The Atlantic Cape Community College Board of Trustees has named Dr. Barbara Gaba the new president of Atlantic Cape following the retirement of Dr. Peter L. Mora.

Dr. Gaba, of Princeton Junction, serves as Atlantic Cape’s ninth president. The board approved a resolution appointing her to a three-year term running through June 30, 2020, at an annual salary of $180,000.

Dr. Gaba formerly served as provost and associate vice president for Academic Affairs at Union County College in Cranford, where she was responsible for the overall operation of the college’s urban Elizabeth Campus as chief academic officer and administrator, providing leadership, vision and strategic direction to the campus, its faculty, students and programs.

Prior to her appointment at Union County College, Dr. Gaba served as dean of Academic and Student Support Services at Camden County College and associate director of the Office of Board Affairs and Government Relations at the New Jersey Department of Higher Education.

“We were deeply impressed by the vast experience in the community college system Dr. Gaba has accumulated during her career, and her familiarity with operating a multi-campus college,” said Brian Lefke, chair of the Board of Trustees Presidential Search Committee. “This expertise will enable Dr. Gaba to build positive relationships with students, faculty, staff and the community, while positioning Atlantic Cape as a top choice for higher education in Atlantic and Cape May counties.”

To read more stories about Atlantic Cape, scroll down:

Atlantic Cape Unveils Electric Car Charging Stations
Atlantic Cape Partners with U.S. Coast Guard to Provide Personnel Educational Opportunities

During her career, Dr. Gaba has garnered extensive experience in higher education administration, teaching and research with proficiency in the areas of academic master planning; policy development; student services; strategic planning; workforce development; budget development and monitoring; grant writing; institutional accreditation and academic governance.

Dr. Gaba serves on several higher education boards of directors and advisory bodies including the Chair Academy for Leadership and Development International Practitioners Board; National Council for Black American Affairs, an affiliate council of the American Association of Community Colleges; Advisory Board for “Dean & Provost,” a national higher education newsletter; and the New Jersey Women in Higher Education Network.

In addition, Dr. Gaba currently serves as a Commissioner for the American Association of Community Colleges Commission on Diversity, Inclusion and Equity, and is a member of the Academic Advisory Council of the LINCS Supply Chain Management Consortium. She has also served as a Middle States Team Evaluator.

She is active in community and civic affairs including having served on the boards of the Greater Elizabeth Chamber of Commerce and the Rotary Club of Elizabeth. Currently she sits on the boards of the United Way of Greater Union County, YWCA of Eastern Union County; and Family & Children’s Services.

Dr. Gaba is the recipient of several awards, including the “Woman of Excellence in Higher Education” awarded by the Union County Commission on the Status of Women; “Exemplary Leader Award” from the Chair Academy for Leadership and Development; and the Rotary Foundation “District Service Award.”

A native of New York City, Dr. Gaba received her Ph.D. from Bayero University, master’s degree from Rutgers University and a bachelor’s degree from the State University of New York at Stony Brook.

Dr. Gaba was one of three finalists who visited Atlantic Cape’s three campuses and held open forums to meet students, faculty, staff and the community.

The national search headed by ACCT Executive Search Services began in June.

Dr. Gaba will be responsible for carrying out the college’s vision of becoming the region’s preferred choice for higher education and professional training and a leading catalyst for economic and workforce development. She will work with the college to anticipate and fulfill the region’s educational needs, strengthen the community’s economy and partner with K-12 and higher education institutions to create seamless educational pathways.

Dr. Richard Perniciaro, executive vice president of Planning, Research & Facilities, will serve as interim president for one month.

Atlantic Cape Unveils Electric Car Charging Stations

Atlantic Cape Community College recently opened two electric car charging stations at its Mays Landing Campus for students, faculty and staff to charge their electric and hybrid vehicles.

The TurboDock chargers were donated and installed by the Atlantic County Utilities Authority and are designed to access through a mobile app. The TurboDock delivers 12 miles per hour of charge, ensuring students and employees can fully recharge their vehicles from their commute while on campus.

“This project was done in cooperation with the ACUA, which has provided advice on a number of sustainable projects at the college,” said Dr. Richard Perniciaro, executive vice president, Planning, Research and Facilities. “The new charging stations support our Green Campus Initiative, and the access to them will encourage students and staff members to consider alternative energy vehicles.”

In New Jersey, the transportation sector is the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions, said ACUA President Rick Dovey. “I applaud Atlantic Cape for understanding the importance of expanding the infrastructure for electric vehicles so that we may begin to make serious strides in reducing the pollution generated by standard automobiles,” Dovey added.

The ACUA is aggressively working to green its fleet and encourage the development of infrastructure to support electric vehicles. It has installed charging stations at locations throughout the county, including its own facilities.

Atlantic Cape Partners with U.S. Coast Guard Training to Provide Personnel Educational Opportunities 

Atlantic Cape Community College and the United States Coast Guard Training Center Cape May are partnering to provide educational opportunities to Coast Guard service members, reservists and civilian employees. The training center is the Coast Guard’s fifth largest base and the sole accession point for the entire enlisted workforce.

To re-affirm this collaboration, college representatives recently visited the training center to discuss admissions procedures, degree programs, course scheduling, transfer of credits and Prior Learning Assessment (PLA.)

Andre Richburg, dean of Enrollment Management and College Relations, said that Coast Guard members have the option of taking traditional courses at the Cape May County Campus, located in Cape May Court House, as they pursue any of 46 associate degree or certificate programs. Students also have the option of taking online courses and may complete any of 13 associate degree programs completely online.

Kristin Jackson, Atlantic Cape’s director of Admissions and College Recruitment, met with Coast Guard members to guide them through the admissions process and course scheduling; while BoJan Zilovic, assistant professor of Computer Information Systems, discussed the college’s Prior Learning Assessment program.

Through PLA, students may earn up to 25 credits for past life and professional experience or previously earned credentials that may be applied toward a Technical Studies Associate in Applied Science degree. These experiences may include military training, employer training programs, union apprenticeships, professional certifications and licensures, independent study or volunteer/community service.

Howie Mack, Education Service Officer at Training Center Cape May, advises service members in a training center website post, “Even if you’re interested in a career that puts calluses on your hands or dirties your fingernails, continued advancement today is tied to continuing education and training. Lifelong learning not only helps you keep up with changes in your field, it’s also a way to set you apart from and above your colleagues.”

For more information, Coast Guard personnel may contact Jackson at 609-343-4916.