NEWS & EVENTS

National Endowment for the Humanities

This summer, Dr. Madison Peschock, College Lecturer II in English, received a National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) grant, which enabled her participation in its program, “Reconsidering Flannery O’Connor,” hosted at Georgia College.  Dr. Peschock spent four weeks in O’Connor’s hometown of Milledgeville, Georgia, participating in workshops and scholarship dedicated to the distinguished Southern author.

I have asked Dr. Peschock to share her exciting experience with you at Thursday’s meeting.  Her presentation will note a few professional highlights from the trip as well as how she plans on applying her work in the program in the classroom here at Ocean County College.  Dr. Heather Sciarappa, Interim Dean of the School of Arts and Humanities, will introduce her.

Academic Affairs

School of Arts and Humanities

• Fourteen students from the January 2023 OCC study-abroad trip to Italy are participating in an exhibition at the Ocean County Artists Guild in Island Heights. The “OCC in Italy” show will be on display until the end of July.  It features original student artwork, including paintings, photographs, and mixed media, reflecting their experiences in Rome, Florence, Siena, and Assisi under the guidance of Professors of Humanities, Dr. Marilyn Kralik and Dr. Mary-Ellen Rada.  It is anticipated that this exhibition will continue for future study-abroad trips in association with the Guild, both as a celebration of the students’ international adventures and as a way of strengthening ties between the College and the Guild, a premiere arts organization in Ocean County.
• The OCC Repertory Theatre Company’s summer production of Cole Porter’s Kiss Me Kate opened in the Grunin Center on Friday, July 14, 2023, for a total of seven performances over two weekends. I was delighted to enjoy the outstanding performance on opening night.
• Assistant Dean Samantha Glassford attended the National Higher Education Teaching Conference in New York City on June 22 and 23, 2023. The conference, hosted by the Association of College and University Educators, featured sessions on AI in the classroom, leadership strategies, teaching and learning, and student engagement.

School of Business and Social Sciences

• During the Spring semester, College Lecturer II in Accounting Stephanie Kroeger offered Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) certification as an Honors by Contract opportunity for students in her Federal Income Tax Accounting course. VITA is administered through the IRS, and the certification allows students to work as tax preparers for low-income or disabled taxpayers at any of the VITA locations in the nation.  The three Honors by Contract students who passed the certification were Matthew Gellici, Mavroidis Ioannidis, and Amanda De Bartolo.
• From June 22-25, 2023, Ocean County College’s Business Innovation Consortium sent a group of eight students to compete at the national level of the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) Conference in Atlanta. The group was accompanied by Mr. Ibrahim Moustafa, FBLA Advisor and College Lecturer II in Business, and Mr. Sean Bips, College Lecturer II in Hospitality, Recreation, and Tourism Management.  The students had the opportunity to engage in learning workshops and gained valuable networking experience during their time at the conference.  OCC student Dakota Wade took 10^th place in Microeconomics. Ashley De La Rosa Hanlon, a Kean student, virtual chapter/OCC alumni, took 5^th place in the Accounting Case Study competition and 10^th place in Foundations of Finance.

School of Nursing

• Nursing lecturers have selected Through Other Eyes, a nursing novella about diversity by Amy Glenn Vega, as the summer read for Nursing students. This book focuses on nurses from various cultures with different beliefs, perspectives on healthcare, and personalities.  They must put aside their differences and work as a team to care for patients during a disaster.  Contents of this book will be incorporated throughout the curriculum as students discuss nursing practice, professionalism, ethics, patient care, teamwork, as well as diversity and inclusion within the healthcare system.
• Nursing students will return to campus the week of August 28, 2023, for competency validation practice sessions. All returning students must demonstrate competency in previously learned skills before entering clinical agencies the first week of the semester.
• The Medical Residency Program at Community Medical Center, an RWJ Barnabas Health facility, continues to utilize the simulation center in the H. Hovnanian Health Sciences Building for a third year beginning July 11, 2023.  Medical residents who have graduated from various medical programs complete simulation experiences monthly under the direction of attending physicians.

