Annual Report 2017–18
Our
Mission
County College of Morris is committed to excellence in teaching and lifelong learning through the delivery of exceptional programs and services to our students and to the larger community that reflect a dedication to inclusiveness and diversity, educational advancement, cultural enrichment and workforce development.
Values Statement The college’s commitment to serve the residents and businesses of Morris County and the State of New Jersey and to sustain engaged citizenship within a diverse population of students and community members is reflected in six values: • A commitment to people, evidenced by a secure, supportive environment responsive to the needs of students, employees and the community • A commitment to the academic mission of the college, which entails the search for truth and respect for scholarship and learning
• A commitment to the stewardship of the public trust • A commitment to diversity that respects individual differences and upholds the dignity of every person • A commitment to providing access and services to all regardless of financial, academic, educational or physical challenges
• A commitment to honesty and integrity in all endeavors
Strategic
Goals
Strategic Goal I: Improve Student Learning Through High Impact Practices
Strategic Goal VI: Expand Professional Development and Recognition for Employees
Strategic Goal II: Improve Student Success Through Excellence in Teaching in All Academic Programs
Strategic Goal VII: Demonstrates Diversity Through Employees, Programs and Communication
Strategic Goal III: Increase Enrollment, Retention, Completion, Transfer and Career Advancement
Strategic Goal VIII: Develop an Integrated System of Planning, Allocating Resources and Assessment for Evidence-Based Institutional Effectiveness
Strategic Goal IV: Strengthen Relationship Between CCM and the Community Strategic Goal V: Develop a Marketing Strategy that Supports the Strategic Enrollment Management Plan and Emphasizes a High-Quality Student Experience
Strategic Goal IX: Diversify and Increase Sources of Revenue Strategic Goal X: Workforce Development Expansion
“I would not be where I am today without County College of Morris. Everyone was willing to assist, especially the Veterans Services department.” Ray Martinelli ’17 Associate in Science, Business Administration Program Manager for the Transportation, Logistics and Talent Network New Jersey Manufacturing Extension Program
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Trustees and Administration County College of Morris Board of Trustees
County College of Morris Administration
As of August 2018
As of August 2018
Paul R. Licitra, Chair
Dr. Anthony J. Iacono, President
Thomas A. Pepe, Vice Chair*
Karen VanDerhoof, CPA, Vice President of Business and Finance
Jeffrey M. Advokat, Esq., Treasurer
Dr. Bette M. Simmons, Vice President of Student Development and Enrollment Management and Interim Vice President of Academic Affairs
Dr. Barbara L. Hadzima, Secretary* Laurie Bogaard, Esq. George E. Dredden, III Jack N. Frost, Jr. Esq. Roger A. Jinks
Rob Stirton, Vice President of Institutional Effectiveness and CIO Thomas C. Burk, Vice President, Human Resources and Labor Relations
Dr. Joseph S. Weisberg *
Patrick J. Enright, Associate Vice President for Workforce Development and Dean of the School of Professional Studies and Applied Sciences
Brian Seligson, Alumni Trustee
Katie A. Olsen, Executive Director of the CCM Foundation
Keith R. Raymond
Sandra Geiger, Trustee Emerita W. Thomas Margetts, Trustee Emeritus All trustees also serve concurrently as members of the CCM Foundation. Members noted with an * serve on the Foundation Board of Directors.
All college administrators also serve as members of the CCM Foundation.
Morris County Board of Chosen Freeholders As of August 2018
County College of Morris Foundation Board of Directors As of August 2018 William McElroy ’83, Chair Eileen Paragano ’91, Vice Chair Robert Zajac John Beyel, Esq., Secretary Thomas A. Pepe, Assistant Secretary Professor Joseph Bilotti ’88, Faculty Representative Dr. Cathryn M. Clary Lori Fiori Carol Fitzpatrick ’86 Sandra Geiger Thomas F. Hayes Allan J. Iskra, Esq. Edward Nelson ’72 Everton Scott Eric Sequin Zaher Shabani ’01 Gil Zweig
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Douglas R. Cabana, Freeholder Director Christine Myers, Deputy Director John Cesaro Heather Darling Kathryn DeFillippo Thomas J. Mastrangelo Deborah Smith
Schools and Departments
Table of Contents Report from the President . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
School of Health Professions and Natural Sciences
Report from the Board of Trustees . . . . . . . . . 5
Allied Health Department
Community
Biology and Chemistry Department
A $484 Million Contribution to the Morris County Economy . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Health and Exercise Science Department
An Economic Engine for the Region and State . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Landscape and Horticultural Technology Department
Woman of the Year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Nursing Department
Workforce Development and Community Partnerships . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Education School of Liberal Arts
Students Win Nationally Acclaimed Scholarships . . . . . . . . . 8
Art and Design Department
Class of 2018 Includes Three Teenagers Who Earned Engineering Degrees . . . . . . . . . 8
Communication Department
CCM Team Wins Top Prize in Rutgers Business Competition . . . . . . . . . . 9
English and Philosophy Department
Radiography Students Excel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
History and Political Science Department Languages and ESL Department Music, Dance and Performing Arts Department Psychology and Education Department Sociology, Economics and Anthropology Department
School of Professional Studies and Applied Sciences
Providing Pathways for Continued Success . 10 New Degrees Tap into Growing Career Opportunities . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 The Class of 2018 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Experience and Engagement Middle States Reaccredits CCM with Numerous Commendations . . . . . . . . . . 12 A High-Quality Education that Leads to Success . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 CCM Fiscal Practices Recognized for Excellence – 15 Years in a Row . . . . . . . . . . 13 Cybersecurity Reputation Continues to Grow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Business Department
Achieving the Dream . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Criminal Justice Department
A Tapestry of the Arts for the Community . . . . 14
Engineering Technologies/Engineering Science Department Hospitality Management and Culinary Arts Department Information Technologies Department Mathematics Department
