HIGHER EDUCATION
HIGHER EDUCATION
NJ Launches Degree Completion Initiative
By Diane C . Walsh Editor , COMMERCE
If you started college but never finished your degree , Dr . Brian K . Bridges , the New Jersey Secretary of Higher Education wants to talk to you .
The state launched a new initiative , supported by $ 13 million in funding , to identify former students and get them back on campus to earn their diplomas . Studies done by the National Student Clearinghouse ( NSC ) show there are 792,527 students in the state who fall into the “ Some College , No Degree ” category , and nationwide the figure tops 38 million .
Financial hardship and family problems are the biggest causes , but the reasons can be myriad . “ As we often say in education – life happens and that causes students to step out . But our plan and our hope in New Jersey is that this initiative can help some of these individuals see that the state is behind them . We know that life happens . But the state of New Jersey is interested and invested in their success because their success contributes to New Jersey ’ s success at large ,” said Secretary Bridges .
In reviewing the data from the NSC , about 8 percent are considered “ potential completers ,” having made at least two years ’ worth of academic progress within the last 10 years and 5.4 percent are recent “ stop-out ” students who left their degree pursuits in 2019 or later .
In spring of 2023 , New Jersey launched a partnership with 17 of the state ’ s higher education institutions and ReUp Education to identify , reach , and engage student who have left college without completing their degree . The initiative convened at Middlesex College , where more than 200 officials from state institutions , students , and speakers from the NSC , ReUp Education and the Institute for Higher Education Policy ( IHEP ) participated .
“ Re-engaging students with some college credits but no degree is critical to making student success more equitable ,” said Amanda Janice Roberson , senior director of strategic engagement , planning and operation at ( IHEP ) at the day-long kickoff . “ The obstacles that force students to stop out of college disproportionately impact first-generation students , adult students , students from low-income backgrounds and students of color .
Dr . Brian K . Bridges , New Jersey Secretary of Higher Education
Faculty from colleges throughout the state participated in the kickoff of the “ Some College , No Degree ” program at Middlesex County College .
“ We applaud institutions in New Jersey for committing to use disaggregated data and data-informed strategies to address these inequities and help students cross the degree-completion finish line .”
Catherine Sackey , who works in the state office of higher education , had once been in the “ some college , no degree ” category . She said setting an example for her children was a motivating factor for her return .
Secretary Bridges noted Sackey ’ s story is a common refrain . “ We want to appeal to that sense of completion – the desire to fulfill their goals . It ’ s not just an example for themselves . In quite a few people they want to provide an example for their children and for other family members . So , we appeal to that .
“ We also help them to understand that completing their degree can help them accelerate their earnings , help them earn a better living wage and contribute not only to their individual success but to the success of their family and multiple generations henceforth ,” he said .
Employers should applaud the initiative also because it has the potential of upskilling workers . “ While New Jersey has a reputation
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