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Cranford, NJ – UCNJ Union College of Union County, NJ is proud to announce that student Samir Perez, of Elizabeth, has been selected as a Kaplan Leadership scholar. Perez is one of only 11 students recognized in the tristate area for this leadership opportunity.  The Kaplan Leadership Program targets students at two-year schools who demonstrate educational acumen, leadership potential, and financial need.

Born in Cuba and immigrating to the United States fourteen years ago, Perez decided to begin his education at UCNJ after learning about the educational programs, extracurricular activities, and the opportunity for growth and connection at the College. He is also a member of Phi Theta Kappa, President of the Latin Legacy Club, an Educational Opportunity Fund program student, and a tutor at the Academic Learning Center.

This spring, Perez will be graduating from UCNJ and will be pursuing his education in Computer Information Systems. Regarding his future, his career goal is to become a business analyst, a program manager, or a software engineer.

“We are incredibly proud of Samir’s acceptance into the prestigious Kaplan Leadership Program. Samir’s academic achievements, hard work, and leadership skills have set a high standard at the College, and we cannot wait to see all that he will accomplish and learn as a Kaplan Scholar. At UCNJ, we are committed to fostering an environment where students like Samir can pursue their dreams and make connections both inside and outside of the classroom” stated President Dr. Margaret M. McMenamin.

UCNJ is a public comprehensive community college that provides quality, affordable, accessible educational programs to the greater Union County region. It is the first of New Jersey’s 18 two-year colleges, serving both career-minded and transfer-oriented students since 1933. The College offers a wide variety of academic programs and extracurricular activities. UCNJ provides many experiential learning opportunities such as access to the Bloomberg Business Center, Innovation Center, and Student Research Lab. Additionally, students at UCNJ attend one of the top 10 community colleges in the country as designated by the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program. To learn more about UCNJ, visit www.ucc.edu.

CRANFORD, NJ – UCNJ Union College of Union County, NJ announced it welcomed the largest number of new students this fall. In an environment of declining enrollment at colleges and universities across the country, the College has taken proactive measures to increase student access, provide critical support to help ensure success once students enroll, and improve the value of their credentials.

Thanks to the generous support of the Union County Board of County Commissioners, UCNJ receives critical operating funding which has helped keep tuition low with no increases for the past five years. In addition to keeping tuition low, the College offers flat-rate tuition which allows students to pay the same cost for 12 to 18 credits. Finally, through the State’s Community College Opportunity Grant, qualifying students whose family income is $100,000 or less may also be eligible to attend tuition-free.

Students who enroll at UCNJ are doing so at one of the top community colleges in the country. UCNJ has been named as a one of only 10 finalists for the 2025 Aspen Prize by the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program. The institutions selected for this honor stand out among more than 1,000 community colleges nationwide as having high and improving levels of student success, as well as equitable outcomes for Black and Hispanic students and those from lower-income backgrounds.

The College’s Office of Admissions has developed a Strategic Enrollment Management plan with specific data-informed goals enrollment. By promoting new student orientations, hosting open houses, and providing more face-to-face time with faculty and staff who support students on their journey, UCNJ achieved a 13% growth in new student enrollment. In addition, the College continues to evaluate and enhance the value-added for their certifications and degrees to help graduates obtain living wages for in-demand occupations in the region.

“We are thrilled to welcome the largest class of first-year students in UCNJ’s history. This milestone is a reflection of the hard work and dedication the UCNJ community has to transforming our community, one student at a time. We welcome all students who seek to change their lives through higher education. Students at UCNJ receive support from our expert faculty and devoted staff who are focused on helping students achieve their dreams,” stated UCNJ President Dr. Margaret M. McMenamin.

UCNJ is a public, comprehensive community college that provides quality, affordable, accessible educational programs to the greater Union County region. It is the first of New Jersey’s 18 two-year colleges, serving both career-minded and transfer-oriented students since 1933. The College offers a wide variety of academic and extracurricular activities. UCNJ provides many experiential learning opportunities such as access to a Bloomberg Business Center, Innovation Center, and Student Research hub. Additionally, students at UCNJ attend one of the top 10 community colleges in the country for 2025 as designated by the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program. To learn more, visit www.ucc.edu.

 

CRANFORD, NJ – Dr. Margaret M. McMenamin, President of UCNJ Union College of Union County, NJ, has been named to the 2024 NJBIZ Education Power 50. This list profiles the most influential education professionals in New Jersey.

