Student Success Initiatives

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@joe-yan.net

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@joe-yan.net
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@joe-yan.net

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@joe-yan.net

Call/Text: 929-314-1238

Virtual Office: http://unioncc.webex.com/meet/clinton.miller

Kobe Penn headshot

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@joe-yan.net

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@joe-yan.net

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@joe-yan.net

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@joe-yan.net

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@joe-yan.net

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@joe-yan.net

Call/Text: 908-709-7149

Virtual Office:  http://unioncc.webex.com/meet/gloria.castro