Dr. Monaco’s June 25, 2026 Report to the Board of Trustees

Mystery in the Library

Coordinator of Early College Madison Caldwell, College Lecturer/Librarian Shawn Oates, and Assistant Director of Student Life Michelle Youngs recently co-authored an article published on the League for Innovation in the Community College website, League.org.  The article appeared in the November 2025 edition (Vol. 20, No. 11) of the Innovation Showcase online publication.

Titled “Collaboration Leads to Connection at Ocean County College,” the article highlights the goals, design, and outcomes of the College’s first annual Mystery in the Library event.  Held during the Fall 2024 and Fall 2025 semesters, the program was an escape-room-style experience inspired by the popular board game Clue.

The event was a collaborative effort between the Library, Student Success, and Student Life, created to familiarize students with library and campus resources through gamified learning.  Participants worked through a series of puzzles to uncover clues and ultimately determine the culprit behind the fictional crime featured in the game’s storyline.

Twenty-six students participated in the 2024 event.  In 2025, the program was incorporated into a broader series of campus activities celebrating the 100^th anniversary of The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, with 32 students taking part.

Mr. Oates and Ms. Youngs will attend Thursday’s meeting to talk about their event and the League for Innovation article.

OCC NOW Digital Brief

Dr. Alexa Beshara-Blauth, Executive Director of Institutional Planning, Effectiveness, and Compliance, and Ms. Lisa Daly, Associate Director of Institutional Effectiveness, will present an overview of OCC NOW, a strategic communication tool designed to provide timely updates on institutional priorities and progress.  OCC NOW—News, Outcomes, and Wins—was developed to clearly communicate how initiatives across the College are advancing the goals of the Strategic Plan, with a particular focus on the two pillars: Building Opportunity and Strengthening Community.  The presentation will outline the purpose and structure of OCC NOW as a concise, data-informed digital brief that integrates key initiatives, relevant data and context, and campus highlights into a single, accessible format to strengthen transparency, alignment, and engagement.

Cultural Heritage Celebration Committee

On June 18, 2026, the Cultural Heritage Celebration subcommittee of the Committee for Access and Belonging (CAB), in conjunction with several cross-campus volunteers, hosted an educational and engaging celebration in honor of Juneteenth. At this celebration, local organizations, Black- and Indigenous-owned businesses, and OCC student clubs and departments participated in a resource and vendor fair to demonstrate the power of community and connection.

Thanks to the Organization for Black Unity (OBU), led by College Lecturer in Student Success, Dr. Henry Jackson, and Coordinator of Academic Affairs Processes, Bridget Everett, attendees participated in a gallery walk featuring posters depicting Black art and history. The Social Work Club oversaw the kids’ arts-and-crafts corner, where future OCC students could create while learning about this important holiday.  Current OCC students had the opportunity to participate in a Juneteenth-themed trivia quest, created by recent OCC Social Work graduate Molly Bryceland, with the assistance of College Lecturer in History Rob Marchie, for the chance to win a delicious afro-Caribbean lunch supported by CAB or OCC swag provided by Enrollment Services.  Last, but certainly not least, attendees had the opportunity to feel the power and rhythm of African drums while learning more about Freedom Day for all with performer Mr. D.

In addition to those already mentioned, special thanks are extended to:

• College Lecturer in Social Work Anaïs Mompoint and CAB Co-Chair Kayla Stahl for leading the event-planning efforts;
• Fellow CAB Co-Chair Jonathan Molinaro, student Destini Brinson, Advisor/Case Manager Shanda Berry, and College Lecturers in History Stephen Downey and Rob Marchie for their inspirational and educational contribution toward the flag-raising ceremony;
• Recent OCC Social Work graduate Lucia McGuire-Pettersen, Associate Director of Educational Technology Neil Mastroianni, Executive Director of Human Resources Cara Dubitsky, Grunin Center Assistant Director for Education and Community Engagement Jaclyn Wood, and Cultural Heritage Celebration Subcommittee lead Patricia Carroll for their leadership in setting up the event and welcoming guests;
• College Lecturer II in History Justin Pfeifer and the History Club for their assistance in the planning process and participation during the event; 
• Student Nathan Harrison for photographing the event;
• Associate Director of Web Services Maureen Conlon and the College Relations team for their hard work in advertising and capturing the event;
• Executive Director of Student Engagement Jennifer Kane and the Student Life team for their guidance and support; the Counseling Center for their contribution towards the resource and vendor fair;
• Academic Affairs Coordinator for the School of Arts and Humanities Laura White and Student Services Office Operation Coordinator Christine Linton for their coordination assistance; and
• All attendees, whose participation ensured a successful, fun, and informative event. 

