DEPTFORD TWP. – The future looks bright for Gloucester Catholic students as Rowan College at Gloucester County aligns with GC Junior Senior High

Pictured left to right: (standing) Gloucester Catholic High School students Annie Pegues, Angela Saunders, Sal Scaffidi and Luke Driscoll; (sitting) Rowan College at Gloucester County President Frederick Keating, Vice President of Student Services Judy Atkinson, Gloucester Catholic Head of School John Colman and Principal Ed Beckett.

School to offer free college-prep services to make the transition to higher education easier.

            Gloucester Catholic is the first private institution to partner with Rowan College’s new Center for College and Career Readiness, a program that helps high school students better prepare for the rigors of higher education. It affords students a single point of service to obtain personalized career counseling, free financial aid and test preparation workshops, and discounted college courses.

This exclusive partnership provides ambitious students with the opportunity to pursue college credit courses while also exploring potential fields of interest.  High school juniors and seniors can save valuable time and money as they seek remediation prior to beginning their collegiate studies.

Gloucester Catholic Junior Senior High School and Rowan College at Gloucester County officials announced the academic partnership on Thursday, May 15.

Through the Center for College and Career Readiness, Gloucester Catholic and Rowan College have formed a partnership to provide high school students with the courses and preparation they need to meet their post-secondary education and career goals. As a participant in this program, Gloucester Catholic juniors and seniors will take courses on the Rowan campus in Deptford Township and earn collegiate credits as they explore possible careers before graduation.

Rowan President Dr. Fred Keating presided over the ceremonial signing along with Gloucester Catholic Head of School John Colman and Principal Ed Beckett.

According to GC Principal Ed Beckett, the academic partnership strengthens ties between two prominent educational institutions and benefits local students.

“Gloucester Catholic is eager to forge a collaborative relationship with Rowan College at Gloucester County,” said Mr. Beckett. “This academic partnership will strengthen our ties. Our students will be offered numerous opportunities to customize their higher education goals that meet their individual needs in a way that is faithful to our mission.

            “On behalf of our future Catholic leaders, we are excited about this unique program that gives Gloucester Catholic students a solid start in their college studies.”

During the ceremony, four Gloucester Catholic seniors who will be attending Rowan at Gloucester County were honored. Three of the students – Sal Scaffidi, Angela Saunders and Luke Driscoll – were awarded President Start Smart Scholarships by Rowan of $1,000 each toward tuition expenses. Senior Annie Pegues will be attending the college on a full scholarship through the New Jersey Stars Program.

The Center for College and Career Readiness will be housed in a new 20,345-square foot addition to the existing Student Services Building on the Rowan at GC campus. College, county and state officials broke ground on the addition in early May. Construction of the addition is anticipated by Oct. 30, 2015.