Mercer College Providing Free Computers To Students In Need

MERCER COUNTY, NJ — Mercer County Community College is providing free computers for economically disadvantaged students after moving to a remote learning environment to prevent the spread of new coronavirus.

The computers are provided through a partnership with TDI Connect (formerly the Trenton Digital Initiative), an all-volunteer organization that is part of United Way of Greater Mercer County.

The organization refurbishes computers and laptops donated by companies and schools, and distributes the computers in collaboration with Trenton non-profits to individuals and groups who do not currently have internet access.

“The technology gap is real, and at no time has that been more evident than during this current public health emergency,” Mercer County Community College President Dr. Jianping Wang said. “As educators, it is our responsibility to give our students the tools they need to succeed, which is more important now than ever. Thanks to our partnership with TDI, we can make that happen.”

In less than a year, more than 200 computers have been distributed to Mercer County Community College students. When the coronavirus crisis began, 30 free computers were available for Mercer students and all were spoken for within a few days, according to college officials. TDI volunteers are working to replenish the supply, which is growing due to the transition of all college classes to remote instruction amid COVID-19 restrictions.

Due to restrictions on travel and public gatherings during the coronavirus pandemic, the college moved all face-to-face classes to remote platforms for the rest of the spring semester. On March 13 the college moved all administrative operations to remote platforms, with employees delivering services remotely, including admissions, enrollment, advising, and financial aid consultation, among other services.

The closure of the physical campuses means the closure of libraries and computer labs — an important resource for students without home computers or internet access.

TDI’s primary goal is to make digital resources available to everyone, TDI Advisory Board Chair Mark Iorio said.

“Our partnership with Mercer County Community College provides students with a computer, and will aid in their success throughout their college careers,” Iorio said. “This program has positively impacted the lives of dozens of MCCC students, and we are delighted to work alongside Dr. Wang, the administration, and the faculty.”

To qualify for the program, students must have a grade point average of at least 2.0 and demonstrate financial need. In addition, TDI, through a partnership with Comcast’s Internet Essentials program, can offer qualifying individuals high-speed internet access for $9.95 a month.

Over the past year, Mercer County Community College has donated more than 800 outdated computers to TDI as the college updated its classrooms and computer labs. The computers are then refurbished by volunteers for distribution to the community.

That means more families are now connected, and thus much better equipped to function during the pandemic, when most individuals have been working, studying, and even shopping from home, college officials said.

Mercer students who have benefited run the gamut, from traditional-age college students to non-traditional students with work and family obligations. Each student has a unique set of challenges, Wang said, and it is the college’s goal to provide students the resources required for success.

“It is our responsibility to remove as many obstacles as possible and provide the best educational experience possible for our students,” Wang said. “We know the dreams are there. It is our job to help make them a reality.”