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UCNJ Union College of Union County, NJ Demonstrates Commitment to Becoming a Learning Environment Where Latino, and All, Students Thrive

Cranford, NJ – Excelencia in Education, the nation’s premier authority on efforts accelerating Latino student success in higher education, announced today Dr. Margaret M. McMenamin of UCNJ Union College of Union County, NJ has chosen to affiliate with the national network of Presidents for Latino Student Success (P4LSS). The network comprises a group of presidents and chancellors who have committed to making their campuses learning environments where Latino, and all, students thrive.

Excelencia formed our network of common cause in 2011 and Presidents for Latino Student Success in 2014 to support institutional leaders who are transforming higher education to make our country stronger with the contributions, skills, and talents of Latino college graduates. Programs and initiatives that work for Latinos can serve other students as well, and thus the nation at large.

Through the P4LSS network, Dr. McMenamin will collaborate with Excelencia and other postsecondary leaders to leverage collective expertise and resources, foster partnerships, and amplify current efforts to accelerate Latino student success in higher education at the national level.

“Institutional leadership focused on intentionally serving Latino, and all, students is the hallmark of the presidents and chancellors in this network,” said Sarita Brown, co-founder and president of Excelencia in Education. “We are proud to catalyze and support them as they advance student success and grow talent for our country’s bright future.”

Dr. McMenamin joins more than 150 leaders that belong to the P4LSS network and lead the nation in enrolling and graduating Latino students. Although the network represents only 5% of the thousands of colleges and universities across the country, the network enrolls 32%, and graduates 34%, of all Latino students in higher education.

“At UCNJ, we are proud to be a federally designated Hispanic-Serviing Institution and are always interested in pursuing opportunities that help foster intentional student success strategies. We look forward to partnering with Excelencia to further help our Latino student population thrive,” stated Dr. McMenamin.

Excelencia is honored to make common cause with the action-oriented, trendsetting presidents and chancellors who have answered our national call to accelerate Latino student success in higher education and ensure America’s future. To learn more about the Presidents for Latino Student Success network and other institutional leaders across the country affiliated with Excelencia, visit: EdExcelencia.org/leadership/presidents-latino-student-success

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About Excelencia in Education

In 2024, Excelencia in Education marks 20 years of service to accelerate Latino student success in higher education by promoting Latino student achievement, conducting analysis to inform educational policies, and advancing institutional practices while collaborating with those committed and ready to meet the mission. Excelencia has established a network of results- oriented educators and policymakers to address the U.S. economy’s needs for a highly educated workforce and engaged civic leaders. For more information, visit: EdExcelencia.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 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 – The UCNJ Union College of Union County, NJ Board of Governors swore in five new members this fall including Mr. John M. Toriello, of Westfield. At a joint meeting of the College’s Board of Trustees and Board of Governors, Board of Trustees Chair Victor M. Richel welcomed the new members to the meeting and initiated their swearing in.

Mr. Toriello is of counsel at the law firm Holland & Knight where he co-chairs the firm’s Insurance Industry Team in their New York City office. He represents clients in a range of insurance disputes which includes prosecution of fiduciary duty claims, fraud claims, coverage claims, and broker/intermediary errors-and- omissions claims. He will serve on the Board’s Budget & Finance and Marketing Committees. Mr. Toriello earned a bachelor’s degree from Brooklyn College and his J.D. from St. John’s University School of Law.

“It’s wonderful that John has joined the College’s Board of Governors. His knowledge of insurance and finance is invaluable, and we are grateful that he is willing to give generously of his time for the benefit of the College. As a resident of the County, he understands and appreciates the value the College adds to the local community,” stated Chairman 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 25 community colleges in the country for 2023 and a top 150 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 Board of Governors Chair and Trustees member Mary M. Zimmermann recently completed her two-year term as Chair of the Executive Committee of the New Jersey Council of County Colleges (NJCCC). The NJCCC provides statewide leadership and support of New Jersey’s 18 Community Colleges.

Mrs. Zimmermann, of Summit, is a 2001 alumna of the College. With more than 15 years of service on the College’s Boards, Mrs. Zimmermann brought tremendous experience to her role with the NJCCC. As a community college graduate, Mrs. Zimmermann is an advocate for students and understands the needs of community colleges; and in joining the NJCCC, she has always prioritized helping students achieve their dreams of earning a college degree. She was first elected chair of the NJCCC in 2021 and reelected in December 2022.

Describing herself as a “professional volunteer,” Mrs. Zimmermann is involved with a number of organizations. She is active with Meals on Wheels and the food pantry at St. Teresa of Avila Church. She is also past chair of the Summit Housing Authority (SHA), where she served for 16 years. The SHA owns and manages 195 low-rent family, elderly, and handicapped housing units. She is also a member and former Chair of the College’s Foundation Board. Prior to being elected Chair of the NJCCC, she served as Vice Chair and is the UCNJ Board liaison to the NJCCC.  On a national level, Mrs. Zimmermann previously served on the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee of the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) and regularly represents the College at ACCT events.

