NEWS & EVENTS

Sabbatical Leave Report

Dr. Toni Clay, Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs, will present the results of her Spring 2023 sabbatical project at Thursday’s Board meeting. The project is titled, “An Evaluation of HyFlex Courses at Ocean County College.”  Dr. Clay developed and distributed a confidential survey questionnaire to students who enrolled in and attended HyFlex courses during the 2022 Summer and Fall terms.  Responses included demographic information, allowing Dr. Clay to present results holistically for analysis, collect the students’ general impressions of OCC HyFlex courses, as well as review their perceptions on how well they learned and retained the material.  Nearly 400 students, 23% of those enrolled, completed the survey and offered general feedback, comments, and recommendations for improvement.

In addition, a confidential survey questionnaire was developed and distributed to faculty and lecturers who teach or have taught HyFlex courses since OCC started offering them in Fall 2021.  This project was able to capture the opinions and insight of 65% of all those who taught HyFlex classes.  They too offered valuable feedback, comments, and recommendations for improvement.

Dr. Clay’s PowerPoint presentation will outline survey results and add data previously collected by Academic Affairs on the success rates of these courses, allowing us to draw some conclusions and make recommendations.

Academic Affairs

School of Arts and Humanities

• During the month of June, Dr. Madison Peschock, College Lecturer II in English, attended the National Endowment for the Humanities Institute on Southern writer Flannery O’Connor. The Institute took place in Milledgeville, Georgia, Ms. O’Connor’s hometown.  Peschock attended seminars devoted to Ms. O’Connor’s life and fiction, and she reviewed the writer’s letters and drafts in the archives at Georgia State College and Emery University in Atlanta.

• Adjunct Assistant Professor and flutist Dr. Beomjae Kim performed at the American Composers Orchestra on June 2, 2023, as a part of the EarShot Concert Series at the New School Tishman Auditorium in New York City. The following week, he was with the New York Philharmonic, performing John Luther Adams’ Become Desert for its New York premiere at Lincoln Center.    Kim returned to the American Composers Orchestra and performed a piece on June 11, 2023.

• Interim Dean Heather Sciarappa attended the Chair Academy’s Advanced Leadership Academy held at Atlantic Cape Community College from June 12-14, 2023.

• The Chair Academy is a premier leadership development organization for higher education and organizational leaders. Its vision is centered around developing inclusive and influential leaders whose purpose is to advance their academic and administrative leadership.  With a thirty-year history offering world-class, competency-based programs, the Academy’s professional development experience provides emerging and experienced leaders with opportunities to interact and engage with as well as reflect on topics specific to higher education and leadership.

• Interim Assistant Dean Samantha Glassford attended the National Higher Education Teaching Conference in New York City from June 22-23, 2023.

• Instructor of Music Karin Gargone was delighted that OCC student Eric Bras was selected to sing The Star-Spangled Banner at the OCC annual Foundation Scholarship Celebration, which was held on Friday, June 23, 2023, on the OCC Campus Mall.

School of Business and Social Sciences

• College Lecturer II in Business Studies, Dr. Katherine Toy, continued encouraging her students to study Tableau, the data visualization software owned by Salesforce. Fourteen students completed the foundational Tableau course, Data Literacy for All.  Six students pursued additional Tableau courses and learning paths, earning a total of 10 badges among them.  One additional student completed the 30 continuing education credit-hour course, Tableau Fundamentals.

• Katherine Toy also reported that, during the Spring 2023 semester, 23 Business students completed Bloomberg market concepts, known as Bloomberg Certification. This brings the completions for this academic year to 40, and the total completed certifications since lab inception to 204. Additionally, one student piloted and completed a new Bloomberg Certification focused on environmental, social, and governance strategies and reports.

• On May 11, 2023, an induction ceremony was held for the Business Honor Society, Alpha Beta Gamma, which is co-advised by Dr. Katherine Toy and Mr. Christopher Bottomley, College Lecturer II in Business Studies. This year, 42 students were honored and inducted into the Honor Society.  Speakers and participants included Vice President of Academic Affairs Joseph Konopka, Dean Rosann Bar, Assistant Dean Nanci Carmody, and me.

