Inside Bergen: Volume 3, Issue 1

The Bergen Community College Newsletter Fall 2015

Volume 3, Issue 1

We are One, We are Bergen F

or the second consecutive year, more students graduated with associate degrees and certificates from Bergen than any other institution of higher education in the state.

Not only does Bergen once again stand atop the in-state ranks with 2,519 graduates, but on the strength of a 13 percent increase in graduates, the College surged three spots nationally to No. 26 among all two-year colleges as well. Additionally, Bergen ranked No. 10 in the U.S. for liberal arts and science, general studies and humanities degrees granted by two-year institutions.

The gap between the number of Bergen graduates and those from the next New Jersey community college widened too. This year, nearly 600 graduates separated Bergen and its closest in-state peer; last year, 243 graduates separated the colleges.

Community College Week compiles federal data and releases the results as part of the publication’s annual “Top 100 Associate Degree Producers” feature.

“I am proud that Bergen students set the bar for their peers by maintaining a commitment to completion,” President B. Kaye Walter, Ph.D., said. “The College will continue to support student success initiatives in order to ensure Bergen students have access to resources that help enable their progression through their studies and maximize their opportunities to graduate, transfer and enter the workforce.”

Bergen students, facWe are ulty, staff and community We are Bergen. leaders celebrated the one. repeat No. 1 rank Sept. 18 First in NJ for associate degree graduates two years in a row. at the “We are One, We are Bergen” rally, which included remarks from President Walter, members of the board of trustees, a video presentation, a visit by Bandit the Bulldog, music and No. 1-themed balloons, photos and cake.

Completion remains a priority for Bergen, as data show improved outcomes for community college graduates. In one study, the National Student Clearinghouse found that 72 percent of graduates ultimately earned a bachelor’s degree, while only 56 percent earned one if they transferred without graduating.

Numerous projects at the College directly support the nationwide “commitment to completion,” including joining the “Achieving the Dream” network of more than 200 colleges and establishing “Project Graduation,” a program that assists students with academic progress. n

A Dream Now a Reality Work has begun as part of Bergen’s membership in Achieving the Dream, an evidence-based, student-centered non-profit national reform network dedicated to helping community college students graduate. Visit Bergen.edu, follow the College on social media and watch Studio Bergen to track the institution’s Achieving the Dream progress.

Campus Calendar American Showstoppers: An Evening of Johnny Mercer Saturday, Oct. 10, 7:30 p.m.

Anna Maria Ciccone Theatre, Paramus, N.J. Tickets.bergen.edu Broadway Today: American Musicals in the 21st Century Thursday, Oct. 15, 7:30 p.m.

Anna Maria Ciccone Theatre, Paramus, N.J. Tickets.bergen.edu Alumni Dinner Thursday, Oct. 22, 6 p.m.

Biagio’s, Paramus, N.J. (201) 879-8952 Veronica’s Room Oct. 30 and 31, Nov. 5, 6 and 7 Ender Hall Lab Theatre, Paramus, N.J. Tickets.bergen.edu Hard Rain: Barb Jungr Thursday, Nov. 12, 7:30 p.m.

Anna Maria Ciccone Theatre, Paramus, N.J. Tickets.bergen.edu Open House Thursday, Nov. 19, 6 - 8 p.m.

Student Center, Paramus, N.J. admissions@bergen.edu

A Schedule for All Seasons Fall III • Oct. 28 – Dec. 21 Winter • Jan. 2 – 15 Spring I • Jan. 19 – May 10

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Faculty Focus

Gail Fernandez

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family furniture factory crafted the future of Professor Gail Fernandez.

Long before joining Bergen’s American Language Program in 2003, Fernandez frequently spent her lunch hour tutoring Spanish-speaking workers interested in learning English. While working with them, she developed an affinity for helping non-English speakers progress toward fluency. In fact, her interest in mentorship and encouraging others’ personal growth would sculpt her career, which has included stops at numerous four-year institutions in the Northeast, including New York and Boston Universities.

“I want to encourage students to feel comfortable using the language so they’re willing to experiment and develop a good rapport with one another,” Fernandez said.

