NJ's Community Colleges

10/15/2026

10/13/2026

What does it take to grow life sciences manufacturing in New Jersey?

HINJ was proud to sponsor Lessons in Life Sciences at NJMEP’s Manufacturing Day, with our President & CEO, Chrissy Buteas, moderating the conversation on innovation, scaling operations, regulatory and quality demands, and workforce needs.

Thank you to Michele Siekerka of NJ Business & Industry Association (NJBIA), Catherine Frugé Starghill of the New Jersey Council of County Colleges (NJ's Community Colleges) , Bill Noonan of Choose New Jersey, Inc., and Evan S. Weiss of the New Jersey Economic Development Authority for sharing their perspectives—and to NJMEP for bringing the manufacturing community together.

Strong partnerships across industry, government, and education help keep New Jersey a leader in manufacturing treatments and technologies that improve patients’ lives.

10/07/2026

NJCCC is proud to have recognized Paul J. Stankard as the first recipient of our statewide Distinguished Alumnus Award in 2018. Paul was a tremendous champion of community colleges and remained deeply connected to his alma mater, Salem Community College, and the community college alumni who followed him.

We extend our condolences to his family, friends, and the entire Salem Community College community.

10/07/2026

The New Jersey Council of County Colleges is saddened to share that Paul J. Stankard, a world-renowned glass artist, proud Salem Community College graduate, and NJCCC’s first statewide Distinguished Alumnus, passed away on October 6 following an extended illness.

Paul began his remarkable career at Salem Community College’s predecessor in 1961, where he studied scientific glassblowing. He went on to become an internationally acclaimed artist and pioneer in the studio glass movement, widely regarded as the “father of modern glass paperweights.” His work is represented in major museum collections around the world.

For decades, Paul passionately supported his alma mater. With his wife Pat, he generously funded a scholarship and donated exquisite works of art to the SCC collection. Paul also helped create the SCC Glass Art associate in fine arts degree program, founded the International Flameworking Conference, and taught courses and workshops.

In 2018, NJCCC proudly recognized Paul as the inaugural recipient of our statewide Distinguished Alumnus Award, which honors a New Jersey community college graduate whose contributions to their profession and community bring honor to New Jersey’s community colleges and the State of New Jersey.

Paul’s New Jersey’s community college pride and connection to its alumni continued in the years that followed. In 2024, he shared lunch with NJCCC Distinguished Alumnus Osei Boateng, a Raritan Valley Community College graduate, and the two discussed the virtues of a community college education.

Paul’s legacy will live on through the generations he inspired and the countless lives he helped change at Salem Community College and around the world.

We extend our condolences to Paul’s family, friends, and the Salem Community College community. NJCCC will always be proud to have recognized Paul Stankard as our first statewide Distinguished Alumnus and grateful for his continued connection to New Jersey’s community colleges.

10/07/2026

Thank you to Senate Higher Education Committee Chairman Joe Cryan and members of the Committee for the opportunity to share the perspective of New Jersey’s 18 community colleges as part of this important conversation on higher education funding.

NJCCC Chief Innovation and Policy Officer Maria Heidkamp outlined priorities for adequate, predictable funding that supports student success, workforce development, and greater systemwide collaboration.

Read More: https://www.njcommunitycolleges.org/news/testimony-of-maria-heidkampchief-innovation-and-policy-officer-new-jersey-council-of-county-collegesfor-the-senate-higher-education-committee-hearing-on-funding/

10/07/2026

New Jersey ranks 47th out of 47 community college systems for state support per student, with funding remaining flat for the past four state budgets.

On October 5, NJCCC Chief Innovation and Policy Officer Maria Heidkamp testified before the Senate Higher Education Committee as part of its hearing on strategies to improve higher education funding in New Jersey.

Representing New Jersey’s 18 community colleges, Maria outlined priorities including support for noncredit programs and dual enrollment, investments in evidence-based strategies that increase student persistence and completion, greater systemwide collaboration, more predictable funding that keeps pace with inflation, and a transparent, equitable performance-based funding formula.

New Jersey’s community colleges educate and provide workforce training to more than 255,000 students and contribute $12.8 billion to the state’s economy.

🔗 Read Maria’s full testimony: https://www.njcommunitycolleges.org/news/testimony-of-maria-heidkampchief-innovation-and-policy-officer-new-jersey-council-of-county-collegesfor-the-senate-higher-education-committee-hearing-on-funding/

10/05/2026

Help fight student hunger through Feed the Future.

New Jersey’s Community Colleges are coming together to help address food insecurity and ensure students have the support they need to succeed academically and professionally.

Choose the community college you want to support and donate directly to its food pantry and nutrition-focused programs.

Donate today:
spotfund.com/teams/njccc

10/02/2026

10/01/2026

Supporting students starts with helping meet their basic needs.

Through Feed the Future, you can donate directly to support the food pantry and other nutrition-focused programs at the New Jersey community college of your choice.

Choose your college and make an impact:
spotfund.com/teams/njccc

10/01/2026

What does it take to grow life sciences manufacturing in New Jersey?

This Friday, HINJ President & CEO Chrissy Buteas will moderate Lessons in Life Sciences with Michele Siekerka (NJ Business & Industry Association (NJBIA)), Catherine Frugé Starghill (NJ Council of County Colleges NJ's Community Colleges), Bill Noonan (Choose New Jersey, Inc.), and Evan S. Weiss (New Jersey Economic Development Authority).

They’ll explore the workforce, investment, and business conditions needed to help manufacturers scale - and keep New Jersey at the forefront of medical innovation.

iPlay America, Freehold
Friday, October 2 | 11:20 AM–12:20 PM

Join us to hear how business, workforce, and economic development leaders are helping shape what comes next.