Rowan College at Burlington County Moving Main Campus to Mount Laurel

Rowan College at Burlington County is moving its main campus from Pemberton to Mount Laurel, college officials announced Monday morning.

“Our students have mirrored the growth of the county toward Mount Laurel,” Rowan College at Burlington County President Paul Drayton said. “We can better serve them by placing more resources in the location they prefer.”

The Mount Laurel campus opened near the intersection of routes 295 and 38 in 1995. Within 10 years, it became the prefered campus among students, according to college officials.

Last year, more students attended class in Mount Laurel than all other locations combined. After that campus, students prefer to take classes online. The college’s original site in Pemberton is now third on the list.

“Uniting the college in Mount Laurel will save millions of dollars in operating costs that will be reinvested in programs and improved facilities for students, faculty and staff,” Drayton said.

The announcement came after a comprehensive facility study that proved the college did not have the demand to fill its current facilities.

The study concluded that the Mount Laurel campus could handle current and future need largely by converting underused space, adding on to existing facilities and eventually building a student center that will include a student success center, the library, dining facility and serve as the focal point of the campus.

“Our goal is to create a ‘wow’ factor when students, parents and community members arrive on campus,” Drayton said. “When we are finished, the Rowan College at Burlington County Mount Laurel campus experience will rival those found at four-year universities.”

No changes are expected at the Mount Holly, Willingboro and the Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst campuses.

Additionally, Burlington County’s Economic Development and Regional Planning Director Mark Remsa will lead a reuse study of the Pemberton campus. Drayton invited Pemberton Township Mayor David Patriarca to serve on the reuse committee.

“Our community has benefitted from hosting the college for nearly 50 years, but now that the decision has been made to move the operation to Mount Laurel, I gladly accept the opportunity to work with Rowan College at Burlington County with repurposing the property in a way that will not only benefit our community, but also be sustainable for future years to come,” Patriarca said. “As Mayor, I feel it is necessary to have a seat at the table during this important transition for both the college and Pemberton Township.”

“Bringing the campus community together in one location will make it easier for students and faculty to engage with each other and collaborate, which is critical to academic success,” Rowan College at Burlington County Assistant Math Professor and Faculty Association President William Whitfield said. “We are very excited about the future of Rowan College at Burlington County in Mount Laurel.”

Michael Cioce, currently serving as executive director of enrollment management, will take over as vice president of the newly created Enrollment Management and Student Success department in August.

“Mike cares deeply about our students and growing our partnership with Rowan University that is creating a path to a $30,000 four-year degree from two of the finest institutions in the country,” Drayton said. “Mike has been a critical part of the team that is transforming our college into a national model and he is uniquely talented to lead this new and extremely important department.”

“These improvements will make an excellent campus even better,” Student Government Association Vice President Lauren Ortiz said. “They send a message that the college pays attention to what students need to succeed and are willing to make smart investments and commitments to our success as students. This is an exciting time to be a Rowan College at Burlington County student.”

The attached image was provided by Rowan College at Burlington County