The schedule for the day is attached for your review.

Finance and Administration

The College’s property and casualty insurance program is being renewed for the upcoming 2026-27 policy term, beginning July 1, 2026.  OCC is entering its second year of a three-year commitment in the School Alliance Insurance Fund (SAIF) for all coverage except Accident and Health policies.  We are pleased to report that the total renewal premium is down $26,929, or 2.4%, when compared to last year. 

All terms and conditions are the same as the expiring program, except for the following changes to SAIF’s Package policy:

• SAIF increased its member deductible for Property, Boiler, and Machinery coverage from $2,500 to $5,000 per occurrence.
• The Named Windstorm Tier 1 & 2 sub-limit on the property coverage increased from $150,000,000 to $200,000,000.
• The Boiler and Machinery limit increased from $100,000,000 to $200,000,000.

A resolution requesting approval of the insurance renewal will be included on Thursday’s Finance Committee agenda.

Faculty and Staff Professional Development

• Grunin Center Executive and Artistic Director Heidi Sheridan and Assistant Director Laura Westmoreland attended the Cultural Access Summit at the Grounds for Sculpture held by the New Jersey Theatre Alliance on May 28, 2026.  The Cultural Access Network Project is a program of the New Jersey State Council on the Arts and New Jersey Theatre Alliance. The Project provides a wide range of services and programs to assist theatres and cultural organizations in making their programs and facilities accessible to seniors and people with disabilities.
  
  The mission of New Jersey Theatre Alliance is to unite, promote, strengthen, and cultivate New Jersey’s professional theatres. The organization advances the theatre community by developing innovative, collaborative, and engaging programs and services for member theatres and their diverse audiences.
• Planetarium Associate Director Cara Muscio attended “Building a Climate Ready NJ” meetings with the Barnegat Bay Partnership and other partners around the state to develop resiliency education programming for New Jersey residents.
• On June 16, 2026, Academic Affairs honored the 27 faculty who completed the Association of Colleges and Universities Effective Teaching Practices certification.  Ocean County College had a 98% completion rate, which is higher than the national average. Faculty received certificates and pins and shared the highlights of their experiences in the course.  This certification is the only nationally recognized teaching credential in higher education and is endorsed by ACE.
• Lead Instructional Designer for Arts and Humanities Laura Wingler, Lead Instructional Designer for Business and Social Sciences Cari Crumly, and Senior Instructional Designer for Workforce Tina Davis attended the Online Learning Consultant (OLC) seven-day workshop in May, AI & Assessment: Designing for Integrity and Learning.
  
  This workshop pertained to designing AI-resilient assessments that promote academic integrity, responsible AI use, and authentic student learning, culminating in the development of a comprehensive AI-resilient assessment project that included learning outcomes, rubric criteria, and student-facing guidance.
  
  Ms. Crumly also attended a session titled Inside Higher Ed: Academic Integrity Under Fire: Fortifying Assessment in an AI-Mediated World.  This webinar explored how higher education institutions can strengthen academic integrity and redesign assessment practices for an AI-mediated world, helping educators move from recognizing the challenges of generative AI to developing coordinated, effective strategies for AI-era teaching and learning. The materials are available online for anyone to view if interested.
  
  Ms. Daphnee St. Val, Lead Instructional Designer for STEM, and Ms. Tina Davis attended the OLC workshop AI for Collaborative Brainstorming. This asynchronous workshop explored how to combine design thinking, collaboration, and generative AI tools to enhance brainstorming, generate innovative course design solutions, and craft effective AI prompts, culminating in the opportunity to earn a digital badge upon successful completion.
  
