New President Named For Rowan College At Burlington County

Rowan College at Burlington County has a new president. Dr. Michael Cioce has been unanimously appointed by the Board of Trustees to become the college’s new president, effective Sept. 1, the college announced.

“The Board of Trustees is thrilled to have Dr. Cioce as our college president,” Rowan College at Burlington County Board of Trustees Chairman George Nyikita said. “He has proven himself to be fully dedicated to the spirit and mission of this institution, and I am confident students in Burlington County will benefit greatly from his leadership and service.”

Cioce assumes the role from former president Paul Drayton, who resigned for medical reasons in April. Cioce has been the acting president since Drayton announced he was taking a leave of absence last summer. The leave came shortly after the college appointed special counsel to investigate a complaint filed by a college employee.

Cioce completed his doctorate in Higher Education Leadership at the University of Pennsylvania this month, according to the college. He holds master’s degrees of Business Administration and Financial Management from Drexel University and a bachelor’s degree from Marywood University.

“I have worked closely with Dr. Cioce as both a former RCBC trustee and as freeholder director and have been impressed with his ability to find creative ways to make college affordable in Burlington County,” Burlington County Freeholder Director Kate Gibbs said. “We are both first generation students who put ourselves through college and graduate school and know firsthand the value of education in the 21st century. I applaud the trustees for selecting Dr. Cioce to lead RCBC at this exciting time.”

“As the first in my family to graduate college, I’m committed to making sure all students have the opportunity to open the doors of their future through education,” Cioce said. “I’m humbled by the trust the board has placed in me and am excited to work with the college’s exceptional students, faculty, staff and partners in our quest to provide innovative, high-quality and affordable education.”

Cioce first came to Rowan College at Burlington County 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. He previously held positions within the Office of Enrollment Management at Drexel University.

During Cioce’s time as acting president, Rowan College at Burlington County has achieved three consecutive semesters of enrollment increases, thanks in part to the 3+1 program. The program offers junior-year courses toward their Rowan University degree, which has created one of the most affordable paths to a bachelor’s degree in the country.

In the spring, the college added inclusive education to the 3+1 program, which joins biology, nursing, psychology, liberal studies, computing and informatics, and law and justice.

The attached image of Dr. Michael Cioce was provided by Rowan College at Burlington County