In 2005, RUCCCS implemented a unique program to assist early childhood education professionals pursue their individual goals, as well as advance within the NJ ECE Career Lattice through a college degree program. Common to many of our area ECE professionals was a degree of anxiety regarding entering the college environment. Many of our candidates are considered “non-traditional” students in the sense that they are working adults with several years since their last academic experience. This anxiety, coupled with financial concerns, served as the main barriers articulated to RUCCCS staff.
In an effort to ameliorate many of these barriers, RUCCCS launched the “Pathways to College Success Program”, a comprehensive initiative that includes:

The College Readiness Course (Offered in Collaboration with Camden County College)

The College Readiness Course is designed as a two-semester option for a total of four college credits through our partner institution, Camden County College. The coursework address the issues and barriers identified by ECE professionals through the RU-CCCS focus groups.  The program utilizes successful models for transitional programs developed by other educational organizations and institutions.  Specific topics include the following:

• Building confidence and self-esteem
• Assessing previous educational background and remedial needs for academic success.
• Identifying family, employment and other personal responsibilities and demands that are potential barriers to academic success.
• Clarifying personal and career goals and barriers to achieving these goals.
• Orientation to succeeding in a collegiate academic setting, including sample classroom presentations and homework assignments.
• Study and time-management skills:
• Balancing personal, family and employment commitments with academic demands.
• Introduction to study skills such as note taking and test taking.
• Effective use of Camden County College support systems including the Learning Center, peer tutoring, academic counseling, library reference assistance, computer technology.
• Becoming familiar with the College’s resources:  an introduction to the college facilities and services through a tour of the campus to include the registrar, the office of student services, faculty offices, classrooms, the library, computer labs, career planning.
• Taking the first steps:  an introduction to the application process, financial aid, academic assessment and placement, academic advising and registration.

Support for College Success:  Mentoring and Advising

To better ensure the success of ECE professionals served through the program, RU-CCCS provides on-going mentoring and advising support for students during their enrollment in Camden County College classes.  The Mentoring and Advising program is based on the successful mentoring and advising components of the RU-CCCS CDA program, as well as research findings on effective mentoring practices.  The support provided for the College Readiness cohort is designed to build on and supplement existing college advisement and support services, including providing assistance for identifying and using college resources effectively, dealing with academic issues, obtaining guidance for selecting courses, and successfully meeting expectations for completing courses.

Support for College Success:  Peer Support Network