• The Global Education Committee endorsed the idea of hosting OCC’s first student film competition, which was introduced by committee member and College Lecturer II in Alcohol and Drug Counseling, Dr. Patricia Giannotti. The competition will be taking place this Summer, with the topic being “Global Issues.”  Entries are being accepted from OCC students, both foreign and domestic.  Two prizes will be awarded; one winner will be selected in July by the committee’s panel of judges and will receive a new digital video camera.  The top films will then be presented to the student body in the Fall semester at the Grunin Theatre, where a “Student Choice” award of $200 will be presented to the students’ favorite filmmaker.  Both prizes are being funded through the generosity of Student Life.

• Patrick Beatty and Dr. Stephen Agresti, both College Lecturers in Criminal Justice, organized a field trip to the Eastern State Penitentiary in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on May 12, 2023, for students who were enrolled in the Introduction to Corrections course. Students were able to learn in-depth information about the history of United States corrections based on the Pennsylvania system.

• Prior to the commencement ceremony on May 25, 2023, Dr. Beatty and Dr. Agresti presented members of the Criminal Justice Honor Society, Lambda Alpha Epsilon, with their regalia. The 12 students were recognized during the ceremony and were the first group to graduate from OCC since the reestablishment of the American Criminal Justice Association chapter, Kappa Chi Sigma, on campus.

School of Nursing and Health Sciences

• The total number of Nursing graduates for the 2022-23 academic year was 116. The School of Nursing hosted the Pinning Ceremony for the classes of December 2022 and May 2023 on May 23, 2023, with 103 graduates attending the ceremony.

• Over $42,000 in scholarships and awards were presented to current students and graduates during the Pinning Ceremony. Recipients included:

Graduate Awards

• Community Medical Center Scholarships: Shannon Graham, Mika Hayes, and Joseph Petrolito
• D’Onofrio Foundation Graduating Award: Elizabeth Malecki
• Paul Family Scholarship (in Memory of Joyce Previte): Dana Lozito
• Joyce Previte Memorial Scholarship: Sara Richards
• Roberta W. Wintrode Memorial Award: Danielle Carpenter

Academic and Clinical Excellence Awards Presented by Nursing Faculty

• Fall 2022 Graduate: Jennifer Onkonkwo
• Spring 2023 Graduate: Leon Bourdot

Undergraduate Awards

• Jacqueline S. Baer Memorial Scholarship: Cristina Pasnicu
• Kathleen Elliot Bogajevski Nursing Scholarship: Amy Davis
• Carluccio, Leone, Dimon, Doyle and Sacks, L.L.C., and Stephan and Judith Leone Scholarship: Gina Tiani
• James F. Foley Scholarship: Oksana Bidovanets
• Peter M. and Mildred J. Galanti Nursing Scholarships: Kayla Tyrrell and Hazel Wilson
• Dorothea Brayden Johnson Scholarship: Marisel Cruz
• Kotzas-Demos Scholarships: Jessica Jackson, Dierdra McGrath, Leah Pappalardo, and Sara Wondolowski
• Carmela J. Saxton Memorial Scholarship: Melissa Horner
• Jesse Schulman Nursing Scholarship: Rachel Amarh, Jamie Landron, and Kelly McCoy
• Roberta W. Wintrode Memorial Awards: Kaitlyn Barrett and Christopher Shore
• Janis Neary-Zimmerman Memorial Scholarship: Johanna Hernandez
• Student Nurse Organization Scholarships: Kaitlyn Barrett, Kaylah Briscoe, Marisel Cruz, and Justine Valerio

• Nursing lecturers participated in an annual workshop from May 15-25, 2023. They 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 23, 2023, titled, Developing and Integrating Next Generation NCLEX Case Studies for Nursing Curriculum. This two-hour program focused on developing case studies within Nursing courses to assist students in passing the new licensure examination (NCLEX-RN®) that began in April 2023.

• On May 31, 2023, 50 students from Lakewood High School visited the School of Nursing. Simulation, Skills, and Student Retention Specialist MaryAnn Kaufmann, Ph.D., MSN, RN, CHSE, and Lab Coordinator Linda Simmons, MSN, RN, CEN, CNE, provided students with an overview of the Nursing program and an introduction to the simulation labs where they practiced listening to body sounds. Hand hygiene techniques were demonstrated, and students had the opportunity to practice their skills.  The visit also included a video that discussed various areas available for registered nurses to practice.

