Community College Faculty from Throughout the Garden State to Convene on the Future of the Humanities
Free gathering featuring a keynote by Modern Language Association of America (MLA) Executive Director Paula Krebs

On March 24, 2023, the New Jersey Council for the Humanities (NJCH) and New Jersey Council of Community Colleges (NJCCC) will host community college faculty and staff from around the state for a daylong convening at Bergen Community College on the most pressing challenges and opportunities facing college students and faculty, including the place of the humanities in higher education today.

The day will include a keynote address from Dr. Paula Krebs, executive director of the Modern Language Association, and three panels that will explore how humanities fields can provide value to students from all backgrounds and with a variety of career aspirations, as well be the sources of innovation and community engagement. Participants also will have numerous informal opportunities to network and build community, including lunch, an evening reception, and a tour of an exhibit by renowned artist Faith Ringgold on display at Gallery Bergen.

“The humanities are critical to our systems of education, our society, and our economy,” said Dr. Carin Berkowitz, NJCH executive director. “Community college faculty are leading the way in higher education in articulating that value to their multifaceted and diverse student bodies. We are so glad to be able to bring this community together to deepen conversations that can shape both their work and ours, and to lay the groundwork for future collaborations among community college faculty in New Jersey.”

The free event is being hosted at Bergen Community College, Paramus. The day’s panels are as follows: “Defending Humanities Across the Divide,” “Marketing and Communications,” and “Humanities Innovations.” The event is in-person, and the Introductory Remarks, Keynote session and Marketing and Communications panel will be available for virtual attendance.

Full details and RSVP information can be found at njhumanities.org/convening. Attendees must RSVP by March 10, 2023