Fernandez’s work at Bergen also includes her standing as a Center for Institutional Effectiveness lead assessment fellow and a member of the Middle States self study team. Deeply interested in using data for improvement, Fernandez believes assessment is about student success.

“Assessment makes programs stronger for the benefit of our students,” she said.

Complementing her work in the classroom and with assessment, Fernandez is currently working toward a doctorate in community college leadership from National American University. n The Bergen Comm unity

Great News… for Great News

Colleg e Newsle tter Winter 2015

Vitals Excelle nt

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for Health Care ers

Volume 2, Issue

s construction continu Integrated Teachin es on the $26 million Health Professions g Center at main opments reinfor campus, two ced healthcare educat the College’s standing as the recent develregion’s leading or.

First, in Septem ber, the White U.S. Secretary House, Vice Preside of Labor Thoma nt Joe Biden, s Perez and U.S. cation Arne Duncan Secret job-training grant announced Bergen will receive ary of Eduto fund a regiona a $15 million system. Bergen l will lead a consor healthcare career pathways more than 20 tium of 12 two-ye employers and ar colleges, 10 workfo serve more than 2,000 participants, rce investment boards to unemployed, by providing trainin including veterans and the home health aides, g for pharmacy technic healthcare jobs such as specialists. ians and billing and coding “Workforce develop ment remains nation’s commu a critical respon nity colleges — including Bergen sibility of our Kaye Walter, Ph.D., ,” President B. said. “The Trade munity Colleg Adjustm ent Assistance e and Career Com- College Training grant lege’s work in will continue the at the Meadowlands training the next Col— utilizes on-cam generation of sionals to enter healthcare profes- as an emergency depart pus resources high-s ment receiving such employment sector. kill, high-wage pathwa emergency medica ys in this growin ” l technicians seekin area to educate current g edge and Meanwhile, the g to advance their employment College official prospects as knowlhealth profess ly took the wraps campus clinica licensed param ions l rotations at off its newest edics. Offlocal hospitals ber open house program, paramedic science provide a practic , during an Octo- based learning environment (pictured). The associate in applied to prepare studen egram — the first entry into the workforce. The of any discipl ts for immediate ine based at Bergen science pro- enter a job inaugu ral group of studen market Community ts will grow “much faster projected by the U.S. Depart ment of Labor than the averag to e for all occupa tions.” ■

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ou’re reading one of the best community college newsletters in the United States.

As selected by the National Council on Marketing Completion Cou nts A and Public Relations (NCMPR), the College recently notched a pair of District 1 Medallion Awards for exemplary marketing and public relations work in the categories of newsletter (Inside Bergen) and video program (Studio Bergen).

Produced tri-annually by the College’s Office of Public Relations, the Inside Bergen newsletter debuted in 2013. Now in its fifth season, Studio Bergen, a news magazine-style television program, is produced by the Office of Public Relations and the Office of Media Technologies.

NCMPR recognizes excellence in community, technical and junior college marketing and public relations activities in the northeastern U.S., Canada and the U.K. through the annual Medallion Awards. An affiliate of the American Association of Community Colleges, NCMPR includes more than 650 member colleges. The College accepted the awards at the group’s annual conference in Hershey, Pa. n

Inside Bergen • The Bergen Community College Newsletter |

ccording to the National Studen t Clearinghouse conducted a study , which community college on transfer students, 72 percen t of lor’s degree. Only graduates ultimately earned a bache56 graduating. Other earned one if they transferred without data show similar uating from a advantages to community college gradbefore transfe To raise awaren rring. ess students to “comm about these facts, and to encour age it to complete,” Bergen’s chapter the members of Phi Theta Kappa of ety of two-year institutions, hosted (PTK), the honor socitured top left, a series of events bottom (picNew Jersey Counci left and bottom right) as part of the l of County College munity College Completion Challen s’ New Jersey Cominitiative. Bergen ge Community College (NJC4), a statewide hosted the council at the Meadowlands ’s annual NJC4 conference Nov. PTK students also 1.

