all three college campuses

2026 Presidential Search

A nationwide search for a visionary President who will shape our future

Guiding Atlantic Cape’s Next Era of Leadership

The Board of Trustees of Atlantic Cape Community College invites nominations and applications for the position of President of Atlantic Cape Community College. Details are below.

G Building in Mays Landing
Mays Landing campus
atlantic city campus
Worthington Atlantic City campus
cape may campus
Cape May County campus

Institutional Profile

Atlantic Cape Community College is an open-access community college serving Atlantic andstudent walking inside Cape May counties. Accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, the College has supported Southern New Jersey for more than 60 years and now enrolls over 7,000 students each year across campuses in Mays Landing, Atlantic City, and Cape May County. Atlantic Cape is proudly designated as a Hispanic Serving Institution. Atlantic Cape’s vision reflects the College’s long-standing commitment to diversity, equity, and student success. Our work is grounded in the values of integrity, caring, accountability, respect, and excellence. It is guided by a strategic plan focused on engagement, holistic support, academic quality, achievement, and institutional effectiveness.

Chef-Felice-Santodonato-demo-9.jpgThe College offers 47 undergraduate degree programs, along with 34 certificate and professional series programs that prepare students for transfer or entry into high-demand fields. Atlantic Cape is home to the renowned Academy of Culinary Arts, widely recognized as the top culinary school in New Jersey.

Atlantic Cape has been a regional leader in nursing education for more than fifty years.main-nursing-image-web.jpg The College offers associate degree pathways in Nursing, Health Science, Radiologic Technology, Medical Laboratory Technician, and Respiratory Care, as well as an 18-month Practical Nursing Certificate. The PN Program provides a direct pathway into the LPN-to-RN bridge, and more than 3,000 nurses have graduated through these programs. The division is known for strong clinical preparation, high licensure pass rates, and top-tier performance statewide, including consistently strong NCLEX results and one of the highest-ranking Radiologic Technology programs in New Jersey.

drone on ground

Atlantic Cape is also expanding into cutting-edge fields through more than $1 million in National Science Foundation awards, including New Jersey’s first Drone Data Technician degree and new pathways in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning. The College partners with more than 25 four-year institutions to provide seamless transfer opportunities for students seeking bachelor’s degrees. three-students-at-game.jpg

Students engage in more than 30 clubs and organizations, including a student-run radio station and newspaper, as well as 10 NJCAA athletic teams that strengthen engagement and school pride across all campuses.

student receiving degreeThe College supports a wide range of learners, including first-generation students, adult learners, veterans, and students with disabilities. Through the Center for Accessibility, students with IEPs and 504 plans receive individualized accommodations, assistive technology, and case management. Academic support, financial aid, wraparound services, and the New Jersey Community College Opportunity Grant help reduce barriers to access and affordability. 

Atlantic Cape plays a significant role in regional workforce development. The College deliversstudent practicing card dealing short-term training and upskilling programs aligned with sector needs in aviation, hospitality, health care, technology, and emerging industries. Table games training, offered through Continuing Education, provides entry and refresher preparation for the region’s casino workforce. Customized employer partnerships and thousands of annual workforce learners demonstrate the College’s central role in supporting regional economic vitality. Dual enrollment and early college partnerships expand access for high school students and strengthen long-term enrollment pipelines.

Atlantic Cape also leads community-based initiatives that advance economic and social well-being. The College oversees the Atlantic City Inlet Neighborhood Revitalization effort, a resident-centered program focused on housing, safety, and economic opportunity in one of the city’s historic neighborhoods. In Cape May County, the College houses the bizHub, a small business resource center offering advising, workshops, and connections for entrepreneurs and established businesses across the county.The College’s three campuses reflect the region's diversity. The Mays Landing Campus sits on 541 wooded acres in the New Jersey Pine Barrens. The Atlantic City Campus offers direct access to the heart of a major tourism, hospitality, and gaming hub. The Cape May Court House Campus serves one of New Jersey’s most historic and visited coastal regions.

students at graduationAs Atlantic Cape enters its next chapter, the College remains focused on strengthening partnerships, expanding enrollment pathways, deepening community engagement, and investing in academic and workforce programs that meet the evolving needs of Southern New Jersey. The next president will join a dedicated faculty and staff, a committed Board of Trustees, and a region ready for an engaged, forward-thinking leader to guide Atlantic Cape into the future.

The President of Atlantic Cape Community College will embrace the entire community, possess impeccable integrity and address the following:

Challenges and Opportunities

  • Understand and work effectively within the communities that comprise our college’s service area, increasing partnerships with businesses and industry and lead the development of credit and workforce programs that respond to the region’s changing needs and equip students with credentials that lead to gainful employment and careers.
  • Successfully market the value of Atlantic Cape Community College to the region as a preferred partner, enhance community outreach to increase enrollment, garner legislative support and advocacy, and improve philanthropic investment.
  • Inspire, motivate and engage all constituent units of the college, enhance communication, collegiality, and transparency, increase college-wide accountability and tailor support to address the unique needs and challenges of our college’s three locations.
  • Lead a sustainable commitment to institutional diversity, equity and inclusion efforts through programs and holistic services that support recruitment, increase retention, and completion rates for all students.
  • Collaborate with faculty and staff to expand online, hybrid, and remote instruction and leverage technology, including AI, to improve institutional efficiency and productivity.

