SF_RowanCollege_Profile_1120_Profile 12 / 2 / 20 4 : 41 PM Page 1 profile In a Class by Itself Rowan College at Burlington County strives to make higher education affordable to all , with the flexibility to “ meet students where by BILL DONAHUE they want to be met . ” ICHAEL A . CIOCE CAN UNDERSTAND WHY SOME ASPIRING COLLEGE GRADU - ATES MIGHT VIEW THE CURRENT CLIMATE AND DECIDE TO “ WAIT UNTIL THINGS GET BACK TO NORMAL . ” Even so , he believes there’s no time like the present to invest in a college education — and that there’s no better place to do so than Rowan M College at Burlington County ( RCBC ) . year . At the end of the day , you’re getting the same “ We’ve spent the past eight months rethinking how our programs are delivered , ” says Cioce , pres - Rowan diploma at a fraction of the cost because ident of RCBC , formerly known as Burlington County College . “ We had the advantage of having 40 - plus you’re paying community college tuition for 75 years of doing distance education . When COVID - 19 came along , it forced us to implement a syn - percent of your education . ” chronous component to online learning . There were two modes of learning previously — in person , Cioce estimates that attaining a bachelor’s meaning at a set time in the classroom , and remote , which was more self - paced . Now we’re doing VLC , degree through the 3 + 1 Program would cost or virtual live courses , that have allowed students to benefit from the synchronicity of live classes but approximately $ 26,000 , without factoring in any without having to leave their homes . ” financial aid . For students who might require While the RCBC campus has remained open to students throughout this unprecedented year , the financial assistance , RCBC provides opportunities college has evolved to “ meet students where they want to be met , ” as Cioce says . He believes such flex - to significantly reduce tuition costs through vehi - ibility will have far - reaching benefits that outlast the age of COVID - 19 . cles such as the New Jersey Community College “ Learning never needs to stop , ” he adds . “ If it’s snowing in Florence but not in Mount Laurel , stu - Opportunity Grant . Some students may even dents in Florence can participate virtually and not miss any instruction or interaction with their class - qualify for tuition - free college , with next to no out - mates . This has made me excited for what education might look like post - COVID - 19 . ” of - pocket costs . RCBC remains a destination for an “ We have a lot of first - generation college stu - affordable college education , offering asso - dents whose families have had no prior experi - ciate degrees in more than 80 different ence with college enrollment , ” he adds . “ Our goal reas of study . In addition , the college has a is to make financial aid and all of these other con - fusing issues associated with the process not an issue at all . Any student that comes here will have access to the full suite of subject - matter experts to help them succeed . ” RCBC believes one’s education does not end on their last day of their senior year . The college offers a broad swath of education training designed to meet the demands of an ever - changing workforce . A dedicated division known as the Workforce Development Institute provides certificate programs in high - demand job sectors , such as health care , finance , and supply - chain management , among others . The goal : to help workers attain new skills and competencies needed to remain vital in an increasingly competi - partnered with Rowan University tive workplace . to construct a pathway to a bach - If Cioce were to offer one final piece of advice elor’s degree for less than what to anyone looking to use education as a way to many colleges might charge in a improve their lives , it’s this : Don’t wait . single year . The “ 3 + 1 Program ” “ From a timing perspective , there’s no better enables students to split their edu - time than now , ” he says . “ People tend to think of cation between institutions , com - college as beginning in the fall , but you can start in pleting their first three years of spring , summer — any time of year . You can take study at RCBC and their senior as many credits as you want , and we’ll meet you year at Rowan . So far , the program wherever you want to be met . We’re as flexible as includes nine different majors — our students need us to be . ” ? applied professional communica - tions , biology , business adminis - tration , computing and infor - Rowan College at matics , inclusive education , law and justice , liberal studies , nursing , and psychology — with more to come . Burlington County “ We succeeded in getting this program off the ground in 2016 - 2017 , and we now have 1,000 [ 3 + 1 ] 900 College Circle | Mount Laurel students in their third year , ” Cioce says . “ The response from students and prospective students has ( 856 ) 222 - 9311 | RCBC.edu been incredible , and Rowan has committed to expanding their portfolio by two bachelor’s degrees per SUBURBANFAMILYMAG.COM volume 11 issue 9 SUBURBAN FAMILY 31