Type | Public community college |
---|---|
Established | 1966 |
President | Deborah Preston |
Academic staff | 109 |
Students | 7,000+ |
Location | |
Colors | Green and Gold |
Nickname | The Vikings |
Website | www |
Mercer County Community College (MCCC) is a public, community college in Mercer County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. More than 7,000 students enroll in one or more credit courses each year. [1] [2]
Established in 1966, MCCC has an open-door admission policy. The 292-acre (1.18 km2) West Windsor Campus was opened in 1971 to serve the needs of Mercer County residents. The main buildings on campus feature brutalist architecture, popular in 1960s college campus construction. The continually expanding James Kerney Campus, located in the heart of New Jersey's capital city, Trenton, serves as an educational and cultural hub for urban residents. [3]
The college offers continuing education classes and more than 60 different degree bearing options from transfer ready Liberal Arts degrees to hands-on offerings such as Automotive Technology and Hospitality. Several programs, such as Funeral Service and Aviation Technology, are the only ones of their kind offered at a public institution in the state of New Jersey. Medical programs such as Nursing and Radiography require application for admission and students must past licensure exams to complete. [4] MCCC also has a program for students with intellectual disabilities, known as the DREAM program, allowing them to be integrated into mainstream classes with support from mentors through the Academic Student Resources division. [5]
Notable alumni include Trey Anastasio founder and lead vocalist for Phish, Heath Fillmyer pitcher for the Kansas City Royals, and Kenneth R. Rosen, reporter for The New York Times . [6] [7] [8]
As an open enrollment college, the student body of MCCC reflects the diverse county around it. In terms of racial diversity, it is 37% white, 26% black, and 26% Hispanic, 10% are mixed race, and 4% are international students. The student body is 52.6% female. While 45% of students are in the typical junior college age range of 18–20 years old, there are a significant number of "non-traditional" aged students. More than 8% of students are age 40 and up. [2] MCCC also has a program for students with intellectual disabilities, known as the DREAM program, allowing them to be integrated into mainstream classes with support from mentors through the Academic Student Resources division. [5]
Established in 2006, MCCC's Honors program offers course sections across the curriculum that give academically strong students opportunities for greater challenge. Honors classes feature smaller, seminar-style classes. Students are encouraged to lead discussion and the pace and depth of learning is generally more vigorous than in standard sections. Students participate in annual Honors Conferences. [9] Depending on the number of Honors courses they have completed, students may receive an Honors cord at graduation and recognition on their transcripts. In addition to state schools such as Rutgers University and The College of New Jersey, Honors Program students are known for gaining admission to other transfer schools. [10]
MCCC has a 385-seat on-campus community performing arts center, Kelsey Theatre, which hosts local production company performances as well as student plays and musicals throughout the year. [11] [12] Typically twenty or more different full length productions are performed per year with additional summer series and a kids program known as Tomato Patch. [13] [11] [14]
The academic Theatre and Dance programs include an Associate of Fine Arts programs for students intending to move directly into performing arts careers, and an Associates of Arts degree track for students seeking transfer to four-year colleges. [15] [16] The Theatre program is also home to the college's Drama Club, which produces Late Night Series, a twice-monthly open-mic night on campus.
