Dr. Monaco’s May 29, 2025 Report to the Board of Trustees

Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act

To ensure adequate protection of student financial aid information provided by the Department of Education or obtained directly from students and other individuals, any institution that participates in Title IV is subject to the requirements of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA) Safeguards Rule, which requires the establishment of a comprehensive information security program.  The GLBA compliance program established for Ocean County College ensures the security and confidentiality of personally identifiable financial information in accordance with the Safeguards Rule. 

One of the requirements of the GLBA Safeguards Rule is an annual reporting to the Board of Trustees regarding assessed risk, security control effectiveness, and GLBA compliance.  Mr. Sean O’Leary, Director of Enterprise Technology Services, Information Technology, will provide a brief presentation at Thursday’s meeting regarding the report.

Princeton University’s Transfer Scholars Initiative

Princeton University’s Transfer Scholars Initiative (TSI) invited students from Ocean County College to apply for a summer intensive program for 2025.  Students participate in an eight-week intensive experience and receive:

• A Princeton transcript with credited coursework
• WRI 100:  Research and Argument in the Humanities and Social Sciences
  • Quantitative Course (chosen with an advisor based on academic interests)
• A mentored experience for creating a strong academic plan, including undergraduate and graduate school options
• Scholarships to pay for the coursework, housing on the campus, travel expenses, and food stipends
• Community programming is provided to engage students and faculty in participation through a number of team building exercises and networking events, including research on campus and the exploration of the best fit transfer college.  Also, Princeton’s team has workshops for the Transfer Scholars in the fall semester to assist with any additional transfer application needs, such as personal statements, letters of recommendation, and feedback from peers and faculty.
• After a December information session for our OCC Community, twenty students were nominated by OCC faculty or applied directly.  Four students were accepted with more on the waitlist.  The students will attend Thursday’s meeting to speak further about their experiences with the application process and acceptance:
  • Jair Garcia, A.S. Degree in Computer Science
  • Laura Garzon Salinas, A.S. Degree in General Studies – Humanities Concentration
  • Elizaveta (Elle) Jarkezian, A.S. Degree in General Studies – Science Concentration (Not available for this meeting)
  • Bernard Graham, A.S. Degree in General Studies – Social Science Concentration

Community College Funding

As I shared with you in May, a number of students traveled to Trenton to advocate against reducing FY 2026 state funding to the community college sector.  The students testified first at the State Assembly Budget Committee hearing on Wednesday, March 29, 2025, and then before the Senate Budget Committee hearing on Wednesday, March 26, 2025.

Ms. Jennifer Fazio, Director of Student Life, will attend Thursday’s meeting with several students to be recognized for their outstanding efforts.  Erin Elizabeth will share her testimony to the legislators with you, and Bernard Graham will read the testimony of his friend, Adam Sherman, who is not available for the Board meeting.

Jay and Linda Grunin Center and Robert H. Novins Planetarium

The Jay and Linda Grunin Center for the Arts and the Robert H. Novins Planetarium provide many exciting activities for Ocean County students.  From the kindergarten classes to the teens across the county to OCC students, the Grunin Center and the Planetarium offer educational as well as “behind-the-scene” support for student activities. 

On Thursday, the offerings and activities of the Grunin Center and the Planetarium will be presented by Ms. Heidi Sheridan, Executive and Artistic Director of the Grunin Center; Ms. Cara Muscio, Associate Director of the Planetarium; Ms. Jaclyn Wood, Assistant Director of Education and Community Engagement; and Ms. Laura Westmoreland, Assistant Director of Operations and Production. They will discuss their many educational programs with Ocean County Schools, from Star Talks to Live musical and theatrical performances, as well as highlight our deep connection with the Grunin Performing Arts Academy students and OCC students.

