OFFICIAL SITE OF THE STATE OF NEW JERSEYADMINISTRATION
Nelson Ribon
DIRECTOR
Mr. Nelson Ribon joined the New Jersey Youth Challenge Academy in January 2019 to serve as the principal and leader of the educational programs offered to our residents. At the conclusion of Class 49 in April, he was promoted to serve as Deputy Director of Programs where he oversaw all academic offerings, counseling, medical services, service-to-community, staff training & professional development, religious services, assessments, mental health, and academic and community partnerships. In addition, he actively supported the Academy’s strategic planning, recruiting, marketing and post-residential planning efforts. On August 1, 2019, Mr. Ribon was appointed by the Adjutant General to serve as the new Director.
Sean M. Chapman
DEPUTY DIRECTOR
Sean M. Chapman is the Deputy Director of the New Jersey Youth Challenge Academy.
In this capacity, he is responsible for executive management of operations, providing academics, leadership, physical training, and personal growth to educate and train at risk youth. He manages day-to-day operations of the Academy, staff coordination, and project management. Mr. Chapman monitors compliance with federal and state cooperative agreements, laws, and agency policies. He oversees concurrent projects, mentors staff, and represents NJYCA at internal, external, and private meetings and briefings.
Richard W. Allen
PRINCIPAL
Mr. Richard W. Allen, Ed.S. joined The New Jersey Youth Challenge Academy in November 2019 to serve as the principal and leader of the educational programs offered to our residents.
Mr. Allen began his career in public education as a teacher and coach. He left the classroom after 10 years to begin his 25 year tenure as a Supervisor, Assistant Principal, high school Principal, and Central Office Administrator overseeing New Jersey’s first early college high school program. He is an adjunct professor at Monmouth University Graduate School of Education and Brookdale Community College.
Ernie Razzano
RECRUITMENT, PLACEMENT, MENTORING (RPM) COORDINATOR
Ernest Razzano is the Recruitment, Placement and Mentoring (RPM) Coordinator with the New Jersey Youth ChalleNGe Academy.
As the RPM Coordinator, Mr. Razzano supervises a team of 10 individuals dedicated to the success of young adults. His team consists of recruiters, case managers, Post-Residential Specialists, IT, and Administrative Assistant. His list of responsibilities include, but are not limited to, all the marketing for the Academy, qualifying all potential candidates, over-seeing the completion of intermediate and long-range goals of the cadets, and the post-residential success of each graduate.
Melissa Stubblefield
COMMANDANT
Maj Melissa Stubblefield is the first female Commandant of the New Jersey Youth Challenge Academy. She is a Veteran of the United States Marine Corps. Upon being honorably discharged, she began work as a Corrections Officer Supervisor for Clark County Sheriff’s Office, in the state of Indiana. She received her BA in Management and is currently working on her master’s in organizational leadership.
Major Stubblefield is a certified life coach and entrepreneur. She specializes in transition life coaching. Her other life’s passion is entrepreneurship. She believes that everyone should have the opportunity to pursue his or her life’s passion through entrepreneurship.
