Brookdale Joins Regional Alliance to Fast-Track Student Success and Transfer Pathways

Brookdale Community College has joined a transformative regional partnership designed to make the path from community college to bachelor’s and graduate degrees more seamless, affordable, and student-centered across southern and central New Jersey.

Leaders from Stockton University, Atlantic Cape Community College, Camden County College, Ocean County College, and Brookdale formally established the South Jersey Higher Education Alliance through a newly signed Memorandum of Agreement. The collaboration creates a shared framework focused on expanding access, strengthening transfer pathways, and improving student success throughout the region.

For Brookdale students, the Alliance represents expanded opportunities to move more efficiently from associate degree programs into bachelor’s and graduate studies, with clearer pathways, enhanced advising, and stronger institutional coordination.

“At Brookdale, we are committed to helping students not only find a clear pathway forward, but to see themselves in that future,” said David M. Stout, Ph.D., president of Brookdale Community College. “Through the South Jersey Higher Education Alliance, and in partnership with Stockton University, we are identifying barriers and working relentlessly to break them down so our students can transfer with confidence to Stockton and into their graduate degree programs and their careers.  It’s about helping students see what’s possible and ensuring every student has the opportunity to succeed.”

The Alliance is designed to reduce challenges that can delay graduation or increase costs by aligning programs and improving coordination across institutions. Key initiatives include expanding transfer agreements, developing dual-admission opportunities, strengthening academic advising, and enhancing student support services, such as financial aid guidance, career preparation, and internship connections.

Among the collaborative efforts are:

* Expanded 2+2, 3+1, and 3+2 pathways to help students save time and money
* Shared course offerings and cross-registration opportunities
* Program-to-program articulation agreements in high-demand fields
* Coordinated transfer advising and student support services
* Opportunities for guaranteed admission and transfer scholarships

The initiative also supports workforce development across the region by preparing more students for careers in high-demand fields, including healthcare, STEM, business, education, public safety, and the arts.

Through this partnership, Brookdale continues to strengthen its role as a gateway to opportunity, ensuring students have the support, resources, and pathways needed to achieve their academic and career goals.

“Today is not simply the signing of an agreement,” said Joe Bertolino, president of Stockton University. “It is a commitment to build a more connected, student-centered higher education ecosystem for our region.”

About the South Jersey Higher Education Alliance
The South Jersey Higher Education Alliance is a collaborative partnership among Atlantic Cape Community College, Brookdale Community College, Camden County College, Ocean County College, and Stockton University. The Alliance is focused on expanding educational opportunity, supporting student success, and creating seamless pathways from associate degrees to bachelor’s and graduate programs through coordinated advising, shared resources, and cross-institutional collaboration.

PHOTO (Credit: Abbigail Erbacher/Stockton University) Alliance: From left, Camden County College President Lovell Pugh-Bassett, Brookdale Community College President David Stout, Stockton University President Joe Bertolino, Atlantic Cape Community College President Barbara Gaba and Ocean County College President Pamela Monaco. The presidents gathered at Stockton in Galloway on May 18 to sign a new agreement creating the South Jersey Higher Education Alliance.