On Tuesday, November 28, 2023, Camden County College hosted United States Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy on his national “We Are Made to Connect” Tour on our Blackwood Campus. The Surgeon General spoke with actor and mental health advocate Daniel Ezra, who stars as Spencer in the hit show, All American about how individuals can address loneliness, encouraging participants to reach out to one another, strengthen their relationships, and, ultimately, build more connection in their daily lives.

“As an educator, I have learned that the connection you create with your students is as vital to their success as your teaching. At Camden County College, we each have a role to play in the success of our students, and we all have an opportunity to make a connection that could serve as their lifeline. Dr. Murthy’s visit today could not have come at a better time as we visit upon the holiday season where feelings of isolation and loneliness can often become magnified.” said Dr. Lovell Pugh-Bassett, President of Camden County College during her welcoming remarks Tuesday in Civic Hall.

First Lady of New Jersey, Tammy Murphy, offered remarks on the importance of youth mental health, and the work that is being done by the Governor’s Office to ensure there are supports in place for young New Jerseyans who are in need of mental health support, including “expanding access to behavioral health care in schools, training school staff in mental health first aid, and becoming the first state in the nation to provide free tele-mental health services for college students”.

“Loneliness is an increasingly troublesome issue that we are seeing take a toll on people across the country but specifically, college aged people,” said Camden County Commissioner Deputy Director, Ed McDonnell. “Dr. Murthy’s tour aims to start conversation about these difficult topics to encourage our young people to reach out and connect with those around them to avoid adverse effects of loneliness.”

The “We Are Made to Connect” Tour aims to inspire students and communities across the country to build community and incorporate moments of connection into their daily routines. Our relationships with one another can be a source of healing that can help us all live healthier, fuller, and more productive lives.

Camden County College was awarded a $167,550.43 Trees for Schools grant to fund the costs associated with the purchase and planting of trees including planning, site preparation, watering, monitoring and related expenses over a three-year period. The trees will be planted at the Camden City Campus, and at the William G. Rohrer Center in Cherry Hill.

“This grant will be utilized by the College to further our ongoing commitment to upgrading student spaces and enhancing our campus environment,” said Camden County College President, Dr. Lovell Pugh-Bassett. “We want students to have spaces to use and enjoy between classes both indoors and out.”

The Trees for Schools program is a joint effort of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), Sustainable Jersey and The College of New Jersey. Funded by Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) auction proceeds, the Trees for Schools grant program will plant more than 3,000 trees across the state.

“These grants are an important step to help mitigate the impact of climate change and are an investment in healthier schools and communities,” DEP Commissioner Shawn M. LaTourette said. “Trees store carbon and reduce greenhouse gases and energy use, thereby mitigating the impacts of climate change and strengthening the resilience of our communities. Equally important, the planting of these trees will inspire our young people to become tomorrow’s leaders in the fight against climate change.”

“Congratulations to the schools, colleges and universities that received a Trees for Schools grant. Planting and caring for trees help our students learn about ecosystems and the valuable role trees play,” said Randall Solomon, director of Sustainable Jersey. “We look forward to working with the grant recipients to expand their campus tree canopy while allowing students this important connection.”

The Trees for Schools grant recipients will now work with the project team to develop their tree project design and will participate in tree-planting workshops. The tree plantings are scheduled for spring 2024. For more information visit: https://bit.ly/TreesforSchools.

Camden County College welcomes Dr. Damiano Consilvio, the newest addition to the English Department.

Dr. Consilvio is a South Jersey/Philadelphia native who received both his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees at Rutgers University -Camden and went on to teach literature and composition courses at Rutgers- Camden. He later earned his Ph.D. from the University of Rhode Island, where he continued his instruction of literature and composition.

As someone whose higher education journey began at a community college, Dr. Consilvio was inspired to pay it forward by instructing students in a similar position.

“I began as a community college student, so I understand the way it benefits students as an accessible and affordable way to begin their college education,” Consilvio said. “Community college was integral in giving me the chance I needed to better myself, whereas other ‘bigger’ schools would not have accepted me, and I very well may not have made it to where I am today.”

For Dr. Consilvio, community college provides students an affordable and inclusive pathway to higher education.

