Atlantic Cape Hosts Junior Achievement of NJ Inspire Day for Elementary, Middle and High School Students

MAYS LANDING — Atlantic Cape Community College welcomed more than 150 elementary, middle and high school students from across the state to its Mays Landing campus on June 6 as it hosted Junior Achievement of New Jersey’s Inspire Day career fair and campus tour.

“We welcome you to join us as a graduating senior to change your lives. We offer more than 40 programs including aviation, culinary arts, 10 sports teams, an amazing STEM program and our newly-renovated innovation center, which houses our cybersecurity and Esports programs,” said Dr. Natalie Devonish, Atlantic Cape’s Vice President of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management as she welcomed the students gathered in the Jonathan Pitney Hall Gymnasium.

Students from Wildwood High School, Cedarbrook K-8 Center in Plainfield, Mill Pond Elementary in Lanoka Harbor, Pleasantville High School and the Center for Educational Advancement in Flemington were taken on a guided-tour of the Atlantic Cape campus, which for many was the first time they had stepped foot on a college campus. The students were engaged with insightful questions and answers when they visited the college’s Nursing Department where they were shown a demonstration of the program’s Simulation and Skills Lab by Assistant Director Lawrencia Nnadi. They also took part in a hands-on culinary lesson with Chef Educator Kirsten Leaming and an Aviation Air Traffic Control Simulator demonstration with Aviation Department Chair Tim Cwik.

The students had the opportunity to meet and talk with professional representatives from several local industries in the Pitney Gymnasium including Atlantic City Electric, Community Offshore Wind, Munich Re, New Jersey American Water, New Jersey Higher Education Student Assistance Authority, NJCCIC, OceanFirst Bank, International Union of Operating Engineers Local 825, Republic Bank and State Farm to gain information about potential career opportunities after school.

"We are thrilled to partner with Atlantic Cape Community College to host JA Inspire," said James Horne Jr., President & CEO of JA of New Jersey. “We extend our gratitude to JA of New Jersey State Board member and Atlantic Cape President, Dr. Barbara Gaba, for her support. This event provides an incredible opportunity to connect with students in the southern region of New Jersey and ignite their curiosity about various career pathways."

The Junior Achievement Inspire Career Fair is a one-of-a-kind career exploration event for students that brings together the business community and New Jersey schools to help introduce young people to the various professional fields of work.

Learn more about Junior Achievement of New Jersey at https://janj.ja.org/.

View a photo gallery from this event on Flickr at https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjAGPxY.

Learn more about Atlantic Cape’s academic degree programs at atlanticcape.edu/academics.

About Atlantic Cape Community College

Atlantic Cape is a comprehensive two-year community college serving the residents of Atlantic and Cape May counties. The college offers over 40 career, transfer and workforce development programs to more than 8,000 students annually at three campuses in New Jersey: Atlantic City, Cape May Court House and Mays Landing.