The presidents from New Jersey City University (NJCU) and Essex Community College signed an express transfer program memorandum of understanding (MOU) yesterday.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
Under the terms of the articulation agreement, which is effective September 1st, 2024 for a period of at least five years, Essex County College students in good academic standing who have earned an Associate of Arts or Science degree at Essex, will be granted joint admission into NJCU with junior academic status, in the same or similar academic program.
“The American Dream for many in our communities finds its foothold on campuses like Essex County College, and we are creating an expeditious process where students complete those pursuits on our campus at NJCU,” NJCU Interim President Andrés Acebo said in a statement.
“Both of our institutions serve some of the most diverse communities and socioeconomically diverse students in our state. Higher education stands on the precipice of opportunity on our respective campuses. Both of our institutions, throughout our histories, have been a vehicle and modality for social mobility and prosperity.”
Essex and NJCU will adopt specific program-to-program articulation agreements for all 39 bachelor’s degrees and distinct degree and certification pathways offered under the joint admissions program as part of the seamless transfer experience.
The two schools will collaborate to identify program maps to facilitate the transfer of credits to limit excess credit accumulation, develop joint admission standards, academic advising and support programs and staff, and establish a timeline for the automatic transfer of credits.
Additionally, the schools will conduct regular data-driven evaluations of the program to assess its effectiveness and make adjustments when necessary. All application fees for transfer students into NJCU will be waived.
The event was attended by academic leaders from both institutions, and local leaders, including Assemblywoman Carmen T. Morales (D-34) and longtime Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr., a 1976 NJCU alumnus and a member of the institution’s Lawrence R. Schiner Athletics Hall of Fame.
“This agreement ensures that the hard-earned credits our students receive are honored, making the journey to a bachelor’s degree more accessible and affordable. Thank you, ECC and NJCU for your commitment to our students. By investing in education, we are strengthening our communities and building a stronger New Jersey,” Morales added.
“As the Essex County Executive and a proud alum of Jersey City State College, I am happy to stand with Essex County College President Dr. Augustine A. Boakye and NJCU President Andrés Acebo on this momentous occasion … This collaboration between the two institutions is a win-win for all our students,” noted DiVincenzo.
A critical element of the partnership will allow every credit earned at Essex to transfer to NJCU.
The Essex|NJCU Express program builds off other successful agreements NJCU has engaged in, including the HCCC|NJCU Connect — known as the Hudson Connect Program — which was signed in December, 2023 and launched in January, 2024.
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