School of Sciences, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics

• Angel Camilo, College Lecturer II in Science, and members of the Makers Club began a project setting up a hydroponic system to grow herbs and spices. The produce will be used to support OCC’s Associate in Science degree program in Hospitality, Recreation, and Tourism Management, Culinary Arts Option.

• Dean of STEM, Dr. Sylvia Riviello, attended the New Jersey Pathways to Career Opportunities Summit on June 6, 2023, as well as the National Higher Education Teaching Conference held in New York City on June 22, 2023.

• College Lecturer II in Engineering Pam Bogdan, Adjunct Professor in Computer Science Scott Molnar, and Ms. Maura Simister, STEM teacher at Manchester Middle School, are partnering to deliver the Perkins-sponsored Spatial VIS I STEAM workshop at the middle school.  This workshop encourages middle school participants to see the relationship between technical and artistic drawing.

• Mary-Ellen Rada presented a two-hour continuing education seminar for the Garden State Chiropractic Society Convention again this year.  Her topic was “The Philosophy of Science Compared and Contrasted to the Philosophy of Chiropractic.”  Highlights included a discussion on quantum mechanics and the entanglement theories in physics.

Finance and Administration

The College is in the early stages of developing a proposal to respond to an RFP to provide educational programming on Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey.  In order to submit a competitive proposal, in-County rates need to be offered to enlisted personnel who reside outside of Ocean County and work on Joint Base MDL.  Therefore, a change to Policy #5300, Tuition and Fees, is being proposed to extend in-county rates to current active-duty military personnel and their dependents.  Currently, the policy affords in-county rates to veterans but excludes active-duty military.  The policy change will not be limited to military personnel associated with the MDL program; it will apply to all active duty military personnel and their dependents.

Office of Information Technology

• The new IT Governance Committee has been formed and began meeting this month. This committee is charged with overseeing the implementation of the IT Strategic Plan that was approved in February 2023.  The goals of technology governance include clarifying who is involved in technology-related decision-making, setting priorities, and making recommendations.  It also focuses on improving the maturity of how technology is used at the College, ensures maximization of each dollar spent on technology, and ensures institutional and technology alignment.

• Two new IT-related policies are being recommended for approval on Thursday’s agenda: Policy #2210, Data Information Security – Written Information Security Plan, and Policy #2220, Data Classification Security.  These policies document the cybersecurity protocols of the College and are required for compliance with the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA).

Human Resources

The Human Resources Department has deployed new mandatory online training programs for all employees.  Cybersecurity training is essential in today’s digital age and helps to protect individuals and organizations from the increasing number of cyber threats and attacks.  This training is crucial to minimize the risk of data breaches and to promote online safety and security.

To meet legal requirements, the College has enrolled employees in two online cybersecurity awareness courses:  Preventing Phishing and Privacy Awareness.  These courses have been deployed through the online HR Portal.

Purchasing

Ms. Christine Healey, Executive Director of Procurement and Compliance, in conjunction with an energy consultant, oversaw the completion of another New Jersey Council of County Colleges consortium bid for electricity.  Below are highlights of the bid process:

• Two major energy suppliers competed, Constellation/New Energy and Direct Energy.

• Two rounds of bidding resulted in lower best and final bids.

• A renewable energy option was included and evaluated but ultimately not selected.

• New fixed rates for electric supply service will be increasing approximately 30% over last contract rates. Had the Consortium been faced with bidding in 2022, the rate increase would have been far greater.

• If colleges were to exit the consortium and procure electricity on their own, the rate increase would be greater than 30%.

• The new two-year service period begins August 2023 and ends August 2025. During this period, the consortium is protected from rate increases.

• This bidding process resulted in no change in supplier for all schools, with the exception of Mercer County Community College.

College Relations

Web

Website Coordinator Eric Gonnella redesigned the College’s Graduation page, providing a one-stop location for students to find ceremony information, order caps and gowns, and view livestreams and recordings filmed by the TV Studio.  In May, the page was viewed 6,960 times by 5,611 visitors, who spent an average of seven minutes on the page.

Alumni

• Save the date of Thursday, August 17, 2023, at 7 p.m. for the Annual OCC Community Picnic at the Jersey Shore BlueClaws game. Join alumni, students, staff, and faculty on a private party deck to enjoy a buffet and baseball game.  Tickets are $10; they may be purchased by visiting ocean.edu/blueclaws.

