Bergen Bulldog Bytes

Annie and Danielle sit down with PTK and Honors Coordinator, Anna Gergen. Anna speaks about the academic and social benefits of being apart of the organization and honor society. To contact us with questions, recommendations, and/or feedback, please email studentlife@bergen.edu -The SLC Team

Listen to Dr. John Findura speak about his role and all of the great things going on at the Award Winning Tutoring Center. Let this episode ease you up, before finals.  To contact us with questions, recommendations, and/or feedback, please email studentlife@bergen.edu -The SLC Team

Annie and Danielle preview all the events Bergen as to offer in the first half of December. For more information, check out Bergen.edu/Events  To contact us with questions, recommendations, and/ or feedback, please email studentlife@bergen.edu.

Annie and Danielle sit down with Academic & Personal Counselor Jessica Peacock. Jessica speaks about safe spaces an everything Bergen Community College has to offer its students. To contact us with questions, recommendations, and/or feedback, please email studentlife@bergen.edu.

A new semester has opened up and we have added a new student element to the team. This episode we introduce the new voices of Bergen Bulldog Bytes, Annie Echeverry & Danielle Colon. Listen as they tell you what attracted them to the Bergen Community College and Student Life.  To contact us with questions, recommendations, and/or feedback, please email studentlife@bergen.edu. -The SLC Team

Welcome to summer 2021! This summer, we will be releasing episodes once or twice a month with topical information for the student experience! For our first episode of the summer (30th overall), listeners hear from Professor of History and Geography, and proud member of the Black History Month Committee, Professor Earl Taylor. Professor Taylor shares valuable information on the history of Juneteenth, which is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. Professor Taylor is personally connected to this work with his late great-great grandfather serving as a company cook in the Union Army under General Ulysses S. Grant. Juneteenth is one of the pillars of Black History Month and we hope to share this timely history with the broader college community. We hope our listeners enjoy!   Professor Earl Taylor can be reached via email at etaylor@bergen.edu. To contact us with questions, recommendations, and/or feedback, please email studentlife@bergen.edu. -The SLC Team

In this week's episode of Bergen Bulldog Bytes, listeners hear from another member of the Office of Student Life & Conduct. Matt Biggiani serves as the Student Leadership Commons Generalist. In this role, he supports student leaders and clubs at the college. Matt reviewed the 2020-2021 school year from a student engagement standpoint. Matt's leadership advice is, "change starts at the individual level and as a leader you have to speak it into existence." We thank Matt for the time that he took out of his busy schedule to record this episode. We hope our listeners enjoy. Matt can be reached via email at mbiggiani@bergen.edu.  This episode is the season finale of 3B! Greg Fenkart briefly previewed what's in store next academic year. We're going to use the summer to examine the delivery of our podcast so that it continues to meet the needs of our campus community. Keep an eye out for special summer 2021 episodes as well!  To contact us with questions, recommendations, and/or feedback, please email studentlife@bergen.edu. -The SLC Team

In this week's episode of Bergen Bulldog Bytes, listeners hear from Class of 2021 Valedictorian Crystal Yoo. A valedictorian is a term used for the top academic student in a graduating class. Crystal is both a non-traditional student and an international student from Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Crystal has a very bright future ahead of her and plans to become a physician in the future. Crystal's advice to current and future Bergen students is to get involved, use tutoring, ask questions, and "reach for the stars!" We thank Crystal for the time that she took out of her busy schedule to record this episode. We hope our listeners enjoy! Crystal can be reached via email at dyoo104127@me.bergen.edu. Listeners can learn more about the resilient class of 2021 here!  To contact us with questions, recommendations, and/or feedback, please email studentlife@bergen.edu. -The SLC Team

In this week's episode of Bergen Bulldog Bytes, listeners hear from proud Bergen student leader Yara Abazah. Yara serves as the Vice President of Organization for the STEM Student Union. This is the student organization associated with the STEMatics Program at the College. Yara shares her journey to Bergen and more about what the STEM Student Union has to offer! This student organization fosters inclusivity where all students can feel comfortable and confident in exploring any STEM-based topic. We thank Yara for the time that she took out of her busy schedule to record this episode. We hope our listeners enjoy! Yara can be reached via email at yabazah@me.bergen.edu for information about the STEM Student Union. Luis De Abreu can be emailed via email at ldeabreu@bergen.edu for information about the STEMatics Program.  To contact us with questions, recommendations, and/or feedback, please email studentlife@bergen.edu. -The SLC Team