Kaye Walter, Ph.D., took center stage when Preside nt B. (top right) recogn new members ized the group’s at an October 225 ceremony. ■

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1. The Health Professions Integrated Teaching Center will open at the main campus this spring.

2. Bergen’s STEM students found new heights – even for them – with the launch of a high-altitude balloon at Lackawanna State Park in Pennsylvania to conduct research.

3. On behalf of the Indian Americans of Paramus, Mukesh Malkan presented a $1,000 donation to President B. Kaye Walter, Ph.D., and Foundation Executive Director Lindsay Maurer.

4. Future runway royalty began their path to Manhattan and Milan with the first fashion apparel design classes at Bergen.

5. Every interest has a following at the annual “Club Day.” 6. Television personality Geraldo Rivera stopped by the College’s booth at the “Go the Distance for Autism” event held at the main campus.

7. Performers such as professor Susanna Lansangan and Grammy Award winner Patti Austin played the second annual “A Sunday Afternoon of Jazz.”

8. The first “Staff Senate Picnic” brought Bergen’s employees closer through professional development activities and recreation, such as volleyball.

9. The inaugural paramedic science class graduated in late August, capping a landmark year for the program.

10. Board of Trustees Vice Chair Philip J. Ciarco III and Alumni Trustee Lorraine Derwin joined President B. Kaye Walter, Ph.D., at the “We are One, We are Bergen” rally.

11. President B. Kaye Walter, Ph.D., and Vice President of Student Affairs Naydeen Gonzalez-DeJesus, Ph.D., represented the College at the annual Mahwah Regional Chamber of Commerce golf outing.

12. A record number of students enrolled in the “Summer Intensive” bridge program.

Inside Bergen • The Bergen Community College Newsletter |

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NoN-Profit org.

US PoStage PAID ParamUS, NJ Permit No. 57

400 Paramus Road Paramus, New Jersey 07652

Bergen Gets Down to Business T

he next generation of small business owners begin at Bergen.

Unveiling revamped resources for small businesses and entrepreneurs, a June kickoff celebration and open house served as the official reintroduction of FUSE – the former Bergen Community College The Institute for Business Innovation and Entrepreneurship Regional Accelerator at the Meadowlands – to the community. Operating under the College’s Division of Continuing Education, Corporate and Public Sector Training, FUSE offers clients co-working space outfitted with Wi-Fi, meeting rooms and other support services for $99 per month. Mentorship opportunities, workshops and classes complement the coworking resources. Currently at capacity, FUSE houses 20 small businesses, but maintains a waiting list for interested entrepreneurs.

At the kickoff event, FUSE officials also announced a partnership with Statewide Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey that seeks to further integrate Hispanics in business. As part of the collaborative effort, the chamber moved its statewide headquarters to FUSE’s offices at the College’s Meadowlands location. n

FUSE

One College, Two Observatories

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his summer, the stars aligned to bring the William D. McDowell Observatory into the College’s universe. In July, the College signed an agreement with the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority to assume operations of the Lyndhurst observatory, thereby bringing the only two public observatories in Bergen County under the College’s umbrella. The Emil Buehler Trust Observatory at the Paramus main campus opened in 2003.

Bergen faculty host free, public observations of celestial objects on Wednesday evenings from 8:30 to 10:30 p.m. at the McDowell Observatory and oversee the maintenance and care of the state-of-the-art facility’s equipment – including a research-grade telescope with a 20inch lens housed under a six-meter retractable dome. Ramapo College of New Jersey previously operated the observatory, drawing more than 3,000 visitors each year. The observatory stands less than two miles from Bergen Community College at the Meadowlands.

At the main campus, public viewings take place Friday evenings from 8 to 10 p.m. in the Technology Education Center. n

Collaborative workspace for entrepreneurs

Did You Know?

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ergen’s original “adult learning center” occupied the building at 295 Main Street in Hackensack – a donation from Malcolm A. Borg and the Record newspaper. Today’s Hackensack location stands at 355 Main Street. n

InsideBergen is a publication of the Office of Public Relations. Send feedback to lhlavenka@bergen.edu.