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Camden County College designated as a Hispanic Serving Institution

Camden County College has been designated a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) after surpassing the minimum percentage threshold of enrolled Hispanic students required to receive the designation.

The U.S. Department of Education defines a Hispanic-serving institution as an eligible institution of higher education with an enrollment of undergraduate full-time equivalent students that is at least 25% Hispanic at the end of the award year immediately preceding the date of application.

As of Fall 2023, 28.7% of our enrolled students were Hispanic, a 10% increase from our Fall 2021 enrollment numbers.

The HSI designation provides the College with the eligibility needed to apply for numerous grants and programs reserved for HSIs, including Title V federal grants, which enable HSIs to expand and enhance their academic offerings, program quality, and institutional stability. As of Fall 2021, approximately 2 million Hispanic students were enrolled at 516 HSIs across 28 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico (U.S. Department of Education).

The HSI designation shows Camden County College’s continued commitment to serving the Hispanic population of Camden County and surrounding areas.

Camden County College Students Broadcast Live from Presidential Debate

On Tuesday, September 10, as millions of Americans prepared to watch the ABC News Presidential Debate between Vice President Kamala Harris and Former President Donald Trump, three Camden County College students were preparing for their very own pre-debate broadcast, with some on-the-ground coverage from a familiar face, that would be airing live on 91.5 WDBK- FM, the official radio station of Camden County College.

Nick Earnshaw ’20, Radio Station Coordinator and CCC Alumnus, received media access for the debate, set to take place just over the Delaware River at the Constitution Center in Philadelphia. These credentials provided Earnshaw, along with hundreds of reporters and media personalities from around the world, access to the Media Filing Center and the Spin Room, both located at the Pennsylvania Convention Center.

Earnshaw tasked three students, John Halwood, Maddie Jones, and Corey Avery, to host the pre-debate show from the newly renovated radio station on the Blackwood Campus while Earnshaw reported live from the spin room.

The significance of this broadcast was not lost on the trio. “Initially, when Nick asked me to host, I was hesitant due to the scope of this broadcast,” Jones reflected. “But it was a great opportunity to build my resume.” Avery agreed, “If you can cover this, you can cover anything.”

Halwood, who served as the lead producer for the broadcast, had experience with broadcasting live at College sporting events, but noted that this was an entirely different experience.

“This is entirely different from covering a game or practice,” said Halwood on a commercial break halfway through the broadcast, “We’ve had to figure out some things on the fly, but I enjoy the challenge.”

During the broadcast, students discussed the history of the presidential debate, the rules of engagement for the participants, and facts and figures about the candidate’s position in the race. Throughout the broadcast, Earnshaw kept the students informed of the happenings in the Spin Room, including the famous political faces he saw, including California Governor Gavin Newsom, former independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and Florida Senator Marco Rubio, to name a few.

When the three-hour broadcast concluded, the three hosts breathed a collective sigh of relief, and agreed that it had been a success.

“We were concise, didn’t talk over each other, and stayed on topic,” reflected Jones. “It went really well.”

Earnshaw believes that Tuesday’s broadcast, the first of its kind at CCC, is just the beginning of the new era of WDBK.

“The success of this broadcast shows that we are capable as a community college radio station of being on the same level as a 4-year institution and can provide these unique opportunities that even some larger schools can’t,” he said. “I know bigger things are possible here because of the talent of our students.”

Until the next exciting opportunity comes along though, Earnshaw is enjoying this moment and his students’ accomplishments.

“I’m thrilled we were able to give a few students the opportunity to be part of something like this where they could gain invaluable experience helping with this broadcast and learn a thing or two about covering an event of this magnitude,” he remarked. “I could not be more happy and proud of them.”

CCC Celebrates First Surgical Technology Pinning Ceremony

Camden County College held its first Surgical Technology Pinning Ceremony as a Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Program (CAAHEP) on July 16 at the Blackwood Campus. 16 graduates were recognized, and are now eligible to sit for the National Board of Surgical Technologist certification. This certification is widely recognized as the gold standard of the surgical technology profession.

“The demand for skilled surgical technologists in today’s healthcare industry is on the rise and those being pinned will have the potential to make $63,000 annually in this field which is above the national average,” said Dr. Lovell Pugh-Bassett, President of Camden County College. “Currently, there were over 3,000 jobs available within a 60-mile radius of this institution within the last year alone. All sixteen of our graduates are already employed or have offers of employment upon certification.”

The Surgical Technology program at Camden County College is a 2-year selective associate degree program that prepares students for a career in Surgical Technology. Surgical Technologists are an integral part of the operating room team, as they prepare sterile instruments and supplies needed for procedures. Students must obtain a minimum of 600 clinical hours and a number of surgical procedures to satisfy program completion and eligibility for the national certification examination.