Ocean County College Foundation

Scholarship Update

The Fall 2023 scholarship application period is open and will remain open through August 17, 2023.  More information and applications are available at go.ocean.edu/Scholarships.

Fund Distribution Committee

The Fund Distribution Committee reviewed and presented all fund requests received from the campus community to the full Foundation Board on June 14, 2023.  The Board approved all requests in full, totaling more than $330,000 in special program support for the coming fiscal year.

Also at the June meeting, the Board of Trustees approved the Foundation’s FY 2024 budget, which includes over $1.2 million in direct scholarship and program support for the students of Ocean County College.

Nominating Committee

The Foundation Nominating Committee will meet this summer, as is tradition, to review the current standing of Board members and to entertain recommendations from community members to join the Board.  Recommendations for Foundation membership should be forwarded to the Board Chair, Mr. Davis Paulus, and the Nominating Committee Chair, Mr. Michael York, for consideration.

Committee on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Access, and Belonging

Vice President of e-Learning and Learning Enterprises, Dr. Eileen Garcia, and Executive Director of the OCC Foundation, Mr. Ken Malagiere, Co-Chairs of the Committee on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Access, and Belonging, continue to work with breakout groups to prepare presentations for both the College and Foundation Boards at late summer meetings.

Committee members have been assigned to working groups based on expertise in respective college divisions, all addressing one leading challenge:  How to build opportunities for conversation and reflection on current issues surrounding diversity, inclusion, and social justice to become part of the institutional culture.

Additionally, close work continues with the Social Justice Academy of Monmouth University, a consortium of all higher education institutions in Monmouth and Ocean Counties.  In July, OCC will be the first community college in New Jersey to bring the Academy to campus for a two-week immersive experience for 18 teaching professionals.  The Academy is funded by a generous grant from the Grunin Foundation.

Legacy Campaign

The next phase of the OCC Foundation Legacy Campaign includes a series of newsletters containing Foundation updates as well as a look back to each of the decades of the Foundation’s service to Ocean County College.  Impactful events and stakeholders will be spotlighted through a curated narrative and images from over the years, all in an effort to inspire additional legacy campaign commitments.

Upcoming Foundation Events

For a complete list of the many upcoming events planned by the Foundation, please see go.ocean.edu/FoundationEvents.

Jay and Linda Grunin Center for the Arts

• Assistant Director of Education and Community Engagement Jaclyn Wood reports that Camps on Campus sales are over twice what they were at this time last year. For more information, please reach out to estratton@ocean.edu or sign up for camps at https://www.ocean.edu/programs-and-courses/camps-on-campus/.

• On June 8, 2023, Prime Time Center used the main stage theatre in the Grunin Center to film part of its promotional video, as the Center’s trips to see performances are a crucial part of their organization’s educational programing.

• The Grunin Center was notified that it received a Mid-Atlantic Arts grant for its programming and performance activities for the upcoming artists, Mariachi Herencia de México. This grant includes a partnership with the Latino Institute in Ocean County.

• Assistant Director of Marketing and Sales Jessica Zawerczuk announced that tickets for the Grunin Center’s new season subscriptions go on sale on July 5, 2023, at noon, while all individual tickets will be available on July 12, 2023, at noon. This includes events between July and December.  Subscription buyers will now be able to choose their seats, a new feature this year.

• Assistant Director of Operations and Production Laura Westmoreland reports that the Garden State Philharmonic held its show, From Bach to Beatles, on June 3, 2023, to a large audience. Throughout the month, the theatre also hosted two local dance recitals, in addition to the Grunin Performing Arts Academy graduation.  The New Jersey Symphony Orchestra performed on June 27, 2023.

• The Center welcomed the Brian Betz and Jon Barnes Duo as the last Jazz on a Sunday Afternoon performance in the Gia Maione Prima Theater in the Grunin Performing Arts Academy on June 4, 2023, hosted by Sandy Josephsen.

Novins Planetarium

• Associate Director Cara Musico reports that the Planetarium ended the school year strong with 19 K-12 school group shows in June.

• Business Adjunct Associate Professor Shawn Zakar’s class visited the Planetarium for a show and discussion about Planetarium business operations given by Ms. Cara Muscio.

