May 4, 2026, Mays Landing, NJ – Atlantic Cape Community College announced today that its Board of Trustees has appointed Jason Abreu, Ed.D., as the College’s next president. Dr. Abreu will succeed Dr. Barbara Gaba, who will retire on June 30, 2026, following nine years as president and a distinguished 40-year career in higher education.
Dr. Abreu currently serves as Vice President of Student Affairs at Tarrant County College’s Trinity River Campus in Fort Worth, Texas. He previously served as Associate Vice President of Enrollment Services and University Registrar at Furman University in Greenville, South Carolina, and held several leadership roles at Miami Dade College in Florida.
“On behalf of the Atlantic Cape Community College Board of Trustees, I am proud to welcome Dr. Jason Abreu as the College’s tenth president,” said Chairperson Daniel Money. “Dr. Abreu brings more than 20 years of higher education leadership experience, with a strong focus on student success, access, and institutional effectiveness. The Board looks forward to working with him as Atlantic Cape continues serving students and strengthening our communities.”
Dr. Abreu has leadership experience across the K-20 education sector and has worked with non-profit, private, and public partners to support student success, workforce readiness, and community engagement. He is widely recognized for cultivating collaborative, data-informed cultures that strengthen institutional effectiveness and improve the student experience.
“I am honored to join Atlantic Cape Community College and grateful to the Board of Trustees for the opportunity to serve as the College’s next president,” said Dr. Abreu. “As a first-generation college graduate, I know how profoundly higher education can change the trajectory of a student’s life. I look forward to working alongside Atlantic Cape’s faculty, staff, students, and community partners to meet the educational and workforce needs of Atlantic and Cape May counties and to become part of the South Jersey community.”
The Board of Trustees selected Dr. Abreu following a national presidential search. Four finalists participated in public forums at Atlantic Cape’s three campuses in April, giving faculty, staff, students, and members of the community the opportunity to meet the candidates and share feedback with the Board.
Dr. Abreu earned a Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership and a Master of Science in Leadership from Nova Southeastern University, and a Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies from Florida International University. He is also a graduate of the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators Certificate in Student Affairs Law and Policy.
Dr. Abreu’s full bio is available at atlanticcape.edu/president-elect.
Source: https://atlanticcape.edu/news/2026/05/president-abreu2026.php