  Ms. St. Val attended the AI-Powered Course Design course. This full-week workshop introduced participants to generative AI concepts and tools, helping them evaluate and apply AI for course design and productivity tasks while developing a course unit enhanced by generative AI, with a digital badge awarded upon successful completion.
  
  Instructional Design Specialist Jade Hermes attended “Design Matters: Key Lessons for Better Canvas Courses” from vendor Cidi Labs. This webinar highlights four key research-based principles of effective online course design, emphasizing that intentional design plays a critical role in reducing cognitive load, supporting student success and persistence, increasing engagement, improving accessibility, and creating inclusive learning experiences in Canvas LMS.

Faculty, Lecturer, and Staff Highlights

• Ms. Maureen Conlon, Associate Director of Web Services and Adjunct Professor in the School of Business and Social Sciences, has been named the 2025–2026 Adjunct Excellence Award recipient for the Leon Hess School of Business at Monmouth University. This honor celebrates faculty members who demonstrate sustained excellence in teaching and a dedication to delivering a transformative, engaging educational experience.  Ms. Conlon is recognized for her outstanding capacity to translate her real-world industry expertise and disciplinary knowledge into the classroom. 
• Executive Director of Institutional Planning, Effectiveness, and Compliance Alexa Beshara-Blauth, Dean of Academic Affairs Processes and Faculty Development Catherine Mancuso, and Executive Director of Curriculum and Academic Assessment James Marshall presented Pathways at Ocean at the New Jersey Council of Community Colleges Opportunity Summit on June 10, 2026.  The presentation highlighted the curriculum changes made over the last academic year and showcased the collaborative process used by the institution.  The presentation was also selected to be presented at the Middle States Conference in December 2026.
• The College Relations team partnered with the OCC Foundation to support the successful execution of its annual Scholarship Celebration Gala, providing assistance in multiple areas before, during, and after the June 4, 2026, event. Team members assisted with event promotion, internal and external communications, TV and video services, photography, social media coverage, event setup, and post-event storytelling to help support the event.  This collaborative effort strengthens awareness of the Foundation’s mission, celebrated its donors and community partners, and highlighted the life-changing impact of scholarship support on OCC students.
• The Office of Institutional Planning, Effectiveness, and Compliance partnered with Ms. Maureen Conlon to optimize the College’s new OCC NOW email series.  Using feedback from the Institutional Effectiveness Committee and engagement analytics from the initial distribution, Ms. Conlon implemented several enhancements to improve visibility, readability, and user engagement.  As a result, the second deployment achieved a 161.8% increase in reach, a 2,085% increase in video views, and a 68.7% increase in click-through rate, demonstrating the impact of data-informed optimization and continuous improvement in institutional communications.
• Financial Aid is proud to announce that Senior Financial Aid Technician, Madison Maresca, passed the NASFAA Direct Loan Credential Test, which demonstrates expertise in the concepts and skills of Federal Direct Loans.
• The Counseling Center is pleased to announce that Melissa Gutzmore is now a certified Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) instructor after completing a multi-day course and successfully passing the certification exam. MHFA instructors teach vital, life-changing skills that help individuals recognize and support those facing mental health or substance use challenges. The Counseling Center will utilize this credential to host MHFA trainings across the campus community throughout the upcoming year.
• Dr. Angel Camilo, Biology College Lecturer II, reported that the OCC Makers Club is supporting the OCC Veterans Club in the setup of a community garden in front of the William T. Hiering Science Building. There are two hydroponic systems that are planted and have already begun producing growth.  Students from the Veterans Club are leading this project with the support of the Makers Club. Dr. Camilo is a co-lead for the project and Makers Club Advisor.
