NEWS & EVENTS

Finance and Administration

Human Resources

• Ms. Lisa Gruber, Assistant Director of Employee Pensions, and Ms. Debbie Humphreys, Employee Benefits Supervisor, attended a Semi-Annual Legal Update Seminar on April 19, 2018. The seminar was hosted by the local chapter of the Society for Human Resource Management, Jersey Shore Association for Human Resources. Topics discussed included recent and pending New Jersey legislation, data privacy and the new frontier of potential causes of class actions, and the EEOC strategic plan and its impact on employers. Since the seminar, Governor Phil Murphy signed two laws which directly impact Human Resources: the New Jersey Pay Equity Bill and New Jersey Paid Sick Leave Bill, both of which will be discussed at the next meeting of the President’s Leadership Team.
• Ms. Cindy Fallon, Human Resources Staff Technology Specialist, attended the PeopleAdmin Conference in April as a member of the user group and as a speaker. Ms. Fallon served on a panel for a session entitled “Best of the Best – Top Solutions to Ensure Community College Success.” She highlighted OCC’s use of PeopleAdmin to its full potential and the ways in which staff and faculty are trained and empowered to use the system, mainly focusing on the search committee process. Because Ocean County College was identified as a PeopleAdmin “power user,” Ms. Fallon was invited to participate to share best practices.
• A special day was coordinated and hosted for sons and daughters of OCC employees by Ms. Fallon and a talented team of colleagues, including Ms. Amanda Boyle, Planetarium Manager; Ms. Keri Holzschuh, Camp and Youth Coordinator; Mr. Jack Kelnhofer, Dean of e-Learning; and Ms. Jaclyn Wood, Community Engagement Coordinator. Twenty-four children participated in Bring Your Sons and Daughters to Work Day on April 26, 2018. They enjoyed a show at the Planetarium, time in the TV Studio, an Introduction to Sign Language workshop, and lunch, featuring Make Your Own Pizza. Following lunch, the children enjoyed a visit and photo opportunity with the OCC Viking.Appreciation is extended to the members of the event committee, Ms. Kathy Basilotto, Assistant Professor of Humanities, Mr. Ralph Bertini, Television Production Director, Planetarium staff, and the Canteen crew for making the day fun and memorable for, hopefully, future OCC students.
• Approximately 320 employees enjoyed a breakfast/coffee break at a spring social held on April 19, 2018, in the Larson Student Center. Attendees received special cards for the chance to win a voucher for coffee with a new employee.

Security

In accordance with New Jersey Public Law 2015, Chapter 220, and College Policy #2332, Reporting of On-Campus Criminal and Fire Events, attached is the monthly statistics report of crimes, fires, and other emergencies on campus for the reporting period April 18, 2018, through May 23, 2018.

Student Affairs

Admissions, Student Life, Advising

• The Office of Admissions, Student Life, and Advising, Transfer, and Career Services have partnered this spring to offer an increased number of high school specific New Student Orientations. The dates were organized through collaboration between the Office of Admissions and the high school guidance departments. Students intending to attend OCC in fall 2018 had the opportunity to participate in a New Student Orientation planned specifically for their high schools. The OCC Foundation assisted by providing transportation to the College for these students.Already, benefits of this effort have been significant. Many of these students were able to register for the fall semester earlier, which resulted in a better experience and fall class schedule. New student enrollment via Orientation was up 78% as of May 18, 2018.

• Ms. Sheenah Hartigan, Director of Enrollment Services, and Ms. Kathleen Mohr, Student Services Administrator, presented at the New Jersey Association for College Admission Counseling Annual Conference to high school guidance and college admissions counselors from across the country. The presentation, titled “Gen Z: How Ocean is Connecting through the One Stop,” was on May 22, 2018, in Atlantic City.

