Atlantic Cape Community College’s Board of Trustees approved the retirement of three longtime employees, effective June 30, when the board met at the Cape May County Campus Feb. 3. This meeting was previously scheduled for Jan. 27 and rescheduled due to inclement weather. Retirees include:
Kristen Grech, assistant director of financial aid, joined the college in 2000. The Ocean View resident received numerous “perfect attendance” awards and accolades for her contributions to the college’s scholarship banquet and Atlantic Cape Foundation Sandy Relief Fund. “Kristen is very efficient and professional in the deliverance of financial aid information to students and parents. She is polite, considerate and understanding of their needs and concerns,” said Linda DeSantis, director of financial aid.
Carol Mohrfeld served for 15 years as assistant professor of nursing as well as department chair of nursing and allied health. Mohrfeld, of Hammonton, also sat on the Academic Standards Committee, Assessment Committee, Curriculum Committee and advised the Student Nurses Club. “She is a real team player. She is always willing to volunteer for additional tasks when necessary,” said Dr. Barbara Warner, former department chair.
Mark Streckenbein of Collings Lakes joined Atlantic Cape in 1985, and during the last 30 years held numerous titles at the college, including director of physical plant, executive director of physical plant, director of facilities management and planning, and, most recently, director of facilities planning and capital projects.
Streckenbein was responsible for and oversaw numerous construction projects, including the Academy of Culinary Arts expansion, the construction of the Cape May County Campus, two expansions at the Charles D. Worthington Atlantic City Campus and the construction of the STEM building.
“Mark’s resourcefulness, initiative and continued professional development are used to the college’s advantage,” said Dr. Richard Perniciaro, vice president of facilities, planning, research and executive support. “His critical thinking skills lead to alternative solutions in many cases. These qualities are all to be commended.”
Contracts and Purchases Approved:
--Fire system upgrade at Worthington Atlantic City Campus, SimplexGrinnell, Horsham, Pennsylvania, increased from $115,750 to $161,225 to include additional work.
--Software license renewal of Microsoft Campus, A-Prompt Corp., Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania, $34,782.
--Video conferencing system for Caesars Entertainment Wing for Hospitality and Gaming Studies and STEM building, Troxell, Sicklerville, $82,619.
--Upgrade and modernization of fire detection system in Buildings R, L, F, E, T and I on the Mays Landing Campus, Simplex Grinnell, Horsham, Pennsylvania, not to exceed $218,595.
--Culinary equipment, multiple bidders, increased from $41,956 to $46,485.
--Merchant card services, one-year extension at a processing fee of 2.5 percent, Official Payments, Reston, Virginia.
In Grant Action, the Board:
--Approved submission of an application to the U.S. Department of Education Student Support Services Program to increase college retention and graduation rates with an anticipated grant of $292,340 each year over five years, for a term of August 2015-July 2020.
--Approved accepting $671,643 in FY’15 Perkins Grant Program funds from the New Jersey Department of Education to strengthen vocational and technical education programs.
In Personnel Activity, the Board:
--Appointed Ali Iddin of Pleasantville, testing assistant, retroactive to Jan. 28.
--Appointed Beth Leahey, MSN, RN, of Egg Harbor Township, assistant professor of nursing, retroactive to Jan. 20.
--Approved a leave of absence for Marcia Kleinz, associate professor of mathematics, effective March 1-May 16.
--Accepted the resignations of: Torrina Bennett-Michael, director of community and alumni outreach, effective Jan. 30; Robbin Haynes, financial aid specialist, effective Jan. 23; and Christina Ranelle, assistant professor of allied health, effective May 22.
--Approved spring 2016 sabbatical leaves for Terri-Lynn Hamby, assistant director of science labs; Barbara Heard, assistant professor of biology; and Dr. Josette Katz, professor of hospitality/business management.
--Approved a change in classification to the position of senior campus administrator at the Charles D. Worthington Atlantic City Campus to grade 15.
In Other Business, the Board:
--Approved the financial statement for six months ending Dec. 31, 2014.
--Accepted a corrective action plan to rectify a Tuition Aid Grant program audit finding in the FY’14 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report.
--Approved a revision to the FY’15 tuition and fee schedule to include the addition of two new fees related to the Prior Learning Assessment Program implemented last fall. The new fees are a $125 Portfolio Assessment Fee and a $20 Prior Learning Assessment Application Fee.
In the President’s Report:
--Dr. Peter L. Mora, president, introduced Dr. Mitchell Levy, vice president of student affairs, and Michael Kammer, associate professor of English as a Second Language, who reviewed an article they co-authored with others at the college about integrating career development into the curriculum. The article was published in “Synergy,” the newsletter for the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators. They will present on this topic at the International TESOL conference in Toronto in March.
--Mora reviewed the opening of the STEM building last month and shared student feedback about the facility. “We are all extremely proud of the building,” added Dr. Otto Hernandez, vice president of academic affairs. “I continue to be impressed by the amount of space we have in the building. Students can congregate, all the labs are spacious, and there are more resources available. This gives us a place to showcase our STEM programs and is sure to attract students.”
--Hernandez provided an overview of the dual degree agreement between Atlantic Cape and the Richard Stockton College of New Jersey, which allows students to take courses at Stockton prior to graduating from Atlantic Cape. Those credits can transfer back to Atlantic Cape and count toward an associate degree, allowing students to earn both two- and four-year degrees.
--Hernandez discussed plans for the first Student Advisement Days March 31 and April 1, which will require all students to see a faculty advisor those days to ensure they are taking the right courses for their degree program and are on track to graduate. The initiative is a collaborative effort between academic affairs, student services and enrollment services.
The next meeting of the Board of Trustees will be held at 7 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 24, at the Mays Landing Campus. All are welcome to attend.