First Friday ... September 2011

DR. MARGARET M. McMENAMIN, PRESIDENT OF UNION COUNTY COLLEGE

If you haven't already met her, you're in for a treat with Dr. Margaret M. McMenamin, the new president of Union County College.  With a unique mix of infectious enthusiasm, profound respect for tradition and a tendency to question the status quo, Dr. McMenamin is a natural leader whose history, optimism and ambitions mirror those of many of UCC's alumni.

Growing up in central New Jersey, Dr. McMenamin was always looking to take a positive role in the community and for opportunities to pursue her dreams.  McMenamin earned a scholarship to Temple University where she graduated cum laude with a B.S. in Physical Therapy.  “Most young people in Union County have dreams and ideas for success.  I was just lucky.  I found people who believed in me.  That's what I want to be for the Union County College students and our community; someone supportive, who understands that higher education can change their lives for the better.”

McMenamin began teaching as an instructor at Lehigh Carbon Community College in Pennsylvania.  “When I was given the opportunity to teach, I couldn't resist the chance.  I'm the daughter of a teacher.  My mother graduated from Barnard with a degree in English.  I believe in the college experience and I was honored to teach what I had learned to anyone who was interested.”

Teaching changed McMenamin's life.  “I loved working with students directly.  From day one they have always been my top priority.  In very few jobs can you have a direct impact on opening someone's mind, showing them something they never imagined before and supporting them when they struggle.  If you are there for them during those moments you will never be forgotten.  People remember the teachers who offered them a safe environment where they can learn and take a risk in unchartered territories.”

It was during her early years of teaching that Dr. McMenamin became fascinated by the comprehensive community college philosophy.  “It's so unique and it's truly revolutionary.  Unlike universities and four-year colleges, the community college is 100% student-focused and it responds to the needs of the entire community, including transfer-minded students, those who want to pursue a career immediately after graduation, adults who need to enhance their professional skill sets and life-long learners who are always looking for something new. Seeing how a community college orchestrates all of its assets to delivery real value to students with such diverse interests inspired me to earn my Doctorate in Educational Leadership at Lehigh University.”

In 2000, Dr. McMenamin was named LCCC's Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs.  “Of course leaving teaching was tough.  I loved the classroom, but I knew I could make a more meaningful impact by working in the college's administration.”

When McMenamin was offered the opportunity to return to New Jersey as Brookdale Community College's Executive Vice President of Educational and Student Services, she jumped at the chance.  “Pennsylvania is nice but New Jersey is my home.  This state has it all, including some of the brightest, most inspiring students in the country,” McMenamin boasted.

During her five years at Brookdale, Dr. McMenamin facilitated enormous changes in the way the College interacted with students. She spearheaded the proliferation of technologically enhanced classrooms, allowing students and faculty to work in a state-of the-art atmosphere vital to today's learning environment. Under her leadership, Brookdale moved into student-centered course scheduling, offering classes at the most convenient times for those who take them and designing a system by which, as popular classes close, additional sections open.

Dr. McMenamin is particularly interested in strengthening Union County College's already impressive community outreach.  “We are the community’s college.  We want to be the first choice for higher education for everyone in Union County and strong partners with local business and industry to support economic development.”