• Mr. Lincoln Simmons, College Lecturer II in Biology, gave a presentation at the Northeast Campus Sustainability Consortium (NECSC) 2026 Annual Summit on Thursday, June 4, 2026.  Mr. Simmons presented on the topic of “Stronger Together Through Community-Based Action.” The NECSC Summit is known for being an inclusive, fun, and informative gathering of sustainability professionals representing higher education institutions across the Northeast, Southeast Canada, and the upper Mid-Atlantic.  The Rutgers Office of Climate Action hosted this year’s conference, which took place at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey.
• Dr. Mark William Westmoreland, College Lecturer II in Philosophy, received a grant from The Great Questions Foundation (TGQF), an organization dedicated to strengthening liberal education and discussion-based learning at community colleges.  The grant supports faculty in exploring innovative ways to redesign courses around transformative texts and ideas, fostering students’ critical thinking, intellectual curiosity, effective communication, and engagement with fundamental questions about the human condition. 
• Dr. Westmoreland was a keynote speaker at Villanova University’s 30^th Anniversary Celebration of the Doctoral Program in Philosophy on May 2, 2026.  His address, “Socrates and Baldwin: Dispelling Delusion with Ethical Dialogue,” explored the educational significance of dialogue as a means of fostering critical self-reflection. 
• Dr. Westmoreland has also published a review of Peg Birmingham’s Hannah Arendt and Political Glory. 
• Ms. Kathy Basilotto, Assistant Professor, Interpreter Training Program (ITP), reported that the program was presented with the 2026 Ocean County Bar Association Citizenship Award.  The award was a tremendous honor recognizing and celebrating the partnership between the School of Arts and Humanities and the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office in providing American Sign Language classes for law enforcement personnel.  This collaboration reflects a shared commitment to improving communication and accessibility within our community. 
• The Counseling Center is thrilled to welcome Ms. Aida Hernandez, MA, LPC, who joined the department as the new Associate Director on May 4, 2026.  Ms. Hernandez is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in New Jersey, a National Certified Counselor (NCC), and a Certified Practitioner of Psychodrama (CP). With over a decade of diverse counseling experience spanning various therapeutic environments, she brings a wealth of expertise as a trauma-informed clinician.  As a first-generation Latina and native Spanish speaker, her background in culturally responsive care and her specialization in supporting young adults navigating anxiety, self-esteem, and life transitions will be an immense asset to our diverse student body.
• The second issue of “The Breeze” has been published and distributed across the campus.  Produced by the Office of College Relations, “The Breeze” is a full-color newsletter that showcases OCC students, helping to share the diverse stories and experiences that make up our campus community. Stories in this issue highlight OCC’s Art Club, EOF students, Stay Late in 8 activities, and more.  The project was led by Communications Intern Kaitlyn Light, who planned, researched, and wrote all of the featured student stories in collaboration with Graphic Design Specialist Nicole Howard, who developed the publication’s design and layout. Through its focus on student-centered storytelling, “The Breeze” reflects our commitment to promoting student success and celebrating inclusivity and belonging while inspiring our students to engage and connect. Additional copies of “The Breeze” are available in the College Relations Office.
• During May and June 2026, College Relations provided photography and video support for a wide range of institutional initiatives, partnering with Academic Affairs, Enrollment Services, Student Life, Foundation, Athletics, Nursing, STEM, Disability Services, the President’s Office, and other campus stakeholders.  Coverage included commencement and pinning ceremonies, scholarship and student recognition events, academic programs, recruitment activities, athletic achievements, and community engagement initiatives.  The resulting imagery was leveraged across print, web, social media, digital signage, video productions, and public relations efforts, helping to promote student success, strengthen recruitment messaging, and enhance the College’s institutional brand.
  
