Cherry Hill Sun

Author: eliu

  • Seven council candidates vie for two seats

    Seven candidates – two of which are incumbents – are vying for two seats on the Cherry Hill Township Council in the election, Tuesday, Nov. 5.

    The following four candidates are vying for one, one-year term on the council listed alphabetically: Anna R. Adler for the Republican Party, incumbent Jill R. Hulnick for the Democratic Party, Mohammed Jawaad Hussain running independently for Advocate for Children and Nicole Nance running independently for Ebony Ivory 1124.

    The following three candidates are vying for one, three-year term on the council in alphabetical order: Incumbent Daniel V. Direnzo, Jr. for the Democratic Party, Judi Giacoboni-Russo for the Republican Party, and independent Stephen Heath, Jr. for Ebony Ivory 1124.

    All were asked to submit an election questionnaire. As of deadline, Adler, Giacoboni-Russo, and Heath had not responded before press time.

     Name: Daniel V. DiRenzo, Jr. (No photo was submitted)

    Age:  73

    How many years have you lived in Cherry Hill? 69 years

    Family: My family moved to Cherry Hill when I was four years old – almost a life-long resident. I graduated from Cherry Hill High School West and Rutgers University/Camden, and I am proud that my two children also graduated from West! My family is committed to public service. My son is a retired Cherry Hill Fire Department Captain and my daughter has a Master’s degree and teaches in an elementary school in Cherry Hill. My wife Lisa is the Administrative Assistant to the Principal at one of the high schools.  You will often see me at interscholastic sporting events cheering on my 4 grandchildren.  

    School and degree: Rutgers University with a BA in Education. Post graduate, I completed courses in the Rutgers University Edward Bloustein School of Planning & Public Policy (Municipal Finance Officer Program) and I understand the New Jersey Uniform Fire Safety Act and  Uniform Fire Safety Code.

    Profession:  Retired Fire Department Captain/Chief Financial Office. Retired Student Support Supervisor at West.

    Is this the first time you have run for the seat on the council?  Yes. This is my first time running for office.   I was appointed to fill a vacancy on the Township Council in January 2024 and  am currently serving on Council. 

    What is your involvement in the community? 

    I have been very active in my neighborhood civic association for many years and have served as Vice President, on the Township Joint Civic Association Board  and volunteered side-by-side with my neighbors on park clean-up projects. I served on the Township Zoning Board for 12 years, as well as on the Township-School District-Fire Department-Library Liaison Committee, the Cherry Hill Economic Development Committee, Mayor’s Citizen Advisory Boards and Cherry Hill School District Long Range Facilities Planning Committee. 

    Why are you running for an elected seat? 

    I have been proud to serve my community as a Council Member, as a volunteer, and as a Fire District Commissioner, and I hope that the community will elect me to serve as Council Member.  I am committed to working with everyone in Cherry Hill to make our community the best it can be. I I believe that my long-time commitment to Cherry Hill and experience serving in many different capacities gives me the knowledge and the perspective to serve our community. 

    What is one area you would like to concentrate on if elected?

    I have been focused on community outreach and engagement-to improve communication with residents and our neighborhoods, and if elected, will continue to listen to residents to make our government better.  We need to provide high quality municipal services and public safety initiatives, support our neighborhoods as they represent the heart of the town and bring our residents together with community events such as the Township Independence Day celebration which was on a hiatus for ten years.

    Name: Jill Hulnick

    Age:  45

    How many years have you lived in Cherry Hill? 10 years

    Family: Married to David Hulnick and a 9-year-old son Micah

    School and degree: BA in Economics from Tufts University, MBA from Harvard Business School 

    Profession: Nonprofit Consultant

    Is this the first time you have run for the seat on the council?  This is my first time running for office, however, I was appointed to township council in January where I have been serving as a councilwoman for the last 9 months.

    What is your involvement in the community? 

    I have been actively involved in the Cherry Hill community in various capacities. For nearly a year, I have served on the Town Council, which has given me a deeper understanding of our community’s needs and the importance of governance in addressing them. I am committed to continuing this work, using my skills and experiences to benefit our town.

