Dr. Christopher Nagy, Superintendent of Schools

Dr. Nagy graduated from St. John Lateran University in Rome, Italy with both a Bachelor of Philosophy and Bachelor of Theology degrees. While in Rome, he also earned his Master of Arts in Theology from St. Thomas University. He returned to the United States and began his formal career in education in Bethlehem, PA in a private school. He taught Latin and Theology as well as gained a love for working with students both in the classroom as well as while serving as a club advisor and assistant athletic director. After a short time at the school, Dr. Nagy was asked to take on additional duties including the role of vice principal and oversight of school finances. He earned his Master’s in Education in Educational Leadership and administrator certifications from Lehigh University in 1993.

Dr. Nagy transitioned to public education as a high school assistant principal in Allentown, New Jersey where he was promoted to high school principal in 1999; he worked in this position for 11 years. While there, Dr. Nagy positioned the school to be recognized among the top 100 schools in New Jersey by NJ Monthly Magazine. During this time, Dr. Nagy earned his Doctorate of Education in Educational Administration from Widener University and was the first in his class to publish his dissertation as a book: The Alternate Route Teachers' Transition to the Classroom: A 21st Century Perspective on the Journey for Those Who Seek Alternative Pathways to Teaching. In 2011, he assumed the role of Superintendent of Schools in Bergen County, NJ where he had oversight of two high schools and the Region III North Jersey Autism Center. As Superintendent, he increased academic achievement, established a one-on-one student laptop initiative, created a character education platform to include social and emotional (SOMO) wellbeing skill development, and implemented a social media platform for the district. He also created a special education program at the high schools to integrate special needs students with autism: The Valley High School Program, a first for the district and region.  The work gained recognition from the NJ Dept. of Education and was awarded a grant to promote integration of special education students into regular education settings. Based on the work accomplished in the district, Dr. Nagy published two articles for AASA (American Association of School Administrators) one on Postive Psychology and Social and Emotional Learning and a second on Emotional Intelligence and Coaching to Expand Leadership. 

In 2014, after three years in Bergen County, Dr. Nagy received the opportunity to leverage his administrative footprint in post-secondary education and career technical education in a duel role as the principal of the Adult Division of the Burlington County Institute of Technology and the Burlington County Apprentice Coordinator. At BCIT, he increased student enrollment and apprenticeships, expanded course offerings and programs, established a summer session, revised the website, created a job posting board for employers, and worked closely with county entities to promote job creation, training and youth partnerships while working on the promotion of partnerships with Rowan College at Burlington College. Given the success and turnaround of the program, Dr. Nagy then became the shared Assistant Superintendent for Special Education at the Burlington County Special Services School District and Burlington County Institute of Technology. At BCSSSD, he quickly engaged in the shepherding of the restructure of the BCSSSD Westampton Campus and newly formed partnership with Bancroft at Burlington County. As Superintendent, he also engaged in a process to expand programs as well as enhance the infrastructure, Child Study teams, curriculum and instruction, data, social media, web presence, district technology plans, establishment of District Curriculum Council, special education transition programs, emergent workforce development opportunities and in demand employer needs such as the newest launch of the School of Construction Technology among other innovations.

During his time as Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Nagy is proud of the work that the staff and administration have accomplished many of which are highlighted in the District Points of Pride for BCIT and BCSSSD. Dr. Nagy is focused on the future and has been dedicated to a process to create the future that does not yet exist. In addition to following futurists, Dr. Nagy has been engaged in conversations with the Stanford University D (Design) School and related futurists and thought leaders about the future of education.  

On Dr. Nagy’s homepage for both BCIT and BCSSSD, one can follow his blog, YouTube Leadership Sparks Series, select professional reading list, social media, select publications and related information of interest.

Dr. Nagy is a believer in being a lifelong learner and leading by example: in March 2016, he earned his certification in Applied Positive Psychology from the Flourishing Center in NYC to benefit the students and staff of both the BCSSSD and BCIT districts. Dr. Nagy has taught doctoral courses at Delaware Valley University and currently at Rider University on topics related to Technology in the Classroom and the Future, curriculum and instruction, leadership, technology, diversity, societal change and special education. He is a former president of the Northern Valley Administrators Consortium and Upper Freehold Administrator’s Association and was the former NJ Department of Education Legal Chair for the Board of Examiners. Dr. Nagy is the former treasurer to the NJ Council of County Vocational-Technical Schools, member of the Burlington County Workforce Development Board and member of the Burlington County Education and Youth Services Collaboration Committee.

