Atlantic Cape Board Approves Retirements of Seven Longtime Employees

MAYS LANDING — The Atlantic Cape Community College Board of Trustees accepted the retirements of seven employees with a combined nearly 200 years of service at its meeting Dec. 15. Retirees include:
Wayne Cooper of Mays Landing, program coordinator for Worthington Atlantic City Campus Support Services will retire effective June 30. Cooper joined the college in 1998 as a program coordinator in Human Resources and over the years also worked for Administration and International Student Services, Office of the Executive Assistant to the President, and Community and Cultural Affairs. A former supervisor stated, “Wayne continues to engage as a positive and active supporter of various projects for Community Affairs. His degree of cooperation is excellent and he gives a positive response to requests made of him.”
Chef Educator Philip Cragg of Lanoka Harbor will retire June 30 following more than 25 years of as a culinary instructor of hot foods for the Academy of Culinary Arts. Cragg has achieved the distinctions of Certified Culinary Educator and Certified Executive Chef from the American Culinary Federation during his career. He has also been recognized for his contributions to the college’s Restaurant Gala, New Student Day, food competitions and other events. Chef Kelly McClay, dean of the ACA, stated, “Phil is dedicated to the Academy and represents the profession well through involvement in related organizations.”
Miguel Delgado has served as a custodian and grounds/labor/maintenance worker for more than 25 years and will retire effective April 1. The Mays Landing resident received numerous perfect attendance awards and accolades for his participation in Hurricane Irene cleanup, commencement, the STEM groundbreaking and other college events. Former Director of Facilities Mark Streckenbein stated, “…You have a great deal of self-motivation and pride in your work. The college and I greatly appreciate your efforts and quality of your performance.”
Dr. Joyce H. Grohman of Galloway will retire June 30 following 43 years teaching Atlantic Cape Nursing students. Grohman joined the college in 1973 as an adjunct instructor, securing a full-time position as assistant professor of Nursing in 1975, and was promoted to associate professor in 1983 and professor in 1988. She also served in administrative roles, including division chairperson for Allied Health and Physical Education, Distance Education facilitator, associate dean of Science, Allied Health and Physical Education, and dean of Instruction. Dean of Career Education Donna Vassallo stated, “Dr. Grohman is a strong supporter of our college’s mission, and a role model of ethical behavior for our Nursing/Allied Health students. She supports and encourages lifelong learning, which is evident in her support of integrating current medical field-related news into the classroom.”
Chef Michael Huber of Somers Point will retire June 30 following 19 years as a full-time chef educator for garde manger and hot foods. Huber earned the distinguished certification of Certified Culinary Professional from the International Association of Culinary Professionals and has received notes of gratitude for his contributions to New Student Day, ACA Homecoming, and the Cape May County Campus Gala. McClay stated, “Michael is an energetic and passionate chef educator. He provides his students with an excellent opportunity to learn and demonstrates a high level of professionalism.”
Dennis Huey of Linwood will retire June 30 after serving for more than 43 years as an assistant professor of Biology and later associate professor. He also was active at the college as an academic advisor, science club advisor, coordinator of academic advisement and served on college committees including Scholarship, Middle States, Academic Appeals and others. A former student wrote, “I got my BS and went on to get my Ph.D. in biological sciences at the University of Delaware. Now I am a first-year post-doctoral candidate at Vanderbilt University. I just wanted to let you know that you really made a difference in my career and life with your teaching. I think that all too often, we don’t have the opportunity to thank those that helps us so very much, so ‘thank you’.”
Mary Yoa of Ocean City will retire June 30 after serving 25 years as assistant professor and later associate professor of Computer Information Systems. She also served as coordinator of the Computer Programmer Series, a faculty advisor and college committee member. Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. Otto Hernandez stated, “Mary has done able duty as a mentor for adjuncts. I am particularly happy with her work in this area. She has been very supportive of the adjuncts and has helped them improve tremendously as teachers.”
In Personnel Action, the Board:
–Approved the appointment of Kenyatta Collins of Clayton, temporary assistant professor of psychology, effective Jan. 19.
–Approved a leave of absence for Judith Otterburn-Martinez, associate professor of ESL, effective Jan. 19-March 11.
The Board Approved the Following Purchases:
–Boiler removal and installation for the Cape May County Campus to Bernal Mechanical, Vineland, $49,700.
–Web Hosting Outsourcing to 30R Networks, Bridgeton, $33,575.
In Grants Action, the Board:
–Approved Atlantic Cape to be a partner in the Atlantic County Institute of Technology’s application to the New Jersey Department of Education County Vocational School District Partnership Grant, Cohort 2, for an anticipated subgrant totaling $90,000, over the term March 1, 2016-June 30, 2019. Through the program, participants could earn up to 48 credits for the aviation program while in high school.
In Other Business, the Board:
–Approved the Nov. 30, 2015, financial statement.
–Approved the draft financial statement for the year ended June 30, 2015, as of Dec. 6.
–Approved offering a Fine Arts Professional Series effective fall 2016. The series will provide students with the skills required to create original pieces of fine art and earn credits that may be applied toward the Studio Arts degree.
–Approved dropping the Restaurant Supervision Professional Series effective fall 2016. The program has had low enrollment and the college offers other professional series to meet the needs of business professionals.
–Certified that findings of the State of New Jersey’s Carl D. Perkins Grant Report on Examination for the years July 1, 2012-June 30, 2013, and July 1, 2013-June 30, 2014, were discussed at the November meeting and approved a corrective action plan following results of a fiscal audit by the State of New Jersey Department of Education.
–The board approved a resolution recognizing Jeff Wenzel, senior manager, grants accountant, on being named 2016 Employee of the Year for his outstanding service to the college. Wenzel, of Egg Harbor Township, joined the college in 2004.
Board Makes Provisions for Armed Security Guards:
The Board of Trustees approved a revision to Policy No. 862 to allow armed security officers and other persons so authorized by the college president to possess firearms on college property, college-sponsored housing or at any college activity.
In the President’s Report:
–Jean McAlister, dean of resource development & president/Board of Trustees operations, and Assistant Professor Augustine Nigro, who are chairing the Middle States Self-Study Team, reviewed the seven standards the college needs to respond to for the study. They asked for volunteers from faculty and administration to assist with the two-year process, that includes a site visit in spring 2018.
The next meeting of the Board of Trustees will be held at 7 p.m., Jan. 26, at the Cape May County Campus, Room 113. All are welcome to attend.