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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
Center for Latin American Studies

Dr. Franca Roibal Fernández is an interdisciplinary scholar with extensive experience in Latin American Studies, Women & Gender Studies, and Spanish Language research and teaching. She is an immigrant from the Global South, Uruguay and Argentina, and a first-generation student. She started her academic journey at the County College of Morris and has a BA in Spanish and Secondary Education from TCNJ and a Master’s in Spanish from Montclair State University. She received her Ph.D. in 2018 from Boston University where she was a Dean’s Teaching Fellow and won a teaching award, and wrote her dissertation on a component of Uruguayan Carnaval. Her research interests include popular culture in the form of music, fútbol, culture, food, and various other forms from a decolonizing and intersectional lens and focus. She is also a Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion practitioner and consultant. In 2024 she was nominated and was a finalist for the Women Changing the World awards and she traveled to London where she met Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, at the awards gala. She has published nationally and internationally in Spanish and in English on various topics and has hosted podcasts and is a public speaker, including having done a TEDx talk. Dr. Franca spent two years as an adjunct in the GALAS and World Languages & Cultures department, during which time she won the “Woman of the Year NJCU” award and is so happy to take on this new role as full time faculty in World Languages & Cultures and the Director of the Center for Latin American, Caribbean, & Latino/a/e/x Studies.

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.

Interim Associate Director, Associate Director Learning Commons

Kristina Harb, Ed.D. is the Associate Director of the Learning Commons at �鶹��Ժ, where she leads the development and oversight of academic support services designed to advance student success and retention. In this role, she manages peer and embedded tutoring programs, including initiatives in Chemistry, Mathematics, and Physics, and collaborates with faculty and departments to align resources with curricular needs. She also assists with Academic Standing processes, including the review of student appeals, and directs the scheduling, staffing, and evaluation of tutoring services to ensure accessibility and effectiveness for a diverse student population.

Dr. Harb brings over 18 years of experience in higher education, with expertise in student success, program development, and grant administration. She earned her Doctor of Education in Educational Technology Leadership from NJCU, where her research examined the motivational impact of digital badging in higher education. Her career includes extensive grant-funded work, most notably administering Title III and V initiatives that strengthened academic pathways for STEM students.

She has directed the Summer Research Internship Program at NJCU, connecting undergraduates with faculty mentors, facilitating research opportunities, and supporting professional growth through conferences and presentations. An active scholar and presenter, Dr. Harb has shared her work nationally on digital badging, podcast learning, and innovative strategies for student engagement and retention.

Director, Office of International Programs

Craig Katz has been Director of �鶹��Ժ’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.

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 �鶹��Ժ (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.

Program Director
�鶹��Ժ Youth Corps, Jersey City
NPRESSLEYWALSH@njcu.edu
201-200-3455

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.

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.

Co-Director
Center for Community Engaged Learning
lstanton@njcu.edu

Bio forthcoming

Co-Director
Center for Community Engaged Learning
ywei@njcu.edu

Dr. Yufeng Wei serves as the Chair of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at �鶹��Ժ (NJCU), where he is also an Associate Professor. Since assuming the Chair position, Dr. Wei has played a pivotal role in advancing the department, including successfully achieving first-time accreditation by the American Chemical Society (ACS) and the creation of the Biochemistry B.S. major program. His leadership has fostered both academic excellence and research innovation within the department.

Dr. Wei earned a Ph.D. in Biochemistry from Columbia University, following a B.S. in Chemistry from Peking University. He completed postdoctoral training in Biophysics at the University of Michigan and Rockefeller University, further enhancing his expertise in interdisciplinary research.

Since joining NJCU in 2015, Dr. Wei has excelled in both teaching and research. He was selected to receive the National Society of Leadership and Success (NSLS) Excellence in Teaching Award. Dr. Wei also secured major grants from the NSF and NIH to support both teaching and research endeavors. His research, conducted alongside NJCU undergraduate students, has resulted in peer-reviewed publications in prestigious journals, including Scientific Reports. Dr. Wei actively contributes to the university’s mission of community engagement as Co-Director of the Center for Community Engaged Learning (CEL), a role he officially assumed in January 2025. Collaborating with other faculty, he co-authored a manuscript on a meta-analysis on CEL, recently published in the journal Frontiers in Education.

With a passion for mentoring students, fostering collaborative research, and advancing experiential and community-engaged learning, Dr. Wei is dedicated to empowering the next generation of scientists and promoting impactful, community-driven initiatives.

Gallery Director
Visual Arts, A-120
201-200-2197