    Beyond my role on the Council, my family and I are engaged in many local activities. We love cleaning up trails with the Environmental Board, listening to concerts at Barclay Farmstead, participating in Cherry Hill FC soccer matches, exploring the Cherry Hill Public Library, or biking around our neighborhood.

    In addition, I am actively involved with the Jewish Federation, where I serve on several committees. This February, my husband and I will once again co-chair the Federation’s Super Sunday and Community Mitzvah Day, a signature event that brings people together to support our community.

    Why are you running for an elected seat? 

    Through my career and volunteer work, I have supported national, statewide, and local organizations. While I’ve contributed to many great causes, I feel the greatest impact when supporting my immediate community. Since joining the Township Council in January, I’ve seen how we can effectively address local challenges alongside community partners. We have secured grants to enhance infrastructure, revived our community fireworks celebration, and resolved thousands of resident issues. I deeply appreciate the trust this community has placed in me and look forward to serving Cherry Hill for years to come.

    What is one area you would like to concentrate on if elected?

    Customer Service: Cherry Hill Township government’s primary purpose is to serve its residents and neighborhoods effectively and efficiently. As a council member, I will work with the mayor, township officials, fellow council members, and community organizations to enhance communications and responsiveness. This includes building on initiatives like the My Cherry Hill app and expanding our social media outreach.

    Name: Mohammed Jawaad Hussain, MD

    Age:  41

    How many years have you lived in Cherry Hill? Lived in Cherry Hill nine years

    Family: Married, three kids (two middle schoolers, one elementary school)

    School and degree: B.A. Biology at Swarthmore College then MD at SUNY Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn then Pediatric Residency at St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children, Philadelphia

    Profession: Pediatrician

    Is this the first time you have run for the seat on the board of education?  First time running for Cherry Hill Township Council.

    What is your involvement in the community? I have been working in southern New Jersey as a pediatrician for over 12 years. In recent years, I’ve volunteered as coach and assistant coach at the Cherry Hill Football Club and the New Jersey Flag Football League. Campaign website: VoteMJH.com

    Why are you running for an elected seat? My decision to run for Cherry Hill Town Council was inspired by many recent statements by the Surgeon General, Dr. Vivek Murthy. The Office of the Surgeon General has been sounding the alarms about the mental health crises affecting American families–whether its worsening childhood depression, the epidemic of loneliness, or undue parental stress. To confront these grave problems, we need community solutions. When I look at the current council, it is predominantly staffed by lawyers and businesspeople–there are no healthcare workers. I felt compelled to serve to help our community.

    What is one area you would like to concentrate on if elected?  My duty on the Cherry Hill Township council would be to ensure our community’s health is factored into every decision that is made. As a healthcare worker, I can provide a unique, informed perspective on how any decision made by the council would affect our community’s physical and mental health.  

    Name: Nicole Nance

    Age: 52

    How many years have you lived in Cherry Hill? Four years

    School and degree:  Bachelors Degree in Biblical Administration – JDT Bible College Training Center

    Profession: Clergy and Administration 

    Is this the first time you have run for the seat on the council? No

    What is your involvement in the community? Community Advocate and Community Health Worker

    Why are you running for an elected seat? I believe that elected officials should be people who are compelled or called to serve the greater good. I am running to see a recovery and restoring of why government exists. To be a representation of the people, for the people. To be the voice for community members who may not get to be heard any other way. We need to see taxpayer results in our town on the smallest to the largest levels.

    What is one area you would like to concentrate on if elected?  To be more engaging by making sure the ENTIRE town knows and stays updated about what’s going on in our town. By getting their input into some of the daily matters. By making sure that everyone doesn’t just get a “seat at the table” but helping my fellow Cherry Hillians realize – we “own the table” that contributes to the betterment of Cherry Hill.

    This article was updated on Tuesday, Oct. 15 to clarify that Jill Hulnick is running with the Democratic Party.

