Dream. Learn. Prosper.
Prof. Ellen Hernandez, Academic Skills English, published a book of poetry, In Morocco: rihlat amra’at ‘amrikia
that portrays her experiences as an American woman living alone in the country of Morocco. The book is available through Finishing Line Press.
Camden County College, the Freeholder Board and partners on the local, state and federal levels are working together to reinforce the importance of public participation in the 2020 Census and the impact of an accurate count on our community.
“An accurate census count means that our community gets the proper level of funding and the appropriate representation in Congress, but we can only get there if everyone understands what is at stake and participates,” said Freeholder Carmen Rodriguez, liaison to the Department of Health and Human Services. “An accurate count is critical to the effective operation of government at all levels.”
Each decade, the United States Census Bureau is required to take a count of America’s population. This count is used to determine how many representatives each state receives in Congress; to redraw district boundaries; to determine the need for new infrastructure such as roads, schools, and emergency services; and by businesses determining where to open stores and locations.
Some populations have historically been more difficult to count than others, including those living in poverty, the homeless, children, and racial and ethnic minorities. The addition of political rhetoric, surrounding a possible U.S. citizenship question that will not appear on next year’s census, has raised concerns that obtaining an accurate count will be even harder than in previous years.
“We have left money on the table for decades because of undercounts in our community,” Rodriguez said. “That causes a ripple effect that touches all government services as we are forced to shift funds from other areas to cover what we lost in federal dollars. This affects everyday social services but also our ability to fund road maintenance and school improvements.”
To ensure an accurate count, officials are emphasizing that the Census is safe, secure and 100 percent confidential. Census data is not shared with other federal agencies, local officials, or law enforcement.
For more information regarding participation in the 2020 Census, how to respond to the Census questionnaire, and why every response is critical, residents are encouraged to visit www.2020census.gov.
Camden County College’s dental hygiene and dental assisting students and staff – joined by area dentists – provided free cleanings, other preventive care and oral health education to area children on Feb. 7 for Give-Kids-a-Smile Day.
“We are proud to provide these free services to children who might not otherwise have access to dental care. In addition to cleanings and screenings, the children were taught about good dental health,” said Freeholder Jonathan Young. “Dental appointments can cost in excess of $100 per child per visit, and many families without insurance cannot afford this vital attention.”
Give-Kids-a-Smile Day is a national event that has been held on the first Friday in February for more than 15 years. It is intended for children aged 12 and younger with little or no dental insurance, and its aim is to provide a day of dental care to youngsters who would otherwise not have access to these services.
Each child was given an oral exam and offered services such as cleanings, x-rays, dental hygiene education, fluoride treatments, restorations and simple extractions. Gentle dental care was provided by volunteer dentists, dental hygienists, dental assistants, Camden County College staff and students of the dental programs. The “Tooth Fairy” also made an appearance offering attendees support, prizes, toothbrushes, toothpaste, and a friendly smile.
Camden County College Athletics is currently ranked as the number one Athletic Program in the country for championship success for two year Non-Scholarship Schools by NATYCAA (National Alliance of Two Year College Athletic Administration). This prestigious ranking is called the Daktronics Cup and is conducted by NAYTCAA. Last year Camden County College Athletics finished 10th in the Nation of this award.
The Cougars used a third-place national finish in men’s soccer, eight-place finish in men’s cross county, fourth-place finish in women’s cross country and fourth-place finish in women’s tennis to earn the points that put them in the lead in the JJCAA scholarship division. Colleges in each division are allowed to use their top five finishes per gender at their highest level of competition to earn points for the Daktronics Cup.
The Daktronics Cup (formerly NATYCAA Cup) recognizes the top programs in three divisions of two-year college intercollegiate athletics, which include all 660+ members of NATYCAA. Divisions include: NJCAA Scholarship Division, NJCAA Non-Scholarship Division and the State Associations Division. Colleges earn points based on their performance in each division’s end of the season championship events. The winners of each championship earn 20 points, second-place finishes earn 19 points, third-place finishers receive 18 points, etc. Colleges use their top-five sports finishes per gender to accumulate points toward their division’s cup standings.
The Cougars are also ranked third in the country in the Learfield Sports IMG Directors’ Cup Standings. The Learfield Director’s Cup is conducted by The National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) and USA Today.
(Gloucester Township, NJ) – Camden County College and Rutgers University–Camden have formed a new Premier Partnership that aligns the two schools to provide the residents of Camden County and South Jersey a unique opportunity to earn both a Camden County College associate degree and Rutgers baccalaureate degree on the Blackwood and Rutgers–Camden campuses.
“This innovative partnership makes higher education more affordable for Camden County College graduates by providing a direct, cohesive route to a Rutgers–Camden bachelor’s degree on our Blackwood campus for under $30,000,” said Camden County College President Donald A. Borden. “We are building upon the proven relationship between the two schools to provide students with greater access to a range of educational opportunities.”