Ideal Characteristics

Atlantic Cape Community College seeks a visionary, innovative and collaborative leader who is committed to excellence and is/has:

  • A visionary dedicated to providing exceptional academic offerings, transfer programs and career technical education for all students.
  • An educational leader with extensive experience developing innovative coalitions to recruit and retain students to increase enrollment, student success and completion.
  • An entrepreneurial thinker who understands workforce needs and is experienced developing programs based on the workforce needs of the region.
  • A successful fundraiser who is experienced working with college foundations and donors.
  • An ambassador of our college who has demonstrated success building relationships with local, state and federal legislators and other political entities.
  • A charismatic and accessible champion of our college who will become involved throughout the community and build relationships with community members.
  • A strategic data informed risk-taker who will prioritize needs and simultaneously embrace both change and continuity.
  • An inclusive leader who recognizes diversity as an asset and strength of our college.
  • A fiscally astute leader with experience effectively managing budgets across a large and complex organization, especially during periods of fiscal constraint.
  • A student-centered leader with an ability to relate well to all students and understand the needs of first-generation students, under-represented students, veterans and students with disabilities, and mental health challenges.
  • An experienced manager who will prioritize and address infrastructure, facilities and technology needs.
  • Extensive experience with regional accreditation and specialized licensure programs.
  • Expand and enhance relationships with PK-12 systems including technical and charter schools in the development and implementation of partnerships and articulation agreements with colleges and universities.
  • Experience building relationships with schools and social agencies for program-related, unpaid internships.
  • Proven experience collaborating with unions and collective bargaining units and an understanding and commitment to the tenets of shared governance.
  • An academic leader with classroom teaching experience with an understanding of current instructional pedagogy, delivery methods, and evolving technology.
  • An administrator experienced working with a Board of Trustees.
  • A collaborative team-builder who values input, is open to new ideas, and respects and supports faculty, staff and administrators.
  • A respectful, honest, approachable and open-minded leader committed to transparency and values input from faculty, staff, administrators, students and members of the community.
  • An administrator who can participate and achieve leadership roles in community, state, and national organizations affiliated with the mission of the college.
  • An appreciation for the role of athletics in the community college and support of scholar athletes.
  • A demonstrated commitment to assessment, continuous improvement, and innovation in the college. 

Minimum Qualifications:

  • Earned doctorate from a regionally accredited institution is required.
  • A minimum of five years of successful senior level administrative experience, preferably at a community college.

 Preferred Qualifications:

  • Teaching experience
  • Working with collective bargaining units
  • Fundraising/Advancement

How to Apply:

This is a confidential search process. To ensure full consideration, application materials should be received no later than February 25, 2026. The position will remain open until filled.

To apply go to https://acctsearches.org/ and upload your documents.

  • Candidates will need to have the following information or materials available to complete the application:
  • A letter of application (not to exceed 5 pages) that succinctly addresses the opportunities and challenges identified in the Position Profile and demonstrates how the candidate’s experience and professional qualifications prepare them to serve as the President of Atlantic Cape Community College.
  • A current resume including an email address and cellular telephone number.
  • A list of eight references: for example, two to three supervisors, two to three direct reports, and two to three faculty and/or staff members from current and former institutions.

For additional information, nominations, or confidential inquiries please contact:

G. Duncan Harris, Ed.D., ACCT Search Consultant, at g.duncan.harris@gmail.com or (860) 752-5681

Presidential Search Timeline

Dates & Events

Dates & Events
Date/Time Action/Event
November 20, 2025 Kickoff Zoom meeting with Trustee Money, Trustee Parker and ACCT.
December 10, 2025
4:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Search Committee introductions, review process, timeline and Q and A.
January 22, 2026
10:00 a.m. – Cape May
12:30 p.m. – Atlantic City
2:30 p.m. – Mays Landing
ACCT Search Consultants facilitate a series of in-person open Public Forums (Administrators, Staff, Faculty, Students, Community members invited to attend) to solicit feedback to inform the development of the draft Presidential Profile.
January 23, 2026
10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Presidential Search Committee Meeting #1: Training and Orientation; Committee receives Draft Presidential Profile and reviews and edits the draft Presidential Profile. (Approximately a 4–5 hour meeting).
January 23, 2026
5 p.m. – 6 p.m.
The Board of Trustees to discuss, edit and finalize the Presidential Profile. (1-hour called meeting).
January 26, 2026 Presidential Profile posted on atlanticcape.edu and ACCT websites. Targeted recruitment and advertisements placed.
February 25, 2026 Target Date for Receipt of Applications. Position open until filled.
February 26, 2026 Board of Trustees / Presidential Search Committee appoint Faculty and Staff Advisory Committee.
Feb. 27 – March 9, 2026 Committee members review and rate confidential applications.
March 11, 2026 Presidential Search Committee Meeting #2: Selection of approximately 7–9 confidential semifinalists.
March 30 – 31, 2026 Search Committee Meeting #3: Confidential semifinalist interviews via Zoom.
Week of April 13, 2026 Finalists visit the College and interview with the Board of Trustees.
Mid-April 2026 Option: Board members visit #1 candidate’s institution.
Late April / Early May 2026 Board meeting and formal vote for new President.
July 1, 2026 Start date for next President of Atlantic Cape Community College.

