Volume 2, No. 2
November 16, 2015
 Rochelle Hendricks
$180 Million for Higher Education Facilities
Made Available Today 

Institutions invited to apply for funds.
  
By Rochelle Hendricks
Secretary of Higher Education

Today, I am announcing a second round of higher education construction funding, making $180 million available to build, repair and update critically needed academic facilities for our State's colleges and universities. Institutions are invited to compete for the funding by submitting grant applications that can be found here. 

Grant applications will be administered with the help of our invaluable partners at the Educational Facilities Authority. The new projects will build on the historic legislation Governor Christie signed in 2012 that placed the Building Our Future Bond Act on the ballot. Voters approved the legislation which, so far, has provided $1.3 billion for 176 projects at 46 institutions. Those projects included cutting edge research laboratories, computerized classrooms, and cyber networks that allowed students and faculty to interact with colleagues around the world. The Building Our Future Bond Act was the first voter-approved, state-backed funding for higher education construction in 25 years.

The money being made available today, as the second round of funding from the 2012 bond act, will be awarded to projects that meet State priorities and help students prepare for high-demand fields. My staff will be collaborating with the Economic Development Authority, the Treasurer's office, and the Schools Development Authority to deliver this new funding for critically needed projects.

I am pleased that the State is renewing its commitment to higher education, to ensure that students will enjoy new and improved facilities for years to come. Our goal is provide our world-class students and faculty with facilities and laboratories that they deserve!

For more information, click here.

Dr. William Campbell Nobel Laureate works one-on-one with a Drew undergraduate student on real-world scientific research as part of Drew's unique RISE Program through which senior scientists work directly with students in the lab. (Photo credit Bill Denison Drew University)
Drew University's William Campbell Wins Nobel Prize in Medicine

RISE associate fellow discovers drug that treats parasitic diseases.

William Campbell, a scientist and associate fellow in Drew University's RISE program, has won a Nobel Prize for discovering a drug that treats parasitic diseases.  Campbell shared the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine with Satoshi Omura of Japan. The drug they discovered is Avermectin, and a derivative, Ivermectin, which significantly lowered the incidences of River Blindness and Lymphatic Filariasis, according to The New York Times .

"Drew University is thrilled that Dr. William Campbell was named a Nobel Laureate for his work that literally helped save millions of lives," said MaryAnn Baenninger, president of Drew University. "We are so proud that this stellar scientist is part of the Drew community's Research Institute for Scientists Emeriti (RISE) program working directly with Drew undergraduate students."


Dr. Anne Bavier, President NLN Board of Governors, Dr. Patricia Castaldi, Union's Director of Nursing; Dr. Carol Healey, Union's Prof. Practical Nursing, and Dr. Beverly Malone, NLN CEO.
National Honor for Union County College's Nursing Department

Union County College's Practical Nursing Program has earned national recognition for being named a "Center of Excellence" by the National League for Nursing. The honor covers the period from 2015 to 2019 and is conferred only to select nursing-education departments across the country.
 
Union's Practical Nursing Department was cited for its longstanding record of achievement in nursing education. National League of Nursing President Marsha Adams says, "It is an honor to count Union County College among the outstanding group of recipients of this designation, which recognizes nursing departments for sustained efforts to create environments that enhance student learning and professional development."
 
College President Margaret McMenamin credits the faculty and the academic leadership for their pursuit of this distinction. "Under Chief Academic Officer Maris Lown and Director of Nursing Patricia Castaldi, Union's Nursing faculty have made this commitment to ensure that Union's program will continue to achieve the highest standards of quality education throughout this decade and beyond."

Rowan University to Offer Money-Saving, Time-Saving 3-year D egrees

Includes free summer tuition and housing; 25 percent reduction in cost of degree

Rowan University will offer a three-year, year-round degree path for students beginning in fall 2016. The program will be available in multiple majors, with students taking a prescribed sequence of courses during the fall, spring and summer sessions and living on campus the entire three years, including two summers.

 "The program is exciting in that it enables our students to have a deeper, richer college experience while saving approximately 25 percent on the overall cost of attaining their bachelor's degree. It also helps the University better utilize its facilities in the summer and gives Glassboro a much-needed economic boost during that time," said Dr. Ali A. Houshmand, president of Rowan University. "It's a creative solution to challenges students and higher education institutions are facing across the country today."

The benefits for students are broad: completion of their degree in a shorter period of time, reduction in overall cost, guaranteed availability of needed courses, internships and/or academic-related work, and guaranteed Rowan University or affiliated housing throughout their undergraduate career. It also allows them to make excellent use of summers that, because of the economy, have offered too few quality job opportunities for college students. 



Ramapo Student Tells How EOF Program Changed His Life

My name is Ryan Campbell.  I began college this summer as an EOF student at Ramapo College of New Jersey.  I do not come from an affluent background like other students in my hometown with families able to pay for college.
Ramapo EOF Student Ryan Campbell
 
Therefore, I was very happy when I was accepted at Ramapo College as a member of the EOF program.  Without this opportunity, I would not be at this important step in my life.
 
I've understood for a long time that it would have been difficult for my parents to send 4 children to school. From a young age, I made a commitment to myself that I was not going to put them in that position.

When it came time to start my college search, I planned to work this out myself, either through a soccer scholarships or some other way. Fortunately, as I was researching for financial assistance, I found out about the EOF program at Ramapo College.  In a sense, the EOF program rescued me and my family.   Watching how my older brother completed his first 2 years of college gave me inspiration and the drive to succeed. He has become my role model. 

 

William Paterson University Receives More than $3 Million for Urban Education, STEM Projects 
 
The William Paterson University College of Education recently received three grant awards totaling more than $3 million for projects focused on urban education.  The University has been awarded a five-year, $1,049,996 grant from the National Science Foundation to recruit and train undergraduate science and math majors to teach in high-need school districts.  The University will collaborate on the grant project with Mercer County Community College and the Paterson Public Schools.
From left, Djanna Hill; College of Education Dean Candace Burns and Jyoti Champanerkar 

The Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program seeks to encourage talented undergraduate science and mathematics majors to become K-12 mathematics and science teachers in high-need K-12 school districts.