September 2017: The Burlington County Chamber of Commerce named Dr. Nagy one of 25 Burlington County Emerging Leaders.

January 2019: Dr. Nagy was selected among Burlington County business leaders with the Voice of Business Award for Personal Excellence for the category of 26 or more employees.

Reappointments 2020-2023: Dr. Nagy was re-elected for a three-year term to the Burlington County Regional Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.

October 2020: Dr. Nagy was elected to the New Jersey Council of Education. 

May 2017 and May 2022: BCAS Named National School of Character and Lumberton Campus State School of Character and other campuses with Honorable Mentions

August 2021: BCIT District named NJDOE Lighthouse School District for Equity

May 2022: BCSSSD Innovations in Special Education Award for Pioneer Posh Launch

Selected publications by Dr. Nagy are:

Nagy, C. (July 8, 2021). School Rubric Global Take International Panel. Connecting Education After the Pandemic.

Nagy, C. (July, 2021). A glimpse at the challenges to post-pandemic educational environment. Global Insights Magazine No. 006, pp.8-9.

Nagy, C. (October 28, 2020). NJ Association of School Administrators. Frontline Leadership for Extraordinary Times – Interview with Dr. Christopher Nagy.

Nagy, C. (2020). Producer and Host of DisruptEd-TV Leadership Sparks series (50 Programs on Youtube).

Nagy, C. (November, 2019). BCIT embraces AI, AR and VR to enhance CTE programs.Trades and Unions Magazine.

Nagy, C. (August 17, 2018). Managing generational differences: opportunities or obstacles? DisruptEd TV Magazine Medium.

Nagy.C. (May 23, 2018). A case for how disruption leads to innovation. DisruptEd TV Magazine Medium.

Nagy, C. (November, 2017). The why of a career and technical education now and the future. LinkedIn

Nagy, C. (November, 2017). BCIT welders are a bead away from success. Trades and Unions Magazine.

Nagy, C. (September, 2017). BCIT Creating opportunities for future employment in the trades.Trades and Unions Magazine.

Nagy, C. (August, 2016). What do the sneaker company ASICS, positive wellbeing research and school systems have in common? LinkedIn.

Nagy, C. (April, 2013). From pilot to longitudinal study: Positive psychology’s synergistic influence on social and emotional development in school districts. American Association of School Administrators New Superintendent’s E-Journal.

Nagy,C. (September, 2012). Convergence of positive psychology, emotional intelligence and coaching to expand leadership capacity and wellbeing in district. American Association of School Administrators New Superintendent’s E-Journal.

Nagy, C.J. & Wang, N. (2010).  The alternate route teachers’ transition to the classroom: A 21^st Century Perspective.  Saarbrucken, Germany:  Lambert Academic Publishing AG & Co. KG.

Nagy, C. J. & Wang, N. (Spring, 2007).  Alternate route teachers’ transition to the classroom: Preparation, support, and retention.  National Association of Secondary School Principals Bulletin, 91(1), 98-113. 

Nagy, C.J. & Wang, N. (April, 2006).  Alternate route teachers’ transition to the classroom: Preparation, support, and retention. Paper presented at the 2006 annual meeting of the American Educational Research Association, San Francisco, CA. and published in ERIC (ED493018).

Behre, W.J., Frank, D.L., Seaton, G., MacDonald, C. M. & Nagy, C.J. (NJ Department of Education, 2008). The new jersey alternate route program: A curriculum review from perspectives of alternate route instructors, alternate route mentors and the teachers they guide.