Success On and Off the Field . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Forward The Inauguration of CCM’s Third President, Dr. Anthony J. Iacono . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 CCM Begins Celebrating its 50th Anniversary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Advancing Technology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 The 50th Anniversary “Forward” Campaign . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Increasing the Number of Grants to Support Student Success . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Facts and Figures
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Report from the President Celebrating our 50th year, County College of Morris (CCM) can look with great pride on all it has accomplished, the success of its graduates and the impact we have had in Morris County and beyond. As president of CCM, I am grateful to our community members, business partners and elected officials for supporting our institution for decades. That support has lasting impact as education helps to ensure that people can reach their potential and contribute to the collective good. In fact, an independent study, completed late last year, showed that CCM, its students and graduates provide a $474 million economic impact to Morris County. That equates to a 17:1 return-oninvestment for taxpayers and a 14:1 return for students for what they spend on their CCM education. As this report shows, Academic Year 2017–18 was another one of notable success for the college, our students and alumni. In May, we graduated nearly 1,300 students, bringing the number of our alumni to more than 50,000. Through our Workforce Development programs, we also assisted more than 5,000 individuals as part of our mission to help people get a job, obtain a better job or succeed in an existing one. We also launched our $2.1 million “Forward” campaign to support new facilities and initiatives. In its inaugural year, donors contributed $1.8 million toward that goal. The Morris County Board of Chosen Freeholders, legislative assembly members and community donors additionally have provided funding to construct a regional Advanced Engineering and Manufacturing Center to meet
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the evolving needs of employers and to provide students with good-paying career options. And we received the generous support of the Paragano Family Foundation to develop a simulated medical center to train students in a real-world setting. As you will also read in this report, we forged several new transfer agreements to make it easier for students to earn a bachelor’s after earning their associate degree, and we expanded the Rutgers at CCM offerings to include bachelor’s degrees in business. Our students continued to excel in and out of the classroom. Our Radiography graduates posted a 100 percent pass rate on their national licensure exam, while our nursing graduates obtained a 94 percent pass rate on their national exam. Hundreds of students also were provided with life-changing internships, practical learning opportunities and educational experiences locally and globally. In the area of Athletics, our golf team had another outstanding year, earning a place in the national championship, where they finished in the top five. At CCM we do great things everyday with the support of the community. We look forward to our ongoing work together to build an even brighter future.
Dr. Anthony J. Iacono President
Report from the Board of Trustees Paul R. Licitra Chair
The County College of Morris (CCM) Board of Trustees held its annual reorganization meeting in November and elected Paul R. Licitra as chair, Thomas A. Pepe as vice chair, Jeffrey M. Advokat as treasurer, and Dr. Barbara L. Hadzima as secretary. The board also welcomed new members George E. Dredden III, who was appointed by the governor, and Keith Raymond, who was appointed by the Morris County Board of Chosen Freeholders. Continuing their service on the board were Laurie Bogaard, Jack N. Frost Jr., Roger A. Jinks and Dr. Joseph S. Weisberg.
Thomas A. Pepe Vice Chair
Jeffrey M. Advokat Treasurer
Dr. Barbara L. Hadzima Secretary
During the summer, the board welcomed another new member, George Milonas, a CCM graduate who earned his Associate in Science in Criminal Justice at the college before earning his Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Centenary University and a Masters of Administrative Science from Fairleigh Dickinson University. Milonas was appointed by the Morris County Board of Chosen Freeholders. Expecting that the state and Morris County Board of Chosen Freeholders would be providing level funding to the college for the 2018–19 Fiscal Year, trustees were able to keep tuition and fee increases to a minimum. The in-county tuition rate was increased by $3 from $125 to $128. Out-of-county tuition was increased from $250 to $256, and out-of-state was increased from $357 to $366 per credit. The board voted not to increase the per-credit college fee, keeping that at $29 per credit. The per-credit increase equates to an additional $36 per semester for an in-county student taking 12 credits. For the 2018–19 Fiscal Year, running from July 1, 2018 to June 30, 2019, the trustees approved a $73.1 million budget, representing a $1.2 million increase (1.7 percent) over the $71.9 million 2017–18 budget. That increase not only covers rising costs associated with running the college, but also helps to ensure that students are provided with the facilities and resources critical to receiving a high-quality education. For example, during Academic Year 2017–18, CCM enhanced its technology for students, faculty and staff, developed a communication/speech lab and renovated its photography lab, which will accommodate students not only in photography but also animation and virtual reality.
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Community A $484 Million Contribution to the Morris County Economy Adding to the Health and Success of the Community
$484 Million CCM’s annual contribution to the Morris County economy.
Along with helping to advance lives through a high-quality education, County College of Morris, along with its students and graduates, contributes significantly to the Morris County economy. An independent study by Emsi, a leading provider of economic impact reports, showed that CCM’s annual contribution to the county’s economy equates to more than $484 million. Analyzing data from Fiscal Year 2015–16, the study found that the college’s impact includes the creation of new jobs, student spending and the contribution of alumni, largely related to the higher earnings and spending of graduates as a result of obtaining a college degree.
Some of the industry sectors where CCM has a major impact include manufacturing at $43 million, professional and technical services at $52 million, and health care and social assistance at $56 million. The Emsi study additionally found that CCM generates much more in tax revenue than it receives, providing a 17.4 percent return on taxpayer investment. It also showed that students receive a 14.5 percent return on what they spend on their education. In comparison, the average annual 30-year return in the U.S. stock market is 10.1 percent.
