NEWS & EVENTS

Student Recognition

Front Runner New Jersey (FRNJ) is an online media site dedicated to highlighting African-American leadership, achievement, and culture in South Jersey.  Its newsletter, FRNJ Extra, shares positive stories on black leaders from all walks of life as well as announces events, addresses issues, and provides commentary that bring the black experience to life.  Recognizing the need to shine a bright light on other diverse groups and to highlight inclusion, Front Runner plans to expand to create platforms that will engage additional groups.

This month, we are pleased that OCC student Shonoyalee Griffin is in the spotlight; the article, “Shining Star:  Ocean County College’s Shonoyalee Griffin Prepares for a Bright Future,” is attached for your review.  Shonoyalee is in her sophomore year at OCC.  She is pursuing an elementary school education degree with plans to earn a master’s degree in biochemistry.  She is the current OCC Club President of the Organization for Black Unity.

Dr. Henry Jackson, Executive Director of Academic Success, will introduce Shonoyalee on Thursday, and she will talk with you about her experiences at OCC and her plans for the future.

Collaborations with K-12 School Districts

Mr. Tom Gialanella, Executive Director of School Relations, and Dr. Henry Jackson will present at Thursday’s meeting on the ways in which Ocean County College is working with K-12 school districts both in Ocean County and outside the county.  Dr. Jackson will explain the many programs he oversees, such as the Early College Program and College Readiness Now, and the growing number of initiatives that serve our educational community.  Mr. Gialanella will review the programs serving the needs of school districts that are struggling with budget cuts as well as additional assistance provided to them.  He will also discuss programs in partnership with Monmouth-Ocean Educational Services Commission and using the HyFlex model to reach out to other communities.

Academic Affairs

School of Arts and Humanities

Interim Assistant Dean Samantha Glassford took part in the 2023 Social Justice Academy, along with 16 other fellows.  Over two weeks, the fellows learned about racial healing and privilege from Dr. David Ford and Dr. KC Lubniewski, both faculty at Monmouth University.  The academy ended with a cultural potluck and a planning session for academy projects.  In collaboration with College Lecturer II Cheyenne Riehl in the library, Assistant Dean Glassford will be continuing this work through a project about critical information literacy that will include a guide for arts and humanities classes.

Ms. Samantha Glassford and Dr. Mary-Ellen Rada, College Lecturer II in Anatomy, led a group of 13 OCC students on a travel seminar to Ireland.  Students learned about Irish literature, culture, history, and scientific discoveries while exploring the cities of Dublin, Belfast, and Galway.  Some highlights included the Titanic exhibition (Belfast), Kilmainham Gaol prison where Irish revolutionaries were imprisoned, and the Newgrange stone passage tomb.

School of Business and Social Sciences

This summer, Ocean County College became greener with its own hydroponics garden system in place.  The system will be providing fresh produce year-round at the College (garden-to-table concept) and will support the new credit-based culinary class, HRTM 231, Culinary Fundamentals, as part of the new Culinary Option to the Associate in Science degree in Hospitality, Recreation, and Tourism Management (HRTM).

The garden system design was made possible thanks to the clever engineering that came from the leaders of the Makers Club, Dr. Angel Camilo, College Lecturer II in Biology, and Dr. Edmond Hong, College Lecturer II in Computer Studies, in collaboration with support from the Hospitality Club, advised by Mr. Sean Bips, College Lecturer II in HRTM.  The garden is flourishing, and the first collection of herbs was harvested on August 1, 2023.  It is located inside the Larson Student Center.

From July 10 to14, 2023, Dr. Patrick Beatty and Dr. Stephen Agresti, both College Lecturers in Criminal Justice, sponsored the “Kids on Campus” Criminal Justice CSI Academy.  The summer camp was held at the forensic/crime scene lab, where middle school students had an opportunity to see what it is like to work in law enforcement by investigating crimes, utilizing forensic science techniques to solve mock crime scenes, and learn about current legal practices.  The camp also featured criminal justice professionals from the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department, who provided demonstrations on investigative techniques that included the remote-controlled drone unit, K9 explosive bomb detection, K9 bloodhound tracking, and K9 narcotics discovery.

From July 10 to 20, 2023, Ms. Charlotte Langeveld, Mr. Jason Ghibesi, Ms. Patricia Gianotti, and Mr. Chad Sexton, all College Lecturers in the Social Sciences, attended the inaugural Monmouth University Social Justice Academy.  I was pleased to open the academy by formally recognizing the significance of this venture during a welcome breakfast, which was attended by Dr. Nicole Pulliam and Dr. Vernon S. Smith, Director and Assistant Director, respectively, of the Social Justice Academy.  Several members of the executive and administrative teams of OCC also attended.