Ben Hudnall Memorial Trust Partnership

Ms. Calleigh Kearns, Enrollment Services Advisor, Partnerships and Outreach, worked diligently with Ben Hudnall Memorial Trust (BHMT), one of OCC’s valued partners, to expand and extend its contract through April 2028.  The expansion of this contract encourages eligible employees of Kaiser Permanente to complete degrees with no cost to the employee, as Kaiser pays in full.

With this renewal and expansion, 13 additional courses have been made available to BHMT students.  This provides the opportunity for more students to complete all of OCC’s Nursing Program pre-requisites instead of having to go to multiple BHMT partner schools.  Through working with the students, Ms. Kearns was able to identify gaps in BHMT student schedules; OCC is now offering the following courses to BHMT students:

• Fundamentals of Public Speaking (COMM 154)
• English I (ENGL 151)
• Introduction to Statistics (MATH 156)
• Topics in Algebra (MATH 166)
• Medical Terminology (AHMT 110)
• Introduction to Sociology (SOCI 181)
• Introduction to Philosophy (PHIL 191)
• Western Civilization to 1650 (HIST 171)
• Western Civilization from 1650 (HIST 172)
• US History to 1877 (HIST 173)
• US History from 1877 (HIST 174)
• World Civilization to 1660 (HIST 181)
• World Civilization from 1660 (HIST 182)
  
  BHMT has enrolled more than 160 credit students this academic year alone, and the students are still actively enrolling through the summer terms.  There have also been more than 60 students who registered for non-credit courses, with new sections just added last week.

Faculty and Staff Presentations and Publications

Dr. Sonal Pandey, Adjunct Assistant Professor of Economics, presented at the American Association of Colleges and Universities (AAC&U) Forum on Innovation held in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on April 4 and 5, 2025.  Dr. Pandey presented on her Economics Chatbot, an AI-powered tool she created to support an economics student with personalized interactive learning.  Dr. Pandey expressed that, “It was a proud moment presenting my work at the AAC&U Forum on Innovation, and being part of a national platform reaffirmed my commitment to using innovative approaches to enhance student success in economics education.”

Student Honors and Awards

• The New Jersey Association for Lifelong Learning (NJALL) encourages the growth and development of lifelong learning.  It recently held its tenth annual Adult Learner Writing Contest.  Cash prizes were awarded in six categories:  fiction, nonfiction, memoir, poetry, photography, and art.  Several winners were invited to read their work as part of the annual NJALL Conference in May.  All of the winners will be published in an online magazine available this summer.  Winners receive printed copies of the magazine, award certificates, and prize checks.
• Ms. Gissela Malgeri, Title II ESL Instructor in the Adult Education, Civics, and Workforce Preparation, who always challenges her students, worked with them to submit poems to the NJALL Writing Contest.  This year, one of her students, Paula Estupinan, won second prize for her poem, Criminal.
  
  We will have the opportunity to congratulate Ms. Gina Opauski, Director of Community and Workforce Development, Ms. Malgeri, and Ms. Estupinan at Thursday’s meeting.  Ms. Estupinan will read her award-winning poem at the meeting.

Honor Societies

• On April 30, 2025, Ms. Kathy Toy, College Lecturer II in Economics, and the Office of Student Life hosted the induction ceremony for Alpha Beta Gamma.  A total of 27 students were inducted into this honor society for Business programs.
• On Thursday, May 1, 2025, Advisors Dr. Beth Brierley and Mr. Gary Shaffer inducted Mr. Jameson Chawner, OCC student, into the Beta Chapter of Sigma Chi Eta (SCH).  SCH is the official community college honor society of the National Communication Association.  Since 2000, SCH has fostered growth in the Communication discipline among two-year colleges and universities.  Students at two-year colleges must meet the following criteria to be eligible for admission:
• Be enrolled at an institution that has a Sigma Chi Eta chapter
  • Complete nine credit hoursHave a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0Complete the equivalent of six credit hours in Communication Studies
  • Have a minimum GPA of 3.25 for all Communication Studies courses
    
    Jameson, a member of the WOCC Student Radio Club and the OCC Esports Team, plans to pursue a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in Communication and build a career in radio.
• On May 7, 2025, the VMRC inducted six students into the SALUTE Honor Society, joined by their families and honored with keynote speaker Henry Jackson, College Lecturer II in Student Success.

