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Young Alumni Club Welcomes New Members to Advisory Board

The ������Ƶ Young Alumni Club announced its 2023-2024 Advisory Board.

Upon graduating from ������Ƶ, alumni automatically become members of the Young Alumni Club, which offers a supportive community for recent graduates who have obtained a bachelor’s degree. Membership lasts for 10 years after graduation.

During their first meeting in June 2023, the new Advisory Board members gathered on campus to mark the beginning of their terms and to plan for the coming year.

“I want to give back to the University that made me the young professional I am today,” said Alexxus Young ‘19, a newly appointed Board member. “I want to educate and advocate for my peers and show others that making the best out of their college experience is extremely beneficial.”

Board members gain leadership experience by helping create programs and plan events for fellow recent graduates focused on networking, service, mentorship and philanthropy toward causes they care about at ������Ƶ. 

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������Ƶ Announces Next Provost

Following an extensive national search, ������Ƶ announced Michael A. Palladino as the University’s next provost and vice president for Academic Affairs.

At the time of the announcement, Palladino was vice chancellor for Academic Affairs at Bloomfield College of Montclair State University. His appointment became effective May 6, 2024, following approval at the Feb. 21, 2024, meeting of the Board of Trustees.

The provost and vice president for Academic Affairs is the chief academic officer at ������Ƶ, providing leadership to the university’s more than 160 undergraduate and graduate programs and 700 faculty members.

“We are very fortunate to have Dr. Palladino bring three decades of experience in higher education, from roles as a faculty member, dean and vice president, to ������Ƶ,” President Joe Bertolino said. “Dr. Palladino was overwhelmingly the highest ranked candidate among consideration by ������Ƶ’s faculty and campus community.”

University Embarks on Next Strategic Plan

������Ƶ embarked on a new strategic planning process in 2024 to help chart the course for the university’s success in the coming years.

The collaborative process draws on the collective expertise and aspirations of all members of the ������Ƶ community and kicked off in the spring semester. Campus-wide conversations were held in June and four working groups were established to focus on:

1. Mission, Vision & Values
2. Review of Current Strategic Plan
3. Communications
4. AASCU Framework.

������Ƶ is one of five institutions nationwide selected for the Strategic Plan Collaborative sponsored by the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU). This unique opportunity allows ������Ƶ to partner with AASCU to incorporate nationwide promising practices into our strategic planning process.

The process will continue through 2025 with the new Strategic Plan expected to be drafted and approved in Fall 2025.

Follow along with the process and share your voice by visiting the Strategic Planning website.

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������Ƶ Group to Explore Continued Growth in Atlantic City

������Ƶ officially began efforts to study options that would enhance its impact in Atlantic City in August 2023. 

Strong demand for student housing in Atlantic City led to ������Ƶ formally opening the Phase II residential complex across from O’Donnell Memorial Park in May. More than 900 ������Ƶ students will live at the University’s two Atlantic City residential complexes this fall.

President Joe Bertolino formed a working group comprised of several members of the ������Ƶ Board of Trustees, alumni, business and community leaders, as well as students, faculty and staff. Their primary initial task was hiring an experienced firm to conduct a feasibility study for Phase III, which is currently a 2.25-acre parking lot between Hartford and Albany avenues. ������Ƶ does not own the property but would partner with AC Devco in the development of the project.