Michael S. Dillard

“Ramapo College is like no other college or university. The personal relationships with faculty and staff have been cultivated even well after graduation. The one-on-one mentoring and guidance that I received from Dean Lewis Chakrin gave me the skills to be an effective leader in both long-term care and higher education. Also, the support and love that I received from the EOF department equipped me as a whole student and gave me the skills needed to be a responsible and engaged citizen.” – Michael S. Dillard ’07 graduated with a degree in Business Administration and a concentration in Management. He earned his Master’s in Public Administration from Rutgers University-Newark in 2010 and is pursuing a Doctorate in Educational Leadership with a concentration in Higher Education from Rowan University. His dissertation is scheduled for completion in August 2016. Michael is the Rutgers University-Newark Program Manager for RU Ready for Work, which is in the department of Office and University-Community Partnerships and Adjunct Professor for the School of Public Affairs and Administration (SPAA). Michael was selected as the 2016 Commencement Speaker for Barringer High School, his alma mater, because of his service to the City of Newark.

Michael remains active at Ramapo College as an EOF alumni board member and a member of the Alumni Advisory Board at Ramapo in the Anisfield School of Business where he serves as an advocate for the school and an adviser to the Dean. Michael also is an instructor in the Upward Bound Program at Seton Hall University where he teaches freshman seminar courses for incoming high school students. In addition, he facilitates student leadership forums with local, county and state affiliates to build strong community partnerships between the campus at large and the City of Newark. Michael’s most recent accomplishment was coordinating an upcoming panel discussion with members of the Newark Police Department and Essex County Prosecutors Office to create service opportunities of employment and mentoring for students.