Board Meeting Presentation
At Thursday’s meeting, Ms. Mary Granahan, Television Production Director, will share with you the expanded community outreach of OCC’s television studio. To date, the television studio has produced four episodes of “Shore of Support,” a program highlighting organizations that enhance the lives of community members through charitable efforts. Each episode has an overarching theme featuring two organizations working toward a similar goal. The host interviews representatives regarding their mission, programs, and how viewers can contribute through donations, volunteering, or simply spreading the word.
The most recent shows covered Holiday Giving and Utility Assistance in the winter months with guests from Jenni’s Toys, MA Deuce Deuce (MA-22), United Way of Monmouth and Ocean County, and New Jersey SHARES. Future programs include topics on good health habits, career services, financial and tax assistance, and housing insecurity.
All episodes have been uploaded to OCC’s shared public access affiliates, and they are also airing on OPTV in Oradell, New Jersey, and Manchester High School’s local channel. Notification was received that “Shore of Support” episodes have been downloaded by Lindenwood University in St. Charles, Missouri. Ms. Granahan hopes to expand the studio’s reach by subscribing to additional public access groups and creating an Ocean TV-20 app for non-cable customers. “Shore of Support” can be viewed on Ocean TV-20 and FIOS 24 Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6:30 p.m. and Sundays at 10:00 a.m. All episodes are also available on the college’s YouTube channel.
Amendments to Board of Trustees Bylaws
Amendments to several Board of Trustees Bylaws are being introduced at Thursday’s Board meeting, all relating to the Board’s standing committees. Also, a new bylaw is recommended for the addition of a Student Experience Standing Committee, which will provide direct communication between the students and the trustees for the purpose of representing the students’ best interests in all Board recommendations and decisions. The Bylaws attached for your review are:
- Bylaw #1252, Standing Committees of the Board of Trustees
- Bylaw #1252.1, Buildings and Grounds Committee
- Bylaw #1252.2, Bylaw, Policy, and Curriculum Committee
- Bylaw #1252.3, Finance Committee
- Bylaw #1252.4, Personnel Committee
- Bylaw #1252.5, Student Experience Committee
With your support, these bylaws will be recommended for adoption at the January 25, 2024, Board meeting, in accordance with Policy #1370, Amendments to Bylaws.
Faculty and Staff Presentations and Publications
On November 17, 2023, Mr. Sean Bips, College Lecturer II and Program Chair of the Hospitality, Recreation, and Tourism Management (HRTM) Program, presented at the New York State Association for Health, Physical Education, and Dance Conference on “Culturally Responsive Connections Through Recreational Trends.” Mr. Bips provided resources for participants to better engage students through cultural exploration and appreciation for diverse backgrounds that drive recreational trends.
On November 20, 2023, Ms. Charlotte Langeveld, College Lecturer II in Social Sciences, presented and led a discussion on campus about her fieldwork experience on Food Security, Education, and Human Rights in crisis-affected countries. This presentation gave students an insight into how global geopolitical actions affect the populations of war-torn countries, including Sudan, Somalia, and Afghanistan.
Mr. Scott Molnar, Computer Studies Adjunct Faculty Member, is exhibiting his artwork during the month of December at the Ship Bottom Library, with a meet and greet scheduled for Saturday, December 9, 2023, from 2 to 4 p.m.
Dr. Alexa Beshara-Blauth, Executive Director of Institutional Planning, Effectiveness, and Compliance, Mr. James Marshall, Associate Director of Assessment, and Ms. Susan O’Connor, Executive Director of Curriculum and Program Development, presented at the North East Association for Institutional Research in Baltimore, Maryland, on November 6, 2023. The presentation, “Assess, Adapt, Excel: Data Driven Program Evolution,” showcased how a community college successfully institutionalized the Comprehensive Local Needs Assessment (CLNA) to drive academic program development, review, and divestment. By incorporating both quantitative and qualitative data, the College has been able to make informed decisions that ensure program relevance and sustainability.
Ms. Jamie A. Prioli, Assistant Director of Disability Services, presented an overview of disability-related information at the annual meeting of the NJ Blind Citizens Association, a statewide organization serving individuals with vision loss for over 113 years.
Assistant Director of Counseling Katie Hueth, Assistant Director of Student Life Michelle Youngs, and FIPSE Grant Program Manager Jim Campbell attended the New Jersey Convening on Student Basic Needs hosted by the Office of the Secretary of Higher Education.
