Bergen Community College Announces New Executive Team Members: Senior higher education leaders Brian D. Agnew, Ph.D., and Ronald Miller have joined Bergen Community College’s executive team. The pair joined the College January 14th as executive vice president and executive director of the Bergen Community College Foundation.
“At the state’s No. 1 college for associate degree graduates, leadership has the opportunity to set direction that will impact the learning, support and success of more than 14,000 students each year,” Bergen President Michael D. Redmond, Ph.D., said. “I, and the board of trustees, have great confidence that Brian Agnew and Ronald Miller will develop progressive strategies that will help the institution achieve its existing goals and lead the College in reaching new levels of productivity, efficiency and excellence.”
As executive vice president, Agnew, of Piscataway, will provide cabinet-level leadership for the institution in areas such as personnel, strategic planning and organizational development. Agnew has dedicated his career to the nonprofit sector, working in a variety of higher education and healthcare settings. Among his roles, Agnew served as the corporate chief development officer for the Robert Wood Johnson University Health System and the assistant dean of advancement and external relations for Rutgers University. Prior to his appointment at Bergen, Agnew led the Sphinx Minerva Group LLC, an education, healthcare and nonprofit leadership consultancy firm, as president and managing partner. Agnew has also worked as an adjunct professor at numerous institutions, teaching classes in leadership and management. As a private citizen, Agnew dedicates his time and expertise to many civic and cultural organizations, including the State Theatre New Jersey, where he serves on the board of trustees. In his hometown of Piscataway, Agnew serves as a volunteer firefighter. He graduated from Utica College (B.S.), Syracuse University (M.B.A.) and Rutgers (Ph.D.) and completed post-doctoral studies at Harvard University.
“Stepping into an established leading community college such as Bergen represents a source of pride,” Agnew said. “I look forward to charting a course for the institution that builds on its existing 50-plus years of success stories and strengthens its foundation of excellence.”
Miller, of New York, New York, joins the College as executive director of the Bergen Community College Foundation, the 501(c)3 founded in 1982 that has provided approximately $20 million in scholarships and educational support for the institution and its students. A seasoned fundraising executive, Miller has secured millions of dollars in support for arts organizations such as the New York Restoration Project, where he served as chief development officer, and the Phoenix Art Museum, where he served as deputy director and chief development officer. Prior to those appointments, Miller led his alma mater’s nonprofit (the Eastern Michigan University Foundation) as executive director, setting university fundraising records and increasing annual giving by 88 percent. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the institution, majoring in management and marketing.
“The Bergen Community College Foundation brings hope for students,” Miller said. “Given the financial challenges faced by community college students, I am excited to begin developing fundraising strategies that can literally make dreams possible for Bergen’s most vulnerable young men and women.”
The College’s executive team features the individuals charged with top-level leadership and direction for all institutional areas and departments. In addition to President Redmond, Executive Vice President Agnew and Executive Director Miller, the group includes Executive Director of Finance, Victor Anaya, Ed.D.; Vice President of Facilities, Planning, Operations and Public Safety, William Corcoran; Executive Director of Continuing Education and Workforce Development, Christine Gillespie; Vice President of Student Services, Waldon Hagan, Ph.D.; Executive Director of Public Relations, Community and Cultural Affairs, Larry Hlavenka, Ed.D.; Executive Director of Human Resources, Jim Miller; Vice President of Academic Affairs, William Mullaney, Ph.D.; and Chief Information Officer, Ron Spaide.
NBC show filmed on the campus of Bergen Community College. Read more…