The training was facilitated by Dr. David L. Ford and Dr. KC Lubniewski of Monmouth University and consisted of lectures, discussions, and experiential exercises.  The content was designed, in part, to assist the participants in identifying personal biases and societal norms that perpetuated discrimination against marginalized populations in the U.S. Throughout the course of the training, participants shared their personal experiences as observers or recipients of such discrimination.  Most participants agreed that this was one of the most compelling takeaways from the experience.

The two-week event culminated with a potluck luncheon celebrating the cuisines of the various cultures of the attendees. Going forward, the academy fellows will be working individually and collectively on project proposals with the intention of implementing programs and policies that will further the cause of social justice on our campus.

On August 1, 2023, the Ocean Education Club, advised by Dr. Nicole Kammer, College Lecturer II in Education, donated the remaining books collected during the Spring 2023 book drive to the teachers at O.C.E.A.N., Inc., Kids Child Development Center on campus. The club is dedicated to early literacy and helping community schools, teachers, and students.

Dean of Business and Social Sciences, Dr. Rosann Bar, recently received approval of OCC’s Addictions Counseling program application for accreditation renewal of the National Addictions Studies Accreditation Commission (NASAC) through December 2029.  Dr. Patricia Gianotti, College Lecturer II in Addictions Counseling, was instrumental in completing the accreditation documents and securing renewed approval for the program.  In light of the high standards set by NASAC and the resulting positive regard in which this accreditation is held in the field of addiction science and education, attaining this credential is an important accomplishment for OCC, one that has not yet been achieved by any other two-year college in New Jersey.

School of Nursing

On July 19, 2023, the Nursing lecturers completed a comprehensive review of information obtained from End-of-Program Student Learning Outcomes (EPSLO) that were assessed over three academic years.  EPSLOs are measured utilizing direct and indirect methods;  information obtained from the assessments is utilized to revise course competencies and data collection processes.

Ms. Tanya Rivera, MSN, RN, joined the School of Nursing on August 7, 2023, in her new position as Nursing College Lecturer II.  Prior to joining OCC, she was a licensed practical nurse instructor at Ocean County Vocational Technical School for more than ten years.  Ms. Rivera has also worked as an OCC nursing skills lab reservist since 2014.  After completing a BSN degree at Rutgers University, Ms. Rivera obtained an MSN degree with a specialization in administration and management from Aspen University.  She has practiced at various acute care facilities within the ICU, PACU, ED, and oncology areas.

Orientation for new Nursing students was held on campus August 15, 2023, with 106 students attending the program.  Students were introduced to the lecturers, program policies and procedures, electronic textbooks, and strategies to enhance learning.

Orientation for new clinical instructors was held on August 17, 2023.  There are four new clinical instructors joining the School of Nursing this Fall.

A meeting was also held on campus for all clinical instructors on August 17, 2023.  Information presented during this meeting focused on clinical assignments, simulation and skills lab initiatives, processes for evaluating students, and a discussion of policies and procedures.  The lecturers also met with the instructors to discuss plans and schedules for the semester. There are 38 clinical instructors working with students this semester to provide education to 36 clinical groups.

School of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics

Assistant Dean Carolyn Showalter will be attending Raritan Valley County College’s Summit for Pedagogical Advancements in STEM on September 29, 2023.

Dr. Caterina Gibson, College Lecturer II in Anatomy, reported that Ellie Richardson, a student in the OCC STEM summer research program, is looking at the effects of salinity on plant species, both controlled and non-controlled species.  The data obtained with the growth/root patterns this summer will be used for a continuation of this research in the next program for ways to plant, monitor and absorb excess salinity in soil.  Students in the summer research program will be presenting their findings on August 25, 2023.

Dr. Joe Brickley, College Lecturer II in Computer Studies, ran a GenCyber camp from August 7 to 11, 2023, for approximately 40 students.  Each day was divided into two sessions, grades 9-12 and grades 1-4.

College Lecturer II in Engineering Pam Bogdan ran a free STEAM camp for middle and high school students during the week of August 21, 2023.

Finance and Administration

Human Resources

The manual, paper process for employee Leave Requests and Leave Approvals has been replaced with a new online system.  Electronic forms are now available in the Self-Service Faculty and Staff Portal for Vacation, Sick, and Personal Leave Requests.  All employees may begin using the paperless process immediately.  This new electronic process will be more efficient for Human Resources and employees.

Purchasing and Payables

As of this month, all New Jersey community colleges are members of the National Association of Educational Procurement (NAEP) through the New Jersey Joint Purchasing Consortium and Purchasing Association.  This national membership allows all staff members at all institutions to have access to NAEP benefits.

