox women who want to better serve their community.

Donna Rosinski-Kauz is leading the efforts to review College policies from the lens of restorative justice. Using the example from the University of Maryland Global Campus, we will look at the language we use to construct and convey policies and practices. Higher education has often used the language of law and order to write policies. Why tell students we are convening a hearing into an infraction? Why not invite students to participate in the discussion about the concern? Restorative justice still holds students accountable for their actions, but the process focuses on education rather than punishment.  Through the Senate, we will also develop a standard policy on AI. I expect some robust discussions and sharing of creative ways to use AI. We know students will use AI in future careers; let’s help them develop the skills they will need.

We heard from faculty, staff, and students about the stress, anxiety, and depression many students were experiencing. I thank everyone who walked a student to Counseling or asked how to best support students. As a result, under Jen Fazio’s leadership, we have built a Red Book that is a how-to guide of what to do when you encounter students who have particular needs, including hunger, housing, or mental health challenges. We have made this guide available digitally and will have printed copies in many offices. Please let us know what else the book should include or how else we can support you as you support our students.

I conclude this speech by sharing what I learned the past six months about our students. I had the pleasure of attending athletic games and dinners, seeing theatre performances, visiting classes, meeting with students, attending student club and organization events, and just becoming more a part of our College community. The insights and connections have been fabulous.

I had not been one who attended many athletic events, but Ilene Cohen, her staff, and the athletes have ignited a passion in me that I did not know existed. This fall I watched men’s and women’s soccer, women’s volleyball, and men’s and women’s basketball. Unfortunately, I missed the cross-country team, which competed in the NJCAA National Championship. Our women’s soccer team won the Division 19 championship and went on to the NJCAA National Championship games. By attending these games, I witnessed not only athletic talent, but also students working hard on a team, enjoying each other, and caring about the College. I have also had the pleasure of meeting parents. Seeing students as more than people in the classroom is a privilege.   I am delighted to share that 45 student athletes who participated in Fall 2023 sport programs earned  All-Academic honors with a 3.0 GPA or better  and 11 of them earned a 4.0 GPA. I  have also had some near heart attacks from the excitement of literally last-minute wins.

Another form of teamwork occurred on our stages. The OCC Repertory Company performed an original play, Dr. Frankenstein, that introduced me to the Black Box Theater and some performers I had not seen in Kiss Me, Kate. My holiday spirit grew after hearing the many holiday songs in Broadway for the Holidays, #3. I also saw the Dance Club put on an amazing presentation of group and solo work. At Halloween, the Interpreter Training Program presented the Halloween Rock and Roll, which allowed me to experience the diverse community of people who need the services of the Interpreter Training Program.  Brian Gilmore invited me to the music students’ end-of-the-semester recital; and, although I unfortunately missed the students’ performance, I had the pleasure of hearing Brian perform Rachmaninoff on the Bosendorfer piano with the violin and cello. Brian also demonstrated how unflappable he is when a bass string on the piano snapped.

Attending some club events reminded me of our students’ creativity and commitment to equity and inclusion. PTK presented a Halloween movie on the campus green, the Engineering Club gathered at the end of the semester to share some of their projects, and the Improv Club offered an inventive murder mystery, not once but three times. The Ocean Pride Club partnered with the Counseling Center to present OCC’s first-ever event for National Coming Out Day on October 11, with students, faculty, and staff sharing their stories to ensure a supportive community on campus.

I am very grateful to the faculty who included me in academic events or classroom experiences. Jennifer Dellner and Carolyn Showalter invited me to speak at the PTK Induction Ceremony. I wish all of you had heard just a few of the amazing stories of the students who were inducted.  You would appreciate all the more the diversity of students we serve. Mary Ellen Rada and Samantha Glassford included me in an Irish Study Abroad trip reunion, and again I had the opportunity to hear from parents—and students—how transformative this trip was for these students. Madison Peschock invited me to her Crime Fiction class where I met and spoke with Chris Marshall, whose mother’s murder by his father here in Toms River was the subject of the Joe McGinnis book, Blind Faith. As much as I enjoyed meeting Chris Marshall, hearing the questions and comments from the students was truly the most interesting part of the experience. Sean Bips allowed Connie, Don, and me to serve as tasters for our culinary class. Not only did we enjoy delicious food, we also learned about amazing students taking the class, including a future surgeon taking the class for fun. I also need to mention Tim Landers’ marketing class. Working with John Hila, the Co-Founder of Joe Leone’s Italian Specialties, Tim designed a case study, field trip, and subsequent meeting with John Hila. The students put into practice what they learned in class, and, through the experience, worked in teams and saw how their feedback matters. Thank you to Tom Nuara for allowing me to observe his speech class and to provide the written evaluation. I missed teaching all the more. John Fraterrigo used a reenactment of camp life during the Civil War to bring facts to life. The Makers Club and the History Club students, under the leadership of Justin Pfeiffer and Angel Camillo, are working with the  Barnegat Historical Society, which operates a history museum called the Barnegat Heritage Museum. As a result, students are actively practicing historic preservation and appreciating the talents of students in a different discipline. Pam Bogdan and so many OCC faculty and staff participated in the robotic competition. Watching middle school teams design robots according to specifications and with a specific achievement goal allowed me to see how much fun learning can be and how igniting that passion early changes lives forever. I’m grateful to the entire First Generation Committee that is diligently working on bringing recognition and support to our First Gen students. A launch event is planned for early spring. As part of this process, you will view the outstanding work of Renate Pustiak’s class, who designed the logo for the organization. Kate Mohr, Alison Noone, Renate Pustiak, and the students have also designed the process for voting on and choosing the final design.  All of these are examples of active learning opportunities that connect the concepts of a class to the work in which we live. This makes learning alive for students.