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  • Ten vie for three board of ed seats

    Ten candidates are vying for three seats on the Cherry Hill Board of Education in the election on Tuesday, Nov. 5.

    In alphabetical order, they are Omar Alkahily, David M. Bercovitch, Kurt Braddock, Nouruz Chowdhury, Dean Drizin, Ava Friddell, Samia Mian, incumbent Quadsia Birat Niaz, Bridget Palmer and Harvey Vasquez.

    Each candidate was asked to participate in a voter questionnaire. As of deadline, Alkahily, Nouruz Chowdhury, Palmer and Vasquez had not responded.

    Name: David M Bercovitch

    Age: 41

    How many years have you lived in Cherry Hill? I like to tell people that I married into Cherry Hill. I have lived in the township for approximately two years, but my wife grew up in Cherry Hill. Her brother grew up in Cherry Hill. Many of her cousins grew up in Cherry Hill. And they all still live in Cherry Hill. There is no greater testament to the quality of life and education in Cherry Hill than the amount of people who grew up here and then look to start their own family in the township. Very beautiful. 

    Family: I am married. I have three children, ages 7, 4 and 3. My oldest is in first grade at Woodcrest. My middle child will start kindergarten there next year, unless that changes with redistricting.  

    School and degree: I have a degree in sociology from George Washington University and I obtained my law degree from Villanova University Law School.

    Profession: I am a lawyer. I own my own law practice, which focuses on two practice areas, immigration and personal injury. 

    Is this the first time you have run for the seat on the board of education? Yes

    What is your involvement in the community? Over the years I’ve been involved in a number of organizations and groups that give back to the community. Currently, I am a board member of Jewish Community Relations Council. In this role, I help the Jewish community liaison with other stakeholders in our community. I have held leadership roles in congregations and was a board member at Congregation Mikveh Israel, the Synagogue of the American Revolution. It is one of the oldest congregations in the United States. I am one of the “founders” at the Chabad of Fairmount. I had the privilege of assisting in the planning and construction of their new building by Eastern State Penitentiary. I have a leadership position in the local chapter of American Immigration Lawyers Association. I serve as the liaison to the Office of the Principal Legal Advisor for our chapter. In this role, we advocate for fair and equal treatment of foreign nationals in our justice system

    Why are you running for an elected seat? My community involvement spans a number of organizations and groups that give back to the community. Currently, I am a Board member of Jewish Community Relations Counsel. Previously I held leadership roles in congregations. I was a Board member at Congregation Mikveh Israel, the Synagogue of the American Revolution. I am one of the “founders” at the Chabad of Fairmount. I had the privilege of assisting in the construction of their new building by Eastern State Penitentiary. For the American Immigration Lawyers Association, I serve as the liaison to the Office of the Principal Legal Advisor for our chapter.

    What is one area you would like to concentrate on if elected? Fiscal responsibility. The CHSD makes up over 60% of the Cherry Hill property taxes. The Board’s spending has a direct impact on your taxes. My top priority is to ensure tax payers do not have to pay more taxes because of the school district. We are fortunate enough to have an approximately $250,000,000 budget. There is room to analyze what programs are working and invest in those programs. At the same time let’s move on from areas that are not working. I am also running to improve academic achievement and communication. 

    Name: Kurt Braddock (no photo was submitted)

    Age: 43

    How many years have you lived in Cherry Hill? Almost five

    Family: Married, one child, 7 months old.

    School and degree: BA, business administration, from TCNJ, MA, communication

    Profession: Assistant professor of communication

    Is this the first time you have run for the seat on the board of education? Yes

    What is your involvement in the community? I have given pro bono talks on extremism, hate and bias at the local, regional, national and international levels.

    Why are you running for an elected seat? I would like to use the knowledge I have built as a communication researcher to (A) improve communication between the Cherry Hill BOE and the public (especially parents), (B) increase the efficiency of tax dollars spent in the Cherry Hill school district, and (C) ensure that all students in the Cherry Hill district can learn in an environment free of hate and bias. I also want to have an influence on the kind of learning environment that my daughter will be part of.

