Bergen Community College

Frank Picciotto attended Bergen Community College from 1979 to 1981, but did not graduate. He transferred to Lock Haven University in Pennsylvania where he earned a bachelor’s degree in health and physical education in 1984.

Even though he left Bergen before graduating, Picciotto said he was grateful for his Bergen experience. “Attending Bergen Community College provided me with the necessary time to mature and clarify my career objectives,” said Picciotto. 

Picciotto returned to Bergen from 1988 to 1989 to take computer science courses to obtain skills for his career as a medical computer technician. His daughter, Angelina Picciotto, attended Bergen to study radiography and then graduated in 2023. Picciotto and his daughter shared the commonality of working in the medical field.

“Like her dad, Angelina and I found the answers at Bergen,” he said. Angelina previously attended Rider University, but was unhappy. “It was a wise decision to change career paths and attend Bergen,” he said. “After graduating from Bergen, she’s now rocking it in the radiography field, and we couldn’t be more proud.”

Picciotto changed career fields over the years to match his diverse passions and goals. After he worked in education and medicine, he decided to build a career in the film industry.

“I pivoted my focus following a diagnosis of arthritis,” said Picciotto, who channeled his newfound creative energy into writing. He began by writing a children’s book titled, “Frankie’s New York City Adventure: Memoir of a Middle Schooler,” which is available for purchase on Amazon. 

Picciotto then wrote and produced a film titled, “Bronx Inc.,” which premiered at the 14th annual Nyack International Film Festival in March 2026. The film follows Rico, a young man from the Bronx who is trying to escape his father’s shady security business by landing a job in the corporate world. In the midst of his struggles, Rico must juggle a newfound relationship along with possible corruption at the company he works for.

“Bronx Inc.” received wins at the 2026 New York Movie Awards and 2026 Hollywood Gold Awards. The film also won “Best Comedy” at the 2026 Florence Film Awards.

The film’s production company, Jerzey Film Productions, which was founded by Picciotto, is dedicated to employing local film college graduates. 

Picciotto shared advice to prospective and current Bergen students. “Believe in your unique potential, embrace every challenge as a stepping stone, and never stop learning – your dedication today builds the foundation for tomorrow’s success,” he said. “Stay curious, support one another, and remember that the journey itself is just as valuable as the destination.”

Based in Paramus, Bergen Community College (www.bergen.edu), a public two-year coeducational college, enrolls more than 24,000 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.

# # #