Student Clubs and Activities

• Ms. Stephanie Frattini, College Lecturer II in Business, led a food drive on April 8, 2025, in collaboration with her Student Success for Business Majors class to benefit the Helping Hands Food Pantry.  The students collected and donated a generous number of non-perishable items, demonstrating strong engagement and community spirit.  This initiative promoted civic responsibility and community outreach while supporting OCC’s mission to serve students and the broader community.
• Ms. Stephanie Frattini also hosted an impromptu resume workshop for her business students from April 21 to 24, 2025.  Recognizing the immediate need for career readiness support, she provided individualized feedback and hands-on guidance as students worked to craft professional, results-oriented resumes tailored to their target industries.  The session focused on best practices for formatting, articulating transferable skills, and showcasing relevant academic and internship experiences.  By the end of the workshop, students expressed increased confidence in their job search preparation and appreciation for the real-world insights shared during the session.  This initiative reflected a continued commitment to student success beyond the classroom, equipping graduates with essential tools for entering the workforce.
• The Photography Club and Marketing Club, led by advisors Ariana Sanchez, Adjunct Professor, and Laura Paolillo, College Lecturer II in Business, co-hosted Professional Head Shot Day on Thursday, April 17, 2025.  The average cost for professional headshots ranges from $150 to $300.  Kean Ocean and OCC students were provided the opportunity to obtain this service for free.  For promoting this event, which resulted in a very positive turnout, special thanks go to Dr. Jessica Adams, Dean of Kean Ocean; Ms. Laura Hurley, Kean Ocean Career Services Coordinator; and Ms. Liana Deangelis, Kean Intern and OCC alumna.  During the scheduled hour, 60 students participated and received no-cost head shots.  The event also provided an opportunity for the Photography Club students to build their portfolios and practice their soft skills, while creating a fun experience for all involved.
• On April 22, 2025, the Hospitality Club students of Mr. Sean Bips, College Lecturer II in Hospitality, Recreation, Culinary Arts, and Tourism Management, learned how to make homemade ice cream, which was offered to potential new HRTM students at the OCC Open House on Saturday, May 3, 2025.  The students who took part in the ice cream making session from the Hospitality Club included:  Jules Stehle, Rhianon Wohlrab, Izabella Rittenhouse, and Daniele Raimato.  The students made three flavors for this year’s event:  Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Matcha Strawberry, and Vanilla Lavender. All four HRTM students attended the Open House, served their frozen treats, and assisted in answering questions from potential students interested in majoring in Hospitality Management and Culinary Arts.  
  