School of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics

• Ken Michalek, College Lecturer II in Computer Science, reported that Ms. Adrienne Garber from Dell visited OCC in June to hear about OCC’s AI progress and other programs at the College. Ms. Garber is the Dell representative for the AI Incubator Network grant that OCC received last year courtesy of the American Association of Community Colleges, and she supports OCC’s AI programs.  During her visit, Ms. Garber participated in a round-table discussion with several members of the STEM School to discuss AI progress as well as the Cybersecurity, NJ Pathways, and Environmental Management programs.  The discussion was very productive, and Ms. Garber was impressed with the breadth and depth of the programs at OCC.
• Pam Bogdan, College Lecturer II in Engineering, reported that an OCC graduate completed the Rowan University Construction Management program and immediately joined the workforce after accepting one of multiple job offers. The Rowan program is a cornerstone of the NJ Pathways/Center of Workforce Innovation for construction.  Students transferring into this program from OCC’s Associate in Science degree in Engineering receive 100% acceptance of their OCC coursework that applies to completion of this program.  It is anticipated that more OCC students will transfer into Rowan’s program from both Associate in Science Engineering and Associate in Applied Science in Technical Studies degree programs.
• The School’s K-12 project/research experience is underway.  K-12 students are paired with an OCC faculty or lecturer mentor or with industry partners as they work on guided independent study throughout the summer. This is the second year OCC has run this program, and the number of applicants more than doubled.  The students will showcase their work on August 25, 2023, in the Instructional Building.
• The School is pleased to announce its first graduate from the Technical Studies–Industrial/Technical Studies degree program since emphasis was placed on the program. This flexible program for both traditional and non-traditional students can provide the skills, knowledge, and credits for prior work experience that lead to entry-level jobs with salaries ranging from $50,000 to $70,000.  It is also the foundation of the School’s work with the Air Force for military personnel to achieve a dual degree from the Community College of the Air Force and Ocean County College, which will help them have more options for joining the civilian workforce when they leave the military.
• Julia Kim, College Lecturer II in Mathematics, devised a self-paced math boot camp for high school students. Enrollment in CSIT-200, Information Security Fundamentals, in the Spring went from 11 students to 32 in the first five-week session of summer 2023.
• Joe Brickley, College Lecturer II in Computer Studies, will run a GenCyber summer camp for high school students from August 7 through 11, 2023. CSIT 110, Introduction to Computers and Computer Applications, has been revamped to be geared around CompTIA’s IT Fundamentals+ certification.
• Lincoln Simmons, College Lecturer II in Science, reported that 37 students took courses in both the Sustainability and the Industrial Hygiene Hazardous Material Management certificate courses in Fall 2022. In Spring 2023, 53 students took certificate courses, an increase of 16 students.  From the first cohort of students, four earned Industrial Hygiene Hazard Material certificates in Spring 2023; four to six students are anticipated to earn Sustainability certificates in Fall 2023.

Finance and Administration

As previously discussed, the State budget allocated an additional $10 million in operating aid to community colleges.  On July 12, 2023, OCC was notified that its revised allocation for FY 2024 will be $10,308,369, an increase of $1,063,229 over the budgeted projection of $9,245,140.  This additional funding will help to decrease the amount of fund balance that will be needed for operating purposes in FY 2024.

Office of Information Technology

Executive Vice President for Finance and Administration Sara Winchester renegotiated the contract with Ellucian managed services to significantly reduce the services provided.  The following services have been removed and will be provided in-house or via other vendors:

• Chief Information Officer Position
• Strategic Services
• Advisory Services
• Remote Programming/Project Hours

The 24/7 Help Desk will still be provided by Ellucian.  The Grants contract will also be maintained, but the scope has been reduced as well as the cost.  Overall, the savings will be significant, but some of the savings will be used to fund in-house operations.  The search for a CIO will begin soon.

College Relations

The American Council on Education (ACE) Women’s Network of New Jersey (NJACE) recently informed Ms. Jan Kirsten, Executive Director of College Relations, that she was elected to be a member of the Board of Directors of NJACE based on her experience and commitment to higher education.  Her term began July 1, 2023, and will run through June 30, 2026.

