Academic Affairs
School of Nursing and Health Sciences
- A substantive change report was submitted to the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) and New Jersey Board of Nursing in May 2018, informing them of the School of Nursing’s relocation to the Hovnanian Health Sciences Building. A substantive change report is required to assure regulatory agencies that the changes to the program would not negatively influence student outcomes. On August 6, 2018, the School of Nursing was notified that the substantive change report was accepted by ACEN and that no additional documentation, clarification, or site visit were necessary.
- The School of Nursing is preparing for students to return to campus the week of August 27, 2018, to practice skills in preparation for the fall 2018 semester. All returning students are required to demonstrate skill competency prior to entering clinical agencies.
- Nursing faculty participated in an educational program on August 1, 2018, presented by HURST Review Services titled, Writing Test Items Congruent with NCLEX. HURST is utilized by the School of Nursing to prepare students to successfully complete the licensure examination and practice as an RN. The program focused on developing learning assessment tools to assist students to master entry-level nursing practice.
- Orientation for new nursing students will be held on August 27, 2018, with 109 students scheduled to attend. During the orientation program, students are introduced to the faculty, College policies and procedures, program requirements, electronic textbooks, as well as strategies to enhance learning. The Student Nurse Organization also meets with the students and provides a luncheon to welcome them to the School of Nursing.
- An orientation program for new Clinical Instructors will be held on August 28, 2018. There are three new instructors joining OCC this semester. The orientation program provides instructors with information on policies and procedures, clinical agencies, teaching strategies within the clinical area, as well as student evaluation methods and documentation.
- A meeting for all Clinical Instructors is also scheduled for August 28, 2018. Information presented during this meeting focuses on faculty assignments, simulation and skills lab initiatives, and a discussion of policies and procedures. The College Lecturers also meet with Clinical Instructors to discuss plans and schedules for the semester. This semester there are 35 clinical rotations with 32 instructors assisting lecturers within various clinical agencies.
School of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics
- Vijay Ramdeen, Chemistry College Lecturer II, led a study abroad trip to Ireland, which provided students with an elective chemistry course, A Scientific Survey of Ireland. During the trip, students visited historic and ancient locations in Ireland, one of which was the Giants Causeway, a crystalline formation from ancient times.
- Gerald Cohen, College Lecturer II in Computer Studies, continues to attend the TechReady Summer Coding camp sessions at Toms River High School North. Dr. Angel Camilo, College Lecturer II in Biology, and Mr. Edmond Hong, College Lecturer II in Computer Studies, assist with the Arduino programmable devices portion of the camp.
- Gerald Cohen attended training at NJIT on Data Analytics using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), software used in statistical analysis of data. The training prepared attendees for two certification exams.
- Science College Lecturer IIs Dr. Angel Camilo, Dr. John McElroy, Dr. Caterina Gibson, and Mary-Ellen Rada traveled to Bergen County Community College to view its SynDaver model and to learn about classroom experiences using the model. The SynDaver model is a life-size human cadaver made from synthetic materials that replicates each organ and tissue system of the human anatomy. The model offers a 3-D perspective for students to observe the relationships between the human anatomy systems.
- Angel Camilo attended the International Symposium of Academic Maker Spaces from August 3 to 5, 2018, held on the Stanford University campus in Palo Alto, California. The symposium was sponsored by Stanford University and University of California at Berkley, and faculty from NJIT made presentations. Over 300 participants from 17 countries were in attendance.
- OCC hosted the annual high school Advanced Placement Summer Institute in Biology, Chemistry, and Physics. Teachers from across New Jersey and Pennsylvania participated in the institute.
School of Business and Social Sciences
- College Lecturer II in Economics Katherine Toy and Gerald Cohen completed the IBM Predictive Analytics Modeler Workshop at NJIT in July. Dr. Toy returned to NJIT on August 6, 2018, to pass the Mastery Certification Exam. Both NJIT and Ocean County College are exploring ways to make these valuable skills accessible to students and to incorporate this timely and important topic of Data Analytics into the Business curriculum.
- On August 1, 2018, the Business Department welcomed Roy Bond, Executive Director of Operations, Workforce, and Economic Development from Dallas County Community College, for a tour of the Business Lab. Because Ocean County College is one of the few two-year colleges with Bloomberg terminals, Mr. Bond was referred by Bloomberg to see how the department is utilizing the terminals and lab in our Business programs. A tour and demonstration were provided by Dr. Rosann Bar, Dean of Business and Social Sciences; Business College Lecturer II Christopher Bottomley; Dr. Katherine Toy; and students from the Accounting class of Business Studies College Lecturer II Stephanie Kroeger.
- On September 25, 2018, former National President of the ACLU and constitutional scholar, author, and professor Nadine Strossen will discuss First Amendment free speech on a college campus. Jennifer Barnes and Mr. Jason Ghibesi, both College Lecturer IIs in Political Science, will interview Ms. Strossen about her new book, “Hate: Why We Should Resist It with Free Speech, Not Censorship.”
School of Arts and Humanities
- The members of the English Department have moved into the new Instructional Building, and they are very excited to begin teaching in this newly renovated space.
- Music Instructor Karin Gargone and Brian Gilmore, Part-Time Applied Music Facilitator, are working with the Garden State Philharmonic to promote the Applied Music Program and the A.A. Degree in Performing Arts, Music Option.
- College Lecturer II Lee Kobus, Humanities and Fine Arts, and Assistant Professor of Computer Graphics and Photography Rich Fallon are working on new certificates for video production and photography.
- School of Arts and Humanities faculty and lecturers developed master syllabi for the top ten enrolled courses, which will be implemented this fall. These modifications will provide consistency among class sections and ensure reliable delivery of instruction.
- Support and professional development of adjunct faculty will be enhanced by the Canvas Adjunct Resource page created by College Lecturer IIs in English, Christine Bryant, Richard Carr, Samantha Glassford, and Kristyn Stout, for several courses: English 091, Reading and Writing I; English 095, Reading and Writing II; English 151, English I; and English 152, English II.
- College Lecturer II in English and Literature Dr. Madison Peschock and College Lecturer II in History Rob Marchie updated the Adjunct Resource Handbook to provide guidance in matters of concern to adjunct faculty and to improve communication regarding departmental and institutional changes.
- David Bordelon, Professor of English, and Associate Professor of English Jayanti Tamm will be facilitating the Adjunct Institute on August 25, 2018, which is a wonderful opportunity for adjunct faculty to review new information, connect, and share teaching and learning methodologies.
- Assistant Professor of American Sign Language Kathy Basilotto reports that eight of nine recent graduates from the Interpreter Training Program (ITP) have passed the written portion of the national certification exam. Those eight students now have five years to pass the performance portion of the national certification exam in order to become certified sign language interpreters. Additionally, three sections of ITP courses are currently scheduled to run this fall semester, representing an increase in enrollment and interest in the program.
Academic Success
College Readiness Now IV and V
- The College Readiness Now IV program tested 850 students from 15 Ocean County high schools during the 2017-18 academic year. The program offered two Accelerated Learning English Courses during spring 2018 at Lacey Township and Brick Township high schools. The students achieved a 90% passing rate in the courses.
- OCC will be submitting its proposal for the College Readiness Now V program on August 23, 2018, which will include two Accelerated Learning Programs, one in English at Lacey Township High School and one in Mathematics at Central Regional High School. In addition, the program will be working with the Youth Success Network to assist students in The Helms Academy to develop college and career readiness skills, and it will partner with Student Affairs to administer the testing component of the College Pathways Program.