National membership is a value added to each institution’s Joint Purchasing Consortium and Purchasing Association membership; participation will provide institutions and staff with many opportunities for professional growth, networking, and collaboration with like-minded procurement individuals from across the nation.  NAEP is partnered with the National Association of State Procurement Officials (NASPO) offering free CEU opportunities that can apply to Qualified Purchasing Agent (QPA) certification and other national certifications.

OCC Foundation

The Fall 2023 scholarship application period has closed.  All applications are currently under review, and all students will be notified of their award status by the start of the Fall semester.  Additionally, the Foundation has committed to supporting 150 Jump Start/Academy awards for the coming academic year, as well as $100,000 in student grants for Workforce and Professional Education.

A special note of thanks is sent to all who supported the 40 for 40 Birthday Benefit. While the original goal was to raise $40,000 in celebration of Executive Director Ken Malagiere’s 40^th birthday, the goal was doubled, with $80,000 raised for the students of Ocean County College.

The next phase of the Foundation’s Legacy Campaign includes a series of newsletters that include Foundation updates as well as a look back to each of the decades of the Foundation’s service to the College community.  The newsletters will spotlight impact events and stakeholders through a curated narrative as well as images from throughout the years, all in an effort to inspire additional Legacy Campaign commitments.  The next edition will feature a look back on the life and legacy of Mr. Joseph Citta and the Citta Foundation’s tremendous support of the Foundation over nearly sixty years.

The Annual SUP the River event will be held on Saturday, September 16, 2023, at the Toms River Yacht Club in partnership with the Kiwanis Club of Greater Toms River.  To register as a spectator or paddler, please visit the Foundation webpage.

The Blauvelt Speaker Series will kick off with Robert Pondisco on Thursday, September 28, 2023, followed by Lidia Bastianich on Wednesday, October 4, 2023.  Tickets are available at www.GruninCenter.org.

The 22^nd Annual Golf Classic will tee off for scholarships on Tuesday, October 10, 2023,  at Pine Barrens Golf Club.  The Golf Classic offers a day of fellowship, fun, and golf; more information can be found on the Foundation webpage.

The Foundation’s Bi-Annual Concert Event and friend-raiser will be held on Friday, October 27, 2023, with the talented members of Blues Traveler being welcomed to the Grunin Center Main Stage. If interested in attending, tickets may be purchased at www.GruninCenter.org

The Jay and Linda Grunin Center for the Arts

Executive and Artistic Director Heidi Sheridan and Assistant Director of Operations and Productions Laura Westmoreland attended the Consortium of Eastern Regional Theaters (ConSERT) on August 14, 2023, for a day of professional development and networking with agents in New York.

Assistant Director of Education and Community Engagement Jaclyn Wood reports that two of OCC’s Community Arts and Music Programs (CAMP) occurred this month: the first on July 27, 2023, featured Professor Wow’s FUNBelievable Science Show; and the second, on August 8, 2023, featured The Dinosaur Quest of Dr. T-Rex.  Both shows brought 1,400 students to the campus from youth camps in Ocean County.  The CAMP shows are graciously funded by the Wintrode Family Foundation.

Camps on Campus, led by Mr. Erik Stratton, Education and Community Engagement Coordinator, began on June 20, 2023, and continued through August 18, 2023.  A total of 396 campers were on campus in over 42 camps, representing a 62% increase in campers and 40% increase in camp sessions.  The offerings included sports camps, STEM camps, and arts camps.

Assistant Director of Operations and Production Laura Westmorland noted that the new partnership with BCCT (Brick Community Children’s Theater) had a successful run during its first time at the Grunin Center.  The show, Finding Nemo Jr., premiered from August 4 to 6, 2023.

The Robert J. Novins Planetarium

Associate Director Cara Muscio reports that the Planetarium offered over 44 public shows in August to entertain and teach members of the community.  The public shows are in addition to the shows offered for the 16 camps, child day care centers, and extended school year groups.   

Members of the Four Seasons community of Lakewood returned for an annual double show, and a show was offered on August 16, 2023, with a local musician presenting a laser and graphics show for fans and friends.

Summer programming will culminate with special events, A Galaxy Near You: Exoplanets and the Worlds of Star Wars on August 26, 2023, and Laser Day Weekend, September 1 and 2, 2023.

Workforce and Professional Education

Expanding Employer Partnerships in Apprenticeship Programs

Workforce and Professional Development staff have hosted a number of employer partner information sessions, and new employer partnership agreements are in the works for various apprenticeship programs in allied health.  New employer partners include Medi-Centrix (formerly Med Metrix, a long-term externship partner), the Visiting Nurse Association, and AtlantiCare.

