Brock Fisher, Ph.D., and Bryant Gomez.
PARAMUS, N.J. – The July 9 regular meeting of the Bergen Community College board of trustees featured a pair of appointments strengthening the institution’s executive team and governing panel. The board appointed former McHenry County College associate vice president for arts and sciences Brock Fisher, Ph.D., as vice president of academic affairs and welcomed class of 2019 graduate Bryant Gomez as the student-elected trustee alumni representative.
“The nation’s community colleges require innovative leaders who possess the vision, insight and resolve to make an impact in the lives of students,” Bergen President Michael D. Redmond, Ph.D., said. “Throughout his career, Brock Fisher has excelled in developing strategies and meaningful relationships to improve the institutions he has served; his style of collaborative leadership will help chart a new and progressive course for Bergen’s academy.
“Additionally, I look forward to the contributions of Bryant Gomez as part of the board of trustees. His leadership on key initiatives as part of Phi Theta Kappa and student government not only speak to his willingness to serve, but his value to the trustees and larger Bergen community.”
As the College’s top academic officer, Fisher provides strategic direction for curricula, instruction and student learning while leading the institution’s renowned faculty, which includes a U.S. professor of the year.
Fisher began his career in higher education as a faculty member at Bethel College, teaching theatre and directing the institution’s travelling thespian troupe. He advanced to roles in both the faculty and administration at Bethel, Georgia College and State University and Stillman College before arriving at McHenry in 2014 as the executive dean of humanities and social sciences. Within the higher education community, Fisher has shared his expertise as a presenter at numerous conferences – including for the League for Innovation in the Community College.
He earned a B.A. from the University of Central Missouri, majoring in theatre and psychology, an M.A. from the University of Missouri, Columbia in theatre and a Ph.D. from the University of Missouri, Columbia in theatre.
“I am eager to bring my deep passion for educational access as a life-altering force for social and personal change to my role at the College,” he said. “Bergen has an outstanding record of success in helping people meet their educational goals. I look forward to exploring new and innovative ways to serve the students and community of Bergen County.”
Meanwhile, Gomez, as the trustees’ alumni representative, will have full voting rights during his one-year term. Before graduating from Bergen in May, Gomez, of Englewood, led Bergen’s Alpha Epsilon Phi chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, the honor society of two-year colleges, as president. Gomez directed projects that resulted in numerous awards, culminating with Phi Theta Kappa’s “most distinguished chapter” honor, which recognizes the top chapter in the entire world. He also served as a senator in the student government association, editor-in-chief of the honors association’s publications and a peer tutor while at the College. Gomez will attend Rutgers University – Newark and pursue a B.A. in social work this fall.
“One of the things I wanted to provide is perspective for the student body,” he said. “Serving on the board of trustees will allow me to advocate for students’ needs – it’s important that the opinions of students are heard.”
Based in Paramus, Bergen Community College (www.bergen.edu), a public two-year coeducational college, enrolls more than 14,000 students at locations in Paramus, the Philip Ciarco Jr. Learning Center in Hackensack and Bergen Community College at the Meadowlands in Lyndhurst. The College offers associate degree, certificate and continuing education programs in a variety of fields. More students graduate from Bergen than any other community college in the state.
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