  The same group of students successfully hosted a table at the Renaissance Fair, which took place on Wednesday, April 23, 2025.  During the event, Hospitality Club members demonstrated how to create infused oils.  They educated attendees on the practical uses of the oils and ointments for healing and cosmetic applications.
• A blood drive was held in collaboration with Robert Wood Johnson Barnabas Health (RWJBH) on April 22, 2025.  There were 45 donations.  The event was sponsored by the Student Nurse Organization, under the direction of advisors Linda Simmons, MSN, RN, Director of Nursing Skills and Simulation Labs; Mary Susan Gill, MSN, RN, Nursing College Lecturer II; and Tamila Purpuro, Ph.D., MSN, RN, Nursing College Lecture II.
• On Tuesday, April 29, 2025, Communications Assistant Professor Gary Shaffer hosted a panel discussion with author and songwriter Dean Krippaehne.  Over 35 students attended the “Write, Submit, Forget, Repeat” event, which was held via WebEx (with an in-person viewing option in the Gateway Lecture Hall).
• Mr. Krippaehne’s music has been heard on hundreds of films and TV shows.  His books include the Amazon #1 Best Seller Demystifying the Cue and Write, Submit, Forget, Repeat.  He continues to speak, teach, mentor, and consult at many music seminars and workshops throughout the world.
• OCC students had the opportunity to ask Mr. Krippaehne questions, and he covered many topics, including:
• Overcoming writer’s block
  • Dealing with rejectionHow to foster successful collaborationsOrganization and planning
  • Determination and work ethic
• On April 29, 2025, the Social Work Club, overseen by Ms. Anaïs Mompoint, LCSW, College Lecturer II in Social Work, partnered with the Counseling Center to host the “Take Back the Time” event in honor of Sexual Violence Awareness Month.  The event brought in St. Francis Community Center and Catholic Charities-Archdiocese of Trenton to share resources available to survivors of sexual violence.  The event was held in the Student Center Annex, where students, faculty, and staff were able to learn of the impact of sexual violence, share their personal stories, and read the experiences of survivors anonymously.
• The Accounting Club and advisors, Mr. Jim Hadley and Ms. Stephanie Kroeger, College Lecturers in Accounting, held the 4^th annual Accounting Symposium on May 1, 2025.  Over 200 students were in attendance, with five panelists from a variety of accounting professions, including CFO’s, student interns, and a Big 4 representative.  Students were able to learn about some of the accounting profession intricacies through the panelists’ experience.  There was also a 30-minute Q&A at the end where the students asked thought-provoking questions. After the presentation, students were able to network with the speakers, along with five transfer universities that attended.
• On May 8, 2025, the Social Work Club, overseen by Ms. Anaïs Mompoint, LCSW, College Lecturer II in Social Work, and the Counseling Center, hosted the First National Foster Care Awareness Month event.  The event featured panelists consisting of three OCC students currently in the foster care system, one additional youth featured on NBC News while transitioning out of foster care, one foster parent, and one leader within the New Jersey Department of Child Protection and Permanency (DCP&P) office.  Several provider agencies also attended the event to share resources and job opportunities for students and community members.  Students across programs participated in the event, including Criminal Justice, Liberal Arts, and Social Work.
• On May 8, 2025, the Social Work Club hosted an end-of-year celebration for the students graduating from the Social Work program in Spring 2025.  The soon-to-be graduates received their Social Work Cord and well-deserved accolades for their accomplishments.
• Ms. Stephanie Frattini, College Lecturer II of Business, successfully founded and started a Fashion Club on campus, The Fashion Diaries, with the help of two of her business students.  Since the Club’s start-up in February, it has gained student interest and is currently planning future events focused on creative expression, sustainability, and career development in fashion.  It also provides students a welcoming space to make friends and build a strong sense of community, further enriching student life and interdisciplinary collaboration on campus.