Academic Affairs

School of Business and Social Sciences

• The Global Education Committee, Office of Student Life, and the Barnegat Bay Partnership sponsored several screenings of the critically acclaimed documentary, “The Anthropologist,” on April 19, 2018. This film follows anthropologist, Dr. Susan Crate, and her teenage daughter, Katie, as they visit communities threatened by climate change. The film, revealed through Katie’s perspective, focused on human resiliency and the ability to adapt to catastrophic climate change. Attendees also had the opportunity to participate in a question and answer session with the film’s director/writer/producer Seth Kramer. The event was facilitated by Ms. Betsy Hyle of the Barnegat Bay Partnership and Mr. Jason Ghibesi, Lecturer II in Political Science and History and Chair of the Global Education Committee. The morning session was coordinated by Ms. Elaine Schardien, Assistant Director of Academic Success, and was attended by 120 Ocean County high school students.
• Mr. Ghibesi also led ten student scholarship recipients to the United States Institute of Peace (USIP) in Washington, D.C., from April 26 to 28, 2018. The trip was sponsored by the Student Life Office in conjunction with the Global Education Committee. Accompanying the group was College Lecturer II of Sociology, Dr. Chad Sexton. While at the USIP, students attended a series of lectures, including “The Importance of Peace Building,” presented by Mr. Jeffrey W. Helsing, Associate Vice President of the USIP Academy for International Conflict Management. The students also participated in the USIP Peace Trail, a guided tour highlighting a dozen key sites and monuments within the vicinity of the USIP and the National Mall. In addition, the students had the opportunity to visit the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, National Air and Space Museum, National Portrait Gallery, and American History Museum.
• Mr. Jeffrey Lang, College Lecturer II in Addictions and Drug Counseling, led a group of faculty and 20 students attending the New Jersey Prevention Network Work Force Development Annual Conference on May 18, 2018, in Atlantic City. Each attendee earned seven Continuing Education Units in Addictions Counseling. Over 1,000 Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselors, Interns, and Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselors were present. More than 200 agencies staffed booths for networking opportunities for students to experience and understand the scope of the alcohol and drug treatment industry in New Jersey.
• Ms. Maria Paradiso, College Lecturer II in Social Work, was honored at the Educational Opportunity Fund and Center for Access and Equity Awards Ceremony on May 10, 2018, for her service to the LGBTQ community on campus.
• On May 11, 2018, Ms. Kathy Malachowski, Associate Professor in Health and Human Performance, coordinated a training session in the administration of NARCAN (naloxone HCI). Nineteen students attended the training and were certified in the use of NARCAN if an opioid overdose occurs. This training was provided by Ms. Heidi Modjeski, Director of Community Outreach and Training Development for The Overdose Prevention Agency Corporation (TOPAC).
• OCC Criminal Justice students visited the Ocean County Justice Complex on April 30, May 1, and May 2, 2018. These trips were coordinated by Ms. Jennifer Barnes, Lecturer II in Political Science and Law. The students met with Judges Wendel Daniels and James Den Uyl, participated in a presentation about criminal justice reform, observed criminal court proceedings, and learned about the day-to-day practices of the criminal justice system.

School of Nursing and Health Sciences

• The Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for the Hovnanian Health Sciences Building was held on May 9, 2018. On June 4, 2018, the School of Nursing and Health Sciences is scheduled to move into the new building to prepare for the fall 2018 semester.
• Ms. Elizabeth Stevenson, MSN, RN, Assistant Dean of Nursing and Health Sciences, represented the School at the Community Medical Center Education Advancement and Certification Fair on May 9, 2018. During this event, Ms. Stevenson provided OCC Nursing Program information to members of the hospital’s staff interested in pursuing a degree in nursing.
• The School faculty participated in an annual workshop from May 16 to 22, 2018, during which faculty completed a systematic review of all nursing courses, revised assessment and outcome data collection tools, and reviewed licensure test plans and outcomes to revise curriculum content. Faculty also reviewed the School’s Systematic Plan of Evaluation, which addresses all standards and criteria required for accreditation.
• The Annual Pinning Ceremony was held on Tuesday evening, May 22, 2018, for students who completed the program in December 2017 and May 2018. Of the 135 graduating students, 119 attended the ceremony. Over $21,500 in scholarships and awards was presented to both current students and graduates during the ceremony. Recipients included:
  • Student Nurse Organization (SNO) Scholarships: Kerrie Konior, Mark Valle, and Christina Fichner
  • New York Blood Center Scholarship: Caitlin Opirhory
  • Dr. Jesse Schulman Scholarship: Deanna Ekbom and Sarah Rettenberg
  • Dorothea Brayden Johnson Memorial Scholarship for Nursing: Mark Valle
  • Jacqueline S. Baer Memorial Nursing Scholarship: Kerrie Konior
  • James F. Foley Nursing Scholarship: Faiga Altman
  • Janis Neary-Zimmerman Memorial Nursing Scholarship: Stephanie Bergey
  • Kotzas-Demos Scholarships: Laura Oppel, Christina Fichner, Ryan Smith and Victoria Hanrahan
  • Lynne Thompson Servodio Scholarship: Melissa Carchietta
  • Peter and Mildred Galanti Scholarships: Samantha Amador and Cheyenne Brant
  • Carluccio, Leone, Dimon, Doyle, and Sacks Scholarship: Melissa Carchietta
  • MaryLou Holmes Scholarship: Bonnie Vallee
  • Pilot Sisters Survivor Award: Samantha Keeley and Theresa Monachello
  • Gus Demme Award: Colleen Cotta
  • The New Jersey League for Nursing Award: Kelly Wittek
  • Community Medical Center Awards: Jenna Hisey and Diana Dalmau
  • Academic and Clinical Excellence Award: William HeadeThis was the first year the award was presented by the School of Nursing faculty to a student who excelled in academic performance and clinical practice throughout the program.
  • New Jersey State Nurses Association Award: Mark ValleThis is the second year in a row that an OCC nursing student has been the recipient of this award.