  In addition to event coverage and other video projects, the TV studio has recently partnered with the students of the Grunin Performing Arts Academy.  For the past few months, Academy video club students have utilized the TV studio to produce “Morning Brew,” a weekly morning announcement series.  Our team has guided these students in all aspects of production, including directing, hosting, camera and teleprompter operations, and more.  This video series has received positive feedback, and the TV studio is excited to continue this partnership in the next academic year.

School of Nursing and Allied Health

• The total number of nursing graduates for the 2025-26 academic year was 118.  On May 20, 2026, the School of Nursing hosted the Pinning Ceremony for the classes of December 2025 and May 2026, with 108 graduates attending. Over $44,000 in scholarships and awards was presented to current students and graduates during the ceremony. 
• The School of Nursing lecturers participated in an annual workshop from May 14 to 21, 2026.  Faculty completed an assessment of all nursing courses, program outcome data, and licensure test plans to revise curriculum content as needed.  The School of Nursing’s Systematic Plan of Evaluation, which addresses standards and criteria required for accreditation, was also reviewed.
• Nursing faculty attended an educational program on May 19, 2026, that focused on the use of a dashboard to monitor students’ progress as they prepare to take the licensure examination required to practice as a Registered Nurse. A revised process allows faculty to develop a remediation plan for students based on their individual educational needs. The education was provided by HURST, the educational service used by the School of Nursing to prepare students to complete the licensure examination successfully.  The information presented will assist the faculty in mentoring new graduates and supporting their success as they transition from students to practicing nurses.
• On May 28, 2026, students from Lakewood High School visited the School of Nursing.  Students were provided with an overview of the Nursing program and an introduction to the simulation labs, where they practiced listening to body sounds by Ms. Linda Simmons, MSN, RN, CEN, CNE, Director of Nursing Skills and Simulation Labs; Ms. Margaret Nally, MSN, RN, Lab Coordinator; and Mr. John Preusse, BM, MM, Academic Affairs Technician.  Hand hygiene techniques were demonstrated, and students had the opportunity to practice their skills.  The visit also included a video that discussed the various areas where Registered Nurses can practice.

Student Services and Activities

• A total of 811 degrees were conferred in Spring 2026, marking the highest number of degrees awarded since Spring 2021, when 840 degrees were conferred.  In support of and as a courtesy for graduating Nursing students, 63 official transcripts for Spring 2026 graduates will be provided to the Board of Nursing.
• The Student Enrollment Building had roughly 2,300 visits in May, with an average wait time of six minutes. This represents 577 visits to Academic Advising, 1,088 visits to Enrollment Services, and 172 visits to Financial Aid.
• The Enrollment Team completed a total of 7,837 calls in May, answering 2,082 incoming calls, responding to 620 voicemails, and completing 5,135 outgoing calls covering summer and financial aid collaborative campaigns.
• In May, the Student Success team completed 2,922 outgoing calls; these outreach efforts included student engagement campaigns and accounted for more than 35 hours of student contact and support.
  
  Additionally, the Registration and Records Office placed 304 outgoing calls and received 496 incoming calls; the staff successfully connected with over 500 students, answering questions and helping with student documentation.
• As of June 11, 2026, 122 students have applied for the Commit to Complete program, with 81 students approved to receive the waiver.  Commit to Complete offers a tuition-free, three-credit summer course for eligible full- and part-time enrolled students.
• During June, the Early College program continued to support student success and celebrate key milestones.  On June 12, 2026, Coordinator of Early College Madison Caldwell spent the day at Lacey Township High School, advising 24 students in Lacey’s College Academy Cohort 9, and providing guidance and support as they prepare for their coursework.  Additionally, members of the Early College team attended Lacey Township High School’s commencement ceremony on June 23, 2026, to recognize and celebrate the achievements of Cohort 9 students as they graduated, highlighting the continued success of the program.
• Enrollment Services and Academic Advising hosted 18 high school-specific Express Enrollment Days over a period of eight weeks.  Of the 631 students from the class of 2026 registered for Fall 2026 to date, 434 attended an Express Enrollment Day, representing about 69% of this population.
• Ms. Lauren Simon, College Pathways Advisor, represented Enrollment Services at the Dare to Dream Student Leadership Conference, hosted by the Access and Disability Services Department and the New Jersey Department of Education Office of Special Education.  The conference focused on fostering self-advocacy and leadership skills among students through interactive sessions and presentations by individuals with disabilities.  Ms. Simon promoted Ocean County College’s academic opportunities and new Pathways offerings while engaging students in a self-reflection activity, “One Way I Advocate for Myself Is…,” which encouraged participants to share their experiences and learn from one another.
• On June 5, 2026, Enrollment Services hosted the annual Cardboard Canoe Race at the Toms River YMCA, welcoming 145 middle and high school students.  Throughout the event, students raced cardboard boats they designed and built in their STEM classes during the school year.  This hands-on experience highlights the creativity and application of STEM learning while increasing awareness of what students can achieve through these programs.  The event also helps strengthen Ocean County College’s visibility and connection to future students in the community.
• On June 4, 2026, Access and Disability Services partnered with the New Jersey Department of Education, Office of Special Education, to host the Dare to Dream Student Leadership Conference at Ocean County College.  More than 150 high school students from across the region attended the conference, and workshops focused on self-advocacy, leadership, goal setting, self-discovery, and transition planning.
  
