Rowan College of South Jersey board of trustees chair Gene Concordia (left) with new president Brendan Rickards, who has served as interim president since last July. He will replace Frederick Keating, who stepped down.
Rowan College of South Jersey has named Brenden Rickards – its interim president since July – president of all its associated colleges.
Rickards will be officially inaugurated as the institution’s second president on Tuesday, Sept. 29, with a time and place to be determined. He has served as interim president since July 1, a day after the resignation of Frederick Keating, the longest serving president in the 59-year-history of the college.
“It is an incredible honor to be named the second president of Rowan College of South Jersey,” Rickards said. “RCSJ’s student-centered culture reflects the heart of our institution – student success, engagement and community – and I am excited to build on that foundation.
“My goal is to strengthen access, innovation and partnerships that support our students at every stage of their journey, and I look forward to leading this college into its next chapter with energy, collaboration and purpose.”
Rickards has been associated with Rowan since 2007, according to the college website. He became a biology professor there after earning a doctorate in molecular biology from Princeton University. He has also had the roles of dean for the college’s STEM division and vice president and provost of academic services.
The Sewell native and 1995 high-school graduate also played a part in the 2019 merger of Cumberland County College and Rowan College of Gloucester County, the move to remote learning during COVID, and the expansion of Rowan at South Jersey’s partnership with Rowan University.
““I have had the honor of serving on the board of trustees for 24 years and watched Brenden grow into his various roles for 18 of those years,” noted Gene Concordia, chair of the college’s board of trustees. “At every event and with every interaction, Brenden has been consistent in his demeanor, which was even-keeled, approachable and humble, yet intelligent.
“He will both lead and represent this college well.”
Rickards plans to continue strengthening academic excellence, responding to the community and expanding opportunities for student success – goals the college says it’s been building on in recent years.
