Atlantic Cape Community College

In 1936, there were plans to open junior colleges – now known as community colleges – in Atlantic City , Camden , and Trenton, New Jersey , but this did not come to fruition due to lack of state funding. [ 2 ] In the 1950s during the Post–World War II baby boom , there was a movement in the United States to increase the number of community colleges. [ 3 ] In 1962, the New Jersey Legislature authorized the establishment and committed to funding such institutions in the state, after efforts of local freeholders , county superintendents, and citizen groups. [ 4 ] The Citizens Centennial Committee on Adult Education for Atlantic City pursued a college for the area. After a study by local freeholders and educators, the New Jersey Department of Education approved the establishment of an Atlantic County community college in December 1963. On April 14, 1964, Atlantic Community College was officially organized, only the second community college in the state at the time. [ 3 ] In September 1966, the college opened to students in a facility rented from Atlantic City High School . [ 3 ] By 1967, there were over 1,000 enrolled students. [ 4 ] In February 1968, the college was moved to the Mays Landing campus. [ 3 ] By 1969, the number of enrolled students exceeded 2,000. [ 4 ] In 1971, Atlantic Community College was first accredited by the Commission on Higher Education of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools , and it was most recently re-accredited in 2013. [ 1 ] As of June 1974, the state of New Jersey had spent $1,964,933 on the college, and an additional $1,143,991 was spent using federal funds authorized by the Higher Education Act of 1965 . [ 4 ] On July 1, 1977, Atlantic Community College established the Casino Career Institute to support the development of casinos in Atlantic City . Opening in 1978 in Atlantic City, it was the first gaming school in the United States affiliated with a college.

[ 5 ] [ 3 ] [ 6 ] Officials from Atlantic County bought a former Atlantic City Electric building in Atlantic City in Spring 1982. After a $4 million expansion project, the building opened, housing the Casino Career Institute. [ 3 ] There was originally no community college in Cape May County , due to insufficient population; as of 1973, the New Jersey Department of Higher Education had a policy that required a county population base of at least 125,000 to be economically sustainable. [ 4 ] In 1973, Atlantic Community College began offering night classes in Cape May Court House at Middle Township High School . Due to increased demand, the college opened the Cape May County Extension Center in 1980, where it accounted for 21% of the total enrollment. [ 7 ] The facility later moved to a strip mall in Rio Grande . [ 7 ] [ 8 ] For 20 years, Cape May County officials subsidized the cost for students to attend Atlantic Community College or Cumberland County College , estimated at $2 million per year. By the 1990s, Cape May County was the last in the state without a community college. [ 9 ] In 1993, supporters of a local college sent a formal request to the New Jersey State Department of Higher Education. Freeholder candidate and future state senator Jeff Van Drew campaigned on a county college in 1994. [ 8 ] In 1995, the state denied a request for an independent college in Cape May, instead urging the county to partner with a neighboring county college, which would allow for immediate accreditation. [ 3 ] [ 7 ] Cape May County requested to join Atlantic Community College in February 1997, which was approved on January 1, 1999. One month later, the institute's Board of Trustees approved changing the name to Atlantic Cape Community College . [ 3 ] [ 7 ] After delays and permit acquisition, the Cape May County campus opened to a ribbon-cutting ceremony on August 24, 2005; classes began 13 days later.

[ 7 ] In 2000, the United States Environmental Protection Agency awarded Atlantic Cape an Energy Star rating after the college enacted energy efficient projects at its three campuses, such as eliminating Chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) from cooling systems, removing underground storage tanks, and installing motion detectors in its lighting systems. The college added four solar panels Photovoltaic systems in parking lots at the Mays Landing and Cape May campuses, built by Marina Energy, LLC . The panels would generate 2.2 Megawatts , which is about half of each campus's power needs, and is enough power to electrify 220 homes. [ 10 ]

College president Dr. Barbara Gaba There have been nine presidents of Atlantic Cape Community College. The current officeholder, Dr. Barbara Gaba, was inaugurated on October 27, 2017, making her the first female and first African-American president of the college. [ 11 ] Previous college presidents include Dr. Peter L. Mora from 2005 to 2016, Dr. John T. May from 1993 to 2005, Dr. William A. Orth from 1987 to 1993, Ronald W. Bush from 1984 to 1986, Dr. Lawrence R. Winchell, Jr/ from 1973 to 1984, Dr. Wallace Appelson from 1970 to 1973, Dr. Luther G. Shaw from 1966 to 1970, and the college's first president, Dr. Walton Brown, who served from 1964 to 1966. [ 12 ] The Atlantic Cape Community College Board of Trustees currently has 13 members, with one vacancy. The Atlantic County Executive appoints seven members, with approval by the county Board of Chosen Freeholders. The Cape May County Board of Chosen Freeholders appoints three members. The Governor of New Jersey appoints two members, the Atlantic and Cape May county superintendent are members by statute, and the final member is an alumnus chosen from the preceding year's graduating class. [ 13 ]