Stockton University, Camden County College Announce Unique Esports Degree Partnership

Camden County College and Stockton University have formed a unique partnership to create the first esports degree pathway program in the State. Through this new agreement, Camden County College students who receive their Associate in Applied Science in Esports Production degree will be able to seamlessly transfer into Stockton’s B.S. Esports Management program.
“This partnership highlights both Camden County College’s and Stockton’s initiative to be at the forefront of new technology and to prepare students for new and emerging career opportunities — some of which didn’t even exist just a short time ago,” said Dr. Lovell Pugh-Bassett, President of Camden County College during the articulation agreement signing on November 1 at Stockton’s Galloway campus. “We are proud to offer this opportunity to students who have found their passion in the fast-growing esports industry.”
“This program is a testament to our shared vision of providing high quality education and opportunities for the next generation of esports professionals,” said Stockton President, Dr. Joe Bertolino. “We recognize the potential of esports as a growing global phenomenon and the need for qualified professionals to drive its continued success.”
This is not a program “that just produces kids who play video games,” said Dr. Sarah Iepson, CCC’s Dean of Liberal Arts and Professional Studies.
“This is a program that produces critical thinkers and students who have really powerful skills of analysis and thought, as well as these great skills in the world of business and marketing,” Iepson said. “It’s just a really phenomenal opportunity for our students.”
One of those potential students is Shane Costello who enrolled in CCC’s esports degree program after taking a break from school during the COVID-19 pandemic. He said playing esports at home allowed him to meet new people and push himself out of his comfort zone.
“When the world shut down, esports opened a new world to me,” the Somerdale resident said. “I started to play games and get involved in the community while playing at home. I’ve made friends all over the world and learned so much about their cultures and how they are different from my own.”
Costello said he’s primarily interested in using his associate degree to produce esports events, which is the focus of CCC’s program, along with their state-of-the-art Cougar Esports Arena — a dedicated competition space in Cherry Hill with broadcast facilities built directly into the facility.
Costello said he wants to transfer to a four-year institution, and he’s aware of the success of Stockton’s Rocket League team, which happens to be his favorite game. The Ospreys finished second in the College Rocket League World Championship Tournament in 2022 and returned this spring to compete.
“I chose esports as a career path because of how it brings together so many people of different cultures and backgrounds,” Costello said. “I’ve watched Stockton play the last two years.”
Both institutions are hopeful that this agreement will create more esports-related experiences for students, including camps and tournaments, and explore more regional and national partnerships, said David Bruno, CCC’s Associate Dean of Educational Programming and External Relations. “We look forward to working with Stockton University, one of our higher education pathways partners, to make South Jersey a regional and national hub for esports collegiate activities.”

Camden County College’s 55th Annual Commencement

Camden County College’s 55th annual commencement was held on May 12, and included the conferral of degrees and certificates to more than 1,600 students. Over 5,000 family members and friends attended the ceremony, which will be conducted under an 18,000-square-foot tent.

The keynote address was delivered by Mayor Mary Ann Wardlow of Lawnside who became the first female Mayor of her borough in 2010. Under her leadership, projects benefitting residents were completed in areas including Public Safety, Finance, and Economic Development.

Marcus Biddle of the Class of 2012 and host of a weekly NPR show was named this year’s Outstanding Alumni, and Dr. Jane Weber, Professor of Education was presented with the Teaching Excellence Award.

Among this year’s graduates are:

  • The largest group of Early College Associate Degree Program graduates (51) that received their Associate degree before they receive their high school diplomas
  • 63 students from 38 countries around the globe
  • 45 graduating with more than one degree
  • 17 veterans of the United States military
  • 113 that earned a perfect 4.0 grade point average
  • Oldest and youngest members of the class are ages 17 and 77

Grand Opening of CCC Esports Arena

Camden County College officially opened the Cougar Esports Arena at the Williams G. Rohrer Center in Cherry Hill on January 27.

The 1600 square foot state-of-the-art Cougar Esports Arena was constructed to host in-person intercollegiate esports league activities and academic programming. There are currently 12 Cougar Esports teams: Valorant, Rocket League, Counter Strike: Global Offensive, League of Legends, Super Smash Brothers, Madden Football, Apex, Hearthstone, Call of Duty: Warzone, NBA 2K23, Overwatch 2 & Rainbow Six: Siege, competing in 2 intercollegiate leagues (NACE and NJCAAe) supporting over 50 student-athletes and broadcasters.

