Installation Ceremony Set For New RCBC President

Rowan College at Burlington County Acting President Dr. Michael A. Cioce will be installed as the college’s new president this weekend, with an installation ceremony set for Sept. 14, college officials announced this week.

Cioce was unanimously appointed as the college’s sixth president in the spring, succeeding Paul Drayton, who resigned for medical reasons in April. He had been Acting President since Drayton announced he was taking a leave of absence last summer.

Cioce’s presidency takes effect Saturday, Sept. 1. The installation ceremony on Sept. 14 will take place in Votta Hall, 4 p.m. The community is invited to attend, and can RSVP at rcbc.edu/installation.

Cioce becomes president as the college enters its 50th academic year. Classes began on Wednesday, Aug. 29. Cioce welcomed students in their classes and launched the college’s first official presidential Twitter account, @RCBCPresident.

“The first day of a new academic year is a wonderful time filled with hope and optimism for future success,” Cioce said. “As we enter our 50th year, I am excited to work with talented students, faculty and staff as we continue to grow Rowan College at Burlington County and empower all through education, diversity and creativity.”

Cioce was instrumental in many of the college’s recent achievements. These include: three consecutive semesters of enrollment increases, a3+1 program with Rowan University that reduced the cost of a bachelor’s degree to less than what most colleges charge for a single year, increased opportunities for high school students to earn college degrees and an improved approach to student services from the new Student Success Center.

“Rowan College at Burlington County has a remarkable history of providing high-quality, affordable education, and an even brighter future ahead,” Burlington County Freeholder Director Kate Gibbs said. “I have worked with Mike as both a former RCBC trustee and as freeholder director and have been very impressed with his ability to develop creative ways to make college affordable in Burlington County.”

Cioce was the first in his family to attend college and earned his doctorate in Higher Education Leadership from the University of Pennsylvania last May — a month in which he led RCBC’s commencement for the first time and received his presidential appointment from the Board of Trustees.

“The Board of Trustees is so excited to celebrate a new academic year and the beginning of Dr. Cioce’s term as president,” Board Chair George Nyikita said. “Our entire community will benefit greatly from his leadership and service and I invite everyone to welcome him when we officially install him as RCBC’s sixth president on September 14.”

Dr. Cioce first joined RCBC in 2010 as director of the financial aid office. Since then, he was elevated to executive director of enrollment management, and vice president of Enrollment Management and Student Success.

The attached image was provided by Rowan College at Burlington County: Rowan College at Burlington County President Dr. Cioce greeting students in the classroom on the first day of classes on Aug. 29.