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A Message from Dr. Barbara Gaba - May 18, 2020

05/18/2020 | Media Contact: Erin Mercer | (609) 343-4923
a message from dr barbara gaba - 18 May

May 18, 2020

Dear College Community:

Congratulations to students, faculty, and staff who have completed the Spring Semester, transitioning to working and learning remotely. Final exams are officially complete, and we close this chapter in our College’s history. Together we were able to create a new story of success and have hope for the future.


Atlantic Cape Connects with Students
As this pandemic continues, we have made a greater commitment to ensure that connecting with students, faculty, and staff is easier than ever before. I am happy to report that after months of hard work and dedication by our Information Technology Services (ITS), Marketing, Student Affairs, and other teams, Atlantic Cape is excited to announce our new mobile app, Atlantic Cape Connect!

This app has been specifically designed for students and all of the tools and resources are now at your fingertips through the app. Download it for free and take control of your college experience! Find and register for classes, stay on top of deadlines, make payments online, connect with faculty and staff, and more. The app is now available on the Apple App Store, Google Play, and the Amazon Appstore. Visit atlantic.edu/mobileapp to find out more and to download the app.
 
Commencement 2020
Congratulations to the Class of 2020! We celebrate your successes; you inspire us all.

Atlantic Cape’s Graduation was initially planned for May 21; however, it became clear that holding a traditional ceremony with a large gathering of people would not be in the best interest of the safety of the graduates and their families. With that in mind, Atlantic Cape will host a Virtual Graduation ceremony for the Class of 2020 which will be broadcast on YouTube and Facebook and will be available through the college’s website on Thursday, June 11 at 6 p.m.

It is of paramount importance to Atlantic Cape to formally recognize graduates for their achievements and hard work. With input from students, faculty, and staff, the college designed a Virtual Graduation with all the pomp and circumstance of a traditional ceremony including keynote speakers and the acknowledgment of graduates with dedicated slides that students can design.

The celebration will continue. Our graduates asked to have an in-person celebration when we are able, and we plan to deliver. We have partnered with Harrah’s Atlantic City to hold the formal Commencement Ceremony graduates so deserve on December 5 at 11 a.m. at the Waterfront Conference Center. Save the date as more information to come this Fall.

Graduates, we hope you will stay connected with the faculty and staff you have gotten to know over the years, and I invite you to join our Alumni Association at no cost. Give back and share your wisdom with the next class of Atlantic Cape students. Be part of a growing network of graduates at atlantic.edu/alumni. Your input matters. Your connection to Atlantic Cape matters.

 

Emergency Funds for Students

The Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (CARES Act) has allocated funding to colleges and universities to provide emergency financial aid grants to students whose lives have been disrupted, many of whom are facing financial challenges and struggling to make ends meet.  Atlantic Cape was awarded approximately $3.9 million, half of which goes directly to students. Thanks to the efforts of our Finance and Financial Aid departments in the first round of awards, we quickly awarded $890,500 to more than 1,000 students who met eligibility requirements. Stay connected through your email to be informed on the next applications of awards.  For more information, please go to atlantic.edu/about/consumer-information.php.

Additionally, the Foundation has raised more than $15,000 in Emergency Funds to students thanks to the generosity of faculty, staff, students, and our community at large during our recent GivingTuesdayNOW! campaign. Additionally, many of our sponsors, those who purchased tables and individual seats for the Restaurant Gala, which was canceled due to COVID-19, have given generously to scholarships and Emergency Funds.  There is still time to make a difference by going to atlantic.edu/emergencyfund. Every donation, no matter how big or small is important to support students, especially those underserved and not supported by the CARES Act.

Congratulations again to the Class of 2020. We appreciate that you chose Atlantic Cape and we look forward to seeing you again in the near future to update your workforce skills, earn another credential, or take a continuing education class.

“Let everything you do be done as if it makes a difference” –Helen Keller

Stay well and be healthy,

Dr. Barbara Gaba
President