Category: Education

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Amid record nurse shortages, a top-ranking NJ nursing school is filling in the gap

Leading NJ nursing school prepares students for successful healthcare careers

  • TCNJ’s nursing program boasts simulation labs to safely give students hands-on professional experience.
  • The program’s students consistently exceed testing standards.

 

“TCNJ’s reputation speaks for itself. We have consistently had a 94-100% pass rate…”

— Dr. Tracy Perron, Professor & Chair, Nursing, TCNJ

 

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EWING, N.J. – Healthcare faces a staffing crisis like it has never seen before.

 

One study finds nurse turnover surged 8.4% between 2020 and 2021, propelling the national average to ~27%. In the face of this unprecedented industry-wide challenge, the School of Nursing and Health Sciences (SNHS) at The College of New Jersey (TCNJ) is preparing young healthcare professionals to exceed standards and deliver best-in-class care.

 

To get a better idea of just how SNHS accomplishes this, look no further than TCNJ alumnus and Penn Medicine Princeton Health Labor & Delivery nurse, Sydney Doyle, BSN, RN. “My experience studying nursing at TCNJ helped me after graduation by equipping me with the tools to succeed in both clinical and professional environments. Through rigorous coursework and studying under highly-esteemed nurse leaders and experts, I was able to refine my time management, clinical, and critical thinking skills and develop professional etiquette,” says Doyle.

 

Beyond academic and hands-on experience, Doyle suggests TCNJ’s alumni network adds equal value. She explains, “TCNJ’s School of Nursing and Health Sciences has afforded me a network of colleagues both near and far that fostered my growth while I earned my BSN and continually support me in my professional endeavors.”

 

TCNJ’s SNHS offers an undergraduate Bachelors of Science in Nursing (BSN) program, as well as a BSN to Registered Nurse (RN) track.

 

Dr. Tracy Perron, Professor and Chair of TCNJ’s Nursing Department, argues SNHS stands out as a leader in accelerating students directly into professional healthcare careers or advanced studies. “TCNJ’s reputation speaks for itself. We have consistently had a 94-100% pass rate and our students are gainfully employed within six months of graduation in some of the most notable healthcare facilities, such as Duke, Hopkins, CHOP, NYU, Sloan Kettering just to name a few. Also, our alumni get into some of the top graduate programs, like Duke, PENN, NYU, Rutgers, Hopkins, and Jefferson,” Perron says.

 

The success of TCNJ’s nursing program at state and national levels has increasingly attracted students seeking a high-quality education in healthcare. For transfer student Adriana Pagnillo, the unique benefit of pursuing TCNJ’s nursing track is access to hands-on experience before graduation. “One experience at TCNJ that has helped to shape my understanding of the nursing field has been the lab experiences the program provides. The hands-on simulation labs, including mannequins that mimic real-life scenarios, give students the closest thing possible to a human experience. This allows the students to make errors and learn from their mistakes without the risk of harming real patients.”

 

TCNJ’s School of Nursing and Health Sciences’ Dean Carole Kenner explains, “The national healthcare staffing shortage should worry just about everyone in the industry. Our School is honored to do its part to prepare medical professionals to perform at the top of their license.” The School rebranded in 2022 to reflect its robust and diverse, cross-disciplinary health science curricula.

 

TCNJ’s School of Nursing and Health Sciences educates aspiring health professionals to become future leaders across the healthcare industry. Faculty work closely with local healthcare partners to provide students with applicative skills and foundational knowledge. The nationally acclaimed school is dedicated to preparing individuals—through programs in nursing, public health, exercise science and physical education teaching—for the many rewards of guiding people, communities, and populations toward improved health outcomes. The School is nationally recognized as a Healthy People 2030 Champion.

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County Exec. Brian M. Hughes makes statement on mass shooting at Michigan State University

TRENTON, N.J. — Unthinkable. Senseless. Terrifying. Devastating. Once again, these words invade our worlds as we mourn for the loss of life that has occurred at Michigan State University in East Lansing, Michigan on Monday.

