CCC Board of Trustees elects new officers

The Cumberland County College Board of Trustees unanimously elected this year’s officers to one-year terms at their reorganization meeting on November 15. The elected officers include Dr. Keith C. Figgs, Chair; Ginger Chase, Vice Chair; Dr. Elizabeth Riley-Wasserman, Treasurer; and Pamela Ann Sjogren, Secretary. Dr. Figgs is replacing Charles J. Brett, who successfully served for two years as the board chair, and he will continue as a board member until his term expires.

“This is a strong slate of officers who will provide excellent leadership for the college’s outstanding Board of Trustees,” CCC President Dr. Thomas Isekenegbe said. “The entire board is dedicated to engaging, inspiring and transforming students so they can lead the way for our community’s growth in the 21st Century.”

There’s an old saying that you have to be present to accomplish anything. “Dr. Keith Figgs is always there when he is needed,” Dr. Isekenegbe said. “He attends all the important campus and community events, state functions and national conferences, where he often makes presentations on community college issues and best practices.

“Dr Figgs is highly respected as a leader, locally, regionally and nationally,” Dr. Isenenegbe said. “We are fortunate that he is chairing our Board of Trustees because he always puts the students first.”

Dr. Figgs has also served as Vice Chair, Treasurer and Secretary of the board, and on the following board committees: Finance and Planning, Academic and Student Affairs, Personnel, and the 2009 Presidential Search Committee.

A Vineland resident, Dr. Figgs was the Assistant Superintendent for Administration for the Vineland Public School District from 1993 to 2009, and Acting Superintendent in 2009. Dr. Figgs also served as a Network Turnaround Officer for the New Jersey Department of Education, leading reform efforts at two schools in Camden from 2010 to 2012.

Dr. Figgs is the past president of the Board of Trustees for Community Treatment Solutions, which provides psychological services for children and adolescents in southern New Jersey.

Dr. Figgs has served as a panelist at the U.S. Department of Education Community College Regional Summit. He has also attended many state functions to advocate for community colleges and their students.