Listeners hear from Supervisor of Vocational Development & Career Placement Eric Meccia and Student Advocate Jonah Gold. They are both representing the Turning Point Program. This is a two-year postsecondary experience for young adults with intellectual disabilities interested in academic, vocational and social enrichment. Listeners hear more about the logistics and student experience of the program from Erin. Then, Jonah shares some of his favorite memories in the program and provides advice for future Turning Point students. Our guests embody the concept of access to education for all and encourage all students to "spread their wings and fly." We thank our guests for the time that they took out of their busy schedules to record this episode. We hope our listeners enjoy! Individuals wishing to contact the Turning Point program can do so by emailing turningpoint@bergen.edu. Erin can be contacted at emeccia@bergen.edu and Jonah can be contacted at jgold125150@me.bergen.edu.  To contact us with questions, recommendations, and/or feedback, please email studentlife@bergen.edu -The SLC Team

In this special podcast episode, host Jared Farra interviews Joli Nelson from the Office of Student Life & Conduct. Joli is an expert on all things Commencement 2021! Jared poses important questions to Joli about this year's commencement exercises. This episode was recorded on April 13th.  Commencement will take place virtually this year on Thursday, May 13th at 5:30 PM. For all information regarding Commencement visit, grad.bergen.edu. Listeners can route direct questions to studentlife@bergen.edu.  To contact us with questions, recommendations, and/or feedback, please email studentlife@bergen.edu.  -The SLC Team

In this week's episode of Bergen Bulldog Bytes, listeners hear from Student Government Association (SGA) Chief Justice Melissa Jara. As Chief Justice, Melissa serves as the Elections Chair for the 2021-2022 Executive Board elections. Melissa is joined by host-turned-guest Ian Wolf who advises the SGA Elections Committee. Listeners learn about what the SGA does and how it promotes student needs. The 2021-2022 academic year will be rather unique and the SGA Executive Board will play a large part in advocating for students. Melissa and Ian share key information about this year's SGA elections. We thank Melissa for the time that she took out of her busy schedule to record this episode. We hope our listeners enjoy! Students can find more information about the SGA elections at bergen.edu/sga. Melissa can be reached via email at sgachiefjustice@me.bergen.edu.  To contact us with questions, recommendations, and/or feedback, please email studentlife@bergen.edu -The SLC Team

In this week's episode of Bergen Bulldog Bytes, listeners hear from the Co-Chairs of our Asian Heritage Month Committee, Associate Professor of Psychology Mina Ahn and Managing Director of the Center for Innovation in Teaching and Learning Amarjit Kaur. The third Co-Chair but unable to attend this recording is Joan Liu-Divizio, Associate Professor of Library Services.  Mina and Amarjit share their journeys to Bergen and how they both have a deep passion for teaching and educating the next generation of students. Then, they review the series of programming for the 2021 Asian Heritage Month at the College which runs the entire month of April! The theme for this year is very timely, Rebuilding Better Together. We thank Mina and Amarjit for the time they took out of their busy schedule to record this episode. We hope our listeners enjoy! Bergen community members can learn more about the programs for Asian Heritage Month by visiting bergen.edu/events throughout the month of April! Mina can be reached via email at mahn@bergen.edu and Amarjit can be reached via email at akaur@bergen.edu. To contact us with questions, recommendations, and/or feedback, please email studentlife@bergen.edu. -The SLC Team

In this week's episode of Bergen Bulldog Bytes, listeners hear from Academic & Personal Counselor Jessica Peacock. Jessica shares with listeners her journey to Bergen and what she does to support students from a holistic point of view. Counselor Peacock shares with us how students can become connected to personal counselors on campus in our hybrid environment. Jessica leaves listeners with practical tips for coping with stress and anxiety. We hope that students reach out for support and assistance when needed! We thank Jessica for the time she took out of her busy schedule to record this episode. We hope our listeners enjoy! Students can learn more about Health, Wellness, and Personal Counseling at this website. Jessica can be reached via email at jpeacock@bergen.edu. To contact us with questions, recommendations, and/or feedback, please email studentlife@bergen.edu. -The SLC Team

