Inside Bergen: Volume 2, Issue 1 by BergenPR

The Bergen Community College Newsletter Fall 2014

Volume 2, Issue 1

Tutoring Center Tops Among Peers W

hen it comes to tutoring, we’re No. 1. This summer, the National College Learning Center Association (NCLCA) named Bergen’s Cerullo Learning Assistance Center the best two-year college tutoring resource in the nation, becoming the first New Jersey institution — four- or two-year — to earn the Frank L. Christ Outstanding Learning Center Award. Past honorees include Clemson University, Texas A&M and Dutchess Community College. During a recent visit to the facility, Bergen President B. Kaye Walter, Ph.D. congratulated Managing Director of Learning Assistance Khairia Fazal, who accepted the award at the NCLCA’s 29th annual conference in Albuquerque, N.M. “Our vision for students is success in everything they do,” President Walter said. “Having the best tutoring services available allows them a greater opportunity to do so. We are very fortunate to have a staff that works with students on a one-on-one basis so they can succeed at the highest level.” The Cerullo Center hosted more than 40,000 subject-specific and individualized tutoring visits in 240 courses last year. Approximately 7,000 students relied on a team of 150 professional and peer tutors employed by the Cerullo Center to assist them via nocost one-on-one, walk-in and in-class tutoring. The Cerullo Center also offers workshops, conversation groups and supplemental instruction as part of its multi-faceted approach. It counts a

math/science walk-in center, writing center and English language resource center among its resources. A donation from Bergen County residents Henry and Edith Cerullo led to a rededication of the student resource in 2003. ■

A Degree Above A

ccording to data compiled by Community College Week, Bergen now ranks as New Jersey’s top associate degree granting institution. On the strength of a 13 percent year-overyear increase in graduates, Bergen leapfrogged last year’s New Jersey No. 1 — Monmouth County’s Brookdale Community College — to claim the top spot. Bergen awarded degrees to 2,222 students in the class of 2013, placing it 29th among all two-year colleges in the U.S. Bergen and Brookdale (43rd) are the only New Jersey colleges to appear in the publication’s annual “Top 100 Associate Degree Producers” list for total graduates. Community College Week also ranks institutions based on subsets including ethnicity

and degree type. Bergen appeared: • 13th in liberal arts and science, general studies and humanities degrees granted by two year colleges — its highest ranking on any of the publication’s lists; • 32nd among two-year colleges granting associate degrees to Hispanic students; • 33rd among two-year colleges granting associate degrees to Asian American students; • 37th among two-year colleges granting associate degrees to minority students. Community College Week’s 2015 list will release next summer. ■

Campus Calendar Curtain Up! Big stage talents… in Bergen County. Anna Maria Ciccone Theatre The Brubeck Brothers Friday, Oct. 10, 7:30 p.m. To Kill A Mockingbird Wednesday, Nov. 5, 10 a.m. Palisades Virtuosi Friday, Nov. 7, 7:30 p.m. Bergen Sinfonia Friday, Dec. 20, 7:30 p.m. Doktor Kaboom Thursday, Jan. 15, 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Freedom Bound Friday, Jan. 30, 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Tickets.bergen.edu or (201) 447-7428 for tickets.

BergenStages Students share their talents and begin their paths to stardom. Brighton Beach Memoirs Oct. 24, 25, 30, 31 and Nov. 1

Farming with the First Lady H

ow does Bergen’s garden grow? With the help of Eric Fuchs-Stengel, the latest “New Jersey Heroes” inductee. The organization, led by first lady Mary Pat Christie, visited Bergen’s main campus this summer to recognize Fuchs-Stengel’s work with the Mahwah Environmental Volunteers Organization (MEVO), a sustainability collaborative he founded. Across Bergen County, Fuchs-Stengel and a cast of volunteers lead recycling and sustainable farming initiatives, which included the establishment of a vegetable garden and beehive colony at the College. (From left) Bergen President B. Kaye Walter, Ph.D., Bergen County Executive Kathleen Donovan, volunteer Ryan Martens, Mrs. Christie and Fuchs-Stengel discussed the origins of MEVO and even plucked beets at the July 29 event. Mrs. Christie chairs NJ Heroes, a private, non-partisan, non-profit organization founded in 2010 to celebrate the contributions of unsung community leaders. ■

Company Dec. 5, 6, 11, 12, 13 Tickets.bergen.edu or (201) 447-7428 for tickets.

Events Art Exhibition — Pets, Beasts & Dinner: Relations Between Human and Animal Creatures Open Through Thursday, Oct. 30 Gallery Bergen, West Hall, Main Campus Open House — Bergen Community College at the Meadowlands Wednesday, Nov. 19, 5:30-7:30 p.m. 1280 Wall Street West, Lyndhurst, N.J. Foundation — Medallion Awards Dinner Friday, Nov. 21, 6:30 p.m. The Rockleigh, Rockleigh, N.J. Open House — Main Campus Wednesday, Dec. 3, 5-7 p.m. 400 Paramus Road, Paramus, N.J.

