Local government officials, educators, and business leaders along with Rowan College of South Jersey and Vineland High School faculty, staff, and students were on hand to witness the signing of the Collegiate High School memorandum of understanding between Vineland Public Schools and RCSJ, and to celebrate the $148,000 dual enrollment grant awarded to VHS by the New Jersey Department of Education. Seated, from left: Vineland Public School District Superintendent Alfonso Llano, Vineland Board of Education President Kimberly Codispoti, and RCSJ President Dr. Frederick Keating.
Rowan College of South Jersey (RCSJ) and Vineland Public Schools (VPS) were joined by the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners, and the City of Vineland, to participate in the Celebrate Innovation in Education ceremony. This special event, which took place at Vineland High School South (VHS) on Feb. 21, gave representatives from these entities an opportunity to announce the awarding of $148,000 to VPS as part of the New Jersey Department of Education (DOE) Dual Enrollment Pilot Grant Initiative.
State and local government officials, administrators, educators, and business leaders along with RCSJ and VHS faculty, staff, and students were on hand for the celebration of the announcement.
“I can’t tell you how proud I am to be in my alma mater … What’s amazing to me is that Vineland High School continues to grow and improve,” said Michael Testa, state Senator, 1st Legislative District, New Jersey. “And, through partnerships with Rowan College of South Jersey and the vision of President Fred Keating, I can only imagine where this can go with this partnership and with this dual enrollment [initiative].”
“We need to be dedicated to education,” added Testa, a Class of ’94 VHS graduate. “Our youth are our greatest commodity here in South Jersey and we need to make sure that they are afforded all of the opportunities so that they can not only survive – but can thrive.”
VHS, a local education agency (LEA), established a partnership with RCSJ and Rowan University, institutions of higher education (IHE), for this pilot initiative.
“This type of program allows students to choose a pathway and that pathway is very important because they get a taste of what college is about,” said Joe Sileo, director, Cumberland County Board of Commissioners. “They also can take that same pathway and go to a trade school or start a business of their own. They’ll get some type of business background along with a nice high school education and an associate degree. This is the type of thing we need to do in this community.”
The $148,000 grant, provided by the DOE, is a single-year initiative designed to enable high school students to take college-level courses, and earn both high school and college credits simultaneously. The funding will also help VPS initiate and increase dual enrollment/dual credit courses at VHS with an intention to ensure equitable access and participation for all under-resourced students – including those who are economically disadvantaged as well as multi-lingual learners – who are eligible for the program.
According to a press release, the DOE, in association with the Office of the Secretary for Higher Education, awarded a total of $500,000 in grants for the creation and expansion of high-quality dual enrollment programs in several school districts across the state as part of the New Jersey State Plan for Higher Education.
VPS was one of only four school districts in the state – and the only one in South Jersey – selected to receive funding for this initiative.
“The grant holds tremendous significance for Vineland Public Schools, and more importantly for our students and their families,” said Kimberly Codispoti, president, Vineland Board of Education. “It represents an opportunity to break down the barriers and provide access to transformative educational experiences. What sets this initiative apart is our commitment to equity and inclusiveness. We are not merely creating opportunities; we are ensuring that these opportunities are accessible to all eligible students.”
“This achievement goes far beyond financial support,” she continued. “This partnership with RCSJ is a testament to our dedication to providing the best possible education experience for our students. As we embark on this journey together, let us all celebrate this achievement and look forward to the positive transformations that will undoubtedly follow.”
The Celebrate Innovation in Education ceremony was filled with good vibes. The event offered VHS the chance to showcase a few of its amazing students including Denise Gonzalez, senior class president; Gabriela Cumba, senior class vice president; the VHS JROTC; the VHS Select Choir; and the reigning Mr. and Ms. Vineland, Anthony Gonzalez and Eve Ortiz. Even Rowdy Rooster made an appearance at this special program.
Speakers and attendees were excited about the endless opportunities this grant can provide for underrepresented students.
“On behalf of Mayor Anthony Fanucci of Vineland, I am here to congratulate Vineland High School and RCSJ as well as the county for being forward thinkers in the process of being more inclusive for students to receive an education,” said Elizabeth Arthur, president, Vineland City Council. “It is such an honor to see that you’ve planted a seed here and you know the slogan of Vineland is ‘Where it’s always growing season.’ This seed is going to grow, and we hope that the students who take advantage of this will [return] and give something back to the community.”
“I’m thrilled to be celebrating this event today and the significant achievement of being [awarded] a dual enrollment grant from the state of New Jersey,” said Alfonso Llano, superintendent, Vineland Public Schools. “This grant is not just about financial support; it symbolizes our commitment to providing equitable access to education for all our students … We will cover tuition, textbooks, transportation costs and a translation of materials for those students making education even more accessible than ever.”
Llano recognized the Vineland Board of Education for establishing an assertive grant writing department at VPS that helped them connect with several collaborators to enhance educational opportunities for its students. He also thanked the grant writing team for their hard work in helping VPS attain this competitive, grant award.
“At Vineland Public Schools, we believe that every child deserves an equal opportunity to succeed [and] to thrive irrespective of where they came from, their financial situation, their language barriers,” he said. “This grant is a powerful instrument in our mission … to provide access to dual enrollment credits with our partners throughout the state of New Jersey and specifically, RCSJ.”
“Thanks to the efforts of our many collaborators on the New Jersey Department of Education Dual Enrollment Pilot Grant Initiative, Vineland High School has become an RCSJ Collegiate High School,” said Jacqueline Roman-Alvarez, principal, Vineland High School South. “At VHS we are all very eager to see the benefits of this grant unfold.”
Two students, Xavien Phillips and Kellianne Burgess, shared their positive experiences as current participants in RCSJ’s dual enrollment program to an attentive audience.
The initiative is also part of a broader articulation agreement with Rowan University and RCSJ allowing for a seamless partnership and application of the dual enrollment programs.
“Humbly, I think Vineland High School will put this concept, Collegiate High School and transferrable academic pathways, on the map in the state of New Jersey,” said Keating. “Pathway is the word. With this partnership, now we have a pathway, an academic map; we draw it together and students reach their academic goals affordably, close to home.”
“Vineland High School will prove that this pilot works representing South Jersey,” he continued. “RCSJ is thrilled to be partnering with VHS and we say thank you for letting us come along for the ride.”