Dr. McMenamin has served as president of UCNJ since 2010. She set forth an aggressive agenda focusing on student success outcomes. Under her leadership, the College’s graduation has more than quintupled. This year, the Aspen Institute named UCNJ as one of 10 finalists for the prestigious $1 million 2025 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence. In 2020, Dr. McMenamin was named the National Marie Y. Martin CEO of the Year by the Association of Community College Trustees. Dr. McMenamin is involved with numerous community organizations, including the Boards of Trinitas Hospital, UCPAC, the New Jersey Israel Commission, and the NJ-PBS Community Advisory Board. In 2015, she was honored to serve as the Grand Marshal of the Union County Saint Patrick’s Day Parade.

“We are incredibly proud of Dr. McMenamin for receiving this well-deserved recognition. Her dedication to advancing education, especially amongst first generation and lower income populations, is truly inspiring, and this accolade is a testament to her outstanding contributions to higher education in New Jersey,” stated UCNJ Board of Trustees Chairman Victor M. Richel.

UCNJ is a public, comprehensive community college that provides quality, affordable, accessible educational programs to the greater Union County region. It is the first of New Jersey’s 18 two-year colleges, serving both career-minded and transfer-oriented students since 1933. The College offers a wide variety of academic and extracurricular activities. UCNJ provides many experiential learning opportunities such as access to a Bloomberg Business Center, Innovation Center, and Student Research hub. Additionally, students at UCNJ attend one of the top 10 community colleges in the country for 2025 as designated by the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program. To learn more, visit www.ucc.edu.

CRANFORD, NJ – Join the Union County College Foundation on Wednesday, October 30 for the 32nd Annual Scholarship Gala. The event will be held at the Westwood in Garwood beginning at 6 pm and the theme is “Harvesting Dreams.” This year, the Foundation will be honoring Elizabethtown Gas President Christie McMullen and UCNJ Professor William Dunscombe.

The Gala is the Foundation’s signature fundraising event of the year providing financial support for students at UCNJ Union College of Union County, NJ. This support helps to ensure that students’ economic status is not a roadblock to academic success. The Foundation allocates resources for scholarships, food insecurity, emergency funding, and more.

This year, Christie McMullen, President and COO of Elizabethtown Gas, is being honored as the 2024 Woman of the Year in recognition of her commitment to and support of the College’s mission and students. William “Bill” Dunscombe, Professor and Dean of STEM at UCNJ will receive the 2024 Fiat Lux Award in recognition of his extraordinary contributions to the County, the College, and the students. A resident of New Providence, Dean Dunscombe has been at the College for more than 50 years.

“We are looking forward to celebrating our honorees. Ms. McMullen and Dean Dunscombe embody spirit of excellence, dedication, and service that inspires us all. They are helping ensure that we fulfil our mission of transforming our community, one student at a time. Their contributions, and the generosity of all who support the College’s Foundation, remind us of the incredible impact that commitment and passion can have on our precious students and broader community,” stated UCNJ President Dr. Margaret M. McMenamin.

The Union County College Foundation Gala is selling tickets and has sponsorship opportunities available. For more information on the Union County College Foundation Gala, please visit www.ucc.edu/gala2024, contact the Foundation office at (908) 709-7505 or email foundation@ucc.edu.

UCNJ is a public, comprehensive community college that provides quality, affordable, accessible educational programs to the greater Union County region. It is the first of New Jersey’s 18 two-year colleges, serving both career-minded and transfer-oriented students since 1933. The College offers a wide variety of academic and extracurricular activities. UCNJ provides many experiential learning opportunities such as access to a Bloomberg Business Center, Innovation Center, and Student Research hub. Additionally, students at UCNJ attend one of the top 10 community colleges in the country for 2025 as designated by the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program. To learn more, visit www.ucc.edu.

 

Cranford, NJ – UCNJ Union College of Union County, NJ is proud to host local artist Gregory Ruffa’s Art Exhibition, Pastel Portraits of Scientists and Inventors, on the Scotch Plains Campus from September 16 through September 27. Ruffa, a 99-year-old resident of Scotch Plains, has painted more than 50 works.

The exhibit will be open to the public during the following hours: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 8:30 AM to 6:00 PM, and Tuesday and Thursday from 8:30 AM to 8:00 PM.

The art exhibition promises to educate attendees on famous scientists and inventors from the 1800s to the present, detailing who they are and their contributions to the advancement of the world.