Ms. Jan Kirsten, Executive Director of College Relations, and Dr. Sheenah Hartigan, Executive Director of Enrollment Services, presented at the National Council for Marketing and Public Relations district conference on November 3, 2023, in Boston, Massachusetts. The session, “Developing and Implementing a Collaborative Communications Plan,” demonstrated the Leveraging of Social Media and Marketing to Advance Recruitment and Student Success.
Faculty and Staff Recognition, Honors, and Awards
The fiscal year 2023 audit report and financial statements have been prepared. Mr. Robert Nehila, partner at Bowman & Company, will present the report for approval at Thursday’s meeting. There are no audit findings and no management items.
Congratulations are extended to the following individuals, whose outstanding work made this outcome possible: Ms. Mary Lancaster, Controller; Ms. Kathleen Higham, Director of Financial Reporting; Ms. Robbin Haynes, Director of Financial Aid; and the members of the Accounting and Financial Aid Departments.
Ocean County College received a National Council for Public Relations 2023 Gold Medallion Award in the Digital Catalog category for the OCC Foundation Legacy Newsletter. The Medallions celebrate excellence in design and communication at community and technical colleges. Mr. Michael Leon, Associate Director of Graphic Design, is congratulated for his outstanding work.
Mr. Jim Campbell, FIPSE Basic Needs Grant Manager, was invited to sit on the Ocean County Homelessness Prevention and Assistance Coalition.
Ms. Katie Hueth earned the Recovery Coach Professional designation, which demonstrates continued education and best practices in the field of recovery coaching.
Ms. Alexandria Halloran, Sr. Financial Aid Technician, earned a nationally recognized Return of Title IV Funds (R2T4) Specialist Designation from the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA). This designation is very difficult to earn and represents an in-depth knowledge and understanding of R2T4 as a result of hard work and study.
Student Honors and Awards
On October 30, 2023, students in College Lecturer Nicole Kammer’s EDUC-261, Development of the Learner, course completed the required post-test to earn various certificates of completion from the Reading Rockets program, Reading 101. The program equips new teachers with essential knowledge to assist young children in learning to read and write.
Mr. Brent Cunningham, a teacher in the Waretown School District and an OCC and Kean alumnus, led his fifth- and sixth-grade students to win Best Crop Growth in a NASA-sponsored science project competition based on research completed in 2022. The competition, Plant the Moon, was sponsored by the Institute of Competition Sciences, NASA’s Solar System Exploration Research Virtual Institute (SSERVI), and the Space Grant Consortium.
Student Clubs
On November 16, 2023, the Psychology Club hosted two guest speakers, Ms. Emily Bomenblit and Ms. Valerie Ryan, from the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI). The speakers shared their experiences of living with mental illness in their presentation, “In Our Own Voice.”
In November 2023, the Interpreter Training Program and Sign Language Society student club hosted three De’VIA, (Deaf View/Image Art) artists: Ms. Nancy Rourke, Ms. Ellen Mansfield, and Ms. Laurie Monahan. The club had a team of Deaf and hearing interpreters for the event, which had over 100 attendees.
The Viking Video Club has increased its membership and expanded industry professional workshops. Four new professional workshops have been presented this semester with an Assistant Director, Special Effects Makeup Artist, Creative Director/Producer, and News/Sports Cameraman. Two of these guests are alumni of OCC’s Digital Mass Media Program.
Veteran Club President Drew Clayton was the student speaker for OCC’s Veterans Day ceremony, after which the Veterans Club set up an outdoor “museum,” information table, and pull up competition sponsored by a Marine recruiter.
Counseling staff collaborated with the student Pride Club on Trans Remembrance Day, November 20, 2023; two counselors attended the event commemorating the lives of individuals who died by violence.
The OCC Dance Club is presenting its winter showcase in the Grunin Center on December 5, 2023. Over 40 student-choreographed dances will be performed.
Student Activities
Dr. Kevin Bales, author, writer, and Professor of Contemporary Slavery at the University of Nottingham in the United Kingdom, participated in a virtual discussion with students enrolled in Lecturer of Political Science Jason Ghibesi’s Global Issues courses on November 6, 2023. All Global Issues students read and analyze Bales’ book, Disposable People: New Slavery in the Global Economy. Students gained valuable information for their research papers as a result of this interaction.
