Camden County College is excited to welcome Richard Kopp as the new Executive Dean of Student Success and Retention. The newly established division is committed to creating a student-centered environment that empowers them to reach their academic and personal goals through support services and engagement initiatives that promote retention and student success.

With a strong background in student and alumni engagement spanning 25 years, Richard’s professional experience has well-equipped him to step into this new role. Most recently, Richard served as the Assistant Dean of Students and Director of Operations at the Community College of Philadelphia (CCP), but he has also held leadership roles in campus life, student engagement, and retention at small private colleges and large public universities, including Rider University, Drexel University, and The Restaurant School at Walnut Hill College.

While Richard has worked at varying levels of higher education, his passion lies with community colleges.

“They are engines of opportunity and access, embodying the promise of education for all,” Richard said.

For Richard, the promise of education isn’t just a concept; it’s a commitment he lives out every day. He considers himself a lifelong learner, holds undergraduate and graduate degrees from The Restaurant School at Walnut Hill College and Drexel University, and is currently pursuing a Doctorate of Education in Educational Leadership at Rowan University.

“I believe education is the key to opening doors, and I am deeply committed to helping others access those opportunities,” he explained.

For Richard, what makes community colleges so special is their connection to the communities they serve, something he has experienced firsthand.

“As a South Jersey resident, I’ve admired Camden County College’s tremendous impact on the region for years,” he reflected. “I’m inspired by the College’s commitment to its students and the broader community, and I’m eager to contribute to its legacy.”

Richard’s passion for enhancing the student experience, coupled with his personal connection to the region, drove him to apply for the position.

“When I saw the posting for the Executive Dean of Student Success and Retention, I immediately recognized that this role aligned perfectly with my professional experiences and personal values,” said Richard. “The opportunity to serve as the inaugural Executive Dean and build a new division from the ground up is a dream come true.”

Richard has a knack for fostering a sense of community at the institutions he works at, implementing new student engagement initiatives, reviving old campus traditions, and creating new ones. He even spearheaded a massive effort to launch a new college mascot at CCP, Roary, a role that he personally performed to boost spirit and pride. Richard is ready to bring that talent to Camden County College students.

“I’m excited to enhance the College’s already strong student-centered culture by fostering a sense of belonging and connection through engaging programs, vibrant student life, and targeted interventions,” Richard remarked.

For Richard, the students are at the core of all his efforts.

“Whether it’s mentoring student leaders, designing initiatives to increase retention, or fostering a sense of belonging, my passion has always been to help students achieve their goals and feel valued and supported,” he said.

Richard sees this new role as an opportunity to create lasting change.

“This role is more than a job,” Richard said. “It’s a calling to help shape the future of student success. I look forward to collaborating with faculty, staff, and administrators to build a division that embodies the College’s commitment to equity, access, and excellence.”

It’s not all work and no play, though; in his free time, Richard enjoys spending time with his wife and four children, cheering on Philly sports teams, trying new restaurants, and catching up on popular shows.

“Life is about balance, and these activities help recharge my energy so I can bring my best self to work and life,” Richard concluded.

Welcome to Camden County College, Richard!

Camden County College’s Alpha Nu Mu Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) was recently designated a Five-Star Chapter for the first time in nearly five years. This is the highest level of achievement a PTK chapter can attain, signifying exceptional engagement in campus and community activities, academic excellence, and leadership development. Five-star status honors outstanding achievement across five core areas identified by PTK: Reach, Engage, Network, Lead, and Discover. To earn this status, chapters must complete a time-intensive research project, known as the Honors in Action project, while fulfilling their chapter’s programming and service requirements.

The Honors in Action project is a research project led by PTK members with the goal of benefiting their community while enhancing students’ research, critical thinking, and leadership skills. Through this effort, students gain hands-on experience in teamwork and problem-solving while making a meaningful impact on campus. The highly motivated PTK board, which included Linda Blay-Owusu, Adriana Jasmin Santiago, Michelle Leon, Alejandra K. Rios, and Ari Avalos-Analco, chose the topic of ‘Fostering Connection,’ focusing on the impact of interconnectedness on student success as their project topic and the group embarked on the seven-month-long research process involved conducting student focus groups and presenting their findings to Dr. Lovell Pugh-Bassett, president of Camden County College, and the College’s Department of Institutional Research.

“PTK is a student-driven organization, and the chapter’s accomplishments are a direct reflection of the hard work and tenacity of its board and members,” said Dr. David Nugiel, Alpha Nu Mu Advisor. “I’m very proud of the board’s accomplishments, and I’m a better person for having the opportunity to interact with such motivated and insightful students.”

As a Five-Star Chapter, members of the Alpha Nu Mu Chapter at Camden County College will be recognized at the annual PTK convention and are eligible for additional awards and scholarships. But beyond the accolades, earning this distinction was about making an impact on their fellow students, and returning the 5-star distinction to the Alpha Nu Mu chapter.

“I’m proud to be part of this project, and I believe it’s a great way to make a difference in our community,” said Linda Blay-Owusu, Vice President of Leadership for the Alpha Nu Mu Chapter.

Phi Theta Kappa is an international honor society that recognizes and encourages scholarships through activities promoting fellowship, leadership, and service. Eligible students must maintain a 3.5 GPA and have completed all remedial classes.

Camden County College will Assess and Enhance Mental Health, Substance Use, and Suicide Prevention Efforts in Partnership with The Jed Foundation (JED).

(Blackwood, NJ) – Camden County College announced that it has joined the JED Campus Fundamentals program to support student well-being and mental health. The program is a nationwide initiative of The Jed Foundation (JED) designed to help schools evaluate and strengthen their mental health, substance misuse, and suicide prevention programs and systems to ensure that schools have the strongest possible mental health safety nets.

