Leaders from New Jersey’s Community Colleges Travel to Washington D.C. for Community College National Legislative Summit

NJ Community College Leaders to Brief Senators and Members of Congress on Critical Importance of Community Colleges

February 3, 2023, Washington, DC – Leaders from New Jersey’s 18 Community Colleges, including Presidents, Trustees, alumni, and student leaders, will unite in-person (February 5-8, 2023) for the annual Association of Community College Trustees National Legislative Summit (ACCT-NLS) held at the Marriott Marquis in Washington, D.C. This national summit is the premier Community College event bringing together more than 1,000 Community College leaders to learn about federal issues concerning higher education and to meet with Senators and Members of Congress from New Jersey to discuss the critical needs and importance of Community Colleges.

“There’s no question that New Jersey’s 18 Community Colleges are stronger together, and we look forward to highlighting the successes of our colleges in Washington. Our united team of nearly 50 leaders will be meeting with members of our Congressional Delegation and their staff to expand our relationships, brief them on the work of New Jersey’s Community Colleges, and inform them about the affordable and transformational opportunities available,” said Mary M. Zimmermann, Chair of the New Jersey Council of County Colleges (NJCCC).

“We look forward to sharing exciting details about our New Jersey Pathways to Career Opportunities initiative that aligns education with the needs of industry to strengthen our workforce and economy. We now have 1,200 industry and education partners, and we’re building incredible momentum,” added Dr. Anthony Iacono, the President of County College of Morris.

“We will also be discussing the need to increase access to post-secondary education through Federal Pell Grants and the need for continued student success efforts. We will be talking about the many issues that will help our New Jersey students fulfill their dreams of going to college, and, of course, our priorities for national legislation to support Community Colleges,” said Dr. Aaron Fichtner, NJCCC President.

NJ Delegation Sponsored Activities at ACCT-NLS, November 5-8, 2023:

Kick-Off ACCT-NLS with New Jersey’s Community Colleges – Sunday, February 5, 2023 at 6 pm – Marriott Marquis Hotel Lobby Bar

Mary Zimmermann, NJCCC Chair, and Aaron Fichtner, President, NJCCC, will host this informal gathering to kick off NLS with our New Jersey Community College delegation.

NJCCC Reception/Conversation on Community Colleges – Monday, February 6, 2023, 4:00 – 5:30 pm – Supreme Court Room –Marriott Marquis

Mary Zimmermann, NJCCC Chair, and Aaron Fichtner, President, NJCCC, will host this panel discussion to provide insights on critical issues facing Community Colleges.

NJCCC Statewide Breakfast | Federal Policy Session with Congressman Josh Gottheimer – Tuesday, February 7, 2023, 7:30 – 9:30 am – Cherry Blossom Room – 2nd Floor – Marriott Marquis

Mary Zimmermann, NJCCC Chair, and Aaron Fichtner, President, NJCCC, will host our Statewide Breakfast with fellow Trustees, Presidents, students, and alumni.

Meetings with Members of Congress: Tuesday, February 7, 2023 – Various Times    

We will use these meetings to brief members of Congress on the work of New Jersey’s Community Colleges and our priorities for national legislation to support Community Colleges

About the New Jersey Council of County Colleges (NJCCC)

The New Jersey Council of County Colleges (NJCCC) was created in 1989 to support and promote New Jersey’s 18 Community Colleges that now enroll more than 300,000 people each year in credit, non-credit, and workforce development courses at more than 70 campuses throughout the state. More than 200,000 students – over half of all undergraduate students in public colleges and universities in the state – are enrolled at New Jersey’s Community Colleges. The Community Colleges also enroll nearly 100,000 students in non-credit programs and partner with thousands of businesses to meet their training and workforce needs.

The primary goal of New Jersey’s 18 Community Colleges is to meet the ever-changing educational needs of our great state’s residents. Today, through more than 1,700 degree and certificate programs, as well as non-credit courses and customized workforce training programs, New Jersey Community Colleges are helping more students than ever. Further, equity and access priorities are advanced every day with over half of the total undergraduate enrollment in New Jersey Community Colleges coming from minority and traditionally underrepresented populations.

The New Jersey Community College Consortium for Workforce and Economic Development is a subsidiary of NJCCC. The Consortium brings together the Community Colleges as a collective to provide workforce development training.

To learn more about NJCCC and New Jersey’s Community Colleges, go to www.njccc.org. Follow us @NJCommColleges on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube to learn more about our latest programs and initiatives.