Student Support Services and Activities

• The Counseling Center has been working diligently to provide services to students and the campus community, serving nearly 100 unique students in the last month alone.  The CARE Team has responded to 59 reports this month.  To best meet the needs of our students, the Counseling Center staff has coordinated with OCC Manahawkin and the Veterans and Military Resource Center to provide on-site counseling services.  Students have been receptive to this outreach and have been able to schedule regular counseling sessions at these locations with increased accessibility.
• On April 24, 2025, the Counseling Center hosted its Annual Suicide Prevention Conference, featuring Counseling on Access to Lethal Means (CALM).  This organization provides evidence-based suicide prevention training nationwide to community members, first responders, and health professionals on reducing the risk of suicide in at-risk people through safe storage of firearms and dangerous medications, while respecting their rights and autonomy.  In attendance were community mental health providers, staff, and students. 
• On April 30, 2025, the Counseling Center hosted “Empowerment Self-Defense,” featuring Ms. Rachel Piazza.  This workshop taught students, faculty, and staff boundary-setting techniques applicable to various situations, ranging from verbal harassment to physically dangerous encounters.  Participants were even trained in some foundational skills of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu for use in self-defense.  This is the fourth year in collaboration with Ms. Piazza, and the workshop has proven beneficial to many student populations.
• The Counseling Center was involved in several additional campus events this month.  Staff participated in the Displaced Homemakers Program of Ocean County’s Annual Celebration of Achievement; the Hispanic Community Convening; Clubs for a Cause, led by Student Life; OCC’s Open House, led by Enrollment Services; the Trio SSS Luncheon; and the Basic Needs Focus Group.
• The Advising Office has been actively participating in high school-specific enrollment events in collaboration with the HUB as part of the High School Pathways initiative.  Prior to each event, advisors review students’ majors and enter academic plans, adjusting for any existing credits.  During the events, students are taught how to use Ocean Connect and Student Planning, customize their plans, build schedules, and register for their first semester.  Thirteen events have been completed to date, with four more scheduled between May 27 and June 3, 2025.
• Advising collaborated with the HUB to text all students graduating in the Associate in Science degree in Business Administration this spring and summer in order to identify and assist students interested in the Stockton 3+1 degrees.  Transfer Coordinator Amy Nadybal has reached out to each student who expressed interest in this program, and she is working with students individually on next steps.
• Advising is assisting all new students with registration for their first semester.  Students who do not attend a high school event have the option to schedule an in-person or virtual new student advising appointment or meet with an advisor on a walk-in basis.  Students learn how to navigate Ocean Connect and utilize Student Planning, and they are taught how to use and adjust their academic plan, create a schedule, and register for classes.
• In April 2025, there were 2,810 student visits to the Student Enrollment Building as reporting by QLess Tempo (the virtual line and check-in system).  Over 650 of these visits were for Academic Advising and over 1,400 were for Enrollment Services.  Additional appointments included FAFSA assistance (50), FIPSE (80), and Student Success (44).
• During the month of April, the Success Team made 1,520 outgoing calls for a total of 83+ hours, and the Enrollment team made almost 2,500 calls for a total of 150+ hours.
• The Enrollment Services team, in collaboration with the Academic Advising team, completed 12 Express Enrollment Days for high schools between April 14 and May 19, 2025, with over 300 students on-campus to complete registrations for Fall 2025.
• Freshmen from Central Regional High School came to the Toms River campus on April 11, 2025,for a campus tour.  There were 50 students, in total, who took advantage of the beautiful weather and explored all OCC has to offer.
• Ms. Carolina Newman, Multilingual Language Navigator, presented to three Workforce ESL classes.  The presentation detailed how to bridge education from the ESL non-credit courses to the credit side and the various opportunities that exist at Ocean County College.
• TRIO continues to be a valuable and proven support program for first-generation college students, low-income students, and students with disabilities.  Forty-nine TRIO Scholars are graduating this academic year.  Of these graduates, 33 will be transferring to continue their education at four-year institutions.  Three students will be transferring to Brookdale Community College to complete the Radiology program, and two will be joining the Air Force and the Army National Guard.  Six TRIO graduates achieved a 4.0 grade point average in the Fall semester, and eight graduates achieved a 4.0 in the Spring semester.  The average overall grade point average of enrolled TRIO Scholars is 3.03.
• The Veterans and Military Resources Center (VMRC) actively engaged in a variety of events to support and celebrate our students. The Center began hosting Therapy Dog Thursdays on the last Thursday of each month, providing a relaxing and uplifting experience for students.
• On May 1, 2025, the VMRC co-sponsored a petting zoo for Spring Day in collaboration with Student Life, followed by VMRC staff participating in an MS Walk on May 2, 2025, in support of one of our students.
• The VMRC held a successful Mother’s Day flower-making event on May 6, 2025, attended by 12 students, with flowers generously provided by Narcissus Florals.  The owner, Foundation Executive Director Ken Malagiere, provided hands-on instruction.
• The VMRC distributed branch-specific graduation stoles to 31 graduating student veterans, and a celebratory breakfast and lunch was hosted for the graduates and their families.
• Upcoming events for the VMRC include participation in two PRIDE events on May 31, 2025, in Barnegat and one in Toms River on June 14, 2025.
• For the first time, OCCM offered an end-of-semester textbook return opportunity.  Students were thrilled to save a trip to the main campus.  This valuable service for the students was made possible by Vice President of Finance and Administration Sara Winchester, Controller Mary Lancaster, and Barnes & Noble management.
• On Friday, April 25, 2025, Student Life organized a team of students and staff to attend the first-ever New Jersey Council of County College’s Leadership Summit at Brookdale Community College.  This all-day event included motivational keynote speakers, discussions about advocacy and leadership, and plenty of networking opportunities with the other community colleges in the state.  The founders of “Trill or Not Trill” encouraged students from around the state about the value of authenticity as you lead yourself in life.  During the afternoon there were break-out sessions relevant to Athletics, Student Government, general leadership, and more.
  