• Experience the Aurora, one of four recent film acquisitions, sold out its June premier shows.

• The planetarium started afternoon daytime programming three days each week at the end of June, in addition to weekend shows.

• Cara Muscio and Planetarium Technician Kevin Molnar attended the Stars for All 2023 U.S. Planetarium Conference in East Tennessee during the third week in June. The conference, which is typically regional, was national this year.

Workforce and Professional Education

Ocean County Achievement Center

A total of 81 individuals earned their high school diplomas as a result of their participation in programs supported by the Ocean County Achievement Center (OCAC) from June 2022 through May 2023.  In addition, 35 students involved in OCAC programs also completed industry-valued credentials in OSHA 10 and Customer Service and Sales.

Since July 1, 2022, a total of 653 students were served by the OCC Adult Basic Education, ESL, and Civics (Title II) Program, which is 66% over the targeted Department of Labor contracted service projection.  In addition, 44 out-of-school teens and young adults participated in career exploration activities, and 13 of those completed the Leadership Academy and service learning project in May.

Earlier this month, the Ocean County Achievement Center held multiple High School Equivalency and ESL Summer Orientations.  A total of 338 interested English language learners and 43 individuals looking to study for the high school equivalency exam attended these sessions.

Medical Assistant Upskill in Apprenticeship Programs

During June, 18 newly certified Medical Assistants completed their training program at OCC.  After completing competencies in three national credentialing exams, in addition to Basic Life Support/Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (BLS/CPR) certificates, the cohort of 10 RWJBH affiliated students will return to their local facilities to work in their new and upskilled roles.

Grants Administration

The Office of the Secretary of Higher Education (OSHE) recently funded the County College-Based Center for Adult Transition project in the amount of $269,620.94. Funding will be used to support activities at The Arc of Ocean County and the School for Children with Hidden Intelligence (SCHI) Disability Services, both located in Lakewood, New Jersey, during the project period from July 1, 2023, through June 30, 2024.

Security

In accordance with New Jersey Public Law 2015, Chapter 220, and College Policy #2332, Reporting of On-Campus Criminal and Fire Events, attached is the monthly statistics report of crimes, fires, and other emergencies on campus for the reporting period of May 27 through June 23, 2023.

Student Affairs

Advising

New Student Registration

The Advising Office completed course schedules/Fall registration for students attending 15 High School Express Enrollment events.  Advisors completed a schedule for each student in advance of the event, then met with them at the enrollment event to discuss the student’s major and make any necessary adjustments to the schedule.

• Advising is currently reviewing all new student schedules to ensure that students are registered appropriately for the Fall semester. Specifically, advisors are:

• Helping students adjust their schedules if their majors changed.

• Following up regarding correct placement in math courses pending review of high school transcripts.

• Contacting students who are registered part-time to confirm their preference for part-time enrollment.

• Addressing any course issues following the enrollment events.

Advising’s goal is to address any potential schedule issues this Summer, so that all incoming students are able to start their first semester with the best possible course schedules.  Advising will also be completing this process for the general Express Enrollment events scheduled for June through August.

Student Success

Advising met with Academic Affairs to discuss updates to the Advising Module in the Student Success (STSC 150) course.  Advisor Lauren Humphrey completed an overhaul of the Advising Module, revising the information to be action-oriented and relevant to whatever point students have reached in their academic journeys.  The revised modules include a checklist for students based on their current semester, and the information provides links to current information on the website.

The revised module will set the stage for advisor visits to all STSC sections in Fall 2023.  Advisors will be working with students in each STSC section to help them understand their Academic Plans (Curriculum Track), create schedules for Spring 2024, and register promptly for the Spring semester.

Career Services

• Career Services participated in Express Enrollment Day on June 7, 2023. Career Services Coordinator Taylor Dulemba was able to interact with newly enrolled OCC students and discuss the Career Services Department.  Participation in Express Enrollment Days will continue throughout the Summer.  The Director of Career Services, Dr. Deborah Kepics, will attend the next event on June 27, 2023.

• Deborah Kepics joined the Southern Ocean Chamber Women in Business event on June 20, 2023.

• Taylor Dulemba will be traveling to Dallas, Texas, this month with four OCC students to compete at the HOSA – Future Health Professionals International Leadership Conference. Students will be competing in Medical Reading, Medical Terminology, Home Health Aide, and Human Growth and Development.

