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The presidents of 10 New Jersey four-year public universities and colleges today issued a call for the 120,000 state residents who attend higher education institutions outside of New Jersey to come home, enroll in New Jersey institutions, and help rebuild the state as a part of a new New Jersey Scholar Corps. The institutions will accept credits earned with a grade of C or better from an accredited out-of-state college or university, promise a speedy review of applications and offer guaranteed housing, where available, based on availability at the time the student commits. “New Jersey needs your energy, your intelligence, and your commitment,” the presidents wrote in a joint statement. “This is an unprecedented period in our history, a time that calls for everyday heroes to show up and give back. Think of the Peace Corps and AmeriCorps. Think of those natural disasters and crises when young people turned out to fight for what’s right, to push us toward a hopeful future.” As New Jersey seeks to recover from the most devastating effects of the coronavirus outbreak, the state will need more bright, talented young people to help rebuild its businesses, non-profits, schools and health system. An estimated 33,000 residents leave New Jersey each year to attend a college or university in another state. The presidents of the participating public colleges and universities have partnered to offer a unique incentive for them to return home. The New Jersey Scholar Corps will provide students with volunteer opportunities to serve their local communities, while gaining valuable experience and building their professional networks. The participating institutions are Montclair State University, the New Jersey Institute of Technology, Rowan University, Kean University, New Jersey City University, Ramapo College, Stockton University, The College of New Jersey, Thomas Edison State University, and William Paterson University. Students and families may learn more about this new initiative at NJComeHome.org. Kean University “We are proud to be part of this important transfer initiative to help New Jersey students return home and continue their education,” says President Dawood Farahi of Kean University. “Kean is recognized for its dedication to serving transfer students and ensuring they have access to a world-class education at an affordable price. We look forward to welcoming NJ Come Home students to our campus and joining with them in community service projects that will help rebuild and revitalize our great state.” Contact: Karen Smith, ksmith@kean.edu, 908.858.6173 Montclair State University “Our state will soon face the enormous and challenging task of rebuilding our economy and our communities,” says President Susan A. Cole of Montclair State University. “We are asking students who had started their college education in an out-of-state institution to consider returning to their home state to complete their degrees. At this difficult time, New Jersey absolutely needs the energy, intelligence, and commitment of our college-aged population. Montclair State University and our sister public colleges and universities are prepared to make transfer back to New Jersey easy and seamless and to provide our students with opportunities to contribute their talents to the revitalization of the state they call home.” Contact: Joe Brennan, brennanjos@montclair.edu, 716-706-8109 New Jersey City University “I’m so pleased to join with other New Jersey public college and university presidents to launch the New Jersey Scholar Corps initiative. This initiative helps New Jersey students stay close to home with the people who matter most and eases their higher education financial burden with low in-state tuition rates,” says President Sue Henderson of New Jersey City University. “Just as importantly, many young people are wondering what they can do to help during the COVID-19 crisis and the New Jersey Scholar Corps—much like the Peace Corps—is a powerful way to channel that energy for maximum impact. As an anchor institution for the Jersey City community, this is an unprecedented opportunity for NJCU to further strengthen our ties with local residents and organizations as we transition through this challenging time.” Contact: Sherrie A. Madia, smedia@njcu.edu, 201.200.2472 New Jersey Institute of Technology “Higher education has many important roles to play in our state’s recovery from this pandemic,” says President Joel S. Bloom of NJIT. “We need to continue pursuing critical lines of research and technological innovation, support those on the front lines of the battle against this virus, and create opportunities for New Jersey students to contribute to this effort in multiple ways. That includes both facilitating a seamless return home for many students and providing them with a program through which they can engage in meaningful service that will help our state and our communities overcome the challenges we now face.” Contact: Matt Golden, golden@njit.edu, 609.203.9194 Ramapo College “Ramapo College has a long proud history of ensuring a seamless and successful experience for transfer students,” says President Peter Mercer of Ramapo College. “Transfer students at Ramapo are part of the fabric of our community. Each year we welcome to Ramapo approximately 700 transfer students from roughly 135 colleges nationwide. Our transfer students benefit from individualized academic planning, career advisement, and orientation services. Further, their contributions to the classroom and to the co-curricular life of the College add such value to our campus as they often represent a diversity of perspectives and lived experiences.” Angela Daidone, adaidon1@ramapo.edu, 201.684.7477 Rowan University “We have already seen an uptick in students showing an interest in staying in state to attend college,” says President Ali Houshmand of Rowan University. “The NJ Come Home campaign provides an added incentive, particularly those who are looking to make a difference in the lives of others. For those studying out of state, now is the time to consider staying home here in New Jersey.” Contact: Joe Cardona, cardona@rowan.edu, 609.221.1962 Stockton University “Stockton University is an essential partner in the South Jersey economy, which has been hit particularly hard by pandemic closures,” says President Harvey Kesselman of Stockton University. “We invite students to come back to New Jersey and join us in taking on the challenge of rebuilding the Jersey shore and the state.” Contact: Diane D’Amico, Diane.D’Amico@stockton.edu, 609-652-4593 or 609.412.8069 The College of New Jersey “Given the hardship and uncertainty caused by the pandemic, many Garden State residents who had been studying out of state will undoubtedly be looking for high-quality, lower-cost, closer-to-home options for their education,” says President Kathryn A. Foster of The College of New Jersey. “The College of New Jersey is proud to join the state’s other public colleges and universities in opening its doors to these students, offering them the opportunity to earn a degree and make a difference in their home state.” Contact: Luke Sacks, sacksl@tcnj.edu, 917.861.5125 Thomas Edison State University “As New Jersey’s public university serving working adults, Thomas Edison State University is proud to partner with other Garden State colleges and universities to ask New Jersey students to come back to our wonderful state to finish their degree,” says President Merodie A. Hancock of Thomas Edison State University. “Together we can harness the intellectual power of our students and the strengths of our institutions to create a future that is Jersey Strong.” Contact: Victoria Monaghan, vmonaghan@tesu.edu, 609.505.3416 William Paterson University “As one of New Jersey’s premier public institutions of higher education, William Paterson’s students, faculty, staff, and alumni are on the front lines of the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, and the University will be a leader in helping rebuild our State’s economy,” says President Richard J. Helldobler of William Paterson University. “We have so much to offer New Jersey college students, from top academic programs and excellent faculty, to innovative career programs and a dynamic campus community—all of it affordable and close to home. I am excited by the prospects of this initiative to bring students home, where they can get a great education and help build a stronger New Jersey.” Contact: Mary Beth Zeman, zemanm@wpunj.edu, 551.206.7262