  As part of the conference, Director Jamie Arasz Prioli facilitated Campus Connections:  Real Talk from College Students with Disabilities, featuring current OCC students Vivian Bishop, David Covello, and Manuel Sosa, along with OCC alumnus Quentin Taylor.  Panelists shared their experiences transitioning to college, accessing accommodations, developing self-advocacy skills, and building independence, offering practical guidance and encouragement as attendees prepare for their postsecondary journeys.
• On May 21, 2026, the Veteran and Military Resource Center (VMRC) hosted its annual Graduation Celebration, recognizing the accomplishments of our graduating student veterans.  The event included breakfast and lunch for graduates and their families, providing an opportunity to celebrate their academic achievements together.  In addition, the VMRC hosted a graduation watch party in the Webex room, allowing students, staff, and peers to come together to support and celebrate fellow veterans as they crossed the stage.

• Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) Collegiate Club Advisor Laura Paolillo accompanied four OCC students and one Kean Ocean student to the FBLA National Leadership Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada, from June 6 to 9, 2026.  In addition to Keeley Ploumitsakos, who placed 6^th in the retail management competition, Caroline Felser, Daniel Petko, and Degan Shute represented OCC in various business-related competitions and engaged in several learning workshops throughout the conference. We are very proud of our students and of Danielle Dinolfo from Kean Ocean for the hard work they put in to qualify for this national competition.
• Helping Hands Food Pantry welcomed 3,140 visits from students during the Spring semester.  This brought the total number of visits for the 2025-26 academic year to 7,738.  Many thanks to the entire campus community for supporting our campus food pantry by volunteering, donating food and money, and helping to ensure OCC remains a Hunger-Free Campus Community.
• From May 13 through June 16, 2026, the Advising Department continued to support students through multiple service modalities.  A total of 364 current and returning students received walk-in advising, while 134 new students were assisted.  Additionally, 29 new students participated in scheduled advising appointments, and 259 students received virtual advising.
• The Advising Office completed course scheduling and Fall registration for students attending 18 High School Express Enrollment Events.  Advisors prepared individualized academic plans for each student in advance.  They collaborated with the HUB during the events to review degree requirements, discuss educational goals, and make any necessary plan modifications prior to finalizing registration.
  
  The goal is to ensure students are appropriately registered for the Fall semester and have a complete academic plan that addresses any potential schedule issues this summer, so incoming students begin their first semester with the strongest possible course schedule.
• The Advising team has completed full curriculum tracks for all Areas of Study concentrations for the Pathways Program.  The project included confirming that each course in each concentration met the requirements, creating placeholders for each suggested course, and building semester course blocks for each concentration.  In collaboration with IT, these curriculum tracks were loaded into Colleague, followed by comprehensive testing by the Advising staff to ensure accuracy and allow for adjustments following testing.
• Financial Aid is pleased to announce that FAFSA workshops for the 2026-27 year will be held each Wednesday beginning in October.  The workshops will be held in the computer lab in the Library.
• The Counseling Center continued to experience strong demand for mental health services throughout May, highlighting the ongoing need for accessible clinical services and successful stigma-reduction efforts.  Counselors conducted 96 mental health counseling sessions, each lasting approximately 50–60 minutes, and completed 86 case management, student outreach, and engagement interactions. Counseling utilization increased by 26% compared to May 2025.
  
  The principal concerns presented by students at the Counseling Center during the conclusion of the Spring semester continued to be stress, anxiety, emotional regulation/coping, academic/finals concerns, self-care, and social/relationship issues.
  
  To assist students with their concerns, the Counseling Center hosted an outreach table, Don’t “Crumbl” Under Academic Stress, that focused on stress management techniques and self-help strategies, providing resources and Crumbl cookies to encourage student wellness.