"I am proud that the National Science Foundation has chosen William Paterson University for this prestigious grant, which builds on our long-standing partnerships and success in preparing teachers in the STEM disciplines as well as teachers for urban schools," says Kathleen Waldron, president of William Paterson University.  "We are also delighted to expand our partnership with Mercer County Community College as we collaborate to seek additional STEM majors who wish to become teachers."


Hackensack University Health Network and Seton Hall Form N.J.'s Only Private School of Medicine

Leaders say new partnership will provide a significant economic boost to the region.

Standing left to right: Patrick Murray, chairman of the Seton Hall Board of Regents, and Joseph Simunovich, chairman of the Hackensack University Health Network Board of Trustees. Sitting left to right A. Gabriel Esteban, president of Seton Hall University and Robert C. Garrett, president and CEO of Hackensack University Health Network.
"This definitive agreement with Seton Hall University marks another step forward for our new school of medicine," said Robert C. Garrett, president and chief executive officer of HackensackUHN. "We are excited to build a world-class institution that will prepare future healthcare professionals in an innovative curriculum. The opportunities are endless when combining our clinical expertise and Seton Hall University's academic reputation."

"We look forward to partnering with Hackensack University Health Network to create a top-tier school of medicine," said Seton Hall President A. Gabriel Esteban. "The school will be built upon Hackensack's extensive clinical and research expertise combined with the University's nationally recognized academic strengths in the sciences, nursing, and health and medical sciences."
Read more        

Deirdre Yates, M.F.A., College of Communication and the Arts Interim Dean, Seton Hall University
Seton Hall Forms New College of Communication and  the Arts

School will take advantage of proximity to NYC. 

The new College of Communication and the Arts at Seton Hall University will  be dedicated to innovative, genuine, and professional interaction in academic, social, artistic, 
and technological settings. Its diverse and flexible programs, anchored in the humanities and featuring cutting-edge technology and innovative curricula, will provide opportunities for meaningful collaboration across disciplines.

The College of Communication and the Arts will bring national attention to Seton Hall University, leverage the expertise of its faculty and the University's proximity to New York City.  Professor Deirdre Yates, M.F.A., has been named Interim Dean for the new College. Classically trained at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts and The Catholic University of America, Professor Yates is a long-standing and highly respected member of the Seton Hall academic community.


President A. Gabriel Esteban Honored as 'Great Immigrant'    

Seton Hall President A. Gabriel Esteban was named one of the Carnegie Corporation's 38 'Great Immigrants:The Pride of America' honorees.
Seton Hall University President A. Gabriel Esteban was recognized as a "Great Immigrant" by the Carnegie Corporation of New York. President Esteban, the first Filipino president of a major American university, is among the 38 "Great Immigrants" nationally honored this year.
 
The 2015 "Great Immigrants: The Pride of America" initiative includes individuals who have helped advance and enlighten our society, culture and economy.
 
"The promise inherent in the American Dream, which has attracted immigrants to the United States for centuries, has been fulfilled in my life many times over. For that, I will be forever grateful to my adopted homeland," said President Esteban. "At Seton Hall, I work to ensure that today's young Americans -- many of whom come from immigrant families -- receive an education that will allow them to realize their own hopes and aspirations."

Read more
Rutgers University-Camden Announces New  Financial Aid Program for N.J. Students, Families
Phoebe Haddon, chancellor, Rutgers-Camden

A new financial support program at Rutgers University-Camden will transform access to a Rutgers degree by helping New Jersey families dramatically reduce their college cost by waiving tuition in full or by half.

The first of its kind among New Jersey's public four-year colleges and universities, "Bridging the Gap" will strengthen Rutgers-Camden's commitment to providing access to a world-class Rutgers degree, says Rutgers-Camden Chancellor Phoebe A. Haddon.

Students can qualify if they graduate from high school in 2016, are U.S. citizens (or legal, permanent U.S. residents) and are residents of New Jersey seeking to enroll at Rutgers University-Camden next fall. They can apply for this program by completing the 2016-17 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Families with an adjusted gross income of $60,000 or less will receive a grant covering all of their tuition and the general campus fee not already covered by federal and/or state grants. Families with an adjusted gross income of $60,001 to $100,000 will receive a grant covering 50 percent of their remaining tuition and the general campus fee after any other need-based federal and/or state grants are applied.
 
Centenary College Opens a Social Media Center of Expertise  
 
Centenary College has opened a Social Media Center of Expertise and is now offering an innovative Social Media Marketing program.  This Center, which is called #theVIBE, is the location where students gain social media expertise and where businesses can leverage the knowledge of social media experts.
 
Centenary College is offering a unique program with several approaches: earn a B.S. in Business Administration with a concentration in Social Media Marketing or combine a Social Media Marketing minor with other majors, such as Graphic Design or Communication.  Professionals can also experience career enhancement by earning a Social Media Marketing Certificate.
 
"The program Centenary College is launching in Social Media will help fill the gap we see today in analytic talent and appears to be on the forefront of instilling the skills colleges should be teaching to future professionals," says Kevin Hartman, Google Head of Analytics Consumer Goods and Entertainment Sector.



Study Abroad at Ocean County College: Morocco

In summer 2015, Ocean County College, with support from a U.S. Department of Education grant, offered Study Abroad in Morocco from May 24 to June 13.  The program began with a week-long online orientation and introduction to the language and culture of the Middle East/North Africa.  Participants flew to Morocco for an immersion program in language, culture, and history.  Upon their return, they engaged in a week-long online conclusion to the course, which allowed time to reflect and share what they gained from the experience.
 
"The three weeks in Rabat, Morocco proved to be a rich experience for the students on the cultural, linguistic, and individual levels," explained Dr. Maysa Hayward, Dean of Instructional Outreach.  "The students learned first-hand how to negotiate and appreciate differences in cultures as a point of celebration, not resistance."

 
 
'Arts on Campus' Project Showcases Students at Ocean County College  
Ocean County College Arts on Campus Project showcases student art.