  OCC’s team was represented by student athletes, student government, Phi Theta Kappa, and students who participated in legislative lobbying efforts this spring.  The participants were: Dekari Harrell, Tatiana Hernandez, Brooke Schmidt, Erin Elizabeth, Ryan Kanarkowski, Ellie Dowek, Mariely Q. Sanchez, Areeba Zulkarnain, Adam Sherman, and Bernard Graham.  They were accompanied by Executive Director of Student Services Veronica Guevara-Lovgren;  Executive Director of Athletics Ilene Cohen; Director of Student Life Jen Fazio; and me.
• Student Life’s annual Spring Day event took place on Thursday, May 1, 2025.  The entire campus community came together to celebrate the end of the school year by enjoying a butterfly garden, a petting zoo, club-sponsored activities, tasty treats, and music supplied by the WOCC radio station.
• Led by Student Life, the weekly Stay Late in 8 Tuesday night program ended with an Escape Room created by students.  Members of the Improv and Theater Club created a candy-themed adventure to help celebrate the end of the semester.  Stay Late in 8 was extremely popular this year as a place to be creative, meet new friends, or finish homework in a fun atmosphere.  Favorite activities included paint and sips, pumpkin carving, glow-stick bingo, and jewelry making.

Outreach to Students

• The School of Nursing held an Advisory Committee Meeting on April 16, 2025.  There were 22 participants representing various clinical agencies as well as members of the community, students, faculty, and staff.  End-of-program student learning outcomes and program outcomes were shared with members, including licensure pass rates, program completion rates, job placement rates, and clinical agency satisfaction survey information. Representatives from major acute care organizations spoke highly of Ocean County College graduates and indicated they are hiring new nurses, with many offering one-year Residency Programs. 
• On May 2, 2025, the Business Lab participated in the Spring 2025 CTE Fair.  Ms. Kathy Toy, College Lecturer II in Economics, hosted two cohorts of local high school students in the lab, demonstrating a bit about the stock market on the Bloomberg terminals.  The students were very enthusiastic and well-informed.

Community Outreach

• On Thursday, April 17, 2025, the Interpreter Training Program visited the Ocean County Courthouse for a hands-on learning  experience.  Second-year students provided interpretation for an hour-long courthouse tour, guiding the first-year students through the experience.  Following the tour, a mock trial was held, with first-year students taking on the roles of plaintiffs, defendants, attorneys, and witnesses, while the second-year students interpreted the proceedings.
  