Camden County College’s new Cougar Esports program gives College and local community members the opportunity to play video games competitively while providing dedicated career pathways in esports-related fields. The popularity of professional esports is now surging, and today millions of followers are watching esports events on live, streaming platforms. Cougar Esports is excited to support these efforts and help prepare our students for the esports jobs of tomorrow, today.

The College will offer an Esports Production Associate of Applied Science degree int the Fall 2023 Semester. Camden County College will be the first in the region to offer a 2-year Esports Production degree. This degree was designed with Horizon AVL Esports Integration, a Blackwood-based company that has worked with over 100 institutions nationwide for esports integration. Program goals include preparing students for careers in the esports industry, developing production skills in esports, understanding the business of the esports industry, and discussing social in esports. The degree will prepare students for career opportunities in esports event planning, networking, cybersecurity, video, and audio production.

The Cougar Esports teams have competed against several 2-year and 4-year colleges and universities. Notable matches so far have included – Cornell, Marquette, U. of Miami, West Virginia, DePaul, Drexel, Iowa State, Florida State, Randolph-Macon, U. of Cincinnati, Rochester Institute of Technology. Playoff appearances over the past year have included Smash, NBA2K, CS:GO, COD, Rocket League & Valorant. A variety of matches and events are streamed live weekly via Twitch.

Upcoming events at the Cougar Esports Arena include the annual Camden County Cougar Esports High School Invitational, and a variety of esports camps and boot camp opportunities this summer. The arena will host monthly open houses for the public to tour the space and to learn more esports.
 
Esports Ribbon Cutting
Left to right – Cherry Hill Mayor Susan Shin Angulo, Commissioner Melinda Kane, Commissioner Al Dyer, President Lovell Pugh-Bassett, Congressman Donald Norcross, Vice President David Edwards, Board of Trustees Member Jessica Stewart, Assemblyman Bill Moen, Board of Trustees Member Anthony Maressa

Dr. Lovell Pugh-Bassett installed as President of Camden County College

Dr. Lovell Pugh-Bassett was installed as the sixth president of Camden County College on October 14, 2022. She is the first person of color to lead the College in its 56-year history.

“This is an important day in the history of Camden County College, and I congratulate Dr. Pugh-Bassett on her installation,” said Commissioner Deputy Director Ed McDonnell, liaison to Camden County College. “Her strong background, wealth of knowledge, and powerful skill sets make her uniquely qualified to serve as the College’s next president.”

Dr. Pugh-Bassett has served as the Vice President of Institutional Effectiveness, Advancement, and Strategic Initiatives at Camden County College since August of 2019. This marked her return to higher education after 20 years with the New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE), having served in a number of capacities culminating in the role of Camden County Executive County Superintendent of Schools.

“Her presidency is not only historic for the College, her exceptional leadership skills and dedication to promoting diversity, equity and inclusion in education will greatly benefit Camden County College for years to come,” said John Hanson, Chair of the College’s Board of Trustees. “Throughout her career she has worked hard to ensure that all voices are heard in every role she takes.”

Dr. Pugh-Bassett’s professional introduction to education began in higher education where she served as an instructor and program coordinator for the Math/Science Upward Bound Program at Temple University. After years with Temple, she served as the program director for Upward Bound at the Community College of Philadelphia and transitioned to her work in K-12 at the NJDOE.

“Camden County College not only provides the most affordable education in the region, it is also a great community partner, as demonstrated during the pandemic. When the county needed a location for our vaccination center, the college stepped up right away,” said Commissioner Virginia Ruiz-Betteridge. “I am confident that Dr. Pugh-Bassett will build on those community partnerships and create new ones.”

Her philosophy of leadership and education is the idea of merging education with advocacy. Her mission can be summed up appropriately as, “I slept and I dreamed that life is all joy. I woke and I saw that life is all service. I served and I saw that service is joy.” Dr. Pugh-Bassett believes that her positioning at Camden County College reflects the essence of her core commitment to community and considers herself fortunate to yet again be given an opportunity to work and serve. She believes that it is, after all, the inherent mission of a community college in its service to its community.

“There is a part to play for all of us in impacting and changing the lives of those we serve. We can only dream that we are able to have an opportunity to use our gift to impact our work,” Pugh-Bassett said. “I am fortunate that my gifts don’t force me to silo my contributions into separate buckets. At Camden County College I am able to merge my passions so that my advocacy can manifest itself in my professional universe.”

