New President Named To Head Ocean County College

TOMS RIVER, NJ — The Ocean County College Board of Trustees has chosen the college's next president, the college announced Thursday.

Pamela Monaco, currently vice president of academic and student affairs at Wilbur Wright College in Chicago, will become president of OCC on July 1, 2023.

Monaco will succeed President Jon H. Larson, who announced in April that he will step away from his role at the end of June. Larson will work part-time for two years in an advisory role to assist with the transition, the announcement said.

Larson became the fourth president of OCC on Aug. 1, 2000, following his time as president of Luzerne County Community College in Nanticoke, Pennsylvania. He also served as vice president for administration/dean of institutional services at Frederick Community College in Frederick, Maryland, and worked as a research associate at the University of Maryland’s National Center for Post-Secondary Governance and Finance.

In his time at Ocean County College, Larson has overseen the college's development into a technology hub for the county, OCC officials said.

The news release described Monaco as "a passionate advocate for community colleges."

"Dr. Monaco believes that education transforms lives, and she has consistently demonstrated her commitment to removing the barriers that stand in the way of student success," said Jerry Dasti, chair of the OCC Board of Trustees. "The Board is confident that Dr. Monaco will be a dynamic and proactive leader at OCC, one who shares our values and goals for the future and whose strategic vision and collaborative spirit will position the College to thrive and excel in the years ahead."

She was chosen following a six-month search and interview process that drew applications from across the country.

Monaco impressed the Search Committee and the Board of Trustees with her dedication to educational excellence and her long-standing commitment to meeting the diverse needs of the students she serves, the college said.

“On behalf of the board, I want to express my appreciation to the Search Committee for its time and efforts and to the entire C]ollege community for participating in the process that led to the selection of Dr. Monaco,” Dasti said.

Monaco earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from George Washington University and master’s and doctoral degrees in English from The Catholic University of America. She has more than 30 years of experience in higher education.

Larson serves on the Legislative Committee of the New Jersey Council of County Colleges and was Chair of the Presidents’ Association of the Council, which is comprised of all New Jersey college and university presidents. He is a member of the ACCT Advisory Committee of Presidents. He serves as a board member and trustee of the NJ Marine Sciences Consortium, where he also is a member of the Sea Grant Advisory Council.