 

As we again try to make sense out of a senseless act, our thoughts and prayers are with the families who lost loved ones.

 

We are learning more about the assailant, his ties to Mercer County and Ewing Township and his longtime struggle with

mental illness, remarked Hughes.

 

In response to what was deemed an unconfirmed threat to Ewing schools, Ewing Township temporarily closed its schools Monday out of an abundance of caution, while police investigated.

 

Fortunately, no incident occurred, and the investigation determined there was no threat to Ewing schools. I commend the Ewing Police Department and Ewing school officials for their swift action that put the safety of the community first, and the police department’s Mercer County law enforcement partners for their assistance. This illustrates how important it is to have a plan in place – as was the case here — so appropriate action can be taken in the event of an emergency, Hughes said.

 

Our County mental health team reached out to the Ewing School District  to offer their services, and I have reached out to Mayor Bert Steinmann and offered any other assistance that the County might be able to provide, he stated.

 

I ask that we also use this as an opportunity to refocus our efforts on the safety and security of our schools, our children, and our neighbors.

 

https://www.fox7austin.com/news/threat-michigan-state-shooter-anthony-mcrae-promots-closure-ewing-schools

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Hightstown High School wins 2023 Mercer County Consumer Bowl trophies

EWING, N.J. – A team of Hightstown High School students captured the annual Mercer County Consumer Bowl for the seventh consecutive year, defeating three other schools Feb. 10 at The College of New Jersey’s Gitenstein Library.

Photo: Members of the winning Hightstown High team with their trophies.

 

Also taking part in this year’s quiz-show style competition on good consumer practices were Ewing, Hamilton West and Nottingham high schools.

 

The Mercer County Consumer Bowl, part of the statewide New Jersey Consumer Bowl, is hosted by the Mercer County Division of Consumer Affairs in conjunction with the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs, and tests students’ knowledge of the state’s consumer protection laws and regulations.

 

“I congratulate the Hightstown team on another impressive performance and commend all of the participants for making the effort to be an informed consumer,” said Mercer County Executive Brian M. Hughes.

 

“Education is the best defense against consumer fraud.”

 

This year’s Hightstown High School team was composed of Aprameya Kannan, captain; Aparajit Kannan, Marko Alimpijevic, Rohan Vittal and Alexander Wong. The team’s adviser is teacher David Teleposky.

 

The Ewing High School team, under teacher/adviser Angelina Gummel, was composed of Uhart Bradnock, captain; Davon Letran, Christian Ciron, Ashley Tyson and Haile Pereira.

 

The Hamilton High School West team, under teacher/advisers Phil Panfili and Matt Dempsey, was composed of Zachary Kunkle, captain; Skylar Kunkle, Dominik Panfili, Jocelyn Calle Suquitana and Santino Panfili.

 

The Nottingham High School team, under teacher/adviser Michael Bendorf, was composed of Jack Burke, captain; Zobia Chaudhry, Daniel Leon, Mark Tezak, Zachary Shah and Sunny Carpinello.

Photo: The 2023 Mercer County Consumer Bowl at The College of New Jersey’s Gitenstein Library.

 

Melanie Hazim, NJ Division of Consumer Affairs (DCA) outreach director; and Jared O’Cone, DCA investigator, served as moderators for the Mercer County competition and Mercer County Consumer Affairs Chief John Worth served as referee. Judges were Anthony Carabelli Jr., Mercer County director of economic development; Leslie Floyd, Mercer County planning director; John Maloney, assistant county counsel; and Andrew Tucker, special assistant to the director, DCA. Dana Thompson, office manager, Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Mercer County; and Dulcelina Pena, DCA Consumer Bowl coordinator, served as scorekeepers, and Madeline Guzman, DCA outreach coordinator, served as timekeeper.

 

The Consumer Bowl was created by the Mercer County Division of Consumer Affairs in 1994 as a way to encourage students to become smarter consumers, to be wary of scams and unfair business practices, and to be knowledgeable when obtaining services like home improvements or buying products such as vehicles or appliances. The Division of Consumer Affairs can be reached at 609-989-6671.

