Bergen Community College has nominated Jose A. Adames, Ed.D. as vice president of Academic Affairs. The Bergen Community College Board of Trustees is expected to vote on the nomination at its July 14 meeting.

Dr. Adames will oversee the academic programming, educational policy and faculty affairs at the state’s largest community college, effective for the fall 2010 semester. “Dr. Adames is a 26-year veteran of higher education and an accomplished administrator who has dedicated his career to developmental studies, collaboration, faculty relations and to meeting the needs of diverse learners at two-year and four-year colleges,” said Dr. Jeremiah Ryan, president of Bergen Community College. “In addition to his vast experience as an academic leader, Dr. Adames brings extensive knowledge in grants development, quality management, research, retention and accreditation that will lead the College in its pursuit of excellence,” said Dr. Ryan.

Dr. Adames was selected for the position following a three-month nationwide search that ended in June. His strong commitment to the community college sector, student-centered focus, collaborative work ethic and collegial approach positioned Dr. Adames as the top choice for the Academic Vice President’s position, added Dr. Ryan.

“Bergen Community College’s core values and mission to meet the diverse needs of students and communities in the changing economy, along with the institution’s commitment to quality, offers an exciting opportunity to make an impact in helping students reach their full potential,” said Dr. Adames. Dr. Adames said he is most impressed with the number of full- time faculty at Bergen, its multi-campus expansion, and the school’s focus on student retention, quality assessment and strategic planning. He will oversee full-time and adjunct faculty. “I believe in the principle of a community college providing a quality education and in creating a community of learners who value intellectual and personal achievement, diversity of thought, leadership development and service to community,” Dr. Adames said.

Dr. Adames is associate vice president for Academic Affairs and Provost at Union County College (Plainfield Campus) since 2002. He served as dean at Kean University’s College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, and held various positions at Kean for 16 years prior to joining Union County College. He began his career in higher education as a director of the Language Laboratory at Essex County College. Dr. Adames’ achievements include:

• Project director for the Center for Student Success/Institute for the First Year – Title Five Grant for Hispanic Serving Institutions – a five-year, $2.8 million grant to improve student retention (since October 2007.)

• Author and collaborator of various grants, including grants from the National Science Foundation, S-STEM program, Lumina Foundation, Walmart Foundation and U.S. Department of Labor.

• Panel member, U.S. Department of Education Roundtable on Fostering Student Educational Persistence and Degree Attainment, Community College of Philadelphia.

• Evaluation Team chair, American Academy of Dramatic Arts, New York, N.Y. and California, Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

• Chair, Council for the Education of Language Minority Students, New Jersey Commission on Higher Education (since 2006.)

• An Ed.D. and M.Ed. in Applied Linguisitics from Teachers College at Columbia University; an M.A. from Seton Hall University, College of Education and Human Services, and a B.A. from Seton Hall University College of Arts and Sciences.

Dr. Adames succeeds Gary F. Porter, Ph.D., who has served as Academic Vice President and Chief Academic Officer at Bergen since 2005. Dr. Porter will continue to serve the college as associate professor of chemistry.

Bergen Community College (www.bergen.edu ) based in Paramus is a public two-year coeducational college, enrolling nearly 17,000 students at locations in Paramus, the Philip J. Ciarco Jr. Learning Center in Hackensack and Bergen Community College at the Meadowlands in Lyndhurst. The College offers associate degree, certificate and continuing education programs in a variety of fields.