An Economic Engine for the Region and State Meeting the Needs of Students and Employers To remain vital, the manufacturing industry needs a steady pipeline of skilled employees. To assist with that need and to provide students with high-paying career options, County College of Morris (CCM) will be constructing an Advanced Engineering and Manufacturing Center. The center is designed to meet the needs of industry by training both future and current employees using the latest technology and equipment. Along with classrooms and offices, the center will include labs for electronics, prototyping, automation, measuring and materials, welding and controls/robotics/ emerging technologies.
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CCM’s engineering and manufacturing programs are designed so students can obtain an associate degree, transfer to a four-year institution to earn a bachelor’s degree or obtain immediate employment in the field. The college also provides an extensive offering of Workforce Development programs so employees can maintain pace with evolving changes in their fields. In addition, the center will provide space to launch new programs, including those in robotics, quality control and automation, along with other courses of study as the need develops.
Woman of the Year Contributing to the Success of Women and the Community A major contributor to the community through her volunteer service, Dr. Bette Simmons, vice president of Student Development and Enrollment Management at County College of Morris (CCM), was named the 2018 Woman of the Year by the Zonta Club of Morristown Area. “We selected Dr. Simmons for her long-standing presence in the local community, her contributions to the Girl Scouts of Northern New Jersey (GSNNJ) and her achievements at County College of Morris,” said Barbara J. Woodhull, president of the Zonta Club of Morristown Area. At CCM, Simmons supervises staff and programs in Academic Advisement, Admissions, Athletics, Campus Life, Career Services and Cooperative Education, Counseling Services, Enrollment Services, Financial Aid, Health Services, Records and Registration, and the Women’s Center.
She is chair of the Board of Directors for the GSNNJ. She also is involved with the Morristown Neighborhood House, the Morris County Human Relations Commission, the Calvary Baptist Church Community Development Corporation, the Morristown Juvenile Conference Committee, Community Hope, Inc. and Morris County Sexual Assault Advisory Board. In addition, she provides training for the Volunteers for Morris County, as well as the Seton Hall University Board Leadership Institute. She is the recipient of numerous awards, including the Morristown Neighborhood House Distinguished Volunteer Award, Morris County Phenomenal Woman of the Year Award and Thiel College Distinguished Alumni Award. She also has been recognized by the NASPA Latino/a Knowledge Community for outstanding support and encouragement of Latinos in higher
education, the New Jersey College Health Association in support of the promotion of student health, and the Displaced Homemaker Network of New Jersey, Inc. for outstanding contributions to women and families.
Workforce Development and Community Partnerships Creating a New Focus and Commitment At the urging of President Anthony J. Iacono and the Board of Trustees, County College of Morris (CCM) in Academic Year 2017–18 made a commitment to reimagine, broaden and strengthen the delivery of continuing professional education and workforce training for residents of the greater Morris County area. The result was the launching of a newly aligned Department of Workforce Development (WFD).
“County College of Morris is an outstanding partner for New Jersey Institute of Technology. The students who come to us through CCM programs are well prepared and highly successful.” Dr. Joel S. Bloom, President, New Jersey Institute of Technology
With a singular focus of helping people get jobs, obtain better jobs or become more effective in their current jobs, WFD exceeded its projection for educating area residents by 10 percent. A wide array of programs with more than 5,500 registrations were offered in a one-year period. WFD also provided a positive bottom line, contributing to the college’s financial strength.
Programs and training focused on highly sought after skills, such as R Programming and data science; careers in information technology and business; and professional skills development and certifications to advance careers. Certificate programs included Microsoft Office Specialist, Project Management and Professional Medical Coders. As part of the college’s commitment to help people prepare for the workforce, WFD also provided English Language Learning, or English as a Second Language, to approximately 200 adult learners. In the coming year, new and refreshed training programs for certification in Supply Chain Logistics, Agile Project Management and Python computer programming will be offered. A newly developed program of basic skills education also will be piloted for industries ranging from health care to manufacturing.
Community 7
Education Andrea Lucia Alphonso
Students Win Nationally Acclaimed Scholarships Honor Society Recognizes Excellence Two County College of Morris (CCM) students were the proud recipients this past spring of top national awards based on their exceptional educational achievements. Andrea Lucia Alfonso ’18, of Parsippany, was one of 10 students nationwide selected to receive a $7,500 Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) Hites Transfer Scholarship, the honor society’s most prestigious and largest award.
Jaida Schettino
A dual major in biology and engineering while at CCM, Alfonso also spent her time performing research at the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) in the area of artificial tissue engineering. She presented her findings at a National Institutes of Health (NIH) conference and authored an article on her work in the Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practices. Based on her success, she was awarded an NIH-supported internship to continue her work at NJIT this past summer. For Alfonso, whose brother and sister both attended CCM, there was no question where she would begin her college education. “My parents and I knew this would be the right
Erin Foody
place for me because of all the support and opportunities CCM offers,” she said. She now is enrolled at Cornell University. Also presented with a national award was Jaida Schettino ’18, of Sparta, who was named one of 50 nationwide Coca-Cola Community College Academic Team Silver Scholars for 2018. As a Silver Scholar, she received a $1,250 scholarship. That program is administered by the PTK honor society and recipients are selected based on the scores they earn in the All-USA Community College Academic Team competition. “Going to County College of Morris has transformed my academic career,” said Schettino. “I never thought I would be given the opportunity to apply to such prestigious senior colleges and receive a second chance at showcasing my abilities as a student.” She now is enrolled at Ithaca College. “Thanks to my accomplishments at CCM, two thirds of my remaining college tuition at Ithaca is being taken care of through merit and scholarships,” she added.
