RANDOLPH — Dr. Anthony J. Iacono, president of County College of Morris, has been named the 2026 Chief Executive Officer for the Northeast Region by the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT).
The award recognizes exceptional leadership among community college presidents throughout the Northeast, honoring Iacono’s commitment to expanding pathways to higher education and career advancement.
“I am truly humbled and honored, considering the many exceptional presidents throughout the region, to be selected as ACCT’s CEO of the Northeastern region,” Iacono said. “My deepest gratitude to CCM’s Board of Trustees for their nomination, trust and continued support.”
Paul R. Licitra, chair of CCM’s Board of Trustees, said Iacono’s leadership has elevated the college while keeping students at the center of every decision, and that his ability to expand academic opportunities and build partnerships has strengthened the college’s impact throughout Morris County and beyond.
Under Iacono’s leadership, CCM has connected students to degree and certificate programs while helping ensure businesses have access to needed talent, through initiatives including College Promise Programs that create pathways to college for local high school students. CCM graduates rank among the highest paid alumni from community college graduates in New Jersey.
The college continues to expand its facilities and partnerships, including the soon-to-open 80,000-square-foot Center for Health Professions, an Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering Center, and the Center for Entrepreneurship & Culinary Science, developed with the Morris County Chamber of Commerce and home to the Culinary and Hospitality Arts Institute of New Jersey. The Morris County Career Training Center, operated by the Morris County Vocational School District, opened on the CCM campus last year, further expanding opportunities for high school students.
CCM will soon launch Dental Hygiene, Dental Assisting and Dental Radiography programs in its Center for Health Professions, supported by a $1 million grant from the Delta Dental of New Jersey Foundation. The college was also selected as one of only two New Jersey community colleges to partner with the AI Hub at Princeton University and the New Jersey Council of County Colleges for the state’s first U.S. Department of Labor Registered Data Scientist AI Apprenticeship grant. Among its newest initiatives is CCM’s Cyber Security Center and Ethical Hacking Lab, the first in New Jersey to be endorsed by the Department of Homeland Security.
During Iacono’s tenure, CCM has earned one of the highest graduation and transfer rates among New Jersey’s community colleges. College officials say the growth in facilities and programs has strengthened CCM’s role as a partner to local businesses and industries, supporting workforce development and economic mobility throughout Morris County.
Iacono also thanked CCM’s faculty, staff and administration, as well as ACCT, for their roles in the college’s work. The Association of Community College Trustees is a nonprofit representing more than 6,500 elected and appointed trustees who govern more than 1,000 community, technical and junior colleges in the United States and beyond.
For more information about CCM, visit ccm.edu.
