Mercer CC Helps Students, Staff Amid Coronavirus Crisis

MERCER COUNTY, NJ — Mercer County Community College has announced new initiatives it is taking to help members of the college community in need amid the outbreak of new coronavirus.

In a letter, Mercer County Community College President Dr. Jianping Wang told employees the college is strong and there is no threat of possible layoffs after the college was forced to shut down as a result of the outbreak.

However, she said she recognizes that employees are going through personal hardships due to unique circumstances, and the college is prepared to help them.

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“Over the past few weeks, you have collectively stepped up and risen to the unprecedented challenge caused by COVID-19. As a result, the college is better prepared to continue our services for students, employees, and our communities at-large," Wang said in the message to college employees. “As the crisis intensifies, so does our fear and anxiety. Now is the time to take care of one another and make sure no one is left behind in this very difficult time.”

The college is immediately launching a Voluntary Full-Time Employee Assistance Program for employees with an annual base salary of no more than $60,000. The college will offer a $1,000 salary advance, with six months to repay the college through payroll deductions, beginning in May.

Programs have also been launched to help students who are facing hardships after losing a part-time job or financial assistance. . The college is in the process of launching the Student Food Assistance Program, which will provide gift cards to area grocery stores for food-insecure students. And through a partnership with United Way of Mercer County and TDI (formerly Trenton Digital Initiative), the college is distributing free refurbished computers to students in financial need.

“Food insecurity is real, the technology gap is real, and both are magnified by the current crisis,” Wang said. “We have the ability to help bridge those gaps, and together we can emerge from this crisis even stronger than before.”

Following the conclusion of MCCC’s spring break on March 23, all face-to-face classes were moved to remote platforms for the remainder of the semester. On March 13 the college moved all administrative operations to remote platforms, with employees delivering services to students, faculty, staff, and general public from home. Remote delivery of those services will continue through the end of the spring semester as well.

Wang credits advance planning, ongoing communications, and a dedicated faculty and staff in preparing for the coronavirus crisis. That, she said, has made all the difference.

“Extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures, and that is exactly what is required from each and every one of us as we join forces to combat the public health threat posed by COVID-19,” Wang said.