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UCNJ Union College of Union County, NJ is one of 20 Community Colleges Being Considered for $1 Million National Prize that Recognizes Excellence in Student Outcomes, Both in College and After Graduation

WASHINGTON D.C., May 7, 2024 – Today, the Aspen Institute named UCNJ as a semifinalist for the 2025 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence. The $1 million award is the nation’s signature recognition of high achievement and performance among community colleges. 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. UCNJ is the only semifinalist institution from New Jersey.

“This prestigious recognition is a testament to the tireless efforts of our incredible faculty and staff. Each and every day, they live our mission of transforming our community, one student at a time. I thank them for their commitment. For our students, I know there’s an outdated perception that attending community college isn’t a first choice. Today in particular, I hope they are proud to be attending one of the top 20 community colleges in the country,” stated UCNJ President Dr. Margaret M. McMenamin.

Awarded every two years, the Aspen Prize honors colleges with outstanding performance in six critical areas: teaching and learning, certificate and degree completion, transfer and bachelor’s attainment, workforce success, broad access to the college and its offerings, and equitable outcomes for students of color and students from low-income backgrounds. The winner will be announced in the spring of 2025.

Joshua Wyner, executive director of the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program, congratulated the semifinalists. “Each of these colleges has demonstrated a sustained commitment to moving beyond enrollment and retention as the markers of student success to defining their success by whether the education they provide changes lives,” Wyner said. “These colleges understand that enrollment and graduation matter most when tied tightly to post-graduation success in transferring for a bachelor’s degree and in securing fulfilling, good-paying jobs and careers.”

The semifinalists are:

• Broward College
• Georgia Highlands College
• Kingsborough Community College
• MiraCosta College
• Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College
• Moorpark College
• North Iowa Area Community College
• Northeast Wisconsin Technical College
• Northwest Iowa Community College
• Northwest Vista College
• San Jacinto College
• Seminole State College of Florida
• South Puget Sound Community College
• Southwest Wisconsin Technical College
• State Technical College of Missouri
• Trinidad State College
• UCNJ Union College of Union County, NJ
• Wallace State Community College-Hanceville
• Western Technical College
• William Rainey Harper College

The Aspen Prize selection process began in October 2023, when Aspen invited 150 community colleges to apply, based on data showing strong, improving, and equitable student outcomes in key areas such as retention, completion, and transfer. One hundred and eighteen colleges applied, and their applications went to a diverse selection committee of 18 higher education experts who assessed each application based on extensive data and narrative answers to questions. Following interviews with leadership teams from applicants receiving top scores, 20 semifinalists were selected. In the coming weeks, the committee will continue its review and narrow the field to 10 finalists, which will be announced in June.

After the 10 finalists are announced, next steps in the process include:

• Fall 2024: Multi-day in-person site visits to each of the 10 finalists, during which the Aspen Institute and partners will collect additional information and data, including extensive employment and earnings data on graduates from the finalist colleges.
• Winter 2025: A distinguished, independent Aspen Prize jury will review data and qualitative summaries that synthesize each part of the 14-month analyses, then meet for a full day to select the winner and others for additional recognition.
• Spring 2025: Announcement of the Aspen Prize winner and celebration of the 10 finalists in Washington DC.

To read more on the selection process, visit
https://highered.aspeninstitute.org/aspen-prize/.

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The Aspen Prize is generously funded by Ascendium, the Joyce Foundation, JPMorgan Chase, and the Kresge Foundation.

Previous winners are:

• 2023: Amarillo College (TX) and Imperial Valley College (CA)
• 2021: San Antonio College (TX)
• 2019: Indian River State College (FL) and Miami Dade College (FL)
• 2017: Lake Area Technical Institute (SD)
• 2015: Santa Fe College (FL)
• 2013: Santa Barbara City College (CA) and Walla Walla Community College (WA)
• 2011: Valencia College (FL)

Note: Colleges that have won the Aspen Prize are not eligible to apply in subsequent years

The Aspen Institute College Excellence Program supports colleges and universities in their quest to achieve a higher standard of excellence, delivering credentials that unlock life-changing careers and strengthen our economy, society, and democracy. We know it takes visionary college leaders to lead scaled, sustainable reforms, and we make it our mission to equip them with the knowledge, skills, and research-backed tools to inspire change, shift practice, and advance the capacity of colleges to deliver excellent and equitable student outcomes. For more information, visit our website and follow us on LinkedIn and X.

