Camden County College's Gateway Program Earns National Award

Camden County College has been recognized nationally for its graduation rate.

The Gateway to College program at Camden County College received a national award from the Gateway to College National Network for the highest graduation rate for 2014-15 by a Gateway program throughout the nation, the college announced this week.

Gateway to College at Camden County College is a scholarship program for the students of the Camden City School district, ages 16-20, who have dropped out of school but have a desire to get back on track, earn a diploma, and get a career.

Students will not only have a second chance to earn a high school diploma, but Gateway participants will also earn college credits toward an associate's degree or certificate.

In June, 54 students graduated from the Camden Gateway to College program. This was 100 percent of the senior class.

The Gateway National Program Excellence Award was presented at the 2016 Peer Learning Conference in Minneapolis, Minnesota on June 28.

Gateway to College National Network President Ms. Emily Froimson presented the award to Dr. Irvin Sweeney, Director of the Camden County College Gateway program.

Special awards were given to certain graduates, including two students who were honored as recipients of the Camden City School District “Remarkable Graduates.” Additionally, two students received $500 scholarships from Camden County College.

The Camden County College Gateway program has exceeded the benchmarks established by the network to measure the success of Gateway programs, Froimson said.

Benchmarks included first and second year persistence, GPA, and graduation rates.

Froimson encouraged other Gateway centers to seek to emulate “the Camden miracle” as they confront the challenges of building systems to meet the needs of all types of learners.

The attached images were provided by Camden County College:

Photo #1: The Gateway Administrative Team consists of Scott Oliver, Faith Grant, Irvin Sweeney, Katrina White, George Bonett (Absent - Susan Ballen)

Photo #2: The Graduating Class of 2016