PRESIDENT’S WELCOME
Welcome to Ocean County College!
All of us – faculty, administrators and staff – are dedicated to directly serving your individual needs and preparing you for life’s challenges. Whether you complete your course of study and move on to a four-year institution to continue your education or choose to enter the workforce immediately, our sole concern is to prepare you to be successful in today’s Knowledge Age economy. Our plan for preparing you for success is to provide you with a strong academic foundation, a state-of-the-art technology background, and an understanding and appreciation of community service. In order to be successful in this effort, we have developed an understanding of and appreciation for the need to provide service with enthusiasm and professionalism in a supportive and nurturing environment.
We are proud to say we are Ocean County’s College. We want to be an active partner in helping you achieve your educational and career goals. I hope you will stop by our campus and talk to us about how we can help you do that. And, when you do visit the campus, please stop in the President’s Office and say hello.
Jon H. Larson, Ph.D.
President
“It is the supreme art of the teacher to awaken joy in creative expression and knowledge.”
-Albert Einstein (1879-1955)
BIOGRAPHY
Dr. Jon H. Larson became the fourth President of Ocean County College on August 1, 2000. An enthusiastic and innovative leader, Dr. Larson’s vision for Ocean County College’s future includes renewing college spirit, making Ocean County College the technology hub of Ocean County, and reaching out to the community.
Professional Experience
From the beginning of his career, Dr. Larson dedicated himself to education and community service. Over the years he has held both teaching and administrative positions. Before taking the helm at Ocean County College, Dr. Larson was President of Luzerne County Community College in Nanticoke, PA. Previously, he served as Vice President for Administration/Dean of Institutional Services at Frederick Community College in Frederick, Maryland and has worked as a Research Associate at the University of Maryland’s National Center for Post-Secondary Governance and Finance.
Educational Background
Dr. Larson graduated with high honor from Norwich University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and Government, and completed both a Master of Arts degree in Government and Politics and a Ph.D. in Higher Education and Administration from the University of Maryland.
Scholarly Activities
An experienced writer and an articulate speaker, Dr. Larson has had more than two dozen articles published and has given a number of professional presentations and speeches along the Eastern Seaboard and California.
Leadership Roles in Education
Throughout his career, Dr. Larson has taken a number of leadership roles in education including Pennsylvania’s Advisory Board of the state’s 15 community colleges and 12 state universities, the W.K. Kellogg Foundation Rural Community College Partnership Advisory Committee, and the Maryland Higher Education Commission Task Force on Capital Guidelines.
Dr. Larson serves on the Legislative Committee of the New Jersey Council of County Colleges and was Chair of the Presidents’ Association of the Council, which is comprised of all New Jersey college and university presidents. He is a member of the ACCT Advisory Committee of Presidents. He serves as a board member and trustee of the NJ Marine Sciences Consortium, where he also is a member of the Sea Grant Advisory Council. He is a member of the Executive Board of the Ocean County College Foundation and the Executive Board of the Jersey Shore Council of the Boy Scouts of America. He was a member of the Middle States Association Commission on Higher Education Task Force on Accreditation and has been asked three times to serve as a Middle States Evaluation Team Chair. He was recently “inducted” as an Honorary Base Commander at Ft. Dix, NJ.
Military Service
Dr. Larson served as a Platoon Leader/Company Commander in the United States Army’s 63rd Armored Battalion – 1st Infantry Division stationed at Fort Riley, Kansas.
Personal
Dr. Larson and his wife Judy are the parents of three children: Jon Michael who resides in Maryland, Kristina who lives in Virginia Beach, and David who makes his residence in Georgia. Dr. and Mrs. Larson are also grandparents to their daughter’s two children Michael and Zachary, and their son David’s stepchildren Ryan and Jeannie.
Dr. and Mrs. Larson have embraced life in Ocean County, immersing themselves in the Jersey Shore’s culture and becoming active members of their community.
philosophy of trust
At Ocean County College, we operate on a philosophy of trust and respect. Trust is a key ingredient in any positive, productive relationship. Trust exists whenever you choose to let yourself be dependent on another person whose future behavior can affect your well-being.
Our hope is that you, our students, will learn by your experience that your trust in us is well founded. We are guided by what is best for you. Our faculty and staff are committed to delivering the highest quality education offered anywhere in the nation and to providing services that you will recognize as efficient, empathetic, and responsive – services that will ultimately exceed your expectations.
We recognize that students’ needs are not all the same, but vary among individuals and groups. Ocean County College continues to identify the diverse needs of our students so that we can provide each of you with a specific educational program tailored to meet your needs.
Jon H. Larson, Ph.D.
President
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Dr. Larson is a conscientious and dedicated leader actively involved in the community. Currently, he serves on the board of the following organizations:
- YMCA
- Workforce Investment
- Monmouth Ocean Development Council (MODC)
Dr. Larson is a member of many local organizations including:
- Ocean County Council Boy Scouts of America
- Steering Committee for Health Care in Monmouth and Ocean Counties
- Ocean County College Foundation
- Task Force on Accreditation
- Dr. Larson is also an Honorary Member of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ocean County.
Academic Master Plan
The Academic Master Plan 2019-2022 is the guiding plan for academics at Ocean County College.
President’s Report
Ocean County College President Dr. Jon H. Larson’s 2020 President’s Report showcases major highlights of the past year and new Strategic Priorities to guide the College’s future development.