NJACE is comprised of dedicated and influential volunteers from colleges and universities across New Jersey who seek to identify, develop, encourage, support, and help to advance women in higher education.  Ms. Kirsten will play a role on the Marketing and Communications Committee.

Congratulations are extended to Ms. Kirsten for this recognition.

Human Resources

• FY 2024 Annual Performance Programs for Administrators, Non-Affiliated Hourly (NAH), and Supportive Staff Association (SSA) employees open July 15, 2023. The College Lecturer Program opens September 1, 2023.  An online custom course, Performance Program – The Plan, is available on the HR Portal. The course includes information on the performance program design, defines individual responsibilities, outlines the performance program process and timeline, and demonstrates how to create journal entries and how to complete the Plan (annual goals and development activities).
• The new Leave Reporting process through the Self-Service Portal for faculty, lecturers, and staff is anticipated to roll out in August. Custom online training will be available on the HR Portal.  This new process will eliminate Absence Reporting Forms.

College Relations

Alumni

Jersey Shore BlueClaws Night Out

The annual OCC BlueClaws Picnic on August 17, 2023, is sold out.  The College looks forward to an evening of baseball and comradery with members of the OCC community.  Thank you to all who will join the fun.

SUP the River

Registration and sponsorship opportunities for the Annual SUP the River event on Saturday, September 16, 2023, at the Toms River Yacht Club are now available at go.ocean.edu/sup.  Everyone is welcome to participate as a paddler or to take in the views of the beautiful Toms River at OCC’s networking breakfast.  Funds raised will support the students of Ocean County College and the Kiwanis Club of Toms River.  Additional information is available by contacting Ms. Kim Malony, Alumni and Advancement Director, at kmalony@ocean.edu.

TV Studio

The Ocean TV20 team is excited to announce the debut of the new OCC original program, “Shore of Support.”  The first episode was recorded on July 20, 2023, featuring two local non-profits, Fulfill and Meals on Wheels.  This monthly program will begin airing on Ocean TV20 in September.  For more information, email Ms. Mary Granahan, Television Production Director, at mgranahan@ocean.edu.

Ocean County College Foundation

Scholarship Update

The Fall scholarship application period is open and will remain open through August 17, 2023.  For more information or to complete an application, please visit go.ocean.edu/Scholarships.

Foundation Board of Trustees Nominations

As has been the tradition, the Foundation Nominating Committee will meet this summer to review the standing of current Board members and to entertain recommendations from the community for new Foundation trustees.  Recommendations for membership should be forwarded to Mr. David Paulus, Foundation Board Chair, and Mr. Michael York, Foundation Nominating Committee Chair, for consideration.

Legacy Campaign

The next phase of the Legacy campaign is underway, and it will include a series of newsletters, containing Foundation updates, as well as a look back to each of the decades of the Foundation’s service to OCC. The newsletters will spotlight impactful events and stakeholders through a curated narrative and 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 the last sixty years.

Upcoming Foundation Events

• The Forty for Forty Birthday Benefit has well surpassed its initial goal of raising $40,000 for the students of Ocean County College. Foundation members are looking forward to seeing all who are able to celebrate with Mr. Ken Malagiere, Foundation Executive Director, on Tuesday, August 1, 2023, at 7 p.m. at the Toms River Yacht Club.
• The Fall 2023 Blauvelt Speaker Series will kick off with Mr. Robert Pondisco, author and senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, on Thursday, September 28, followed by Ms. Lidia Bastianich, Emmy award-winning television host, cookbook author, and restaurateur, on Wednesday, October 4, 2023. Tickets for both events are available at  GruninCenter.org.
• The 22^nd Annual Golf Classic will tee off for scholarships on Tuesday, October 10, 2023, at Pine Barrens Golf Club in Jackson, New Jersey. Please consider the event for a day of fellowship, fun, and golf.
• The Foundation’s Bi-Annual Concert Event and fund-raiser will be held on Friday, October 27, 2023, as the talented members of Blues Traveler are welcomed to the Grunin Center Main Stage. Tickets may be purchased at GruninCenter.org.