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Culture Education Local News

Mercer County Police Academy graduates 28th class of officers

WEST WINDSOR, N.J. — Forty-four cadets who made up the 28th basic class of police officers recently took part in Mercer County Police Academy commencement held in the gymnasium at Mercer County Community College (MCCC).

 

PHOTO — Members of Mercer County Police Academy’s Basic Recruit Class #28-22.

An audience of several hundred family members, friends, Mercer County dignitaries and law enforcement officials from around State of New Jersey saw the cadets receive graduation certificates to officially make them police officers.

 

The graduates endured 21 weeks of training at the academy in all aspects of law enforcement and will now serve in police agencies within Mercer County and elsewhere (see complete list below). The academy, which was created in October 2006, is located on the grounds of MCCC.

 

Ian Palmer of Plainsboro, who will join the Middlesex County Sheriff’s Office and was chosen by his fellow graduates as class speaker, noted that while class members didn’t all follow the same path to reach the Police Academy, they share certain things in common.

 

PHOTO: Class speaker Ian Palmer, who will join the Middlesex County Sheriff’s Office, addresses his fellow graduates.

“Each of us is driven by a desire to better ourselves and our communities,” he said. “To be a leader and a role model for others, to be the person one can turn to for aid in their most dire of moments, during any crisis minor or substantial. To stand ready, willing and able to enforce and uphold the laws of this great nation for all those who reside within her as our oath commands us.”

 

And Officer Palmer reminded his classmates, as he said their instructors had, that they would have to earn everything they get throughout their careers.

 

“We will continue to be tested, and it is our duty to push beyond what we first thought ourselves able to achieve, as we have done since our first day together as a class,” he said.

 

Also addressing the class were Police Academy Director Martin Masseroni, Mercer County Executive Brian M. Hughes, Mercer County Sheriff John A. Kemler, County Commissioner Kristin L. McLaughlin; and Dr. Robert Schreyer, MCCC vice president.

 

 

During training, the class studied in disciplines such as use of force, firearms, vehicle pursuit, hostage negotiation, advanced crime scene processing and domestic violence prevention, among others. Several cadets received awards at the graduation ceremony for their excellence in training. Tara Soscia, New Jersey Transit Police Department, was chosen by her classmates to receive the Certificate of Merit awarded by the N.J. Police Training Commission to the best all-around graduate. William Rafferty, Hamilton Police Division, received the academic award; Joshua Rosenel, New Jersey State Human Services Police Department, earned the firearms qualification award with a perfect score; Alim Djemilev, Ewing Township Police Department, received the physical training award; and Ian Gaynor, New Jersey Transit Police Department, received the emergency vehicle operations award.

 

PHOTO: Newly certified law enforcement officers congratulate each other on their achievement.

The Mercer Police Academy consists of two classrooms specially designed for the needs of law enforcement training, and recruits use MCCC grounds, its library and its gymnasium for training purposes. The campus includes a padded training room that is used for “defensive tactics” classes. A shooting range in Hopewell Township operated by the prosecutor’s office is part of the academy as well.

 

The following is a list of the graduates, their hometowns, and the law enforcement agency each will join:

 

Bridgewater Township Police Department: Arthur Akins Jr., Somerville; Justin Anno, Ringoes; Hanif McClinton, Piscataway; Noel Rosado Jr., Metuchen; Masyn Sanchez, Dover
Burlington County Sheriff’s Office: Andrew Farr, Medford; Joseph Iacovitti, Burlington
Ewing Township Police Department: Gabriel Berdecia, Ewing; Alim Djemilev, Ewing; Estephan Hernandez, Ewing; Holly Oswald-Kardos, Ewing; Jason Ulrich, Ewing
Hamilton Township Police Division: Thomas Horne, Hamilton; Todd Jewell, Hamilton; William Rafferty, Hamilton