In this week's episode of Bergen Bulldog Bytes, listeners hear from proud Bergen student leader Raymond Yoon. Raymond is involved in several student clubs and other leadership opportunities across campus that be joined prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. These range from a leadership role in Phi Theta Kappa, to providing mentorship in the college's STEM program, and the focus of this episode as the president of the Computer Science Club. Raymond shares his journey to Bergen and how he hopes to leave his mark at Bergen through "the act of giving." We thank Raymond for the time that he took out of his busy schedule to record this episode. We hope our listeners enjoy! Raymond can be reached via email at ryoon@me.bergen.edu.  To contact us with questions, recommendations, and/or feedback, please email studentlife@bergen.edu -The SLC Team

In this week's episode of Bergen Bulldog Bytes, listeners hear from proud Bergen student leader Jade Tollis. Jade is the founder and current president of BCC Outdoors, a student organization focused on educating students about all things outdoors ranging from wildlife to land conservation. Jade shares her journey to Bergen and how she's blended her passion for both animals and educating others! Jade reminds listeners that even with the COVID-19 pandemic, the outdoors never closed and adventuring outside can help promote physical, mental, and emotional wellness. We thank Jade for the time that she took out of her busy schedule to record this episode. We hope our listeners enjoy! Students can learn more about the Outdoors Club by joining this Discord channel: https://discord.com/invite/MEAVTC6F. Additionally, students can email bergenbulldogsoutside@gmail.com for more information about the Outdoors Club. Jade can be reached via email at jtollis@me.bergen.edu.  To contact us with questions, recommendations, and/or feedback, please email studentlife@bergen.edu -The SLC Team

In this week's episode of Bergen Bulldog Bytes, listeners hear from College President Dr. Eric Friedman, who began his tenure as the college's eighth president on January 1, 2021. President Friedman shares his journey to Bergen and his vision for bold, stable executive leadership at the college in the years ahead. Listeners will hear President Friedman's approach to "stretching students intellectually" and the importance he places on inclusive and intentional language. We thank President Friedman for the time that he took out of his very busy schedule to record this episode. We hope listeners enjoy! Bergen community members can learn more about President Friedman here. Dr. Friedman can be reached at efriedman@bergen.edu. To contact us with questions, recommendations, and/or feedback, please email studentlife@bergen.edu -The SLC Team

In this week's episode of Bergen Bulldog Bytes, listeners hear from the Co-Chair of our Women's History Month Committee Assistant Professor of Composition & Literature Caroline Kelley. Listeners hear Professor Kelley's journey to Bergen as "military brat" and her familial connection to Bergen County. Then, Professor Kelley reviews the series of programming for the 2021 Women's History Month at the College which runs the entire month of March! The theme for this year is the Women (Re)writing History. We thank Caroline for the time she took out of her busy schedule to record this episode. We hope our listeners enjoy! Bergen community members can learn more about the programs for Women's History Month by visiting bergen.edu/events throughout the month of March! Caroline can be reached via email at ckelley@bergen.edu.  To contact us with questions, recommendations, and/or feedback, please email studentlife@bergen.edu.  -The SLC Team

In this week's episode of Bergen Bulldog Bytes, listeners hear from proud Bergen student leader Allen Herrera. While no student is a "traditional student" at Bergen Community College, Allen considers himself a non-traditional student arriving at Bergen when he was 25 years old. He shares this unique outlook on college life through the episode. Allen also has leadership roles in the Math Club, Phi Theta Kappa, and through the College's Turning Point Program. Allen shares a few defining moments from his time at Bergen, his perspective of getting involved during the pandemic, and how to balance competing interests in one's life. We thank Allen for the time that he took out of his busy schedule to record this episode. We hope our listeners enjoy! Allen can be reached via email at aherrera50829@me.bergen.edu.  To contact us with questions, recommendations, and/or feedback, please email studentlife@bergen.edu -The SLC Team

In this week's episode of Bergen Bulldog Bytes, listeners hear from Bergen Community College Athletic Director and eSports Coach Jorge Hernandez. While the COVID-19 pandemic has paused many in-person athletic competitions, Jorge has been busy establishing Bergen's eSports Team. Listeners will hear Jorge's interesting journey to Bergen as well as his "jump in the pool" approach to starting the college's eSports Team. Jorge does a terrific job of connecting eSports to future employment, citing all of the jobs that eSports has created in recent years. Hear him talk about this growing trend! We thank Jorge for the time that he took out of his busy schedule to record this episode. We hope listeners enjoy! Interested students can join this Discord and should complete this eSports Registration form to join the team. Jorge can be reached via email at jhernandez@bergen.edu.  To contact us with questions, recommendations, and/or feedback, please email studentlife@bergen.edu -The SLC Team