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Governor Approves Camden County College for Free Tuition Program

Blackwood, NJ – Governor Phil Murphy announced today that hundreds of students in Camden County and the surrounding area can attend Camden County College free of tuition and educational fees in the spring semester starting January 2019. Camden County College is one of 13 colleges in the state receive this grant, called the Community College Innovation Challenge.

The selected colleges will develop programs to determine best practices for expanding the number of students who can be offered free community college across the state. All 19 of New Jersey’s community colleges applied to participate in the Community College Innovation Challenge. The selected schools colleges will receive a $250,000 grant for student outreach, recruitment, and support, and further expansion.

“Camden County College appreciates the commitment from the state to provide financial support to our most needy students,” said CCC President Donald Borden. “This creates a model in which financial barriers no longer restrict people from getting the post-secondary education they need to be successful in their careers and lives.”

Students with adjusted gross incomes between $0 and $45,000 and who are enrolled at least half time at Camden County College in Spring 2019 will be eligible to receive “last-dollar” CCOG grants, which will cover remaining costs of tuition and approved education fees after all other financial aid grant awards have been applied. Students will be required to maintain satisfactory academic progress to remain eligible.

CCOG Pilot Schools were selected based on proposals that were jointly reviewed by the Office of the Secretary of Higher Education (OSHE) and the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority (HESAA). Proposals were evaluated by a standardized rubric following the criteria announced in the Notice of Fund Availability that was posted in July 2018. HESAA estimates that New Jersey will provide CCOG awards to approximately 13,000 students at the selected pilot schools, in line with the funding level appropriated for this purpose in the state’s Fiscal Year 2019 budget.

“We applaud Governor Murphy’s vision and commitment to expanding college access and affordability, and his belief in community colleges as a solution to help improve the state,” said New Jersey Council of County Colleges President Aaron R. Fichtner, Ph.D. “This pilot program will provide the community colleges the opportunity to learn and collaborate to inform future statewide efforts to expand access to higher education.”

Camden County College helps at-risk students get high school diplomas

nj1015.com/

Camden County College has been giving potential high school dropouts another shot at diplomas with its Transition to College program.

College Executive Dean Margo Venable said the program partners with six South Jersey high schools to help these at-risk students stay the course.

“This is a real second chance for them to complete their high school diploma, and either get post-secondary education or workforce training,” she said.  “It is a real partnership between the college and the school districts in the county.”

She said CCC collaborates with guidance officials and curriculum experts at the school, and they identify students who may have attendance issues or show other signs they may not complete high school.

Retired educators and current teachers both work in the program.

Venable said the program covers all of Camden County and some schools beyond it.

“Over the last six years, it is probably close to 500 students that have obtained their high school diploma,” she said. “They get everything that they would get in high school. We meet the same curriculum standards that they use in the high school. They take the PARCC testing as well. And they actually will get their high school diploma from their sending school district.”

Venable said the college also has a similar program, Gateway to College, which services school districts in Camden City and Pennsauken.

In many cases, the program also helps students prepare for college.

“One student had about 12 credits. So he had one semester, fully completed, while he also was graduating high school. So you can see, it is a real jump start for education for in the future as well,” Venable said.

Joe Cutter is the afternoon news anchor on New Jersey 101.5.

 

‘Give Kids a Smile Day’ Helps Children with No Access to Dental Care

BLACKWOOD, N.J. – A local community college helped put healthy smiles on area kids’ faces.

On Friday, February 2nd, Camden County College’s dental hygiene and dental assisting students and staff, as well as area dentists, teamed up for Give Kids a Smile Day.

The event provides free cleanings, other preventive care, and oral health education to local kids aged 12 years or younger.

Officials say the day is part of a national event aimed at giving uninsured children access to dental care so families can worry less.

“I think it’s impactful in the sense when you look at each individual that’s coming through here and what that means to them. Oftentimes these families do not have insurance or any way to afford to have this treatment done,” said Freeholder Bill Moen (D). “And when you have that opportunity there for students and young children to have that, you’re basically ensuring they will have a good smile for the rest of their lives.”

Each child at Give Kids a Smile Day event was given an oral exam, cleaning, x-rays, and a variety of other services.

The event also included a visit from the Tooth Fairy who gave the kids support through their cleanings, prizes, toothbrushes, and toothpaste.

