The Bergen Community College Newsletter
Fall 2016 • Volume 4, Issue 1
It’s A Three-Peat T
he third time’s a charm. According to federal data released by Community College Week, for the third consecutive year Bergen ranks No. 1 in New Jersey for associate degree graduates. The College stands at No. 32 among the nation’s two-year institutions. “When President Barack Obama challenged institutions of higher education to sustain the nation’s competitive advantage by increasing the number of graduates entering the workforce, Bergen Community College answered the call,” President B. Kaye Walter, Ph.D., said. “Graduation not only embodies the College’s mission – inspiring our community to realize a better future – but serves as a cornerstone to students’ continued success.” With 2,435 students in the class of 2015, Bergen led its closest in-state peer by nearly 400 graduates in the “Top 100 Associate
Moonshot T
he College reached for the stars this year and got there. Twice. Continuing its commitment to the study of science, technology, engineering and mathematics, students, faculty and staff recently accomplished a pair of STEMbased aspirations, earning a $5.3 million federal grant to advance study in the fields, while successfully launching a high altitude balloon that soared 96,000 feet above Earth. Building on a 2011 $3.8 million federal award that raised STEM enrollment at the College by 67 percent, the new five-year federal grant will prepare 2,500 students for graduation and careers through the “STEMatics” initiative designed by the institution. The grant will provide particular support for first-time, fulltime degree seeking Hispanic, low-income and at-risk students, cohorts who have faced barriers to entering STEM fields. Bergen
Degree Producers” rankings. Also noted data: Bergen rose to No. 9 in the nation for liberal arts and science, general studies and humanities degrees granted by two-year institutions. n
will seek to reverse these trends by boosting academic performance through increased faculty intervention, hands-on experiences and industry interaction. The grant will also include a research and assessment of the students’ progress, which will be reported to the federal government. Among other support, the grant will enable the College to sustain current research projects such as gas-to-electric vehicle conversions, wind turbine testing and the high altitude balloon launch. Led by physics professor Paul Griffo, and with the use of drones, video and a smaller tethered balloon, the team completed three test flights this summer, setting the stage for an Aug. 9 launch at Lackawanna State Park in Pennsylvania. The balloon, outfitted with two video cameras, a microprocessor programmed to collect data on air pressure, temperature and acceleration, several GPS tracking devices and even a homemade “selfie-stick” with a photograph of the team affixed to it, enabling the group to capture an image of themselves “in” space, topped out at approximately 96,000 feet – essentially the height of the maximum concentration of the ozone layer. n
Show Us the Money With average annual earnings of $65,600, Bergen alumni rank No. 11 in the U.S. for mid-career salaries, according to PayScale, the online compensation database.
Campus Calendar Art Exhibition – Art VOTES: Visualizing the Democratic Process Open through Friday, Nov. 11 Gallery Bergen, West Hall, Main Campus What I Did Last Summer Nov. 3, 4 and 5 Ender Hall Lab Theatre, Main Campus Tickets.bergen.edu Fall Open House Thursday, Nov. 3, 5 p.m. Student Center, Main Campus George Winston Saturday, Nov. 5, 7:30 p.m. Anna Maria Ciccone Theatre, Main Campus Tickets.bergen.edu Annual Recognition Dinner Thursday, Nov. 17, 6 p.m. The Terrace at Biagio’s, Paramus, NJ http://tiny.cc/bergenalum16 August: Osage County Dec. 2, 3, 8, 9 and 10 Anna Maria Ciccone Theatre, Main Campus Tickets.bergen.edu Bergen Sinfonia Saturday, Dec. 17, 7:30 p.m. Anna Maria Ciccone Theatre, Main Campus Tickets.bergen.edu The Duprees Saturday, Feb. 11, 7:30 p.m. Anna Maria Ciccone Theatre, Main Campus Tickets.bergen.edu Oh, Coward! Feb. 17, 18, 23, 24, 25, March 2, 3, and 4 Ender Hall Lab Theatre, Main Campus Tickets.bergen.edu
A Schedule for All Seasons Winter: Dec. 30 – Jan. 13 Flex 1: Jan. 17 – March 9 Spring 1: Jan. 17 – May 9 Spring 2: Feb. 7 – May 9 Spring 3: March 20 – May 9
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Iris Bucchino
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journalism major turned educator, the story of English professor Iris Bucchino’s journey to the head of class remains defined by success. Long before joining Bergen’s English Basic Skills Program in 2009, Bucchino took her first adjunct position while attending graduate school. No words could describe the galvanizing effect the experience would have on her career. Spending time at numerous two- and four-year institutions, Bucchino focused on first-year experience programs, which paved the way to her latest role – coordinator of the College’s Success 101 class, IST-123. Her work with the class, aside from managing 100 sections with 60 faculty, concentrates on expanding upon the course’s foundation of developing students’ practical skillsets. Her current efforts involve creating positive psychology and introducing more cutting-edge learning resources in the classroom such as self-management applications, goal-setting storyboards and digital portfolios. “The number one purpose is that students are successful by their definition of success,” Bucchino said. “I want to see students leaving the College as better people in the community.” Throughout Bucchino’s time with the College, the newly-tenured professor has completed assessment projects, accelerated learning programs and served on the curriculum committee. Applying the same rigor in her student advisement, Bucchino strives to connect students with opportunities. “Ultimately, I like interacting with the students, making them think about their choices and helping them understand that they do have a choice,” Bucchino said. Overall, the professor wants to teach students the value of persistence and resilience – the two most important ingredients in all success stories. n