Class of 2018 Includes Three Teenagers Who Earned Engineering Degrees Share-Time Program Provides College Credits for High School Students Included among the Class of 2018 at County College of Morris (CCM) were three teenagers who decided to get a jump start on college and earn their associate degrees by taking part in the share-time Engineering Design and Advanced Manufacturing (EDAM) program. In fact, one of those students, Erin Foody, 18, of Rockaway, graduated with her associate
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degree, along with two CCM certificates, before she received her high school diploma in June. The EDAM program, which the Morris County Vocational School District and CCM began in fall 2015, allows eligible high school students to spend half of their school days at CCM and earn certificates in Mechanical Computer Aided Drafting and Engineering Technology,
along with 32 college credits towards the Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Mechanical Engineering Technology. Students in the program also get to participate in the High School Students United with NASA to Create Hardware (HUNCH) for the International Space Station. Once they complete the EDAM program, students then can enroll at CCM to earn the AAS degree or at a four-year college or university to earn a bachelor’s degree or pursue workforce placement.
Also earning their AAS degrees in Mechanical Engineering Technology as a result of taking part in the EDAM program were Robert Murphy, 19, of Morris Plains, and Nathaniel Petricca, 18, of Parsippany. Foody, Murphy and Petricca are the first three EDAM students to earn their AAS degrees in Mechanical Engineering Technology. All three were accepted at the New Jersey Institute of Technology to work on their bachelor’s degrees.
CCM Team Wins Top Prize in Rutgers Business Competition Solving Real-World Problems A team of students from County College of Morris (CCM) placed first in the 2018 annual New Jersey County College Case Competition (NJC4) at Rutgers Business School this past spring. The team consisted of Karen Alvarez, Anthony Dattolo, Ben DeVenezia, William Koenig and Jordan Rock. According to a news report from Rutgers Business School, the CCM students “delivered a polished 20-minute presentation” about Keurig Green Mountain’s business strategy.
Serving as judges were a number of business professionals, including Frank Giarratano, a former CCM trustee and associate partner at SGW Pharma Marketing. The goal of the NJC4 competition is to provide New Jersey county college students with the opportunity to collaborate, network and demonstrate their talent, knowledge and skills to a panel of expert judges as they solve a real-world business problem. In 2017, CCM students seized third place in the competition. Serving as the team’s coach for both years was Professor Susan Miller.
Radiography Students Excel Perfect Pass Rate and Competition Winners Radiography students from the Class of 2017 at County College of Morris (CCM) once again demonstrated the success of the college’s program by obtaining a 100 percent pass rate on the American Registry of Radiologic Technologist (ARRT) exam. This marked the third time in recent years CCM Radiography students gained a 100 percent pass rate. The Classes of 2014 and 2012 also had perfect pass rates. In the spring, Radiography students then made a most impressive showing at the New Jersey Society of Radiologic Technologists
annual meeting in Atlantic City. Technical exhibits created by CCM students placed first and third. Placing first for their exhibit on “How Fractures Are Repaired” were Hayden Delle Donne, of Chester; Cory Moore, of Morristown; Ryan Buayaban, of Hopatcong; Ryan Rothschild, of Boonton; and Nish Naik, of Morris Plains. Placing third for their exhibit “Radiation Effects on the Human Body” were Allison Scardena, of Denville; Corinne Przyborowski, of Boonton; Erica Pyper, of Sparta; Brian Berry, of Hopatcong; and Kaitlin Berger, of Madison.
100% Another perfect pass rate by Radiography students.
Education 9
Providing Pathways for Continued Success Transfer Agreements Ease the Process for Earning a Bachelor’s County College of Morris (CCM) students have remarkable opportunities to further their higher education. By recognizing the importance of graduating with an associate degree and then transferring to a four-year institution, CCM students start right and finish strong. In addition to the many transfer agreements the college already holds for its students, CCM during the 2017–18 Academic Year signed several more to ease the pathway for continuing a higher education. Among the institutions that helped CCM blaze new trails for the advancement of students were Bloomfield College, Centenary University, Drew University, Rider University and Rutgers University. Each transfer agreement provides a seamless path for the ongoing success of CCM graduates.
• T he “Path to Transfer” agreement with Centenary not only provides a seamless transfer of credits but also several financial incentives. The agreement marks the first of its kind between the university and a community college. • T he dual-degree agreement with Drew into a combined bachelor’s and master’s program in teacher certification is believed to be the first transfer agreement in New Jersey into a master’s program between a community college and university. • T he latest agreement with Rider consists of 23 program-to-program pathways to a bachelor’s and also offers eligible students the opportunity to take one free course at Rider before enrolling at the university. • T he Rutgers agreement allows students who obtain an A.A. in Business Administration at CCM to remain on the Randolph campus and complete a B.S. in Marketing or Leadership and Management from the university. Rutgers also offers bachelor’s programs in Criminal Justice and Psychology at CCM.
Following are some key highlights: • T he transfer agreement with Bloomfield allows CCM graduates in good standing to enter its B.A. in Education program in elementary education with subject matter specialization.
“We always look forward to welcoming transfer students from County College of Morris because CCM students come to us well-prepared academically. We are very happy that CCM is the first county college to partner with Centenary in our “Path to Transfer” agreement,
which should make it even easier to move from CCM to Centenary.” Dr. David P. Haney, President, Centenary University
New Degrees Tap into Growing Career Opportunities Animation and Virtual Reality Introduced This Fall According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment of multimedia artists and animators is projected to grow faster than the average for all other occupations. To provide students with the opportunity to take advantage of the growing demand in those and related fields, County College of Morris (CCM) developed two new degrees that launched this Fall Semester: an Associate in Fine Arts degree in Animation and an Associate in Applied Science degree in Virtual Reality (VR) through its Department of Art and Design. Those with a passion for animation – whether that be in gaming, the movies, television, video or another area – now can start preparing for
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this field close to home. The AFA in Animation is designed to provide students with a strong background in animation from start to finish with classes in drawing, color theory, multimedia, animation and more. Virtual reality (VR) has become an increasingly used technology for both entertainment and learning. Part of the Photography Technology Program at CCM, the VR degree option at CCM offers students the opportunity to study a range of areas to prepare for this field, including photography, digital imaging, computer science and narrative story telling in virtual, augmented and mixed reality.