Source: www.snjtoday.com

The Naval Foundry and Propeller Center To Host Career Fair

The Naval Foundry and Propeller Center (NFPC), a detachment of the Norfolk Naval Shipyard located at the Philadelphia Navy Yard, will hold a career fair at the Camden County College Blackwood Campus Feb. 24 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

NFPC designs and manufactures advanced propulsion components for the U.S. Navy and plans to hire more than 200 employees during the next 12 months.

NFPC specializes in advance propulsor engineering, castings and precision machining. Career opportunities include all production skill trades, however current high-priority positions include: machinists, foundry molders, foundry workers, pattern makers, welders, riggers, engineers, project managers, quality assurance specialists, NDT inspectors, mechanical inspectors and information technology personnel. Experienced Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machinists and mechanics are preferred.

Representatives from major departments throughout NFPC and the Human Resources Office (HRO) will be on site to meet with applicants, conduct on-site interviews, answer questions, discuss the application process, and extend tentative job offers to qualified individuals.

Congress has granted temporary Direct Hire Authority (DHA) for certain occupations at NFPC so large numbers of civilian employees can be hired quickly. Prospective applicants should bring copies of their resumes and be prepared to be interviewed at the career fair. All applicants must be U.S. citizens and be able to pass government security investigations.

Federal employment benefits at the foundry include health and life insurance, matching retirement plan contributions, 10 paid holidays annually, 13 vacation days annually (advancing to 26), and 13 sick days annually. NFPC is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Questions regarding the hiring process and qualifications can be emailed to FLTHRO_NNSY@navy.mil. Applicants may submit resumes for hiring manager consideration at FLTHRO_NNSY@navy.mil; however, it is required to have a copy of the resume on hand at the career fair.

The career fair is located at Camden County College, Blackwood Campus, Papiano Gymnasium, Roosevelt Drive East and Ring Road.

Follow NPFC on social media at:
www.facebook.com/navalfoundryandpropellercenter and www.twitter.com/NavalFPC.

2018 Camden County Freedom Medal winner shares her story

By holding her family, God and her community as the foundation for everything Muqaddas Ejaz does, her story has inspired others to live with the same compassion and care she possesses.
 

Life is a delicate, finite and uncertain gift, leaving the average person wondering how their time on earth has influenced their community. Camden County residents have already answered that question for Muqaddas Ejaz, solidifying their views by nominating her for the 2018 Camden County Freedom Medal, which she was awarded last Wednesday.

Ejaz is heavily involved with her community as a member of the Cherry Hill Democratic Committee, a sergeant at the Camden County College Public Safety Department and co-leader of the Southern New Jersey chapter of the Sisterhood of Salaam Shalom since September 2016. She was recognized by Rep. Donald Norcross as a Woman of Honor in Education in May, among many other accomplishments.

By holding her family, God and her community as the foundation for everything she does, her story has inspired others to live with the same compassion and care she possesses. Although her involvement with her community has been recognized, it is important to note where it all began — the capital city of the Pakistani province of Punjab, Lahore, where Ejaz was born.

Growing up in Pakistan with her mother and siblings, Ejaz’s father would be gone for four months at a time attending to his marble export and import business in the U.S. After waiting years to get approved for a U.S. visa, Ejaz was finally able to come to the states to be closer with her father.

“That was a whole excitement, now we can live as a family together,” Ejaz said.

Recalling the exact date, Dec. 28, 2002, Ejaz arrived in the U.S. As a 17-year-old, Ejaz and her family made the move to Atlanta where her father also owned a pizza business. Ejaz attended high school in Atlanta for her senior year and moved to Houston shorty after graduating to work as an insurance agent where she discovered she has a passion for understanding other cultures and customs.

“People don’t learn about other people, the reality of it, you know? Whether it’s a Spanish community, a Pakistani community, Indian community or whether it’s a Vietnamese community, every community has issues within the communities and then there are sub-issues, and there are subcultures and all these traditions,” Ejaz explained.

It is important to be able to understand these issues and learn about other cultures to make a difference in the community, according to Ejaz.

Ejaz moved to Bellmawr to be closer to her family and father’s scrap yard business where she would face one of the largest “opportunities” of her life. From 2008 through 2010, the family felt the effects of the recession and eventually moved to a two-bedroom apartment in Stratford.

