General Information

History of Sussex County Community College

Sussex County Community College was authorized as a College Commission by the New Jersey State Board of Higher Education in 1981, and we opened our doors in 1982. In 1988, Sussex achieved Candidacy for Accreditation status with the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. The College was founded as a Comprehensive College in 1992 and received full accreditation in 1993.

In 1989, College leaders had the foresight to purchase land and buildings that were originally the home of Don Bosco College. The 167-acre property was an educational institution with existing classrooms, office space, three ponds, and a campground. The campus has since become a landmark for a new education and community enrichment era in Sussex County and northwestern New Jersey.

Since 1998, Sussex has grown beyond expectations in student numbers and academic and career programs, personnel, and buildings.

Title IX and Section 504 Compliance

Sussex County Community College does not discriminate in admissions or access to, or treatment or employment on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age in its programs and activities. The following persons have been designated to handle inquiries/complaints regarding non-discrimination policies: Title IX: Stacie Caputo, Human Resources Director, 973-300-2772, scaputo@sussex.edu, Student Center, Rm D313, Sussex Campus and Section 504: Pamela Cavanagh, Accessibilities Coordinator/Advisor Administration Bldg, Rm B206 Sussex Campus, 973-300-2153, pcavanagh@sussex.edu.

Sussex County Board of County Commissioners

Jill Space, Director
Chris Carney, Deputy Director
Jack DeGroot, County Commissioner
William Hayden, County Commissioner
Earl Schick, County Commissioner

Sussex County Community College Board of Trustees

Kurt Gewecke, Chair
Candice Smith, Vice Chair
John Santillo, Secretary
Dr. Paul Crowley, Treasurer
Dr. Gayle Carrick, Member
Lena Frank, Member
James Hofmann, Member
Katherine Pepe, Member
Dr. Elizabeth Silverthorne, Member
Herbert Yardley, Member
Michael Crispino, Student Alumna Representative

Administrators

Jon Connolly, Ph.D., President
Kathleen Okay, Ed.D., Senior Vice President of Academic & Student Affairs
Cory Homer, Ph.D., Vice President of Student Success and Institutional Effectiveness
Wendy Fullem, M.A., Chief of Staff
Nancy Gallo, J.D., Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs and Dean of Faculty
Jason Fruge, M.A., Dean of Technical Occupations
Stan Kula, M.A., CFRE, Executive Director, Foundation

AVP/Deans

Jason Fruge, M.A., Dean of Technical Occupations
Nancy Gallo, J.D., Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs and Dean of Faculty
Kathleen Carr, Ph.D., Assistant Dean of Library and Academic Learning Resources
Todd Poltersdorf, M.A., Associate Dean of Athletics/Student Discipline/Alumni

Academic Department Chairs

Salvatore Paolucci, M.B.A, Chair of Professional Studies & Social Sciences
Sherry Fitzgerald, M.F.A., Chair of Visual & Performing Arts
Robert Reeber, M.S., Chair of S.T.E.M.
Maureen Murphy-Smolka, M.A., Chair of English & Humanities

Academic Program Coordinators

Susan Discorfano-Catania, PT Coordinator of Cosmetology
John Dixon, M.S., Fire Science Technology
Dawn Flanders, M.S., Criminal Justice
Gwendolyn Frederico-Malone, M.S.W., Human Services
Eva Kozlenko, M.A., ESOL
Deborah Lanza, M.A., Foundations for Success
Lee Lazorisak, M.B.A., Legal Studies
Robert Reeber, M.S., Computer Information Systems
Vicki Vigorito, M.A., Elementary/Secondary Education Child Development

Lead Faculty

Anthony Balzano, Ph.D., Anthropology & Sociology
Jon Connolly, Ph.D., Environmental Science
Deborah Gianuzzi, D.M.A, Music
Jumana Hablawi, M.S., Biology
Diane Harris, M.Ed., Mathematics
Cory Homer, Ph.D., Psychology
Robin Izquierdo, M.A., History/Languages
James Jeffries, M.F.A., Communications, Broadcasting, Film Studies & Journalism
Allison Ognibene, M.A., Theater
Joanna Reed, M.A., Humanities
Anna Carina Sinocchi, M.F.A., Photography
Christina Winters, M.S., Chemistry