In November, Assistant Professor of Humanities Kathy Basilotto met students from her Deaf-Blind Interpreting class at the Ocean County Mall. Students simulated how deaf-blind individuals navigate shopping with a Support Service Provider (SSP), a trained professional who guides deaf-blind individuals.
College Lecturer in English Kristyn Stout and HTRM Lecturer Sean Bips will be leading an exciting study abroad trip in Summer 2024 to explore the intersections between the humanities, hospitality, and tourism in Switzerland. They will be hosting an information session in the Student Center on Wednesday, December 13, 2023, at 12:30 p.m. to promote the trip.
On November 9, 2023, Mr. Chris Marshall, son of convicted murderer Robert Marshall, who was the focus of Mr. Joe McGinniss’ best-selling 1989 non-fiction crime novel, Blind Faith, spoke virtually with students in Dr. Madison Peschock’s ENGL 232, Crime Literature, class about his father’s arrest, murder trial, conviction, and his relationship with his father and brothers. Students heard first-hand how a crime novel is constructed, based on facts, but also learned how certain plot segments are embellished.
On November 16, almost 600 students and community group members attended a Schools n’ Stage performance of Kattam and His Tam Tams. This program was free to all who attended thanks to the support of the OCC Foundation, the Ocean County Commissioners, and the Quebec Delegation in New York.
OCC students participated in a technique class with pianist Stanley De Lage after attending his recital as part of The Afternoon Recital Series on November 17, 2023, in the Grunin Center.
Student Life
With the help of donations from the OCC community, Helping Hands created meal kits for 65 students and their families for Thanksgiving.
Student Life sponsored three trips over the past month for students, faculty, and staff. The trips included stops at the Natural History Museum, Times Square, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and Radio City Music Hall for a performance of the Rockettes’ Christmas Spectacular.
Student Life’s annual Magical Holiday Village will be held on December 6, 2023. The Student Center will be transformed into a winter wonderland so the campus community can enjoy carnival games, crafts, festive music, and life-size inflatables of their favorite holiday characters.
Outreach to Students
Pre-Nursing Information Workshops were held on October 26 and November 1, 2023, for students who intend to enter the Nursing program. Ms. Mary Fennessy, Director of Program Services for Nursing and Health Sciences, collaborated with the Advising Department and Registration and Records representatives to provide essential information regarding the Nursing program to prospective students.
The Counseling Center launched Talk Campus, a professionally monitored peer-to-peer app that provides support and connection, 24/7.
In collaboration with Student Support Services, the Student Success Team hosted Game of Life, which is an interactive financial literacy activity that will also be offered in Spring 2024.
Associate Director of Advising Michele Connolly coordinated Advising visits to all STSC 150, Student Success, classes this Fall to discuss Student Planning, registration, and transfer planning. Ms. Stefanie Caton, Case Manager, Mental Health Technician, presented to almost every Student Success class about the services and programs of the Counseling Center.
The Office of Disability Services led several support groups, including peer mentor groups, for students with ADHD and a support group for neurodivergent students.
Community Outreach
The Student Nurse Organization sponsored a blood drive in collaboration with Robert Wood Johnson Barnabas Health (RWJ/BH) on November 2, 2023, with 17 blood donors, under the direction of advisors Dr. MaryAnn Kaufmann, Director of Nursing Skills and Simulation Labs; Ms. Mary Susan Gill, College Lecturer II; and Ms. Linda Simmons, Lab Coordinator.
On November 15, 2023, as part of the 2023-24 Social Justice Series, Marny Requa, J.D., Associate Professor at Georgian Court University, presented “The U.S. Supreme Court and its Social Impact,” which discussed law and politics in recent cases on affirmative action, student loans, and abortion law.
Social Media Coordinator Sara Nusbaum collaborated with the TV Studio to create a special President’s Thanksgiving Message that was featured on several of the College’s social channels. The video was shared on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and the College website home page. Overall, it yielded 140 engagements, 2,319 views, and 2,167 impressions across all platforms.
Collier High School representatives toured the Ocean County College campus on November 6, 2023, with Enrollment Services Advisor Melissa Sporer and met with Disability Services staff. The school serves students with emotional difficulties and special needs.
On November 14, 2023, the Grunin Center hosted the Ocean County Student Leadership Conference, which featured guest speakers, Mr. Dave D’Amico, Chief Investigator for Middlesex County Department of Corrections, and Mr. Deonté Griffin-Quick, nationally recognized, award-winning actor, arts administrator, and consultant, who presented to students from schools throughout Ocean County.