All six members of her family crowded in a small apartment, but that didn’t stop her from accomplishing big things.

During this time, Ejaz worked two jobs to pay her way through school and help support her family, working at Dunkin’ Donuts and the advisement office at Camden County College, where she attended school. Ejaz eventually graduated with an associate’s degree in political science. During her time there, she was awarded a certificate of “most promising student of the year” from the politics, philosophy and history department. Ejaz ultimately went to Rowan University where she graduated with her bachelor’s degree in history and concentration in international studies.

Steve Hetherington, director of the public safety department at Camden County College, has seen firsthand her work ethic through the years.

“To talk about Mookie (her nickname), doesn’t make for a short conversation,’’ Hetherington said. “Her work ethic is phenomenal … she has a positive effect on every organization she works with and everyone she meets, just a living, breathing, walking ambassador of positivity.’’

Leading by example, Ejaz hopes to inspire her daughter, Anaya, by continuing to help others and create change in her community. Ejaz still visits the same Dunkin’ Donuts she worked at while attending school and other establishments throughout South Jersey to get to know other immigrants living in the U.S.

“When I take my last breath, I want God to be happy with me,” Ejaz said. “If I want to see a change, I have to be the change.”

Article Source: The Cherry Hill Sun

CCC Offers Free Shuttle Service Between Blackwood and Camden

GLOUCESTER TOWNSHIP, NJ — Students at Camden County College will soon be able to take advantage of a free shuttle service that will operate between the Gloucester Township and Camden campuses, county officials announced on Monday.

The service was the brainchild of student Hecmarie Berrios, a Camden resident who found it challenging to reach the Gloucester Township campus. Most of the nursing student’s classes are in Camden City, but she also needs access to the Blackwood campus. So she started a petition. After gathering 300 signatures, she presented her petition to the college, and her idea became a reality.

“Part of our mission at Camden County College is to be responsive to the needs of the community. We continuously enhance our programs and services to meet these needs,” Camden County College President Don Borden said. “It is our job to provide opportunities and reduce barriers for students. But when we can show students that their actions and hard work can make an impact, that is when we are truly doing our job as an institution.”

The shuttle comes courtesy a partnership between the college, the county and the South Jersey Transportation Authority. It will run Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., beginning Jan. 17.

Camden County College is one of the largest community colleges in New Jersey and ranks among the top 100 nationwide in terms of associate degree graduates. It is recognized nationally as a leader in technology programs such as video game design/development and photonics. It has also been acknowledged for maintaining one of the lowest tuition rates of any college or university in the state or region.

Camden County College is known for responding to the changing needs of the communities and students it serves by continuously updating its programs and services to support the area’s economic development and residents’ professional and personal development. 

Article Source: patch.com

Camden County College Raises $10K On Giving Tuesday

Giving Tuesday is an effort to encourage people to give to their favorite charities during the holiday season.

GLOUCESTER TOWNSHIP, NJ — Employees and friends of Camden County College raised over $10,000 for student scholarships on Giving Tuesday, Nov. 28, college officials announced. They raised the money by creating a network of Facebook fundraisers to raise money matched by The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Giving Tuesday is an effort to encourage people to give to their favorite charities during the holiday season, and takes place the Tuesday after Thanksgiving.

“When we found out the Gates Foundation would match funds up to $1,000 per Facebook fundraiser, we reached out to our staff to see if anyone would be interested in creating their own fundraiser, with all donations going to the Foundation as a way of stacking the matched donations,” Camden County College Foundation Development Associate Melissa Daly said. “We created a video showing how to create a Facebook fundraiser, and a social media plan to generate excitement.”

At least 13 people immediately created fundraisers on Facebook to benefit the Camden County College Foundation, according to the college. Foundation funds benefit students directly either via the general fund for tuition scholarships and other academic supports such as book scholarships, or via specific scholarships in memory of individuals.

For example, Camden County College math professor Dr. Kelly Jackson raised a total of $2,400 for her two memorial scholarships funds. One is the Lamar Ortiz Memorial Scholarship Endowment, awarded annually to a Hispanic male with an excellent academic record. The other is the new Nancy Jackson Memorial Scholarship for the top Camden County College female scholar athlete. Jackson’s friends and family collectively raised $6,000 through five individual Facebook fundraisers.

