NJCU and Boys and Girls Club of Hudson County partner to provide underserved students access to higher education opportunities

JERSEY CITY, NJ | New Jersey City University (NJCU) and the Boys and Girls Club of Hudson County (BGCHC) have announced a comprehensive partnership aimed at providing disadvantaged and underrepresented students with opportunities to pursue post-secondary education, including peer mentoring opportunities and conditional admission to NJCU. The first-of-its-kind initiative between NJCU and a youth organization was unveiled during a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signing ceremony on July 8, 2024, attended by NJCU and BGCHC executives, legislative leaders, and high school students participating in the BGCHC program.

The partnership, designed to promote educational opportunities, social and economic mobility, and conscious and engaged citizenship for Hudson County students, focuses on initiatives that facilitate the path to higher education at NJCU. Upon successful completion of BGCHC programs and meeting NJCU admission requirements, participants receive conditional admission to NJCU and a 15% tuition discount for up to four years, provided they continue to maintain strong academic performance.

“This unique partnership is at the heart of our institutional responsibility to the community we serve,” said NJCU Interim President Andrés Acebo“Too often, for social and systemic reasons, young people’s perspectives on the future are clouded. The Boys & Girls Clubs of Hudson County are a light in the lives of these students and their families, and we have an opportunity here to make that light even brighter. As a product of Hudson County, this collaboration is personally meaningful to me because it has been organizations like the Boys & Girls Club that have been important catalysts in my own academic and professional journey. We want to provide Hudson County students with the same opportunities for upward mobility that we have, and this partnership embodies our university’s commitment to creating pathways to make that an attainable goal for those who have been underserved and underrepresented for too long. We look forward to working with the leadership of the Boys and Girls Clubs to advance our shared vision of a future where every student can achieve the self-actualization they deserve for themselves, their loved ones and their communities.”

“I would like to thank President Acebo and NJCU for their partnership in providing valuable resources to our participants,” said Gary Greenberg, CEO of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Hudson County. “Our goal is to create a healthy space where students can hone their skills so they have the greatest chance of success. Higher education remains one of the most impactful ways today’s youth can increase their future earning power. This partnership allows our children to explore that space and see it as a real option for themselves if they choose to pursue that path when the time comes.”

The programs offered by BGCHC focus on peer mentoring and pre-college programs that expose local students to college life, career orientation, and skill-building workshops. Members of NJCU’s Men of Color Initiative will serve as peer mentors to BGCHC participants, providing academic advising, personal support, and leadership development. BGCHC participants also have access to NJCU’s Pre-College: GEAR UP College Bound Program, designed to improve college readiness through academic education, test preparation, and college application assistance.

The news was celebrated by local and state leaders throughout Hudson County.

“Education is the cornerstone of a democratic society, and anything we can do to better educate our communities will have a positive impact on the future of Jersey City,” said Mayor of Jersey City Steve Fulop. “I want to commend President Acebo and Gary Greenberg for taking this principle and putting it into action so that Jersey City students have a real opportunity to pursue a higher education at a cost that does not burden them with student debt.”

“It takes a village to build strong communities, and NJCU, along with the Boys and Girls Club, is a great example to follow,” noted New Jersey State Senator Angela McKnight. “No one lives in a silo, and by nurturing the future leaders of our communities in safe environments where they can develop into the best versions of themselves, we are creating fertile ground for the future of Hudson County.”

Craig Guy, Hudson County Executive emphasized the importance of the partnership, saying, “Hudson County students are the future and this partnership creates opportunities for our children. A college education is one of the fastest paths for students to gain lucrative employment and better-paying jobs in today’s workforce. By supporting our children from a young age, we are putting their future first and encouraging them to become leaders wherever they end up.”

Representative of the 33rd district Gabriel Rodriguez ’04an NJCU alumnus, added, “This is an excellent example of community partners working together to expand opportunities for our youth. Partnerships like this help us create better pathways to higher education and, ultimately, greater success. As a proud NJCU alumnus, I commend NJCU and the Boys and Girls Club for these initiatives that empower Black and brown communities and ensure they have access to the resources they need for their future success.”

With this partnership, the Boys and Girls Club of Hudson County continues its long-standing work to promote youth development. It works with young people from economically, socially and familially disadvantaged backgrounds and prepares participants for fulfilling and exciting lives. At the same time, NJCU is committed to its nearly century-long commitment to providing a socioeconomically diverse population with access to an excellent education as a catalyst for upward social mobility.

In addition, the partnership will sponsor community activities on NJCU’s campus, including seminars, workshops and cultural events to promote educational opportunities and strengthen community ties.

Both NJCU and BGCHC are committed to closely monitoring progress, evaluating program effectiveness, and making necessary adjustments to ensure the success of BGCHC participants. Regular reviews and evaluations will be conducted to measure the outcomes and impact of the partnership on underserved and underrepresented students.

About NJCU:
New Jersey City University is a comprehensive public regional institution of higher education based in Jersey City, NJ, dedicated to the development of our students, our city, our communities and our state. We are a game-changing force for our students and have been recognized as one of the nation’s top colleges for promoting their economic advancement. In fact, NJCU was ranked No. 1 in New Jersey and in the top 10 in the nation in the CollegeNET Social Mobility Index for 2023. Whether enrolled in one of our bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral programs across our three campuses, NJCU students have access to an affordable, diverse environment and an exceptionally supportive faculty. This prepares them to become the next generation of workers and leaders who improve their communities and the state of New Jersey.

—www.NJCU.edu—

Contact:
Ira Thor, Associate Vice President for University Communications | [email protected] | 201-200-3301