  This engaging activity continues to offer invaluable courtroom interpreting practice in a realistic setting. To enhance the experience further, Saundra Piscitelli, Instructor of Humanities, Law Enforcement ASL II class, attended the mock trial and contributed to the realism by simulating a courtroom disruption—an occasional occurrence in real trials.  A student staged an outburst, prompting a court officer to escort the student out.  The Interpreter Training Program students successfully interpreted the interruption, demonstrating their readiness to handle unexpected moments in the courtroom.
• Ms. Ruth Huebner, a student in the Interpreter Training Program, was recently invited to speak at the Artist’s Guild and present before the Township Board members.  On April 24, 2025, at Island Heights Methodist Church, she shared highlights from the highly successful OCC ASL Chess Event and  advocated for increased inclusion of the Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing communities.
  
  Special thanks are extended to Dr. Marilyn Kralik, Professor of Humanities, for organizing this event and for her continued support of the Deaf, Deafblind, and Hard of Hearing communities and the Interpreter Training Program.
• Ms. Charlotte Langeveld, College Lecturer II of Social Sciences, recently coordinated the second annual Trash to Treasure contest.  This project launch was also led by Lynn Brotherson, founder of Stroke Your Eco.  Students learned about the contest and participation details, which turn waste into art, promoting recycling and sustainability. The event and contest will foster environmental responsibility, artistic innovation, and community engagement while empowering students to creatively address sustainability and connect them with advocates.  
  
  The project was launched in February, and the awards ceremony occurred on April 22, 2025.  There were 14 submissions, and the student winners were:  1^st Prize:  Justin Haines ($1,500), 2^nd Prize:  Leo Redner and Az Huet ($750), 3^rd Prize:  Melanie Grom ($500).  
• The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Center, which is overseen by Ms. Stephanie Kroeger, College Lecturer II in Accounting, has officially concluded its first tax season.  A total of 21 volunteers prepared 234 tax returns.  The OCC students had a very enriching experience and gained valuable skills they can apply at their next internship or even with their own personal taxes.  The customers were extremely appreciative and grateful that the program was able to offer this service.
  
  Appointments quickly filled up and were fully booked weeks in advance.  Below are some useful statistics.  Interestingly, the main customer base was senior citizens.  It is also impressive that students entered over $5 million worth of income.
• Total returns filed and accepted:  234 (goal was 200)
  • Total federal refund dollars:  $155,619
  • Total AGI processed:  $5,154,680
  • Tax fees saved (estimate at $225 per return):  $52,650
  • Customer Population:
    • Senior citizens 55 and over: 189 returns (81%)
    • Adults 27-54 years:  26 returns (11%)
    • Young adults/students/dependents younger than 26 years:  19 returns (8%)

• The OCC Repertory Theater had a two-week run of Death Trap starting from April 25 to May 4, 2025.  The show was sold out and received outstanding reviews. 
• On April 25 and May 9, 2025, the Grunin Center held the final Afternoon Recitals for the 2024-25 season.  The first, as part of the Boheme Opera of New Jersey, featured Soprano Sungji Kim and Bass Hyong Sik Jo, who were accompanied by pianist Sandra Pucciatti through an operatic journey of songs old and new.  The second recital featured OCC faculty members Jee Sun Lee (violin) and DoYeon Kim (cello) along with guest artists Hyun-Joon Shin (violin) and Mitsuru Kubo (viola) who played pieces from Debussy and Ravel.
• On Saturday May 3, 2025, the Ocean County College Concert Band performed its concert titled, “The Music of Broadway, Movies, and TV.”  Broadway hits, John Williams scores, and favorites from Looney Tunes and Bullwinkle were featured at this lively event.
• Ocean County College and The Block Motion Picture LLC entered into an agreement to allow The Block Motion Picture LLC to utilize Hovnanian classrooms on the OCC campus on April 24, 2025, for the purpose of filming.
• On May 3, 2025, the Planetarium held a FOCUS family event for Astronomy Day. Planetarium staff provided free activities and reduced-price shows for families of middle school youth around the theme of science fiction, with special guests dressed as Star Wars characters.  On May 22, 2025, the Planetarium staff held a family science night at Lakewood Middle School.  Both activities were part of the NASA Anchor II grant.
• On May 15, 2025, the Grunin Center hosted Salute to Ocean County:  A Celebration of Arts and Culture, an awards ceremony presented by the Ocean County Cultural and Heritage Commission, in the Gateway Lecture Hall.  The event honored artists and organizations in the Ocean County community, as well as students chosen for excellence at the Ocean County Teen Arts Festival.