The Aspen Institute is a global nonprofit organization whose purpose is to ignite human potential to build understanding and create new possibilities for a better world. Founded in 1949, the Institute drives change through dialogue, leadership, and action to help solve society’s greatest challenges. It is headquartered in Washington, DC and has a campus in Aspen, Colorado, as well as an international network of partners. For more information, visit www.aspeninstitute.org.

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 20 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 – The New Jersey Council of County Colleges (NJCCC) honored students from each of the 18 community colleges who were named to the New Jersey All-State Academic Team. The recognition took place at the NJCCC’s Annual NJ Community College Scholars Celebration on April 25 at the New Jersey State Museum in Trenton. From UCNJ, the two students being honored are Michaela Fajardo and Camila Taddeo.

Fajardo, of Elizabeth, is a psychology major and Taddeo, of Union, is a student in the JFK Muhlenberg Harold B. and Dorothy A. Snyder School of Nursing. Both are members of UCNJ’s chapter of Phi Theta Kappa (PTK), the national honor society for two-year schools. At the NJCCC Celebration, these students are recognized for their exceptional academic achievements and service to their communities and colleges as members of PTK. Fajardo is the Vice President of Fellowship for the College’s Iota Xi Chapter of PTK. She was voted by her peers for the Distinguished Officer Award. Fajardo is also a tutor in the Academic Learning Center, the treasurer and social media director of the Psychology Club, and a member of the College’s soccer team. Taddeo is the President of the Iota Xi Chapter of PTK where she supervises all events and projects helping the Chapter to achieve 5-star status. She is deeply involved each semester with the Blood Drive for the American Red Cross. Taddeo also received the Coca-Cola Leaders of Promise scholarship. She is a tutor at the Academic Learning Center and volunteers as an EMT for the Springfield First Aid Squad.

“We are proud of Michaela and Camila for their academic dedication and success as well as their contributions to the UCNJ community. They are great representatives of what community college students can achieve. We congratulate them and look forward to what they will do next,” 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 25 community colleges in the country for 2023 as designated by the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program. To learn more, visit www.ucc.edu.

With Wave of Experienced Community College Presidents Retiring, New Aspen Fellow Commits to Learning the Practices of Transformational Leaders  

Cranford, NJ – The Aspen Institute College Excellence Program (Aspen) announced today that Dr. Bernard Polnariev, Vice President for Administrative Services at UCNJ Union College of Union County, NJ, is one of 40 leaders selected for the 2024-25 Aspen Rising Presidents Fellowship. Applying lessons from over a dozen years researching exceptional community colleges, the Aspen fellowship aims to select and prepare the next generation of presidents who can lead institutions to higher and more equitable levels of student success.

Many sitting community college presidents plan to retire in the next decade, creating an opportunity for college trustees and system heads to select leaders who have the skills and knowledge to achieve better outcomes for students. Aspen Presidential Fellows represent the next generation of college leadership: this incoming class of Aspen Rising Presidents Fellows is 58 percent women, and 55 percent are people of color. The institutions they represent are also diverse, located in 20 states, from small rural colleges to large urban campuses. The fellows, selected through a competitive process, will work closely with highly accomplished community college presidents and thought leaders over ten months to learn from field-leading research, examine demographic and labor market conditions in their communities, assess student outcomes at their colleges, and advance a clear vision for excellent and equitable outcomes for students while in college and after they graduate.

​“With so many community college presidents taking or nearing retirement, Aspen has a heightened sense of urgency to develop new leaders who are committed to systemic change,” said Josh Wyner, executive director of the College Excellence Program. “Community colleges have a unique opportunity to advance the talent communities need and enable the economic mobility that draws so many students to higher education. I am confident that these fellows can realize that promise—and in turn advance the entire field—by taking the lessons from the highest performing colleges and preparing to bring those lessons to their first presidencies.”

“On behalf of the UCNJ community, I want to extend my heartfelt congratulations to Dr. Polnariev on being selected for this prestigious Aspen fellowship. This is a great honor both for him personally and as he represents UCNJ. This fellowship will open new doors of growth and success,” stated UCNJ President Dr. Margaret M. McMenamin.

Rising Presidents Fellows aspire to enter a college presidency within five years of completing the fellowship. As fellows, they join a network of over 350 forward-thinking peers—175 of whom are sitting college presidents—who are applying concrete, grounded, and innovative strategies to meet student success challenges in their colleges.

The Aspen Rising Presidents Fellowship is made possible by the generous support of The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, the Burton Family Foundation, the Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Foundation, the College Futures Foundation, the Joyce Foundation, and JPMorgan Chase.

For bios and photos of all 40 leaders, visit highered.aspeninstitute.org/meet-the-rising-presidents-fellows.