Ocean County College's Department of Academic Affairs has implemented an "Arts on Campus" project to highlight the talent of current OCC students, to beautify the campus, to inspire future students, and to provide rich artistic experiences for community members.
 
The "Arts on Campus" project is thanks to a generous donation from Tom Zorojew, an OCC alumnus, entrepreneur, and active community supporter.
 
The first exhibit in the OCC Library Clock Tower will remain on display for the rest of 2015.  Exhibits will be displayed throughout the campus both on a short-term and permanent basis.  Each year, a panel of faculty will select the best student artwork for each exhibit.  As the project is expanded, community artists will also be invited to display their artwork on campus.

R. Barbara Gitenstein, President of The College of New Jersey
15 Schools, Including TCNJ, Make List of Standouts in New Federal Scorecard

The U.S. Department of Education released its new College Scorecard and The College of New Jersey was recognized as one of 15 public schools with high graduation rates leading to high incomes.

In his weekly radio address on Saturday, President Barack Obama described the report as a study designed to help students and parents identify "which schools do the best job of preparing America for success."

The Scorecard offers data on factors important to prospective students, such as how much graduates earn and how much debt they have when they graduate. TCNJ joins the College of William & Mary as the only smaller institutions on the list of 15.

"Most of the institutions on the list are larger state universities or tech schools," said Lisa Angeloni, vice president for enrollment management at TCNJ. "If a student is searching for a personalized, high-caliber educational experience at a small, comprehensive college, TCNJ is a perfect fit.

Read more
 

 

Caldwell University Raises Awareness of Mental Health Issues, Becomes Jersey's First Stigma-Free Campus
 
  Governor Richard Codey joins President Blattner to mark occasion 
Nancy Blattner, President of Caldwell University and Richard Codey, former Governor of NJ
 
Caldwell University showed its support for raising public awareness about mental health issues by becoming New Jersey's first stigma-free campus  on October 7. Former governor Richard Codey joined President Nancy Blattner to mark the occasion and to tour the campus's new Wellness Center.
 
"We are very happy to become a stigma-free campus to show our students and the community that our institution is committed to overcoming the stigma attached to mental health issues. We are dedicated to improving the quality of life for young and old who suffer with mental health disorders," said Blattner.
 
The stigma-free initiative is sponsored by the Codey Fund for Mental Health. Codey and his wife Mary Jo, an alumna of Caldwell University, founded the fund, which is aimed at ensuring that compassionate, quality mental health care is accessible to everyone and that the stigma associated with mental illness is overcome through public awareness and education.
 
"I salute Caldwell University on becoming the first New Jersey university to become a stigma-free campus. Now I know why my wife went here," said Codey.

Kennedy Center Announces Trenton as Partner City for Any Given Child

Rider to serve as strategic partner, supporting implementation of K-8 program

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts has chosen Trenton, New Jersey for the Ensuring the Arts for Any Given Child, a program that creates a long-range arts education plan for students in grades K-8. The program will incorporate existing resources of the Trenton Public Schools, local arts organizations, and the Kennedy Center to create a strategy for arts education specific to the city. Trenton is the 19th city across the nation to join the program.

Any Given Child seeks to bring access and equity to each student's arts education, using an affordable model that combines the resources of the school district, local arts and community organizations, and the Kennedy Center. With the assistance of expert consultation services provided by Kennedy Center staff and other professionals, community leaders develop a strategy for arts education that is tailor-made for the school district and community. "The students of Trenton are on the path to be inspired and energized through the arts," said Kennedy Center Senior Vice President of Education Mario Rossero. "We are particularly grateful to our National Committee member, Georgeanne Moss, to the Trenton Public Education Foundation which submitted the application on behalf of the Trenton School District, and to Mayor Jackson and Dr. Durán, for their tireless efforts to bring this day to fruition. We look forward to seeing the positive impact this program will have on the Trenton community."


School of Education Hosts First TeachMeet Event

Educators share classroom ideas on using technology to engage learners in the classroom


Engaging digital natives in the classroom provides an opportunity for educators to use technology in creative ways, and exploring those opportunities was the focus of Rider University School of Education's first TeachMeet event.

More than 150 teachers, principals and supervisors from elementary, middle and high schools, as well as student teachers and faculty from Rider and other local universities, came together to share their ideas on Sept. 24th. Characterized as an informal "un-conference," the event allowed participants to engage in using technology and other tools, as well as to network with one another. For the sharing portion of the evening, presenters were asked to prepare a concrete lesson in either three or seven minutes. Topics ranged from how to use digital publishing in the classroom to new ways to approach mathematics and to reach the reluctant writer.

NJII Wins $49.6 Million Federal Grant to Improve Clinical Care Practices in NJ
Donald Sebastian, president of the New Jersey Innovation Institute (NJII), New Jersey Health Commissioner Cathleen Bennett and Tomas Gregorio, NJII's senior executive director of healthcare delivery systems

Backed by a nearly $50 million grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, NJIT's New Jersey Innovation Institute (NJII) will spend the next four years working with thousands of medical practices in the state to improve the quality and efficiency of the care they provide, while also lowering its cost.

Through its Transforming Clinical Practice Initiative (TCPI), the federal government seeks to move practices from a fee-for-service model that reimburses caregivers for dispensing treatment at episodic visits to what is known as a "value-based" care system that compensates them for keeping their patients well through ongoing, evidence-based disease management. The program is aimed in particular at the sickest patients with complex conditions such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease who often cycle in and out of emergency rooms, as well as have longer hospital stays.


Meet the 2015 Freshman Class
 
The freshman class is the largest and smartest in the history of NJIT. Above are a just a few of the bright students in the class

Well-prepared students tend to gravitate toward demanding majors, and the most popular majors selected by this class are mechanical engineering, computer science and biomedical engineering, followed by civil engineering, computer engineering, engineering science, biology and architecture. Most freshmen come from New Jersey but others come from far-away states such as Hawaii and California, Texas and Washington, Indiana and Illinois. Some also come from abroad.  