Workforce Development and Strategic Partnerships

Workforce Education

• The first student has completed the Google IT Support Program through a pilot initiative with Barnegat High School’s 18+ Work-Based Learning Program.  The initiative serves students with intellectual or developmental disabilities who remain eligible for transition services until age 21. Participants are dual-enrolled in the Google IT Support Program as part of their work-based learning, gaining technical skills and industry-recognized credentials.
• Workforce Education will host the Inaugural Celebration for Bridging Success on June 10, 2025. The event will recognize the first cohort of English Language Learners who completed the ESL Bridging Courses Bundle that includes:  25 hours of a Student Success Seminar, 15 hours of targeted English Language instruction, and 20 hours of interactive practice through our English Language Conversational Café.  We look forward to celebrating this important milestone in building language skills, confidence, and community.

Career Services

• There are currently 322 New Jersey employers within a 70-mile radius of OCC registered on Handshake.  In April 2025, 64 New Jersey-based employers were added to Handshake, offering 110 employment opportunities.  Nine job applications were submitted for construction (5), manufacturing (2), accounting (1), and non-profit (1).
• Ten new local employment and internship opportunities were posted on the OCC Career Services App, along with flyers and announcements. 
• Seven students scheduled one-on-one coaching sessions through Bookings; two additional students had brief walk-in sessions.  All sessions included resume reviews and guidance on using Focus 2.
• Three Employer Spotlight Table events were held and promoted on the OCC Career Services calendar app that included:  Friendly Connections, Digital Diagnostics, and BrightStar Care.
• Career Services participated in the following events in May:
  • May 3, 2025 – OCC Open House (met with 15 prospective students/parents)
  • May 7, 2025 – Mercer County One-Stop Center’s Career and Resource Fair.  OCC representatives met with 19 vendors, and 10 expressed an interest in employer tables, career fairs, and class visits.
  • May 13, 2025 – Career Services offerings (employer tables, forums, internships, and job shadowing) were presented at the Greater Toms River Chamber of Commerce Board of Trustees meeting. Two companies followed up regarding paid internships and employment opportunities.

Ocean County Achievement Center

• Four staff members attended the three-day Coalition for Adult Basic Education National Conference.
• The New Jersey Association for Lifelong Learners (NJALL) held one of its three conferences at OCC on April 29, 2025.  The event focused on adult literacy, high school exam strategies, workforce training, and transition pathways to community college.
• Outreach events in April:
  • April 3, 2025 – Career Fair at Ocean County Library for New Jersey Reentry Corporation, the Ocean County Career Center, and Ocean County Probation
  • April 3, 2025 – Post-Secondary Planning Night at Lakewood High School
  • April 18, 2025 – Ocean County Mall Tabling

Adult Transition Center

All participants completed resumes and are excited to begin job exploring in May.

• Adult Education, Civics, and Workforce Preparation Program (AECWP/Title II)
• Title II participants passed 45 of 64 GED subject tests (70%) in March and April.
• Thirteen Title II participants earned their New Jersey High School Diplomas during this period.

Work Readiness Assistance Program (WRAP)

• Students participated in a career exploration trip to New York City, where they learned about Broadway-related careers (set construction, costume design, performance), practiced teamwork while navigating the city, and engaged in discussions on career paths, salaries, financial literacy, nutrition, and dining etiquette during a group lunch at Carmine’s.
• Participants earned certifications in Microsoft Office (8), Bloodborne Pathogens (6), and CyberSafety Awareness (2).

Security

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 April 18, 2025, to May 23, 2025.