TOMS RIVER, NJ – Dr. Jon Larson will be stepping down as President of Ocean County College next year and the college has already selected his replacement.
According to the college, Dr. Pamela Monaco has been selected as Ocean County College’s new president by the Ocean County College Board of Trustees. Currently, Dr. Monaco is the Vice President of Academics and Student Affairs at Wilbur Wright College in Chicago, Illinois.
She is scheduled to join OCC on July 1, 2023.
“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,” Board Chair Jerry Dasti said in his announcement. “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 will succeed OCC’s President Jon H. Larson, who announced in April that he would step down from his position at the end of June 2023. Dr. Larson will continue to serve the College for two years in a part-time counselor role to assist with the transition.
The search to replace Larson took six months and spanned the country.
A strong and diverse pool of candidates from across the country was gathered during the six-month search process. Dr. Monaco impressed the Search Committee and Board of Trustees throughout the selection process with her dedication to educational excellence and her longstanding commitment to meeting the diverse needs of the students she serves.
“On behalf of the Board, I want to express my appreciation to the Search Committee for its time and efforts and to the entire College community for participating in the process that led to the selection of Dr. Monaco,” Dasti said.
A graduate of George Washington University with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a master’s and doctoral degree in English from The Catholic University of America, Dr. Monaco has more than thirty years of experience as a higher education administrator, including senior leadership roles at higher education institutions in Kansas, California, and Florida.
