News at 4Cs

Cape Cod Community College Welcomes New Deans for STEM and Health Sciences/Professional Studies

Cape Cod Community College (“4Cs”) has welcomed new senior leadership overseeing two of their largest academic areas of study. This semester, the West Barnstable-based institution introduced Dr. Marianne Targino-VanBeber as their new Dean of Health Sciences and Professional Studies and Dr. Ben Latigo as their new Dean of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM).

            Dr. Targino-VanBeber has been a prominent part of the Cape Cod Community College learning community since arriving in 2012 as an adjunct faculty member in the Nursing program. She joined the ranks of full-time faculty in 2015 as an Assistant Professor and rose to Professor status in 2020. During her time in the Nursing program, she served as Health Sciences Department Chair, Nursing Evening Option Coordinator, and Nursing Curriculum Committee Chair. With a passion for equitable student success, she has also served as Program Director/Principal Investigator of the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Nursing and Workforce Diversity (NWED) grant, managing a $2 million budget to increase preparation and representation among Nursing students. She earned her Ph.D. from the University of Sint Eustatius.

Dr. Latigo comes to 4Cs from the University System of Southern Maryland where he most recently served as Chief Academic Officer and Interim Executive Director. With more than 30 years of higher education experience, he holds a Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Southern California and is a member of the American Society for Engineering Education and the American Institute for Aeronautics. During his career Dr. Latigo has brought academic excellence to institutions across the country including Daniel Webster College in New Hampshire, the University of District Columbia, and the University of Toledo. Now overseeing 4Cs’ nationally recognized Aviation Maintenance Technology (AMT) program, among others, he also brings a wealth of aviation management experience including service as a Presidential appointment as CEO of Uganda Airlines.

            “We are exceptionally proud to have Doctors Targino-VanBeber and Latigo helping lead our College and our students forward,” said Dr. John Cox, President of Cape Cod Community College. “It is an exciting time of growth and opportunity at 4Cs, with the launch of free community college via ‘MassReconnect,’ the significant expansion of online and Hyflex options in our classrooms, and the recent announcement of our new Title III grant, which will provide millions of dollars in student support services. Having Dr. Targino-VanBeber and Dr. Latigo join us in these senior roles will help advance our academic areas as we continue building our momentum. Our College is very fortunate to have them.”

            Dr. Targino-VanBeber will be leading programs that includes Nursing, Dental Hygiene, Funeral Service, Paramedic, Business Administration, Culinary Arts, and Hospitality and Tourism Management. In Dr. Latigo’s STEM area, he will lead academic programs including AMT, Engineering, Cybersecurity, Biology, Chemistry, and the new “Blue Economy” degree in Applied Economics and Ocean Environments.

            Spring classes at Cape Cod Community College start January 22, 2024 and are open right now. Application to the College is free and available online. Free college through the MassReconnect program is eligible for Massachusetts residents over the age of 25 with no previous degree. To check eligibility and get more information on how to get started go to capecod.edu/free.