“The College community is proud of the work that Mrs. Zimmermann has done during her time as Chair for NJCCC. What a wonderful opportunity to represent UCNJ on the state level and collaborate with the NJCCC for the benefit of our students and community colleges across New Jersey,” stated UCNJ Board of Trustees Chair Victor M. Richel. “Her dedication to student success has always been paramount, and we thank her for her leadership.”

About the New Jersey Council of County Colleges

The New Jersey Council of County Colleges (NJCCC) was created in 1989 to support and promote New Jersey’s 18 Community Colleges that now enroll more than 300,000 people each year in credit, non-credit, and workforce development courses at more than 70 campuses throughout the state. More than 200,000 students – over half of all undergraduate students in public colleges and universities in the state – are enrolled at New Jersey’s Community Colleges. The Community Colleges also enroll nearly 100,000 students in non-credit programs and partner with thousands of businesses to meet their training and workforce needs.

The primary goal of New Jersey’s 18 Community Colleges is to meet the ever-changing educational needs of our great state’s residents. Today, through more than 1,700 degree and certificate programs, as well as non-credit courses and customized workforce training programs, New Jersey Community Colleges are helping more students than ever. Further, equity and access priorities are advanced every day with over half of the total undergraduate enrollment in New Jersey Community Colleges coming from minority and traditionally underrepresented populations.​

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 Union 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 – The UCNJ Union College of Union County, NJ Board of Governors swore in five new members this fall including Ms. Sandra Rice, of Plainfield. At a joint meeting of the College’s Board of Trustees and Board of Governors, Board of Trustees Chair Victor M. Richel welcomed the new members to the meeting and initiated their swearing in.

Ms. Rice is Vice President of Outreach & Strategic Partnerships at Coqual. Coqual is a global, non-profit organization that addresses bias and uncovers barriers to advancement for underrepresented populations in the workplace. Ms. Rice is also a member of the College’s Foundation Board and has the distinction of being one of three women who established the Foundation’s Close the Gap Campaign. This strategic campaign seeks to provide additional support to UCNJ’s African American students to help close the achievement gap. Since its inception more than eight years ago, the Close the Gap has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars that goes to direct student support. Ms. Rice earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism at San Jose State University and a master’s in media studies from the New School.

“I am thankful that Sandra is a part of this stellar class of new members to the College’s Board of Governors. As evidenced by her visionary leadership with the Close the Gap Campaign, Sandra understands the value and importance of equity in access to education. I am grateful that she is expanding her commitment to the College by joining this Board, and I know she will add tremendous value,” stated Chairman 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 25 community colleges in the country for 2023 and a top 150 for 2025 as designated by the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program. To learn more, visit www.ucc.edu.

Cranford, NJ – The UCNJ Union College of Union County, NJ Board of Governors swore in five new members this fall including Mr. John Richel, of Berkeley Heights. At a joint meeting of the College’s Board of Trustees and Board of Governors, Board of Trustees Chair Victor M. Richel welcomed the new members to the meeting and initiated their swearing in.

John Richel, who is a principal at Richel Commercial Brokerage LLC, is also a member of the College’s Foundation Board and serves as Chair of the Foundation’s Golf Committee. Mr. Richel is a licensed real estate salesperson with vast experience in property management. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Communications and Theater from Villanova University. Given his professional experience, Mr. Richel will serve on the Board’s Buildings & Grounds and Marketing Committees.

“We are thrilled to welcome this strong group of new board members to the UCNJ Board of Governors. John’s vast professional experience and expertise as a business owner and former COO of a major real estate management company will be of great use and benefit to the College. We are fortunate that he is expanding his commitment to UCNJ beyond his membership on the College’s Foundation Board,” stated Chairman 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 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 celebrate the winter commencement of the class of 2024 at the Union County Performing Arts Center in Rahway, with ceremonies at 2:30PM and 6PM. Students will be receiving their Associate Degrees in Science, Arts, and Applied Science as well as Certificates and Certificates of Achievement.

UCNJ President Dr. Margaret M. McMenamin will serve as the Master of Ceremonies. Each ceremony will include remarks by a student speaker. The speaker at the first ceremony will be Desiree Lucca, of Elizabeth, followed by Anais Santacruz, of Plainfield, who will speak at the evening ceremony.

The commencement ceremonies will include the conferral of degrees by President McMenamin, and a presentation of the Alumni Award and the Abdallah-Thomas Memorial Award. These special recognitions will highlight graduates that achieved academic excellence, leadership, and involvement in extracurricular activities.

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 – The UCNJ Union College of Union County, NJ Board of Governors swore in five new members this fall including Mr. F. Jim Della Sala, of Summit. At a joint meeting of the College’s Board of Trustees and Board of Governors, Board of Trustees Chair Victor M. Richel welcomed the new members to the meeting and initiated their swearing in.

Mr. Della Sala, who is Head of Strategy & Business for Wilmington Trust, is also a member of the College’s Foundation Board and serves as its Treasurer. Mr. Della Sala has more than 35 years of banking experience with knowledge of global corporate trust, entity management, and hedge fund administration. He earned a bachelor’s in Business Information Systems from California State University – Los Angeles. Given his extensive finance expertise, Mr. Della Sala will serve on the Board’s Audit and Budget & Finance Committees.