Dr. Ashanti Holley, Assistant Superintendent 

Dr. Ashanti Holley was born, raised, and educated in Willingboro, NJ.  After graduating from Willingboro High School, Ashanti left home to attend Winston-Salem State University in North Carolina, where she completed her Bachelor’s Degree in Special Education. While a student at Winston Salem, Dr. Holley was a member of the distinguished WSSU Marching Rams band, led multiple voter registration drives on campus, volunteered as a Big Sister at the local YMCA, and enjoyed her role as a Resident Assistant. Upon completion, she returned home to begin a career as a special education teacher in Willingboro Township, NJ, educating at the secondary school level.   From there she was employed as a Vice-Principal at New Brunswick High School, New Brunswick, NJ. and quickly advanced to the role of Principal at Perth Amboy High School, Perth Amboy, NJ. As an administrator at New Brunswick High School, Dr. Holley was instrumental in the awarding and monitoring of a federal Small Learning Communities grant of approximately half a million dollars, Johnson & Johnson’s Bridge to Employment and creation of Small Learning Communities. As Principal at Perth Amboy High School, Dr. Holley was instrumental in the development of the Freshman Academy which boosts a 1 to 1 Chromebook initiative, AP courses, implementation of the AVID program,  partnership with NJIT for freshman scholars, creation of Career and Technical Education Academies and a host of curriculum initiatives that improved test scores.  While serving in both districts, Dr. Holley collaborated with the  New Jersey School Development Authority in the planning, designing and building of New Brunswick High School (2010) and Perth Amboy High School (2023). 

During Dr. Holley’s  entire pedagogical career, she has been a role model to the younger student population.  The well-being of children is paramount to her, and she has made it her life’s work to aspire them to reach for the stars.  She has not only advocated excellence, she has offered herself as a living example to them, by earning her first Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership, followed by a second Master’s in Counseling from Wilmington University. She earned a  Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Rowan University. Her dissertation is entitled: Support for Alternative Route (AR) teachers in the New Jersey Public School System. Dr. Holley has also offered instruction as an adjunct professor at Concordia University. She constantly continues to keep abreast of the ever-changing trends in education, continuing her educational excellence through professional development and training, earning additional credits and certifications in Human Resources at Rutgers’ University. Additionally she has the following state certifications: Teacher of the Handicapped, Guidance Counselor, Supervisor, Principal and School Administrator. She is currently working towards state certification as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC).  

Dr. Holley has facilitated a variety of Professional Development workshops on some of the following topics: Turnaround Leadership, Differentiated Instruction, Classroom Management, Inclusion and Diversity, Culturally Responsive Classrooms, Cultural Sensitivity and Social Emotional Learning to name a few. 

Ongoing community service includes mentorship and tutoring of at-risk students, adding her premier collaboration skills to several philanthropic efforts including participation in yearly Christmas Toy giveaways for 350-plus Willingboro youth elementary school children per year; providing turkeys and all the trimmings, to hundreds of local and county residents during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays as well as monetary support for free pre-first-day-of school hair-cuts to community youth. She also provides numerous community service programs to local and county recipients. Examples of these endeavors include volunteering at the Burlington County Animal Shelter and Poised Elegant and Responsible Ladies (PEARLS). Dr. Holley also co-founded Students With Ambitious Goals (SWAG), a non profit organization that offers cultural, social and educational experiences and opportunities to older teens, grades nine through twelve. A premiere component of this organization is an annual college tour to HBCU institutions. Additionally, Dr. Holley is a member of the Burlington County Women’s Advisory Council.

Dr. Holley was named WSSU’s prestigious, Alumni Achiever award based on accomplishments in her career, service, and community work. Dr. Holley was also awarded WSSU’s Top Forty under 40 for making positive changes in the world.

Dr. Holley has active memberships in Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated; New Jersey Principals and Supervisors Association (NJPSA); Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD) and American Association of School Personnel Administrators (AASPA). 

Mr. Eder Joseph, Assistant Superintendent

Eder Joseph served as the principal at Pemberton Township High School for seven years. He joined Pemberton from Woodbury Junior-Senior High School, where he served as principal for two years. Prior to that, he spent six years as the assistant principal at Helen Fort/Newcomb Middle School in Pemberton. His additional experiences include serving as assistant principal for Orange High School in Orange, NJ; as a 5th-grade elementary and special education teacher in Pemberton's Haines Elementary School, and as a special education teacher at Hubbard Middle School in Plainfield, NJ.

Mr. Joseph holds a Bachelor's degree in Elementary and Special Education from Daemen College in Amherst, NY, and a Master's degree in Educational Administration from Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, Arizona. He has earned a certification in Diversity and Inclusion from Cornell University and Leadership and Management certification from Harvard University. He has received specialized training from The Principal's Center for Educational Leadership, School Development Program from Yale Child Study Center, and The Leadership Academy through Performance Excellence Group: Baldrige Institute.

