Essex County College Executive and Leadership Team

Kiswendsida Parkouda, the Senior Comptroller & Chief Financial Officer at Essex County College, manages the fiscal integrity of the institution. Parkouda directs the allocation of budgetary resources to support high-tech classrooms and advanced laboratories across the Newark and West Caldwell campuses. By overseeing financial reporting and audit compliance, the Senior Comptroller & Chief Financial Officer ensures the college maintains its commitment to providing affordable educational programs. This leadership role involves coordinating with the Board of Trustees to align capital expenditures with long-term institutional growth. Kiswendsida Parkouda monitors revenue streams from state and local sources to sustain the open-door mission. Through rigorous financial planning, the Senior Comptroller & Chief Financial Officer secures the necessary funding to maintain state-of-the-art facilities. Parkouda optimizes operational efficiency, allowing the college to focus on student success and life-long learning activities within the competitive landscape of New Jersey higher education.

Ketan Gandhi, the Senior Comptroller & Chief Financial Officer at Essex County College, oversees the procurement and supply chain logistics necessary for campus operations. Gandhi directs the financial procurement processes to ensure that state-of-the-art laboratories receive essential equipment and materials. By managing vendor relationships and contract negotiations, the Senior Comptroller & Chief Financial Officer optimizes the cost-effectiveness of institutional spending. This leadership role involves analyzing expenditure patterns to identify opportunities for operational savings that directly benefit student affordability. Ketan Gandhi monitors the financial health of the Police Academy in Cedar Grove to ensure alignment with public safety training requirements. Gandhi implements robust internal controls to safeguard institutional assets. Through strategic financial oversight, the Senior Comptroller & Chief Financial Officer supports the expansion of educational programs, ensuring that the college maintains its commitment to providing high-quality learning activities at the most affordable cost for the diverse student population.

Kaprou Kiswendsida, the Senior Comptroller & Chief Financial Officer at Essex County College, manages the financial reporting and regulatory compliance for all grant-funded initiatives. Kiswendsida directs the accounting teams to ensure accurate tracking of funds dedicated to life-long learning activities and community outreach. By overseeing the financial aspects of federal and state grants, the Senior Comptroller & Chief Financial Officer ensures the college meets all reporting requirements. This leadership role involves collaborating with academic deans to align grant resources with specific educational program needs. Kaprou Kiswendsida monitors the fiscal performance of the West Essex campus to ensure regional educational goals remain financially viable. Kiswendsida maintains transparency in all financial dealings to uphold the reputation of the institution. Through meticulous financial management, the Senior Comptroller & Chief Financial Officer supports the college mission of providing accessible education, ensuring that resources are effectively utilized to foster student success and institutional growth.

Daisy Paucar, the President of the Chemistry Club at Essex County College, leads student-driven initiatives that promote scientific inquiry and academic excellence. Paucar organizes laboratory workshops and peer-mentoring sessions that utilize the state-of-the-art facilities on the Newark campus. By overseeing club activities, the President of the Chemistry Club encourages students from diverse backgrounds to engage deeply with STEM curricula. This leadership role involves coordinating with faculty advisors to align student projects with the broader educational goals of the science department. Daisy Paucar facilitates collaborative research opportunities that prepare students for higher education and professional careers. Paucar manages the club budget and event planning to ensure consistent engagement throughout the academic year. Through active leadership, the President of the Chemistry Club fosters a nurturing atmosphere that empowers students to excel in their studies, directly contributing to the vibrant, inclusive learning environment that defines the college experience.

Beverly Oliphant, the Senior President, Essex County Services Advisory Council at Essex County College, directs community engagement efforts to align institutional services with regional needs. Oliphant oversees the advisory council to ensure that educational programs remain relevant to the public safety and workforce development requirements of the county. By managing partnerships with local stakeholders, the Senior President, Essex County Services Advisory Council facilitates the integration of the college into the broader community fabric. This leadership role involves advocating for the life-long learning needs of public safety officers and other professionals. Beverly Oliphant coordinates with the administration to ensure that the college provides accessible training opportunities. Oliphant drives initiatives that promote the college as a vital resource for the western part of Essex County. Through strategic community outreach, the Senior President, Essex County Services Advisory Council strengthens the institutional impact, ensuring that the college continues to serve as a cornerstone for regional development.