The class enters NJIT at a time when the university is stronger than ever. The Brookings Institute reported recently that NJIT is one of the nation's top 10 schools that "provided the greatest value-added boost to their alumni in the occupational earnings power..."

Indeed, many students in the class say they chose NJIT because it's a top-ranked university that's affordable yet offers majors that lead to internships and, later, good jobs. Many also noted that NJIT is near to their hometowns, which allows them to remain close to their families, geographically and emotionally. Some commute and save money, while others live on campus but can commute home on weekends or holidays. Many also note that NJIT is relatively small and a close-knit campus: The self-enclosed quad, they say, allows them to get to classes quickly and to develop close relationships with students and professors. NJIT is also located in the heart of the metropolitan region, a short train ride away from Manhattan, many say, where employment opportunities abound.   
  
What follows are profiles of a few Honors College freshmen whose stories, when read together, we'll give you a sense of the talented students in the 2015 freshman class.



  NJIT Day Unites the Campus in Joy

These students competed in the Highlander games during NJIT Day.

It was NJIT Day when hundreds of students gathered on the campus quad to play games, paint their faces, listen to music, eat food and above all, to be together. It was the 13th annual NJIT Day, a tradition that brings the campus together joyously and gives students a break from their studies. They play silly games and laugh and, for a day at least, forget their equations.  
  
"It's so easy to get lost in your studies," said Ina Tubilleja, a senior who majors in biology. "So it's great to have a day where students can be together and relax."
Her friend, Eric Allas, agreed. "I love having nothing to do for a whole day," added Eric, an information technology major. "NJIT Day is when we express Highlander pride and show how much we love our school."

Many students said they were proud of NJIT for being a top-ranked university that is recognized nationally for academic excellence and the success of its graduates. And the students weren't the only ones who said they were proud NJIT. So did many of their  parents.
Rutgers Alumnus Constantine Sarkos Is Reducing Airliner Fire Hazards

Two-time Rutgers alumnus devotes career to developing major fire-safety improvements, giving passengers precious extra time to escape plane crashes

 Constantine Sarkos manages the Federal Aviation Administration's Fire Safety Branch.
Air travelers around the world are alive today because of the fire-safety innovations of Rutgers alumnus Constantine (Gus) Sarkos.

People like the 100 passengers and five crew members who had time to escape when a Continental 737 veered off the runway in Denver into a ravine and erupted into flames in 2008.

Or the passengers traveling in 2013 from Seoul, South Korea, on Asiana Airlines Flight 214, which crash-landed at San Francisco, smashed into pieces and caught fire. Three people died from injuries unrelated to the fire, while 304 survived.

Sarkos, manager of the Federal Aviation Administration's Fire Safety Branch, heads up a research and development team of engineers, chemists, technical experts and computer scientists at the William J. Hughes Technical Center, 10 miles west of Atlantic City in Egg Harbor Township - the most extensive aviation fire safety research facility in the world.



Rutgers Scientist with Autism Uses Own Experience to Investigate the Disorder in the Lab

Childhood phobias led to postdoc research on how brain circuitry affects behavior
Jason Lunden, a postdoc on the autism spectrum, is working with Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School autism researcher Emanuel DiCiccio-Bloom

Jason Lunden beat the odds.
 
After spending years in special education programs, made to feel that he couldn't learn, Lunden graduated from high school with honors - excelling in advanced placement courses such as chemistry and calculus. He was accepted and attended Cornell, went on to get his undergraduate degree at Rochester Institute of Technology and earned a Ph.D. in neurobiology from Temple University.

Today, he is working as a postdoc with Emanuel DiCiccio-Bloom, one of Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School's top autism researchers, studying how brain circuits affect behavior. Lunden's situation is both unique and advantageous because he has autism.

"My entire life I always knew there was something different about me," said Lunden who has high-functioning autism, previously known as Asperger's Syndrome. "It felt like a splinter I couldn't pull out. Most people don't know what this is like."
 
Atlantic Cape Celebrates Cape May County Campus 10-Year Anniversary Community Day 

L-R, Emily DeFranco,Tammy DeFranco, Director, CMCC Student Services & Campus Management,Atlantic Cape Community College President Peter Mora
 CAPE MAY COURT HOUSE -- Atlantic Cape Community College invited local residents to Community Day, a celebration of the 10-year anniversary of the opening of the Cape May County Campus on Oct. 12. 

Community Day offerings included campus tours, refreshments, a larger-than-life anniversary card for guests to sign, games, face painting, music, career workshops, a live radio broadcast, and the opportunity to visit a class in session.

Information was available about Atlantic Cape's programs and services, including: the Academy of Culinary Arts, admissions, continuing education, Health Professions Institute, student clubs, Rutgers at Atlantic Cape, Fairleigh Dickinson University and the Atlantic Cape Foundation.
Tammy DeFranco,Director, CMCC Student Services & Campus Management, Mitchell Levy, VP of Student Affairs &Branch Campus Management
Community supporters were also in attendance, including: Caring for Kids, the American Association of University Women-Cape May County Branch, Cape May County Zoo, The Wetlands Institute, the New Jersey Audubon Nature Center & Cape May Bird Observatory, Coalition against Rape & Abuse, Cape May County Government and Cape May County Council for Young Children.

Cape Regional Medical Center staff performed blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol screenings.

Since opening its doors in 2005, the Cape May County Campus has brought credit programs and career training to thousands  residents. The campus provides support services, including counseling, testing, tutoring and financial aid.
Rowan College at Burlington County's Workforce Development Institute Recognizes WISE Program 

Rowan College at Burlington County's Workforce
Development Institute, a national model of shared services among county and college resources, recognizes the first students to complete the Women in Sustainable Employment (WISE) program during national Careers in Energy Week, Oct. 12-18.

"The Women in Sustainable Employment program exposed women to rewarding careers in the utility field they may not have even considered," said Rowan College at Burlington County President Paul Drayton. "One of our students who attended a WISE information session was hired on-the-spot by South Jersey Gas, so I considered it a success even before the first class began. This is the first in what will be a long line of successful job-training programs led by our innovative RCBC's Workforce Development Institute."