This Premier Partnership will feature dual admission to Rutgers–Camden and Camden County College, seamless transfer of all associate-level credits and joint student advisement by dedicated Rutgers and Camden County College staff.
“We want every South Jersey family to have access to the lifetime of opportunity offered by a world-class Rutgers–Camden degree, and our Premier Partnership with Camden County College does exactly that,” said Rutgers University–Camden Chancellor Phoebe A. Haddon. “Students who enroll in Camden County College become part of the Rutgers–Camden community, and we are committed to working with those students to support their success.”
Camden County College graduates enrolling in Rutgers–Camden degree-granting programs offered on CCC’s Blackwood campus will receive an exclusive third-year guaranteed scholarship. The Rutgers–Camden baccalaureate pathways for the Premier Partnership include Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degrees in Business Administration, Criminal Justice, Liberal Studies, Political Science and Psychology.
In addition, Camden County College students will be eligible to receive Rutgers–Camden identification cards and Rutgers email accounts, along with being granted access to the university’s student organizations, library and fitness center. Rutgers–Camden also will waive their application fee. Students will also have access to a dedicated Premier Partnership lounge and a dedicated Rutgers counselor on the Camden County College campus.
“This agreement brings the most recognized community college in the region together with one of the most respected universities in the country to benefit local students,” said Camden County Freeholder Director Louis Cappelli, Jr. “This opens new doors for students that may not have considered the possibility that a Rutgers degree was in their reach.”
Applications will be accepted beginning in spring of 2020, with full implementation of the Premier Partnership anticipated for the fall 2020 academic semester.
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(Camden, NJ) – Camden County College named the learning theater in the Camden Conference Center in memory of Freeholder and legendary educator Riletta Twyne Cream.
“I had the privilege to serve on the Freeholder Board with Riletta Cream and have firsthand knowledge of the passion and dedication she put into everything she did,” said Freeholder Deputy Director Edward T. McDonnell, liaison to Camden County College. “Whether it be improving educational opportunities as an educator, or improving county facilities in her role as freeholder, Riletta Cream had a strong and lasting impact on Camden County and its residents.”
A native of Camden City, Riletta Twyne Cream devoted her time, talents and energy to improving education in the city working as a teacher, supervisor and elementary school principal before serving as the principal of Camden High School from 1972 to 1987.
She continued to champion Camden’s students after her retirement from education by establishing the Riletta Cream Scholarship Fund in 1989. The scholarship supported the higher education goals of students from Camden, Woodrow Wilson, Brimm Medical Arts and Creative Arts High Schools.
In 1994, she was appointed to the Camden County Board of Freeholders, a position she held for five consecutive three-year terms. She served as a liaison to the Department of Buildings and Operations as well as the Department of Education.
Upon her retirement from the Freeholder Board in 2011, she donated the remaining monies of the scholarship fund, totaling more than $104,000, to the Camden County College Foundation to benefit students throughout Camden County. The established endowment ensures that the Riletta Cream Scholarship Fund will continue in perpetuity.
“To acknowledge the contributions of this champion of education, legendary principal and dedicated public servant, Camden County College is proud to honor her legacy with the naming of the Riletta Twyne Cream Learning Theater,” said Camden County College President Donald A. Borden. “Since 2011, the Riletta Cream Scholarship Fund has provided scholarships to 32 Camden County College students from across the county. Her gift will continue to provide educational opportunities for Camden County College students for years to come.”
At her passing, Freeholder Cream left a bequest to the Camden County College Foundation, totaling more than $97,000, to support the Foundation’s efforts to bring affordable and accessible education to all students in Camden County.
The dedication also served as the official launch of the Camden County College Foundation’s Bricks to Buildings fundraising campaign. From placing an engraved brick on campus to naming a building, a sponsor can leave a lasting legacy and provide for students.
The 1800-square-foot Riletta Twyne Cream Learning Theater contains 175 seats and can be used for lectures, graduation ceremonies and special events at the college. It is also available for private event rentals. For more information, please visit www.camdencc.edu
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Hanson Recognized for Impact on Local Economy
Camden County College Board of Trustees Chair John T. Hanson was presented with an Eagle Award by the New Jersey Alliance for Action during the 45th Annual Eagle Awards Dinner on October 29, 2019, at the Hyatt Regency in New Brunswick, NJ. Hanson serves as the Chief Executive Officer of the Delaware River Port Authority (DRPA) and PATCO President. He accepted the 2019 Walter Rand South Jersey Award on behalf of the men and women who work at DRPA and PATCO, Chairman Ryan Boyer, Vice-Chairman Jeffrey Nash, DRPA and PATCO’s Board, and the contractors and consultants who support the Authority. An Eagle Award symbolizes the ability to rise above obstacles and to achieve levels of success beyond the common grasp that make the recipient of this award a leader. Hanson was the recipient of the Walter Rand South Jersey Award which is an Eagle Award category given to an individual who is recognized as making a difference in the local economy.