Credit for Prior Learning for Transitioning Non-Credit Students

Apprentice students in allied health programs (Medical Assistant, Community Health Worker, and Pharmacy Technician) have earned 253 college credits at OCC to date.  Students successfully completing the three-part exam in the Community Health Worker program earn 9 credits, as learning outcomes directly align to 3 courses in the Social Work Associate in Science degree.  Medical Assistant and Pharmacy Technician students take national exams and earn industry-valued credentials, which have been evaluated for credit.

Grants Administration

The Work-Related Activity Provider (WRAP) Grant has been renewed for an additional year, from October 1, 2023, through September 30, 2024, by the Ocean County Department of Human Services in the amount of $450,000.  This grant supports at-risk and out-of-school youth between the ages of 16 to 24 with career readiness skills development.  The grant also supports participants as they prepare for exams to earn their high school diplomas, as well as job shadowing and funding to continue their education through occupational training or college courses, if desired.

HeART Strings, a project funded by the National Endowment of the Arts (NEA) in the amount of $15,000, will support the Grunin Center’s first phase of its public health series.  The series focuses on issues of public health, combined with the arts, through three primary lenses:  addiction and recovery, disability and access, and young adults and public health.  The project period is June 1, 2023, through May 31, 2025.

ArtsCONNECT was funded by the Mid-Atlantic Arts Foundation in the amount of $6,800.  Funding will support the Jay and Linda Grunin Center for the Arts and the Troy Savings Bank Music Hall, Troy, New York.  The “Mariachi Herencia de Mexico” program, which is comprised of a mix of traditional and contemporary interpretations of mariachi music, will be presented.  The project period is October 1, 2023, through January 30, 2024.

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 July 22, 2023, through August 18, 2023.

Student Affairs

Career Services

Presentations/Outreach

Ms. Taylor Dulemba, Career Services Coordinator, collaborated with the Ocean County Library System to provide three workshops.  These workshops were for teens interested in exploring their personalities and interests and to discuss career exploration and resources.  Presentations were held at the Toms River Branch, Stafford Branch, and Manchester Branch.

Ms. Taylor Dulemba and Mrs. Maria Galindo, Advising, Transfer, and Career Services Administrative Assistant, participated in meeting students at Student Life’s Orientation days.

Professional Development

Ms. Taylor Dulemba traveled to Handshake Headquarters in New York City on Tuesday, August 8, 2023.  She attended a Community College Stakeholders Workshop where she met other career services professionals and Handshake personnel for a day of learning new product updates and takeaways to bring back to Ocean County College’s Handshake system.

Counseling Center

The Counseling Center welcomed Ms. Stefanie Caton as OCC’s Mental Health Technician/Case Manager.  Ms. Caton is an OCC graduate and the parent of an OCC student.  Her mother also attended OCC.  She comes to OCC with diversified work experience, including nursing and teaching.

Recruitment continues to fill the positions of Displaced Homemakers Program Coach, Mental Health Project Specialist, and Assistant Director.

Dr. Kate Pandolpho, Director of the Counseling Center, presented to the Student Affairs Division on the newly funded Office of the Secretary of Higher Education Mental Health grant.  Ms. Katie Hueth, Prevention Education Coordinator, also presented to the division on the Recovery program.

Staff members have several presentations scheduled:

• Katie Hueth is participating on the panel discussion at Colloquium, “Serenity and Strength: Exploring Wellness and Mindfulness Strategies.”
• Kate Pandolpho conducted a CARE Reporting session on August 18, 2023, and will conduct a session at the Adjunct Faculty Institute on August 30, 2023.
• Kate Pandolpho, Ms. Katie Hueth, and Assistant Director of Disability Services Jamie Prioli are presenting “Beyond the Golden Rule: Creating a Culture of Kindness” at the Lecturer Institute on August 30, 2023.

Fall semester programming is in the final stages. Announcements will be circulated throughout the campus community.  The schedule so far is as follows:

• September 19, 2023, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on the campus mall – “Recovery Speaks” in collaboration with community partner, Hope Sheds Light.
• The “Cycle Breakers” Book Club will be hosted monthly by Ms. Katie Hueth. The first book is “The Origins of You.”
• A Journal Writing workshop will be hosted by Ms. Darra Stack, Student Intervention Specialist, and Ms. Carmen Mora, Coordinator of the Community and Displaced Homemakers Program, in collaboration with the Social Work Student Club.

September is Suicide Prevention month, and a number of activities are being featured:

• September 14: “In Their Shoes” on the Campus Mall.
• September 27, 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in the Larson Student Center: A Veterans Suicide Prevention event in collaboration with the Veterans and Military Resources Center, the Veterans Administration, and the Addictions Studies program, featuring keynote speaker, Marine Veteran Ricky Johnson; therapy dogs; SAVE gatekeeper training with a focus on veterans; a discussion on lethal means reduction, an approach to suicide prevention that reduces access to fatal methods of suicide; and a variety of wellness activities.

