Brookdale Community College and Aarhus Business College Forge International Partnership

Brookdale Community College has taken a significant step toward expanding global education opportunities by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Aarhus Business College in Denmark. This new partnership aims to foster academic and cultural exchange, providing students and faculty from both institutions with valuable international learning experiences.

The agreement was officially signed during Brookdale’s Board of Trustees February meeting, by Dr. David M. Stout, president of Brookdale Community College, and Hans Henning Nielsen, executive vice president for Education at Aarhus Business College. The collaboration seeks to strengthen ties between Denmark and the United States through education, academic research, and student engagement.

“This partnership aligns with Brookdale’s mission to provide students with transformative global education opportunities,” said Dr. Stout. “By connecting with Aarhus Business College, we are creating an exchange that enriches learning experiences for students on both sides of the Atlantic.”

Under the terms of the MOU, Brookdale and Aarhus will develop collaborative projects, organize joint academic activities such as conferences and seminars, and facilitate the exchange of students, faculty, and administrative personnel. Additionally, both institutions will share educational materials and publications to enhance cross-cultural learning.

One of the first initiatives under this partnership will be a study tour program, which will bring up to 25 Aarhus students and faculty members to Brookdale in October 2025. During their visit, the Danish students will participate in academic sessions led by Brookdale faculty, engage in cultural exchange activities with local students, and take part in site visits to prominent businesses in Monmouth County. This immersive experience aims to provide insight into American business practices and the Jersey Shore’s entrepreneurial landscape.

In preparation for the study tour, Executive Vice President Nielsen and Academic Dean Linda Buhl Krog, visited Brookdale’s campus. Their agenda included meetings with faculty and administrators, tours of Brookdale’s business programs and student success services, and visits to local business hubs such as Red Bank, Asbury Park, and Bell Works. These engagements provided valuable exposure to regional economic opportunities and helped shape future collaborations.

Reflecting on the partnership, Janice Thomas, director of Brookdale’s International Education Center, stated, “Students from Brookdale and Denmark will have the opportunity to get to know each other, share their cultures, and learn from one another. That’s one of the best parts of the educational process.”

Hans Henning Nielsen, Executive Vice President for Education at Aarhus Business College, echoed these sentiments: “We are particularly impressed by the academic expertise and dedication of your staff, which will further strengthen our collaboration. From the outset, it has been clear that Brookdale and Aarhus share common values. We are both committed to student success and to ensuring that they achieve their full potential.”

Linda Buhl Krog, Dean of Academics for Vocational Training at Aarhus Business College, also expressed enthusiasm about the partnership: “I’ve been with our vocational training program for 18 years, first as a teacher and now as Dean of Academics. What’s truly exciting about this partnership is seeing how education and industry come together to create real opportunities for students. By collaborating internationally, we’re expanding perspectives and giving students the skills they need to succeed in a global workforce.”

During their visit, the Aarhus delegation had lunch at the Culinary Education Center and toured Asbury Park with several key local leaders, including Tom Gilmore, former Director of Economic Development for Asbury Park and current President of the Monmouth Ocean Development Council; Sylvia Sylvia, Director of Business Development and Urban Enterprise Zone Coordinator for Asbury Park; and Matthew Whelan, Executive Director of the Asbury Park Chamber of Commerce.

“Asbury Park is a tourism town,” Whelan shared with Nielsen and Krog. “We support our businesses, promote tourism, and create events that bring thousands of people to town to keep our economy vibrant year-round.”

Michelle Zuppe, Professor at the Culinary Center, highlighted the importance of real-world experiences for students: “The Culinary Education Center and the hospitality industry in Asbury Park create incredible opportunities for our students. We’re not just teaching them how to cook—we’re preparing them for real careers in a thriving industry. Through partnerships like this, we’re connecting students with businesses and ensuring they have pathways to success in restaurants, hotels, and beyond.”

Brookdale’s International Education Center, led by Director Janice Thomas, and the Office of Governmental Affairs and Community Relations, overseen by Executive Director Ed Johnson, have played key roles in facilitating this agreement. Together, they are working on securing grant opportunities to support Brookdale students and faculty in pursuing reciprocal study experiences in Denmark.

The partnership underscores Brookdale’s commitment to fostering global engagement and equipping students with the skills needed to navigate an increasingly interconnected world. As both institutions prepare for their first exchange programs, this collaboration promises to be a model for future international educational partnerships.