Jay and Linda Grunin Center for the Arts

• The Repertory Theatre opened its summer musical, Kiss Me Kate, the weekend of Friday, July 14, 2023, and it ran through the weekend of Sunday, July 23, 2023. The play was enjoyed by all who attended.
• The Grunin Center received grant funding in the amount of $6,800 from Mid-Atlantic Arts to support the musical acts of Mariachi Herencia de Mexico and Cello Gayageum.
• Assistant Director of Education and Community Engagement Jaclyn Wood reports that two CAMP (Community Arts and Music Program) shows occurred on July 18 and July 27, 2023, at the Grunin Center Main Stage. The first was Tim Kubart and the Space Cadets, and the second was Professor Wow’s Unbelievable Science Show.   Camp groups and other organizations from all over Ocean County participated.
• Camps on Campus is off to a wonderful start this summer. July campers enjoyed sports, music, gaming, science, computers, and criminal justice camps.

The Novins Planetarium

• A virtual Planetarium show was hosted for Jersey City library students on June 30, 2023. In addition, the Grunin Center volunteer ushers were hosted by the Planetarium for an end-of-year celebration on July 12, 2023, and they were treated to a viewing of “Laser Beatles.”
• Associate Director Cara Musico reported that the Planetarium held 18 public and 15 camp shows during July.
• The Planetarium was awarded a 2023 National Informal Science Network activity kit that provides resources and lesson plans for hands-on STEM activities.

Workforce and Professional Education

The Title II Grant, Adult Education and Literacy, was funded in the amount of $830,351, through the Department of Labor’s Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA).  This grant continues to support ESL classes, high school diploma preparation and testing, family literacy, civics classes, and credential attainment.

Grants Administration

• The Office of the Secretary of Higher Education (OSHE) recently funded the HECF Grant Priority 3, in the amount of $366,764.81. Funding will be used to purchase equipment for Allied Health labs. In addition, OSHE funded the HECF Grant Priority 1, in the amount of $51,874.93.  Funding will be used to purchase equipment for the Library Modernization project.
• The OCC proposal for the “New America’s Community College Workforce Transformation and Implementation Cohort Project” was selected to be a part of a technical assistance consortium. Each college participating in this consortium will focus on implementing best practices and innovations that allow the college to better serve students and meet local labor market needs through its workforce programs in three focus areas:
• Aligning Workforce Development with Equitable Economic and Community Development
• Modernizing College-Wide Data Infrastructure to Achieve Equitable Workforce Priorities
• Developing College-Level Financing Strategies to Fund the Implementation of Workforce Priorities and Address Equity

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 June 24 through July 21, 2023.

Student Affairs

Advising

NJ STARS

• As of early July, 85 Spring 2023 NJ STARS students graduated, and there are 10 potential Summer 2023 NJ STARS graduates.
• Of a possible 175 returning NJ STARS students, 126 (72%) are enrolled for the Fall 2023 semester. Additionally, there are approximately 150 potential incoming NJ STARS students for the Fall semester.
• A review of NJ STARS students indicates there are 18 whose GPAs are below 3.0 following the Spring 2023 semester. Of those 18, 11 are in danger of losing their scholarships for the Fall 2023 semester.  All of the students have been called and sent warning letters.  In comparison to last year, the number of students in danger is very similar, 11 of 138 students this year compared to 12 of 139 students last year.

New Student Schedule Review

The Advising Office is continuing to create schedules and enter complete academic plans for new students registered for Express Enrollment events.  Advisors use the information provided by the students and follow up with the students as needed.  At the Express Enrollment events, advisors meet with all students and assist them with adjusting their schedules if needed.

Advising is reviewing all new student schedules after Enrollment Events to ensure that students are registered appropriately if their majors change or if the students made changes on their own.  Advising is collaborating with the HUB on follow-up texting to students who have not responded to outreach regarding their schedules.  Advising is also collaborating with Records and Registration on Higher-Level Math Reviews for students who are seeking to take pre-calculus or calculus in the Fall.

