Bergen Community College Names New President

PARAMUS, NJ — Eric M. Friedman will serve as Bergen Community College's eighth president, the Board of Trustees announced at a December meeting.

According to the college, he was hired to a three-year contract, and will begin his tenure on Jan. 1, 2021.

"Dr. Eric Friedman brings with him an impressive resume of supporting student and institutional success - right here in northern New Jersey," Board of Trustees Chair Dorothy Blakeslee said. "Dr. Friedman has the experience, temperament and academic acumen to lead Bergen, and its students, faculty and staff, into a new era of prosperity and progress."

Friedman comes to Bergen after working for 13 years at Hudson County Community College. Previously, he taught at a number of public and private colleges, including Drew University, Passaic County Community College, New School University and The Art Institute of New York City.

"I am incredibly grateful to the board of trustees for their trust and support," Friedman said. "Bergen Community College is one of the finest in the nation and serves its communities exceedingly well. I am excited to start working with the board, faculty and staff within the College, and the wider community beyond the College’s campuses, to build on Bergen’s tradition of excellence in serving Bergen County residents."

According to the college, the search was conducted largely through virtual interviews and visits due to the coronavirus pandemic, unlike any search prior.

College officials say that process was a "fitting prelude" to Friedman's start, when he will arrive to a mostly virtual campus in January.

Bergen will offer the majority of its spring 2021 classes remotely, as it has done since March of this year because of the pandemic.

Friedman replaces Michael D. Redmond, who retired Dec. 31, 2019 after serving the institution for nearly 40 years in a variety of roles.

Anthony Ross has served as interim president since Redmond’s retirement.