“As you embark on your next adventures and opportunities, may you always have faith in the future, have a vision and work hard to achieve it, have the imagination to dream of a better world and the courage to work to create it.” Class of 2018 Keynote Speaker Aaron Fichtner, president, New Jersey Council of County Colleges
The Class of 2018 Largest Number of Students Participate in Graduation With diplomas in hand and hi-fives from the County College of Morris (CCM) mascot, Titus the Titan, students from the Class of 2018 celebrated their accomplishments at the college’s 49th Commencement held at the Mennen Sports Arena on May 25. Those graduates are now part of an elite group of 50,000-plus CCM alumni.
Dr. Aaron R. Fichtner, president of the New Jersey Council of County Colleges, served as the keynote speaker. During his address, Fichtner shared inspiring stories about Morris County from the time of its founding to the present day and how CCM graduates are also shaping the landscape of success.
About 500 graduates took part in the commencement ceremony, marking the largest number of students to participate in a CCM graduation.
Dr. Anthony J. Iacono, the college’s third president, took advantage of the opportunity to highlight the diversity of students who excel at CCM. Highlighted were:
Erin Foody Who received her associate degree in engineering before she received her high school diploma.
Ranell Bell Who came to CCM on the GI Bill after serving his country in the United States Army and excelled both in the classroom and on the Titan Basketball team.
Andrea Lucia Alphonso Who, like her siblings, chose CCM as a great place to start and performed research into artificial tissue engineering at NJIT and then published and presented her findings at a national conference.
“Now that I am up here, looking back at the enriching foundation to a successful future that my two years at the County College of Morris has become, I can say that County College of Morris is easily the smartest decision I have ever made in my life.” Andrea Lucia Alfonso, Class of 2018 Graduation Speaker, Cornell University, Class of 2020
Darrin Pulver
Jaida Schettino
Who became the third generation in his family to earn a CCM nursing degree, following in the footsteps of his mother and grandmother.
Who served as president of CCM’s Phi Theta Kappa chapter, played on the Titan’s Women Soccer team and was named a national Coca-Cola scholar.
Education 11
Experience and Engagement
Middle States Reaccredits CCM with Numerous Commendations CCM Applauded for Its Student-Centered Environment In 2015, more than 70 faculty members, administrators and staff at County College of Morris (CCM) started the process for reaccreditation by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). They formed into committees, examining every area of the college, and drafted the sections for a Self Study report. The Self Study was completed in 2017, the MSCHE accreditation team visited the college in March of this year and in June CCM received formal notice it was being reaccredited. While the accreditation team’s report included a number of suggestions and recommendations, not a single requirement was listed. Included in the team’s report were numerous commendations, including:
97% Graduates rate CCM good to excellent.
• T he efforts that have been undertaken to obtain grants to promote diversity • T he success of the Educational Opportunity Fund, Office of Accessibility Service and Tutoring Center in promoting student success • T he college’s student-centered environment where students feel valued and supported by faculty, staff and administration • T he college’s website which serves as a valuable tool and resource to access information
• T he increased number of articulation agreements that provide students with a seamless pathway for transferring their credits to four-year schools • T he faculty which is highly enthusiastic and dedicated to teaching • T he Board of Trustees who demonstrate leadership in advancing the college’s mission, vision, values and strategic plan Included among the suggestions and recommendations were to: • I ncorporate alumni in discussions about the design and delivery of student learning experiences • D evelop an “online learning commons,” as part of a Virtual Campus so those students have access to all academic support services • I ncorporate an onboarding process that enables students to envision their pathway from entry to completion The college’s MSCHE team was led by Dr. Matt Jones and Professor Meimee Persau, with Professor John Soltes serving as the writer of the final Self Study report.
A High-Quality Education that Leads to Success 97 Percent of Graduates Rate CCM Good to Excellent Consistently over the decades, graduates of County College of Morris (CCM) have given the education they received at the college high grades. The latest survey of graduates – from the Class or 2016 – once again testified to the college’s commitment to providing a high-quality education, with a vast majority – 97 percent – rating their experience as good to excellent.
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Since 1971, CCM has conducted annual surveys of its graduates one year after graduation. Its survey of the Class of 2016 found that 76 percent rated their overall experience at CCM excellent and 21 percent as good. Of the 1,275 individuals from the Class of 2016, 839, (66 percent) responded to the survey.
The survey results, year after year, strongly indicate a high level of satisfaction among CCM graduates, with good-to-excellent ratings for their overall experience coming in at the 95-plus percent range. “CCM equipped me with the confidence and inspiration to pursue my dreams,” said one survey respondent from the Class of 2016.
A total of 96 percent of graduates from the Class of 2016 rated their preparation at CCM for further education good to excellent (73 percent excellent, 23 percent good.) Graduates were also highly satisfied with CCM’s contribution to their preparation for the workforce, with 96 percent of respondents rating their work preparation as excellent
or good (74 percent excellent, 22 percent good). Some of the employment opportunities graduates obtained included consumer and community banker at JP Morgan Chase, computer programmer at Mount Sinai Health System, director at Huntington Learning Center, graphic designer at Ogilvy CommonHealth Worldwide, and RN and radiologic technologist at Atlantic Health.
CCM Fiscal Practices Recognized for Excellence – 15 Years in a Row Two Organizations Applaud the College for its Financial Soundness The financial soundness of County College of Morris (CCM) received commendations from two separate organizations this year.
judged by a panel to meet the high standards of the program, which includes demonstrating a constructive “spirit of full disclosure.”
