Joann La Perla-Morales, Ed.D., who retired as President of Middlesex County College in July 2018, was responsible for leading an institution of 13,000 credit and 11,000 non-credit students, with a main suburban campus and two urban centers. She sparked new academic programs and student services, including the creation of a Nursing program in cooperation with Raritan Bay Medical Center. Dr. La Perla-Morales served on several boards, including New Brunswick Tomorrow, Raritan Bay Medical Center, the New Jersey Community Colleges Consortium for Workforce Development, Making it Possible to End Homelessness, and the Edison Arts Society and had gubernatorial appointments to the New Jersey State Ethics Commission and the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority. Prior to joining Middlesex County College, Dr. La Perla-Morales held various positions both in New York and in New Jersey, including Provost at New York City College of Technology (CUNY), Dean of Instruction at Nassau Community College, and Dean of Continuing Education at Union County College. Dr. La Perla-Morales holds a doctorate and master’s degree from Columbia University and a bachelor’s degree from the State University of New York at Oneonta.
Ira Albert, Ph.D., has been teaching psychology at the college level for 49 years. For the past 39 years, he has been at the Community College of Baltimore County. He received his B. A. degree from the Johns Hopkins University and his M.A. and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Delaware. This will be the seventh Middle States accreditation team on which he has served.
Karen Marie Egypt currently serves as Senior Research Analyst within Planning, Research, and Institutional Assessment at Anne Arundel Community College. As Senior Research Analyst, she directs and oversees research and data analysis projects that support academic planning, institutional assessment, institutional reporting, and sponsored programs. Ms. Egypt is recognized as a passionate learner and an innovative thought leader with a strong track record in developing and implementing creative solutions to fulfill organizational needs. She is currently putting her expertise and skills to use in building Anne Arundel's Tableau dashboard environment. Prior to joining Anne Arundel, Ms. Egypt served as an institutional researcher for the College of Southern Maryland, Georgetown University, Prince George's Community College, and The Catholic University of America. Her prior experience also includes service on the adjunct music faculty for Continuing Education at the Prince George's Community College.
Doreen M. Fisher-Bammer, Ed.D., joined Harrisburg Area Community College (HACC), Central Pennsylvania's community college, in March 2018 as Associate Provost for Virtual Learning. Prior to her HACC appointment, Dr. Fisher-Bammer served for over 20 years in higher education leadership positions for student affairs as well as academic affairs positions at public, private, two-year and four-year institutions. Some of her areas of experience include online learning, educational technology, undergraduate and graduate teaching, instructional design, assessment, advising, campus life, orientation, judicial affairs, service learning, and student as well as faculty development. Dr. Fisher-Bammer holds a doctorate in Higher Education Leadership from Widener University, a Master's of Education in Higher Education Student Affairs, and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Kutztown University.
Mary Flagg, M.S., is Dean of Assessment, Research, and Planning at Reading Area Community College (RACC). With RACC’s President, Dean Flagg co-chairs the college’s Strategic Planning Council and played a significant role in the development of the institution’s last three five-year strategic plans. She is responsible for managing the annual process by which vice presidents, academic deans, and directors develop implementation plans and report on plan progress. Dean Flagg also chairs the college’s Assessment Committee, which is responsible for evaluating the dovetailed processes for student learning outcomes assessment and program review. She also manages the process for documenting student learning assessment efforts. Dean Flagg conducts institutional research in support of all of the college’s improvement efforts and supervises activities related to compliance reporting. She is RACC’s Accreditation Liaison Officer and has served multiple times as a Middle States visiting team member, Periodic Review Report reviewer, and Compliance reviewer. Prior to joining RACC, Dean Flagg was Professor of Mathematics and Computer Science and Chair of the Science and Mathematics Division at McPherson College, a four-year private liberal arts institution, where she enjoyed serving students through club sponsorship and well as teaching for 21 years. Dean Flagg holds a Master’s degree in Mathematics from Texas A&M University, a Master’s degree in Computer Science from Wichita State University, and a post-Master’s Certificate in Institutional Research from Pennsylvania State University.
Samuel Hirsch, Ed.D., is the Vice President for Academic and Student Success at Community College of Philadelphia where he is responsible for providing leadership, strategic direction, and management for academic and student affairs. As the college’s Chief Academic and Student Affairs Officer, he plays a pivotal role in collaborating with others to develop and improve policies, programs, and services aimed at supporting student learning, satisfaction, and success. He has a proven track record of initiating, developing, and implementing programs, student services, and retention initiatives that have led to increased student enrollment and equitable student success outcomes. Most recently, Dr. Hirsch has led the college in national initiatives focused on advancing student success, including the American Association of Community College’s Guided Pathways project and the Integrated Planning and Advising for Student Success (iPASS) project through Achieving the Dream. Dr. Hirsch has made numerous presentations at professional meetings and national conferences in addition to consulting for a range of colleges and organizations.
Brian McCloskey, M.B.A., C.P.M., has more than 25 years of experience in accounting and finance areas, with strong emphasis and expertise in fund accounting; general ledger review and analysis; grant writing; F&A rate applications for federal awards; and the management of bond issues and compliance from inception to completion. Mr. McCloskey has managed as much as $70 million in debt service at once and budgeted and forecasted for organizations ranging from $30 million to $250 million. Having worked in non-profit and philanthropic organizations, as well as in higher education and municipal government, he is experienced in operating system conversions, cost containment and cash management. Mr. McCloskey's titles have ranged from Director of Business Operations to Controller of a $200 million entity. He has managed several system-wide software implementations and overseen such complex projects as off-balance sheet financing endeavors, bridge-financing, and A-133 audits. As an adjunct Professor of Accounting at Saint Joseph's University, Mr. McCloskey taught in one of the Top 20 accounting programs in the country. He earned an M.B.A. from Saint Joseph's University and achieved the Certified Purchasing Manager's designation (C.P.M.). He is also pursuing his Doctorate in Management at the University of Maryland. Mr. McCloskey has also taught in the MBA program at LaSalle University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and currently teaches for Notre Dame of Maryland in their Doctorate program and in the graduate program at Southern New Hampshire University.
Justin Andrew Tatar, D.Ed., has worked in higher education since 1999. During this time, he has worked in college admissions and now currently serves as the Assistant Dean at the Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC) Washington County Center. In recent years, Dr. Tatar has demonstrated a passion toward the community and serving others. It is this passion that has led to many service learning projects for CCAC students at his center. Additionally, Dr. Tatar completed doctoral course work in the spring of 2015 and has since successfully defended his dissertation. Dr. Tatar’s study, A Generational Comparison of Civic Community and Citizenship, compared citizenship skills among three generations (Baby Boomers, Generation X, and Millennials) and three distinct town vitalities using Musil’s Citizenship Development Model. Under Dr. Tatar’s leadership, the CCAC’s Washington County Center added a Business Management Associate Degree Program, which has led to a 30% increase in enrollment over the last four years. In addition, Dr. Tatar initiated and subsequently worked with a local high school to develop a unique articulation agreement in which high school students earn college credits based on high school achievement. Dr. Tatar’s ambitious quest is for every student to attend a college, university, or trade school or to enter the military to learn a skill and develop a passion that will lead to a successful sustaining life.
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The KHC uses the lessons of the Holocaust to educate current and future generations about the ramifications of unbridled prejudice, racism and stereotyping.
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QPAC is an invaluable entertainment company in this region with a growing national reputation. The arts at QPAC continues to play a vital role in transforming lives and building stronger communities.
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The QCC Art Gallery of the City University of New York is a vital educational and cultural resource for Queensborough Community College, the Borough of Queens and the surrounding communities.