Jeremy Walker, a high school senior at GCIT and a college sophomore at RCSJ, shares his educational journey with the gathered crowd at the RCSJ Collegiate High School event on March 12. Walker, along with nine of his fellow GCIT students, is on track to graduate with his RCSJ associate degree this May, just a few weeks prior to his high school graduation.
On March 12, Rowan College of South Jersey (RCSJ) met with representatives from 24 local high schools to sign into place the RCSJ Collegiate High School program. At the outset of this initiative, five Cumberland County high schools, 14 Gloucester County high schools, and 4 parochial high schools signed on as partners.
“I'm so excited to be here at this ceremony today, because what we're talking about is opening a door for high school students to have access to the curriculum, to the experiences, and to the employment that a college can provide," remarked Assemblywoman Heather Simmons, who also serves as vice president of Strategic Planning and Institutional Advancement at RCSJ.
RCSJ Collegiate High School takes education to the next level, providing an affordable, practical way to earn college credits and prepare for the rigors of excelling in a collegiate environment – all before high school graduation. Participating high schools can now offer students the option to take college classes from their high school classrooms or one of RCSJ's two campuses.
“Our goal is to meet students where they are in their college and career exploratory journey and assist them with getting on – and staying on – a path," explained Megan Ruttler, associate vice president of College and Career Readiness. “These pathways start in the secondary education arena, progress through RCSJ's certificate and degree programs, and provide transfer opportunities through RCSJ's Flagship Partner, Rowan University, as well as many other institutions of higher education."
RCSJ has mapped out the pathway to a baccalaureate degree and beyond, and that path begins in the high school classroom. Specialized pathway advisors help high school participants determine the best option for their goals, which range from earning a few college credits all the way to completing an associate degree while still in high school.
“We want to give them a taste – kind of a vision – and maybe ignite some sort of enthusiasm in our students when they're in middle school and high school," explained Robert Bumpus, Cumberland County executive county superintendent and acting county superintendent for Gloucester County. “Because while young adult life begins at 18, focus and vision on your future really begin to take root in these formative years."
“The gatekeeping aspect has been taken away by this partnership," remarked Rory Sweeney, President of Camden Catholic High School. “Families can see a pathway from kindergarten all the way to a doctorate, that they can afford in a time when college education is becoming more and more inaccessible."
Students participating in the Collegiate High School program may choose between two different routes to earing college credit. The High School Option Program route enables students, ages 15+ who have completed their freshman year of high school, to take courses on RCSJ's campuses or online for the discounted rate of $75 per credit. Students participating in HSOP will have access to the College's educational and recreational facilities to encourage their participation and to help them to acclimate to a collegiate environment. For students taking courses online, an “RCSJ period" will be provided at the high school during which to complete coursework.
The High School Dual Credit route offers the opportunity to receive college credit for select courses taught at their local high school by credentialed instructors. These courses are available at a discounted cost of $50 per credit, and credits earned be applied to an RCSJ degree or be transferred to other institutions of higher education. One-on-one advisement will be made available to all students to ensure they start out – and remain – on the best academic path for them.
For students like Jeremy Walker, who is simultaneously a high school senior at the Gloucester County Institute of Technology (GCIT) and a college sophomore at RCSJ, the chance to save time and money on a college degree was too good to pass up. He is preparing to graduate with his A.S. in Business Administration this May – a few short weeks before his high school graduation in June – and then transfer to Stockton University as a junior to pursue his B.S. in Political Science with a concentration in International Affairs.
“Thanks to the dual enrollment program, I have been liberated from nearly a decade of debt," shared Walker, before thanking his RCSJ liaison, Jeff Burns, who helped him stay focused and on track. “I'd also like to extend my thanks to everyone in this room who has made a college education so much more accessible, especially for those who have fears that they can't afford it or may not be able to get it done in time. Thanks to people like you, nine people from my (high school) graduating class are going to be graduating with their associate degree."
Collegiate High School students receive access to selective pathway programs offered in partnership with Rowan University, student ambassador programs, academic and career coaching, FAFSA assistance, opportunities for scholarship support, and more.
“We believe that Rowan College of South Jersey has something valuable to offer every single high school student, whether it be a degree program or a certificate track through our Division of Career and Technical Education that will allow them to enter a lucrative trade," outlined Dr. Frederick Keating, president of RCSJ. “What we've gathered here today to celebrate is a viable, sustainable program that could be modeled – that should be modeled – by the State to embed it into who we are as New Jersey residents and give our students this much-needed opportunity."
RCSJ's Collegiate High School partners currently include Bridgeton High School, Cumberland Regional High School, Cumberland County Technical Education Center, Millville High School, and Vineland High School in Cumberland County; Clayton High School, Clearview Regional High School, Delsea Regional High School, Deptford High School, Gateway Regional High School, Glassboro High School, Gloucester County Institute of Technology, Gloucester County Special Services School District, Kingsway Regional High School, Paulsboro High School, Pitman High School, Washington Township High School, Williamstown High School, West Deptford High School, and Woodbury High School in Gloucester County, and four parochial schools – Bishop Eustace Preparatory School, Camden Catholic High School, Gloucester Catholic High School, and Our Lady of Mercy Academy.
Students at one of the RCSJ Collegiate High Schools listed above who are interested in saving time and money on their college degree should visit their high school counselor for information on how to get started, or learn more at
RCSJ.edu/DesignYourFuture.
