Paving the Road to High School Graduation and a Better Future
Friday, February 21, 2020
PAVING THE ROAD TO HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION AND A BETTER FUTURE
Berkeley College Offers College and Job Readiness Programming in Partnerships with High Schools and Workforce Initiatives
Photo Caption: Earl Brown, Executive Director, Berkeley College Academic Partnerships and Community Relations, addressed more than 160 students and professionals at the 2019 Jobs for New Jersey’s Graduates (JNJG) Leadership Development Conference held at Rider University. JNJG is an affiliate program of Jobs for America’s Graduates, a state-based national nonprofit dedicated to preventing dropouts among young people who are most at risk.
Berkeley College allies with high schools and uses workforce initiatives to help people overcome obstacles to success. “High school students, especially in urban areas, are excited in their first and second years, but begin to get discouraged after that. They need help to prepare them better for what lies ahead,” said Earl Brown in a recent interview about his work as Executive Director, Berkeley College Academic Partnerships and Community Relations. “We encourage these young students who are trying to be successful in life by providing a foundation of guidance.”
Mr. Brown works with high school leadership to establish dual enrollment courses so that students can earn college credits earlier. He also arranges for programming that includes mentorship, career exploration and job readiness workshops to help keep students motivated and inspired to reach their goals, beyond what situations and circumstances they may face.
“These students may not have the support right now,” Mr. Brown said. “Throughout our lives we all will face some type of failure. No matter how much, this does not mean we are failures. I encourage students constantly to look inward and toward their dreams and goals.”
In addition to academic partnerships, Berkeley College provides career services to assist with internship and job opportunities to high school students and workforce organizations. Berkeley College partners with Jobs for New Jersey’s Graduates (JNJG) and the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce Foundation to host summer interns from this program at its Newark campus. Mr. Brown served as the plenary speaker for the Jobs for New Jersey’s Graduates Leadership Development Conference held in December 2019 and was invited to return this year. JNJG is an affiliate program of Jobs for America’s Graduates, a state-based national nonprofit dedicated to preventing dropouts among young people who are most at risk.
In addition to schools and educational districts, business volunteers play an integral role in the success of this initiative.
About Berkeley College
Berkeley College, founded in 1931, is a career-focused institution accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education that offers students Master’s, Bachelor’s, and Associate’s degree and Certificate programs in more than 20 career fields. The College has campuses in Newark, Paramus, Woodbridge and Woodland Park, NJ, as well as in Midtown Manhattan and White Plains, NY, with more than 5,700 students enrolled. In addition, Berkeley College Online® serves a global population. U.S. News & World Report has named Berkeley College among the Best Colleges for Online Bachelor’s Programs and among the Best Online Bachelor’s Programs for Veterans, for seven consecutive years. The website address is www.BerkeleyCollege.edu.
The mission of Berkeley College is to empower students to achieve lifelong success in dynamic careers.
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