Selected for Her Long-Standing Contributions to the Success of Women and the Community
The Zonta Club of Morristown Area has selected Dr. Bette Simmons, Vice President of Student Development and 
Enrollment Management at County College of Morris (CCM), as the 2018 Woman of the Year.
The award is being presented to Simmons, of Morristown, for exemplifying what women and girls can achieve and her long-standing contributions to the community. She will receive the award at Zonta’s gala celebration on April 16.
“This is an honor truly befitting of Dr. Simmons, who works tirelessly both in her professional life and through her extensive volunteer activities to provide others with opportunities to succeed and reach their potential,” said Dr. Anthony J. Iacono, president of CCM. “We are honored and pleased to see Dr. Simmons recognized by such an esteemed organization.”
An international organization, Zonta consists of professionals focused on empowering women worldwide through service and advocacy so every woman can achieve her full potential.
“We selected Dr. Simmons for her long-standing presence in the local community, her contributions to the Girl Scouts of Northern New Jersey and her achievements at County College of Morris,” said Barbara J. Woodhull, president of the Zonta Club of Morristown Area.
Simmons began working in higher education in 1980 when she became the Assistant to the Dean of Students at CCM. She steadily advanced professionally as she held positions as Counselor, Assistant to the President and Affirmative Action Officer, Assistant Dean of Student Development, Dean of Student Development and her current position as Vice President of Student Development and Enrollment Management.
As the senior student affairs administrator on campus, Simmons supervises staff and programs in Academic Advisement, Admissions, Athletics, Campus Life, Career Services and Cooperative Education, Counseling Services, Enrollment Services, Financial Aid, Health Services, Records and Registration, and the Women’s Center.
She also is active in the Morris County community and currently is involved with the Morristown Neighborhood House, the Morris County Human Relations Commission, the Calvary Baptist Church Community Development Corporation, the Morristown Juvenile Conference Committee, the Girl Scouts of Northern New Jersey, Community Hope, Inc. and the Morris County Sexual Assault Advisory Board. In addition, she provides training for the Volunteers for Morris County as well as the Seton Hall University Board Leadership Institute.
Additionally, Simmons represents CCM and her profession nationally. She has sat on the board – nationally and regionally – of the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA), of which she has been a member for 20 years. Other associations she belongs to include the National Council for Student Development, the National Council of Black American Affairs, the National Association of Women in Education and the New Jersey Deans of Students Association. She also serves as a college evaluator for the Middle States Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools.
She is the recipient of numerous awards and recognitions, including the Morristown Neighborhood House Distinguished Volunteer Award, Morris County Phenomenal Woman of the Year Award, and Thiel College Distinguished Alumni Award. She also has been recognized by the NASPA Latino/a Knowledge Community for outstanding support and encouragement of Latinos in higher education, the New Jersey College Health Association in support of the promotion of college health, and the Displaced Homemaker Network of New Jersey, Inc. for outstanding contributions to women and families.