The following graduates were presented with scholarships at the Awards Ceremony held on May 23, 2018:

• Paul Family Scholarship: Cassandra Venezio
• Joyce Previte Memorial Scholarship: Tara Breen
• D’Onofrio Foundation Scholarship: Ryan Houman

School of Arts and Humanities

• In May, Dr. Beth Brierley, Associate Professor of Theatre, wrote and directed a Children’s Theatre performance in the Black Box Theatre called, “Miss Nelson is Missing!” Performances were held with a full house on May 3, 5, and 8, 2018. Local elementary school children as well as preschool children attended the event.
• On May 8, 2018, Seascape, OCC’s literary magazine club, advised by Assistant Professor of English and Literature Jayanti Tamm, hosted its release party and an open mic session in the Larson Student Center. The OCC Reading Club held its last meeting of the semester hosted by Dr. David Bordelon. Next year will mark the 20th anniversary year of the club. Organized by Music Instructor Karen Gargone and Mr. Brian Gilmore, Part-Time Applied Music Facilitator, the OCC student recital for the Music Club was held on May 4, 2018. Twenty students and all of the music professors performed at the recital.
• The OCC Jazz Band and dancers performed on May 9, 2018, at the Ocean County Library in Toms River and at the Grunin Center for the Arts on Saturday, May 12, 2018.
• On May 11, 2018, the Improv Club, advised by College Lecturer II in English Jason Molloy, held its second show of the semester. Approximately twenty students performed in this Hawaiian-themed show. The History Club, co-advised by Mr. Robert Marchie and Mr. Stephen Downey, both College Lecturers of History, sponsored a collection drive for items to be delivered to Ocean’s Harbor House, which assists displaced Ocean County children. The club worked very closely with Harbor House throughout the spring semester; as a result of its efforts, over 500 much needed items were donated to the housing establishment.The History Club also worked with students in College Lecture Lee Kobus’ video class to create a documentary on the history of the Pine Barrens and Jersey Devil. This project was initiated to assist broadcast students in developing a capstone piece for their portfolios. At the same time, the project provided the opportunity for the History Club to be involved in research and development.
• Mr. Marchie and Mr. Richard Trimble, Director of the OCC Military History Institute and former Associate Professor of History, led a group of 20 students on a trip to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, on May 5, 2018. Professor Trimble provided a comprehensive five-hour tour of the battlefield, which focused on New Jersey’s combatants within the Gettysburg battle.