The 40-hour training course gave women the opportunity to pursue nontraditional employment opportunities available in energy and construction industries.

Read more

Chemistry Students and Faculty Develop Method to Determine Counterfeit Wine

 Left to right: Rowan College at Burlington County Assistant Professor of Chemistry Terrence Sherlock and students Janelle Santarsiero, of Mount Laurel, and Justin Ryan,of Eastampton
Rowan College at Burlington County students in the college's innovative Undergraduate Research (UGR) program have helped to identify a method that provides a chemical fingerprint of wine, which can be used to predict stability, compare varietals, and resolve cases of alleged counterfeit wine.

Their research was included in a paper authored by RCBC Assistant Professor of Chemistry Terrence Sherlock and RCBC Chemistry Instructor and Undergraduate Research Initiative Coordinator Dr. Laura Stewart that was recently published in the Journal of Undergraduate Chemistry Research.

"Our Undergraduate Research program provides students high-quality experiences and opportunities that will help them succeed in the future. The opportunity to participate in hands-on original research is one of many reasons why Rowan College at Burlington County distinguishes itself as a national leader," RCBC President Paul Drayton said. "I congratulate Mr. Sherlock, Dr. Stewart and their exceptional students. Thanks to them, I will never look at a bottle of wine without wondering what our chemistry students could tell me about what is inside."
  

Princeton University's Angus Deaton Receives Nobel Prize in Economics
( F rom right) Christopher L. Eisgruber, Princeton president; Cecilia Rouse, dean of the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs; Janet Currie, the Henry Putnam Professor of Economics and Public Affairs and chair of the Department of Economics; Daniel Day,assistant vice president; Professor Angus Deaton. 
.
Princeton University professor Angus Deaton has been awarded the 2015 Nobel Prize in economics for his contributions to understanding consumption at the individual level and in aggregate.  Deaton, the Dwight D. Eisenhower Professor of International Affairs and a professor of economics and international affairs in Princeton's  Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs , has been a faculty member at Princeton since 1983. A news conference and receptions were held today on the Princeton campus.

Deaton was honored with the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences for his work in "consumption, poverty and welfare," the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences noted in announcing the award today.

FDU Honors Top Business Alumni with " 50 Under 50 "
 
Left to right:Chris Capuano, university provost, Thomas Timko,BS'91; and Andrew Rosman, dean of the Silberman College of Business. Timko delivered the keynote address at Silberman College's "50 Under 50"awards gala
Fairleigh Dickinson University's Silberman College of Business recently recognized a slate of distinguished alumni with its inaugural "50 Under 50" list, a compendium of business leaders under the age of 50. Alumni were acknowledged at a gala at FDU's Florham Campus on October 1.

"With the designation of '50 Under 50,' we not only recognize the noteworthy accomplishments of our top alumni, but acknowledge that FDU had a helping role in these achievements," said Andrew Rosman, dean of Silberman College. "We hold this event as a celebration of them, and also as an effort to re-commit ourselves to our alumni - to once again be their destination.

"We were a destination at least once before when they were earning a degree from FDU. Now, we commit FDU to being their lifelong source of education, a lifelong supplier of young individuals to help them grow their businesses, and their lifelong partner for paying forward," continued Rosman.



RVCC and FDU Hold Signing Ceremony for New Dual Admission Agreement 
Above: RVCC President Michael J. McDonough (left) and FDU President Sheldon Drucker sign a new Dual Admission agreement October 7, at RVCC's Branchburg Campus
Students will have an opportunity to start their education at Raritan Valley Community College and then continue pursuing a bachelor of arts, bachelor of science or combined bachelor's/master's degree program at Fairleigh Dickinson University (FDU) at a reduced tuition rate, under a new Dual Admission Agreement.
 
According to the agreement, which was signed October 7 at RVCC's Branchburg Campus, students who graduate from RVCC with an associate degree can receive a 40 percent reduction in FDU tuition. Other financial incentives are available to those who are eligible, including Phi Theta Kappa international honor society members; students whose RVCC cumulative grade point average is 3.5 or higher; a residential housing grant for students who reside at either FDU's Metropolitan Campus in Teaneck or the Florham Campus in Madison; and NJ STARS II participants.
 
   
 
Business Students Visit New York Stock Exchange

On Friday, October 2, 2015, 25 Students from FDU's Silberman College of Business participated in a" Day on Wall Street 2015." As part of Silberman's Professional Development program, the students received a private tour the Federal Reserve Bank and listened to a presentation.

The students then went to the New York Stock Exchange, where they toured the trading floor and attended the Closing Bell Ceremony. The day ended with an alumni panel discussion and opportunity to network during a meet-and-greet social at La Soffitta in the Gild Hotel. Alumni included folks from JP Morgan Chase, Merrill Lynch, Jeffries, Raymond James and Alden Capital.

Above: Students on the floor of the NYSE,with the Closing Bell Ceremony going on in the background. L-R:  Shaan Patel,Matt Mustillo, Nikola Radovic,Thomas Kovacs, Olivia Peterson, Bradford Harwick,  Joseph Bonaccorso, Carmelo Camillieri,William Quinn.
  


At Kean University, K-LABS Provides Professional Design Services to 
Nonprofits

Michael Graves believed in the power of architecture and design to make people's lives better. Kean University's Michael Graves College is honoring his legacy through K-LABS, a new design-focused community outreach program providing professional services to area non-profits. K-LABS initiatives encompass new programs in architecture and historic preservation along with longstanding graphic design, interior design, and industrial design endeavors.
  
Through the K-LABS program, Kean's School of Architecture and the Robert Busch School of Design plan to actively engage with organizations and communities throughout the metropolitan New York/New Jersey region.  K-LABS service projects will be incorporated into the Kean curriculum, providing students with valuable professional experiences and enabling them to further hone their design skills in a real world environment.