Ruffa is an accomplished advertising executive and World War II veteran. He is also a published author, writing The Art Of Wood Type, which details the bygone art of wooden letters from the Gutenberg Bible of the 1400s to the 20^th century advertising.

To learn more about Gregory Ruffa’s passion for art and science, be sure to visit his exhibition on UCNJ’s Scotch Plains Campus, 1776 Raritan Rd, Scotch Plains, NJ 07076.

UCNJ is a public, comprehensive community college that provides quality, affordable, accessible educational programs to the greater Union County region. It is the first of New Jersey’s 18 two-year colleges, serving both career-minded and transfer-oriented students since 1933. The College offers a wide variety of academic and extracurricular activities. UCNJ provides many experiential learning opportunities such as access to a Bloomberg Business Center, Innovation Center, and Student Research hub. Additionally, students at UCNJ attend one of the top 10 community colleges in the country for 2025 as designated by the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program. To learn more, visit www.ucc.edu.

Cranford, NJ – UCNJ Union College of Union County, NJ is proud to announce that two members of the college community are receiving 2024 Northeast Regional Awards from the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT). Mary M. Zimmermann, Chair of the College’s Board of Governors and a member of the College’s Board of Trustees, is receiving the Trustee Leadership Award and Dr. Michele Rotunda, Associate Professor of History, is receiving the Faculty Member Award. Mrs. Zimmermann and Dr. Rotunda will formally accept the awards in October at the Regional Awards Presentation during the 55th Annual ACCT Leadership Congress in Seattle. By receiving the Northeast Region awards, both recipients are eligible to receive the national M. Dale Ensign Trustee Leadership Award and William H. Meardy Faculty Member Award. The national winners will be named at the Leadership Congress.

Mrs. Zimmermann, of Summit, has been a member of the UCNJ Boards since 2006. In 2023, she finished her term as Chair of the New Jersey Council of County Colleges (NJCCC) where she represented the community college trustees and students of all 18 of NJ’s two-year colleges. Mrs. Zimmermann received the Women of Excellence Lifetime Achievement Award given by the Union County Commission on the Status of Women in 2019 and the Ronald D. Winthers Trustee Leadership Award from the NJCCC in 2024.

Dr. Rotunda is a dynamic educator who embraces experiential learning opportunities to bring history alive for her students. She serves as an advisor for the College’s History Club and was integral in the development of the College’s history program. In 2016, Dr. Rotunda received the UCNJ Neblett Prize for Educational Excellence in Teaching and Learning. Dr. Rotunda earned her M.A. in history from Rutgers-Newark/NJIT Federated Program and her Ph.D. in history from Rutgers University. She is the author of A Drunkard’s Defense: Alcohol, Murder, and Medical Jurisprudence in Nineteenth-Century America.

“We are incredibly appreciative of these recognitions from ACCT. Mrs. Zimmermann and Dr. Rotunda are well-deserving recipients. Mrs. Zimmermann is a deeply committed and dedicated board member. She loves our students and is a tireless advocate for them. Dr. Rotunda is a master teacher who inspires her students to learn and live history. We are proud to have them amongst our college community,” stated UCNJ’s President Dr. Margaret M. McMenamin.

The ACCT is a non-profit educational organization that represents more than 6500 elected and appointed trustees who govern more than 1200 community colleges, and over 11 million students, throughout the United States. The ACCT annually recognizes trustees and other community college leaders in each of its five regions for their contributions.

UCNJ is a public, comprehensive community college that provides quality, affordable, accessible educational programs to the greater Union County region. It is the first of New Jersey’s 18 two-year colleges, serving both career-minded and transfer-oriented students since 1933. The College offers a wide variety of academic and extracurricular activities. UCNJ provides many experiential learning opportunities such as access to a Bloomberg Business Center, Innovation Center, and Student Research hub. Additionally, students at UCNJ attend one of the top 10 community colleges in the country for 2025 as designated by the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program. To learn more, visit www.ucc.edu.

 

Odudu Ekpenyong from UCNJ Union College of Union County, NJ is one of 210 Phi Theta Kappa members named a 2024 Coca-Cola Leaders of Promise Scholar and will receive a $1,000 scholarship. Ekpenyong, of Springfield, NJ, is a computer science major with a 4.0 grade point average.

The Coca-Cola Leaders of Promise Scholarship Program helps new Phi Theta Kappa members defray educational expenses while enrolled in associate degree programs. Scholars are encouraged to assume leadership roles by participating in Society programs and are selected based on scholastic achievement, community service, and leadership potential. Nearly 1,500 applications were received.