In 2019 the student production of "Desires of a Criminal, a Devised Theatrical Collage" was selected to appear at the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival (KCACTF). [17]
The College VOICE student newspaper at MCCC is known as one of the top state and national papers in its division. With a staff size that fluctuates from 4 to 15 students per semesters, The VOICE is known for its award-winning investigative reporting and coverage of local news events not being covered as area papers have gone under or faced major staff cuts in the last 15 years. [18] [19] [20]
The paper, originally founded in 1968 and named after the famed Village Voice newspaper in New York, has faced occasional hiatuses, but since 2008 has seen a redevelopment with two new media advisers and expanded connection to the college's journalism classes. [21]
The VOICE earned the General Excellence top award from the New Jersey Press Foundation in 2009, 2010, 2014, 2017, 2018, and 2019. [22] In 2010 The VOICE was named Best All-Around Non-Daily Two Year newspaper in the nation in the Society of Professional Journalists' Mark of Excellence Awards. Since that time the two-year division has been discontinued but The VOICE has gone on to win and place 25 times in the Mark of Excellence Region 1 awards and has earned 6 national finalist awards competing against four-year colleges. [23]
In 2010 The VOICE, which produces print editions every three weeks throughout the academic year, added an online edition that includes breaking news and multimedia content. The website won top honors from the New Jersey Press Foundation in 2018 and 2019. [21] [22] [24] [25]
The VOICE is open to all students on campus and the staff composition mirrors the racial, ethnic, political, sexual, religious, and socio-economic diversity on campus. [26] While most participants are not seeking careers in journalism, many go into writing and communication fields. VOICE alumni have gone on to jobs at media outlets including The New York Times, The Boston Globe, Newsweek Mexico, and NBC 7 San Diego. [8] [27] [28]
MCCC has a program to offer students with intellectual disabilities access to college education. In 2005 the college received a grant of $150,000 from Steve Riggio, chief executive of Barnes & Noble, to help establish the DREAM (Developing Real Expectations for Achieving Mastery) program. Riggio and wife Laura have two daughters with Down Syndrome. [29] Run by the Academic Student Resources division located on the West Windsor Campus, students in the program are assisted by mentors. [5]
MCCC is a member of the Garden State Athletic Conference and the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) and plays in Region XIX Division II. Its teams are known as the Mercer Vikings. [30] It fields teams in baseball, men's and women's basketball, women's cross country, men's and women's soccer, softball, men's lacrosse, and men's and women's tennis. [30]
Although MCCC has had strong seasons in all its sports, it is known for strength in soccer, baseball and softball. All three teams, men's soccer, baseball and softball, won Region XIX Division II Championships in the 2017–2018 season. [31] The Vikings have sent several players to the Major League Baseball including Dave Gallagher, and Heath Fillmyer. [7] [32] [33]
In 2018 MCCC added a men's lacrosse team that took the Region XIX championship in its first season of play. [34]
Some high school students can take credit bearing classes at MCCC through one of several programs. Participation is limited to students given permission by their high school and who meet admissions criteria including standardized test scores. These options can enable students to accelerate their college graduation by allowing them to enter their freshman year with advanced academic standing. [35]
There are two concurrent enrollment options, the first being Dual Enrollment which is for high school seniors. The second is Jump Start for students age 16 and up with written recommendation of their guidance counselor and/or legal guardian. [35] Jump Start students have specific GPA standards that must be maintained to stay in the program and they may take no more than two classes per semester, whereas Dual Enrollment students can take more. Students in both programs have to provide their own transportation, pay course fees, and attend consistently based on the college's academic calendar even if it does not correspond to their high school calendar. [35]
Career Prep is another high school program offered in partnership with Mercer County Technical Schools. Students attend their regular school in the morning then go to MCCC for afternoon classes. [36] [37] [38] Students in the Career Prep program take two courses in each term, fall and spring, for a total of 12 credits. The program is open to students with strong GPAs, typically 3.25 or above, from sending public schools, and is designed for those looking for advancement in specific fields including: [36]
Five universities offer programs on MCCC's campuses for students having completed their associate degrees, and who wish to stay on-site to earn their Bachelor's and even master's degrees. Students who choose to pursue their academic work through the University Center can be assured smooth transfer and pay lower tuition than they would at their university's primary campuses, however, degree options are fewer and many courses are offered online only. [39] In fall of 2018 MCCC broke ground on a new University Center building on the West Windsor, New Jersey campus. [40] [41]
