New Student Orientation Welcomes Incoming Freshmen to Atlantic Cape’s Three Campuses

MAYS LANDING, ATLANTIC CITY & CAPE MAY COURT HOUSE — Atlantic Cape Community College welcomed nearly 200 incoming freshmen students and more than 100 accompanying parents to the College’s three campuses for New Student Orientation sessions held throughout the month of August in preparation for the start of the Fall Semester on September 3.

The New Student Orientation session on August 8 at the Mays Landing campus, August 13 at the Charles D. Worthington Atlantic City campus and August 20 at the Cape May County campus gave all students in attendance the opportunity to meet their new fellow classmates along with College faculty and staff members. Several informative breakout sessions touched on topics that included understanding the various online portals students will use, tips on succeeding as a first-year student, lab science tips, careers in healthcare, being a college student athlete and more.

At the Mays Landing campus, keynote speaker Abraham Sculley, who is a mental health advocate and founder of Speaks 2 Inspire, traveled from Pensacola, Florida. He discussed the importance of mental health, and not being apprehensive about speaking up and asking for help. Sculley spoke of his own challenges when he went away to college.

“I had a plan all figured out. It was the perfect plan and then…life happens and then you find yourself in a situation that is nowhere close to the plan that you had in mind,” said Sculley. “So, in my first year, second semester of college, the plan went downhill and what was challenging for me wasn’t that the academics were hard, I just felt so much pressure to figure things out by myself. And I felt so much shame when it came to asking for help.”

Guided tours of each campus provided an up-close and intimate view of the surroundings that the students will call their home away from home for at least the next two years. Following the breakout sessions, live musical entertainment, free food, giveaway items and a college information fair complete with information on student clubs, academic and athletic programs, and free student resources were available.

At the Atlantic City and Cape May County campuses, award-winning motivational speaker Nate Evans, Jr. shared stories about the determination and motivation it took for him to alter his path from his youthful days of bouncing between various high schools to Atlantic Cape graduate and, today, professional motivational speaker, husband and father. Evans, Jr. implored these new students to think of their time at Atlantic Cape positively and as “an opportunity to grow.”

During her introductory remarks at the Cape May County campus, Stacey Zacharoff, dean of students, Student Affairs offered words of advice to those in the lecture hall.

“Don’t be afraid to try something new. Your experiences here at Atlantic Cape will help shape you. And don’t forget, you are not alone. We are a community here at Atlantic Cape” said Zacharoff.

Numerous incoming freshmen students expressed excitement and optimism for their first Fall Semester at Atlantic Cape.

Braelyn B., who graduated from Lower Cape May Regional High School and is a business administration major attending the Cape May County campus, said “my brother attended Atlantic Cape and did archery, and I thought this looked like a cool campus, so I decided to come here too.” She is also looking forward to “meeting new people and having a new experience in life.”

Mickey V., who graduated from Egg Harbor Township High School and is a computer programming major attending the Mays Landing campus, said that he chose Atlantic Cape “because I didn’t know what I wanted to do at first in college. I know that if I don’t like my major I can see what else is out there.” Mickey was also impressed with the campus because “it’s a big community here and everyone comes together.”

His friend, Justin, who also graduated from Egg Harbor Township High School and is a math major attending the Mays Landing campus, said that he is “excited to do something new. This is completely different from high school and I am looking forward to seeing how well I fit in here.”

Gage, who is also from Egg Harbor Township and an early childhood education major attending the Mays Landing campus, said she chose Atlantic Cape “because I really wanted to save money and stay close to home. I didn’t want to go far, so I thought it was a good idea (coming to Atlantic Cape).”

Albert C., who graduated from Oakcrest High School and is a criminal justice major attending the Mays Landing campus, chose Atlantic Cape because of the price and the fact that his friends are also attending. Albert was also on campus on this day to get his free athletic physical for his upcoming men’s soccer season.

Fall Semester classes start September 3 at all three campuses. Several classes at the Cape May County campus start September 23 to allow students from the County to fit their college education into their seasonal work schedules, which are heavily-dependent on tourism between Memorial Day and Labor Day.

Visit atlanticcape.edu/register to register for classes today.

View of photo gallery of the Mays Landing campus session here, the Atlantic City session here and the Cape May County session here.

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.