    What is one area you would like to concentrate on if elected? I think our main priority needs to be the improvement of academics in the district. To achieve that, though, we need to have communication and transparency between the Cherry Hill BOE and parents and teachers. Only through cooperation and collaboration between teachers and learners can we optimize how education is delivered. So, I’d like to focus on communicating directly with the public; we should all be cooperating so our students can reach their maximum potential.

    Name:  Dean Drizin

    Age:  40

    How many years have you lived in Cherry Hill?  Since June 2020

    Family: Married with two children, ages 6 and 4

    School and degree:  Dartmouth College (bachelor of arts, salutatorian, class of 2006), The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania (MBA in health-care management), University of Colorado School of Medicine (M.D.)

    Profession: I lead the corporate development office at a national, nonprofit home health-care company.  I also serve as a flight surgeon, (i.e., a primary care physician for pilots and naval aircrew) in the United States Navy Reserve.

    Is this the first time you have run for the seat on the board of education? Yes

    What is your involvement in the community? Active, lieutenant commander (O-4) in the United States Navy Reserve, volunteer service (e.g. such as planting American flags in honor of 9/11)

    Why are you running for an elected seat?   I am deeply invested in the success of our school district, as my children are early in their educational journeys and my family values education. My Mom served as principal of a public elementary school for over 25 years, ultimately leading her school to achieve recognition as a National Blue Ribbon School.  I witnessed how my Mom’s hard work, commitment to data-driven continuous improvement, and tireless support of her teachers contributed to the school’s success.  If I can serve on Cherry Hill’s Board of Education, I similarly commit to working hard and collaboratively to support our students, teachers, and administrators. 

    What is one area you would like to concentrate on if elected? If elected, one area I would like to concentrate on is academic preparedness in literacy and mathematics.  The upcoming election is particularly important for Cherry Hill, as next year’s board of education will be responsible for setting the school district’s five-year strategic plan.  None of the school district’s current (i.e., 2024-’25) goals focus on academic excellence (Source: CHPS District Goals 2024-2025).  If elected, one of my top goals would be to focus on developing and implementing targeted strategies to boost reading and math proficiency, including supporting the Cherry Hill School District’s professional staff and providing culturally relevant instruction. 

    Name: Ava Friddell

    Age: 19

    How many years have you lived in Cherry Hill? 19 years

    Family: Younger sister, 15.

    School and degree:  I have a diploma from Cherry Hill High School West and will graduate from Rowan College of South Jersey with an associate’s degree in psychology this spring. I will continue my education at Rowan University.

    Profession: I currently teach swim lessons to typical and neurodivergent children, most of whom are students in the Cherry Hill school district.

    Is this the first time you have run for the seat on the board of education? Yes

    What is your involvement in the community? Growing up I was involved in Girl Scouts, I have assisted my mom in various collections, such as school supplies and food drives. I have volunteered at 5Ks handing out water to participants. I have also worked as a lifeguard at local pools for the last three summers, and for the last two years, have taught swim lessons year round. 

    Why are you running for an elected seat? I am running for an elected seat to be a part of the change I want to see in the district, as well as to hopefully provide a new perspective as a recent graduate that our current board members and other candidates don’t have. 

    What is one area you would like to concentrate on if elected? There are many areas I would like to concentrate on if elected, but if I had to pick one it would be inclusion. To ensure that all students have the opportunity to take honors and AP classes and that their families are listened to when it comes to a student’s academics. 

    Name: Samia Mian

    Age:  44

    How many years have you lived in Cherry Hill? 11

    Family: Married, three children, 14, 12 and 9

    School and degree: University of California, Irvine, bachelor of science, Ross University School of Medicine – M.D.

    Profession: Physician and professor of medicine

    Is this the first time you have run for the seat on the board of education? Yes

    Why are you running for an elected seat? As a mother of three whose kids have attended Cherry Hill schools for 11 years, I appreciate the need for quality public school education. I will bring an evidence-based approach to decisions on the board, a skill I have developed through my 16 years of work as a physician serving the Cherry Hill and broader community. I look forward to promoting safe technology access to our kids, promoting arts and reading programs, and parental engagement, all of which are critical to student achievement. 