Lawrence Township Police Department: Stephen Sikora, Lawrence
Mercer County Sheriff’s Office: Anthony Johnson, Hamilton
Middlesex County Sheriff’s Office: Anthony Badawy, North Brunswick; Tyrone Cabbell, Perth Amboy; David Chehade, North Brunswick; Michael Cipriani, Piscataway; Christian Collazo, Woodbridge; Deanna Ehrhardt, North Brunswick; Craig Elliott, New Brunswick; Christopher Johnson, South Brunswick; Joseph Medina, Piscataway; Tyler Morris, Highland Park; Ian Palmer, Plainsboro; Ervin Ramos, Piscataway; Nicholas Smith, South Amboy;
New Jersey State Human Services Police Department: Michelle Pistone, Lumberton; Joshua Rosenel, Lambertville
New Jersey Transit Police Department: Meryem Adina, Harrison; Julia Blahut, Pompton Plains; Nathalie Cook, Bayonne; Amber Crispin, Little Falls; Ian Gaynor, Point Pleasant Beach; Mark Schmidt, Woodland Park; Tara Soscia, Bayonne
Pemberton Township Police Department: Cezar Martinez Nieto, Pemberton
The College of New Jersey Police Department: Alex Mariani, Morrisville
Trenton Police Department: Nicholas DiLissio, Hamilton
Washington Township Police Department: Christopher Santamaria, Hackettstown; Anthony Spiridigliozzi, Washington.

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Associaton of National Advertisers’ Educational Foundation (AEF) and SeeHer announce SeeHer Education

New Groundbreaking Initiative Created to Combat Gender Bias in Marketing and Advertising Through Education at the University Level

 

NEW YORK — (BUSINESS WIRE) — The ANA Educational Foundation (AEF) and SeeHer, the leading global movement to eliminate gender bias in marketing, media, and entertainment, announced the launch of a first-of-its-kind new initiative, SeeHer Education.

SeeHer Education is the first certificate program combining Marketing and Gender Studies. The program brings together top professors and practitioners who are leading efforts to eliminate gender bias in marketing and advertising and will act as a bridge between academia and industry.

 

The specific outcomes of SeeHer Education include:

  • Educate the next generation of marketing leaders on how to eliminate gender bias from day one of their careers.
  • Demonstrate how to increase accurate, fair portrayals of women and girls.
  • Provide best-in-class professional credentials combining academic theory with industry best practices.
  • Create a pipeline of talent for the industry that brings a gender-equity mindset to marketing.

 

The curriculum is being developed by professors from Gender Studies and Marketing at top universities and institutions, including Baylor University, Bentley University, Harvard University, Howard University, Loyola University Chicago, Marquette University, Michigan State University, Rutgers University, The Smithsonian Institute, Texas Christian University, University of Illinois, and University of Miami.

 

The program is set to launch in September 2023. It will be open to undergraduate students studying Marketing, Communications, and Gender Studies, expanding to other disciplines, graduate students, and entry-level marketers.

 

“We are so proud to be a part of this new initiative, which is core to our SeeHer mission,” said Christine Guilfoyle, president, SeeHer, ANA. “It’s critical that the next generation of marketers and media leaders bring a gender-equal mindset to the content they create and stories they tell throughout marketing, media, and entertainment.”

 

Gord McLean, president, CEO, AEF, added, “The goal of SeeHer Education is to eliminate gender bias from marketing and advertising from the outset by giving professors and students open access to cutting-edge, interactive educational materials. It’s been a wonderful experience to see marketing professionals and educators working so closely together to advance what is clearly such an important common cause.”

 

Elements will also include modules for in-classroom use by professors and joint industry and academic events led by SeeHer and AEF.

 

SeeHer member DoubleVerify, a leading software platform for digital media measurement, is the first industry partner for SeeHer Education.