Previously known as the "Dual Admissions" program, the Guaranteed Transfer Admission program consists of specialized transfer agreements guaranteeing admission to specific four-year colleges and universities. Each agreement has slightly different requirements and allowed majors. Students can transfer into the junior year at most New Jersey colleges, including: Rutgers University, Rider University, The College of New Jersey, Montclair State University, the New Jersey Institute of Technology, William Paterson University, Stockton University, and Thomas Edison State College. There are also out of state guaranteed admission programs including ones at Temple University, Wilmington University, University of the Sciences, and James Madison University. [42]
The college is accredited by the Commission on Higher Education of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools and is authorized by the State of New Jersey's Commission on Higher Education to award associate degrees. Many academic programs are also accredited by national professional associations and their boards of certification. [43]
The nursing program is accredited by the New Jersey Board of Nursing and the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing. [44] The Radiography program is accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology and approved by the New Jersey Radiologic Technology Board of Examiners. [45] The Medical Laboratory Technology program is accredited by the National Credentialing Agency for Laboratory Personnel. The Physical Therapist Assistant program is fully accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education of the American Physical Therapy Association. [45]
The Legal Assistant program is approved by the American Bar Association. The Funeral Service program is accredited by the American Board of Funeral Service Education. [46] Aviation Flight Technology is accredited by the Aviation Accreditation Board International (formerly the Council on Aviation Accreditation). [47]
Mercer County Television (MCTV) channel 26 is an Educational-access television station in West Windsor, owned and operated by Mercer County Community College. The Student television station is transmitted to all of Mercer County, via cable TV channel 26 on the Comcast, Cablevision, reaching up to 90,000 households. In January 2009, MCTV became available on Verizon FiOS channel 20 in Mercer County. [48]
WWFM: The Classical Network is owned by MCCC and broadcasts on 89.1 MHz (HD Radio) from the West Windsor campus. WWFM-HD2 is "JazzOn2", which runs a traditional Jazz format. WWFM-HD3 is "Viking 89", MCCC student radio. WXPN's XPoNential Radio service airs on the HD3 when Mercer students are not on the air. "JazzOn2" is also on the HD2 channel of WWNJ. WWFM also broadcasts in the Philadelphia market on digital (HD) radio on 89.5 HD2. [49]
The station is known for programs featuring opera, symphonic music, jazz, and musical theater. Well known programs include Between the Keys, PostClassical, The Well Tempered Baroque, and The Dress Circle. The station has won several ASCAP Foundation Deems Taylor/Virgil Thomson Radio Broadcast Award as well as a National Federation of Community Broadcasters Silver Reel Award for the program The Dress Circle. [50] [51]
The University of La Verne (ULV) is a private university in La Verne, California. Founded in 1891, the university is composed of the College of Arts & Sciences, College of Business & Public Management, the LaFetra College of Education, College of Law, College of Health and Community Well-Being, an online adult school, two military centers, and a Regional Campus Administration that oversees six regional campuses. It awards undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees. Many of their classes are taught at smaller campuses throughout the greater Los Angeles area and Kern County.
Western Carolina University (WCU) is a public university in Cullowhee, North Carolina. It is part of the University of North Carolina system.
California State University, San Bernardino is a public research university in San Bernardino, California. Founded in 1965, it is part of the California State University system. The main campus sits on 441 acres (178 ha) in the University District of San Bernardino, with a branch campus of 40 acres (16 ha) in Palm Desert, California, opened in 1986. Cal State San Bernardino's fall 2020 enrollment was 19,404. In fall 2019, it had 505 full-time faculty, of which 385 were on the tenure track.
Centenary University is a private university in Hackettstown, New Jersey. Founded as a preparatory school by the Newark Conference of the United Methodist Church in 1867, Centenary evolved into a Junior College for women and later a coeducational university.
Kean University is a public university in Union, Elizabeth, and Hillside, New Jersey. It is part of New Jersey's public system of higher education and is a state-designated research university.
Wilkes University is a private university in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. It has over 2,200 undergraduates and over 2,200 graduate students. Wilkes was founded in 1933 as a satellite campus of Bucknell University, and became an independent institution in 1947, naming itself Wilkes College, after English radical politician John Wilkes after whom Wilkes-Barre is named. The school was granted university status in January 1990. It is classified among "Doctoral/Professional Universities" (D/PU) and accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
Mercer University is a private research university with its main campus in Macon, Georgia. Founded in 1833 as Mercer Institute and gaining university status in 1837, it is the oldest private university in the state and enrolls more than 9,000 students in 12 colleges and schools. Mercer is a member of the Georgia Research Alliance. It is classified as a "R2: Doctoral Universities — High research activity".