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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 25 community colleges in the country for 2023 as designated by the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program. To learn more, visit www.ucc.edu.

The Aspen Institute College Excellence Program supports colleges and universities in their quest to achieve a higher standard of excellence, delivering credentials that unlock life-changing careers and strengthen our economy, society, and democracy. We know it takes visionary college leaders to achieve this higher standard and we make it our mission to equip them with the knowledge, skills, and research-backed tools to inspire change, shift practice, and advance the capacity of colleges to deliver excellent and equitable student outcomes. For more information, visit our website and follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter.

The Aspen Institute is a global nonprofit organization whose purpose is to ignite human potential to build understanding and create new possibilities for a better world. Founded in 1949, the Institute drives change through dialogue, leadership, and action to help solve society’s greatest challenges. It is headquartered in Washington, DC and has a campus in Aspen, Colorado, as well as an international network of partners. For more information, visit www.aspeninstitute.org.

Cranford, NJ – UCNJ Union College of Union County, NJ has introduced various initiatives to proactively address a critical student success and equity issue: food insecurity. With the ever-growing cost of food, more students are food insecure, meaning they do not know where their next meal will from come from. Recognizing this challenge, the Union County Board of County Commissioners, under the leadership of Chairwoman Kimberly Palmieri-Mouded, have generously provided $250,000 in support of the College’s food insecurity programs. While the County Commissioners have been incredibly benevolent as it pertains to the annual capital and operating aid that they provide to UCNJ, this specific allocation is indicative of their acknowledgment of the needs of their residents related to food insecurity.

The College has introduced several initiatives to help combat this matter of increasing concern. UCNJ created a food pantry, named Hoot’s Market, which provides bags of non-perishable food and hygiene items to students. Current students can also get a hot meal from the College’s cafeteria while on campus using grub passes. Through the Office of Social Work Services, UCNJ hosts farmers’ markets on the campuses. This gives students the opportunity to obtain fresh fruits and vegetables, which are food items not available through the Hoot’s Market.

“While we pride ourselves on providing an excellent education, we acknowledge the difficulty in learning when students are hungry. No student should have to choose between pursuing their education and having a meal. UCNJ is intensifying efforts to support our students through expanded meal programs with the aid from our key partners, the Union County Board of County Commissioners. Through their generosity and steadfast support, we are continuing to build a community where students can flourish,” 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 25 community colleges in the country for 2023 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 six students have been selected as semifinalists for the prestigious Jack Kent Cooke Foundation (JKCF) Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship. The JKCF award can provide up to $55,000 per year for two to three years to complete a bachelor’s degree at any accredited four-year undergraduate institution in the United States.

The six semifinalists were selected from more than 1,600 applicants across the country and have at least a 3.5 GPA. Selected Cooke Transfer Scholars will also receive educational advising and have access to internship opportunities, study abroad experiences, graduate school funding, and connections to the network of more than 3,100 fellow Cooke Scholars and Alumni.

The UCNJ semifinalists are: Mario Alvarado, of Roselle, who is studying business; Sophia Argenziano, from Clark, who is studying English; Zulemy Gomez-Londono, from Elizabeth, who received an Associate Degree in visual arts from UCNJ; Precious Opaola, also a Kaplan Scholar, who is studying social services and is from Linden; Nicole Resende, of Union Township, who is majoring in engineering; and Myrvens Sylvestre, of Roselle, who is studying computer science.

“The UCNJ community is thrilled to have six semifinalists for this year’s Jack Kent Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship. With the current financial climate, this is an incredible opportunity for our scholars to continue their education debt free. Our six semifinalists have worked hard, been involved on campus, and have big career aspirations. This scholarship presents a transformative opportunity for our students to secure funding and educational support, and we wish each of our six semifinalists the best of luck,” stated UCNJ President Dr. Margaret M. McMenamin.

“In light of the challenges that hinder many community college students from achieving their goal of earning a bachelor’s degree, our Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship makes the journey more achievable and helps to eliminate the threat of student debt,” said Seppy Basili, Executive Director of the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation. “The exceptional pool of talent among this year’s chosen semifinalists from community colleges showcases the vast potential within these institutions and we look forward to learning more about these students during the final stage of our application review.” The finalists for the Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship will be announced in May.

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 25 community colleges in the country for 2023 as designated by the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program. To learn more, visit www.ucc.edu.

 

Cranford, NJ – Congratulations to the UCNJ Union College of Union County, NJ Women’s Basketball Team who will be competing in the 2024 National Junior Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division II Women’s Basketball Championship. UCNJ defeated Niagara County Community College on March 9 with a score of 72-57 to become the East A District Champions securing their spot in the national tournament which will be held in Joplin, Missouri from March 18-23.