A total of $210,000 will be awarded this year through the Leaders of Promise Scholarship Program. The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation provides $200,000 in funding for the scholarships, with $25,000 set aside for members who are veterans or active members of the United States military. The remaining amount is supported by donations to the Phi Theta Kappa Foundation, which provides multiple Global Leaders of Promise Scholarships earmarked for international students.

“The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation has a long history of providing financial assistance to outstanding students at community colleges,” said Jane Hale Hopkins, President of the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation. “We are proud to partner with Phi Theta Kappa to make it possible for more deserving students to achieve their educational goals and support tomorrow’s leaders of the global community.”

The funds provided by the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation not only aid college completion but also give students the opportunity to engage in Society programs and develop leadership skills to become future leaders in their communities.

“Research shows that Phi Theta Kappa members are four times more likely to complete a college degree than their peers,” said Dr. Monica Marlowe, Executive Director of the Phi Theta Kappa Foundation. “The Leaders of Promise Scholarships recognize students for what they have achieved already and assure that financial need isn’t an obstacle to achieving their academic goals.”

“Odudu receiving this prestigious scholarship from PTK is a remarkable achievement and a testament to his dedication and talent. It reflects not only his personal hard work but also the supportive environment we strive to create here. We are proud of his accomplishment and excited to see the positive impact he will continue to make during his academic and professional journey,” stated UCNJ President Dr. Margaret M. McMenamin.

About Phi Theta Kappa

Phi Theta Kappa is the first honor society recognizing the academic achievement of students at associate degree-granting colleges and helping them to grow as scholars and leaders. The Society is made up of more than 4.3 million members and nearly 1,300 chapters in 11 countries, with approximately 240,000 active members in the nation’s colleges. Learn more at ptk.org.

About UCNJ

UCNJ is a public, comprehensive community college that provides quality, affordable, accessible educational programs to the greater Union County region. It is the first of New Jersey’s 18 two-year colleges, serving both career-minded and transfer-oriented students since 1933. The College offers a wide variety of academic and extracurricular activities. UCNJ provides many experiential learning opportunities such as access to a Bloomberg Business Center, Innovation Center, and Student Research hub. Additionally, students at UCNJ attend one of the top 10 community colleges in the country for 2025 as designated by the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program. To learn more, visit www.ucc.edu.

CRANFORD, NJ – Two UCNJ students have been selected to receive the inaugural Margolies Family Transfer Scholarship. Awarded through the Union County College Foundation, this transformational scholarship was established by the Margolies family and provides two UCNJ graduates with $25,000 per year to help them complete their four-year degrees after transferring to the selective institution of their choice. This scholarship aims to alleviate the financial barriers that hinder academic aspirations.

In order to be eligible, applicants must have a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.75; demonstrate financial need through having completed the FAFSA/NJ Alternative Financial Aid Application; and be involved on campus in extracurricular activities, community service, leadership roles, or other forms of engagement. In order to receive the scholarship for the second year, the student must maintain at least a 3.3 GPA at their transfer institution.

The two UCNJ students selected this year are Myrvens Sylvestre, a computer science major from Roselle, and Nicole Resende Lucena, an engineering major from Union Township. Both students are spring 2024 UCNJ graduates. Sylvestre will be transferring to Claremont McKenna College in California, one of the top liberal arts colleges in the country. Resende Lucena will be transferring to Stevens Institute of Technology in New Jersey.

“We are incredibly grateful for the generosity of the Margolies family. With this scholarship, they are investing in the Union County community by helping ensure that finances are not a barrier for students to attend elite institutions. Myrvens and Nicole have shown exceptional promise, and we are excited to see what the future holds for them. With the rising costs of higher education, UCNJ graduates make the financially sound decision to start at community college and then transfer,” stated UCNJ President Dr. Margaret M. McMenamin.

UCNJ is a public, comprehensive community college that provides quality, affordable, accessible educational programs to the greater Union County region. It is the first of New Jersey’s 18 two-year colleges, serving both career-minded and transfer-oriented students since 1933. The College offers a wide variety of academic and extracurricular activities. UCNJ provides many experiential learning opportunities such as access to a Bloomberg Business Center, Innovation Center, and Student Research hub. Additionally, students at UCNJ attend one of the top 10 community colleges in the country for 2025 as designated by the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program. To learn more, visit www.ucc.edu.