Athletics

Sixteen fantastic OCC Viking student-athletes across 11 teams earned placement on the 2022- 23 National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) All-Academic Teams.  Two OCC students, Adam Grelak (Men’s Soccer and Men’s Tennis) and Melanie Lockwood (Women’s Soccer) secured First Team honors, having finished the year with perfect 4.0 GPAs.  Congratulations to all of these students:

• First Team (4.0 GPA)
  • Adam Grelak (Men’s Soccer and Men’s Tennis)
  • Melanie Lockwood (Women’s Soccer)

• Second Team (3.80-3.99 GPA)
  • Pardys Ahmadi (Men’s Volleyball)
  • Jenna Amogretti (Women’s Cross Country)
  • Josh Corsentino (Men’s Cross Country)
  • Thomas Donachy (Golf)
  • Kelsea Jecas (Women’s Tennis)
  • Josh Kline (Men’s Basketball and Men’s Tennis)
  • Alexa McEwan (Women’s Volleyball)
  • Chris Primiano (Men’s Volleyball)
  • Katelyn Reilly (Women’s Volleyball)
  • Devon Smith (Baseball)
  • Kaylee Stripto (Women’s Cross Country)

• Third Team (3.60-3.79 GPA)
  • Colin Matuschat (Baseball)
  • Colin Raimann (Men’s Basketball)
  • Jeremy Schiel (Golf)

Career Services

Ms. Taylor Dulemba, Director of Career Services and HOSA Advisor, traveled to Dallas, Texas, with four OCC students who went “Beyond All Limits” at this year’s 46^th Annual HOSA – Future Health Professionals International Leadership Conference.  Students competed in various competitions throughout the week, including:

• Danielle D’Allassandro – Medical Reading, 3^rd Place Winner
• Caitlyn Scardigno – Medical Terminology, Top 10 Finalist
• Moon Patel – Human Growth and Development, Top 10 Finalist
• Heather Lopez – Home Health Aide, Top 10 Finalist

Ms. Dulemba and the students attended the conference expo, which offered various hands-on learning and health care exploratory opportunities.  They also attended numerous educational seminars and workshops.

HOSA’s International Leadership Conference is an opportunity for these students to test their knowledge, explore healthcare careers, network with professionals and peers, and display leadership and professional skills. Congratulations are extended to the students for their accomplishments at the conference.

Counseling Center

• The Counseling Center completed its relocation to the Administration Building. This was done with no disruption in services to students and with only four Counseling staff members, Ms. Carmen Mora, Ms. Darra Stack, Ms. Katie Hueth, and Ms. Kelly Petrolis.
• Director Kate Pandolpho has been appointed to the Kean University Counselor Education Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Education Programs (CACREP) Advisory Board. She has also been reappointed as Secretary to the Ocean County Mental Health Board.
• The Counseling Center plans many activities for the Fall semester. Training opportunities will be offered specifically for faculty, lecturers, and staff over the next academic year.  The Center is collaborating with the Social Work Club to present a Journaling workshop.  On September 19, 2023, “Recovery Speaks” will be hosted from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on the campus mall in collaboration with community partner, Hope Sheds Light.  September is Suicide Prevention month, and a number of activities will be featured, including “In Their Shoes” and a Veterans Suicide Prevention event will be offered in collaboration with the Veterans and Military Resources Center and the Addictions studies program.
• The Supporting Students in Recovery Program continues its programming and services through the summer. Funding for the current program year ends on September 30, 2023; there has been no word yet about continued funding for the next year.  However, services will continue to be available to students as the OCC Foundation continues some of the activities.
• The Displaced Homemakers Program began its funding year on July 1, 2023. The program is currently working with 4 new clients and 100 ongoing clients.  One client is enrolled in a WPE training program, five clients are continuing their credit courses at OCC, one client is enrolled in the Nursing program, and two are continuing their education at other higher education institutions.  The program is currently recruiting for the part-time Coach position.  A new marketing TikTok video, completed in collaboration with College Relations, has been released.  The video features a client telling her compelling story and the ways in which the Displaced Homemakers Program supported and helped her.
• The Care Team handled 673 reports for the period July 1, 2022, through June 30, 2023. There were considerably fewer academic reports this past academic year; in 2021-22, the Team handled 252 academic reports, while in 2022-23 only 49 reports were received. Additionally, in the 2021-22 year, the Team handled reports from CARES funding and COVID-related issues, which did not occur this past year. It is important to note that the Team continues to receive reports on students’ mental health concerns, family issues, relationship stressors, housing, and food insecurities.

