Brendan Rickards’ began his career at Rowan College of South Jersey by teaching biology at the Gloucester County campus.
Rowan College of South Jersey has announced that Brendan Rickards will assume the role of interim president on July 1, replacing Dr. Fred Keating.
Rickards has been with the college since 2007, according to its website. He began teaching biology at the Gloucester County campus a year after earning his doctorate in molecular biology from Princeton University. Rickards’ previous positions with the college include dean of its STEM division and vice president and provost of academic services.
“I’m looking forward to continuing to enhance the Rowan University partnership in this new role,” he said, “while taking projects already in development – including in manufacturing, the trades and various health-care programming – through to the finish line.”
Rickards played a major role in restructuring the college’s administrative positions and courses after its Gloucester County campus merged with Cumberland County College in 2019. He also helped transition classes to online in 2020, at the onset of COVID and after.
“When reflecting on Dr. Rickard’s work as a professor and provost, he has a unique understanding of and connection with students and faculty,” noted Gene Concordia, chair of Rowan’s board of trustees. “He brings that perspective into big-picture conversations with Rowan leadership that will serve our students well.
“The board of trustees looks forward to working with Dr. Rickards, building upon the success we have created as a team.”
Keating, the college’s president for 15 years, will step down after June 30. His time in the role marked the beginning of Rowan’s partnership with Rowan University in Glassboro and major expansions to the programs offered at the two campuses.
“Rowan College of South Jersey has a long history in both Cumberland and Gloucester counties of being an integral part of the community,” Rickards stated, “and I look forward to working with both counties to enhance opportunities available to residents to help them reach their goals.
“By fully immersing the college in the culture of the counties – as well as expanding opportunities for students with Rowan University – we look forward to supporting the ever-changing needs of our population.”