Before earning their title as East A District Champions, the Lady Owls won the NJCAA 2024 Region XIX Championship. This was a highly anticipated rematch of the 2023 Region XIX Final, with UCNJ emerging victorious against Harcum College. In the Region XIX Championship, UCNJ’s Khila Morris led all scorers with 26 points and earned the prestigious Region XIX Rose Battaglia Player of the Year award.

Head Coach Marbely Montas (UCNJ ‘07) was also named NJCAA Region XIX Coach of the Year for the sixth consecutive year. In 2011, Coach Montas returned to UCNJ as Assistant Coach and became the Head Coach for the 2017-2018 season. Since then, the team has had seven Region XIX Tournament appearances.

“The UCNJ community is thrilled with the performance of the Women’s Basketball Team this season. Their dedication and unwavering team spirit has earned them a ticket to nationals and recognition as region and district champions. We look forward to seeing their performance at the national tournament and hope to add another trophy to our wall,” 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 25 community colleges in the country for 2023 as designated by the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program. To learn more, visit www.ucc.edu.

The premiere of Union College’s episode of The College Tour was held on Tuesday, October 3, 2023 at the campus in Cranford. The College Tour is a streamed tv show that appears on Amazon Prime, Apple TV, and more. This episode featured 10 Union College students./ Russ DeSantis Photography and Video, LLCAward-Winning TV Series Brings UCNJ Directly to Viewers, Sharing Authentic Student Stories While Highlighting the College Experience. 

Cranford, NJ – UCNJ Union College of Union County, NJ is featured in Season 10 of The College Tour, a groundbreaking series from Emmy-nominated producers Alex Boylan, Lisa Hennessy, and Burton Roberts, which is now streaming on Amazon Prime Video. Hosted by The Amazing Race winner Alex Boylan, The College Tour travels the country telling the story of each college and university through the diverse lens of its students, giving the viewer an intimate portrayal of life on campus. Inspiring and motivating, the show serves as a vehicle to help students across the world to connect with higher education, enabling them to make informed decisions about their future without having to travel anywhere!

Shining a spotlight on the diverse landscape of today’s colleges, The College Tour offers viewers a comprehensive look at campuses across the country, highlighting the many resources and opportunities that are helping students thrive. The College Tour is showing just how these institutions are setting students up for success.

“Our community is excited to highlight ten of our star students and their stories to showcase all the opportunities we have at UCNJ. Our episode features both traditional and non-traditional students, international students, national champions, scholars, and more. At UCNJ, our mission is to transform our community, one student at a time and this episode depicts that anyone can be that student. We are grateful for Alex Boylan and the team for showing UCNJ as New Jersey’s community college,” stated UCNJ President Dr. Margaret M. McMenamin.

“UCNJ offers students an extraordinary experience, and we’re so excited to share that on The College Tour,” said Alex Boylan. “For students, choosing which college to attend is a monumental decision, and this episode gives prospective students a first-hand look at what makes this school so special.”

 

About UCNJ Union College of Union County, NJ

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 25 community colleges in the country for 2023 as designated by the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program. To learn more, visit www.ucc.edu.

 

About The College Tour

The College Tour is a groundbreaking TV series that takes the viewer on an intimate journey through campuses across the country, telling each school’s story through the diverse lens of its students. Hosted by The Amazing Race winner Alex Boylan, The College Tour brings equity to college readiness by providing a platform to access comprehensive and meaningful information regarding higher education anytime and anywhere, free of charge. The College Tour is available on Amazon Prime Video and at www.thecollegetour.com.

Cranford, NJ – UCNJ Union College of Union County, NJ continues to prioritize affordability and accessibility for students: for the fifth year in a row, the College is not increasing tuition. The 2024-2025 tuition rates and budget were approved by the College’s Board of Trustees at the meeting held on February 27, 2024.

As the cost of living continues to rise, UCNJ recognizes the financial challenges that both students and their families are facing. The College believes that financial strain should not hinder students from accessing quality higher education. Union County students taking a full-time schedule of 12 to 18 credits will continue to pay a flat rate of $2,640 per semester. The flat-rate tuition helps students graduate in a timely fashion and enter the workforce faster.

“In times of economic challenges, it is with great pride that UCNJ will continue to offer our students a high quality and affordable education. The College worked diligently to create a balanced budget that did not rely on increasing student tuition. For the past five years, including through the pandemic, UCNJ tuition has not increased. We understand the financial strain caused by inflated transportation, housing, and food costs. The College does not want to add to that burden to our precious students,” stated UCNJ President Dr. Margaret M. McMenamin.

