Bergen Community College

Bergen President Michael D. Redmond, Ph.D.

HACKENSACK, N.J. – Project Literacy of Greater Bergen County recognized Bergen Community College and its commitment to improving lives through education at the nonprofit’s annual gala, “A New Bridge to Literacy” Oct. 12 at the Stony Hill Inn. Bergen County Freeholder Joan Voss, Ed.D., presented Bergen President Michael D. Redmond, Ph.D., with the award. During his remarks, President Redmond reflected on the opportunities education provides.

“Project Literacy helps people in Bergen County get a start with making words their friends, and then Bergen Community College helps them leverage this friendship into a college education,” he said at the group’s annual fundraiser. “This is a great partnership, and I’m so glad that we can do this together.”

Project Literacy also honored New Bridge Medical Center CEO Deborah Visconi at the Oct. 12 gala.

The College and Project Literacy have maintained a relationship since former Bergen dean Walter Hecht co-founded the 501(c)3 nonprofit 31 years ago. The group’s headquarters are located in the College’s Philip Ciarco Jr. Learning Center at 355 Main Street. Project Literacy supports and promotes the expansion of adult literacy in Bergen County, providing assistance to adults who cannot read, write or speak English or require tutoring. Volunteers have assisted more than 8,700 students during the last 31 years.

Based in Paramus, Bergen Community College (www.bergen.edu), a public two-year coeducational college, enrolls more than 14,000 students at locations in Paramus, the Philip 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. More students graduate from Bergen than any other community college in the state.

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