Community & Technical College Searches - RH Perry

North Shore Community College Names Dr. Jennifer Mezquita as Their First Provost

Dr. Jennifer Mezquita has been selected to be North Shore Community College’s first Provost.

NSCC President Dr. William Heineman chose to create the Provost position after extensive discussion with faculty and staff at the college. A Provost has responsibility for both academic and student affairs, and is designed to provide more integrated, comprehensive and seamless services to students.

Dr. Mezquita currently serves as the Vice President of Student Affairs at Northern Essex Community College (NECC) where she provides leadership and oversight of the programs, functions and services for Enrollment Services, PK12 Partnerships, Student Development, Registrar, Student Affairs Business Systems, and Compliance.

Prior to joining Northern Essex, Dr. Mezquita worked at College of the Desert Foundation, Valencia College Foundation, Valencia College and the University of Central Florida (UCF) where she held leadership roles within alumni relations, student development, enrollment services, Federal TRIO Programs and also served as an adjunct instructor.

During her undergraduate college years, Dr. Mezquita was introduced to the higher education profession. She developed a passion for breaking the barriers of access into higher education for underrepresented and underserved populations which led her to pursue her career in higher education. She believes in access to higher education with equal outcomes for all. “Education completely changed my life and I am committed to serving as the vehicle for others to reach their educational and career goals,” she said.

Dr. Mezquita is a proud first-generation graduate of Valencia (Community) College, the University of Florida, and the University of Central Florida where she earned her Associate of Arts degree, Bachelor’s degree in Food and Resource Economics, Master’s degree in Educational Leadership: Student Personnel Administration and Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership: Higher Education and Policy Studies.

“I am excited Dr. Mezquita will join us at NSCC as she is a team builder who knows how to catalyze the talents and passions of the people around her to create a whole that is far greater than the sum of its parts. I eagerly anticipate the improvements in the NSCC student experience she will help us develop together,” said President Heineman.

“I am energized by North Shore’s spirit of excellence and vision to serve as “a beacon of hope and opportunity” for the community it serves,” said Dr. Mezquita. “I look forward to working alongside our NSCC faculty and staff to continue to cultivate a student-centered environment which focuses on access, equity, and student success.”

Dr. Mezquita will begin at NSCC on June 6, 2022.

Mercer County Community College Names Deborah Preston as President

West Windsor, N.J. – After an extensive search, Mercer County Community College (MCCC) is proud to announce the appointment of Deborah Preston, Ph.D., as its new President, the seventh in its history.

With a career spanning 30 years of dedicated service, Preston joins MCCC with a proven track record that illustrates her steadfast commitment to ensuring students receive a quality education in a welcoming environment, equipped with the proper resources needed to succeed.

“I am proud to welcome Dr. Preston as Mercer County Community College’s incoming president and look forward to her leadership as we move the college forward,” said Mark Matzen, Chair, MCCC Board of Trustees. “Dr. Preston’s experience and reputation as a leader who brings people together to ensure student success is exactly what we need. I am excited about the future of the college.”

“It is my honor and privilege to be selected as the seventh president of Mercer County Community College,” said Preston. “MCCC is an institution that is passionate about serving students and the residents of Mercer County, and I am thrilled to join the dedicated faculty, staff and administrators on both campuses as we work together to provide inclusive, high-quality education for our community.”

Prior to joining MCCC, Preston served as Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs at Raritan Valley Community College (RVCC), where she was responsible for the executive coordination of all campus operations in direct collaboration with the President. She also oversaw RVCC’s academic affairs as Chief Academic Officer. A supporter of meaningful change, Preston developed and implemented college-wide initiatives for student equity and success, advocated internally and externally for campus resources and provided innovative leadership throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

Previously, Preston served in various roles with Montgomery College and Georgia Perimeter College (now Perimeter College at Georgia State University). In these roles, she spearheaded the revision of statewide general education requirements and served on the Academic Issues Committee sub-group to update statewide program approval processes.

Preston earned a Ph.D. in English from Tulane University. She earned her undergraduate and post graduate degrees from Florida State University. She succeeds outgoing President Dr. Jianping Wang, who recently announced her retirement.

“Addressing a post-pandemic world will not be easy, but Mercer County Community College will lead the way with the appointment of Dr. Preston. As chair of the Presidential Search Committee, I believe we hit a trifecta: a great search firm in RH Perry, engaged colleagues on the search committee, and the selection of the best candidate to assume the role of Mercer County Community College president,” said Kevin Drennan, Treasurer, MCCC Board of Trustees.