As we begin our spring semester, here are some of the initiatives the College will focus on:

• Implementing some of the many projects in progress, such as the First Gen, DEI, and additional retention efforts
• Reviewing and renewing College policies
• Implementing the Caring Campus here at OCC
• Implementing a reorganization structure
• Beginning the work on the Carnegie Classification for Community Engagement
• Continuing to develop new credit and non-credit programs
• Implementing suggestions from Hanover Research
• Pursuing grants and other fundraising opportunities

We will remain busy.

I have the pleasure of working with extraordinary people who truly care about the success and wellbeing of each other and our students. None of this work happens because people are just doing their jobs. It happens because people go beyond; they think innovatively, they problem solve, they seek opportunities to do more and do differently. This is not easy work. We are preparing students to live and work in a challenging world. Our students are impacted by two wars, and the academy itself feels under siege at times. More than ever, we need to help students learn how to engage in civil discourse when fewer examples exist as models. We must teach students how to critically discern truth from misinformation. We must help students value the free exchange of ideas and know how to be part of larger conversations that shape our world. Fundamentally, we must help students be responsible citizens today and for the years to come.

Some people have been critical of me because I speak—a lot—about aspects other than academics and teaching. That is a good observation. At this point, I trust that we are teaching well, and I have provided some outstanding examples of innovative instruction.  I would like to see more evidence that as a campus we are doing all we could and should to respond to the needs of our students. Our students need us to make this kind of commitment. Our students bring to the work and life on campus a multitude of challenges. Many students are trying to keep the dark of depression at bay. Others are working through terrible anxiety every time they enter a classroom. Some students push themselves beyond their comfort and join a club to make some friends. Every week a student appears in our Counseling Center looking for help and guidance because they do not have a home to go to that night. Your students come to class tired from working too many hours, and they are too often hungry because they still struggle to make ends meet. I remain committed to Ocean County College being known not just for our transfer rates  and teaching excellence but also because we demonstrate care and compassion. Care and compassion share the quality of acknowledging and seeing another person—noticing someone else’s pain or problem and offering comfort. That comfort can be a kind word, noticing if someone has missed a class or seems very tired, and getting to know our students. We have heard our students say that our campus is where they feel most safe. As a community, let’s make sure all our students, both on campus and online, feel welcomed and supported.

I appreciate all you do and hope you know how much it matters to all of us. I am blessed to work with exceptional human beings. Thank you so very much.

It is my pleasure now to recognize long-time employees for years of service at Ocean County College.  As I call your name, please come to the front of the stage to receive your service award certificate.

For Twenty Years of Service

• Richard Brady, Adjunct Faculty Member in Science
• Krista Camilo, Instructor of Mathematics
• Denise Carter, Office Services Assistant
• Theodore Data, Building and Grounds Technician
• Irene Hartmann , Adjunct Faculty Member in English and Literature –
• Diana Manning, Administrative Assistant, Registration and Records
• Christine Snyder, Adjunct Faculty Member in Science
• Sara Winchester, Executive Vice President of Finance and Administration

For Thirty Years of Service

• Theodore Gordon, Instructor of Mathematics
• Lynn Vazquez, Associate Professor of Mathematics

For Forty Years of Service

• Marilyn Kralik, Professor of Humanities

For Fifty Years of Service

• Connie Bello, Assistant to the President

Congratulations to all!  We very much appreciate your many contributions to the College for all these wonderful years!

And, now, I am delighted to present the President’s Awards for Excellence to recognize employees  for their outstanding contributions to Ocean County College.