Cranford, NJ – UCNJ Union College of Union County, NJ’s Experiential Center for Education and Leadership (ExCEL) program has been named a Program to Watch by Excelencia in Education, an organization in higher education committed to accelerating Latino student success. UCNJ’s ExCEL program is funded by Title V of the Higher Education Act that provides grants to Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSI) to expand educational opportunities in higher education for Hispanic students.

Excelencia has identified UCNJ’s ExCEL program as a new, innovative initiative that is making a positive impact on the success of Latino students. ExCEL is recognized as a Program to Watch for the 2024 Examples of Excelencia. With this distinction, Excelencia acknowledges ExCEL’s potential to grow in practice and in evidence of effectiveness.

ExCEL is a program that supports first-generation Hispanic students pursuing their degrees in business, education, and graphic design at UCNJ. ExCEL students receive personal academic and career advising, internship opportunities, and experience UCNJ’s many on-campus destinations, including the Bloomberg Business Lab, a mock K-12 education classroom, and the Innovation Center.

“We are proud that ExCEL has been recognized as a Program to Watch by Excelencia, known for their leadership and support of Hispanic students in higher education. As a federally-designated HSI, the College is committed to strengthening Latino student success outcomes by providing intentional academic support, mentorship, and opportunities tailored to their needs. Students in the ExCEL program receive the tools they need to thrive in their academic careers and beyond,” stated UCNJ’s President Dr. Margaret M. McMenamin.

With the success of ExCEL, Title V has expanded the program to support students in data analytics, cybersecurity, and cyber forensics programs through increased career services, retention, academic programs, and professional development. The second Title V grant the College received is called Preparing UCNJ Students for Career Success.

UCNJ is a public, comprehensive community college that provides quality, affordable, accessible educational programs to the greater Union County region. It is the first of New Jersey’s 18 two-year colleges, serving both career-minded and transfer-oriented students since 1933. The College offers a wide variety of academic and extracurricular activities. UCNJ provides many experiential learning opportunities such as access to a Bloomberg Business Center, Innovation Center, and Student Research hub. Additionally, students at UCNJ attend one of the top 10 community colleges in the country for 2025 as designated by the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program. To learn more, visit www.ucc.edu.

In early August, UCNJ Union College of Union County, NJ hosted a four-day NASA Community College Aerospace Scholars (NCAS) program for college students from UCNJ, Essex County College, and Norwalk Community College (in Connecticut). The program focused on three missions that are designed to challenge and build student knowledge and skills by focusing on NASA’s mission goals, collaboration, and career pathways.

Participating scholars had the option to learn either online or in-person. With UCNJ hosting the program in-person, students were also able to take part in a robotics competition. Throughout the course of the program, students were asked to create an engineering design solution to perform a task, review and revise their resumes based on feedback from STEM professionals, summarize job shadowing experiences, learn how to apply STEM concepts to future engineering design challenges, and more. The Aerospace Scholars advanced their capabilities in STEM, which will help prepare them for better representation and service in STEM fields.

“UCNJ has been a NASA partner for a decade. We are honored to work with them to inspire the next generation of engineers. This program and the connections these scholars are making will change their lives and open doors for them after they graduate from UCNJ. Our goal is to provide these scholars with a first-class education with experiential learning opportunities. Moreover, we want to help them to graduate on-time and support them through their bachelor’s degree attainment to better position them for a related career with family-sustainable wage jobs,” stated UCNJ’s President Dr. Margaret McMenamin.

This is not the first time that UCNJ has participated in a NASA program. In 2020, the College was selected as one of only two community colleges that were chosen to participate in NASA’s Micro-G Next Challenge Artemis Program. For more information on the College’s NCAS program, go to https://www.ucc.edu/academics/academic-divisions/division-of-stem-science-technology-engineering-and-mathematics/stem-ncas/.

As New Jersey’s Community College, UCNJ is a public, comprehensive community college that provides quality, affordable, accessible educational programs to the greater Union County region. It is the first of New Jersey’s 18 two-year colleges, serving both career-minded and transfer-oriented students since 1933. The College offers a wide variety of academic and extracurricular activities. UCNJ provides many experiential learning opportunities such as access to a Bloomberg Business Center, Innovation Center, and Student Research hub. Additionally, students at UCNJ attend one of the top 10 community colleges in the country for 2025 as designated by the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program. To learn more, visit www.ucc.edu.