FA C U LT Y F O C U S
A Promising Development
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mong only 200 peers nationwide, three Bergen students have earned the $1,000 2016 Coca-Cola Leaders of Promise Scholar award from Phi Theta Kappa. Allan Chapman, Joseph Mattia and Maycie Schmidt each received the award based on their “outstanding academic achievement and demonstrated leadership potential,” according to the honor society of two-year colleges. Bergen’s Alpha Epsilon Phi chapter, recognized in the global top 30 last year, ranks as the only institution in the Middle States region to enroll three 2016 honorees. More than 1,100 new members of the honor society applied. Nationwide, approximately 91 percent of Phi Theta Kappa members earn an associate degree or transfer to a four-year institution, compared to the national rate of 38 percent. The organization provides its three million student members with $37 million in transfer scholarships each year. More than 1,300 chapters exist throughout the world. n
Inside Bergen • The Bergen Community College Newsletter |
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1. A view from above: aviation program graduates Joe Mecca and Brandon Espinal worked as interns this summer with Scott Dittamo, a senior air traffic controller at Newark Liberty Tower. 2. Bergen lent its collective voice to the 2016 election with a trio of events: a flash mob on voting rights, a “pizza and politics” discussion on the debates and “Art VOTES: Visualizing the Democratic Process,” a Gallery Bergen exhibition featuring 23 artists. 3. On behalf of the Indian Americans of Paramus, Mukesh Malkan presented President B. Kaye Walter, Ph.D., with $1,000 for scholarships.
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4. Professor Harold Kahn brought some of his best fourlegged friends to campus for the annual Greyhound Adoption Day.
8. Alicia Abella, Ph.D., an assistant vice president of AT&T research labs, served as the keynote speaker during Bergen’s Latino Heritage Month celebration.
5. Vice President of Academic Affairs William Mullaney, Ph.D., stopped by the No. 1 ranked Cerullo Learning Assistance Center during International Tutor Appreciation Week.
9. Managing Director of Athletics Jorge Hernandez congratulated coach Don Bozzone, who earned enshrinement into the National Junior College Athletic Association Men’s and Women’s Track and Field Hall of Fame.
6. Members of the Active Minds club sponsored a photo booth as part of National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month to continue the dialogue surrounding mental illness.
10. Hundreds of students — as young as middle school age — attended the “When Young Women Lead” conference.
7. Bergen’s Hackensack location, the Philip Ciarco Jr. Learning Center, opened its doors to the community as part of the 11th annual Hackensack Street Festival.
Inside Bergen • The Bergen Community College Newsletter |
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Working for the
Weekend M
ore than 40 students showed up for class this weekend. And their calendars were working just fine. This semester, Bergen launched “Weekend College at the Meadowlands” at its Lyndhurst location, enabling students to complete an associate of science degree program in two years through classes taken exclusively on Saturdays, Sundays and online. “Increasing access to higher education remains a hallmark of community colleges,” Bergen President B. Kaye Walter, Ph.D., said. “Institutions must acknowledge the changing needs of their diverse student populations and that our students’ lives demand options and flexibility. With students working multiple jobs and managing familial responsibilities, learning can no longer occur in a vacuum, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. As the access point for education, community colleges have a responsibility to accommodate these needs.” Students participating in the program enroll in five classes each semester – four take place in-person at the Meadowlands on weekends and the fifth takes place online over the length of the 15-week semester. The program also provides enrollees with the opportunity to learn as part of a cohort model, taking classes alongside the same students in every class. Students also have access to a designated adviser at the location. n
Building a Foundation S
ome dressed as their favorite superheroes to raise money for the College’s real heroes — its veterans — at the inaugural “Hero 5k Run,” while alumni such as Michela Hayes, Sherry Wilson and Luis Rivera gathered at the Dog & Cask for an evening of networking. The Bergen Community College Foundation hosted both events. To support Bergen students, please call (201) 447-7117. n
Police, Community Discuss Strategies F
aculty, government officials, law enforcement and clergy gathered to take part in an ongoing nationwide conversation about race, diversity, community engagement and law enforcement during the “Race and Diversity in Suburbia: Police and Community Working Together” forum at Bergen’s main campus Oct. 5. Seeking to unite the police and community members, the event drew 200 people who share a common concern — safety. Organized by professor Phil Dolce, Ph.D., the event opened with remarks from officials such as Bergen County Executive James J. Tedesco III and College Vice President of Facilities, Planning Operations and Public Safety William Corcoran. Preceding the afternoon’s panel discussion, Sociology professor Maureen Ellis Davis spoke about the history that helped create the suburbs before COPS Office of Policing Practices and Accountability Initiative Chief Noble Wray addressed the nature of “implicit biases” and how society can counteract unconscious perceptions and stereotypes. n
InsideBergen is a publication of the Office of Public Relations. Send feedback to lhlavenka@bergen.edu.