“This was an exciting fall for the College’s Boards as we welcomed five strong new members. Jim’s vast financial and banking expertise is a welcome addition to the Board. As a community college graduate himself, Jim can relate to the experience of UCNJ students which is also extremely valuable as a Board member acting in the best interest of our students,” stated Chairman 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 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 – The UCNJ Union College of Union County, NJ Board of Governors swore in five new members this fall including Ms. Deborah Enix-Ross, of Westfield. At a joint meeting of the College’s Board of Trustees and Board of Governors, Board of Trustees Chair Victor M. Richel welcomed the new members to the meeting and initiated their swearing in.

Ms. Enix-Ross is Senior Advisor to the International Dispute Resolution Group at the law firm Debevoise & Plimpton in their New York City office. She also has the distinction of being the Immediate Past President of the American Bar Association 2023-2024. Ms. Enix-Ross is also a member of the College’s Foundation Board, serves as its Vice Chair, and is one of three women who established the Foundation’s Close the Gap Campaign which provides support to UCNJ’s African American students to help close the achievement gap. Over the course of eight years, the Campaign has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars. Ms. Enix-Ross earned a bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism from the University of Miami and J.D. from the University of Miami School of Law. She also holds a Diploma in Comparative Law from the Parker School of Foreign and Comparative Law of Columbia University and a Certificate in International Law from the London School of Economics.

“Deborah will bring her wealth of knowledge and expertise to the College’s Board, and I am thankful that she is a part of this strong class of new members to the College’s Board. She is a leader in her community who cares for others and gives generously of her time, and we at the College are fortunate to benefit from her membership on the Board,” stated Chairman 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 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 President Dr. Margaret M. McMenamin was honored by the Urban League of Union County as the recipient of the 2023 Ella S. Teal President Award. Dr. McMenamin received the award at their 47^th Equal Opportunity Day Dinner & Gala held on December 8, 2023.

Dr. McMenamin was selected for this recognition based on her transformative leadership at the College and commitment to diversity and inclusion. Dr. McMenamin was appointed president of the College in 2010 and serves as its first female president. Under her leadership, UCNJ has seen drastic improvements to student success outcomes. When the overall college graduation rate increased but those of African American / Black males did not, Dr. McMenamin started the Project Achievement Initiative, which combines dynamic advising with a programming component to ensure the success of African American male students. This initiative has more than quintupled the African American male graduation rate over the last decade.

In 2020, Dr. McMenamin was named the National Marie Y. Martin CEO of the Year by the Association of Community College Trustees. This fall, for the third consecutive time, the College was once again named a Top 150 U.S. Community College by the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program making the College eligible to apply for the $1 million 2025 Aspen Prize. This follows the College being named as one of only 25 semifinalists for the 2023 Aspen Prize.

“We are very proud of President McMenamin for receiving this well-deserved recognition by the Urban League of Union County. The College takes pride in its diverse student population and providing access to quality higher education to underserved populations. Once enrolled, Dr. McMenamin and her team are laser focused on ensuring that students who start at UCNJ complete their degrees,” stated UCNJ Board of Trustees Chair Victor M. Richel.

The Urban League of Union County is a non-profit community service organization founded in 1944. Its mission is to assist African Americans and other underserved people in the achievement of social and economic equality.

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 and a top 150 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 student Precious Opaola, of Linden, has been selected as a Kaplan Leadership Scholar. Opaola is one of only ten students recognized in the tristate area for this leadership opportunity.

The Kaplan Educational Foundation spearheads the Kaplan Leadership Scholar Program. This program targets students at two-year schools who are distinguished in their academics, have leadership potential, and demonstrate financial need. Opaola is the fifth student selected from UCNJ for this program.

Opaola is studying social services at UCNJ. She serves as the Vice President of Service and Fundraising for Phi Theta Kappa (PTK), an American Honors scholar, a member of the National Society for Leadership and Success, and a tutor at UCNJ’s Academic Learning Center. In her spare time, she is a volunteer for UCNJ’s Office of College Life. After Opaola graduates from UCNJ, she hopes to transfer to either Columbia University, the University of California, Berkeley, or Princeton University, and wants to continue studying social work. Along with three other UCNJ students, she participated in a summer 2023 intensive program at Princeton University.

For her career, Opaola aspires to guide people, specifically lower income children, and set them up for a successful future. Her goal is to own a non-profit organization that focuses on helping lower-income children take advantage of the opportunities around them.

“The UCNJ community is proud of the diligent work and passion Precious has put into her studies. She is a student leader who is also heavily involved on our Campus. The opportunity to be a Kaplan Leadership Scholar will help her to continue to develop and grow her leadership skills” stated UCNJ’s President Dr. Margaret M. McMenamin.

UCNJ is a public, comprehensive community college that provides quality, affordable, accessible educational programs to the greater UCNJ 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 and a top 150 for 2025 as designated by the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program. For more information about UCNJ, please visit www.ucc.edu and for more information on the Kaplan Leadership Scholar program, go to www.kaplanedfoundation.org/