During his tenure at Pemberton Township High School, he helped lead a school-based initiative to earn certification for Future Ready Schools. He spearheaded a social-emotional and comprehensive Character Education program receiving both State School of Character and National School of Character distinctions. Mr. Joseph helped to develop a peer mentoring program supporting 9th-grade students in their transition to high school. He led a partnership with the National Math and Science Initiative to provide professional development and instructional strategies to increase Advance Placement participants at the high school level. He helped to create partnerships with area businesses to provide students with Work Based Learning opportunities and helped to expand Career and Technical Education program offerings at the high school. Eder served as the Perkins Secondary Project Director and Perkins Data Coordinator, where in that role, he took leadership and oversight of Perkins and related grants. 

Mike Parker, Principal, Medford Campus

As a lifetime resident of Burlington County, Michael Parker has been an educator for 20+ years, first as a teacher, coach and more recently as an administrator. Upon graduating from The College of New Jersey with a Bachelor’s Degree in Technology Education, Mr. Parker began teaching technology education classes at Burlington Township High School. During this time, he held the positions of head baseball coach, assistant football coach and assistant basketball coach. After earning his Master’s degree in School Leadership from Wilmington College, he was named Assistant Principal at Northern Burlington Regional School District for almost 3 years before being named Assistant Principal at BCIT-Medford.  Mr. Parker was then promoted to principal in 2007 at the Medford Campus. 

Joseph Venuto, Principal, Westampton Campus

Joseph Venuto began his teaching career as a Social Studies teacher and two years later, he became a member of the Burlington County Institute of Technology’s staff in 1998 at the Westampton Campus.  As a teacher, he coached soccer, wrestling, and became an integral part of the culture and tradition of the BCIT family.  Mr. Venuto earned his Master’s degrees in Education and School Administration from Wilmington University.  Upon completion of his degree work, he was promoted to the role of Assistant Principal at the Medford Campus for three years.  Mr. Venuto was then selected as the Westampton Campus building principalin 2007. Mr. Venuto is an active member of his professional association where he has served as President of the Burlington County Principals and Supervisors Association.

Fred Aiken, Assistant Principal, Westampton Campus

Dr. Fred Aiken first started in the Burlington County Institute of Technology School-to-Work office assisting students with career placement and post-secondary opportunities. Beginning in 1998, Dr. Aiken served as the Assistant Principal at the Medford Campus-- and more recently, he became a member of the administration at the Westampton Campus in the same capacity as an Assistant Principal.  Dr. Aiken earned his undergraduate degree from University of Georgia and his Doctoral degree from Temple University . Over the years as an educator, Dr. Aiken has coached football, basketball, and baseball at the high school level in both Georgia and in New Jersey.  Dr. Aiken oversees the career and technical education areas at BCIT-Westampton.

Heidi Bouchard, AD & Assistant Principal, Medford Campus

A graduate of Pemberton Township High School, Mrs. Bouchard pursued her undergraduate degree in History at Rutgers University where she was also a member of the Field Hockey team.  Upon obtaining her degree, she began her teaching career as a History teacher at Helen A. Fort Middle School where she taught for two years before moving on to become a History Teacher at Pemberton Township High School.  Having a desire to continue her academic pursuits, Mrs. Bouchard received her Master's Degree in Educational Administration from the University of Scranton and then taught at the high school level for a number of years before she became the Athletic Director/Health & Physical Education Supervisor K-12 in Pemberton Township School District.  After serving in that position for a few years, she joined the BCIT-Medford administrative team in the dual role of Athletic Director/Assistant Principal and soon after as  Assistant Principal with oversight of Guidance, I&RS, and 504’s as well as 12th grade discipline.  Believing in the value of lifelong learning, Mrs. Bouchard is pursuing her doctoral studies from Concordia University in Educational Leadership.  

Jesse Pappler, Assistant Principal, Adult Education

After graduating from Lenape High School in 2001, Mr. Pappler earned his undergraduate degree from Rowan University in Health and Exercise Science with a specialization in teacher certification. In the spring of 2006, he was hired to teach Health and Physical Education at the BCIT-Medford Campus. In addition to  his teaching experience, he served as an Assistant Boys’ Soccer Coach, Assistant Girls’ and Boys’ Basketball Coach and Head Baseball Coach. He was later tapped as the Head Teacher for the Health and Physical Education Department for a few years until August of 2015 when he was named Interim Assistant Principal and Athletic Director. In January of 2016,  Mr. Pappler was appointed full time Assistant Principal and Athletic Director. Mr. Pappler is an active member of the New Jersey Principals and Supervisors Association. In 2018 Mr. Pappler was appointed to lead the Adult Education Division as the Assistant Principal.