Student Outreach

• The Planetarium wrapped up a busy end-of-school-year field trip season with 54 new or re-engaged schools participating in the year’s 113 school trips, serving a total of 5,473 K-12 students.  Several field trips integrated the activities developed through the NASA FOCUS (Families on Campus Using Science) grant to extend field trip engagement time and revenue.
• During the two-year NASA Anchor Grant, FOCUS, Planetarium Associate Director Cara Muscio and the planetarium team welcomed 1,132 K-12 students and their families to engage in experiential learning alongside traditional planetarium content.  In the second year, 43% more attendees participated, though half as many events were held.  The suite of activities, developed to pair with planetarium films and talks, is being integrated into future public events as well as school and scout group experiences.
• The Grunin Center participated in the NJ State Teen Arts Festival at Middlesex College from June 1-3, 2026, where regional winners from Ocean County high schools were adjudicated and recognized for their talent in the visual and performing arts. 
• The Annual Cardboard Canoe Race took place on Friday, June 5, 2026, at the YMCA in Toms River, New Jersey.  Local middle school and high school teams competed in the race with makeshift vessels that they built and sailed across the pool. The following participants from the School of STEM volunteered at the event, with many serving as judges for the Showboat Presentation portion of the competition: 
  • Jeong Kim, College Lecturer II, Mathematics, OCC Math Club Advisor
  • Frankie Mennicucci, Adjunct Assistant Professor of Mathematics, OCC Math Club Advisor
  • Reiza Freiman – OCC student and Math Club Member
  • Nancy Rizzuto, College Lecturer II, Mathematics, OCC Engineering Club Advisor
  • Dr. Angel Camilo, Biology College Lecturer II, OCC Makers Club Advisor
    
    Additionally, Dr. Angel Camilo conducted a drone demonstration for students as part of the day’s activities.
• On June 5, 2026, Mr. John Preusse represented the School of Nursing at the Lakewood High School Career Fair.  He provided prospective students with information on how to apply for the Nursing Program.
• Ms. Ji in Yang, adjunct professor of violin, and her accompanist, French pianist Audrey Abela, performed for over 250 Toms River Regional School music students on Thursday, June 4, 2026, as an extension of the Afternoon Recital Series aimed at outreach.  They toured Toms River intermediate and high schools playing a program of evocative works by Bartok, Coleridge-Taylor, Vecsey, and Gershwin.   

• In collaboration with the Planetarium, Ms. Lauren Simon and a Student Ambassador provided campus tours for attendees of the Star Talk and Stargazers in the Dome program.  Throughout the event, they welcomed and guided sixth-grade students across campus, introducing them to Ocean County College’s facilities, programs, and campus community.