College of the Redwoods (CR) is a public community college with its main campus south of Eureka, California. It is part of the California Community Colleges System and serves three counties. It has two branch campuses, as well as three additional sites. It is one of twelve community colleges in California that offer on-campus housing for students.
Winthrop University is a public university in Rock Hill, South Carolina. It was founded in 1886 by David Bancroft Johnson, who served as the superintendent of Columbia, South Carolina, schools. He received a grant from Robert Charles Winthrop, a philanthropist from Boston, Massachusetts and chair of the Peabody Education Board in Massachusetts, to establish the school.
Bucks County Community College (Bucks) is a public community college in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Founded in 1964, Bucks has three campuses and online courses: a main campus in Newtown, an "Upper Bucks" campus in the town of Perkasie, and a "Lower Bucks" campus in the town of Bristol. There are also various satellite facilities located throughout the county. The college offers courses via face-to-face classroom-based instruction, eLearning classes offered completely online, and in hybrid (blended) modes that combine face-to-face instruction with online learning. The college is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
Seminole State College of Florida is a public college with four campuses in Central Florida. It is part of the Florida College System.
Miami Dade College is a public college in Miami, Florida. Founded in 1959, it has a total of eight campuses and twenty-one outreach centers throughout Miami-Dade County. It is the largest college in the Florida College System with more than 100,000 students. The college enrolls a significantly larger number of Hispanic students compared to other colleges and universities in the state of Florida. The college serves a higher number of minority students than any other college in the nation.
Molloy University is a private Roman Catholic university in Rockville Centre, New York. Initially founded as a school for women, it is now co-educational. It provides more than 50 academic undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degree programs for over 4800 students.
Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School is a medical school of Rutgers University. It is one of the two graduate medical schools of Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, together with New Jersey Medical School, and is closely aligned with Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, the medical school's principal affiliate.
Laramie County Community College (LCCC) is a public community college in Cheyenne, Wyoming, in Laramie County, Wyoming, with an additional outreach campus in Laramie, in Albany County. The college also houses an outreach center in Pine Bluffs. In fall 2022, it enrolled 5,389 students, including 1,373 full-time students.
Wilmington University (WilmU) is a private university with its main campus in Wilmington Manor, Delaware, with a New Castle street address. It was founded in 1968 as Wilmington College by educator Donald E. Ross. As of 2016, the university served a total student body of 20,522 undergraduate and postgraduate students in nearly 100 degree and certificate programs. The university's programs are offered at its main campus in historic New Castle as well as at six additional campuses in Delaware, several partnership locations in New Jersey, and a single partnership location in northeastern Maryland.
Crafton Hills College (CHC) is a public community college in Yucaipa, California. CHC is part of the California Community College system. It offers associate degrees and career and technical certificates. Since its opening in 1972, more than 200,000 people have attended Crafton Hills and the college now serves approximately 6,500 students each semester with day, evening, and online classes.
WWFM is a classical music radio station owned and operated by Mercer County Community College (MCCC). The flagship station is licensed to the Trenton/Princeton market and operates from the West Windsor campus of MCCC. The Classical Network owns and operates WWFM, WWNJ in Toms River Township, WWCJ in Cape May, and WWPJ in Pen Argyl, Pennsylvania. It also broadcasts in the Philadelphia market on the second HD Radio channel of WYPA in Cherry Hill, New Jersey.
A.T. Still University (ATSU) is a private medical school based in Kirksville, Missouri, with a second campus in Arizona and third campus in Santa Maria, California. It was founded in 1892 by Andrew Taylor Still and was the world's first osteopathic medical school. It is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. ATSU includes three campuses on 200 acres with seven schools and colleges.
Middle Georgia State University is a public university with its main campus in Macon, Georgia. It is part of the University System of Georgia and offers programs to students on five campuses in Middle Georgia and online. Middle Georgia State University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award associate, baccalaureate, master's, and doctoral degrees.