Shalia Story, the Liaison To President and Board of Trustees at Essex County College, manages the communication flow between the executive office and the governing board. Story directs the preparation of board materials and ensures that all governance activities align with the institutional mission. By overseeing the scheduling and documentation of board meetings, the Liaison To President and Board of Trustees facilitates effective decision-making processes. This leadership role involves coordinating with the President to ensure that strategic priorities are clearly communicated to the trustees. Shalia Story maintains the integrity of the governance process, ensuring compliance with all institutional policies. Story supports the President in navigating complex administrative challenges. Through diligent management of board relations, the Liaison To President and Board of Trustees ensures that the college remains focused on its commitment to providing quality educational programs and fostering a nurturing atmosphere for all students across the Newark and West Essex campuses.

A. Yamba, the President Emeritus at Essex County College, provides strategic counsel to the current leadership team based on extensive institutional history. Yamba supports the ongoing mission of the college by offering insights into the development of the Newark urban campus and the expansion of regional facilities. By overseeing special advisory projects, the President Emeritus ensures that the core values of diversity and accessibility remain central to the institutional strategy. This leadership role involves mentoring emerging leaders and fostering a culture of excellence. A. Yamba contributes to the long-term vision of the college, helping to maintain the nurturing atmosphere that encourages student success. Yamba participates in high-level discussions regarding the future of community education in New Jersey. Through continued involvement, the President Emeritus helps preserve the legacy of the institution, ensuring that the college remains a beacon of opportunity for students from all backgrounds and abilities.

Michael Cioce, the President at Essex County College, directs the overall strategic vision and operational execution of the institution. Cioce oversees the academic and administrative functions across the Newark, West Caldwell, and Cedar Grove locations. By managing the executive team, the President ensures that the college remains committed to providing quality educational programs at the most affordable cost. This leadership role involves engaging with the Board of Trustees to set institutional goals that support student success and life-long learning. Michael Cioce drives the expansion of high-tech classrooms and state-of-the-art laboratories to enhance the learning experience. Cioce fosters a diverse and nurturing atmosphere that encourages enrollment and excellence. Through decisive leadership, the President shapes the market position of the college, ensuring that the institution continues to meet the educational and training needs of the community while maintaining its status as a premier public community college in New Jersey.

Mohamed Seddiki, the IT Executive Dean & Chief Information Officer at Essex County College, architects the digital infrastructure supporting the urban campus. Seddiki manages the integration of high-tech classrooms and advanced teaching modalities to enhance student engagement. By overseeing the cybersecurity framework and network reliability, the IT Executive Dean & Chief Information Officer protects sensitive academic data across all regional locations. This leadership role involves collaborating with faculty to implement innovative learning technologies that support diverse student backgrounds. Mohamed Seddiki drives the digital transformation strategy, ensuring that the college remains at the forefront of educational technology. Seddiki maintains the technological backbone required for both the main Newark campus and the West Essex facility. Through the deployment of scalable IT solutions, the IT Executive Dean & Chief Information Officer facilitates seamless access to educational resources, directly impacting the ability of students to excel in a modern, technology-driven academic environment.

Teresa Ruiz, the Deputy Chief of Staff at Essex County College, coordinates administrative operations to support the executive leadership team. Ruiz manages internal communications and facilitates the execution of strategic initiatives across the Newark and West Caldwell campuses. By overseeing the flow of information between departments, the Deputy Chief of Staff ensures alignment with the institutional mission of providing affordable, quality education. This leadership role involves managing complex projects that bridge the gap between academic departments and administrative functions. Teresa Ruiz supports the President in maintaining the nurturing atmosphere that defines the college experience. Ruiz streamlines organizational processes to improve efficiency in daily operations. Through proactive management of executive priorities, the Deputy Chief of Staff enables the college to focus on its core goal of expanding access to higher education for students from diverse backgrounds, ultimately strengthening the impact of the institution within the local community.