The Planetarium kicked off its holiday programming on Thanksgiving weekend with the Premiere of Black Hole Behemoths on Black Friday, as well as traditional holiday selections for approximately 350 attendees. The Planetarium also welcomed nearly 200 patrons for special programming around Veterans and Pearl Harbor Day as well as Native American Heritage Month.
Workforce and Professional Education Apprenticeships have been successful; the Medical Billing and Coding Apprenticeship Cohort had 11 students graduate with stacked NHA industry credentials, and the Community Health Worker cohort had 12 graduates.
Professional Development
Thirty online faculty members attended the e-Learning November Adjunct Roundtable, “Turkey Talk: Accommodating and Assisting Students,” which addressed the importance of strategies for assisting and communicating with students in online education.
On November 2, 2023, several e-Learning Department faculty and administration members attended the EdgeCon Autumn 2023 Conference at Kean University. The conference focused on artificial intelligence; strategic planning and assessment; using Chatbots to improve the online learning experience; course design; student engagement strategies; and accessibility.
On December 4, 2023, the Faculty Development and Innovation Center held a training on “Organizing Your HyFlex Classroom,” which is part of the ongoing HyFlex course development series for faculty to converse about best practices when teaching in the HyFlex modality.
A training on “Universal Design for Learning (UDL) for Postsecondary Settings: Assessment” was held on December 6, 2023, with presenter Ms. Jamie Arasz Prioli, Assistant Director of Student Disability Services. UDL is a framework that aims to make learning accessible to all students by providing multiple means of representation, engagement, and expression. This training is part three of a UDL series by the Faculty Development and Innovation Center and is scheduled to repeat in the Spring 2024 semester.
The Counseling Center is currently working on “One Caring Campus Certification” for faculty and staff, which will be launched in Spring 2024.
Monthly Observance
On November 14, 2023, in recognition of Native American Heritage Month, the e-Learning Department collaborated with Mr. Justin Pfeifer, College Lecturer II in History, to commemorate the projects of two e-Learning students in his HIST 173, United States History to 1877, class. The students, Daniel Beagan and James Cook, presented “Family Stories from the Trail of Tears,” a collection that amplified the voices of descendants impacted by the tragic events of the Trail of Tears.
Grants
As of November 27, 2023, there have been 39 referrals for the FIPSE Basic Needs grant and 13 unique students have been assisted.
On November 9, 2023, the Grunin Center hosted Mariachi Herencia de Mexico. This event was sponsored by the Latino Institute, the Mid-Atlantic Arts grant, and the OCC Foundation.
OCC received a one-year $80,000 Tepper Foundation Community to Opportunity Basic Needs Grant that began on October 1, 2023, to improve coordination of services between Student Affairs and Academic Affairs to create a holistic and synergistic approach to improve student success by addressing students’ basic needs.
The New Jersey Office of the Secretary of Higher Education awarded an estimated $20,000 to OCC for Cohort 2 of the “Some College, No Degree” Initiative that will provide support and guidance to identify and recruit students who dropped out or stopped out of college at OCC.
The first year of the Work Readiness Assistance Program (WRAP) was successful, with 33 of the 49 participants completing the Leadership Academy for self-discovery and effective leader skill-building, 30 completing the Exploration of Career Pathways and Entrepreneurship Program, and 29 earned cybersecurity certification. The grant was renewed for FY 2024 with an anticipation of serving 75 participants.
The New Jersey Community College Consortium for Workforce and Economic Development Cyber Health Pathways Project funded $88,430 each to OCC, Rowan College at Burlington County, and Raritan Valley Community College, for a total award of $253,915. The program will align employers, industry associations, labor unions, educational institutions, and workforce development partners to provide students and workers with structured pathways to find career opportunities and to ensure employers have access to a highly skilled workforce to meet critical labor market needs.
Ocean County College has been selected to participate as a member of New America’s Community College Workforce Transformation and Implementation Cohort for one year beginning September 1, 2023. OCC will have the opportunity to work alongside other leading community colleges nationwide to advance innovation and best practices for workforce development excellence by addressing access and success in programs leading to strong employment outcomes.
Monthly Security Report
In accordance with New Jersey Public Law 2015, Chapter 220, and College Policy #2332, Reporting of On-Campus and Fire Events, attached is the monthly statistics report of crimes, fires, and other emergencies on campus for the reporting period of November 4, 2023, through December 1, 2023.