Vision | New Jersey Council of County Colleges

Call to Action

NJ’s Community Colleges are committed to leading the nation by creating a blueprint for a sustainable future grounded in equity, resilience, collaboration, and opportunity. We seek to achieve a reality where all NJ Community College students have equitable access to robust academic, career, and basic needs supports; state-of-the-art facilities and technology; dynamic, flexible curricula; and work-based learning

opportunities that provide clear pathways to degrees and credentials of value as well as connections to family-sustaining careers.

We are eager to work with all who share this commitment to equity and opportunity. To learn how you can get involved, please click here.

Action Pillars

To increase postsecondary attainment, eliminate equity gaps, and help our communities and our state thrive in a shifting landscape, NJ’s Community Colleges support the following actions:

Pillar 1: Helping All High School Students Access Pathways to Postsecondary and Career Success

In order to ensure that more New Jerseyans are on a path to family-sustaining careers, that we have an educated, skilled workforce to support economic growth, and that we close equity gaps, New Jersey must implement innovative efforts to help all high school students get on a path to earning a postsecondary credential or degree.

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Pillar 2: Fostering Student Success and Completion in Postsecondary Education and Training

It is not enough to enroll students in postsecondary programs: we must ensure that more students earn a credential or degree. NJ’s Community Colleges serve an incredibly diverse population of students with multiple goals.

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Pillar 3: Building Transparent, Seamless, and Stackable Pathways That Respond to the Changing Economy

NJ’s Community Colleges recognize that students take many different and unique journeys to postsecondary credentials and degrees and need transparent pathways that can be accessed in myriad ways. These pathways should seamlessly stack to higher levels of education.

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Pillar 4: Helping Adults Attain the Credentials They Need for Career Mobility and Labor Market Success

To keep up with evolving skills and achieve economic and career mobility, more adult and working learners will need ongoing access to education and training. Some of these needs can be met through short-term nondegree credential programs at Community Colleges.

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In The News

April 27, 2026 | News Story

MYB This Weekend: NJ’s Opportunity Agenda Goes Into Action

On this weekend’s “Minding Your Business” on News 12+, New Jersey Council of County Colleges Chief Innovation and Policy Officer Maria Heidkamp, NJBIA Vice President of Government Affairs Althea D. Ford and YMCA State Alliance CEO Julie Gallanty join Bob Considine to discuss New Jersey’s Opportunity Agenda, an updated collective road map for a Future Ready New Jersey, which includes the goal of having 75% of New Jersey adults in the labor market to have postsecondary degrees or credentials of value by 2040.

Press Releases

March 25, 2026 | News Story

In Memory of Dr. Steve Rose, President, Passaic County Community College

It is with heavy hearts that we share the news of the passing of Dr. Steve Rose, President of Passaic County Community College (PCCC). Dr. Rose was a valued colleague and trusted friend to so many across New Jersey’s community college community. He was a constant and reassuring presence, someone who always showed up for others, who was deeply committed to his community and led with genuine warmth and positivity. His impact will be felt for years to come, and he will be remembered not only for his leadership, but for the care, authenticity, and optimism he brought to every interaction.

Press Releases

March 23, 2026 | News Story

NJCCC Testifies at Assembly Public Budget Hearing, Citing Rising Healthcare Costs and Need for Stability

At the New Jersey General Assembly’s first FY27 Public Budget Hearing on March 13, the New Jersey Council of County Colleges (NJCCC) joined Presidents from Camden County College and Brookdale Community College to underscore both the strength of the sector and the growing financial pressures—especially from healthcare costs—threatening its mission.

Building Pathways to Equity and Economic Prosperity

Call to Action

Action Pillars

Pillar 1: Helping All High School Students Access Pathways to Postsecondary and Career Success

Pillar 2: Fostering Student Success and Completion in Postsecondary Education and Training

Pillar 3: Building Transparent, Seamless, and Stackable Pathways That Respond to the Changing Economy

Pillar 4: Helping Adults Attain the Credentials They Need for Career Mobility and Labor Market Success

Contact the Council

Upcoming Events

Opportunity in Action: The 3rd Annual New Jersey Community College Opportunity Summit

Latest News

MYB This Weekend: NJ’s Opportunity Agenda Goes Into Action

In Memory of Dr. Steve Rose, President, Passaic County Community College

NJCCC Testifies at Assembly Public Budget Hearing, Citing Rising Healthcare Costs and Need for Stability

Council Newsletter

Building Pathways to Equity and Economic Prosperity

Call to Action

Action Pillars

Pillar 1: Helping All High School Students Access Pathways to Postsecondary and Career Success

Pillar 2: Fostering Student Success and Completion in Postsecondary Education and Training

Pillar 3: Building Transparent, Seamless, and Stackable Pathways That Respond to the Changing Economy

Pillar 4: Helping Adults Attain the Credentials They Need for Career Mobility and Labor Market Success

Contact the Council

Upcoming Events

Opportunity in Action: The 3rd Annual New Jersey Community College Opportunity Summit

Latest News

MYB This Weekend: NJ’s Opportunity Agenda Goes Into Action

In Memory of Dr. Steve Rose, President, Passaic County Community College

NJCCC Testifies at Assembly Public Budget Hearing, Citing Rising Healthcare Costs and Need for Stability