This fall, Rowan University launched its Digital Engineering Hub (DEHub) to assist engineers in learning how to integrate the rapid development of artificial intelligence and the usability of large language models with real-world manufacturing methods to best facilitate industries’ large-scale transformation. The DEHub lab can digitize real-world objects, as well as creating new objects based on human- or machine-engineered designs, and features 3D polymer and metal printers, 3D scanners to digitize existing objects, devices for mechanical sensing and testing, and its key piece of equipment: a DMG MORI’s LASERTEC 30 SLM US, the first metal additive manufacturing equipment of its kind. Pythia, a highly secure computer cluster, fuels the lab’s processing power and can both receive and process terabytes of information instantly.
Stockton University’s President Joe Bertolino announced the school’s new strategic plan during his third annual State of the University address on Oct. 6. The plan, which he described as a “moral imperative,” outlines five strategic priorities that include: cultivating a community of care; inspiring minds; empowering student success; being anchored in purpose; and sustaining tomorrow. Bertolino noted that this “sets a clear direction for Stockton’s next chapter” while honoring the college’s “responsibility for our community that is grounded in our values, aligned with our mission and focused on what matters most.”
WalletHub released its 2026’s Best College & University Rankings report last month, where two tricounty schools were named among the Top 10 Colleges & Universities in New Jersey: Rutgers University–Camden was ranked No. 7 while Rowan University came in at the No. 10 spot.
Camden County College hosted the grand opening of its new Student Success and Retention Center on the Blackwood campus Oct. 28. The center will follow a student-centered approach as a hub for campus support services that connect students with the tools they need for collegiate success.
Rowan College at Burlington County (RCBC) announced the launch of its new five-year strategic plan designed to not only improve student outcomes by 2030 but also retain them beyond that, inspired by the fact that its graduation rate has exceeded 35% the past two academic years for the first time in the college’s history. It is now looking ahead to bolster this success by aiming to increase its graduation rate to more than 40% by 2030 with the five strategic pillars of its plan, which are empowering student success, strengthening affordability and access, improving student and employee experience, fostering a positive culture, and growing RCBC’s reach within its community.
The Burlington County Institute of Technology held a ribbon-cutting ceremony Oct. 2 to celebrate its recently completed $14 million project, a major expansion and renovation of its Westampton campus that included more classroom space, large logistics training area and a new diesel engine garage that will enhance education and training opportunities.
On Oct. 20, community leaders announced the launch of The Camden Preschool Initiative, which represents a novel collaboration focused on innovative, evidence-based models of early education and intervention that supports young students and their families by preparing them for lifelong success and learning.