    What is one area you would like to concentrate on if elected? I feel strongly about implementing safe use of technology, especially in elementary schools. Technology access for our kids should be judicious and intentional. Similar to an evidence-based approach used in scientific studies, I would promote the need to consider goals for usage and whether it provides functional improvement to a learning task. While utilization of technology is the demand for our times, we need responsible technology access for our kids.


    Name:  Quadsia Niaz

    Age: 31

    How many years have you lived in Cherry Hill? 19

    School and degree: I have a master’s in public administration with a focus on community development from Rutgers-Camden.

    Is this the first time you have run for the seat on the board of education?  No. I am a board member for the Cherry Hill schools running for a full term. 

    Why are you running for an elected seat?

    I’m running for an elected seat to ensure every student, regardless of background or ability, receives a high-quality education rooted in the basics—Reading, Writing, and Arithmetic. Growing up with a disability, I faced challenges in a school system that wasn’t always inclusive, which drives my passion for equity in education. I believe all students deserve access to strong academic foundations, along with the support to excel. My goal is to promote policies that foster inclusion, accessibility, and core academic growth, preparing all students for success inside and outside the classroom.

    What is one area you would like to concentrate on if elected? I will concentrate on strengthening the fundamentals of education, while ensuring that all students, regardless of background, have access to the support they need to succeed. By promoting diversity and equity, I will work to create an inclusive environment where every student, from all walks of life, can excel in these core areas. I believe that a strong foundation in academics, coupled with a commitment to fairness and opportunity, is essential for preparing our students for future success.

    To learn more about the candidates, see the Candidate Forum posted on the District’s YouTube page at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tCEo63wNw8M&t=1680s.

    This article was updated on Oct. 16, 2024 to correct the Dean Drizin and David Bercovitch’s responses.

  • Ten vie for three board of ed seats

    Ten candidates are vying for three seats on the Cherry Hill Board of Education in the election on Tuesday, Nov. 5.

    In alphabetical order, they are Omar Alkahily, David M. Bercovitch, Kurt Braddock, Nouruz Chowdhury, Dean Drizin, Ava Friddell, Samia Mian, incumbent Quadsia Birat Niaz, Bridget Palmer and Harvey Vasquez.

    Each candidate was asked to participate in a voter questionnaire. As of deadline, Alkahily, Nouruz Chowdhury, Palmer and Vasquez had not responded.

    Name: David M Bercovitch

    Age: 41

    How many years have you lived in Cherry Hill? I like to tell people that I married into Cherry Hill. I have lived in the township for approximately two years, but my wife grew up in Cherry Hill. Her brother grew up in Cherry Hill. Many of her cousins grew up in Cherry Hill. And they all still live in Cherry Hill. There is no greater testament to the quality of life and education in Cherry Hill than the amount of people who grew up here and then look to start their own family in the township. Very beautiful. 

    Family: I am married. I have three children, ages 7, 4 and 3. My oldest is in first grade at Woodcrest. My middle child will start kindergarten there next year, unless that changes with redistricting.  

    School and degree: I have a degree in sociology from George Washington University and I obtained my law degree from Villanova University Law School.

    Profession: I am a lawyer. I own my own law practice, which focuses on two practice areas, immigration and personal injury. 

