PARAMUS, N.J. – Bergen Community College, the state’s largest two-year institution, has received acceptance into the Achieving the Dream National Reform Network. Bergen will now join a network of more than 200 institutions of higher education in 34 states and the District of Columbia that reach nearly four million community college students. The organization began as an initiative by the Lumina Foundation and seven higher education partners, such as the American Association of Community Colleges, in 2004.
“As a national leader in the community college sector, Bergen has a responsibility to embrace reforms that enhance student success,” Bergen President B. Kaye Walter, Ph.D., said. “As an Achieving the Dream Institution, Bergen is further recognized as an institution committed to providing progressive, evidence-based support and opportunities for its students. I am particularly proud of this designation because we have now achieved one of the three difficult – but attainable – ‘audacious’ goals included as part of our 2013-18 strategic plan.”
By becoming an Achieving the Dream Institution, Bergen officials will have access to coaching, technical assistance and research provided by the organization with the goal of affecting evidence-based change. Member institutions develop work plans for student success centered on themes related to enhancing achievement, retention and completion.
Bergen awarded degrees to 2,222 students in the class of 2013, placing it 29th among all two-year institutions in the U.S. and first in the state.
The College now becomes the fifth New Jersey community college to join the Achieving the Dream Network, joining Atlantic Cape Community College, Cumberland County College, Passaic County Community College and Raritan Valley Community College.
With the 2015 cohort, Bergen will begin its three-year commitment to Achieving the Dream in June with a kickoff institute featuring discussions on the expectations of enrolled colleges.
In addition to direct backing provided by Achieving the Dream to member institutions, the organization supports education reform through public policy initiatives and awareness campaigns.
Bergen Community College (www.bergen.edu) based in Paramus is a public two-year coeducational college, enrolling nearly 16,000 students at locations in Paramus, the Philip J. Ciarco Jr. Learning Center in Hackensack and Bergen Community College at the Meadowlands in Lyndhurst. The College offers associate degree, certificate and continuing education programs in a variety of fields.
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