The Ocean County College Board of Trustees announced today that Dr. Pamela Monaco has been selected as the next president of Ocean County College. Dr. Monaco currently serves as the Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs at Wilbur Wright College in Chicago, Illinois. She will join OCC on July 1, 2023.
“A passionate advocate for community colleges, Dr. Monaco believes that education transforms lives, and she has consistently demonstrated her commitment to removing the barriers that stand in the way of student success,” Board Chair Jerry Dasti said in his announcement. “The Board is confident that Dr. Monaco will be a dynamic and proactive leader at OCC, one who shares our values and goals for the future and whose strategic vision and collaborative spirit will position the College to thrive and excel in the years ahead.”
Dr. Monaco will succeed OCC’s President Jon H. Larson, who announced in April that he will step away from his role at the end of June 2023. Dr. Larson will continue to serve the College for two years in a part-time counselor role to assist with the transition.
The six-month search attracted a strong and diverse pool of candidates from across the country. Throughout the process, Dr. Monaco impressed the Search Committee and the Board of Trustees with her dedication to educational excellence and her long-standing commitment to meeting the diverse needs of the students she serves.
“On behalf of the Board, I want to express my appreciation to the Search Committee for its time and efforts and to the entire College community for participating in the process that led to the selection of Dr. Monaco,” Dasti said.
Dr. Monaco received a bachelor’s degree in business administration from George Washington University and master’s and doctoral degrees in English from The Catholic University of America. An accomplished administrator, she brings more than thirty years of experience in higher education to Ocean County College, including senior leadership roles in higher education institutions in Kansas, California, and Florida.
For more than 50 years, Ocean County College, a public two-year community college sponsored by Ocean County and the State of New Jersey, has provided area residents with the opportunity to benefit from higher education. OCC is an innovative academic leader offering affordable, student-centered, high-quality educational experiences that prepare and empower diverse learners to contribute to and succeed in global societies. OCC invests in and fosters academic, economic, and cultural excellence, and ensures financial strength by generating new revenue streams, engaging in national and international university and corporate partnerships, and cultivating a technologically progressive and entrepreneurial spirit.