• Deborah Kepics met with the Billing and Coding class on May 18, 2023. She unexpectedly supported and counseled the students due to the sudden and sad loss of Ms. Marilyn Knight, their instructor/mentor.

• On May 23, 2023, Dr. Deborah Kepics presented to Lavallette School seventh and eighth grade classes to explore student interests in order to assist with educational and professional pathways.

• Career Services is expanding its hours and reach. Deborah Kepics visited the SEC on June 1, 2023, and is scheduled to do so again on June 29, 2023.  She and Ms. Taylor Dulemba now have office appointments available to students in Qless, a new platform for Career Services to enhance ease of appointment scheduling.

Counseling Center

• The Counseling Center is currently recruiting for several positions. Interviews are in process for a Mental Health Technician, Counseling Specialist, and Community Services Coach for the Displaced Homemaker Program.  The Center is also looking forward to a new position, Project Specialist, to assist with the grant, Mental Health in Higher Education:  Community Provider Partnerships and Professional Development.

• Presentations to and training of the OCC community have been continuing by Counseling Center staff, including:

• In collaboration with Disability Services and the Veterans and Military Resources Center, Counseling staff participated in Stress Relief for Finals Week. Students engaged in mindfulness activities, engaged in supportive discussions and activities, interacted with Therapy Dogs, and were provided information and resources about campus support.

• A “Sunset Meditation” was offered through the Novins Planetarium, providing students with another free opportunity to practice self-care and promote wellness.

• Student Intervention Specialist Kelly Petrolis and Prevention Education Coordinator Katie Hueth presented “Student Mental Health” to the faculty and lecturers in the School of Business and Social Sciences on June 2, 2023.

• Student Intervention Specialist Darra Stack presented QPR (Question, Persuade, and Refer) training to members of the School of Business and Social Sciences.

• Katie Hueth attended the annual New Jersey Prevention Network Conference.

The Displaced Homemakers Program (DHP) celebrated Displaced Homemakers Month in May. Ms. Carmen Mora, Coordinator of Counseling and Student Development, worked diligently to put together a successful and cherished evening for all.  DHP currently has 141 active participants, 3 finished certifications through WPE, 2 graduated from four-year schools, and 4 will continue to the Fall semester at OCC.  DHP appreciates the support of the Board of Trustees and OCC staff as it continues to provide much-needed services to the women of Ocean County.

As requested at the April Board meeting, Ms. Carmen Mora invited one of the program’s clients to Thursday’s meeting.  The client, Valerie S., joined the program in 2022 while going through a separation.  During the past year, Valerie has demonstrated resilience, strength, and an inspiring dedication to healing and self-growth.  Valerie has actively participated in the program and has become an example and support to many of the women around her.

Ms. Mora will introduce Valerie to you on Thursday.

• The Care Team has handled 476 reports since July 1, 2022, with 196 of these reports since January 1, 2023. Counseling continues to see increases in student mental health concerns, family issues, relationship stressors, as well as housing and food insecurities.

• The Counseling Center is preparing for the move to the Administration Building sometime in July while the library building is under renovation.

Educational Opportunity Fund

Ten EOF graduates were recognized with Graduate Achievement Awards for earning grade point averages of 3.2 or higher:

Outstanding Academic Achievement Award

• Kelsi Beck, 3.7 grade point average.
• Estefania Sampayo Carro, 3.8 grade point average.
• Chandra Cherenfant, 3.4 grade point average.
• Nancy Natividad Cruz, 3.8 grade point average.
• Meredith Fabozzi, 3.6 grade point average.
• Christina Ferriola, 3.5 grade point average.
• Czianell Magbago, 3.8 grade point average.
• Elisabeth Rojas, 3.6 grade point average.

Academic Achievement Award

• Brittany Buck, 3.4 grade point average.
• Eduardo Rojas, 3.2 grade point average.

These students are part of a select 1,488 state-wide EOF graduating scholars who were honored.

• A Fast Fact from the 2023 EOF Progress Report prepared by the New Jersey Office of the Secretary of Higher Education: EOF students at county colleges maintained higher grade point averages than non-EOF students for the 2017-18 to 2021-22 academic years, the only EOF sector of higher education in the State to do so.

