MAYS LANDING — The Atlantic Cape Community College Board of Trustees is pleased to announce the selection of its four Presidential Search finalists as the College seeks its next president.
Here are the four candidate’s biographies listed in alphabetical order:
Jason Abreu, Ed.D., is the current Vice President of Student Affairs at Trinity River Campus for Tarrant County College, TX. Previously, he served as the Associate Vice President for Enrollment Services and University Registrar for Furman University, SC. Dr. Abreu earned a Doctor of Education degree in Organizational Leadership from Nova Southeastern University; a Master of Science degree in Leadership from Nova Southeastern University; and a Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies from Florida International University.
Natalie Devonish, Ed.D., is the current Vice President of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management for Atlantic Cape Community College, NJ. Previously, she served as the Dean of the Charles D. Worthington Atlantic City Campus and Workforce Development for Atlantic Cape Community College, NJ. Dr. Devonish earned a Doctor of Education degree in Organizational Leadership from Stockton University, NJ; a Master of Science degree in Administrative Science/Leadership from Fairleigh Dickinson University, NJ; and a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management from Rutgers University, NJ.
Sean Fischer, Ed.D., is the current Chief Research Development Officer at Rowan University, NJ. Previously, he served as the Associate Dean for External Affairs at Rowan University's Henry M. Rowan College of Engineering. Dr. Fischer earned a Doctor of Education degree in Interdisciplinary Leadership from Creighton University, NE; a Master of Arts degree in Political Science from Villanova University, PA; and a Bachelor of Arts degree in History from Rowan University, NJ.
Bernard Polnariev, Ph.D., is the current Vice President for Administrative Services at Union College of Union County, NJ. Previously, he served as the Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of Scotch Plains Campus for Union College of Union County, NJ. Dr. Polnariev earned a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Developmental Psychology from The Graduate School and University Center, CUNY, NY; a Master of Arts degree in Developmental Psychology from Columbia University Teachers College, NY; and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from College of Staten Island, CUNY, NY.
Open forums with the College Community will take place April 21st and 22nd, and each candidate will participate in a one-hour open forum at each campus. We invite and encourage everyone to participate in the candidate open forums, which will be made accessible to all faculty, administrators, staff, students and the general public. There will be a brief introduction of each candidate, followed by a question-and-answer session. All who attend will be asked to complete a confidential feedback form and the completed forms will be submitted to the Board of Trustees for their review. Zoom is not available for the open forums.
Open Forum with the College Community Schedule:
Tuesday, April 21, 2026:
Candidate – Bernard Polnariev, Ph.D.
9 a.m. - 10 a.m. Worthington Atlantic City Campus (WACC), Room 204
1 p.m. - 2 p.m. Cape May County Campus (CMCC), Room 212
3 p.m. - 4 p.m. Mays Landing Campus, Theater, Building C
Candidate – Sean Fischer, Ed.D.
10 a.m. - 11 a.m. Cape May County Campus (CMCC), Room 212
1 p.m. - 2 p.m. Mays Landing Campus, Theater, Building C
3 p.m. - 4 p.m. Worthington Atlantic City Campus (WACC), Room 204
Wednesday, April 22, 2026
Candidate – Natalie Devonish, Ed.D.
9 a.m. - 10 a.m. Worthington Atlantic City Campus (WACC), Room 204
1 p.m. - 2 p.m. Cape May County Campus (CMCC), Room 212
3 p.m. - 4 p.m. Mays Landing Campus, Theater, Building C
Candidate – Jason Abreu, Ed.D.
10 a.m. - 11 a.m. Cape May County Campus (CMCC), Room 212
1 p.m. - 2 p.m. Mays Landing Campus, Theater, Building C
3 p.m. - 4 p.m. Worthington Atlantic City Campus (WACC), Room 204
We are looking forward to the successful completion of the presidential search process. If you have any questions or suggestions, please feel free to reach out to our ACCT Search Consultant: G. Duncan Harris, Ed.D., ACCT Search Consultant, at g.duncan.harris@gmail.com or (860) 752-5681.
Visit atlanticcape.edu/presidential-search for more information.
About Atlantic Cape Community College
Established in 1964, Atlantic Cape Community College is a Middle States accredited, 2022 Achieving the Dream Leader College and Hispanic Serving Institution proudly serving the residents of Atlantic and Cape May counties. As a comprehensive, two-year community college, Atlantic Cape offers 47 undergraduate degree programs, and 34 certificate and workforce development professional series programs at its Mays Landing, Atlantic City and Cape May campuses. Atlantic Cape is home to the renowned Academy of Culinary Arts, rated the top culinary school in New Jersey, and for more than 50 years, our highly-acclaimed Nursing program. Atlantic Cape also partners with several four-year universities to offer students the opportunity to earn a bachelor’s degree without having to leave home.