Camden County College is one of the largest community colleges in New Jersey and ranks among the top nationwide in terms of associate degree graduates. Thanks to its technology-rich physical resources – located in Blackwood, Camden and Cherry Hill – and its highly-qualified, dedicated employees, the College has created a tradition of quality education and a reputation of agile, responsive service. Camden County College sustains a vibrant academic community characterized by imaginative teaching, caring student services, energetic management and collegial discussion of diverse ideas and opinions. Register for classes at www.camdencc.edu

View the Installation

September 11 Commemoration

Camden County College marked twenty-one years since the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Members of the College Community gathered to honor the civilians, first responders, and service members who lost their lives on that fateful day and in the subsequent War on Terror.

Members of local Police and Law Enforcement Agencies, Fire Departments, EMS Squads and United States Military Personnel traveled in procession around the Blackwood Campus on Friday, September 9 at noon. The procession ended at the flagpole in front of Taft Hall for a flag raising ceremony by the Camden County Police Academy Cadets.

Reflections on 9/11 from Dr. Pugh-Bassett

I will never forget the day I received a call from my mom who worked only blocks away from the World Trade Center telling me that a plane had crashed into the first tower. My heart sunk, I was still, without words, without the ability to grapple with a reaction. The best I could do was to hurriedly rush back to my cubicle and google a news report to see the images in real time. Then the second plane hit. At that moment my mom, who was evacuating, and was supposed to call me back when she got to safety, could not be reached. The phone lines were down. My dad, who also worked close to the towers could not be reached.

As the central point of contact for most in the family, it was no surprise that everyone seemed to be trying to reach me at once to find out any intel I had on my mom and dad. I gave the information that I could give as I attempted to calm frantic family members only to get a call from my cousin who advised me that her fiancé was on the plane. No words could describe the feeling I felt at that moment. Now three family members impacted, one of whom we were convinced had perished, are unaccounted for and I am in Trenton watching my home town, the city that shaped who I am, go up in flames.

It wasn’t long before I realized that I was experiencing significant trauma and panic but I had to pull it together. I had to create a phone chain where I was the central point of communication so that we can ensure that all family members got the information they needed as soon as we could get it. My mom finally called to let me know she was safe. I finally found my dad. And my soon to be cousin-in-love…. well, he missed his flight and ended up in Chicago. My anxiety quickly shifted from the worry of my family to the compassion for my beloved city. The skyline will never be the same again. 9/11 is very personal to me.

As I watched the story unfold, I heard reports of hundreds of thousands of first responders including EMT, Paramedics, Police and Fire, along with National Guard personnel who sprang into action, traveling hours – days even, to pitch in to help. Some perished that day, some succumbed to their sacrifice days, months and years later. Some were on the scene immediately and others helping with the aftermath. All collectively weaving into the fabric of the humanity of who we are.

To commemorate the service of those who responded, some of whom paid the ultimate price on 9/11, we are asking you to join us and those first responders who serve our campus community on 9/9/22 along the Alumni Drive for a moment of silence to honor all those who perished, those who perished in service, those who served whose lives will be forever changed, their families, their friends and their loved ones. We stand to honor the homes that were broken, the friendships that were lost, the businesses that never recovered, the city that finally “slept.” We ask that you step out of your offices and classrooms to respect the business owners that never were, the lawyers that would’ve been, the mothers that never bore. We will honor them all by quietly gathering together in remembrance of that day.

Dr. Pugh-Bassett, President
Camden County College

NJ’s Pay it Forward Program for HVAC & Welding at CCC

Governor Phil Murphy, the New Jersey CEO Council, and Social Finance launched the New Jersey Pay It Forward Program – a new and innovative workforce development program that furthers the Governor’s ongoing commitment to helping residents obtain quality postsecondary education and training to advance their careers, as outlined in the New Jersey Higher Education State Plan and Jobs NJ.

The Pay It Forward Program, which is the first of its kind in the nation, will help build a robust and talented workforce while supporting economic growth in the state. Participants in the program will receive zero-interest, no-fee loans at no upfront cost, as well as non-repayable living stipends and wraparound supports, to allow them to affordably prepare for good-paying, career-track jobs in the health care, information technology (IT), and clean energy sectors.

After a thorough due diligence process, the New Jersey Pay It Forward Program selected training providers with high-quality, industry-recognized training programs and a track record of strong employment outcomes, employer relationships, and experience serving learners from diverse backgrounds.

The loans will enable participants to enroll in credential, certificate, and degree programs at one of three inaugural training providers: Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) and Welding at Camden County College, Registered Nursing at Hudson County Community College, and Cybersecurity at New Jersey Institute of Technology. Loan terms are designed to be more borrower-friendly than even federal student loans. Camden County College’s classes take place at Camden County Technical School’s Sicklerville Campus or Pennsauken Campus. Both programs, which meet in-person on weekday evenings, are nine-month, part-time courses with strong completion and job placement outcomes.