The purpose of this program is to acknowledge and express appreciation for exemplary accomplishments at the department, division, and College-wide levels that do not fall entirely within the scope of normal duties, but, rather, clearly indicate efforts above and beyond expectations.  Employees are nominated based on their achievements in one or more of the following criteria, all of which support the College’s Strategic Plan.  The categories are:

• Outstanding Service to Students
• Efficiency and Innovation
• New Markets, and
• Work Environment

The award recipients were nominated by their fellow employees and all nominations were reviewed and considered by the President’s Cabinet.

Each recipient receives a monetary award, an engraved cup (which you will receive again after it is engraved with your name), and lunch with the President’s Cabinet.  Additionally, engraved cups for each award level will reside in the Administration Building in a showcase, where, annually, awardee names will be added and displayed.

Without further ado, we are proud to recognize the outstanding performance of the recipients of the President’s Award for Excellence for the year 2023.  As I call your name, please come to the stage to accept your award and have a seat until all award recipients are announced.

• The President’s Award at the Department Level for Efficiency and Innovation goes to a person in the Fine and Performing Arts Center. This person has served as a backbone of the Grunin Center and the OCC Repertory Theatre Company throughout a long career at OCC, which began in 1972.  The person is a natural problem-solver and a jack-of-all-trades, filling in when needed as a set designer, prop master, carpenter, handyperson, caterer, historian, department comedian, and more.

This award is presented to Stephan Caldwell, Technical Production Coordinator in the Fine and Performing Arts Center.  He is adept at anticipating the needs of the department and takes on whatever is needed.  Throughout the years, staff and leadership have changed but Stephan has been a constant.  He has been considered a trusted advisor, always willing to share wisdom from his experience while simultaneously embracing change and growth with a touch of humor.  He is a mentor to the technical crew, trains new staff, and works well with both seasoned theater professionals as well as emerging talent.

For decades, Stephan has created most of the sets for OCC Repertory Theatre Company productions, including Mousetrap, The Laramie Project, Sweeney Todd, The Glass Menagerie, Twelfth Night, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, and Man of La Mancha. He recently designed and built the balcony for Kiss Me, Kate, saving the College significant set rental costs.  When the scenic artist scheduled to paint the sets for The Taming of the Shrew, suffered an injury, Stephan jumped in to paint the sets himself.

Stephan also procures most props, ensuring all objects are authentic or closely resemble the time period in which the plays are set.  His unique talent and vision have saved the College an extraordinary amount of time and expense.

Behind the scenes, Stephan works with OCC students and community members during OCC Repertory Theatre productions.  His interactions with external performers ensure that they are comfortable and their needs are met.  For the audiences, he creates an ambiance for the plays and performances.  It is his voice that welcomes all of the patrons to the theater right before a performance.  The overall quality of service that Stephan provides ensures that all Performing Arts events run efficiently.

Stephan embodies all of OCC’s guiding principles.  He is student-centered, working with students in the OCC Repertory Theater and the Grunin Performing Arts Academy high school, imparting his knowledge of stage performance to the fine arts community.  Stephan is accessible, always willing to share his knowledge from his many years of experience with students and staff.  Stephan consistently seeks creative and innovative ways to improve the patron experience.  He is collaborative in his approach when working with the tech team, facilities, administration, and all those involved with the OCC Repertory Theatre Company.

Stephan is courageous and trustworthy.  He takes great pride in his work with artists and theater staff, and provides honest observations and feedback.  Stephan goes above and beyond, helping to make the artistic visions of directors and performers come to life, building strong relationships internally and externally, and motivating team members to strive for excellence.

For his efficiency, innovation, and positive impact on the Department of Fine and Performing Arts Center and the OCC Community, we thank you Stephan Caldwell!

• We have two recipients for the President’s Award at the College-Wide Level. The first is awarded to an employee in Facilities in the category of Work Environment, whose support to the college community goes beyond normal job duties.  When the COVID-19 pandemic presented unique challenges to the College, this employee was  involved in the practical analysis of which programs and courses could be offered on campus based upon the allowable occupancies of the physical spaces and was also involved in all phases of the accessibility modifications and accommodations made across the campus.

The award is presented to Jon Ross, Director of Custodial and Landscape Services in Buildings and Grounds.  Jon began his career with the college in November 2018 as Manager of Buildings and Grounds and is now responsible for directing and managing our grounds, custodial, landscaping, and snow removal services on campus.

Jon, along with other Facilities’ team members, successfully completed the requirements for the Method of Administration (MOA) Civil Rights Program, a program that ensures all students have passage to educational excellence, equity, and access.   Jon’s role focused on the College’s exterior areas, such as parking lots, sidewalks, signage, and building entrances to verify acceptable accessibility and correct any discrepancies.  He is a member of the Campus Accessibility Task Force which identifies potential issues with accessibility on campus, as well as suggests general improvements.

