During his nearly ten years of leading the school, Iacono has helped the County College of Morris earn a reputation for connecting its students to the local and state economy in a variety of sectors, including technology. That status was cemented when CCM was named one of only two community colleges selected for New Jersey’s first U.S. Department of Labor–Registered Data Scientist/AI Apprenticeship, a partnership with the Princeton-based New Jersey AI Hub. The 16 to 18month program blends classroom instruction with paid, on-the-job training, giving apprentices stackable credentials, nearly $50,000 in wages and a direct pathway into high-demand AI and data-science roles.
The AI Hub partnership builds on CCM’s longstanding identity as one of the state’s strongest technical colleges. Its Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering Center remains a statewide model for robotics, automation and engineering-tech training — a facility that continues to anchor employer partnerships with Siemens, Picatinny Arsenal and regional manufacturers.
This year, CCM expanded its economic efforts even further.
The new Morris County Career Training Center, a $26.8 million collaboration with the Morris County Vocational School District, adds 500 CTE seats in fields including AI, renewable energy, medical assisting, and supplychain management. A $1 million Delta Dental Foundation grant — the largest corporate foundation gift in CCM history — is fueling new Dental Hygiene and Dental Assisting programs within the forthcoming 80,000-square-foot Center for Health Professions.
CCM is also reshaping entrepreneurship and culinary education through the new Center for Entrepreneurship & Culinary Science, celebrated with chef David Burke, and a state-of-the-art baking kitchen developed with regional industry leaders. A strengthened partnership with Crum & Forster expands the College Promise Program for first-generation students.
Across every initiative, Iacono’s strategy is unmistakable: position CCM at the center of New Jersey’s workforce future — and deliver the talent that will power it. It’s why Iacono is No. 1 among community college presidents on our first BINJE’s Best: Higher Education leaders.