Our Golden Boy

ou know, with Derek Jeter retiring, the New York Yankees could use a shortstop … Bergen Bulldogs slick-fielding second-year infielder James Donohue earned a 2014 NJCAA ABCA/Rawlings Gold Glove Award for stellar defensive play, becoming the first Bulldog in school history to earn the award. Donohue notched 43 putouts, 64 assists and six double plays, making only one error. Unlike some defensive specialists, Donohue also starred at the plate, hitting .355 and tying for the team lead in runs scored (21). Donohue’s postseason honors included spots on the all-region and -conference second teams. ■

A Schedule for All Seasons Fall • October 29 • December 18

Winter • January 2 • January 16

Spring • January 20 - May 12 • January 20 - March 9

Inside Bergen • The Bergen Community College Newsletter |

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1. Slated to open in 2016, work continues on the three-story Health Professions Integrated Teaching Center at main campus. 2. Board of Trustees Treasurer Dorothy Blakeslee and Alumni Trustee Victoria Tahhan joined a cadre of Bergen Bulldogs for the June Quest 5K for Autism and Fun Run at Ridgewood Duck Pond. 3. Textbook summer weather — 90 degrees and sunny — nonetheless ushered in the first day of fall classes at main campus.

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4. President B. Kaye Walter, Ph.D. and continuing education instructor Adua Celentano attended a gala event celebrating Madagascar hosted by the country’s permanent U.N. representative Zina Andrianarivelo-Razafy. 5. Six high school students claimed first-place honors in the 38th annual Bergen County High School Writing Contest sponsored by the English department.

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6. Professors Dan Sheehan, Andy Krikun and Sony Twari traded grade books for guitars at the Aug. 10 Summer Music Fest. 7. Don’t call it window dressing — Hackensack’s Philip Ciarco Jr. Learning Center rolled out a new welcome mat (of sorts) for students this fall. 8. Thanks to Bergen Community College at the Meadowlands staff member John Cartier, the southern Bergen location now has a community garden with basil, peppers and flowers. 9. Vice President of Student Affairs Naydeen Gonzalez-De Jesus, Ph.D. accepted a $14,000 donation from Southpole Foundation representatives Na Young Lee and James Yoo.

10. Dean of Arts, Humanities and Wellness Amparo Codding (center) served as the “madrina nacional” for the 45th annual Columbian Cultural Week Independence Day Festival at Overpeck County Park this summer.

11. President B. Kaye Walter, Ph.D. spoke among a who’s who of state and county female leaders at the Women’s Institute “From Girl to Leader: Celebrating Women’s Equality Day” event.

12. Professor Win Win Kyi led a group of Phi Theta Kappa and Judith K. Winn School of Honors students on a trip to Yale University to complete service projects and meet U.S. U.N. Ambassador Sichan Siv.

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

Faculty Focus Lori Talarico

Seamless STEM Tranfers

ith an agreement inked in mid-June by Ramapo College of New Jersey Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Beth E. Barnett, Ed.D. and Bergen Vice President of Academic Affairs William Mullaney, Ph.D., the institutions streamlined the transfer process for STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) majors. The agreement covers Bergen’s A.S. in natural science and mathematics programs and nine B.S. and B.A. programs at Ramapo such as biochemistry, computer science and environmental science. The agreement essentially permits Bergen graduates utilizing the program to enter Ramapo as juniors. ■

s Professor Lori Talarico will tell you, IST-123 rocks. As a former drummer, she would know. For three years, Talarico has led IST-123, a pilot course designed to assist students in acclimating to the rigors and responsibilities associated with higher education. The three-credit class provides instruction on study, time management and note taking skills and the availability of resources (such as tutoring and technology). Enrollment has grown steadily each year — more than 2,000 students enrolled in 91 different sections this semester. More than 50 faculty from disciplines ranging from biology to business teach the course. “We try and give the students the foundation that will help them be successful in any course at this college,” she explained. “This course is about growing up and helping students become the person they want to be.” Talarico took a circuitous path to her role as program coordinator. After enrolling at Bergen as a young adult, she left to pursue a career in music. Leading the allfemale group “All That Glitters,” Talarico helped set the stage for girl groups like Joan Jett’s “The Runaways.” After rocking the Boston music scene, Talarico returned to Bergen as a secretary, graduated and continued to Columbia University and Teachers College at Columbia University, where she earned a B.A. and M.A. For the third time, Talarico once again returned to Bergen — this time to teach. Working as a lecturer in the English Basic Skills program, Talarico would eventually help shape IST-123. That led to her gig — music pun — as program coordinator. Although IST-123 technically remains a pilot program, it may find soon a permanent home among Bergen’s course offerings. “Students who are taking this at the same time as developmental courses are getting better grades,” she said. ■

Continuing Education Considering a new career? Looking to learn a language? Does your team need training? Visit Bergen.edu/ continuinged to begin the path to lifelong learning.

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