Laura Reigelsperger, Director of Pupil Personnel Services

Laura Reigelsperger is the Director of Pupil Personnel Services with oversight of Special Education and Guidance at the Burlington County Institute of Technology a new position established in July 2018. Laura Reigelsperger attended Trenton State College as a double major in criminal justice and sociology for her undergraduate degree. During her senior year, she was chosen to engage in an exchange program at California State University: Fresno to further study profiling. She attended Fordham University at Lincoln Center in New York City and received a Masters in Social Work Degree. Her professional experience spans from corrections, mental health, Head Start, crisis screening and school consultations for mental and CST. In 2002, she started working in schools as a member of the child study team and attended NJExcel to receive the Supervisor and Principal certifications. In her various roles, she has worked in two districts in Central and North Jersey as a Supervisor and Director of Special Services. Currently, she is enrolled in the doctoral program for Educational Leadership at Rowan University.  

Danielle Hartman, Director of Curriculum and Instruction

Danielle has been a passionate educator since 1996 and currently serves as the Director of Curriculum and Instruction for the Burlington County Institute of Technology. She holds her Bachelor’s degree in English and Secondary Education from Rowan University and her Master’s degree in Instructional Technology from Stockton University.  From that same university, she also earned her Certifications in Supervision and School Leadership. Having a penchant for educational technology, Mrs. Hartman is a frequent presenter at conferences such as Educon, TeachmeetNJ, and Teachmeet International. She is a founding member of  Edcamp NJ and is an avid proponent of the use of social media to promote good teaching and educational practices.  Based on her work, Mrs. Hartman earned the ISTE Sigol Award for Excellence in Online Teaching and was featured in Tech & Learning Magazine and the ePals website.  Mrs. Hartman has published multiple articles in Edudemic Magazine and in NJPSA's Educational Viewpoints.  

Valerie Lee, Assisant Principal, Westampton Campus

Valerie Lee is a familiar face at BCIT having more than 20 years of experience. She began her career at BCIT in 1993 as a teacher aid and then as a teacher of the handicapped in 1997 until 2005 when she was named Assistant Principal for the District. She remained at the Medford campus until 2010 and has been at the Westampton campus since that time.  Mrs. Lee earned her Bachelor’s degree in Teaching of the Handicapped from Rowan University, and a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Wilmington University.  Active in her professional associations, Mrs. Lee has served in the role as Vice President of the Burlington County Principals and Supervisors Association.

Lauren Milanowicz, AD & Assistant Principal, Westampton Campus

Lauren Milanowicz is a graduate of Lebanon Valley College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in History and Secondary Education. Her formal educational career began at BCIT-Westampton in 2006 as a Teacher of Social Studies. During this time, she served as a class advisor and soccer coach for both the boys and girls teams from 2006-2013. During this time, she earned her Master of Education degree in Educational Leadership from Strayer University and subsequently pursued administrator certifications from Delaware Valley College. In July 2014, she was offered the opportunity to serve the BCIT-Medford campus as the Assistant Principal/Athletic Director. One year later she transferred back to the Westampton campus to serve the district as Assistant Principal/Athletic Director. 

Currently Mrs. Milanowicz oversees all athletic and extracurricular programs and the Health/Physical Education department at BCIT-Westampton. She is also the 9th grade disciplinarian and manages the campus PRIDE program, which recognizes students and staff for their altruistic individual efforts.

Christian Pino, Assistant Principal, Medford Campus

Christian Pino graduated from The College of New Jersey (formerly Trenton State College) with a Bachelor’s degree in Education and subsequently earned a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Wilmington University.  Mr. Pino began his education career as a physical education teacher at the BCIT Westampton Campus-- and during that time, coached Varsity Basketball, Baseball, and Cross Country for many years. Mr. Pino was the Department Head Teacher and then was selected to be an Assistant Principal at BCIT at the Westampton Campus up until  he was asked to serve in the same role at the Medford Campus. Currently Mr. Pino oversees the Career and Technical Programs, all the clubs/activities, and many other facets of the building. He currently has over 25 years experience in the district.  Mr. Pino currently volunteers in his home town by coaching baseball, boy's and girl's basketball, and girl's soccer.