    Is this the first time you have run for the seat on the board of education? Yes

    What is your involvement in the community? Over the years I’ve been involved in a number of organizations and groups that give back to the community. Currently, I am a board member of Jewish Community Relations Council. In this role, I help the Jewish community liaison with other stakeholders in our community. I have held leadership roles in congregations and was a board member at Congregation Mikveh Israel, the Synagogue of the American Revolution. It is one of the oldest congregations in the United States. I am one of the “founders” at the Chabad of Fairmount. I had the privilege of assisting in the planning and construction of their new building by Eastern State Penitentiary. I have a leadership position in the local chapter of American Immigration Lawyers Association. I serve as the liaison to the Office of the Principal Legal Advisor for our chapter. In this role, we advocate for fair and equal treatment of foreign nationals in our justice system

    Why are you running for an elected seat? My community involvement spans a number of organizations and groups that give back to the community. Currently, I am a Board member of Jewish Community Relations Counsel. Previously I held leadership roles in congregations. I was a Board member at Congregation Mikveh Israel, the Synagogue of the American Revolution. I am one of the “founders” at the Chabad of Fairmount. I had the privilege of assisting in the construction of their new building by Eastern State Penitentiary. For the American Immigration Lawyers Association, I serve as the liaison to the Office of the Principal Legal Advisor for our chapter.

    What is one area you would like to concentrate on if elected? Fiscal responsibility. The CHSD makes up over 60% of the Cherry Hill property taxes. The Board’s spending has a direct impact on your taxes. My top priority is to ensure tax payers do not have to pay more taxes because of the school district. We are fortunate enough to have an approximately $250,000,000 budget. There is room to analyze what programs are working and invest in those programs. At the same time let’s move on from areas that are not working. I am also running to improve academic achievement and communication. 

    Name: Kurt Braddock (no photo was submitted)

    Age: 43

    How many years have you lived in Cherry Hill? Almost five

    Family: Married, one child, 7 months old.

    School and degree: BA, business administration, from TCNJ, MA, communication

    Profession: Assistant professor of communication

    Is this the first time you have run for the seat on the board of education? Yes

    What is your involvement in the community? I have given pro bono talks on extremism, hate and bias at the local, regional, national and international levels.

    Why are you running for an elected seat? I would like to use the knowledge I have built as a communication researcher to (A) improve communication between the Cherry Hill BOE and the public (especially parents), (B) increase the efficiency of tax dollars spent in the Cherry Hill school district, and (C) ensure that all students in the Cherry Hill district can learn in an environment free of hate and bias. I also want to have an influence on the kind of learning environment that my daughter will be part of.

    What is one area you would like to concentrate on if elected? I think our main priority needs to be the improvement of academics in the district. To achieve that, though, we need to have communication and transparency between the Cherry Hill BOE and parents and teachers. Only through cooperation and collaboration between teachers and learners can we optimize how education is delivered. So, I’d like to focus on communicating directly with the public; we should all be cooperating so our students can reach their maximum potential.

    Name:  Dean Drizin

    Age:  40

    How many years have you lived in Cherry Hill?  Since June 2020

    Family: Married with two children, ages 6 and 4

    School and degree:  Dartmouth College (bachelor of arts, salutatorian, class of 2006), The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania (MBA in health-care management), University of Colorado School of Medicine (M.D.)

    Profession: I lead the corporate development office at a national, nonprofit home health-care company.  I also serve as a flight surgeon, (i.e., a primary care physician for pilots and naval aircrew) in the United States Navy Reserve.

    Is this the first time you have run for the seat on the board of education? Yes

    What is your involvement in the community? Active, lieutenant commander (O-4) in the United States Navy Reserve, volunteer service (e.g. such as planting American flags in honor of 9/11)

    Why are you running for an elected seat?   I am deeply invested in the success of our school district, as my children are early in their educational journeys and my family values education. My Mom served as principal of a public elementary school for over 25 years, ultimately leading her school to achieve recognition as a National Blue Ribbon School.  I witnessed how my Mom’s hard work, commitment to data-driven continuous improvement, and tireless support of her teachers contributed to the school’s success.  If I can serve on Cherry Hill’s Board of Education, I similarly commit to working hard and collaboratively to support our students, teachers, and administrators. 

    What is one area you would like to concentrate on if elected? If elected, one area I would like to concentrate on is academic preparedness in literacy and mathematics.  The upcoming election is particularly important for Cherry Hill, as next year’s board of education will be responsible for setting the school district’s five-year strategic plan.  None of the school district’s current (i.e., 2024-’25) goals focus on academic excellence (Source: CHPS District Goals 2024-2025).  If elected, one of my top goals would be to focus on developing and implementing targeted strategies to boost reading and math proficiency, including supporting the Cherry Hill School District’s professional staff and providing culturally relevant instruction. 