Enrollment Services – the HUB

• In the month of June, the Success Team made 1,491 outgoing calls and spent a total of 27.5 hours on the phone speaking with current students regarding their academic success.
• In the month of June, the HUB Team made 5,335 outgoing calls and spent a total of 101 hours of the phone speaking with potential students regarding enrollment and on-boarding at OCC.
• Enrollment Services collaborated with Academic Advising to schedule three general Express Enrollment Days on July 12, July 20, and July 27, 2023. During the events, students hear from Academic Advising and learn about Student Planning, receive their individual schedules for Fall, take campus tours, and meet with additional student services departments.
• In the month of June, the HUB team completed 671 in-person transactions with an average service time of 3.41 minutes and an average wait time under two minutes. Transactions include general help with applications, financial aid, advising, dropping or adding classes, taking payments, or setting up payment plans.
• Jim Campbell, Coordinator of Outreach and Enrollment Services, was selected to present on July 26, 2023, to Robert Wood Johnson Barnabas Health (RWJBH) employees in a session regarding the Community College Opportunity Grant (CCOG). The presentation is the first time the partnership between NJCCC and RWJBH has requested a presenter from a community college.

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 July 20, 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.  On the same day, staff hosted an informational table in collaboration with the Veterans and Military Resources Center.  Staff shared department brochures to prospective students and provided a general overview of services.

Southern Education Center

• Members of the SEC team continue to attend Express Enrollment Days on the main campus throughout the summer. The team shares specifics about the SEC and invites students to visit the building to learn about options available to them.
• The SEC staff continued to review enrollment trends and previous course offerings to share ideas about new course opportunities. SEC Director Brian Schillaci also met with each area Academic Administrator to create the framework for the Spring 2024 schedule. The goal is to continue increasing both in-person and video-connected classes to offer students in the southern part of Ocean County as many learning opportunities as possible.
• Brian Schillaci has a meeting scheduled with members of the Barnegat High School counseling team in early August to discuss the possibility of student visits to the SEC during the upcoming academic year. These visits will be similar to those experienced by Lacey High School students this past Spring.

Veterans and Military Resources Center

• The Veterans and Military Resources Center (VMRC) was awarded a $2,000 grant from the OCC Foundation to fund a military-specific snack pantry; this award occurred in conjunction with the donation of a full-sized refrigerator from Jersey Coast Appliance. Students will be able to enjoy small breakfasts or lunches, as well as snacks and drinks, while they visit the VMRC. The lounge has since been rearranged for comfort with the assistance of Facilities personnel.
• The VMRC has been asked to participate in a Council on Military Transition Education (CMTE) Conference at Columbia University on July 25 and 26, 2023. The conference is by invitation only, and participants report on and make recommendations for best practices to the Department of Defense.  Attendance at the conference will place OCC in a position to potentially garner an invitation to join the Council.
• Two small working groups have been created, the first to revise and update mobilization policy and process, and the second to review procedures utilized when military-affiliated students initially engage with the College.
• The Blue Claws ticket fundraiser for the July 29, 2023, game, which will benefit the VMRC, is now live, and the “donate a ticket to a veteran” is active until July 28, 2023.
• Plans are underway to work with the Counseling Center and College Lecturer Patricia Gianotti to provide a presentation to veterans in September that focuses on addictions and suicide prevention.
• In conjunction with the Joint Base, the Center is working on a “You Matter” event in September. This event will be similar to the PTSD event hosted at OCC by Ms. Patricia Gianotti, with a screening of the Walking Wounded documentary and a team-building exercise.
• A local Manahawkin family gifted a Wii video game console to the Center for use in the VMRC lounge.

e-Learning and Learning Enterprises

Professional Development

• Members of the e-Learning Academic Team participated in the New Jersey Distance Education Affinity Group (DEAG) monthly meeting, which took place at Mercer County Community College on June 22, 2023. The conference focused on the potential impact of proposed regulations by the U.S. Department of Education on the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA) and its member institutions.  These regulatory changes primarily aim to address State consumer protection laws related to closure, recruitment, and misrepresentation.

