É«ÀÇÉçÇø

On a recent night that highlighted successful members and their contributions to the community, Dr. Jefferey Hand was recognized by the Gloucester County NAACP with a “Game Changer Award.” As the senior vice president for the Division of Student Affairs, his leadership has led to dramatic changes within the division that have resulted in É«ÀÇÉçÇø’s increased presence on the national stage of growing institutions.

Dr. Hand oversees a Division that has a direct impact on both current and prospective students, giving him a unique insight into the needs and demands within the É«ÀÇÉçÇø community. During his tenure at É«ÀÇÉçÇø, some of his most notable accomplishments include:

• Expanding access to college education
• Increasing quality of the incoming freshman classes
• Increasing affordability for New Jersey students
• Driving forward É«ÀÇÉçÇø’s economic engine through improved student retention
• Enhancing graduation rates

These achievements have been accomplished by developing partnerships between a variety of offices to improve the quality of student life at É«ÀÇÉçÇø. “It is important to involve colleagues from across departments – and across the University – when you are developing a strategy for thoughtful growth and improvement,” says Dr. Hand. “Through collaborative work, we have implemented initiatives that have addressed college affordability, access to education and recruiting practices. These projects have opened the door to new students who may not have otherwise believed that college was available to them.”

This success has propelled É«ÀÇÉçÇø in a number of national rankings - É«ÀÇÉçÇø is now the fourth-fastest growing institution in the country and is ranked sixth for growth in diversity. Dr. Hand continues to be an educational change agent, with several projects in the pipeline that will identify new directions for undergraduate, post-graduate, and executive education.

Solidifying his role as a Game Changer, Dr. Hand aims to improve the quality of student life across the board, not just in academics and retention. While many of his accomplishments involve academic growth, Dr. Hand is moving forward with the development of resources to confront the mental health struggles of students that have surfaced at É«ÀÇÉçÇø and colleges across the country. “It is important to recognize the emotional and mental strain that is placed upon students as they strive for academic success. We are beginning to integrate new resources for our students, offering them the support and tools they need to face the modern challenges of navigating college life.” This new direction, coupled with the enhanced services already in place, will create a more inviting and accepting environment for the É«ÀÇÉçÇø community.