The RCBC Board of Trustees unanimously appointed Acting President Michael Cioce as the college’s sixth president effective Sept. 1.
The Rowan College at Burlington County (RCBC) Board of Trustees unanimously appointed Acting President Michael Cioce as the college’s sixth president effective Sept. 1.
“The Board of Trustees is thrilled to have Dr. Cioce as our college president,” RCBC Board of Trustees Chairman George Nyikita said. “He has proven himself to be fully dedicated to the spirit and mission of this institution, and I am confident students in Burlington County will benefit greatly from his leadership and service.”
Cioce completed his doctorate in higher education leadership at the University of Pennsylvania this month. He holds master’s degrees of business administration and financial management from Drexel University and a bachelor’s degree from Marywood University.
“I have worked closely with Dr. Cioce as both a former RCBC trustee and as freeholder director and have been impressed with his ability to find creative ways to make college affordable in Burlington County,” Burlington County Freeholder Director Kate Gibbs said. “We are both first generation students who put ourselves through college and graduate school and know firsthand the value of education in the 21st century. I applaud the trustees for selecting Dr. Cioce to lead RCBC at this exciting time.”
As acting president, officials say Cioce has built upon the college’s proud commitment to providing students with accessible and affordable higher education. RCBC has achieved three consecutive semesters of enrollment increases as officials say the college’s 3+1 program continues to have an impact with students and parents throughout the region.
“As the first in my family to graduate college, I’m committed to making sure all students have the opportunity to open the doors of their future through education,” Cioce said. “I’m humbled by the trust the board has placed in me and am excited to work with the college’s exceptional students, faculty, staff and partners in our quest to provide innovative, high-quality and affordable education.”
This spring, officials said the college expanded access to affordable higher education by adding inclusive education to the 3+1 program, which joins biology, nursing, psychology, liberal studies, computing and informatics and law and justice. Through the 3+1 program, officials say RCBC became the first community college in the region to offer junior-year courses toward their Rowan University degree.
Cioce first joined RCBC in 2010 as director of the financial aid office. Since then, he was elevated to executive director of enrollment management, and vice president of Enrollment Management and Student Success. He previously held positions within the Office of Enrollment Management at Drexel University.
