Atlantic Cape Hosts Students from Area High Schools During College Awareness Day on Mays Landing Campus

MAYS LANDING — Atlantic Cape Community College welcomed more than 135 local students from six area high schools to learn all about the various fields of study available to them at the college that can lead to exciting professional careers during College Awareness Day on the Mays Landing campus on April 17.

“At Atlantic Cape Community College, we offer over 40 degree programs and some that you may never have heard of before. We have Esports and Cybersecurity majors, our Academy of Culinary Arts, health sciences and nursing programs,” said Dr. Josette Katz, senior vice president, Academic Affairs. “We pride ourselves in having tremendous resources for you, we have small classes, a caring faculty that are here to teach you. Our goal is to get you to graduation day.”

The first keynote speaker of the day, Elijah Vargas, a Landisville, N.J. native and current Senior Director Product Design at Peacock NBC Universal TV, spoke to the students about talking with friends, family and others in the community when seeking answers to questions they may have.

“When I was in high school I did not know what opportunities were available to me. My friends made me realize that college was an option for me, so I spoke with my guidance counselors and teachers about my academic possibilities,” said Vargas, who graduated from Buena High School and Stockton University. “Having access to others is so important.”

The day’s second keynote speaker, Darrell J. Edmonds, an Egg Harbor City native, graduate of Absegami High School and current Deputy Director in the Office of Admissions at the University of Delaware, inspired the students to believe in their self-worth and to match their income to their envisioned lifestyle.

“You are all worthy of every opportunity and you deserve to be in every room you walk into,” said Edmonds, who graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in History from the University of Delaware. “College is career preparation after high school. The more education you have the more income you can generate, and your income must match your lifestyle choice.”

Two sessions of workshops allowed the students to get a glimpse of the academic program choices available should they choose Atlantic Cape to begin their undergraduate education.

Professor Tim Cwik spoke about the popular Aviation & Drones program by demonstrating the unmanned aerial vehicles. Associate Professor Dr. Karl Giulian spoke about career options in the world of business. Several current Academy of Culinary Arts students and Director Joseph Sheridan introduced the students to the benefits of becoming a culinary and baking & pastry chef. Athletic Director Jamal Edwards described the various varsity men’s and women’s athletic programs available to students. And, Dr. Bojan Zilovic introduced the new and exciting Cybersecurity program.

In the second group of sessions, Assistant Director of Nursing Simulation and Skills Lab Lawrencia Nnadi spoke about careers in the healthcare industry. Assistant Professor of Business/Esports Michelle Togashi opined on the fun world of game design. Dr. Chris Carbone and Dr. Ray Keller explored the wonders of science. And, Dr. Terri-Lynn Hamby and Assistant Professor Richard Perello conducted an adventurous photo scavenger hunt for all.

The students in attendance represented Oakcrest, Atlantic City, Middle Township and Absegami High Schools as well as the Atlantic County Institute of Technology and Charter Tech High School for the Performing Arts.

Visit atlanticcape.edu/pathways for more information on Atlantic Cape’s academic major programs available at all three campus locations and online.

About Atlantic Cape Community College

Atlantic Cape Community College is a Middle States accredited, 2022 Achieving the Dream Leader College and Hispanic Serving Institution proudly serving the residents of Atlantic and Cape May counties. As a comprehensive, two-year community college, Atlantic Cape offers 47 undergraduate degree programs, and 33 certificate and professional series programs at its Mays Landing, Atlantic City and Cape May campuses. Atlantic Cape is home to the renowned Academy of Culinary Arts, rated the top culinary school in New Jersey, and for more than 50 years, our highly-acclaimed Nursing program. Atlantic Cape also partners with more than 30 colleges and four-year universities to offer students the opportunity to seamlessly earn a bachelor’s degree upon graduation.