RANDOLPH – Dr. Anthony J. Iacono, an accomplished administrator with more than 20 years of experience in higher education and community colleges, has been selected by the County College of Morris (CCM) Board of Trustees to serve as the college’s third president. The trustees passed a resolution to appoint Iacono as CCM’s next president with a unanimous vote at its monthly meeting Wednesday night, March 16.
Iacono, who is a community college graduate, is currently Vice President of Academic Affairs at Indian River State College (IRSC) in Fort Pierce, FL. He will join CCM as presidential nominee on August 15 and then will be named president on September 1 after Dr. Edward J. Yaw retires as the college’s second president at the end of August.
“Dr. Iacono brings a notable passion for student success and a comprehensive understanding of the important roles that community colleges play,” said Dr. Joseph L. Ricca, chair of the Board of Trustees. “His expertise in creating innovative approaches to teaching and learning, developing community partnerships and securing grants and other funding provides a distinct advantage as CCM seeks to build upon its record of success for offering high-quality academic programs and career, transfer and professional development programs to serve the community and region.”
Iacono will be leaving IRSC after 17 years, having also held the positions of Associate Dean for Developmental Education and full-time professor of history. His accomplishments include serving as a core member of the team that helped IRSC earn recognition by the Aspen Award Committee as one of the top 10 community colleges in the nation based on exceptional student success; leading a team of faculty, administrators and staff in supporting IRSC for admission into the Achieving the Dream network; and supporting faculty in the creation of IRSC’s Institute for Academic Excellence, an innovative research and professional development center. Along with his administrative responsibilities, he has served as an advisor to the United States Department of Education, the Florida Department of Education and various national think tanks and educational reform organizations. He is also one of the four founders of Florida’s Institute for the Professional Development of Adult Educators. He is the recipient of numerous teaching and leadership awards and is a nationally recognized speaker on the topics of leadership, educational innovation, literacy and career pathways.
Prior to joining IRSC, Iacono held teaching positions at the University of Central Florida and Mississippi State University.
“I am deeply honored to have been selected as the next president of County College of Morris and I greatly appreciate the confidence that the search committee and the Board of Trustees have entrusted in me,” said Iacono. “CCM is an exceptional institution that has achieved significant success since its creation in 1968. For more than 30 years, it has benefited enormously from the vision and leadership of Dr. Edward Yaw, its Board of Trustees, its administrative team, talented faculty and staff, as well as members of the community who have dedicated themselves to creating a college that has changed countless lives. As an individual who is passionate about helping people improve their future through education, strengthening communities through partnerships, economic growth and cultural enrichment, and pioneering innovative approaches to learning, I look forward to leading CCM and working with a talented team of people who share that passion. As an educator, my greatest focus is student success and CCM is well positioned to support its students today and for generations to come.”
A first-generation college student, Iacono received his Ph.D. in American history from Mississippi State University, his M.A. and B.A. in American history from the University of Central Florida, and his Associate in Arts in general studies from Indian River Community College. IRSC was formed in 1965 when Indian River Community College and Lincoln Junior College merged.
Ricca said the selection of Iacono concludes a seven-month search conducted by a 10-member committee comprised of trustees and representatives from the college’s unions, administration, student body and the CCM Foundation. The committee, assisted by the search firm Isaacson, Miller, interviewed seven people and selected four finalists to take part in informational sessions with the college community in late January and early February. Feedback from those sessions was considered by the Board of Trustees in making the final selection, said Ricca.
“The search committee did an outstanding job of understanding the level of leadership the college is seeking and in selecting candidates for consideration,” said Ricca. “They established high standards, asked insightful questions, and diligently reviewed and discussed the merits of the applicants to select the best candidates. My fellow trustees and I are extremely grateful for the time and dedication the committee devoted to this process and for the input of the college community.”