November 20, 2025

Time/Location: TBD

Kickoff Zoom meeting with Trustee Money, Trustee Parker and ACCT.

December 10, 2025

Time/Location: 4:00 - 5:00 p.m.

Search Committee introductions, review process, timeline and Q and A.

January 22, 2026

Time/Location:
10:00 a.m. - Cape May
12:30 p.m. - Atlantic City
2:30 p.m. - Mays Landing

ACCT Search Consultants facilitate a series of in-person open Public Forums (Administrators, Staff, Faculty, Students, Community members invited to attend) to solicit feedback to inform the development of the draft Presidential Profile.

January 23, 2026

Time/Location: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Presidential Search Committee Meeting #1: Training and Orientation; Committee receives Draft Presidential Profile and reviews and edits the draft Presidential Profile. (Approximately a 4–5 hour meeting).

January 23, 2026

Time/Location: 5 p.m. - 6 p.m.

The Board of Trustees to discuss, edit and finalize the Presidential Profile. (1-hour called meeting).

January 26, 2026

Time/Location: TBD

Presidential Profile posted on atlanticcape.edu and ACCT websites. Targeted recruitment and advertisements placed.

February 25, 2026

Time/Location: TBD

Target Date for Receipt of Applications. Position open until filled.

February 26, 2026

Time/Location: TBD

Board of Trustees / Presidential Search Committee appoint Faculty and Staff Advisory Committee.

Feb. 27 – March 9, 2026

Time/Location: TBD

Committee members review and rate confidential applications.

March 11, 2026

Time/Location: TBD

Presidential Search Committee Meeting #2: Selection of approximately 7–9 confidential semifinalists.

March 30 – 31, 2026

Time/Location: TBD

Search Committee Meeting #3: Confidential semifinalist interviews via Zoom.

Week of April 13, 2026

Time/Location: TBD

Finalists visit the College and interview with the Board of Trustees.

Mid-April 2026

Time/Location: TBD

Option: Board members visit #1 candidate’s institution.

Late April / Early May 2026

Time/Location: TBD

Board meeting and formal vote for new President.

July 1, 2026

Time/Location: TBD

Start date for next President of Atlantic Cape Community College.

Progress Reports

Bringing diverse perspectives together to shape Atlantic Cape’s future

Presidential Search Committee

 

Board Chairperson - ex officio

  • Trustee Daniel L. Money, Atlantic Cape Community College Board of Trustees 

Presidential Search Committee Chairperson

  • Trustee Donald J. Parker, Atlantic Cape Community College Board of Trustees

Members

  • Professor Michael Bolicki, Professor of Social Science, Atlantic Cape Community College
  • Trustee Ellen Byrne, Esq., Atlantic Cape Community College Board of Trustees 
  • Trustee Flora Castillo, Atlantic Cape Community College Board of Trustees 
  • Trustee Christina Clemans, Atlantic Cape Community College Board of Trustees 
  • Trustee Rev. Dr. Thomas Dawson, Atlantic Cape Community College Board of Trustees 
  • Dr. Laurie Lemons, Associate Professor of Chemistry & Collegiate Assembly Executive Committee Chair, Atlantic Cape Community College
  • Mr. Clive Morgan, President, Atlantic Cape Community College Student Government Association (SGA) 
  • Mr. Caesar Niglio, Director of Enterprise Applications & President of ACCCEA, Atlantic Cape Community College
  • Mr. James Reina, Superintendent, Greater Egg Harbor Regional High School District 
  • Trustee James Rutala, President, Atlantic Cape Foundation
  • Trustee Barbara Stafford Jones, Atlantic Cape Community College Board of Trustees 
  • Mr. Sherwood Taylor, Dean of Workforce Development, College & Career Pathways, Atlantic Cape Community College 
  • Trustee Maria Ivette Torres, Atlantic Cape Community College Board of Trustees 

Presidential Search Committee Administrative Support

  • Ms. Jean McAlister, Chief of Staff/Board Secretary, Atlantic Cape Community College