In an effort to inspire the next generation of scientists, engineers and healthcare professionals, Rowan College at Burlington County (RCBC) held its first annual Science Slam at the Mount Laurel Campus.

The community explored the world of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) through hands-on activities and demonstrations.

The college’s STEM and Health Sciences divisions, and community organizations highlighted physics, biology, mathematics and more, using drones, robot fighting and toy car racing. Guests stepped inside a space station with the help of virtual reality technology, investigated a crime scene for evidence, learned about blood typing and more.

More than 600 attended this free, family-friendly event that featured 50 different presentations including RCBC students participating in the college’s Undergraduate Research Initiative.

The American Association of Blacks in Energy Announced their Academic Partnership with New RCBC and Rowan Venture

The American Association of Blacks in Energy (AABE), an 1,800 member national energy association, announced that a new venture between Rowan University and Rowan College at Burlington County (RCBC) will serve as its academic partner.

“We are building partnerships with educational institutions to increase support for programs and for students looking to pursue careers in energy-related fields,” said AABE Board Chair Rose McKinney James at their national conference this week. “The partnership with Rowan College at Burlington County and Rowan University will provide a directed program that will include certificate and degree programs that make the process affordable for students.”

The partnership will create an academy at RCBC that will provide AABE members access to many programs including supplier development training that will improve their eligibility for government contracts, courses for prospective employees to learn the energy industry and academic courses for students in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) to learn foundational principles of the energy industry.

RCBC will host an AABE student chapter, which will provide students pursuing a career in STEM the opportunity to learn about the energy industry through education, mentoring, community service and business networking.

AABE’s members work with companies from throughout the industry, some of whom have already begun to work with the new Rowan organization. Pioneering members include PSEG, PECO, Edison Electric Institute and Southern Company.

This partnership will be served by the new venture, Rowan Global Solutions, which is a collaboration between Rowan University’s Global Learning & Partnerships and RCBC’s Workforce Development Institute. Rowan Global Solutions will allow RCBC and Rowan University to expand the success helping local and regional employers throughout the nation.

“This partnership will be a national model for energy and utility education,” said Rowan University President Dr. Ali Houshmand. “Our curriculum will be shaped by the American Association of Blacks in Energy so that our students will learn the precise skills leading employers are looking for when hiring or promoting someone.

“We are very excited about this partnership that we can replicate to meet the needs of any company or sector in the country,” Dr. Houshmand added.

Beyond the AABE initiative, Rowan Global Solutions will be a distinct arm of both Rowan University’s Global Learning & Partnerships and RCBC’s Workforce Development Institute. It will provide comprehensives talent development services for regional and global businesses. It will be led by Rowan University Vice President of Rowan Global Learning & Partnerships Dr. Horacio Sosa and RCBC’s Director of Business Engagement Jonah Cooper Jr.

“Our Workforce Development Institute has proven its ability to meet the needs of businesses in our community and the region, and now in partnership with Rowan University, we will be able to help businesses throughout the country who are looking for skilled workers and people who are seeking better employment opportunities,” RCBC President Paul Drayton said. “By listening closely to what leading employers need, our ‘Classroom to Career’ pathway has created more work opportunities for students and more classes that provide the skills that employers seek.”

To learn more about taking advantage of training opportunities through Rowan Global Solutions, contact Jonah Cooper at jcooper@rcbc.edu or (856) 291-4245.

RCBC Administrators Meet with First 3+1 Students in the Region

Last week, Rowan College at Burlington County President Paul Drayton and the Liberal Arts, and Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) deans, met with students who are a part of the region’s first-ever courses in the innovative 3+1 program, named one of Money Magazine’s top five college affordability initiatives in the nation.

“You are the first to experience and take advantage of the 3+1 program, which is the most important affordability initiative at Rowan College at Burlington County, if not the nation,” Drayton told the students. “3+1 is the best way to earn a degree from Rowan University – one of the top public universities in the country. 3+1 is innovative, smart, addresses the affordability challenge and it really gives you a pathway to an affordable degree.”

Two months after it officially began, there are currently 250 students committed to RCBC’s 3+1 and 420 more who are interested in the program.

Hayley Brunetta, of Edgewater Park, is a 3+1 student majoring in biology who had planned to attend Rutgers University, but realized she would be paying thousands of dollars more for the same quality degree.

“I did the math and it just makes sense,” she said of RCBC’s 3+1 program.

The 3+1 program can save a student up to $75,000 on their bachelor’s degree by allowing them to take their junior-level courses at RCBC and their final year with Rowan University. The junior-level courses are taught by RCBC faculty, at RCBC prices.

RCBC’s spring term saw the first 3+1 students take courses in law and justice, biology and liberal arts with a concentration in law and justice, and philosophy. Four more 3+1 majors will be available on the Mount Laurel Campus come fall 2017, including psychology, nursing, computing and informatics, and general studies.

More majors, including education and computer science, will be coming soon.

RCBC’s fall early online registration opens Monday, April 17. For more information on 3+1 visit,rcbc.edu/3plus1.

Pictured: Students were given special Rowan College at Burlington County 3+1 T-shirts as a token of the college’s appreciation for being pioneers in the 3+1 program and paving the way for thousands of future 3+1 students.

RCBC was Named the No. 1 Community College in New Jersey

A leading higher education resource and information provider ranked Rowan College at Burlington County the top community college in New Jersey after considering a number of criteria to assess quality, student services and students’ income after graduation.

LearnHowToBecome.org released its analysis today that showed RCBC leading the pack.

“It is no surprise that the region’s fastest-growing community college is also the best in New Jersey,” said Burlington County Freeholder Linda Hughes, who serves as education liaison. “Rowan College at Burlington County is a shining example of the exceptional opportunities that exist in Burlington County without high costs.”

All colleges on LearnHowToBecome.org’s leaderboard must be non-profit and hold regional accreditation. Individual scoring is based on objective criteria that include the annual alumni earnings 10 years after entering college, student-teacher ratios, graduation rates and more.

“It is truly rewarding to see our success recognized as the best in New Jersey,” RCBC President Paul Drayton said. “Congratulations to all the Rowan College at Burlington County faculty and staff whose hard work is reflected in this honor. I want to especially thank all of our students who make our work so worthwhile and have helped us become the fastest-growing community college in the region.”