March 5 2024 at 6:53 PM | Council news

NJ’s Community Colleges Testify at Senate Higher Education Hearing

On March 4, 2024, the Senate Higher Education Committee held a special hearing on Post-Pandemic Trends in Higher Education. New Jersey’s Community Colleges were represented by County College of Morris (CCM) President Tony Iacono and Union College of Union County, NJ’s (Union) President Maggie McMenamin. Joining the presidents were CCM’s Dean of Student Success, Ariella Panek, and Union’s VP of Student Development, Demond Hargrove.
 
The presidents and their student services leaders described trends they have observed on their campuses since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic: currently rising enrollments, the move back to more in-person classes, the dramatically increased call for basic needs (food, clothing, housing) and mental health support, the rise of employer partnerships tied to workforce development, and an increase in students seeking workforce credentials, which are not covered by financial aid. They described innovations they have launched on their campuses to create close collaborations with community-based organizations to help meet student needs and with employers to co-create new curriculum and facilities. They also discussed the grave consequences for their students and their overall operations of the proposed $20 million budget cut for Community Colleges that was included in the Governor’s FY25 budget.
 
The New Jersey Council of County Colleges (Council) also submitted a written testimony to the Higher Education Committee. The Council’s testimony urges the Committee to help Community Colleges and the 230,000 students they serve by collaborating with our institutions to implement key action pillars of the NJ Opportunity Agenda: Building Pathways to Equity and Economic Prosperity. The Council’s key priorities include support for operating aid, equitable access to dual enrollment; robust supports for student success; and funding for high quality workforce credentials for low-income individuals.
 
The entire session can be heard here.  The Council thanks the entire Senate Higher Education Committee including Chair Joe Cryan and Vice Chair Andrew Zwicker for their leadership.
Group at Senate Higher Education Hearing
Group at Senate Higher Education Hearing

NJ’s Community Colleges Testify at Senate Higher Education Hearing

About the New Jersey Council of County Colleges

Governed by the presidents and trustees of the state’s 18 community colleges and enshrined in state law, the New Jersey Council of County Colleges (NJCCC) supports New Jersey’s Community Colleges and the more than 230,000 students they serve annually across 49 locations by fostering collaboration and developing solutions that expand access to college, promote equity and student success, and create a skilled workforce to drive economic growth.

NJCCC brings together the state’s Community Colleges to build a world-class, flexible higher education and workforce development system that can respond to the needs of local communities and employers while having statewide reach and impact. NJCCC promotes innovation and policy changes to help New Jersey’s Community Colleges in their efforts to achieve academic, social, and economic mobility for all residents. The Council’s New Jersey Community College Consortium for Workforce and Economic Development builds statewide industry, education, and labor partnerships that align education and training with the needs of a changing economy.

To learn more about NJCCC and New Jersey’s Community Colleges, go to www.njcommunitycolleges.org. Follow us @NJCommColleges on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube to learn more about our latest programs and initiatives.