Biz 325 Higher Education - FINAL_Layout 1 3 / 6 / 25 2 : 08 PM Page 2 cludes a rising number of individuals with it’s higher education’s duty to lay a strong students ’ chances of connecting with the rich backgrounds , who are trailblazers in foundation for current students and future tools they need to succeed are making their families and balancing adult - sized graduates alike . their way through state legislature . One responsibilities : first - generation college at - “ There has been a significant shift in assembly bill , A - 5212 , aims to expand tendees ; first - generation immigrants and many ways in the demands that students the social services at community colleges those whose first language isn’t English ; have across all of higher education , es - that encourage holistic student support , full - and part - time workers either already pecially when you’re educating first - gen - recognizing that increasing access to food on a career path or paying their own way ; eration college students or students from assistance , housing support and childcare active military members and veterans ; working - class families where their needs subsidies while streamlining applications those who are financially supporting older are greater , ” says Dr . Bertolino . “ For ex - for the likes of Supplemental Nutrition generations , siblings or children of their ample , 30 years ago , I would have said Assistance Program ( SNAP ) and Temporary own ; and returning students who are either that students go to class , they’re in their Assistance for Needy Families ( TANF ) sim - finishing coursework they began years ago activities , they have a good time , they ilarly increases recipients ’ chances for ac - or supplementing their professional de - graduate , they get a good job — then , ademic success . velopment with correlating classes . we weren’t talking as much about issues Another bill package sets its sights on South Jersey benefits from being in like working while in school , mental health positioning students for optimal success , close proximity to schools that recognize issues , food insecurity , housing insecurity . which the Assembly Higher Education there’s no one - size - fits - all approach to All these conversations about stressors Committee advanced last month . That higher education . The ongoing , proactive were not taking place in a robust way , so package includes : A - 5211 , which codifies development of RCBC offers a deeply in - I think what has changed is the needs of the New Jersey Pathways to Career Op - dividualized springboard toward the de - the students and institutions providing portunities Initiative , drawing upon the grees that typically open doors to greater an array of wraparound services , not just power of secondary and post - secondary opportunities for upward socioeconomic education . ” education and a partnership with the New mobility , focusing on affordability and flex - Jersey Business & Industry Association to ibility . Cost - saving measures like the 3 + 1 cultivate a network with labor unions and More access to program allows students to “ prepare for other organizations to offer training , ap - the future without crippling college debt ” prenticeships and professional develop - higher education while working toward their associate and ment ; and A - 5213 , which would strengthen is key to bolstering bachelor’s degrees . the collaboration between workforce de - South Jersey’s And , much like four - year colleges and velopmentboards and community colleges . challenged “ without the stigma of 20 years ago , ” Working with area businesses and pro - communities . RCBC also offers students a direct pathway fessional organizations helps higher edu - to hands - on , career - focused opportunities cation meet the needs of employers that that develop the skills they’ll need as they Ensuring students have all the support include nascent and emerging industries join the workforce . they need to thrive academically and be - still identifying what their current and an - “ All of our students have opportunities yondis an ever - changing pursuit of meeting ticipated talent demands are , as well as that are either generic , like in the cus - students where they are , not just because zero in on those professions facing critical tomer - service space , or are major - specific it has to suit students representing all shortages that they can help direct a new because some students know exactly walks of life but because the long - term workforce toward — all while also helping what they want to be , ” says Dr . Cioce . emotional and educational disruption of youngadults develop the soft skills befitting “ When you look at our health care partners COVID is still perniciously lingering and a professional setting amid their transition and health care programs , we have hu - interfering with student success , necessi - from higher education’s training to a work - mungous partners in Virtua , Cooper , tating a new way to grapple with an un - site’s application of acquired knowledge Deborah and Jefferson … Their clinical precedented academic disruption . as they settle into roles that not only con - placements are embedded in the cur - “ We found that some of our numbers tribute to their team’s success but also riculum . Before they graduate , they actually were trending the wrong way when we benefit the community they serve . spend time on hospital floors and are ac - looked at our core English and math ed - “ We know that in South Jersey , some tually drawing blood . Not every program ucation , so we had an entire redesign of of our communities are challenged , and if mirrors that , but we’re trying to make our math curriculum , ” says Dr . Cioce . you want those communities to thrive sure that every student can have an ex - “ We even put our tutoring services where and to be able to support themselves periential opportunity . ” students will actually interact with them , and their families , education becomes In the 35 years he’s been in education not buried away in some remote part of key , ” Dr . Bertolino says . “ The strength of and his third college presidency , Dr . Bertoli - campus . ” the economy , the innovation of the tax no has seen the world of academia shift While leaders in higher education are base , the employers , the employees , all along with modern expectations , philoso - proactively championing the cause of in - of those are reasons to advocate for higher phies and perspectives . He notes that to - creased accessibility through eliminating education . But , most importantly , it’s the day’s colleges aren’t just taking responsibility thebarriers that stand between a promising right thing to do : If you want folks to par - for their students ’ success in the classroom : student and a life - changing college diplo - ticipate and be engaged citizens , and They recognize how those pupils are more ma , it’s not just dedicated educational you want folks to care for and take care of than letter grades , attendance records professionals who are focused on em - one another and contribute to their com - and their areas of study , and that a truly powering both present and future post - munity , then we need to be willing to w well - rounded young adult is the result of secondary students . make an investment in their future . ” all - encompassing development — and that A number of bills that aim to improve SouthJerseyBiz.net | VOLUME 15 ISSUE 3 | SOUTH JERSEY BIZ | 21