Meet the Staff and Advisory Council

Contact us in Room F101J through F101Q at 609-652-4256
Dr. Heather Swenson Brilla, PhD, MSW, LSW '13, '16

Dr. Heather Swenson Brilla, PhD, MSW, LSW '13, '16

Supervisor for Community Programs and Community Engagement Assessment and Adjunct Faculty, SOBL
609.626.5531 | F101
Patricia W. Collins, MA/OM

Patricia W. Collins, MA/OM

Community Engagement Liaison and Site Supervisor
609.652.4456  | F101
Shawn Cooper, MA

Shawn Cooper, MA

Project Coordinator for Community Programs & Leadership
 609-626-6133 | F101

 

The Community Advisory Board

The Community Advisory Council for the Division of Community Engagement is a group of community stakeholders assembled for a new initiative emphasizing the university’s role as a regional Anchor Institution.

The board will focus on five primary goals, including:

  1. Engaging with community stakeholders to help ensure university priorities contribute to the well-being of the community;
  2. Sharing information to provide an understanding of local issues and opportunities;
  3. Providing advice and recommendations to the university to support informed decision-making that positively impacts both the university and the region;
  4. Creating relationships that enhance the educational experience, contribute to the vitality of the community, and support for the local workforce, and;
  5. Empowering community members through educational opportunities, events and initiatives.

Meet Our 2025 - 2026 Community Advisory Board Members

  • Ann Arena, Divisional Vice President, Spencer’s & Spirit 
  • Christina Fuentes, Vice President of Community and Business Development, New Jersey Economic Development Authority 
  • Cindy Herdman Ivans, Chief Administration Officer, Center for Family Services 
  • Brian K. Jackson, Vice President for Community Engagement, Stockton  
  • Samantha Kiley, Vice President for Community Health and Social Impact, AtlantiCare Health System, and President, Midtown Community Development Corporation
  • Bert Lopez, Manager of Public Affairs, Atlantic City Electric, and President, Hispanic Association of Atlantic County 
  • Lauren H. Moore, President, Atlantic County Economic Alliance 
  • Dorrie Papademetriou, Founder, MudGirls Studios  
  • Christian Ragland, Assistant Vice President of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, AtlantiCare Health System 
  • Christina Renna, President and CEO, Chamber of Commerce of Southern NJ 
  • Elizabeth C. Terenik, President, Chelsea Economic Development Corporation 
  • Mohammed Zahirul Islam, President, Bangladesh Association of South Jersey
  • Perry Mays, Chairperson, Coalition for a Safe Community in Atlantic County