NJCU AND HCCC EXPAND PARTNERSHIP FOR HIGHER EDUCATION PATHWAY PROGRAM IN STEM FOR HISPANIC STUDENTS WITH ASSOCIATED SCHOLARSHIPS
New Jersey City University (NJCU) and Hudson County Community College (HCCC) have agreed to an innovative expansion of their general partnership and dual-admit initiative in STEM education (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics). The goal of the newly announced Pathway Program and scholarships is to increase Hispanic student participation in STEM career fields.
Through the new Pathway Program – which will become effective in the fall 2016 semester – students have the option of dual admission to STEM programs at both institutions or seamless transfer from Hudson County Community College to New Jersey City University.
Hispanic students transferring from the HCCC STEM program to the NJCU STEM program may apply for a newly instituted NJCU Provost Scholarship for STEM Education. The Provost Scholarships will cover 100% of tuition costs for two years. As many as ten Provost Scholarships will be awarded each year. Applicants for the Provost Scholarship must have earned a grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.0 while studying at Hudson County Community College. Students who are not awarded a Provost Scholarship become eligible for a non-standard rate of tuition with a $4,000 per year discount for two years.
Both HCCC and NJCU are designated as Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs), two of only 271 colleges and universities in the U.S. recognized as HSI institutions by the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU). Hispanic students are traditionally under-represented in most STEM fields.
“Making higher education opportunities in STEM accessible for minority students has been a strategic initiative at both institutions,” said Dr. Eric Friedman, HCCC vice president for academic affairs. “These scholarships and reduced tuition rates help make it tangible, real and accessible for Hispanic students to act on their dreams.”
In announcing the expanded partnership, Dr. Daniel J. Julius, NJCU senior vice president and provost, said, “The opportunity for STEM study for Hispanic students is consistent with our highest priorities. This will be a wonderful pathway for an important constituency and, coupled with reduced tuition costs for those enrolled in the Pathways Program in STEM, will encourage exceptional students to explore a field which offers attractive career opportunities and employment possibilities. I am delighted we can work collaboratively with HCCC on this innovative program and thank both Presidents for their support.”
