ROI Influencers: Higher Education 2024 — Two-year Presidents

Eric Friedman President Bergen Community College The school’s business accelerator LatinxCEO, a workforce development initiative that targets underrepresentation in the workplace, is one of many programs the school has to serve its community.

Tony Iacono President County College of Morris The school’s numerous industry-aligned programs (from advanced manufacturing to health care to business) for students in high school though midcareer professionals are why CCM consistently is ranked among the best in nation.

Fred Keating President Rowan College of South Jersey It has campuses in Gloucester and Cumberland counties — and a unique program that allows students to take classes there but live on campus at Rowan University in Glassboro (enjoying those benefits).

Mark McCormick President Middlesex College The nursing school’s 100% pass rate on the licensure exam (46 students) is credit to school — but we’re equally impressed with launch of certificate program to train community journalists.

Michael McDonough President Raritan Valley Community College School has repeatedly been named No. 1 among community colleges in the state by Intelligent.com thanks to its numerous top workforce development programs.

Margaret McMenamin President Union College of Union County She has led the state’s first community college (founded in 1933) since 2010, making a lasting impact (quintupling its graduation rate) while earning national recognition (school recently was finalist for Top 25 community colleges in country).

Deborah Preston President Mercer County Community College One of her first moves since taking on the role was launching a leadership institute with the N.J. Black Women’s Collective — one of many initiatives she will have based on a mission and vision to heighten...

Chris Reber President Hudson County Community College School recently was one of six nationally to receive a “Leader College of Distinction” designation from Achieving the Dream, which goes to institutions demonstrating sustained improvements in student outcomes and reduced equity gaps.

David Stout President Brookdale Community College The recent openings of a $2.5 million Center of Excellence in Cybersecurity Education and a VentureHive Entrepreneurial Ecosystem are just two ways top school is serving its approximately 10,000 full- and part-time students.