Atlantic Cape Shows Steady Local Growth

COURT HOUSE — It’s been five years since this region’s community college opened the doors of its Cape May County campus; and steady growth is among its major accomplishments.
The county campus of Atlantic Cape Community College, located in this community at 341 Court House-South Dennis Road, has seen its enrollment of credit students expand almost 40 percent since classes began on Sept. 6, 2005.
In that first semester, 1,108 students enrolled in credit classes. The number grew to 1,131 in 2006; 1,150 in 2007; 1,158 in 2008; 1,351 in 2009 and is 1,406 this year.
“Since 2005 when we opened our new campus doors to the Cape May County public, our credit enrollments have consistently grown and our continuing education programs have expanded,” said Atlantic Cape President Dr. Peter Mora. “Beyond a doubt, the investment made in building a full-service college campus in Cape May Court House has paid off handsomely.”
According to Atlantic Cape spokesperson Kathy Corbalis, Cape May County’s figures are up this year, not only in student enrollment (4.1 percent), but also in credits taken overall. Credits taken rose from 10,907 to 11,983, an increase of 9.9 percent, she said.
She noted that the percentage growth in Cape May County was significantly higher than the total growth for all Atlantic Cape campuses. From fall 2009 to this year, the entire college saw an increase of 1.3 percent in student headcount, from 7,599 in fall 2009 to 7,695 in 2010, and 2.1 percent in credits taken, from 77,233 to 78,884.
“The Cape May County Campus has now moved into second place of all of our campuses in terms of credits taken,” Corbalis said. Only the Main Campus in Mays Landing has more credits taken. The online “virtual campus” and Worthington Atlantic City Campus now trail Cape May.
In addition to its enrollment growth, the Cape May County Campus points to these other accomplishments on its five-year anniversary:
• Over 27 percent of all graduating high school seniors from county schools enroll in courses at the county campus.
• A significant majority of its students report being satisfied with the its facilities and class offerings.
• Over 2,600 individuals have utilized continuing education opportunities offered there.
• Over 40 area businesses have been provided with customized training programs.
• The campus has played host to over 100 public and private meetings, functions, seminars and programs.
In celebration of those accomplishments, Atlantic Cape is hosting a Community Day event to mark its wooden anniversary. Festivities will take place Wed., Oct. 13, 2-6 p.m., at the county campus.
Anniversary events will include campus tours, student musicians, refreshments, a larger than life anniversary card for guests to sign, a chance to meet the campus dean, a live radio broadcast on 98.7 the Coast, and the opportunity to visit a class in session.
Information about Atlantic Cape’s programs and services will be on display, including: the Academy of Culinary Arts, Technical Studies Institute, continuing education, Health Professions Institute, athletics, student government and clubs, conferencing and meeting services, alumni association, campus library, agreements with Rutgers and Fairleigh Dickinson universities, and the Atlantic Cape Foundation.
While Atlantic Cape is celebrating its fifth year at its permanent campus site in Court House, the college’s history in this county predates that by more than two decades.
Atlantic Community College began educating students in this county in 1973 with six evening classes held at Middle Township High School. The college later opened an extension center in Rio Grande in the 1980s to meet increased demand.
In 1999, Atlantic and Cape May County officials enacted a jointure agreement and Atlantic Community College became Atlantic Cape Community College.
After a 2002 groundbreaking ceremony at the Court House-South Dennis Road site, construction began on the three-story, 68,000-square-foot, winged, brick facility in March 2004.
The facility includes 19 state-of-the-art classrooms and labs, a 7,000-volume library, a 100-seat lecture hall, conference room, enrollment center, information commons, cafeteria, as well as faculty and administrative offices.
Because of the Cape May County campus, local students can complete an associate degree without leaving the county, or take courses for any of Atlantic Cape’s 45 degree programs.