The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation pledge was fulfilled by the early morning, but Facebook waived all donation fees so the donations continued to come in throughout the day and evening. Camden County College raised $10,000 before the match. Exact matched funds are pending.

Read full article at patch.com

Free training plus a promise of jobs for some Camden students

When she graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in Camden last year, Rosemary Irizarry’s future was uncertain. The tech-savvy teen, often an honor-roll student, couldn’t afford her dream school — Stockton University.

“I put money into my savings, then decided to take a break for a semester and find out what I wanted to do, because I felt pressure,” said Irizarry, 19, of East Camden.

But a year later, she has a promise of employment as a medical coder, thanks to a jobs program involving Camden County College, local nonprofits such as Hopeworks, and the county’s largest employer, Cooper University Health Care.

Launched in September with 13 students, the initiative allows high school graduates and GED-holders — some loaded with other jobs and coursework — to earn a 39-credit medical-coding certificate at their own pace. For most, the program will take 15 to 18 months to complete and include a mix of in-person and online courses.

Afterward, students are guaranteed a full-time medical-coding job with Cooper University Health Care starting at $13.64 an hour. Full benefits are offered 90 days into employment.

“The more they explained the program to me, the more I enjoyed it,” said Irizarry, a Camden County College student and chemistry and medical-coding double major. A month into the program, she said, she’s starting to make flashcards to help her memorize complicated medical terminology and their corresponding codes.

County and state officials, along with top hospital and college administrators, gathered in a 10th-floor Cooper University Hospital boardroom overlooking downtown Camden to praise what the program means for youths in a city with nearly 20 percent unemployment and a median household income of just $25,000.

The certificate costs $12,000 per participant, but that cost is covered by public and private funding and the program is free to students, who must be Camden residents.

To read full article visit philly.com

N.J. college hosts free series on Sex, Gender and Sexuality

A New Jersey community college will host a lecture series later this month exploring gender, sexuality and biological sex.

 

“Sex, Gender and Sexuality: Navigating a Shifting Landscape” will consist of six free events at Camden County College’s Blackwood campus beginning Sept. 18.

Ellen Hernandez began serving as the associate director of the college’s Center for Civic Leadership and Responsibility (CCLR), which is hosting this series, in January. Hernandez said she recently read the “Gender Revolution” issue of National Geographic and watched a documentary on transgender children.

“I decided my first project as associate director of the center should be to create a lecture series to make sure everyone is informed about sex, gender, gender identity, expression and sexuality,” she said.

Hernandez said she took the lead from CCLR Director John L. Pesda and used the information she gathered from articles and online research to find experts on areas related to LGBT issues. Presenters will include artists, educators, faith leaders and therapists. Dr. Jacqui Bowman and Quincy Greene of the College of Physicians of Philadelphia will present “The Science behind Biological Sex” Sept. 28, in which they will explain biological processes and complexities for sex assignment and sex determination. Additionally, Danna Bodenheimer of Walnut Psychotherapy Center and local nephrologist Dr. Thomas Delgiorno will participate in “Talking about Gender Change,” an Oct. 12 panel.

Hernandez said registered participants can receive professional-development credits if interested. However, she said the course will also help people become more informed citizens, and CCLR will encourage audience participation.

“You’re getting information that you may not have, which I think is vitally important at this time,” Hernandez said. “It gives us a chance to ask the questions that need to be asked so that people have accurate information; there is so much information out there through social media that is inaccurate, that is misguided, that is frankly discriminatory in its nature. We have to make sure people really know the facts.”

Hernandez said “people are dying over ignorance,” noting the 22 trans people killed in 2016 and 17 in 2017.

“The current president and his administration have proposed policies that exclude and discriminate against LGBTQ people and are going to set back the progress that’s been made,” Hernandez said. “I think we owe it to ourselves to become armed with information and to support and protect one another.”

“Sex, Gender and Sexuality: Navigating a Shifting Landscape” will kick off 7 p.m. Sept. 18 at Camden County College’s Blackwood campus, 200 College Drive, Blackwood, N.J. Subsequent sessions will be held on Thursdays through the end of October at the same time and location.

Contact CCLR Project Coordinator Valerie Concordia at vconcordia@camdencc.edu for more information. Visit http://bit.ly/2ixKePh for a brochure.

Source: www.epgn.com