Counselors Kelly Petrolis and Darra Stack are collaborating with Student Life to become involved with student clubs and team building activities.

Ms. Darra Stack has scheduled visits to the Southern Education Center at least two times every month.

The Supporting Students in Recovery program continues its programming and services through the next funding year.  Notification was received that the program has been refunded through September 30, 2024, for the fifth year of funding. The Program offers services to students who are in recovery, who are impacted by someone in recovery, or who are “recovery curious.”  Students have access to the non-credit Canvas course, weekly recovery meetings, counseling, and a variety of training programs and activities. Ms. Katie Hueth manages the program. She is also the certified instructor for a week-long Recovery Coach Academy that is scheduled for the week of August 21, 2023.

The Displaced Homemakers Program began its funding year on July 1, 2023.  The Program is currently working with 7 new clients and 100 ongoing clients.  Two clients were hired into full-time jobs; both had worked closely with Program Coordinator Carmen Mora.

The CARE Team has handled 30 CARE reports for the period July 1, 2023, through August 15, 2023.  It is important to note that reports continue to be received regarding student mental health concerns, family issues, relationship stressors, housing, and food insecurities.

Enrollment Services – the HUB

During the month of July, the Success Team made 3,719 outgoing phone calls, for a total duration of over 60 hours of time.  The HUB team made 3,996 outgoing phone calls for a total duration of 87 hours and 49 minutes.

A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between Ocean County College and Little Caesars Enterprises which will allow employees of Little Caesars to pursue an OCC education with tuition reimbursement options.  There are two students already in the funnel.  This is the first and only agreement of any kind with any Little Caesars’ franchise.

A Memorandum of Understanding was also signed between Ocean County College and O.C.E.A.N., Inc., which will allow for active recruitment of the organization’s employees, as well as the parents and family members of the attendees.  OCC will be presenting at an In-Staff Day for the staff members at the end of the month.

In July, Enrollment Services saw almost 1,000 transactions within the HUB lobby.  The average service duration was 3.67 minutes, and the wait time was under 2 minutes.

Enrollment Services collaborated with Financial Aid, with assistance from Registration and Records and WPE, to help students and parents in completing the FAFSA for the upcoming Fall term.  In total, 3 events were held and 36 students were assisted.

Enrollment Services Provider Melissa Sporer and Mr. Jim Campbell,  Program Manager for the Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education (FIPSE) Grant, completed two presentations during the week of August 14, 2023, for High School Equivalency and English-as-a-Second-Language students via the Workforce and Professional Education department.  This was an opportunity to share the benefits of taking OCC credit courses and provide a more seamless pathway for these students.

Enrollment Services collaborated with the Center for Student Success to provide a campus tour and student ID cards for the incoming cohort of Lacey Township High School freshmen. Students were also treated to breakfast as a welcome to Ocean event on August 10, 2023.

Enrollment Services and Academic Advising completed successful general Express Enrollment Days during the month of August.  Students were registered for courses, given campus tours, and had the opportunity to meet with various student service departments. Throughout the last two weeks of August, students can attend an Open Enrollment Day, either on the main campus or via the Southern Education Center, to complete their enrollment-related activities for the upcoming Fall terms.

Between late July through August, the Success Coaches partnered with tutoring to provide wrap-around support to an accelerated ENGL-151, English I, section this summer. This involved weekly classroom visits to work with students in various areas, such as organization, time management, writing thesis statements, and research skills.

The Success Team, under the leadership of Dr. Kate Mohr, Director of Enrollment and Retention, also connected with new students while presenting at all six New Student Orientations, as well as shared their support services and offerings during Nursing Orientation on August 15, 2023.  In addition, the coaches are working with the Office of Academic Advising during Open Enrollment Days to provide support to students with GPAs under 2.0.

Ben Hudnall Memorial Trust had 60 students enrolled for a total of 308 credits during the 2023 Summer, which is the most credits for any semester for the organization to date.  The overall credits for the 2022-23 academic year were up 54% from the 2021-22 academic year.

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.  During the month, staff provided 27 consultations to OCC faculty, lecturers, and staff. Staff provided 98 consultations with current and prospective students and family/support members.

The Office of Disability Services continues to support Express Enrollment Days on the main campus throughout the summer.  The team shares information regarding eligibility for services and guidance for requesting accommodations.  Staff monitored the “Event Accessibility Services” table to assist with providing services necessary for onsite equitable access.

Staff hosted an informational table in collaboration with the Veterans and Military Resources Center.  Visitors were provided with department brochures and resources, and prospective students were introduced to a general overview of services, including eligibility.