Essex County College First in U.S. to Offer Drone Operations Course
Essex County College President Gale. G Bigson and College Public Safety Director Anthony Cromartie with drone

Essex County College is the first college in the nation that will offer classes in Drone Operations for both law enforcement personnel and civilians. The first certificate class offered through the College's Division Community & Continuing Education was a four-day, 32-hour course for current law enforcement personnel during the week of November 9.

Classes will be taught at the College's Newark campus by personnel from FlexRight Solutions™, the donor of four drones. FlexRight Solutions™ founder and CEO Damian D. "Skipper" Pitts said the $75,000 system includes four drones, two of which are equipped with such high-tech features as thermal imaging and spotlights.

Dr. Elvy Vieira, Acting Dean of Community and Continuing Education/West Essex Campus, said additional 12-week (70 hours) courses offering three CEUs for civilians are also being developed. These students would then be able to market themselves to police agencies, municipalities, the public and business sectors in the growing field of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS).

"We're all looking at the latest technology available to law enforcement right now," said Anthony Cromartie, Director/Chief of Police for the College's Office of Public Safety.
  

Union County College Celebrates the New Location of Health Sciences Programs at Plainfield Campus
 
 Union County College President Margaret M. McMenamin cuts the ribbon at the new location in Plainfield surrounded by dignitaries and Union students. Standing behind the ribbon are Union County College Trustee Abubakar Jalloh, Plainfield Mayor Adrian Mapp, President McMenamin, Assemblyman Jerry Green, Freeholder Vernell Wright, Union County College Board of Trustee Chairman Victor Richel, Union County College Governor Chester Lobrow, Mrs. Louise Thul, Larry Thul, and James Thul
Tuesday, Oct. 20, was a momentous day for Union County College President Margaret M. McMenamin, as she held a ribbon cutting event at the new location of the Health Sciences programs at the College's Plainfield campus. Joined by Assemblyman Jerry Green and Plainfield Mayor Adrian Mapp, all three agreed that the day marked a new beginning for the educational opportunities available in the City of Plainfield. President McMenamin was also joined by Freeholder Vernell Wright and many members of the College's board, including Board of Trustees Chairman, Victor M. Richel, who addressed the audience. Mr. Richel reflected on the opening of the Plainfield campus, more than 20 years ago, and how this addition and upgrade will help fulfill the demands in healthcare training today. 

 Also present were members of the Thul family. Mrs. Louise Thul, was joined by sons, Larry and James Thul, to participate in the ribbon cutting ceremony and celebration of the new use of the building that formerly served as Thul Auto Parts. The property was originally acquired by the College in November 2013 from the Thul family. James Thul spoke on behalf of the family and expressed how pleased he was to see the building in use again and serving those in the community, just as his family did for more than 100 years. The College's Practical Nursing, Emergency Health Sciences, and Paramedic programs are in this building located at 225 Roosevelt Avenue.

Raritan Valley Community College Earns National Honor for Diversity 
 
For the third time, INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine, the oldest and largest diversity-focused publication in higher education, has recognized Raritan Valley Community College for its outstanding commitment to diversity and inclusion. RVCC is the only college in New Jersey to receive the 2015 Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) award.
The high school winners of the Paul Robeson Youth Achievement Awards.
 
As a recipient of the annual HEED Award, RVCC will be featured, along with 91 other recipients, in the November 2015 issue of INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine. RVCC also received this honor in both 2014 and 2012.
 
"The HEED Award process consists of a comprehensive and rigorous application that includes questions relating to the recruitment and retention of students and employees-and best practices for both-continued leadership support for diversity, and other aspects of campus diversity and inclusion. We take a holistic approach to reviewing each application in deciding who will be named a HEED Award recipient. Our standards are high, and we look for institutions where diversity and inclusion are woven into the work being accomplished every day across a campus," said Lenore Pearlstein, publisher of INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine.


Stockton, Atlantic Cape College Sign Dual Admission Agreement
 
Officials from Stockton University and Atlantic Cape Community College signed a conditional dual admission agreement on Nov. 3.  Pictured from left are: Otto Hernandez, vice president for Academic Affairs at Atlantic Cape Community College, President Peter Mora of Atlantic Cape, Interim President Harvey Kesselman of Stockton University,  and Susan Davenport, interim provost and executive vice president at Stockton.
Stockton University and Atlantic Cape Community College today signed a conditional dual admission agreement that will enable students from Atlantic or Cape May counties to earn their associate degrees at Atlantic Cape and then easily transitionto Stockton to complete their undergraduate education.

A student from either of the two counties who is denied admission to Stockton University directly out of high school would be offered conditional admission as a transfer student to Stockton from Atlantic Cape, under the program. The application fee for Stockton will be waived for eligible students. 

"This agreement will benefit students by reducing the cost of their education," said Stockton Interim President Harvey Kesselman. "Stockton University and Atlantic Cape Community College are passionate about providing cost-effective paths for students to earn their degrees, which prepare them for the jobs of today and tomorrow and lead to more successful lives."


Stockton Celebrates Civil Rights Legacy of Fannie Lou Hamer, Hears of Ongoing Struggle

Congresswoman, panel urge students to vote, fight for justice

Fannie Lou Hamer

Hundreds of Stockton University students and members of the community packed the Performing Arts Center  for the 12th Annual Fannie Lou Hamer Human and Civil Rights Symposium, which included an address by U.S. Rep Bonnie Watson Coleman, the first African-American woman to be elected to Congress from New Jersey, and a panel discussion: "Race and Social Justice: Do Black Lives Matter?"

Asking whether the goals of the civil rights movement have been achieved, Watson Coleman said, "I believe we'd probably answer - not yet and not enough. But ask ourselves: What are we going to do about it?"

She urged the crowd to take action on many fronts to achieve racial, economic and social equality for all who are discriminated against.

"Organize yourselves," she said, and vote in local, state and federal elections. "Remind officials what matters to us and that we're holding them accountable," she continued. "Make our communities strong from the inside out."


Stockton Manahawkin Instructional Site Hosted Lecture: 'Children's Play in Holocaust' 

One of a Series of Free Lectures on Holocaust and Genocide This Fall
  
Nick Hitzel
In a lecture, Nick Hitzel, a student at Stockton University, explored the psychological, functional and spiritual roles of children's play and games during the Holocaust by examining their roles as forms of therapy, as tools to learn survival skills, and as forms of resistance.