For the 15th consecutive year, the Division of Business and Finance’s Department of Accounting was awarded a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada for its comprehensive annual financial report. The Fiscal Year 2016–17 report was
The certificate is the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting and its attainment represents a significant accomplishment by a government and its management. The Division of Business and Finance also was commended for its fiscal practices by the Middle States Commission on Higher Educa-
tion during the commission’s reaccreditation process of the college. The division is directed by Vice President of Business and Finance Karen VanDerhoof. In her capacity as vice president, VanDerhoof manages the departments of Accounting, Auxiliary Services, Budget and Business Services, Capital Projects, Grants, Marketing and Public Relations, the Media Center, Plant and Maintenance, Public Safety and Purchasing.
Cybersecurity Reputation Continues to Grow Grants Allow for Program Expansion Designated a national center of excellence for cyber defense education, County College of Morris (CCM) continued to earn accolades and recognition over the past academic year for the strength of its information security programs. First, the college received $70,451 as subrecipient of a National Science Foundation (NSF) grant awarded to Stevens Institute of Technology to assist students interested in pursuing a career in cybersecurity. That award covers all the cost associated with the last year at CCM and then the expenses for earning a bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity at Stevens. Next the college entered into a partnership with the Morris County Vocational School District to offer high school students a shared-time program in cybersecurity. Through that program, selected high school students spend part of their school day at
CCM and earn 39 college credits and CompTIA A+ certification. Then in the spring, CCM was informed that it was receiving $59,800 in funding from the National Security Agency (NSA) and the NSF to run two free GenCyber summer camps for high school sophomores, juniors and seniors.
County College of Morris alum Andrea Doucette helps Girls Scouts navigate the software in CCM’s cybersecurity lab.
The summer brought even more recognition when the Girl Scouts of Northern New Jersey and CCM held a reception and press conference at the college announcing the launch of several national STEM badges, including nine in cybersecurity. The Girl Scouts had asked CCM to host the
event in recognition of its designation as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education by the NSA and Department of Homeland Security. CCM is the only community college in New Jersey to hold that designation.
Experience and Engagement 13
Achieving the Dream Building on a Record of Excellence
Inaugural poet, Richard Blanco
Based on its strong track record of excellence in education, County College of Morris (CCM) was invited to become part of the prestigious Achieving the Dream (ATD) network in Academic Year 2017–18. Being part of ATD will better position the college to provide for the equitable success of all students and contribute to the economic health of the region. As a network institution, CCM also has been positioned to become part of the national conversation on the future of higher education with state and federal legislators and organizations such as the Gates, Kresge and Lumina foundations. ATD’s mission is to assist with strengthening local and regional economies, rebuilding the middle class, and providing students with the means and resources to achieve their goals. Colleges who are part of ATD demonstrate a
strong commitment to serving as institutions that can lead the nation into the future. As an ATD member, CCM is being provided with self-assessment tools to pinpoint strengths and areas for improvement across such areas as leadership and vision, teaching and learning, data and technology, and strategy and planning. Through that assessment, CCM will be able to build upon its student success efforts so students can meet their academic and career goals, which, in turn, will provide the region and beyond with a talented and strong workforce. CCM’s goal as an ATD institution is to further affirm its mission to excellence in teaching and learning, build upon its strong foundation to increase student graduation and success rates, better assist minority and first-generation students, and to contribute to the economic health of the region and state.
Spring Dance Showcase
A Tapestry of the Arts for the Community Highlighting the Talent of Students, Faculty and Others Talent, grace, artistry, storytelling and more once again were woven throughout the year at County College of Morris (CCM), highlighting the work of the Department of Music, Dance and Performing Arts, the Legacy Project, Campus Life and Special Events, to name a few. Fall musical, The Hunchback of Notre Dame
New Jersey poet, Jonathan Blunk
An enthusiastic audience filled Dragonetti Auditorium to hear the poetry and stories of inaugural poet, Richard Blanco, who is the fifth poet in U.S. history to have been selected by a president to read at his inauguration. Blanco’s appearance at the college was arranged by the Legacy Project. A poignant series of conversations and art exhibitions for September’s Suicide Prevention Month was presented through the collaboration of the Legacy Project, Counseling Services and Special Events. Then rounding out the Legacy Project 2017–18 season was four-time Emmy
14 County College of Morris Annual Report 2017–18
award winner and leading broadcast journalist Maria Hinojosa. The musical prowess of CCM’s faculty and students was showcased in the Winter and Spring Music Concerts and A Spotlight of Music – A Faculty Recital. Meanwhile, grace moved throughout the stage as students, faculty and guest artists from CCM’s Department of Dance introduced creative new works in various showcases. On the theatrical front, the department presented mainstage productions that were invigorating and filled with nostalgia. The fall featured a musical production of “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” and the drama “East of Eden.” Then in the spring, the department presented “Follies.” Inspiring works of art were displayed in a series of exhibitions at CCM’s Art and Design Gallery, featuring pieces by students, faculty and local and national artists. Once again, the Morris
Museum hosted the Portfolio Exhibition of design and fine art pieces created by CCM students. Fashion students also took center stage in the 2018 show, Evolution, at CCM. In yet another celebration of poetry, the college marked National Poetry Month in April with readings from Jonathan Blunk, a poet with
New Jersey roots, who read from his book “James Wright: A Life in Poetry.” Also celebrated was the “Journal of New Jersey Poets,” the only annual compendium of poetry by authors who were born, raised or have an association with the State of New Jersey.