Staff conducted several pop-up sessions to provide current and prospective students with a brief overview to Ally for Canvas, an accessibility tool integrated into Canvas that provides alternative formats for shared documents (e.g., audio format, HTML, Braille). Improving accessibility in digital content benefits all students, not just students with disabilities.  Ally provides step-by-step instructions for fixing many common accessibility issues to promote access to educational materials.  Staff also hosted several virtual “drop-in” days for prospective students to learn how to navigate their new course schedules and use accommodation letters.

From August 1 to 3, 2023, Assistant Director Jamie A. Prioli attended the national AHEAD (Association on Higher Education and Disability) 2023 Virtual Mini-Conference. Session topics included:

• OCR Year in Review
• Determining Clinical Accommodations, Advocating for Inclusive Technical Standards, and Managing Third-Party Relationships
• Navigating the Grievance and Complaint Process
• Disability Orientation Programming: Easing the Transition to College for First-Year Students with Disabilities
• Developing and Implementing an Information and Communication Technology Accessibility Policy
• Meeting Disabled Student Vets Where They Are: A Collaborative Campus
• Taming the Beast: Managing Flexibility with Attendance, Tardiness, and Deadline Accommodations

On August 1, 2023, Disability Services Technician Rachelle Frable attended the Accommodate Symposium hosted by Symplicity.  This symposium provided advanced training on use of OCC’s new data management system, Accommodate.

On August 2, 2023, Ms. Rachelle Frable attended the webinar “Decolonizing the Student Experience.”  This training provided insights into the cultural differences students have in their learning experiences by comparing Eurocentric values and non-Eurocentric values in learning. This webinar emphasized how moving away from a Eurocentric model of learning to a more culturally inclusive model of learning can further enhance the student experience.

On August 8, 2023, Ms. Jamie Prioli attended a webinar titled “Students with Long COVID on Campus:  The Elephant in the Room!”  The event was sponsored by AHEAD and addressed important information from the Department of Education and Department of Justice, which acknowledges that those experiencing significant Long COVID symptomology are people with disabilities and are protected, as such, under federal law.  Attendees and panelists discussed: (1) how Long COVID symptoms may impact college students; (2) how to foster awareness of students with Long COVID on our campus; (3) what is happening for/with students with Long COVID on campuses across the country; and (4) what colleges can do to help students with Long COVID.

On August 15, 2023, Ms. Jamie Prioli attended a continuation of a three-part webinar series on exploring the barriers to inclusion for nurses and nursing students with disabilities.  The series addressed removing admissions barriers for nurses with disabilities, technical standards, and the role that nursing faculty play in addressing accommodations in HPE settings.

Southern Education Center

The SEC Canvas Announcements continue to include messages relating to the opportunity to register for Fall courses, information about Express Enrollment Days/Open Houses, FAFSA reminders/workshops, various college-wide opportunities, and new Open Enrollment Day opportunities at both the main campus and the SEC.  A tremendous thank you to the staff and services from Disability, Career, Library, Transfer, Counseling, Student Support, Veterans, and Student Life, as well as representatives from both Kean Ocean and Stockton University for beginning to schedule dates and opportunities to connect with students at the SEC this fall.

SEC Happenings

Members of the SEC team have continued to attend Express Enrollment Days on the main campus throughout the summer. The team shares specific information about the SEC and welcomes students to visit the building in order to learn about options available to them when finalizing schedules for the Fall semester.

New this year, in coordination with the Toms River campus, the SEC is hosting five Open Enrollment Days for students to check out the facility, take part in a video-connected New Student Orientation, and meet with the SEC team.  This is a great opportunity to showcase the SEC.

SEC Director Brian Schillaci met with members of the Barnegat High School counseling and administration teams to discuss the possibility of student visits to the SEC during the upcoming academic year.  These visits will follow a similar framework to what Lacey High School students experienced this past Spring. The tentative plan is to host 12^th graders this Fall, followed by 10^th, 11^th, and 12^th graders next Spring.  These visits will continue to bring awareness about the SEC, while giving students in Southern Ocean County a look at their options when choosing to attend Ocean County College.  The SEC Director also met with two representatives from the Manahawkin Public Library to discuss ways they can partner throughout the year.

TRIO Student Support Services

TRIO Student Support Services (SSS), a program with the goal of increasing the college retention and graduation rates of its participants, had another extremely successful year. TRIO SSS supports low-income college students, first-generation college students, and college students with disabilities to achieve academic success by providing a variety of services, such as one-on-one professional tutoring, intensive advising, success coaching, and connecting students to a community of support. The program complements these services with wrap-around programs like cultural trips, college visits, and basic needs assistance.

