Directors
Directors
Directors
Read about each of our directors below.
Assistant Director
GEAR UP Pre-College Program
Grossnickle Hall 418
Acruz6@njcu.edu
201-200-3146
Alan Cruz is the Assistant Director for the GEAR UP Pre-College Program at NJCU. Alan's professional journey has taught him the importance of being a leader, not a follower, and he strives to be a positive role model for all of the GEAR UP scholars. He approaches every space with a curious and open mind, always looking to learn and create his own narrative. His motto for all of the GEAR UP Program is “This investment of scholars growth and success is one that promises to pay off." With an extensive history at NJCU, Alan has his bachelor's degree in Sports Management and is currently pursuing a master's in marketing. Alan has been with the GEAR UP Program since 2021 in multiple capacities, showing his commitment and has always been available to provide support to the GEAR UP scholars and their families. His focus is seeing the GEAR UP scholars progress and enroll into college.
Director
Career Services
Vodra Hall 101
mfaulkner1@njcu.edu
201-200-2181
Director
Online Learning
Jfox@njcu.edu | online@njcu.edu
201-200-3449
Jennifer Fox has been an educational technology specialist in higher education for over 20 years. Working closely with instructors, students, higher education administration, information technology professionals, software vendors, and publisher representatives, Jennifer strives to integrate technology into best teaching and learning practices using a practical and realistic approach. Jennifer also provides the technical leadership in the implementation, maintenance, and support of NJCU’s Blackboard Learn online learning management system and third-party educational tools integrated with Blackboard.
Interim Director
Research, Grants and Sponsored Programs
P - 414
jgrew@njcu.edu
201-200-3364
Dr. John Grew, Professor of Biology and Director of Research, Grants and Sponsored Programs (Interim), earned a B.S. and M.S. at the University of Massachusetts and a Ph.D. at New York University. Since joining NJCU’s faculty in 1995, he held every rank in Academic Affairs from Assistant Professor to Assistant Provost, including Interim Dean of Arts and Sciences. Dr. Grew chaired the Biology Department for 13 years, overseeing the recruitment and retention of 9 full-time faculty members, course and curriculum revisions, 2 floors of departmental facilities, major instrumentation, service agreements, laboratory safety, chemical hygiene, and many other department-specific responsibilities. His research interests are cell biology, biomaterials and the interactions between connective tissues and implant materials.
Dr. Grew is a prolific grant writer, having attracted more than $28 million to date for NJCU’s STEM and other programs. He led projects that were supported by grants and subawards from the National Science Foundation, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Education Department, and N.J. Department of Education. Dr. Grew contributes to many institutional improvement and “student success” projects at NJCU; the Beta Beta Beta Biology Honor Society; transfer initiatives; and strategic, technology and facilities planning. He serves as on accreditation self-study teams for NJCU and is a peer reviewer for the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
Director, Office of International Programs
Craig Katz has been Director of New Jersey City University’s Office of International Programs since 2010, providing support services to the University’s international students and scholars and managing NJCU’s exchange programs and Study Abroad programs. He has lived and worked in a number of countries and has been an English as a Second Language teacher and ESL program director, an International Student Advisor, and a Study Abroad coordinator at several colleges and universities in the US. Mr. Katz has a Bachelors degree in History from Rutgers University and a Masters degree in Teaching English as a Second Language (TESOL) from Temple University.
Co-Director
Center for Latin American, Caribbean, and Latinx Studies
K-202
clagos@njcu.edu
201-200-2012
Dr. Cora Lagos is chair of the Department of World Languages and Cultures and co-director of the Center for Latin American, Caribbean, and Latinx Studies. She received a Licenciatura en Letras from the Universidad de Buenos Aires., an MA in Latin American literature from the University of Maryland, College Park, and a PhD in cultural studies from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. She has published a book, Confrontando imaginarios: oralidad, pintura y escritura en el México colonial, on the examination of texts which arise out of the conditions of the first encounters in Mesoamerica. Her most recent research and her teaching focus on colonial and contemporary Latin American and Latinx literature, especially on themes of gender and subalternity.
Director, General Education Program
zlee@njcu.edu
201-200-2401
Dr. Zui Chih (Rick) Lee joined the marketing faculty at School of Business in 2016. He focuses on digital marketing and analytics curriculum development.
Dr. Lee is a consumer behavior researcher. His expertise lies in online/mobile decisions. He researches the impact of consumer behavior on retail sales. His publications appeared in numerous marketing journals. Dr. Lee also served as the Associate Editor for the International Journal of Electronic Customer Relationship Management in 2021.