 

ABOUT THE ANA

The ANA’s (Association of National Advertisers) mission is to drive growth for marketing professionals, brands and businesses, the industry, and humanity. The ANA serves the marketing needs of 20,000 brands by leveraging the 12-point ANA Growth Agenda, which has been endorsed by the Global CMO Growth Council. The ANA’s membership consists of U.S. and international companies, including client-side marketers, nonprofits, fundraisers, and marketing solutions providers (data science and technology companies, ad agencies, publishers, media companies, suppliers, and vendors). The ANA creates Marketing Growth Champions by serving, educating, and advocating for more than 50,000 industry members that collectively invest more than $400 billion in marketing and advertising annually.

 

ABOUT THE AEF

ANA Educational Foundation (AEF) is the bridge that connects the advertising, marketing, and academic communities. We educate and inspire the next generation of talent while advancing the understanding of marketing and advertising in society. Created in 1983 and supported by its three constituencies, advertising, media, and marketing, the AEF is a 501(c)3 operating foundation. We create and distribute educational content to improve the understanding and appreciation of the societal role of advertising and marketing through our programs on college campuses across the country.

 

ABOUT SEEHER

SeeHer is the leading global movement of media, marketing, and entertainment leaders committed to the accurate depiction of women and girls in advertising and media. Launched in 2016 by the Association of National Advertisers (ANA) in partnership with The Female Quotient (The FQ), SeeHer is changing how women are portrayed in media. To help members benchmark success, SeeHer spearheaded the development of the Gender Equality Measure® (GEM®), the first research methodology that quantifies gender bias in ads and programming. GEM® proves that content accurately portraying women and girls dramatically increases both purchase intent and brand reputation. The GEM® methodology quickly became the industry standard, winning the prestigious ESOMAR Research Effectiveness Award, leading to its global rollout in 2018. The movement has expanded its verticals to include sports (SeeHer In Sports), music (SeeHer Hear Her) and health (SeeHer Health.) Follow SeeHer on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, TikTok and Twitter.

Contacts

Christa Dallas, Wolf-Kasteler Public Relations

Email: christad@wk-pr.com
Cell: 424-400-9379

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Mercer historic sites getting upgrades for America’s 250th birthday

Mercer County Exec. Brian H. Hughes recently states: “I was delighted to join Gov. Phil Murphy, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman, other government leaders and historians at Washington Crossing State Park last week for the Governor’s announcement that in preparation for our nation’s 250th anniversary in 2026.”

He said, New Jersey will invest $25 million in American Rescue Plan funds toward the state’s Revolutionary War historic sites – including four that are located here in Mercer County where the “Ten Crucial Days” of the American Revolution unfolded.

 

Hughes highlights that, Washington Crossing State Park in Hopewell Township, the Old Barracks and Battle Monument in Trenton, and Princeton Battlefield State Park are among the 10 Revolutionary War sites in the Garden State that will be revitalized for visitors to enjoy during America’s semi quincentennial anniversary and in the years to follow.

“I commend Gov. Murphy for partnering with the New Jersey Historical Commission and Crossroads of the American Revolution to restore of some of our state’s treasures and help spotlight for the rest of the country the central role that New Jersey played in America’s fight for independence,” he said.

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Amid Prez Biden’s cannabis possession pardons, students and faculty from a leading NJ public health program educate state-wide organizations on decriminalization

TCNJ’s public health program educates community groups and municipal organizations across NJ about decriminalization.

Decriminalizing drugs as a harm-reduction approach is an evidence-based public health strategy…

Dr. Natasha Patterson, Assistant Professor of Public Health, TCNJ

EWING, N.J. — In early October, President Biden announced pardons for thousands of people convicted of federal cannabis possession charges.

The move comes after decades of what many call a failed war on drugs and a snowballing opioid addiction crisis throughout the U.S.

With 2022 setting a grim record of 3,000 overdose deaths so far in New Jersey, public health students and faculty in the newly rebranded School of Nursing and Health Sciences (SNHS) at The College of New Jersey (TCNJ) educate state-wide law enforcement and community organizations about treating addiction as an illness — not a crime.