The program is funded to serve 140 participants annually. The 2022-23 academic year ended having provided services for 157 students, or 112% of the funded number.  Of these, 19 participants graduated and 13 transferred to four-year institutions.  In May 2023, TRIO SSS awarded $20,000 in tuition aid to 23 participants.  Tuition aid will now be included in future grant budgets and provided annually.

Additionally, in Spring 2023, the TRIO SSS program submitted the Annual Performance Report (APR) for the 2021-22 academic year.  The TRIO SSS program met and exceeded the project’s approved objectives in all criteria, earning 15 out of 15 prior experience points in the areas of: Funded Number, Persistence, Good Academic Standing, Associate Degree or Certificate attained, and Associate Degree or Certificate and Transfer to a Four-Year Institution.  TRIO SSS must adhere to the 2/3, 1/3 eligibility ratio set forth by the SSS grant.  Of the 152 students served, 116 were first-generation and low-income college students and/or students with disabilities who are also low-income (76%).  Of the 152 students served, 32 were students with disabilities and 11 were students with disabilities who are also low-income (34%).

Based on this exceptional performance, the TRIO SSS program was awarded a 4% budget increase for next year.  These outstanding results are due to the hard work and dedication of the TRIO SSS Team:  Ms. Briana Cerbone, Specialist;  Ms. Helen Konz, Coordinator; Ms. Barbara McCormack, Academic Coach; Ms. Kate Moreno, Technician; Ms. Alison Noone, Director; and three professional tutors.

A summary of the 2021-2022 APR is as follows:

2021-22 Summary Results for the Prior Experience (PE) Points (P042A200683)
Criteria	Max Points Allowed	Approved Rate	Actual Attained Rank	PE Points Earned
Persistance	4	75%	81%	4
Good Academic Standing	4	90%	91%	4
Associates Degree or Certificate	2	39%	48%	2
Associates Degree or Certificate and Transfer to a 4-Year Institution	2	25%	38%	2
Funded Number	3	Number of Participants Funded to Serve: 140	Number of Participants Served: 152 Percent Served: 108%	3

Veterans and Military Resources Center

During the reporting period from July 19 to August 14, 2023, there were 40 interactions by mail, phone, and in person and 20 internal and external stakeholder contacts.

The VMRC attended the Council on Military Education Conference on July 25 and 26, 2023.  The Center was formally invited to become a member of the Council, making OCC the only college in New Jersey, and one of only five community colleges across the country, to receive such an invitation.  Now sitting on two committees within the Council, OCC will have input into providing recommendations of best practices to the Department of Defense.

Plans have been finalized for Special Forces Army Ranger Nick Lavery to speak at OCC on 9/11 from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. in the Grunin Center.  During his talk, Ranger Nick will focus on the Warrior Mindset.  After his address, he will have a Q&A, meet with students, and sign books.  Attendance is strongly encouraged and is open to all, including the public.

Marine Veteran Ricky Johnson contacted Center Assistant Director Christina Hernandez about coming to the College to speak about addiction and suicide prevention. The Center offered the Counseling Center the opportunity to collaborate on this initiative, and it will be part of a day of wellness on September 27, 2023, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The Center has begun hosting Disability Services for monthly office hours so students can learn about services available to them.

Two working groups are meeting to discuss policies and procedures as they relate to veterans and military-affiliated students.

Plans are underway for Veterans Week events, including a job fair and resource fair. A breakfast will also be scheduled for me to have the opportunity to meet with veterans and military-affiliated students.

VMRC representatives will be attending Dormapalooza later this month at the Joint Base.  This event supports younger service members who live in the dormitories on the base.  There will be tables with events, games, and food.

e-Learning and Learning Enterprises

Professional Development

InstructureCon

In July, members of the e-Learning team attended InstructureCon, the premier Canvas conference, and found it to be a valuable experience.  The event featured inspiring speakers and insightful breakout sessions, providing participants with a wealth of knowledge and best practices in education.  The conference also showcased the latest advancements in educational technology.

The keynote speakers were particularly notable.  Dr. Deepak Chopra, founder of The Chopra Foundation, a non-profit entity for research on well-being and humanitarianism, delivered a talk about unlocking one’s potential in the classroom and beyond, inspiring attendees to explore their capabilities and push boundaries. Ms. Arianna Huffington, co-founder of The Huffington Post and founder and CEO of Thrive Global, emphasized the importance of wellness and self-care, recognizing the need for educators and learners to prioritize their mental and physical well-being to thrive in the learning environment. Engineer, inventor, and futurist Dr. Jordan Nguyen shed light on the impact of technological advancements on the future of learning, encouraging participants to embrace innovation and adapt to the changing educational landscape.