Jon is responsible for accommodating events and special program requests; he evaluates the impact these requests can have on the normal College schedule and programs.  He communicates and explains the extent in which special setups or requests can be fulfilled. If there is a discrepancy, a satisfactory compromise is typically reached.

Costs have increased dramatically over the last five years for snow and ice removal.  Jon reintroduced in-house snow removal for smaller storms that can be safely managed at a greatly reduced cost to the College. The cost of a single application of ice melt on our roads and sidewalks runs $8,000 in-house and $45,000 for a contracted vendor.  In addition, Jon also effectively manages the custodial and landscaping contractors that serve the College resulting in further cost savings.

Jon’s superpower is his ability to provide a range of possibilities, solutions, and options that satisfy the sometimes planned, but often unexpected, needs that regularly occur at OCC.  Jon consistently produces results and his efforts often significantly reduce costs to the college.

Jon’s actions and results embody the College’s guiding principles.  His recommendations regarding student accessibility on campus are student-centered.   He updated signage and wayfinding and is revising the campus maps in all parking lots to show ADA routes to all buildings, increasing accessibility and inclusivity for all.

Jon is accessible, as seen during the pandemic when he made himself available 24/7 to the Health Reporting Team, as well as any and all issues that needed his attention.  Jon is able to adapt as often as circumstances dictate, and he has instilled the same level of adaptability within the staff he supervises.

Jon is collaborative, frequently sharing and contributing information on a wide range of College operations.  He offers his skills in the planning, feasibility and impact of events and special programs.  Jon has developed an intricate communication system for snow removal events to the department, the administration, and the contractor.

Jon is trustworthy, consistently demonstrating integrity, transparency, dependability, and sound judgement.

For positively impacting the campus-wide work environment and the OCC Community – we thank you, Jon Ross!

• The second President’s Excellence Award at the College-Wide Level is for Outstanding Service to Students. This employee is a force of nature who works tirelessly for Ocean County College’s students, is a mentor and a team player, whose energy level, strong communication, and leadership skills help to ensure events run smoothly.  This person is a consistently high performer who works tirelessly, stepping in and offering assistance as needed, often at the last minute, to ensure events and activities are successful.

This second College-Wide Level Award goes to Michelle Youngs, Assistant Director of Student Life.  –Michelle started her career at the College in October 2017 as Manager of Operations and Production in the Fine and Performing Arts Center.

Michelle’s work with the Helping Hands food pantry is nothing short of amazing. She has changed the stigma attached to food insecurity by creating an environment that is welcoming and non-judgmental. As Michelle says, “Everyone needs food,” and she ensures there is a place where all can go to get a meal regardless of why they are in need.  In a learning environment, going hungry cannot only impact a student’s health, but also their studies. Making the pantry a place for all people who need a meal, regardless of why, is helping to eradicate the secrecy of food insecurity. This, in turn, can mean the difference between a student doing poorly, dropping out, or remaining in school.

Michelle spreads awareness to faculty and staff of the resources available to students to procure food through various events.  She holds popup events that educate members of the campus about the hunger crisis and the resources available to students, whether it is a $10 gift card for a meal at Bubbakoos or food from the pantry to bring home.  Last April, Michelle ran an event called “Clubs for a Cause,” coordinating with over 10 clubs and other non-profit organizations in the area, including the JBJ Soul Kitchen. These entities worked together to promote a Hunger-Free Campus and to highlight Helping Hands Food Pantry and other nonprofit resources in Ocean County. This event raised over $1,000, with many of the club members volunteering to work in the food pantry.

Michelle is consistently involved with student clubs, student club officers, club advisors, and club members. When you reach out to Michelle with a question, she gets back to you.  She works closely with event participants to ensure all preparations are complete. Everything Michelle does, she does for the benefit of the students.  The best thing about Michelle is that she does this with a smile and unstoppable energy.

Michelle’s actions and results embody the College’s guiding principles.  She is accessible, and her work helps to promote a barrier-free education, ensuring students have the food necessary to focus on their studies.  Michelle is innovative as reflected in the promotion of the pantry with flyers that contain QR codes that the students can easily scan from their phone.  Michelle is collaborative, a true team player, exemplifying the culture of civility and mutual respect by helping to change the stigma attached food insecurity.  Michelle is courageous, acting with determination to serve our students, not to mention positively affecting student retention.

For Michelle’s Outstanding Service to Students – and her impact on the OCC community, – we thank you, Michelle Youngs!

Congratulations to all our Excellence Award winners.  They are well deserved.

With a few minutes left before we move on to the Meet Ups,  I would be happy to respond to any questions or comments you may have.