NJ's Community Colleges

From student success and transfer pathways to AI, data, workforce development, STEM, belonging, and equity, the breakout sessions at the 2026 NJ Community College Opportunity Summit showcased the innovation happening across New Jersey’s community colleges.

Thank you to all of our presenters, panelists, and attendees for sharing ideas, best practices, and strategies that are helping turn opportunity into action for students and communities across our state.

The conversations were insightful, the engagement was strong, and the commitment to student success was evident in every room.

What does the future hold for community colleges?

During the Opportunity Summit, NJCCC President Aaron Fichtner led a compelling conversation with Jee Hang Lee, President & CEO of the Association of Community College Trustees, exploring how community colleges are adapting, innovating, and expanding opportunity in a changing world.

Thank you to everyone who joined this important discussion.

Last night at the Opportunity Summit, New Jersey’s community colleges came together to celebrate excellence, leadership, and impact at the New Jersey Community College Awards Dinner.

Congratulations to all of this year’s award recipients and honorees whose dedication continues to transform lives, strengthen our communities, and expand opportunity across the Garden State.

🎤 The conversation around student success doesn’t end at graduation.

During today’s keynote presentation, More Essential Than Ever: Community College Pathways to Post-Completion Success, Davis Jenkins and Hana Lahr of the Community College Research Center (CCRC) challenged attendees to think beyond completion and focus on the outcomes that follow.

The session explored how community colleges can strengthen pathways that lead to living-wage careers, successful transfer opportunities, and long-term economic mobility for students.

Today, we proudly recognize President Barbara Gaba for her decades of leadership, service, and unwavering commitment to student success at Atlantic Cape Community College and across New Jersey higher education.

During the 2026 NJ Community College Opportunity Summit, President Gaba was honored with a handcrafted glass acorn created by the talented students of Salem Community College—a meaningful symbol of growth, strength, and the lasting impact of her leadership.

Thank you, President Gaba, for the legacy you have built and the countless lives you have touched throughout your remarkable career.

The 2026 NJ Community College Opportunity Summit wouldn’t be possible without the support of our outstanding sponsors! 🌟

Thank you to each of our partners for helping bring together leaders, educators, and innovators committed to expanding opportunity for New Jersey students and communities.

We appreciate your partnership and look forward to an impactful Summit!

Today at the Opportunity Summit, Community College Pathways to Post-Completion Success brought together Assemblywoman Carmen Morales (New Jersey State Legislature), Harbani Ahuja (New Jersey Institute for Social Justice), and Chrissy Buteas (HINJ) for a timely conversation on how community colleges continue to create pathways to student success beyond completion.

Thank you to our panelists for sharing their insights on advancing opportunity, equity, and economic mobility for New Jersey learners.

📊 Opportunity Summit Highlight

Did you know?

• 1 in 5 undergraduates is a parent
• 74% of parenting students work while enrolled
• 58% experience housing insecurity

During her Opportunity Summit presentation, Iris Palmer of New America highlighted the challenges facing parenting students and the critical role housing and child care supports play in student success.

Creating pathways that address basic needs isn’t just about access—it’s about helping student parents persist, complete their credentials, and achieve economic mobility.

📊 What does “value” mean when it comes to short-term credentials?

At the Opportunity Summit, Ilan Levine of The Pew Charitable Trusts shared new research on how students and adult learners pay for nondegree credentials and the implications for quality and workforce outcomes. Hydie Kim Hudson of Social Finance highlighted the growth of New Jersey’s Pay It Forward Program, an innovative approach that expands access to high-demand training through interest-free financing and learner supports.

Together, their insights reinforced the importance of connecting affordability, access, and economic opportunity.