The e-Learning team returned from the conference feeling motivated and eager to implement the new knowledge and insights they gained. With the guidance and inspiration from InstructureCon, they are equipped to enhance teaching strategies, leverage technology effectively, and create a positive and innovative learning experience for students.

Fall 2023 General Meeting

Faculty and lecturers have been invited to attend the e-Learning General Meeting for Fall 2023 titled, “Lighting Up Online Students One Fuse at a Time.”  The General Meeting is centered around strategies to enhance the learning experience for online students and to provide instructors with the ongoing support they need to assist with student success.  The meeting will be held on August 29, 2023, from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. via Webex and will feature a presentation from our new partner, Brainfuse.

During the General Meeting, participants will choose between two breakout sessions.  Breakout #1 will feature an Artificial Intelligence Temperature Reading of Faculty survey, which gauges sentiments and feedback from faculty more efficiently.  Discussion will include the issue of fraudulent students, exploring new ways artificial intelligence (AI) can help identify and prevent academic dishonesty, and AI’s impact on Turnitin reports in Canvas.

Breakout #2 will focus on equipping faculty, lecturers, and staff with essential information about the various resources available to support them in enhancing the student experience and success.  This session will also highlight the extensive range of resources available to students, such as the e-Learning updated website, the Simple Syllabus tool, and the Student Success Guide.

Adjunct Roundtable

The e-Learning Department’s monthly professional development sessions will continue in September 2023.  The department is planning its calendar and will be releasing the details for the upcoming General Faculty Meeting and the professional development series for the 2023-24 academic year.  The virtual meetings for faculty and lecturers are held on the third Thursday of the month.  Faculty are invited to attend the event facilitated by Dr. Meredith Riddle, Assistant Dean of e-Learning, and Mr. Neil Mastroianni, Associate Director of Education Technology.

Brainfuse – Online Tutoring Service for OCC

Ocean County College has partnered with Brainfuse to provide online tutoring and academic resources for online and face-to-face students enrolled in designated classes.  Brainfuse provides support 24/7 in math and English and also offers live help in the following additional disciplines:

• Business
• Computers and Technology
• English
• Study Skills
• Math
• Nursing and Allied Health
• Science
• Social Sciences

Brainfuse tutors employ a range of field-tested techniques based on current research and best practices that have been specifically adapted for online tutoring to ensure high-quality service for students.

The writing lab has customized features available to provide a unique experience for online tutoring services and resources.  Brainfuse has a team of approximately 4,000 highly qualified tutors, of which 96% have graduate degrees in the areas they tutor to help ensure student satisfaction.  In addition, students can enjoy unlimited access to academic tools.

In September 2023, the e-Learning Department will provide faculty with two training sessions on the services of Brainfuse, and additional sessions will be scheduled.  Faculty and lecturers can register for the training in the NEOED platform. A broadcast announcement will be sent to the OCC community to announce this new service available to students.

Student Course Evaluations

The 2023 Summer Student Course Evaluations, conducted through Watermark, are currently underway.  e-Learning deploys the survey to students enrolled in the Accelerated 3 (L3), Ten-Week (S10), and Accelerated 4 (L4) terms each summer.  To increase the student response rate after disappointing numbers in the Spring, e-Learning is piloting changes to the survey settings to implement in the Fall.

The L3 survey was deployed to 1,151 duplicated students enrolled in 50 online sections in the L3 term, and 663 students responded.  The survey concluded for the L3 term on July 20, 2023, with a record-setting response rate of 57.6%.  The increased response rate in the L3 term is attributed to opening the survey for the traditional last two weeks of the term but also allowing submission for one week after the course concluded.  This additional week of access allowed 42 students to submit their feedback, increasing the survey response by nearly 4%.

The S10 term survey was deployed to 1,253 duplicated students enrolled in 56 online sections.  The survey opened on July 21, 2023, and concluded on August 10, 2023, which also allowed students one week, post course, to submit their feedback.  The overall response rate for the S10 term was 51.87% with 653 students providing feedback.

Currently, the L4 term survey is actively collecting student feedback.  The survey opened on August 18, 2023, and will conclude on September 9, 2023.  The L4 survey was deployed to 967 duplicated students enrolled in 46 online sections.  Results from the survey will be made available to faculty on September 10, 2023.

International Programs

The International Programs team continues to finalize the program course sequences and service agreements (currently under final legal review) that will make up the American International Consortium.  The team is optimistic that the first cohort of the consortium will begin in October 2023.  Marketing and orientation materials are being prepared, facilitator and student training courses are being developed, and courses and curricula are being mapped across the affiliate universities’ programs.  Dr. Maysa Hayward is currently traveling in Egypt, where she is attending educational expos and university open houses to recruit new students for the consortium programs.  She is also drafting bylaws and course map sequences and meeting with stakeholders to promote the consortium partnership.