Success On and Off the Field CCM Titans Rack Up Another Impressive Year Once again, the Titans had an outstanding year in and out of the classroom during Academic Year 2017–18. In the fall, the Men’s and Women’s Soccer teams made it to post season play by advancing to semifinals in the region. The winter athletic teams also worked very hard and the Men’s Basketball team won the Region XIX and GSAC Championship. The spring programs, similarly, had another outstanding season with the Baseball and Softball teams both making post-season appearances by advancing to the Region XIX Finals. Golf, however, stole the show. The team won the Region Championship, GSAC Conference Title, and finished fifth in the NJCAA at the national tournament. To top off the golf team’s success, off the course golf players gained all NJCAA Academic Team honors with each student/athlete earning a GPA exceeding 3.0. Individual Titan award winners included:
Stephanie Williams Women’s Soccer, was named CCM Women Athlete of the Year and the 2018 NAGSWA (National Girls/ Women in Sport) recipient.
Lamont Williams Men’s Basketball, was named CCM Male Athlete of the Year and Jack Martin Award winner.
“Being a part of the Lady Titans soccer team at CCM is one of the best decisions I’ve made in my life.” Stephanie Williams, Class of 2018.
Also this year, CCM athletes welcomed the college’s first mascot, Titus the Titan, who made special appearances across the college, delighting students and visitors alike.
Katlyn Lloyd Women’s Softball, received 2nd team NJCAA All American, Region XIX’s Player of the Year in Division II.
Experience and Engagement 15
Forward
The Inauguration of CCM’s Third President, Dr. Anthony J. Iacono Setting a Vision for the Future More than 400 people, including local and state officials, faculty, staff, students and alumni, gathered at County College of Morris (CCM) on October 6, 2017 to celebrate the inauguration of Dr. Anthony J. Iacono as the college’s third president. Serving as Master of Ceremonies for the inauguration was Dr. Bette Simmons, vice president of Student Development and Enrollment Management. Guest speakers included Board of Trustees Chair Paul R. Licitra, President Emeritus Edward J. Yaw and a slate of political leaders. Iacono began serving as president of CCM on September 1, 2016. A community college graduate, he is committed to the mission of community colleges and their unique role in providing superior educational opportunities. He also believes that great community colleges are those which strengthen the local economy by helping to retain existing businesses and attracting new companies by training a skilled workforce. Since becoming president, Iacono has launched a number of initiatives to build upon the college’s strengths. Included among them are plans for a Virtual Campus and an Advanced Engineering and Manufacturing Center, a heightened focus on CCM’s leadership in the area of cybersecurity, and the goal of making CCM one of the county’s economic engines to attract and retain new and existing businesses. In addition, working with the college’s Board of Trustees, employees and the community, he led the process of updating the college’s strategic plan, which focuses on increased community partnerships, high-impact learning practices and greater opportunities for student internships.
16 County College of Morris Annual Report 2017–18
Iacono came to CCM from Indian River State College (IRSC) where he served as Vice President of Academic Affairs. Iacono is a first-generation college student who received his Ph.D. in American History from Mississippi State University, his M.A. and B.A. in American History from the University of Central Florida, and his Associate of Arts in General Studies from Indian River Community College. IRSC was formed in 1965 when Indian River Community College and Lincoln Junior College merged.
CCM Begins Celebrating its 50th Anniversary Dancing Through the Decades and More The County College of Morris (CCM) Foundation kicked off the celebration of the college’s 50th Anniversary this past May with a funfilled gala with guests dressed in attire from the 1960s to the present. At the “Dancing through the Decades: CCM Celebrates 50 Years” celebration, President Anthony J. Iacono, also announced the launch of an historic multi-million-dollar “Forward” campaign. The campaign will support such projects as the expansion of the college’s Cyber Security Suite and Culinary Arts facilities, and the construction of an Advanced Engineering and Manufacturing Center. As a part of the gala, CCM revealed its 50th Anniversary logo, which is now quite visible throughout campus. The logo incorporates the tree of knowledge that’s been part of the college’s logo for years, the
Performing arts students entertain the audience at the Dancing Through the Decades foundation gala.
campus which sits atop a hill and the college’s bright future depicted by a rising sun. The 50th Anniversary launch recognized the opening of CCM in 1968 and the start of a series of celebratory events for both the college and greater Morris County community that will run through May 2019. Forward 17
Advancing Technology Providing a High-Quality Learning Environment As part of providing a high-quality teaching and learning environment, County College of Morris (CCM) over the 2017–18 Academic Year made major improvements to its technology infrastructure. The college reorganized the Department of Information Systems (IS), hiring Rob Stirton, an institutional effectiveness expert, as CIO. Included among the improvements implemented by the IS team, under Stirton’s leadership, were a number of initiatives to enhance the college’s ability to use data to drive decision making. As one example, IS facilitated training sessions in JobsEQ, which provides access to labor market data. Using JobsEQ data, the college was able to determine how it could better assist such Morris County
industries as manufacturing and health care. That, in turn, contributed to the college’s plans for an Advanced Engineering and Manufacturing Center and the Paragano Family Foundation Simulated Medical Center to support the demand for skilled employees in those industries. In addition, the IS department upgraded Wi-Fi access on the campus moving from 50 access points for the entire college to more than 160 during the 2017–18 Academic Year. The upgrade addresses the growth of wireless devices that are being used on campus, which now averages 4,500 a day or about three devices per person. A new online application and communication system, known as Recruit, also was launched to make it easier for students to apply to the college. In the area of increasing efficiencies, the department replaced a majority of the campus’ computers with the most up-todate machines.
The 50th Anniversary “Forward” Campaign Raising CCM to the Next Level The CCM Foundation was reorganized shortly before the start of the 2017–18 Academic Year with Katie Olsen being appointed as executive director. Olsen has extensive fundraising experience and has previously worked with Cornerstone Family Programs in Morristown and Seton Hall University. With more than 50,000 alumni and the college’s celebration of a milestone anniversary,
the CCM Foundation has set bold goals to reach new levels of success and increase the college’s impact on the communities it serves. The world of education is rapidly shifting, not only to meet the needs and demands in the classroom, but to meet the needs of America’s workforce. CCM is dedicated to providing students with state-of-the-art facilities and programs that foster innovation and inspire tomorrow’s leaders.