Dr. Lee dedicates his time to fostering a well-rounded educational journey for the students. He received a Teaching Excellence Award from the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs in 2018. In addition, he was voted “best faculty mentor” in the 1st Business Student Research in 2017 and 2022.
At New Jersey City University (NJCU), Dr. Lee teaches Digital Marketing Strategy and Global Marketing Strategy courses in the MBA program, as well as Digital Marketing and Global Marketing courses in the undergraduate program. Prior to joining NJCU, Dr. Lee was a tenured professor at the Sigmund Weis School of Business at Susquehanna University (AACSB, national ranked 107 in National liberal Arts Colleges), where he received an Outstanding Research & Service Award and a Teaching Innovation and Excellence Award in 2015 and 2016, respectively. He also served as the faculty advisor of the Global Initiatives in Marketing class for China, Taiwan, and South America.
As a first-generation college student, Dr. Lee received a Ph.D. in Consumer and Retail from the University of North Carolina-Greensboro. He also holds a MS of International Business Management from National Dong Hwa University and a BBA in Transportation Management and Logistic Science from the Tamkang University, both in Taiwan.
Director
NJCU Honors Program
Enir@njcu.edu
201-200-3018
Esther Nir serves as the NJCU Honors Program Director. She is also an Associate Professor in the Department of Criminal Justice and the Coach and Coordinator for NJCU’s Mock Trial Team. Esther has been actively engaged with the Honors Program since joining NJCU in 2016, serving as a member of the Honors Program Committee and creating and teaching in a learning community for Honors Program sophomores. She is actively involved in CEL initiatives on campus and partners with members of the Hudson County judiciary to run an interactive CEL court program for Honors Program and Criminal Justice students. Esther received her Juris Doctor from Fordham Law School and her Ph.D. in Criminal Justice from Rutgers University. She served as a prosecutor in Queens County, New York. Esther’s research interests include sentencing disparities, police misconduct, and community engaged learning initiatives. She specializes in qualitative research methods and interviews judges, prosecutors, and defense attorneys in connection to her research efforts. Her research can be found in various criminal justice, research methodology, and teaching journals.
Nikketta Pressley-Walsh
University Registrar
H-214
nsaiboo@njcu.edu
201-200-3048
Dr. Navin Saiboo is an accomplished professional with over 20 years of experience in the field of higher education, specializing in student records and registration. He holds a Ph.D. with a focus on Higher Education Administration, which enables him to approach his role with a deep understanding of the complex dynamics of university systems. His passion for helping students succeed drives his commitment to maintaining accurate and confidential student records, ensuring compliance with academic policies and procedures, and facilitating efficient registration processes.
Beyond his administrative responsibilities, Dr. Saiboo has an unwavering commitment to the success of students. He collaborates with university stakeholders to ensure that students receive the support and guidance they need throughout their academic journey. His passion for diversity, equity, and inclusion guides his efforts to ensure equal access to educational opportunities for all students.
Director
Library Services
Fsmith@njcu.edu
201-200-3474
Mr. Fred Smith is Director of Library Services at the Congressman Frank J. Guarini Library; he has been employed in various positions in the Library for over thirty years. He has memberships in such diverse organizations as the American Historical Association, the Organization of American Historians, the Red Dragon Society, the Park History Honor Society, and Beta Phi Mu (library science honor society). He received his undergraduate degree in history, a master's degree in medieval history along with additional studies toward a doctoral degree, all from New York University; he possesses a master’s degree in library service from Columbia University. He was awarded multiple scholarships at both the undergraduate and graduate levels; in addition, he was awarded the Nathan A Schoengood Award for Interest and Achievement in European History and an NEH subvention for archival fieldwork.
Director
Lee F. Hagan Center
Library, Room 225
Lspears@njcu.edu
201-200-2457
Director
TRiO Learning Community Program
MROLON@njcu.edu
201-200-2214
Christina is a first-generation college student who graduated from NJCU with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Early Childhood Education. Due to her passion of positively impacting others, she continued her education and obtained her master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling from NYACK College. With over ten years of experience working with first-generation college students, she is driven to provide them with supportive services that will enable them to succeed in life.
Gallery Director
Visual Arts
A-120
201-200-2197
Co-Director
Center for Latin American, Caribbean, and Latinx Studies
K-505
Jzumoff@njcu.edu
201-200-3256