By Joelle Carr
CCC Journalism Program
BLACKWOOD – Camden County College offers more options for nontraditional students to continue their education. This manifests in virtual and in-person advising, classes, financial aid and certificate programs. Students, nontraditional and traditional alike, take advantage of these developments to make their journey at CCC uncomplicated.
Following the pandemic, the student population further diversified with more online options becoming available. Camden County College shifts the pressure for nontraditional students to be present on campus to continue their education.
Associate Dean of Students Jacqueline Tenuto remembers when the only time for nontraditional students to attend classes was at night, “now, the nontraditional students have a benefit because they can do it when they want to do it, which can be online or on Saturdays.”
Crystal Monk, 44-year-old business administration major, returns to school while she functions as the president of one company and the CEO of her own company, Arms Entertainment & Management.
“The enrollment process was actually easier now than it was when I went to college after high school in 1996. Advisers were actually available here more than they were at the school that I attended in 1996,” said Monk.
Camden County College offers both virtual and online advising services to students. This includes registering for classes, planning a student’s schedule, changing a major, and more.
Returning to school can be challenging, but “it’s all about how we apply what is being taught and exemplified during the education process,” said Monk.
Kimberly Console, a 46-year-old dual major in medical billing and coding and health information technology, stated that “balance of life changes from trying to find a work/life balance to studying/work/life balance which can become very overwhelming.”
Console utilizes the college’s work-study program by serving as the associate for the college’s student food pantry.
Camden County College has more certificate and trade programs than any other accredited school in South Jersey, according to the college’s website. These programs cover careers in trades, medical services, business and technology, science, engineering, math, arts and social sciences.
“The certificate enables the student, especially the nontraditional student, to go and start working in that field, but (continue) on and get their associate degree,” Educational Opportunity Fund Adviser Ellen Davis said.
A student receives a certificate in a chosen program, building or expanding their knowledge in a particular field, which then can assist them in continuing their education with a degree in that field.
The degree and certificate programs lead students to more immediate work, which Jacqueline Tenuto and Ellen Davis note is important for nontraditional students.
“I think Camden County is an excellent place for nontraditional students … at an affordable cost,” said Tenuto.
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