PCCC President Dr. Steven Rose Passes Away

Written By Johanna Foudy

Image Credit: PCCC

On March 24^th, 2026, PCCC officials announced that the college President, Steven Rose, had passed away.

Dr. Rose joined the college staff in 1987, holding several other roles, including Vice President of Academic Affairs and Dean of Faculty.

He began his role as President of the college in 1996. With his tenure lasting over 30 years, Dr. Rose was the longest-tenured College President in the State of New Jersey.

His leadership was described as “transformative” by many. As the college President of Jersey City University, Andres Acebo states, “Dr. Rose's 30-year commitment to Passaic County Community College was a testament to something deeper than ambition. It was a calling.”

He continues, “[President Rose] understood that in communities where opportunity is too often scarce and unequally distributed, an accessible college education is not a luxury but a lifeline.”

In addition, Dr. Rose oversaw the expansion of the PCCC campus from Paterson to Wanaque, Wayne, and Passaic.

In a statement from Acting Secretary of Higher Education Margo Chaly, Chaly stated, “Dr. Rose’s belief in the power of an affordable and academically inclusive college education was unquestionable.”

Through his work, Dr. Rose had an impact not only on the college community but also on the statewide and regional communities.

He will be remembered for his down-to-earth nature and genuine care and support, which made students and colleagues feel important and valued.

His wife and two daughters survive him. Funeral services will be private; however, a memorial service will be held on campus in the coming weeks.

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A statement from the Visions Team:

"The Visions Team is deeply saddened by the passing of President Rose. Over the years, the Visions Team has worked closely with President Rose. He has made many contributions to the organization and was always friendly, kind, and excited to lend a hand to our reporting. He will be dearly missed."

A statement from Dr. Waldeyer:

"I was at the Middlestates Conference, December 10th-12th, and I actually felt like a proud daughter watching him speak as a keynote speaker. He was one of the most engaging speakers at the conference. He was always a big proponent of the community college mission, doing whatever he could to make the students' lives easier. He was always doing as much as he could to give students a leg up. I have always laughed with my students, trying to get them to talk to him. I know it was very intimidating to speak to a college president, but he was always willing to speak to students about any issue, even if it was only for a few minutes."

A statement from the Editor-In-Chief:

"I only ever spoke to President Rose once during my short time here at PCCC. However, from only my brief interaction with him, he was a very kind man, one you could immediately tell cared deeply about his job and the students here on campus. I hope he is resting peacefully, and I am sending immense love to his family during this time."