Operation Graduation
Operation Graduation works with a specific group of first time, full-time cohort students with the goal of on-time degree and certificate completion. Advisors monitor academic performance with semester progress notes through graduation, encourage timely registration of required courses, and assist with possible completion scholarships.
Project Achievement
Project Achievement is the institution’s initiative dedicated to increasing the graduation rates of African American males and females. Using similar proactive advising strategies as Operation Graduation, advisors work one-on-one with students to promote on-time degree and certificate completion. Project Achievement includes a social programming component known as the Black Male Achievers program and Women’s Success Sessions program at UCNJ. Various social engagement events are held on and off campus related to personal and professional development for Black men and women to foster a culture of student success.
Inspire the Future
Inspire the Future is the institution’s initiative dedicated to increasing the graduation rates of the Hispanic population. Using similar proactive advising strategies as Operation Graduation, advisors work one-on-one with students to promote on-time degree and certificate completion. Inspire the Future includes career services opportunities, workshops, and various social engagement events are held on and off campus related to personal and professional development for the Hispanic population to foster a culture of student success.
Meet Our Staff
Duane Reid, Assistant Dean of Student Success
Focus: “My goal is to advocate for all students and to create equitable opportunities for students to graduate on time.”
Education: AS Criminal Justice, Essex County College; BA Criminal Justice, Rutgers University; MPA Public Administration, Rutgers University; Ed.D Educational Leadership (Anticipated conferral 2024), Rowan University
Email: duane.reid@dbctl.com
Call/Text: TBA
Virtual Office: http://unioncc.webex.com/meet/duane.reid
Meet Our Staff – Operation Graduation
Garnisha Pierre, Student Services Generalist
Focus: “My goal is to help students find their DOMAIN and recognize that the RANGE of things they can do is INFINITE.”
Education: BS in Mathematics, Montclair State University
Email: garnisha.pierre@dbctl.com
Phone: 908-709-7155
Meet Our Staff – Project Achievement
Dr. LaVon Williams, Associate Director of Student Success Initiatives
Focus: “My goal is to remind students that they did not get this far, just to get this far!”
Education: AS Liberal Studies, SUNY Canton; BS Mass Media, SUNY Plattsburgh; MS Sports Management, SUNY Cortland; Ed.D Educational Leadership, Rowan University
Email: williams@dbctl.com
Call/Text: 908-368-1137
Virtual Office: http://unioncc.webex.com/meet/williams
Clinton Miller, Jr., Student Services Generalist
Focus: “My goal is to encourage everyone I encounter, of all ages, to be the very best that they can be as they strive to make a positive impact in the world in which they live because of the gifts, talents, and abilities that are resident within their very being.”
Education: BA Elementary Ed K-8, MA Behavioral Science, Kean University; MS Christian Counseling, Carin University
Email: clinton.miller@dbctl.com
Call/Text: 929-314-1238
Virtual Office: http://unioncc.webex.com/meet/clinton.miller
Kobe Penn, Student Services Generalist
Focus: “My goal is to help students recognize their potential and grow into the best versions of themselves.”
Education: BA Political Science, Minor in African American Studies
Email: kobe.penn@dbctl.com
Call/Text: 973-437-3501
Virtual Office (Webex room): http://unioncc.webex.com/meet/kobe.penn
Meet Our Staff – Project Achievement – Women Success
Morgan Thompson, Coordinator of Student Success Initiatives.
Focus: Assisting students in their academic studies by creating educational plans that will help them reach there academic and future career goals.
Education: BA Psychology, Caldwell University; MA School Counseling, Caldwell University
Email: morgan.thompson@dbctl.com
Call/Text: TBA
Sophia Adderley, Student Services Generalist
Focus: My goal is to assist students to the best of my ability, as well as inform them of all available resources to set them up on their individual paths to success.
Education: BA in Psychology, Rowan University
Email: sophia.adderley@dbctl.com
Call: 908-709-7125 Virtual Office: http://unioncc.webex.com/meet/sophia.adderley
Meet Our Staff – Inspire the Future
Yuri Bisono, Coordinator of Student Success Initiatives
Focus: “Be a source of solid advocacy and encouragement to our students using the tools and maximum resources to achieve academic and professional excellence to continue shaping the path for equity and diversity in the communities.”
Email: yuri.bisono@dbctl.com
Call/Text: 908-866-5263
Education: BA, Art Therapy, Minor in Psychology, New Jersey City University; MA in liberal studies, Thomas Edison State University
Virtual Office: http://unioncc.webex.com/meet/yuri.bisono
Christopher Villalta, Student Services Generalist
Focus: The continual flow of time and the ever-evolving world. Change is necessary. The future of success lies in our ability to adapt, innovate, and tirelessly strive for opportunities.
Education: BA Psychology, Rutgers University
Email: christopher.villalta@dbctl.com
Call/Text: 908-709-7512
Virtual Office: http://unioncc.webex.com/meet/christopher.villalta
Gloria Castro, Student Services Generalist
Focus: Provide guidance and support to all students, empowering them to successfully achieve their goals.
Education: AS Business Administration, UCNJ ; AS Systems Analysis, Superior College of Telecommunications;
BA Marketing, Jorge Tadeo Lozano University.
Email: gloria.castro@dbctl.com
Call/Text: 908-709-7149
Virtual Office: http://unioncc.webex.com/meet/gloria.castro