• EOF awarded its first EOF graduate medallion on May 10, 2023, with graduates, their families, and campus leaders in attendance at the event. I was honored to be the recipient of this first EOF medallion, which was presented to me for my “service and support” of the program.  I sincerely appreciate receiving this honor from the EOF students.

• EOF ran a successful leadership conference during the 2023 Spring break, which was designed with a three-pronged focus: Building Community (connections, relationships, networking), Communication, and Working Together.  Featuring experiential high- and low-risk activities, participants were challenged to step out of their comfort zones and practice new learning.

• EOF is currently recruiting for its incoming cohort and EOF@OCEAN summer programs. If you believe a student is eligible for the program, please contact eof@ocean.edu.

Enrollment Services (HUB)

• In the month of May, the Success team completed 3,195 outgoing calls to students. The HUB team completed 4,745 outgoing calls to potential and current students.  The team spent almost 324 hours on the phone between incoming and outgoing calls during the month.

• Enrollment Services, in collaboration with Academic Advising, hosted Express Enrollment Days on June 7 and 27, 2023. New incoming students were able to meet with Advising to solidify their Fall schedules, tour the campus, and meet with personnel in other student services departments, including Financial Aid, Student Support Services, and EOF.  Additional upcoming events are anticipated for July and August to assist new students in expediting their enrollment process.

• The HUB team completed 1,162 in-person transactions in May, with an average service duration of 2.87 minutes. The average wait time for a guest was only 2.2 minutes.

• Enrollment Services tabled with the OCC Pride Club for Pride Night at the Jersey Shore BlueClaws game on June 5, 2023, in Lakewood, New Jersey. Attendees were able to chat with college representatives while watching the game and grabbing some OCC swag.

• Coordinator of Outreach and Enrollment Services Jim Campbell presented on June 3, 2023, at a Lakewood event coordinated by Community Ambassadors. The targeted event was meant to supply resources and assistance to community members who were new to the area or the country.   Campbell’s presentation, in Spanish, yielded 50 leads for the institution.

Office of Disability Services

• The Office of Disability Services continues to provide accommodation and support services to eligible students under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.  In addition, the office provides consultation services to OCC faculty, lecturers, and staff.

• On June 7, 2023, staff participated in a campus-wide Express Enrollment Day event and distributed department brochures to prospective students. Staff monitored the “Event Accessibility Services” table to assist with providing services necessary for onsite equitable access.

• For a second year in a row, the Office of Disability Services was approved as a College Coordination Site with the Workforce Recruitment Program for College Students with Disabilities (WRP). WRP is a free recruitment and referral program that connects federal and select private-sector employers nationwide with postsecondary students and recent graduates with disabilities eager to demonstrate their skills through summer internships or permanent jobs.  WRP is managed by the U.S. Department of Labor Office of Disability Employment Policy and the U.S. Department of Defense Diversity Management Operations Center with support from other federal agencies.  Disability Services will serve as the primary coordinator of services and collaborate with Career Services, the Counseling Center, and the Veterans and Military Resources Center to promote the program and services.  Student enrollment for the program will begin August 2023.

Southern Education Center

• SEC Director Brian Schillaci and Student Advisors attended an Express Enrollment Day specific to Pinelands High School students, as well as attended General Express Enrollment Days on the main campus. The SEC team shared information about the SEC and invited students to visit the building to learn about options available to them when finalizing schedules for the Fall semester.

• SEC Summer First Five-Week classes concluded successfully, and Summer Second Five-Week classes are underway. The team is excited about increased summer course offerings for the students who live in the southern part of Ocean County.

• Brian Schillaci recently shared updated Summer and Fall course offerings with guidance teams at MATES, Southern Regional, Lacey Township, Barnegat, and Pinelands Regional high schools. Guidance personnel distributed the information to their students prior to the close of the school year so they are aware of the many opportunities to enroll at the SEC.

• The SEC staff continues to review enrollment trends and previous course offerings to develop the Spring 2023 schedule of classes. The goal is to continue increasing both in-person and video-connected classes to give students as many learning opportunities as possible.

Veterans and Military Resources Center

The Veteran and Military Resource Center (VMRC) is currently working toward increasing knowledge of services and programs offered to military-affiliated students.  During the month, there were 15 student interactions and 57 internal and external stakeholder contacts.

