Burlington County College to Compete in Statewide Awareness Competition

Burlington County College will participate in campus-based activities during the second annual statewide Phi Theta Kappa Community College Completion Challenge (NJC4) Oct. 27-31.

The statewide competition involves all 19 community colleges and is aimed at increasing awareness about the importance of completing associate degrees and certificates.

During the competition, student leaders who are members of Phi Theta Kappa (PTK), the international honor society for community college students, will hold events to support the initiative.
Burlington County College’s Chi Iota Chapter of PTK will host signing days at the Mount Laurel and Pemberton campuses and the Willingboro Center.

At each signing day, PTK officers and members will be available to talk to Burlington County College students about the benefits of completing their degree while encouraging students to sign a C4 banner and fill out a pledge card to show their commitment to their education.

“The NJC4 initiative complements what we do at Burlington County College—offer support to students, and encourage each individual to commit to his or her education, to see them through degree completion, transfer or gainful employment,” Burlington County College Interim President Dr. David Spang said. “BCC’s honor society students are leading the charge of this initiative, discussing the benefits of degree competition, and all of us, the staff, faculty, administrators, community and family, play an important role in the future success of our students.”

Over the course of the first three days, the PTK students will also hold “Staff, Faculty, and Administrator Appreciation” events providing coffee and baked goods as a way to thank the employees for all the work they do to support degree completion.

Events will be held from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day at the following locations:

• Monday, Oct. 27: Mount Laurel campus, 500 College Circle, Laurel Hall Lobby.
• Tuesday, Oct. 28: BCC Pemberton campus, 601 Pemberton Browns Mills Road, Academic Building Lobby.
• Wednesday, Oct. 29: Willingboro Center, 200 Campbell Drive, Suite 210, Main Lobby.
• Thursday, Oct. 30: Mount Laurel campus, Laurel Hall Lobby.
• Friday, Oct. 31: Pemberton campus, Academic Building Lobby.

“Students who make a personal pledge to complete their education are more likely to achieve their goals,” William Whitfield, Chi Iota Chapter Adviser, said. “Completing a degree or certificate equips students with the tools and credentials they need to transfer to four-year institutions, successfully earn a bachelor’s degree, and secure good-paying careers that are fulfilling.

“We will also be asking faculty, staff and college administrators to sign pledges recognizing their role in student success and college completion.”

The initiative will promote CollegeFish.org, a website that helps students make informed decisions about transferring to four-year colleges and universities. This free service connects students to institutions throughout the country.

The second annual NJC4 initiative culminates at the Phi Theta Kappa Middle States Region Honors in Action Conference at Bergen Community College in Lyndhurst on Saturday, Nov. 1.