Princeton Junction Woman Named New President At Atlantic Cape Community College

A Princeton Junction woman has been named the next president of Atlantic Cape Community College. Board of Trustees named

Dr. Barbara Gaba was named the college’s next president at the college’s Board of Trustees meeting on Dec. 20.

The New York City native will become the college’s ninth president effective Jan. 30, following the retirement of Dr. Peter L. Mora.

She will serve a three-year term running through June 30, 2020, at an annual salary of $180,000.

Dr. Richard Perniciaro, executive vice president of Planning, Research & Facilities, will serve as interim president, effective Jan. 1-29.

Gaba is currently provost and associate vice president for Academic Affairs at Union County College in Cranford, a position she has held since 2002.

She is responsible for the overall operation of the college’s urban Elizabeth Campus, serving as the chief academic officer and administrator of the campus providing leadership, vision and strategic direction to the campus, its faculty, students and programs.

She was one of three finalists who visited Atlantic Cape’s three campuses in November and held open forums to meet students, faculty, staff and the community. The national search headed by ACCT Executive Search Services began in June.

In her new role, Gaba will be responsible for carrying out the college’s vision of becoming the region’s preferred choice for higher education and professional training and a leading catalyst for economic and workforce development.

She will work with the college to anticipate and fulfill the region’s educational needs, strengthen the community’s economy and partner with K-12 and higher education institutions to create seamless educational pathways.

Prior to her appointment at Union County College, Gaba served as dean of Academic and Student Support Services at Camden County College and associate director of the Office of Board Affairs and Government Relations at the New Jersey Department of Higher Education.

“We were deeply impressed by the vast experience in the community college system Dr. Gaba has accumulated during her career, and her familiarity with operating a multi-campus college,” said Brian Lefke, chair of the Board of Trustees Presidential Search Committee. “This expertise will enable Dr. Gaba to build positive relationships with students, faculty, staff and the community, while positioning Atlantic Cape as a top choice for higher education in Atlantic and Cape May counties.”

During her career, Gaba has garnered extensive experience in higher education administration, teaching and research with proficiency in the areas of academic master planning; policy development; student services; strategic planning; workforce development; budget development and monitoring; grant writing; institutional accreditation and academic governance.

Gaba serves on several higher education boards of directors and advisory bodies including the Chair Academy for Leadership and Development International Practitioners Board; National Council for Black American Affairs, an affiliate council of the American Association of Community Colleges; Advisory Board for “Dean and Provost,” a national higher education newsletter; and the New Jersey Women in Higher Education Network.

She also currently serves as a Commissioner for the American Association of Community Colleges Commission on Diversity, Inclusion and Equity, and is a member of the Academic Advisory Council of the LINCS Supply Chain Management Consortium. She has also served as a Middle States Team Evaluator.

Gaba is active in community and civic affairs including having served on the boards of the Greater Elizabeth Chamber of Commerce and the Rotary Club of Elizabeth. Currently she sits on the boards of the United Way of Greater Union County, YWCA of Eastern Union County; and Family and Children’s Services.

Gaba is the recipient of several awards, including the “Woman of Excellence in Higher Education” awarded by the Union County Commission on the Status of Women; “Exemplary Leader Award” from the Chair Academy for Leadership and Development; and the Rotary Foundation “District Service Award.”

Gaba received her Ph.D. from Bayero University, master’s degree from Rutgers University and a bachelor’s degree from the State University of New York at Stony Brook.

The attached image of Dr. Barbara Gaba was provided by Atlantic Cape Community College