School of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics

• Professor of Science Duane Grembowicz assisted Environmental Science students with obtaining summer employment at the Ocean County Utilities Authority, Ocean County Board of Health, Ocean County Landfill, and Ocean County Parks System.
• Mathematics Professors Carolyn Showalter, Vicki McMillian, and Krista Camilo completed an analysis and determined the appropriate mathematics placement test cut-off scores for the new Next Generation Placement Test from the College Board, which will be effective January 2019. This analysis included the test scores required to be placed into college-level math courses (math challenge test) and college readiness/developmental mathematics courses (AccuPlacer). Both of these tests will be replaced with new test versions that are incorporated in the Next Generation Placement Test.
• Ms. Linda Henderson, Professor of Mathematics, Dr. Gaetano Ricciardone, Adjunct in Biology, and Ms. Showalter participated in an ad-hoc committee to review and revise OCC student attendance policies. Dr. Toni Clay, Assistant Vice President of Academic Affairs, chaired the committee.
• Dr. Angel Camilo, Mr. Gerald Aska, and Mr. Edmond Hong, College Lecturers in Science, Engineering, and Computer Studies, respectively, along with OCC student Nick Schnering, who serves as president of the Computer Science Club and the Maker’s Club, visited Rutgers University to view its Maker’s space. The purpose of the visit was to gain knowledge about the university’s equipment, floor plan, and layout to aid in the development of a future Maker’s space on the OCC campus.
• Three on-campus STEM Academy days were hosted by OCC:
  • May 16, 2018 – Toms River East High School (47 students – 28 males and 19 females)
  • May 17, 2018 – Manchester High School (44 students – 19 males and 25 females)
  • May 21, 2018 – Point Pleasant Borough High School (38 students – 25 males and 13 females)
    Participating students attended two of the following STEM activities:
  • Arduino Chip Programming with Dr. Angel Camilo and Mr. Edmond Hong
  • Crime Scene Evidence with Detective Jonathon Turner, Toms River Police Department
  • Scented Soaps with Dr. Mary-Ellen Rada, College Lecturer II in Anatomy, Dr. Caterina Gibson, College Lecturer II in Science, and Mr. Vijay Ramdeen, College Lecturer II in Chemistry
  • Cosmic Show with Ms. Amanda Boyle, OCC Planetarium Manager, and Ms. Cara Muscio, Adjunct Assistant Professor in Science
• The annual TechPrep Cardboard Canoe Competition was held on May 18, 2018, at the Toms River YMCA, with 105 students (48 girls and 57 boys) from 8 schools participating:
  • Lake Riviera Middle Schools (4 teams)
  • Manchester Middle school (2 teams)
  • Veterans Memorial Middle School (2 teams)
  • Brick Memorial High School (1 team)
  • Brick Township High School (2 teams)
  • Lacey High School (3 teams)
  • Manchester High School (1 team)
  • Ocean County Vocational Technical School (2 teams)Assisting at the event with team presentation judging and competition timings were Mr. Gerald Aska; Professor of Mathematics Maryann Birdsall; Mr. Bill Birdsall; Mr. Paul Butler, Retired Associate Professor of Engineering; Mr. Ray Dondero, Coordinator of Evening and Weekend Services; Dr. John McElroy, Lecturer II in Biology; Ms. Kathleen Hamilton, Administrative Assistant; Ms. Katie Pyott, Executive Assistant; Mr. Vijay Ramdeen; Associate Professor of Engineering Neil Schiller; and Dean Paul Silberquit.
• Students from the Holistic Health and Wellness Club and advisor Dr. Mary-Ellen Rada, College Lecturer II in Anatomy, spent a day cleaning up the Arboretum entrance and adding fresh plants. The club plans to plant an herb garden, a sunflower garden, and an Artemisia garden that will all apply proper Feng Shui principles, which are discussed during club meetings and in Holistic Health classes.

e-Learning and Learning Enterprises

Innovation in Master Courses

An Open Educational Resource (OER) is educational material that is in the public domain with an open license. OERs range from textbooks to curricula, syllabi, lecture notes, assignments, tests, projects, audio, video, and animation. The nature of these open materials means that anyone can legally and freely copy, use, adapt, and re-share them. e-Learning is actively researching the use of OERs in some of its online courses because it is believed that the advantages far surpass the disadvantages.

Research is continuing on the use of Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) in OCC’s e-Learning courses. More than 20 VR and AR ideas have been submitted to a vendor to produce a demo for review.

Master Course Development Updates

Significant progress is being made in readying fall 2018 courses; the anticipated date of completion is July 9, 2018. During May, work continued on developing courses and updating learning objectives and course descriptions in preparation for the fall semester. ENGL 030, Advanced English I, has been developed, and updates have been made to CRIM 151, The Criminal Justice System; CRIM 155, Introduction to Corrections; and CRIM 255, Criminal Law and Procedures.

In an effort to maintain the highest quality in online courses, review and updates continue. The new review process focuses on issues such as ADA compliance, spelling and grammar, and functional hyper-links.

In an effort to obtain first-hand feedback from online students, a student satisfaction survey was conducted, the results of which are currently being reviewed and analyzed.

Online Faculty Empowerment

All faculty members are now required to successfully complete training courses before they are assigned any duties. Four faculty members completed the new Master Course Developer Training in May. Beginning the first week in June, 26 participants will be attending the training courses to prepare them to develop online courses.

e-Learning is developing rubrics containing data about various key criteria to measure the performance of e-learning teaching and course development. This evaluation will assist in determining when additional support efforts are needed, such as mentoring or retraining, to ensure effective teaching. This process will also help the Dean of e-Learning in determining the most appropriate e-Learning personnel to assign to specific tasks.

A new version of Turnitin, a plagiarism detection software, is being introduced and piloted this summer. Documentation is being developed to assist in the transfer to this new program.

Egypt Initiatives Updates

I will be traveling to Egypt with Mr. Hatem Akl, Interim Associate Vice President of e-Learning and Learning Enterprises, and Dr. Maysa Hayward, Assistant Vice President of International Programs, on May 31, 2018, following the Board meeting, to sign an umbrella MOU with the Supreme Council of Universities.

The outreach team continues development of individual agreements with the following seven Egyptian universities wherein OCC will provide associate degrees and the host institution will offer bachelor degrees in various disciplines: Ain Shams University, Alexandria University, Cairo University, El Minia University, Beni Suef University, Helwan University, and Assiut University.