Building Pathways to Equity and Economic Prosperity

We are in a moment of complex and rapid economic, social, technological, demographic, and climate changes. To collectively address both longstanding and emerging challenges, New Jersey’s Community Colleges call for a new shared commitment to action and novel policies and innovations.

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Building an Equitable Future

New Jersey’s economy is evolving toward higher value-added industries that rely on new knowledge, technologies, and innovation to drive productivity, and entry to good jobs in these industries requires postsecondary education, either two- or four-year college degrees or other credentials. Currently, 60% of New Jersey adults have a postsecondary credential or degree, but only 37% of Black and 30% of Hispanic residents have an associate degree or higher, compared to 59% of white and 80% of Asian and Pacific Islander residents. NJ’s Community Colleges, which educate higher shares of Black and Hispanic students than four-year colleges, must lead the way forward. NJ’s Community Colleges must also address equity for students with disabilities, justice-impacted students, student parents, immigrants, refugees, non-English speakers, LGBTQ+ students, and others.

Adapting to Technological Change

Adapting to Technological Change

NJ must prepare for new technologies that are changing how we live, work, and learn. The year 2023 has been hailed the “breakout year” for generative artificial intelligence (AI). In the World Economic Forum (WEF)’s latest Future of Jobs Report, three-quarters of companies surveyed said that in the next five years, they are likely to adopt new AI technologies. We need to help New Jerseyans learn to work with AI, smart robots, immersive virtual and augmented reality, autonomous vehicles, and drones. Yet technological skills and digital literacy are necessary but not sufficient for labor market success: Workers also need analytical, creative thinking, and other “robot-proof” human skills. To meet these evolving needs, Community Colleges must reimagine curricula and partner with employers to build bridges for students to family-sustaining careers.

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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Contact the Council

Message us to get involved or learn more about everything NJ’s 18 Community Colleges and the Council have to offer.

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