By joining JED Campus Fundamentals, Camden County College demonstrates a commitment to the emotional well-being of its students. JED Campuses embark on a collaborative strategic planning process that not only assesses and enhances the work that is already being done but also helps create positive, lasting, systemic change in the campus community. The program provides schools with a framework for supporting student mental health, as well as assessment tools, feedback reports, a strategic plan, and support from the JED Higher Education team.

“Mental health and wellness services at CCC are part of the institution’s plan to acknowledge and support the whole student and all students towards the successful completion of their academic goals,” says Dr. Lovell Pugh-Bassett, President of Camden County College. “Partnering with the JED Campus Program will allow us to develop data-informed strategic initiatives based on proven best-practices to continue building a comprehensive system of mental health support for our students.”

Institutions of higher education have been feeling the impact of the mental health crisis.

“The college years are the age when many mental health issues first manifest, and it can be a time of significant stress and pressure,” said John MacPhee, Chief Executive Officer of JED. “JED Campus helps schools by working with them to evaluate what their college or university is doing to support student emotional health and well-being and find practical ways to augment these efforts in a comprehensive way. We believe that the implementation of a campus-wide approach to mental health will lead to safer, healthier communities, and likely greater student retention.”

Camden County College’s membership in JED Campus Fundamentals begins with establishing an interdisciplinary, campus-wide team to assess, support and implement program, policy, and system improvements and completing a confidential, self-assessment survey on its mental health promotion, substance use, and suicide prevention efforts. Upon completion of the assessment, JED subject matter experts provide schools with a comprehensive feedback report identifying successes and opportunities for enhancements. Over the course of 18 months, Camden County College will collaborate with JED to help implement enhancements. All self-assessment responses and feedback reports are confidential.

For more information about the JED Campus Fundamentals program, visit https://jedfoundation.org/our-work/higher-ed/

###

About The Jed Foundation (JED)
JED is a nonprofit that protects emotional health and prevents suicide for our nation’s teens and young adults. We’re partnering with high schools and colleges to strengthen their mental health, substance misuse, and suicide prevention programs and systems. We’re equipping teens and young adults with the skills and knowledge to help themselves and each other. We’re encouraging community awareness, understanding, and action for young adult mental health.

On February 26, Camden County College was honored to host a distinguished delegation from South Africa, including Professor Ntebogeng Mokgalaka-Fleischmann, Executive Dean of the Faculty of Science at Tshwane University of Technology; Edwin Smith, Director of Mamelodi Campus and Head of Residence at Tuksdorp, University of Pretoria; Dr. Jeanine Mwambakana, Head of Academic for Extended Programmes and Head of Xayata Residence at the University of Pretoria; and Thivhudziwi Walter Vele, Director of TVET Curriculum Development & Support for the South African Department of Higher Education and Training.

Our colleagues from South Africa were visiting New Jersey to engage with higher education leaders on the potential for global collaboration. During their time on our Blackwood Campus, the delegation toured our facilities and met with President Lovell Pugh-Bassett and the College Executive Team to discuss key initiatives, including the College’s Back-on-Track program, institutional partnerships, workforce training, and K-12 outreach.

This visit underscores Camden County College’s dedication to expanding its reach through enhanced recruitment and retention efforts, innovative partnerships, and a commitment to collaboration that enriches opportunities for our students.

Earlier this month, Jhenipher Morel, Alejandro Ramos, Dr. Lovell Pugh-Bassett, President of Camden County College (CCC), and Board of Trustees member Jessica Purnell ’09 joined over 1,000 community college leaders for the ACCT (Association of Community College Trustees) National Leadership Summit in Washington, D.C.

The ACCT National Legislative Summit is an annual advocacy event in Washington, D.C., that provides community college leaders the opportunity to connect with members of the U.S. Congress, administration officials, and other high-profile speakers about legislative issues impacting community colleges while highlighting their importance in our education system.

Alejandro and Jhenipher are uniquely equipped to represent the interests of their fellow students, as both serve as Student Government Association Officers. “I knew the summit was an opportunity for student government leaders to meet up, share ideas, and build connections,” mentioned Alejandro, who serves as SGA President. Jhenipher serves as the Camden City Campus Executive Officer.

During their three days in D.C., attendees spent a considerable amount of time with lawmakers, including Congressman Donald Norcross (NJ-01), Congresswoman Nellie Pou (NJ-09), and Congresswoman LaMonica McIver (NJ-10). Jhenipher reflected on her interaction with Congressman Norcross, who himself is a CCC alumnus. “We discussed the financial challenges adult learners face, which often forces them to choose between work and academics,” she said. “We also emphasized the importance of expanding financial aid and workforce development programs aligned with in-demand career paths aimed at helping adult learners succeed academically and professionally.” These interactions highlight a shared commitment to enhancing education and career opportunities, creating a more inclusive and supportive learning environment for all students.

Support for adult learners was just one of the many areas that community college leaders advocated for during their time on Capitol Hill. Other areas included enacting a tax exemption on Pell Grants, increasing funding for Federal Work Study, and increasing awareness of the importance of community colleges.

While thousands of students and leaders from across the country, with different backgrounds and experiences, attended the summit, they found common ground on the importance of community colleges. “What really surprised me was the genuine sense of community among everyone there,” reflected Ramos. “It wasn’t just about policies; it was about real people coming together, all believing in the mission to improve community colleges.”

Alejandro and Jhenipher know that their trip to D.C. was just one of the many steps needed to give community colleges the recognition they deserve. Still, it is a start, “I hope the summit sparks ongoing dialogue and actionable change, ensuring that community colleges continue to serve as vital resources for students and their communities,” said Jhenipher.