Community Outreach

• The Grunin Center hosted two dance recitals by Broadway on Main on Friday, May 29, 2026.
• On June 2, 2026, the Grunin Center held its Members Season Preview Reception, which was well attended with over 50 participants.
• The Toms River Fire Training Center held its Firefighter Level 1 and 2 graduation in the Grunin Center on Monday, June 8, 2026.
• The Grunin Center hosted an event by the Jewish Federation of Ocean County on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, that featured comedian Iris Bahr.
• The new grunincenter.org website launched on June 17, 2026, after a positive, six-month experience working with Visionary Graphics. 
• The last performance of the Grunin Presents season, Eaglemania, occurred on June 20, 2026, to a completely sold-out house. 
• The Ocean County Office of Senior Services Annual Senior Citizen Art Show was installed in the Grunin Center Mezzanine Gallery the first week of June.  Works have been viewed since then; the show will close on June 26, 2026.
• Assistant Director of the Jay and Linda Grunin Center Jessica Zawerczuk reports that tickets for the Jay and Linda Grunin Center’s Fall 2026 season go on sale July 9, 2026, at noon.  Presale for Center members will take place between July 2 through 8, 2026. 
• Overall, this year, the Novins Planetarium had almost 21,000 people for 700 shows, including schools, special needs groups, scouts, and birthday parties, as well as public offerings. 
• Ms. Saundra Piscitelli, Instructor in Arts and Humanities, and recent Interpreter Training Program graduates and alumni, were part of a team of 39 interpreters who provided pro bono interpreting services at the New Jersey Renaissance Faire Deaf and Hard of Hearing Day on Saturday, May 30, 2026.  Interpreters provided access throughout the Faire, including stage shows, street performances, demonstrations, and vendor booths. 
• In May, students in the Interpreter Training Program participated in a mock trial at the Ocean County Courthouse.  This annual event provides students with the opportunity to interpret during a guided tour of the courthouse and during a mock trial held in the Historic Courtroom.  Through this hands-on experience, students apply and strengthen their interpreting skills in a real-world setting while gaining valuable exposure to legal interpreting environments. 
• The Interpreter Training Program held its annual Deaf Awareness Day, which was a great success.  The event featured a Deaf entertainer and was well attended by program students, American Sign Language students, and members of the Deaf community.  The gathering provided an engaging opportunity to promote awareness, celebrate Deaf culture, and foster meaningful connections among participants. 
• The Interpreter Training Program also continued its Spring ASL Rock and Roll Show, which was well attended by students, faculty, and members of the Deaf community.  These performances provide entertainment, promote inclusion, and strengthen community connections.  The event series has been successfully held since its inception in 2003.  The next event, the ASL Halloween Rock and Roll Show, will take place on Friday, October 23, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. in the Grunin Theater. 
• ITP students and one adjunct faculty member interpreted for Into the Woods at Seneca High School.  This event continues the Interpreter Training Program’s commitment to community engagement and public volunteer service. 
• Ms. Carolina Newman, Multilingual Language Navigator, attended the Toms River Schools ESL End-of-Year Celebration, which recognized ESL students’ accomplishments and program participation throughout the year.  This event was tailored toward families and adult learners, with approximately 80 to 100 families in attendance to celebrate the occasion.
• Ms. Carolina Newman represented Ocean County College at Community Connection Day, an event that connects community members with local organizations, service providers, and resources.  Approximately 50 families participated in the event.
• On June 17, 2026, Ms. Jamie Prioli presented “Transition to College for Students with Disabilities” at the Ocean County Library (Toms River branch) as part of an ongoing partnership between Access and Disability Services and the Ocean County Library System.  The workshop provided high school students, families, and prospective college students with an overview of disability accommodations in higher education, including eligibility determination, documentation requirements, and the process for requesting accommodations at Ocean County College.  The presentation was designed to support students preparing to transition directly from high school or return to education after a gap in enrollment.
• The VMRC participated in the Barnegat and Toms River PRIDE events, where staff and members of the Student Veterans Club provided information about veteran resources and shared educational opportunities available at Ocean County College with community members.  These outreach efforts strengthened the College’s visibility while reinforcing its commitment to supporting veterans both on campus and throughout the community.
• The Ocean Pride Club had the opportunity to celebrate Pride Month at a couple of regional events, in Barnegat, Asbury Park, and Toms River.  At each event, the members engaged with the Ocean County community and shared the OCC experience with hundreds of attendees.  For two weekends in a row, the students came together to hand out LGBTQ+ merchandise, educate community members about OCC and LGBTQ+ facts through a trivia game, and celebrate themselves and their identities.  Many students enjoyed their first Pride celebration and collaborated within the club to present an amazing tabling event.
• On May 4, 2026, in recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, the Counseling Center partnered with the Mental Health Association of Ocean County to host Mike Leotis, a leader in peer recovery and mental health advocacy.  The event educated the campus community on the Peer Outreach Support Team (POST), a free one-on-one support service available to Ocean County residents navigating mental health challenges.

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 May 22, 2026, through June 18, 2026.

1.) A count and classification of all criminal incidents (defined as reportable crimes under the federal Jeanne Clery Act) which occurred on campus and which were recorded by campus security, campus security authority (CSA) or local police
departments.

Date	Crime	Summary	Status
		Nothing to report

2.) A list of campus alerts, threats or emergencies which occurred on campus

Date	Alert/Threat	Summary	Status
		Nothing to report

3.) A count and classification of all fire incidents which occurred on campus and which were recorded by campus security and local fire departments.

Date	Fire Incident	Summary	Status
		Nothing to report

Security Report submitted by Thomas Desimone