“Community college epitomizes civic and social inclusivity for the way it provides affordable and accessible means of higher education,” explained Consilvio. “Giving students the chance to establish themselves in their first two years often sees them achieving the record and resume needed to attend other more prestigious four-year schools and beyond, as was the case with me.”

In his free time, Dr. Consilvio enjoys playing video games and mentioned that he became an English major because he always enjoyed a good story.

“I appreciate the same enjoyment in games with an interesting narrative and challenging game play,” said Consilvio. “It also provides a nice break from the paper reading and keyboard typing that this work often consists of.”

Dr. Consilvio is looking forward to meeting new students and being an important part of the foundational period of their education and their careers.

Welcome Dr. Consilvio!

Camden County College was proud to host the installation and dedication ceremony of a POW/MIA chair at our Blackwood Campus on Friday, September 15 in honor of National POW MIA Recognition Day. The POW/MIA chair is left intentionally empty to serve as a reminder of the service members who are unable to be with us.

Assemblyman Bill Moen, Camden County Commissioner and Gold-Star Mother Melinda Kane, Camden County College President Dr. Lovell Pugh-Bassett, as well as members of our local Veteran community were in attendance. Camden County College is dedicated to the remembrance of service members, and this chair serves as a reminder that there is always a place for them at Camden County College.

Additional POW/MIA chairs will be installed at the Camden City Campus and the William G. Rohrer Center in Cherry Hill in the near future.

The Camden County Board of Commissioners and Camden County College were honored to welcome Dr. Clarence B. Jones, Speechwriter and Counsel to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., to the Dennis Flyer Theater at our Blackwood Campus on Wednesday, September 13, for a discussion on Civil Rights, the Constitution, and his new book, “Last of the Lions,” followed by a Q & A session with attendees, and a book signing.

On August 18th, the Camden County College Office of Workforce Development and Continuing Education assisted in organizing the Camden County government employee retreat by offering continuing education classes to attendees and overseeing a team-building exercise. In addition, the Workforce Development and Continuing Education team coordinated a food donation of 2,924 cans of non-perishables to the Camden County College Food Pantry from the employees and administration of Camden County government.

The Camden County College Food Pantry thanks the employees and administration of Camden County for their extremely generous donation. The Food Pantry also thanks the CCC Office of Workforce Development and Continuing Education for their assistance in securing the donation. The one-day donation equals what the pantry typically receives in an entire semester. Over 50% of community college students nationwide reported that they had been food insecure at one time. This donation will help students overcome this educational barrier that has been linked to poor academic performance.

The CCC food pantry has locations in Blackwood, Camden, and Cherry Hill, and fights food insecurity by providing students with no-cost food items and supplies. To learn more about the food pantry, and how you can help, please visit www.camdencc.edu/student_life/student-services/the-pantry

The 57^th Annual Camden County Senior Citizens Juried Art Contest and Exhibition opened on August 23. Submissions from over 100 county senior artists are on display at Camden County College’s William G. Rohrer Center, 1889 Rt. 70 East, Cherry Hill. Open to the public, the exhibition runs through September 20, Mondays to Thursdays, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

“I congratulate all of the artists that participated in this year’s contest. The judges certainly had a challenging task, as each work of art is impressive and worthy of recognition,” said Commissioner Melinda Kane, liaison to the Camden County Cultural and Heritage Commission. “I encourage everyone to visit Camden County College in Cherry Hill during the exhibition.”

County residents age 60 and older, at any level of skill or experience, were invited to participate, including amateurs and non-professionals as well as working artists. Categories of work include acrylic painting; craft; digital art; mixed media; oil painting; pastel; print; photography; sculpture; watercolor; and works on paper (drawing).

Artwork by professional and non-professional artists was adjudicated by an independent panel of professional artists. First place winners in all categories at the County level will advance to compete at the State level in the New Jersey Senior Citizens Art Show, September 30 to October 26, 2023.

First place winners in the Non-Professional category are Acrylic Painting: Carolyn Tyndall, Cherry Hill; Craft: Marlane Uhr, Voorhees; Oil Painting: Pam Dougherty, Cherry Hill; Pastel: Margaret Sochanchak, Waterford Works; Photography: James Mitchell, Pennsauken; Watercolor Painting: William Lane, Haddonfield; Works on Paper: Barbara Caponegro, West Berlin; Sculpture: Barbara Pfieffer, Camden; Digital Art: Joseph Trucksess, Haddon Heights; Mixed Media: T. Michael Leathem, Cherry Hill.