    Name: Ava Friddell

    Age: 19

    How many years have you lived in Cherry Hill? 19 years

    Family: Younger sister, 15.

    School and degree:  I have a diploma from Cherry Hill High School West and will graduate from Rowan College of South Jersey with an associate’s degree in psychology this spring. I will continue my education at Rowan University.

    Profession: I currently teach swim lessons to typical and neurodivergent children, most of whom are students in the Cherry Hill school district.

    Is this the first time you have run for the seat on the board of education? Yes

    What is your involvement in the community? Growing up I was involved in Girl Scouts, I have assisted my mom in various collections, such as school supplies and food drives. I have volunteered at 5Ks handing out water to participants. I have also worked as a lifeguard at local pools for the last three summers, and for the last two years, have taught swim lessons year round. 

    Why are you running for an elected seat? I am running for an elected seat to be a part of the change I want to see in the district, as well as to hopefully provide a new perspective as a recent graduate that our current board members and other candidates don’t have. 

    What is one area you would like to concentrate on if elected? There are many areas I would like to concentrate on if elected, but if I had to pick one it would be inclusion. To ensure that all students have the opportunity to take honors and AP classes and that their families are listened to when it comes to a student’s academics. 

    Name: Samia Mian

    Age:  44

    How many years have you lived in Cherry Hill? 11

    Family: Married, three children, 14, 12 and 9

    School and degree: University of California, Irvine, bachelor of science, Ross University School of Medicine – M.D.

    Profession: Physician and professor of medicine

    Is this the first time you have run for the seat on the board of education? Yes

    Why are you running for an elected seat? As a mother of three whose kids have attended Cherry Hill schools for 11 years, I appreciate the need for quality public school education. I will bring an evidence-based approach to decisions on the board, a skill I have developed through my 16 years of work as a physician serving the Cherry Hill and broader community. I look forward to promoting safe technology access to our kids, promoting arts and reading programs, and parental engagement, all of which are critical to student achievement. 

    What is one area you would like to concentrate on if elected? I feel strongly about implementing safe use of technology, especially in elementary schools. Technology access for our kids should be judicious and intentional. Similar to an evidence-based approach used in scientific studies, I would promote the need to consider goals for usage and whether it provides functional improvement to a learning task. While utilization of technology is the demand for our times, we need responsible technology access for our kids.


    Name:  Quadsia Niaz

    Age: 31

    How many years have you lived in Cherry Hill? 19

    School and degree: I have a master’s in public administration with a focus on community development from Rutgers-Camden.

    Is this the first time you have run for the seat on the board of education?  No. I am a board member for the Cherry Hill schools running for a full term. 

    Why are you running for an elected seat?

    I’m running for an elected seat to ensure every student, regardless of background or ability, receives a high-quality education rooted in the basics—Reading, Writing, and Arithmetic. Growing up with a disability, I faced challenges in a school system that wasn’t always inclusive, which drives my passion for equity in education. I believe all students deserve access to strong academic foundations, along with the support to excel. My goal is to promote policies that foster inclusion, accessibility, and core academic growth, preparing all students for success inside and outside the classroom.

    What is one area you would like to concentrate on if elected? I will concentrate on strengthening the fundamentals of education, while ensuring that all students, regardless of background, have access to the support they need to succeed. By promoting diversity and equity, I will work to create an inclusive environment where every student, from all walks of life, can excel in these core areas. I believe that a strong foundation in academics, coupled with a commitment to fairness and opportunity, is essential for preparing our students for future success.

    To learn more about the candidates, see the Candidate Forum posted on the District’s YouTube page at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tCEo63wNw8M&t=1680s.

    This article was updated on Oct. 16, 2024 to correct the Dean Drizin and David Bercovitch’s responses.

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