“Camden County College is proud to join with the Murphy Administration, and the other institutions in support of the Pay it Forward Program, to offer specialized training that will lead to gainful employment for the communities we serve,” said Dr. Lovell Pugh-Bassett, President of Camden County College. “Our Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning as well as our Welding courses at CCC are taught by highly qualified instructors and can be completed in as few as nine months. The Pay it Forward program is consistent with our commitment to providing affordable pathways for student success.”

All loan payments will be recycled back into the fund to ‘pay it forward’ for subsequent students’ training costs. The program aims to help participants find jobs while also helping employers fill in-demand positions in high-growth sectors to promote economic growth in New Jersey.

“With today’s launch of Pay It Forward, New Jersey is the first state in the nation to model this innovative approach that will help residents obtain family-sustaining jobs and then pay their success forward by supporting future cohorts of students,” said Governor Murphy. “This initiative is another way in which my Administration is working to give more residents access to high-quality education and training that will lead to good-paying jobs and successful careers. Investing in our residents will not only give them the opportunity to create a better life for themselves and their families, but will also help meet employers’ needs and promote economic development throughout the state.”

Participants who find jobs earning above a specific income threshold will repay the cost of their tuition over time. Any loan balance remaining after five years will be forgiven for borrowers in good standing. To help them succeed throughout the program, participants will also receive living stipends and free wraparound supports, including access to an emergency aid fund and mental health counseling services. Under the program, students will not have to repay the living stipends or wraparound supports. The loans are intended to be a last-dollar option, allowing students to maximize the free resources available to them to minimize the amount they need to repay.

Members of the New Jersey CEO Council, a coalition of CEOs from some of the state’s largest and most widely recognized companies, provided corporate contributions of approximately $5 million to the Pay It Forward Program. The State added to this commitment with appropriations of $5 million in Fiscal Year 2022 and $2.5 million in Fiscal Year 2023. The CEO Council is made up of the CEOs of BD, Campbell Soup Company, Johnson & Johnson, Merck & Co., Prudential Financial, PSEG, RWJBarnabas Health, and Verizon.

For more information on the New Jersey Pay It Forward Program, please visit: njpayitforward.org

County Seniors Citizens Art Contest and Exhibition Opens

The 56th Annual Camden County Senior Citizens Juried Art Contest & Exhibition opened on August 3. Submissions from 69 county senior artists are on display at Camden County College’s William G. Rohrer Center, 1889 Rt. 70 East, Cherry Hill. Open to the public, the exhibition runs through August 31, Mondays to Thursdays, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

“I congratulate all of the artists that participated in this year’s contest. The judges certainly had a challenging task, as each work of art is impressive and worthy of recognition,” said Commissioner Melinda Kane, liaison to the Camden County Cultural and Heritage Commission. “I encourage everyone to visit Camden County College in Cherry Hill during the exhibition.”

County residents age 60 and older, at any level of skill or experience, were invited to participate, including amateurs and non-professionals as well as working artists. Categories of work include acrylic painting; craft; digital art; mixed media; oil painting; pastel; print; photography; sculpture; watercolor; and works on paper (drawing).

Artwork by professional and non-professional artists was adjudicated by an independent panel of professional artists. First place winners in all categories at the County level will advance to compete at the state level in the New Jersey Senior Citizens Art Show, September 23 to October 27, 2022.

First place winners in the Non-Professional category are Acrylic Painting: Jay Miller, Voorhees; Craft: Donna Moyer, Voorhees; Oil Painting: Mary Christie, Cherry Hill; Pastel: William Lane, Haddonfield; Photography: Rita Wood, Atco; Watercolor Painting: Sharon Buttress, Cherry Hill; Works on Paper: Gloria Swiecicki, Haddon Heights.

In the Professional category, first place was awarded as follows: Acrylic Painting: Kimberly Clay, Somerdale; Craft: Robin Brownfield, Collingswood; Digital Art: Nancy Schmidt, Sicklerville; Oil

Painting: Rhonda Ward, Berlin; Photography: George Cordero, Mt. Ephraim; Watercolor Painting: Peter Ehlinger, Haddonfield; Works on Paper: Riccardo Veggian, Laurel Springs.

The Camden County Cultural and Heritage Commission at Camden County College supports the local arts and history that make our communities dynamic places to live and work. The Commission was established by the Camden County Board of Commissioners to act as the designated agency in Camden County to receive and administer the New Jersey State Council on the Arts Local Arts Program and the New Jersey Historical Commission County History Partnership Program.