COLLEGE NEWS
>BY COURTNEY BRACH ’12
PRESIDENT PETER P. MERCER REAPPOINTED AS COLLEGE PRESIDENT Peter P. Mercer, President of Ramapo College, was reappointed as president for another five years by a recent and unanimous vote of the Board of Trustees. The reappointment ensures that Mercer, who has served in the position for the past six years, will continue to lead Ramapo College as the state’s premier liberal arts institute. Under Mercer, graduation rates, SAT scores, and the number of incoming students have risen. Additionally, Mercer has increased the education value of the College for students by finding funds for new professors and capital improvement projects, despite reduced state funding and economic challenges.
Ramapo College Supporter Richard Anisfield Mourned Richard Anisfield, an ardent supporter of Ramapo College, passed away on Saturday, October 8. Together with his wife Millicent, Mr. Anisfield devoted time and financial support to the College. In 2006, the Anisfields donated $2.5 million toward Ramapo’s business school that now bears their name in appreciation for their contributions. Combined with their other donation, the Anisfields donated a total of $3 million to Ramapo at that time. In April 2008, the Anisfields donated another $3 million to the Anisfield School of Business to complete the building’s fifth floor and the Global Trading Markets Lab. The Anisfields also contributed to the Angelica and Russ Berrie Center for Performing and Visual Arts. Also in 2008, Mr. Anisfield received an Honor Doctor of Humane Letters Degree from the Board of Trustees for his commitment to the College.
NEW ADDITIONS TO ADULT LEARNER AND GRADUATE PROGRAMS FOR FALL 2011
RAMAPO DEBUTS NEW HUMAN RIGHTS AND GENOCIDE STUDIES MINOR
The Adult Learner and Graduate Programs have new additions for fall 2011. This semester marks the launch of the new Adult Degree Completion Program, part of the Adult Learner Program, which allows returning adult students who have earned an associates degree or up to 64 credits to complete their undergraduate degree in the social sciences. The curriculum is designed and structured in a way that allows adults to learn on their own terms and complete the program in two years. “What we are trying to do is create programs for nontraditional students that meet the needs of returning adult students,” said Associate Director of Admissions for Adult Learning and Graduate Programs Julian Gomez. “We want to develop an environment that is adult-friendly. We’re looking to enhance our programs... [offered] to our adult and nontraditional students.” The Master of Arts in Educational Leadership (MAEL) program is the newest addition to the College’s graduate programs and builds on the College’s established strength in its Teacher Education program. The 36-credit MAEL program is designed for certified teachers who wish to work in leadership positions within education, such as school principals, assistant principals, supervisors, and/or directors. Last year, the Master of Arts in Sustainability Studies (MASS) program was added to the graduate school programs and is now in its second year with a full cohort of enrolled students. “We are working to develop graduate programs that build on areas where we have established strength in our undergraduate curriculum and also respond to a societal need. Regardless of the discipline, our graduate programs are designed to enable graduates to push beyond their own boundaries by incorporating hands-on learning opportunities in the classroom that prepare them for the ever-evolving world they are preparing to lead,” Gomez further adds.
Fall 2011 saw the debut of Ramapo’s newest minor—Human Rights and Genocide Studies in the School of American and International Studies (AIS). The minor emphasizes the study of human rights and genocide as an academic and practical pursuit in preparation for graduate school, careers in international organizations, government, nonprofits, multinational corporations, and the media. The minor was organized by AIS Dean Hassan Nejad, Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies Director Michael Riff, and Assistant Professor of Political Science and International Studies Rebecca Root. A past survey of AIS students showed that an overwhelming number supported the addition of the new major and were interested in joining when plans were underway to develop the new minor. “I think students feel a need to think about questions of what it means to be human and human dignity,” said Root. “Students have a unique opportunity to have debates about [these two issues].” Seven students have chosen to study the minor so far during the fall 2011 semester. Some courses offered for the minor include Paradigms of Genocide, Social Inequality, and International Migration and Human Rights.
THE CHRONICLE OF HIGHER EDUCATION: IT’S GREAT TO WORK AT RAMAPO COLLEGE Ramapo College is one of the great colleges in the U.S. to work for, according to survey results released July 25 by The Chronicle of Higher Education. The results, in The Chronicle’s fourth annual report on “The Academic Workplace,” are based on a survey of nearly 44,000 employees at 310 colleges and universities. In total, only 111 of the 310 institutions achieved “Great College to Work For” recognition. Ramapo College, the only New Jersey institution that was recognized, earned this honor in two categories— www.ramapo.edu
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