Atlantic Cape Chief of Staff Jean McAlister Inducted into Atlantic County Women’s Hall of Fame

LINWOOD — Before numerous proud family members, friends, mentors and co-workers, Atlantic Cape Community College’s Chief of Staff and Chief Advancement Officer Jean McAlister was inducted into the prestigious Atlantic County Women’s Hall of Fame for her enduring volunteerism during a formal dinner ceremony at the Linwood Country Club on June 25.

“Standing here this evening as one in a long line of women who have worked to make an impact in their communities means a great deal to me. I am truly honored. I have a deep personal connection with volunteerism. I truly believe that volunteerism and giving is somehow part of my DNA,” said McAlister, who began volunteering in her youth with the Girl Scouts while her mother served the community through education and her father through the Marine Corps.

McAlister has been a member of the Atlantic Cape team for more than 30 years as the chief of staff, chief advancement officer for the Atlantic Cape Community College Foundation as well as an adjunct instructor. She strives, day-in and day-out to eradicate hunger on all three of Atlantic Cape’s campuses, continues efforts to raise much-needed funds for students, and supports initiatives that benefit women and the community at-large.

“Volunteerism is not something you do alone. We are all connected in some way. I have been told that when you volunteer, so do your family and friends,” said McAlister, who thanked Fran Coppola for the nomination; husband, Tom, and her extended family along with Dr. Barbara Gaba and her Atlantic Cape colleagues for their continued support.

McAlister’s volunteerism includes serving as secretary for the Atlantic Women’s Charitable Organization, as co-president of the American Association of University Women, and as a board member with the Metropolitan Business & Citizens Association. She has also served as secretary for the Atlantic County Advisory Commission on Women, logistics/volunteer coordinator for the Atlantic City Boys and Girls Club’s fundraising efforts, and on the PTO and Board of Trustees for the Galloway Community Charter School.

On this evening, McAlister was honored alongside Birdie L. Cody, a 54-year employee of Atlantic County Government; Janice DeCicco Fipp, Ed.D., a 51-year employee in education; Rosetta Lee (Frankie) Johnson, more than 50 years in education as a teacher and administrator; and Rene Kane, who launched Project Prom AC in 2016 to provide dresses to students/families facing financial hardships.

Since its founding in 1996 by Dr. Jacqueline McBride-Jones, the Atlantic County Women’s Hall of Fame (ACWHF) has been honoring in perpetuity women of Atlantic County whose contributions have been of greatest value to the betterment of the county. The ACWHF remains dedicated to acknowledging women who have contributed so much to the residents and the overall community of Atlantic County. The ACWHF is also pleased to offer scholarships to graduating high school seniors who exhibit abilities to pursue a course of study that will help these young women blaze new trails of their own.

This year’s $1,000 scholarship winners were Puja R. Gandhi of Absegami High School who will be attending the University of Pennsylvania, Sanai Graham of Pleasantville High School who will be attending Montclair State University, Marie Maione of Cedar Creek High School who will be attending Rowan University and Shadley Trezil of Atlantic City High School who will be attending Ramapo College of New Jersey.

Learn more at https://acwhf.org/.

About Atlantic Cape Community College

Atlantic Cape is a comprehensive two-year community college serving the residents of Atlantic and Cape May counties. The college offers over 40 career, transfer and workforce development programs to more than 8,000 students annually at three campuses in New Jersey: Atlantic City, Cape May Court House and Mays Landing.