Partnering with theOpen Society Foundations, TCNJ faculty members Dr. Natasha Patterson, Assistant Professor ofPublic Health, Dr. Michael Mitchell, Assistant Professor of Criminology and African American studies, and Dr. Sandy Gibson, Professor and Clinical Coordinator in Counselor Education, brief key community stakeholders on the repercussions the war on drugs has had on health systems, the criminal justice system and other critical sectors of society.

“Decriminalizing drugs as a harm-reduction approach is an evidence-based public health strategy and the first step in correcting a wrong that has been in place since the beginning of the war on drugs,” Dr. Patterson explains.

Concluding in December 2022, Dr. Patterson plans on drawing from the state-wide decriminalization workshops, as well as another research project focused on harm reduction awareness among peer recover specialists and patient navigators, to establish a five-course harm reduction certificate for students and community members.

Former graduate student, Jordyn Block, Class of 2021, helped organize these workshops with TCNJ faculty.

She reflects on her experience, explaining, “As a grad student, I applaud the work being done to educate others on the benefits of decriminalization. It’s opening up conversations that we should have had long ago, and giving individuals an opportunity to be honest about how they feel on the subject. In my opinion, it was not many years ago that these conversations were only spoken about behind closed doors. Let’s continue to discuss these issues, because they benefit not only me, as a student, but the generations before and after me.”

Discussing the nation’s current approach to opioid addiction, Dr. Michael Mitchell says, “Despite the implementation of harm reduction strategies to help prevent drug overdoses, its practice is not universally accepted. In the U.S., our established drug policies are still largely politically driven rather than informed by empirical evidence.”

And explaining how the decriminalization workshops have been received by community groups, Dr. Sandy Gibson, remarks, “Too often, people are unaware of the history of our drug policy or the racial discrepancy with which it is policed today. If you ask people if they care about someone who uses drugs, almost everyone says yes. If you ask them if they believe this person they care about belongs in a cage for years, or even decades, the answer is always no.”

TCNJ’s School of Nursing and Health Sciences’ Dean Carole Kenner explains, “Our faculty and students continue to embody scholarship in action, bringing innovative ideas and cutting-edge research beyond the borders of the College. We stay committed to using our scholar-mentorship model to not only deliver top-of-class education, but to help communities across New Jersey.”

 

The school rebranded in 2022 to reflect its robust and diverse, cross-disciplinary health science curricula.

TCNJ’s School of Nursing and Health Sciences educates aspiring health professionals to become future leaders across the healthcare industry. Faculty work closely with local healthcare partners to provide students with applicative skills and foundational knowledge. The nationally acclaimed school is dedicated to preparing individuals — through programs in nursing, public health, exercise science, and physical education teaching — for the many rewards of guiding people, communities, and populations toward improved health outcomes. The School is nationally recognized as a Healthy People 2030 Champion.

Contact Information

Crothers Consulting | info@crothersconsulting.co | (800) 831-3840

Source: TCNJ School of Nursing and Health Sciences

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Education Healthcare Local News Science

Leading NJ health school’s groundbreaking AmIOK program awarded $1 million to expand trauma-informed campus model to other colleges

TCNJ’s AmIOK program receives another round of funding from the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) to spread its trauma-informed campus model.

 

 

Our program has given students a voice on campus.

Tulika Desai, TCNJ Nursing major, 2023

 

EWING, N.J. —  The newly rebrandedSchool of Nursingand Health Sciences (SNHS) at The College of New Jersey (TCNJ) today announced its trauma-informed campus initiative, AmIOK, has been awarded another $1 million Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) grant to expand to other colleges in the Mercer County, NJ area.

“We’re expanding services provided by the AmIOK program to other colleges to share our work with higher education institutions that might not have the resources to develop a trauma-informed campus community. In a recent college-student survey, 95% of respondents reported negative mental health symptoms due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and those with previous trauma caused by experiencing a criminal act are likely to have even higher rates. Our vision is to cultivate a trauma-informed campus community that supports and promotes healing for all,” says Dr. Dara Whalen, TCNJ Assistant Professor of Nursing and AmIOK Executive Director.