Full-time Faculty

Anthony Balzano, Ph.D., Professor, Anthropology & Sociology
Dina Conde, Ph.D., Professor, Biology
Sherry Fitzgerald, M.F.A., Professor, Art
Matthew Fowler, Ph. D., Instructor, Accounting & Business
Dawn Flanders, M.S., Assistant Professor, Criminal Justice
Stacie Golin, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Sociology
Jumana Hablawi, M.S., Instructor, Biology
Diane Harris, M.Ed., Instructor, Mathematics
Michael Hughes, M.F.A., Professor, Art
Deborah Lanza, M.A., Associate Professor, Psychology
Jean LeBlanc, M.A., Assistant Professor, English
Maureen Murphy-Smolka, M.A., Associate Professor, English
Richard Owens, Ph.D., Instructor, English
Salvatore Paolucci, M.B.A., Associate Professor, Business
Robert Reeber, M.S., Assistant Professor, Computer Information Systems
Peter Schoch, M.S., Associate Professor, Physics & Computer Science
John Sissler, M.S., Instructor, Computer Science
Mary Thompson, Ph.D., Professor, English
Daniel Warhol, M.A, Instructor, English
Christina Winters, M.S., Instructor, Chemistry

Program Supervisors

Shane Conner, Electrical Lineworker
Jason Fruge, M.A., Automotive, Building Construction, Diesel Service, Machine Tool Technology, Optics Technology, and Welding
Martin Kester, A.O.S Senior Program Supervisor Culinary Arts, Management, and Hotel & Restaurant Management
Daniel Kous, M.S., Hospitality
Nicholas Lionetti, M.S., CEP, CSCS, Exercise Science
Susan Melik, M.D., RMA, CCMA, Medical Assistant and Allied Health Programs
Leonard Sheehy, Ed.D., Robotics Program and Makerspace
Erin Shroll, M.A., Agricultural Business and Horticulture Science

Counselors & Advisors

Jamie Borger, M.S., Director of the Student Success Center
Pamela Cavanagh, M.Ed., Accessibilities Coordinator/Advisor
Alyssa Hoekstra, M.A., LPC, ATR-BC, Advisor/Personal Counselor
Sareena Scibica, Advisor

Foundation Board

Stan Kula, Executive Director
Roger Thomas, Chair
Jude DiGidio, Vice Chair
Jim Caristia, Treasurer
Judy Taterka, Secretary
Dr. Jon Connolly, SCCC President
Dr. Tyler Morgus, SCCC Board of Trustees Chair
Maryanne Fox, SCCC Board of Trustees Liaison
Ann Bain, Member
Ketan Gandhi, Member
Kurt Gewecke, Member
Alissa Isaacson, Member
Sean McGuire, Member
Hon. Lorraine C. Parker, Member
Robin Tomlinson, Member
Dr. Heidi Weber, Member

Accreditation

Sussex County Community College is accredited by The Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools 3624 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104 Phone: 215-662-5606 • www.msche.org

The Middle States Commission on Higher Education is an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.

Mission, Vision, and Goals

Mission: Sussex County Community College provides a dynamic college experience to a diverse community of students that supports the economic prosperity of the region through lifelong learning, and high-quality academic and occupational programs, in an accessible and supportive environment to ensure student success.

Vision: Sussex County Community College will be a leader in NJ Higher Education as a premier provider of 21st-century learning opportunities, professional training, and skills development to meet the needs of the people of our community in a globally competitive environment.

College Core Values

Sussex County Community College is a student-centered and community-focused institution committed to:

• Student Centeredness
  Putting students first.
• Academic Excellence
  Ensuring a quality academic experience.
• Integrity
  Acting with transparency and ethics in all that we do.
• Quality Workplace
  An environment that attracts and maintains the highest quality faculty and staff.
• Innovation
  Building on successes, investing in technology, and embracing change.
• Diversity
  Creating an environment that cultivates civility and respect.
• Environmental and Fiscal Stewardship
  Respecting our responsibility to the community.

Fast Facts

Sussex County Community College is a welcoming and friendly place where students are our top priority. The College is known for academic excellence and a nurturing environment. Learning occurs in well-equipped classrooms, around a naturally beautiful campus, and throughout the community. Sussex offers many amenities and advantages of a large institution combined with the unparalleled benefits of a smaller college.

Sussex has become the college of choice for nearly 2,500 students from Sussex County, New Jersey, and several counties in Pennsylvania. Graduates consistently find employment or successfully transfer to other colleges and universities for further education.

Newton Campus: 167 Acres with 3 Ponds, 12 Buildings

Instructional Facilities: 38 Classrooms; 9 Health Sciences Classrooms/Labs; 14 Computer Labs; 5 Science Labs; 4 Art Studios; Dark Room; Graphics Lab; Performing Arts Center; theater; Broadcasting Studio; gymnasium; Instructional Programs: 21 Associate Degree Programs with 50 Degree Options, 19 Professional Certificates, 1 Health Science Certificate, 24 Certificates of Achievement, Community Education Training Certificates, and Career Programs.

Course Delivery Systems: Courses are offered on the main campus, McGuire Technical Education Center, and at various locations throughout Sussex County. Courses can also be taken from home via online courses, ITV courses, or telecourses. Hybrid courses, combining online and classroom work, are also available.

Satellite Location: Vernon Township High School, Vernon, NJ

Fall 2023 Student Profile: Total: 2,220