John J. Blicharz, Ph.D., director of the Office of Academic Excellence at NYMC, has more than a decade of experience in higher education. His accomplishments include the development of academic support models, including academic coaching, peer and professional mentoring and tutoring, student performance interventions, and accommodation and accessibility services. He has served on university committees, including accreditation and strategic planning, and taught at undergraduate and graduate levels. In the spring of 2023, he and colleagues at his former university were awarded a $3 million Title V grant to support embedded tutoring in foundational writing courses, accessibility services, and additional retention initiatives. While at NYMC, he reorganized the Office of Academic Excellence to include the Division of Student Academic Support and the Division of Student Accommodations and Accessibility, which provide clear pathways to support services. Dr. Blicharz received his Ph.D. in literacy from St. John’s University and TESOL Certification from the Teachers College at Columbia University. He is a member of the College Reading and Learning Association and International Literacy Association, has served on e-boards, and has presented at regional and national conferences. His research includes academic support and retention strategies with an emphasis on belonging: “Students enter classrooms with cultures, beliefs, experiences, and knowledge. All of which affect their sense of belonging and how they interact with faculty, peers, and course materials. As educators, we must draw upon these components in our methods and strategies.”

Education

• B.A., English, New Jersey City University
• M.S., Criminal Justice, New Jersey City University
• Ph.D., Education, Literacy, St. John’s University
• TESOL Certification, Teacher’s College, Columbia University

Memberships and Affiliations

• College Reading and Learning Association
• Medical Education Learning Specialists