Camden County College Women’s Basketball entered the national rankings for the 1st time this year. The Cougars have been receiving votes in the last few rankings, and have entered the national at 15 to start the new year. The Cougars hold a 10-4 record, including a 9-game win streak before losing to CCBC Catonsville in a close game before the break. The Cougars will be back in action January 12 at home to open up the semester vs Middlesex. The game is slated to start at 5pm. Go Cougars!
Athletic Highlights
Camden County College Athletics had a great fall semester.
Women’s tennis finishes a great season by winning the Region 19 championship and finishing 2nd place at the NJCAA National Women’s Tennis Tournament. Concluding a great season, the Cougars produced two singles All-Americans: Madison Scambia and Bryn Kelleher, and two sets of doubles All- Americans: Bryn Kelleher, Madison Scambia and Analise Ramos, Selena Guerrero.
Men’s Soccer finished the season winning the Region 19 B title and finishing 4th in the national tournament losing to the national champions Dallas Richland in the semi- finals. Joao Goncalves received offensive player of the Region 19 tournament, Ross Harper received defensive player of the Region 19 tournament, and head coach Matt Perrella received coach of the year for Region 19. Four players from Camden County have been named to the All-Region 19 team. Joao Goncalves (1st team All-region), Diogo Tristad Cardoso (1st team All-region Goalie), Riccardo Italiano (2nd Team All-region), and Javier Oltra (3rd team All-region) voted to All-Region Selections.
Joshua Cason ended his cross-country season with his 6th consecutive Top 10 finish at nationals. Joshua ran a personal best time 8k time of 27:09 and became an NJCAA 2nd Team All -American with his 6th place finish.
Women’s soccer forward Logan Koester was named 1st team all-region. Logan, a sophomore, was voted to all region team by the coaches in Region 19.
This winter our women’s basketball program is currently 10-4 and hold the 3rd seed so far in Region 19. The women had a 7-game win streak going into the break. The women are currently receiving votes for national rankings and should enter the top 15 ranking in January during the next vote. Tataiana Johnson was named GSAC player of the week the week of December 12th-19th. Men’s basketball fighting through injuries have been able to start a win streak going into the break. They are currently tied for 8th in the region but are starting to turn the corner. Men’s wrestling has been dominated in the region so beating RCSJ, Middlesex and Sussex by a wide margin. The wrestling team is currently ranked 13th nationally. We are looking forward to the start of the spring semester where are w inter teams will be competing for a regional title and national titles, and our late spring sports (baseball, softball, track and field, golf) will be starting their seasons in March.
Go Cougars!
Athletic Highlights
Women’s basketball continues their dominance in region 19. The women are currently on an 8-game win streak, and are 10-3, which is good for 2nd place in region 19. The cougars are receiving votes for top 20 national ranking, and should move into the rankings after an impressive win over Northampton who was previously ranked 15 in the country. The women will be back at home Saturday December 17 for a match-up vs CCBC Catonsville. Game time is 12pm.
On Sunday, men’s wrestling competed in the Nassau Open in Long Island, New York. The tournament was comprised of opponents from various levels including NCAA DI, DII, DIII and NJCAA. Joey Notte had a standout performance for the Cougars. Notte pinned his way through the 141 lb bracket to take home the title. Shane Whitney also earned a 3rd place finish in the heavyweight bracket. This performance in Long island came after beating 2 regional teams Middlesex and Sussex in a tri-match hosted by the cougars on Saturday. The Cougars look forward to competing next in the NWCA National Duals in Niagara, New York on January 7.
Go Cougars!
Athletic Highlights
The men’s and women’s basketball teams captured two wins this week, beating both Bergen County College and Middlesex County College. Women’s basketball currently sits 3rd in the Region 19 standings. Men’s basketball is currently tied for 7th in the Region 19 standings. Both teams are back in action tonight on the road vs. Montgomery County College. Both teams will be on the road Saturday as well. The Men’s team will travel to Union County College and the Women’s team will travel to Lehigh Carbon County College. Men’s wrestling will be hosting Middlesex this Saturday at home for a 12pm meet. The wrestling team is coming off a dominant performance against RCSJ Gloucester last Saturday. Go Cougars!
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
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.
Camden Dean, Dr. Anthony Driggers welcomes the Educational Opportunity Fund Summer Program participants
The EOF Summer Program is a 5-week hybrid program that includes orientation, college success class and book, advising support, financial assistance, and a stipend for successfully completing the course and registering for the fall semester.
The Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF) provides support services and financial assistance to students whose motivation and potential to succeed in college can’t be stopped by the challenges they may face. The EOF community fosters academic achievement, personal growth, and leadership skills that last a lifetime.
For more information about EOF, please visit https://www.camdencc.edu/eof/
Dr. Lovell Pugh-Bassett named next President of Camden County College
The Board of Trustees of Camden County College named Dr. Lovell Pugh-Bassett as the sixth president of the College during a special meeting today. She will be the first person of color to lead the College in its 54-year history.
“This is an important day in the history of Camden County College, and I congratulate Dr. Pugh-Bassett on her appointment,” 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 appointment 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 Camden County Commissioner Director Louis Cappelli, Jr. “With Dr. Pugh-Bassett’s appointment, we will build on those community partnerships that were strengthened under the leadership of Don Borden.”
Don Borden, who has led Camden County College for the last seven years, did not seek reappointment. Dr. Pugh-Bassett will officially become president on July 1, 2022.
“I can confidently leave this position knowing that Dr. Pugh-Bassett and the administrative team will continue to move the College’s mission and vision forward in order to provide affordable and accessible educational opportunities to our students,” Borden said.
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.