• VMRC staff attended an event at the Ocean County Mall hosted by the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs where over 20 veterans were presented with medals to honor their time overseas; this event was also supported by Enrollment Services.

• The VMRC grant budget was approved by the grant compliance officer at the Department of Education, ensuring that the Center can begin expanding and enhancing its services.

• The VMRC supported the student Veterans Club in revitalizing the club and submitting its budget for the upcoming year.

• The Center participated in a tabling event at the Lakewood Blue Claws with an Instagram takeover and engaged with hundreds of attendees. The VMRC Blue Claws ticket fundraiser for the Center is now live.

• A contract is being finalized for Special Forces Army Ranger Nick Lavery to speak at OCC on 9/11.

• A $2,000 grant was received from the OCC Foundation to help provide snacks and light meals to veterans and military-affiliated students in the Center.

• Two groups have been established to assist in improving processes for military-affiliated students.

• VMRC members attended the Toms River Pride event and interacted with over 500 participants.

• VMCR Coordinator Jessica Richardson will be attending the Association of Veterans Education Certifying Officials (AVECO) conference in St. Louis, Missouri, in July to support best practices for veteran students.

• With the support of the College Relations team, the Center has been steadily updating its website to make it more user-friendly.

e-Learning and Learning Enterprises

e-Learning Personnel

The department is happy to announce:

• Aqsa Sheikh, e-Learning College Lecturer II in Biology, recently achieved a Doctor of Education degree in Community College Leadership from New Jersey City University.

• The following e-Learning adjunct faculty have been promoted to Adjunct Associate Professors:

• • Marc Competello, Computer Studies
  • Lisa Kelley, Mathematics
  • Stefano Maranzana, Humanities and Fine Arts
  • Erika O’Quinn, Social Sciences
  • Crystal Scheib, Social Sciences
  • J. Scott Seagle, Humanities and Fine Arts
  • Richard Varenick, Humanities and Fine Arts
  • Laura Wagner, Business Studies

e-Learning Department Educational Plan

The culmination of the joint efforts between the e-Learning Department, College Relations, Academic Affairs, and Student Affairs is the implementation of the new e-Learning programs web page that showcases the 23 degree programs and 5 certificate programs that can be completed entirely online.  Selected online degrees have been enhanced and tailored to the 7.5-week terms.  Current and visiting students can now easily access and review e-Learning complete educational plans that lead to degrees via the programs page as well as the OCC catalog.  With the support of the Advising team, students will be guided as they consider the various ways that OCC can support their educational goals.

Professional Development

July Adjunct Roundtable – 2023 Adjunct Summer Retreat

The 2023 Adjunct Summer Retreat, “Unleashing the Superpowers: Empowering Online Faculty for Heroic Success and Student Service,” will be held on July 20, 2023, from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. via Webex.  This retreat aims to create a supportive and collaborative community for adjunct faculty members, providing them with a platform to highlight their teaching strategies, learn from their peers, and discover innovative approaches to enhance their online instruction.  In addition, the retreat offers mindfulness sessions to nourish well-being and rekindle enthusiasm for online teaching.  These sessions will provide moments of relaxation, self-reflection, and rejuvenation, enabling faculty to tap into their inner (superhero) strengths and bring renewed energy to their teaching.  Adjunct faculty are encouraged to share their experiences, connect with fellow adjuncts, and embark on a path of personal and professional growth.

The adjuncts will explore several topics, such as instructor policies for fostering a positive student community experience, strategies to engage students in discussions, time management to prevent burnout, and personalized feedback techniques to connect with online students. Additionally, a virtual yoga portion will be incorporated to offer an opportunity for thirty minutes of relaxation and rejuvenation.  The retreat will culminate with a graduation from the program to symbolize the successful completion of the retreat and to celebrate the adjunct faculty’s commitment to their professional development and to excellence.

International Programs

During commencement week, Alamein International University (AIU) signed Memoranda of Cooperation with OCC and its affiliate universities, William Paterson University, Rutgers University Camden, and Kean University, to collaborate in Egypt.  Since then, the international team has been busy mapping and articulating nine programs for the upcoming Egyptian Consortium.  OCC will offer the first two years, AIU will be offering the third year, and OCC’s affiliate universities will offer the senior year.  The team is also finalizing drafts of the Consortium agreements.