PCCC Holds Opening Ceremony for New University Center at the Paterson Campus

Passaic County Community College (PCCC) introduced the new University Center on the Main Campus in Paterson with a March 3 opening celebration and ribbon cutting ceremony. 

Located in the College library, the Center is home to Ramapo@PCCC, an innovative initiative that enables PCCC graduates to earn a bachelor’s degree from Ramapo College of New Jersey at a significant cost savings.

 “What an incredible opportunity this offers to our students,” said Dr. Steven Rose, president of PCCC, to the gathering that included officials, faculty, and staff from both colleges.  Noting that PCCC and Ramapo “share similar cultures,” Dr. Rose said the Ramapo@PCCC initiative is the only one of its kind in this part of New Jersey. “We look forward to this program growing,” he added.

Dr. Christopher Romano, vice president of enrollment and student affairs at Ramapo, commented that the two schools “have a great relationship due to our shared commitment to affordability and student success.” 

Also attending from Ramapo were Dr. Susan Gauldin the College provost, and Ms. Patricia Laprey, director of the degree completion program.

Funded by the PROSPER grant, a federal title V grant, the University Center will offer the Ramapo@PCCC program a presence on campus, where Ramapo staff will be co-located with PCCC staff, to pursue the goal of propelling students towards bachelor’s degrees and good jobs.

This is to be accomplished through an innovative 3+1 transfer model that enables PCCC graduates who are accepted into the program to remain on the PCCC campus for a third year, paying PCCC tuition, while completing Ramapo’s junior-year coursework.  They then transition to Ramapo’s campus for their fourth year and receive their bachelor’s degree from Ramapo.

According to Betsy Marinace, dean of academic initiatives at PCCC, “Students in the Ramapo@PCCC program can save an estimated $7,000 on the total cost of a bachelor’s degree.”

Dean Marinace added that the Ramapo@PCCC program, now in its second year, has been going well. “Students think it’s fantastic and are very satisfied,” she said.

The inaugural Ramapo @ PCCC class will receive their bachelor’s degrees this spring in the Ramapo College commencement ceremony at the Prudential Center in Newark. 

For more information, visit pccc.edu/Ramapo