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
Supervisor for Community Programs and Community Engagement Assessment and Adjunct
Faculty, SOBL
609.626.5531 | F101

Patricia W. Collins, MA/OM
Community Engagement Liaison and Site Supervisor
609.652.4456 | F101

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:
- Engaging with community stakeholders to help ensure university priorities contribute to the well-being of the community;
- Sharing information to provide an understanding of local issues and opportunities;
- Providing advice and recommendations to the university to support informed decision-making that positively impacts both the university and the region;
- Creating relationships that enhance the educational experience, contribute to the vitality of the community, and support for the local workforce, and;
- 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