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Dr. Karen H. Bearce has been named the new Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs at Raritan Valley Community College, bringing with her more than two decades of achievement in higher education, both as an academic leader and accomplished faculty member.

Dr. Bearce replaces Dr. Deborah E. Preston, who left in June to become President of Mercer County Community College.

“We are very excited to welcome Dr. Karen Bearce to Raritan Valley Community College. With her significant experience in higher education, particularly in the community college sector, serving as Interim Vice President and Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs, as a dean, and as a faculty member, she will be an invaluable addition to the College community. Her wealth of experience leading faculty and staff, working with K-12 partners, developing and growing online learning, and connecting assessment to strategic planning will be a tremendous asset to RVCC,” said RVCC President Michael J. McDonough. “She is a dynamic and innovative leader.”

The responsibilities of the Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs include leading comprehensive program review; promoting the work of the Center for Teaching, Learning, and Scholarship; forging innovative partnerships with K-12 schools and with regional employers; developing online learning and other entrepreneurial programming; and crafting vital strategic plans, especially those related to academic achievement, closing the equity gap, and student success.

Most recently, Dr. Bearce served as Interim Vice President for Academic Affairs at nationally recognized Northampton Community College in Bethlehem, PA, where she was responsible for the institution’s four academic schools and entire college academic portfolio at multiple campuses. Prior to that, she was NCC’s Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs, a role she began in 2016, where she earned a reputation as a visionary collaborator and strategic innovator whose cross-functional leadership led to the establishment of the college’s flourishing Guided Pathways program. Her success managing educational support services, online learning, dual enrollment, and educational partnerships became hallmarks of her tenure.

But it was Dr. Bearce’s love of psychology and passion for learning that first led her to the college classroom where she excelled as a faculty member, initially as a part-time lecturer at Rutgers University and then as an Assistant Professor at Seton Hall University. Inspired by the mission of community colleges to place student success and college access above all else, she left the four-year sector to join Mercer County Community College where she taught psychology as a tenured Professor and eventually was named Acting Dean of Institutional Effectiveness.

Dr. Bearce earned a B.A. in Psychology from the University of New Hampshire, an M.S. in Psychology and Ph.D. in Psychology from Rutgers University.

Ranked by WalletHub.com and Niche.com as the #1 community college in New Jersey, Raritan Valley Community College has been serving as an academic and cultural center for Somerset and Hunterdon County residents for over 50 years. The College has been nationally recognized for its service to the community, environmental stewardship, and commitment to diversity. It is home to  a Planetarium, Science Education Institute and 3M Observatory; a Theatre offering professional performances for all ages; and an Honors College for high achieving students.

The College offers more than 90 associate degrees and certificates, as well as career training and professional development courses. RVCC is located at 118 Lamington Road in Branchburg, NJ. For further information, visit www.raritanval.edu.



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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 11, 2022

Media contact: Donna Stolzer, 908-526-1200, ext. 8383

PR #9