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JERSEY CITY, N.J. |  (Ұ������) held a ribbon cutting ceremony on November 6, 2024 for the newly established Center for Student Persistence and Success, located in the Michael B. Gilligan Student Union Building Room 109. The center represents a comprehensive approach to supporting student success through integrated programming, leadership development, and community engagement.

The Center for Student Persistence and Success provides integrated support via co-curricular programming, leadership development, and community-wide engagement to enhance the learning experience at Ұ������. The center's mission specifically focuses on addressing and alleviating barriers that prevent students from completing a college degree—particularly those who identify as first-generation scholars, adult learners, and those from historically underrepresented and underserved communities.

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“The Office of Student Persistence and Success is a bold, reimagined effort to center what matters most: the individual and collective experiences of our students,” said Ұ������ Interim President .​ “This office isn’t just a structural change; it’s a philosophical shift. It’s a declaration that every student’s journey matters—whether they are the first in their family to be able to attend college or balancing the demands of work, family, and education. It’s about meeting students where they are and walking alongside them, step by step, toward success.

President Acebo added “This is more than an office; it’s a promise. A promise to listen. To innovate. To persist as our students persist. Because we believe that every student’s success is Ұ������’s success—and together, we’ll build a brighter future for them, for us, and for the communities we serve.”

"Growth has been a common theme for the work we do and this newly named Center for Student Persistence and Success is a testament to that continued growth," said Jeffrey Dessources, Assistant Vice President of Campus Life and Community Engagement. "We are excited to reach new cohorts of students to help them succeed on their college journey."
 

The center addresses barriers that impede students' ability to start and complete a degree at Ұ������ through three key areas: campus engagement through clubs and organization involvement, mentorship, and leadership development; intentional focus on the first-generation student experience; and authentic relationships with community partners.

Erin McCann, Vice President of the Division of Student Development and Community Engagement, emphasized the center's strategic importance. "The newly branded Center for Student Persistence and Success is a direct response to eliminate student obstacles toward graduation. This office will ensure our community of learners have all the tools and support they need." 

The center serves as the "home away from home" for all Ұ������ students and currently houses multiple essential student services and programs, including:

• Student Government Association
• Fraternity & Sorority Life programs
• Honor Societies and Leadership Development programs
• Clubs and Organizations
• Student Media
• Commuter Life services for off-campus students
• B.I.D.E Committee (Belonging, Inclusion, Diversity and Equity Committee)
• First Generation Student Center

Within the next two years, the center will expand to house the Office for First-Gen Initiatives and the PROMISE Scholars Program, an initiative designed to assist first-year students—both new and transfer—as they navigate their first three semesters at the university.

The First-Generation Student Center provides purposeful support and engaging services to create an equitable environment for first-generation students, promoting success through learning and co-curricular experiences that cultivate a sense of belonging and encourage holistic student development.

The center's comprehensive approach reflects Ұ������'s commitment to serving its diverse student population and removing systemic barriers to academic success. By centralizing these critical support services, the university aims to create a more seamless and effective support system for students throughout their academic journey.
 

The ribbon cutting ceremony marked an important milestone in Ұ������'s ongoing efforts to enhance student success and persistence across all student populations.

“I’m grateful to our Vice President for Student Development and Community Engagement Erin McCann, Associate Vice President for Student Persistence Joy L. Smith, Ed.D., and Assistant Vice President for Campus Life and Community Engagement Jeff Dessources, and their teams for their tireless efforts and inspiring commitment to our mission,” President Acebo noted. “ I’m proud to share this time and space with all of you.”

About Ұ������: 
Ұ������ is a comprehensive public regional institution committed to providing a high-quality education to a diverse student population. Located in Jersey City, New Jersey, Ұ������ offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs and is dedicated to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment for learning, professional development, and community engagement. Recognized as a top university for improving upward economic social mobility, students enrolled in our undergraduate, graduate, or doctoral programs have access to an affordable, diverse environment, and an exceptionally supportive faculty. This prepares them to go on to become the next generation of workers and leaders who improve their communities and the State of New Jersey.

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Contact: 
Ira Thor, Associate Vice President for University Communications and Marketing | ithor@njcu.edu | 201-200-3301