The e-Learning Department recognizes the importance of supporting the College in complying with these proposed policies, as they are crucial in safeguarding the welfare of students.  By ensuring necessary compliance measures, the department aims to protect students and maintain the quality and integrity of online education at OCC.

Participation in conferences like DEAG allows the e-Learning Department to connect with online college communities across New Jersey and engage with administrators who curate and share online learning and teaching resources.  This networking opportunity is essential for the department to stay informed about current happenings and best practices in online education within New Jersey.

The next DEAG conference is scheduled for March 1, 2024.  The anticipated changes to the SARA policy resulting from the proposed regulations are not expected to take effect until July 2024.  The e-Learning Department remains committed to staying updated on these policy changes and is actively collaborating with institutions to ensure compliance and provide students with a secure and enriching online learning experience.

• The Master Course Development Kick-Off meeting, held on June 22, 2023, brought together 15 members of the e-Learning Academic Team, Subject Matter Experts (SMEs), Course Developers and Reviewers, and the Instructional Design Team to prepare for course developments for the upcoming academic year. This online meeting served as a platform for introductions, setting course expectations, and outlining the next steps in working with instructional designers.  The meeting emphasized the opportunity to develop courses that promote higher-order thinking and scaffold subject matter content to meet the learning outcomes of all courses.

Faculty shared their insights on utilizing Open Educational Resources (OER) and accessing ADA-compliant materials.  These discussions ensure the use of inclusive and accessible resources in course development.

The SMEs were invited to enroll in the Course Development Training (CDT), a self-paced online training course for master course development.  The CDT guides participants through the course development process, clarifies their roles and responsibilities in collaboration with instructional designers, and provides an opportunity to address any questions they may have.

By integrating higher-order thinking, scaffolding content, and utilizing appropriate resources, the meeting set the stage for successful course development geared to deliver an exceptional learning experience for e-Learning students.

• Professional development for e-Learning Department members is an ongoing initiative. On July 14, 2023, eight e-Learning members attended the Canvas Connect event hosted by Instructure (Canvas) at The College of New Jersey (TCNJ).  The event focused on emerging topics in higher education and provided an opportunity to network, share ideas, learn, and discuss their experiences.  This year’s theme at the conference was “At the Center of Learning:  An Open Conversation on the Role of Technology in Academic Decision-Making.”

Dr. Jacob Farbman from the New Jersey Council of Community Colleges (NJCCC) served as the event host, and other presenters from the New Jersey Association of State Colleges and Universities (NJASCU), Canvas, also participated.  The event featured a keynote address by Dr. Kathy Naasz from the New Jersey Institute of Technology’s Innovation Initiative, as well as a panel discussion with esteemed academic leaders, including Dr. Danielle Wozniak from Yeshiva University, Dr. Gerard O’Sullivan from Salus University, Ms. Ivonne Cruz from TCNJ, and Mr. Scott Kaufman from Veterinary Emergency Group.

• The 2^nd annual 2023 Adjunct Summer Retreat for the e-Learning Department, titled “Unleashing the Superpowers: Empowering Online Faculty for Heroic Success and Student Service,” took place on July 20, 2023, from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m.  This virtual professional development retreat hoped to empower the 30+ online faculty who attended with valuable insights and strategies to achieve heroic online teaching success and student service.

Key topics in online teaching were discussed:

• Exploring the student community experience
• Instructor policies that enhance the learning environment
• Engaging students in discussions using open-ended questions, promoting deeper learning
• Faculty evaluative criteria to ensure a fair assessment of student progress

Faculty and lecturers explored ways to connect with online students and create a personalized and supportive learning experience.