Along with colleagues, Dr. Whalen presented on the AmIOK model at the 2022 Philadelphia Trauma Training Conference and the 2022 Sigma International Nursing Research Congress in Edinburgh, Scotland.

Dr. Whalen and other healthcare experts at TCNJ developed AmIOK in 2021. The program provides college students and residents in the greater Mercer County area who experience a crime or traumatic event with a 24-hour confidential hotline operated by trained counsellors and nurse practitioners. AmIOK also supports peer-to-peer campus initiatives, including a student-run racial trauma workshop and art-themed healing events.

TCNJ student and AmIOK volunteer, Tulika Desai, Nursing major 2023, explains, “Our program has given students a voice on campus. They have the space to share their own experiences, and feel in control of their own care when their autonomy has been stripped from them.”

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are potentially traumatic events experienced at a young age that can impact personal health outcomes. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) claims ACEs can increase chances of illness, early mortality, injury, involvement in criminal acts and chronic diseases. Trauma-informed care is a human service framework that promotes understanding trauma’s influence on people’s lives to encourage healing.

AmIOK Program Director and Clinical Supervisor, Liza Woods, adds, “The program’s impact goes far beyond the walls of TCNJ classrooms and even beyond the borders of our campus. Our culture and mindset are all about creating a space to heal now, while also educating to intervene and stop the systemic cycles of trauma. Our students learn skills that influence how they operate in the world and how they advocate for themselves and others. AmIOK refuses to accept the status quo and recognizes the changes that need to be made in our communities to address trauma.”

The Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) is a 1984 law enacted to assist crime victims through resources outside of the justice system. VOCA established the Crime Victim’s Fund, a funding source for crime victims throughout the nation.

TCNJ’s School of Nursing and Health Sciences’ Dean Carole Kenner explains, “Dr. Whalen’s efforts to export the successful AmIOK model to other college campuses in New Jersey inspires not just our School, but healthcare professionals across the nation and the globe. TCNJ’s School of Nursing and Health Sciences is honored to take the lead on the world stage in elevating trauma awareness and shaping healthier environments for future generations.” The School rebranded in 2022 to reflect its robust and diverse, cross-disciplinary health science curricula.

TCNJ’s School of Nursing and Health Sciences educates aspiring health professionals to become future leaders across the healthcare industry. Faculty work closely with local healthcare partners to provide students with applicative skills and foundational knowledge. The nationally acclaimed school is dedicated to preparing individuals—through programs in nursing, public health, exercise science and physical education teaching—for the many rewards of guiding people, communities, and populations toward improved health outcomes. The School is nationally recognized as a Healthy People 2030 Champion.

Contact Information

Crothers Consulting | info@crothersconsulting.co | (800) 831-3840

Source: TCNJ School of Nursing and Health Sciences

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Business Culture Education Environment Science

New Jersey American Water and Apex Solutions Group host graduation ceremony for ‘Water UP!’ training program

Second annual workforce development program offers Plainfield-based adults water utility industry training throughout 11-week program.

 

CAMDEN, N.J. — (BUSINESS WIRE) — Today, New Jersey American Water hosted a graduation ceremony for its second cohort of Water Utility Pipeline (Water UP!) training program graduates in partnership with Apex Solutions Group. Over 11 weeks of field training and classroom-based curriculum, 13 adults, mostly from Plainfield, learned about the water utility industry, New Jersey American Water’s role, and essential business skills necessary to successfully pursue a career in the industry upon graduation.

“The innovation and service that New Jersey American Water provides tomorrow will be driven by the next generation of diverse water quality workers today,” said Mark McDonough, President, New Jersey American Water. “The Water UP! program presents a unique opportunity to invest in our most important asset, people. We are proud to see the program continue as we expand the ways in which New Jersey American Water recruits and retains talented members of the communities where we do business, and we are thrilled to be able to partner with the City of Plainfield for this cohort, which is home to our largest operations center in the state.”