New Jersey residents interested in applying to UCNJ may also be eligible for other aid to further offset the cost of tuition. UCNJ students who enroll in at least six credits and have an adjusted gross income of less than $100,000 may be eligible to attend the College tuition free under New Jersey’s Community College Opportunity grant. Students who complete the FAFSA or NJ Alternative Financial Aid application are automatically considered. Additionally, the Union County College Foundation has awarded over one million dollars a year in scholarships to UCNJ students for the past several years.

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 25 community colleges in the country for 2023 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 share that Vice President of Student Development Dr. Demond T. Hargrove is the 2024 recipient of the Chester Holmes Humanitarian Award from the Union County Board of County Commissioners.

Dr. Hargrove, a resident of Union Township, joined by his wife and two sons accepted the award at a ceremony on February 22 at the Hamilton Stage in Rahway as a part the County’s celebration of Black History Month.

The Commissioner Board established the Chester Holmes Humanitarian Award in 2012, in honor of the former County Commissioner and Rahway resident Chester Holmes, who passed away earlier that same year. An accomplished civic leader who loved the Union County community, Mr. Holmes was a former police officer, community volunteer, and member of the Army National Guard.

Dr. Hargrove joined UCNJ in 2017 and serves as the College’s the Chief Student Affairs Officer leading the Student Development Division. This includes overseeing the many student success initiatives at the College, including Project Achievement, Operation Graduation, and Inspire the Future. These initiatives specifically support first-generation college students, African American students, and Hispanic students. Under Dr. Hargrove’s leadership, the College has seen the addition of student success campaigns, a growing diverse student population, and increased graduation rates.

“We are immensely proud of Dr. Hargrove’s accomplishments at UCNJ. This award is a testament to his dedication to our students. Dr. Hargrove is a student-centered administrator who continues to prioritize student needs. The Chester Holmes Humanitarian Award acknowledges his contributions at UCNJ and reaffirms our commitment to transforming our community, one student at a time,” stated UCNJ President Dr. Margaret M. McMenamin.

In a recent interview, Dr. Hargrove shared information on his upbringing, his thoughts on fatherhood, Black history, and more. To check out that interview, click here.

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 25 community colleges in the country for 2023 as designated by the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program. To learn more, visit www.ucc.edu.

 

Cranford, NJ – Black History Month at UCNJ Union College of Union County, NJ began with a festive opening ceremony on February 2, 2024, on the Cranford Campus. The event was a celebration of Black culture and history, with the theme honoring “African Americans and the Arts.” The opening performance featured Zawadi African Dance and Drum, followed by UCNJ students, Sarah Towler singing the Black National Anthem and Joshua Kwashie reciting a poem.

UCNJ President Dr. Margaret M. McMenamin welcomed guests and attendees, which included U.S. Representative Donald Payne (NJ-10), Assemblywoman Michele Matsikoudis (LD-21), and Union County Commissioners Chairwoman Kimberly Palmieri-Mouded and Vice Chairwoman Lourdes M. Leon. They each addressed the College community and spoke about cultivating an inclusive environment for African Americans at UCNJ and beyond.

The event keynote speaker was Reverend Dr. Wanda Lundy. She serves as Director of the Doctor of Ministry Program at NYTS, board member of the Association for Doctor of Ministry Education, and has 30 years of pastoral, institutional, and academic ministry experience. She discussed the 313+ Project, which honors the 313+ enslaved and freed African ancestors buried in Elizabeth.

“At UCNJ, we are proud to celebrate our African American community. Through strategic programs such as Project Achievement, the College’s initiative to support African American student success, our goal is to cultivate an environment where students thrive and reach their full potential. For us, that means that that they not only cross the stage at graduation, but that they also transfer and or obtain a high-need and high-demand job that pays them a family-sustaining wage,” stated Dr. McMenamin.

Earlier this year, the Community College Daily featured a story on the challenges that UCNJ Black male students face along with the inspiring outcomes led by Project Achievement leaders, Candid conversations about Black male student success. In support of Project Achievement and Black History Month, the Union County College Foundation created the Suit Up campaign, which will provide graduating Project Achievement students with a brand-new suit. For more information on this campaign, visit https://secure.givelively.org/donate/union-county-college-foundation-inc/suit-up-campaign?fbclid=IwAR1X13y1JBT39Az-Gpa2DUr1y8UqLy3c4T0GmntfVA7HB-R8YDrnL4FAzWw.

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 25 community colleges in the country for 2023 as designated by the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program. To learn more, visit www.ucc.edu.