Recognizing the importance of faculty well-being, a session focused on preventing burnout during the summer months through effective time-management techniques. Participants were given strategies to balance their workloads and personal lives, ensuring they maintain their energy and enthusiasm for teaching.

To promote relaxation and mindfulness, a virtual Yoga session was incorporated into the retreat.  For thirty minutes, roundtable attendees participated in guided exercises, allowing them to rejuvenate and recharge.

The retreat concluded with a graduation ceremony to celebrate faculty and lecturer commitment to excellence in online education and their newfound knowledge and skills.

e-Learning General Meeting

The Fall 2023 e-Learning Faculty General Meeting titled, “Elevating Education:  How We Support All Students,” is scheduled for Tuesday, August 29, 2023, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.  The General Meeting will have a Brainfuse representative provide a demonstration of the new tutoring service for online students that will be implemented starting September 2023.  The General Meeting will also host two Breakout Sessions, Turnitin Artificial Intelligence and Faculty Digital Resources to Cultivate Learning.  Registration for the meeting is required through NeoEd.

International Programs

The International Programs team is taking the next steps in finalizing agreements and program curricula for the new Alamein International Consortium partnership, which is expected to launch this Fall.  William Paterson University recently approved the announcement to Egyptian prospective students of their triple degree programs in Information Technology and Digital Marketing.

Dr. Maysa Hayward, Associate Vice President of International Programs, recently left for Egypt, where she will visit the four Egyptian Universities that are involved in the consortium:  Alamein International University, Badr University, New Mansoura University, and El Nahda University. During these visits, she will conduct training for the staff that will be coordinating and facilitating the consortium programs and courses, and she will be helping to ensure that the universities are prepared for the start of the programs in October.

Dr. Hayward will also attend open houses in Alexandria, Egypt, on July 26 and 27, 2023, and the Edugate education fair in Cairo on July 30, 31, and August 1, 2023, at which she will be marketing the new programs and recruiting students for the consortium’s inaugural cohorts.

Social Justice Academy at Ocean County College

In partnership with Ocean County College and the Ocean County College Foundation, the Social Justice Academy of New Jersey (facilitated by Monmouth University) piloted its first academy at an institution of higher education, here at OCC, from July 10 to July 20, 2023.

Through the collaborative partnership of Dr. Eileen Garcia, Vice President of e-Learning and Learning Enterprises, and Mr. Kenneth Malagiere, Executive Director, OCC Foundation, Co-Chairs, of the OCC DEI Committee, with the direction of Dr. Nicole Pulliam, department chair and Director of the Social Justice Academy and Dr. Vernon S. Smith, department chair and Assistant Director, both Associate Professors at Monmouth University, the inaugural Social Justice Academy at OCC was implemented.  OCC’s faculty, lecturers, and administrators were invited to participate in the academy for a two-week immersive experience held on OCC’s campus.

The academy workshop was led and moderated by Dr. David Ford, Chair for the Department of Professional Counseling and Associate Professor of Professional Counseling, along with Dr. KC Lubniewski, Associate Professor of Special Education, both from Monmouth University.

All OCC schools, the e-Learning Department, and OCC library were represented among the 17 academy participants – or Fellows.  In addition to completing the workshop, the academy requires that Fellows complete a community-based, DEI-focused project.  The Fellows will call upon their academic expertise and experience and their passions to be stewards of social progress at OCC.  Their project initiatives will be developed and executed over the next six months, and the DEI Committee and OCC Foundation will celebrate the completion of the academy project presentations during the Spring 2024 term.

On July 10, 2023, to mark the beginning of the two-week academy and the significance of this historical event, a Welcome Breakfast was offered to the SJA leadership and facilitators, the 17 OCC Fellows, and other leaders from Academic Affairs, e-Learning, and the OCC Foundation.

The DEI Committee and OCC Foundation are proud of the SJA Fellows and their endeavors to support OCC’s vision to support diversity, equity, and inclusion and the College’s pursuit of academic excellence.