18 County College of Morris Annual Report 2017–18
To support those goals, the CCM Foundation launched “Forward,” as the 50th anniversary campaign to support new and improved spaces and equipment, provide students and the community with the tools they need to compete in the high-demand fields of health care, cybersecurity, culinary arts and hospitality, as well as advanced manufacturing and engineering. In its first year alone, “Forward” raised $1.8 million of its $2.1 million goal, marking the most successful year in the history of the CCM Foundation.
Whether it is the 50th anniversary campaign or through annual giving, gifts given to the CCM Foundation change lives, including CCM nurses, engineers, teachers, graphic designers, chefs, technologists, musicians and others. The impact of philanthropy has been felt over two generations, with more to come. The number of students seeking financial assistance is on the rise, and in Fiscal Year
2017–18 the CCM Foundation scholarship program had its most substantial year, awarding more than $275,000 in scholarships to 288 students. Several new scholarships were created, including the Jean and Paul Herrmann Scholarship supporting mechanical engineering technology students; the Walter and Margaret Iskra Memorial Scholarship support-
ing students majoring in graphic design; the Carolyn R. McArdle Memorial Scholarship for students enrolled in early childhood education; and the Frank J. Burns Jr. Memorial Scholarship for performing arts students. Additionally, an estate gift toward The Gary and Cathy Jo Bencivenga Memorial Nursing Scholarship resulted in bringing the amount of that scholarship to more than $1 million.
Increasing the Number of Grants to Support Student Success A Renewed Focus Brings New Funding The college reorganized its grants office prior to the start of the 2017–18 Academic Year. Dr. Katrina Bell was hired as director to initiate the changes and bring new funding to the college. Bell previously served as dean at Daytona State College and has extensive experience in community and economic development, including overseeing a school in Belize. Under her leadership, CCM during Fiscal Year 2017–18 was awarded more than $1 million in grant funding, marking the college’s most successful year in its history. Included among the grants received were: TAACCCT Grant (Renewal) To train long-term unemployed and under-employed individuals for employment in the healthcare industry Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Technical Education Grant To support career and technical education programs Department of Children and Families – State of New Jersey To support the Women’s Center, which assists individuals with becoming economically self-sufficient through counseling, education and referrals National Security Agency GenCyber Grant To introduce high school students to cybersecurity through a summer camp
College Readiness Now IV – State of New Jersey To work with high school teachers and staff to increase the number of college-ready students in math and/or English by the time they graduate high school National Science Foundation Scholarship – with Stevens Institute of Technology (Renewal) To provide a scholarship and support for a computer science student planning to transfer to Stevens to complete a computer science degree Arconic Foundation Grant To support the purchase of equipment for the engineering program National Science Foundation Noyce Mathematics Teacher Scholarship – with Montclair State University To provide information and support to math majors interested in pursuing secondary education as a major at Montclair State University
Forward 19
Facts and Figures
3,330
3,370
3,410
3,978
4,013
3,977
3,964 3,375
3,000
3,476
4,000
4,133
Enrollment By Age (2013 – 2017)
2,000
2013
2014
2015
g 20 and younger
g 21-34
641
640
678
743
814
1,000
2016
2017
g 35 and older
Unknowns have been excluded from totals.
Classes (Fall 2017)
1,427 CLASSES
896
Daytime
288
Evening
Average class size
19
Distance 226 Learning
17
Off-Campus
Top Five Feeder Schools (Fall 2017)
1,943
Morris Knolls High School
92
first-time students, of which 1,381
Mount Olive High School
82
Roxbury High School
80
Morris Hills High School
75
Morristown High School
70
71% were recent high school graduates.
20 County College of Morris Annual Report 2017–18
Enrollment Ratio (Fall 2017)
1,905
Male
2,197
1,617
Female
46%
54%
2,211 58%
42%
g
Total Full-time Enrollment: 3,819
g Total Part-time Enrollment: 4,130
Unknowns have been excluded from totals.
Enrollment Statistics (based on Fall 2017 Semester enrollments) 1 Year Change
3 Year Change
5 Year Change
-4%
-7%
-22%
-16%
-20%
-29%
1%
-3%
0%
-2%
0%
-8%
-15%
21%
-26%
3%
39%
21%
6%
10%
-6%
7,949
-1%
-2%
-8%
81,238
0%
-2%
-9%
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
Associate in Arts
1,713
1,599
1,426
1,468
1,385
1,330
Percentage of Total Enrollment
20%
19%
18%
18%
17%
17%
Associate in Fine Arts
358
360
320
320
303
255
Percentage of Total Enrollment
4%
4%
4%
4%
4%
3%
Associate in Science
3,043
3,216
3,153
3,086
3,078
3,050
Percentage of Total Enrollment
35%
38%
39%
38%
38%
38%
Associate in Applied Science
2,482
2,308
2,278
2,214
2,322
2,284
Percentage of Total Enrollment
29%
27%
28%
28%
29%
29%
Certificates
31
27
19
25
27
23
Percentage of Total Enrollment
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
Certificates of Achievement
62
73
54
57
73
75
Percentage of Total Enrollment
1%
1%
1%
1%
1%
1%
Non-matriculated
990
864
846
856
879
932
Percentage of Total Enrollment
11%
10%
10%
11%
11%
12%
Total Enrollments
8,679
8,447
8,096
8,026
8,067
Total Credit Hours
89,151
87,398
82,884
81,860
81,434
“Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow. The important thing is not to stop questioning.� ~ Albert Einstein
214 Center Grove Road, Randolph, NJ 07869 www.ccm.edu