 

The training took place at New Jersey American Water’s Plainfield Operations Center and other nearby facilities in the company’s Central Operating Region, and included utility mechanic, field operations, water production, water quality, OSHA 30, customer service, software and procedures, resume writing, job interview skills and other classes provided by Apex Solutions Group and New Jersey American Water. A career fair was also held the last week of the program, in an effort to pair prospective employers with graduates for job opportunities.

 

“New Jersey American Water is a great partner in our community, and they are investing in service and success at all levels through their Water UP! program—including empowering the next generation of water utility leaders,” said Plainfield Mayor Adrian O. Mapp, who delivered the graduation address. “This Water UP! graduation is the result of a commitment to growth and innovation for Plainfield, paired with hard work from the participants. I’m excited to see the success of each graduate here today and encouraged by their focus on a stronger tomorrow.”

 

New Jersey American Water first launched the Water UP! training program in Camden in September 2021 as part of New Jersey American Water’s Workforce Development Program. The program is designed to create a career path to connect young adults from underserved populations in New Jersey American Water’s service areas with a career path by helping participants identify and pursue transformative career opportunities in the water and wastewater industry. Completion of the program uniquely prepares participants for open opportunities within New Jersey American Water, American Water, and its utility industry partners.

 

The Water UP! program is part of a broader workforce development initiative by New Jersey American Water that includes career education and outreach initiatives, as well as an ongoing GIS career development program between New Jersey American Water’s Engineering team and the Camden-based nonprofit career development organization Hopeworks. These workforce development initiatives provide innovative and collaborative opportunities that connect young adults in underserved communities to water utility careers.

 

To learn more about Water UP! and New Jersey American Water’s workforce development programs, visit the website, www.newjerseyamwater.com and click on Workforce Development under the About Us tab.

 

About APEX Solutions Group

APEX Solutions Group is a Minority, Disabled Veteran owned company that leverages the 100 plus years of combined professional experience to exceed the needs of clients while uplifting the communities it operates in. To learn more about APEX Solutions Group, visit https://apexsolgroup.com.

 

About New Jersey American Water

New Jersey American Water, a subsidiary of American Water (NYSE: AWK), is the largest investor-owned water utility in the state, providing high-quality and reliable water and/or wastewater services to approximately 2.8 million people. For more information, visit www.newjerseyamwater.com and follow New Jersey American Water on Twitter and Facebook.

 

About American Water

With a history dating back to 1886, American Water is the largest and most geographically diverse U.S. publicly traded water and wastewater utility company. The company employs more than 6,400 dedicated professionals who provide regulated and regulated-like drinking water and wastewater services to more than 14 million people in 24 states. American Water provides safe, clean, affordable and reliable water services to our customers to help keep their lives flowing. For more information, visit amwater.com and diversityataw.com. Follow American Water on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.

Contacts

Denise Venuti Free

Sr. Director of Communications & External Affairs

New Jersey American Water

Denise.Free@amwater.com

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Education Healthcare Lifestyle Local News

Mercer Office on Addiction Services seeks community’s opinion on substance abuse

The Office on Addiction Services is completing a community needs assessment, which guides the funding priorities for the Mercer County Comprehensive Plan 2024-2027, and has issued a questionnaire to help determine the funding needs and gaps in services for Mercer County residents in accordance to Public Law 1983, ch.51.

 

Responding to this questionnaire will allow the Office on Addiction Services to hear your concerns regarding the needs surrounding substance use disorders in Mercer County.

 

Mercer County residents can complete this questionnaire here; it will take about 10 to 15 minutes to complete. To participate, you must be at least 18 years old. Responses will be collected through Nov. 28.

 

If you have any questions or are interested in more information on the Mercer County Office on Addiction Services, please contact Ann Dorocki at adorocki@mercercounty.orgor 609-989-6897 or visit the office’s web page.

 

Thank you for your interest and assistance in this effort!