In the Professional category, first place was awarded as follows: Acrylic Painting: Dorothy DeMatteis, Cherry Hill; Craft: Robin Brownfield, Collingswood; Oil Painting: Daniel Horne, Cherry Hill; Pastel: Doreen Korejko, Waterford Township; Photography: Robert Redding, Haddonfield; Watercolor Painting: Peter Ehlinger, Haddonfield; Works on Paper: Gerald Purnell, Lindenwold; Sculpture: Conni Spiegle, Haddonfield; Digital Art: Nancy Schmidt, Gloucester Township; Mixed Media: Ruth Marquez, Pine Hill.

The Camden County Cultural and Heritage Commission at Camden County College supports the local arts and history that make our communities dynamic places to live and work. The Commission was established by the Camden County Board of Commissioners to act as the designated agency in Camden County to receive and administer the New Jersey State Council on the Arts Local Arts Program and the New Jersey Historical Commission County History Partnership Program.

Camden County College welcomes Dr. Sarah Iepson as the Dean of Liberal Arts and Professional Studies.

Dr. Iepson began her career as a Professor of Art History at Community College of Philadelphia (CCP) in 2002. She also served as Art Department Chairperson at CCP and the Honors Program Curriculum Coordinator. From 2008 to 2021, she served as CCP’s Associate Regional Coordinator for the State of Pennsylvania for the Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society. Dr. Iepson is also a recipient of a Lindback Foundation Teaching Excellence award.

After spending over two decades as a Professor, Dr. Iepson explained that she was looking for a change.

“I had been tinkering with the idea of moving from the ranks of faculty to a Dean position, but I knew that it had to be the perfect place at the perfect time,” said Dr. Iepson. “When I saw the position open up here, I thought that this might be it.”

While she is new to the CCC community, Dr. Iepson expressed that she already feels right at home.

“I love the College’s personality, the dedication of its faculty, staff, and students, and the opportunities to do amazing things with the College family and local community,” she said. “I felt that it was a great fit for me, and so far, it is.”

For Dr. Iepson, working for a community college is much more than a job.

“Community college means so many things to me because it means so many things to the folks that we serve,” she explained. “It means opportunity, diversity, success, equity, growth, experience, collaboration, and family. It means that there is a place for everyone to set out their goals and achieve them. I have spent my entire professional career in the halls of a community college, and I don’t ever plan to leave!”

Dr. Iepson is looking forward to the start of the fall semester to experience the bustle of campus, meet students and faculty alike, and partake in the many activities on the College calendar. When she’s not at work, Dr. Iepson can be found on a run, hiking, or camping with her husband and dog. She is also an avid photographer and competes on a dragon boat racing team!

Welcome, Dr. Iepson!

The Camden County College Foundation Board of Directors is seeking new faces for its general membership.

Founded in 1992, the CCC Foundation supports the College mission to provide accessible, affordable and high-quality education to all who can benefit from such opportunity. The CCC Foundation raises money to fund scholarships for students, supply enrichment opportunities for faculty and enhance instructional equipment and technological capabilities of the institution. In addition to awarding $350,000+ in student scholarships annually, the Foundation hosts numerous fundraising events and alumni events each year.

Efforts to meet this challenge are steered by the Foundation board of directors, which is made up of up to 25 local leaders who donate their time and talents toward continuing the Camden County College tradition of academic excellence and student success. Leading this team are chairman Louis R. Moffa, Jr. of Montgomery McCracken, who resides in Ocean City; vice chairman Kurtis J. Stroemel of Heffler Radetich & Saitta, who resides in Voorhees; treasurer Silvia Moffa of L.J. Zucca, who resides in Gloucester Township; and secretary Kelly Jackson of Camden County College, who resides in Waterford Township.

Applications are being accepted for additional volunteers to serve on the board. Prospective members should be available to attend quarterly meetings of the full board as well as monthly meetings of their respective committees and several college events per year.

To be considered for membership, please submit your resume and a letter of interest to Melissa Daly at mdaly@camdencc.edu.