Hitzel, a Computer Science Major with a Minor in Holocaust and Genocide Studies, visited sites in Poland, Lithuania and Germany last year on a study tour with Stockton students, faculty and local Holocaust survivors and their families.

He said visiting an orphanage founded in Warsaw before the war was an eye-opener. The orphanage is still operating and includes a memorial site.  Hitzel came to Holocaust and Genocide Studies after he took a Holocaust course and realized that much of what he was learning would help in in his career goal: developing video games that tell life stories.

He said he has focused a lot on children of the Holocaust and the games they played. These were "a big source of therapy for them under stress," he said, and also introduced them to some tools of survival, by making looking for food into a game, for instance.
Eastern International College's Cardiovascular Technology Program Is Granted CAAHEP Accreditation
 
The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), upon the recommendation of the Joint Review Committee on Education in Cardiovascular Technology (JRC-CVT), verified Eastern International College's Cardiovascular Technology (Adult Echocardiography) program to be in compliance with national standards, and has awarded initial accreditation. The Associate Degree in Cardiovascular Technology (CVT) programs at both the Jersey City and Belleville and campuses are now both programmatically accredited by (CAAHEP). 
  
Programmatic accreditation is not required for employment in many cases, but its existence is a further indication that the program meets the standards of the profession, so it could enhance employment opportunities for graduates. The programmatic accreditation can allow graduates to sit for credentialing exams immediately upon graduation.
  
The CVT program at Eastern International College prepares the student to perform non-invasive diagnostic examinations of the heart and/or blood vessels at the request or direction of a physician in Adult Echocardiography. The CVT program teaches the student the essential theoretical and hands-on knowledge to compete for entry-level positions in the field.
Warren County Community College's Peter Schmidt Recognized by  National Association of Community College Trustees 

Warren County Community College is proud to announce that the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) has honored its Board of Trustee Chair Peter Schmidt  with the 2015 Northeast  Region ACCT Trustee Leadership Award. The Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) is a non-profit educational
Peter Schmidt, WCCC Trustee
 organization of governing boards, representing more than 6,500 elected and 
appointed trustees who govern over 1,200 community, technical, and junior colleges in the United States and beyond. 
 
Schmidt is the first New Jersey Trustee since Sen. Ray Bateman was selected in 2003 while he served on the board at Raritan Valley Community College. 
 
"We are exceedingly proud that Peter has been recognized with this honor," said WCCC President Dr. Will Austin. "This is truly a testament to his hard work and leadership at the college. Peter's innovative style and commitment to the community at-large is second to none. The college is thrilled that he is being recognized nationally for his efforts. This award is not only a tribute to Peter, but in many ways, to all of our trustees, past and present, who give freely of their time as non-compensated volunteers."


Rowan to Purchase Fossil Quarry in Mantua for $1.95 Million

A 65-acre quarry in Mantua Township -- which contains fossils from the heyday of the dinosaurs and provides vital insights into the time of their mass extinction 65 million years ago -- will be preserved for scientific research and as a center for "citizen science" by Rowan University.

The University is in the process of purchasing the quarry off Woodbury-Glassboro Road for $1.95 million.

Rowan leaders joined with State Senate President Steve Sweeney and Gloucester County and Mantua Township officials in discussing the future of the site during an event on Sept. 23 in the quarry.

The last open marl pit still in operation on the East Coast, the site has been owned by the Inversand Company for nearly a century. Through an agreement with Mantua Township as part of economic development planning services spearheaded by Gloucester County, Inversand maintained the site even as it moved to begin closing operations.
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Rowan University Police First in N.J. to Wear Body Cameras   

Police officers in Rowan University's Department of Public Safety are the first officers at a New Jersey college or university to use body worn cameras.
 
The body worn camera program, which is in response to legislation signed by Gov. Chris Christie last fall requiring police officers in the state to use dashboard cameras on police vehicles, was launched on Monday, April 13.
 
T he legislation signed by the governor last September states that body cameras can be used in lieu of dashboard cameras. Given that -- and given pending statewide legislation that may require body cameras on officers in the future -- Rowan's public safety leaders decided to institute the body camera program for its 34 first-responding officers, according to Reed Layton, senior director of public safety.
 
"The cameras are for the protection of citizens, as well as for officers. This is an important step for us and will enhance a lot of confidence in public safety throughout our community," says Layton.
 
The cameras are placed in the center of the chest of all public safety officers. When an officer finishes a shift, the footage is downloaded at a docking station at the police station via a secure site used by the federal government, according to Layton.
 
College of St. Elizabeth Graduates Take Leadership Roles in Education

Diane G. Mardy Ed.D, superintendent of schools in the Ho-Ho-Kus School District in Bergen County
Graduates of the CSE master's and doctoral programs in educational leadership are leading schools and districts throughout the state and beyond. From building principals to district superintendents, CSE graduates are making a difference.
  
Diane G. Mardy Ed.D. '10 has just begun her job as superintendent of schools in the Ho-Ho-Kus School District, in Bergen County, N.J. in July 2015. The kindergarten to eighth-grade district has 670 students who then attend Northern Highlands Regional High School in Allendale, N.J. While she did not have a clear plan to ascend to a superintendency, as the opportunities became available she was able to turn to CSE to advance her education and rise through the ranks.

 "I think that as time has gone on, I have evolved in my interest and my desire for different career challenges," she says. "My education at CSE has directly contributed to my career both in terms of what I have been able to achieve and also the manner in which I approach my professional endeavors." Dr. Mardy was in the first Ed.D. cohort program that graduated in 2010. "I enjoyed blazing new trails for the program and getting close to the members of our group, and finally that wonderful feeling when I successfully defended my dissertation and achieved my lifelong goal of getting my doctorate," she recalls.



College of Saint Elizabeth Appoints Next Vice President and Dean of
Academic Affairs
 
Monique Guillory-Winfield, Vice President and Dean of Academic Affairs
Monique Guillory-Winfield will be the new Vice President and Dean of Academic Affairs at College of Saint Elizabeth. Dr. Guillory-Winfield has 20 years of diverse experience in higher education administration. She is currently serving as the Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs for the Southern University System - the only historically black higher education system in the country.

At Southern, Dr. Winfield serves as the liaison between the system's five campuses and the State Board of Regents facilitating compliance with state performance-funding measures and managing academic
program development and review. Prior to this positon, Dr. Winfield served as the Special Assistant to the Administration at Xavier University of Louisiana where she managed numerous initiatives and special projects ranging from assessment and accreditation to international programs and student retention.

As the former Deputy Chief of Staff at Jackson State University, Dr. Winfield served as the founding director of the Mississippi Learning Institute -- a multi-million dollar professional development school that yielded double-digit improvements in student achievement in the Jackson Public Schools district.

County College of Morris Professors Contribute to the World of Science 

Expanding our understanding of jet fuels and chemical compounds

Two of the newer members of the County College of Morris (CCM) faculty recently published articles in major scientific journals contributing to a better understanding of jet fuels and how to better detect the purity of complex compounds.

Dr. Jason Hudzik
Dr. Jason Hudzik, assistant professor of chemistry, is the lead author of an article published in "The Journal of Physical Chemistry A"  focusing on the thermochemical properties of the military jet fuel JP-10. Using computational chemistry methods, Hudzik and his co-researchers, Dr. Álvaro Castillo and Dr. Joseph W. Bozzelli from the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT), have been able to determine the strength and weakness of various carbon-to-carbon bond energies in JP-10.
 

Dr. Loryn R. Keting
In other research, Dr. Loryn R. Keating, assistant professor of chemistry, is the lead author of an article in the journal "Talanta"
detailing a chemical detection method that can more quickly and effectively determine the purity of complex compounds.
Her research, conducted with Dr. William R. LaCourse from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County found that adding an active substance to the pulsed electrochemical detection (PED) method allowed for a better analysis of biotin, a vitamin, to determine the purity of different brands of the supplement. The research holds the potential of providing an alternative to using a mass spectrometer, which is an expensive piece of equipment, for identifying the amount and type of chemicals in complex compounds. It also paves the way for better determining the ingredients and additives that may be present in supplements to more effectively judge their purity.

 
CCM and Drew University Sign Agreement Offering Scholarships to Honors Students
 
Providing a more affordable pathway to earn a bachelor's degree

Back row,left to right, Dr. Bette Simmons,CCM vice president of Student Development and Enrollment Management, Professor Laura Gabrielsen,CCM Honors Studies adviser, Sunita Bhargava,Drew director of Continuing Education and Special Programs,Bob Massa, Drew senior vice president of Enrollment and Institutional Planning. Front row,left to right,Dr. Dwight Smith,CCM vice president of Academic Affairs, Dr. Edward J. Yaw, CCM president, Dr. MaryAnn Baenninger, Drew president,Christopher Taylor, Drew dean of Liberal Arts

Dr. Edward J. Yaw, president of County College of Morris (CCM), and Dr. MaryAnn Baenninger, president of Drew University, signed an agreement on August 27, 2015, that will provide top honors students at the community college with scholarships and a seamless transition to earn their bachelor's degrees.

Under the agreement, CCM students who successfully complete a minimum of four honors courses at the college, earn a minimum 3.25 grade point average (GPA) and transfer to Drew will receive scholarships from the university to continue their studies.

Admitted students with a GPA of 3.75 will receive a $25,000 Honors Scholarship, those with a GPA of 3.5 or higher will receive a $20,000 Presidential Scholarship, and those who earn a 3.25 GPA or higher will receive a $15,000 Deans Scholarship. The scholarships will be awarded annually as long as the students maintain the appropriate GPA. Students who are members of the Phi Theta Kappa honor society at CCM will receive an additional $2,500 annual scholarship.



Professor Charles Selengut Authors Second Book on Religious Violence

Dr. Charles Selengut_ professor of sociology at County College of Morris
An internationally respected expert on religious violence, Dr. Charles Selengut, professor of sociology at County College of Morris (CCM), has authored a new book, "Our Promised Land: Faith and Militant Zionism in Israeli Settlements" (Rowman & Littlefield), exploring the radical Israeli Messianic Zionist movement.

The book draws upon years of research and interviews conducted by Selengut in the controversial settlements throughout the contested West Bank. "Our Promised Land" provides readers with insight into the emergence of the radical Israeli Messianic Zionist movement, how the settlements were formed, what the settlers believe and their role in the Middle East today.

"Our Promised Land" has met with high praise and earned a Starred Review from Booklist, which describes the book as "an invaluable resource for everyone studying modern Israel."

Selengut also is the author of "Sacred Fury: Understanding Religious Violence" (AltaMira Press). He has lectured at conferences worldwide on the rise of fundamentalist religion and violence and spoken many times at the United Nations addressing topics related to the genesis of religious violence. In 2010, he took part in the 10th Annual International Conference on Terrorism's Global Impact held in Israel.
 
Berkely College Graduate School Building Gets a Fresh Look

The Graduate School building at Berkeley College in Woodland Park, NJ, has been completely redesigned for its new purpose.

Renovated at a cost of nearly $300,000, the 7,500-square-foot space gives the School of Graduate Studies room to grow, and features technology such as USB-equipped outlets, smart projectors, and study rooms with Apple TVs, to help students collaborate on group projects or practice presentation skills.

"The School of Graduate Studies at Berkeley College is housed in a newly renovated facility that provides graduate students with a comfortable and flexible learning environment," said Chris W. Grevesen, Ph.D., Dean, Berkeley College School of Graduate Studies. "The space features four media-rich classrooms, five conference rooms for team projects, a dedicated computer laboratory with 20 new workstations, and a comfortable lounge area."


Contact:
Alan Guenther
Manager, Policy and Planning
Office of the Secretary of Higher Education
4th Floor, 20 West State Street
Trenton, NJ   08625-0542
alan.guenther@oshe.nj.gov