A Message from Dr. Barbara Gaba - August 17, 2020

August 17, 2020

Dear Faculty and Staff:

The Fall semester opens in just two weeks and we are ready!

As you are well aware, the COVID-19 pandemic has fundamentally changed our lives and has presented many challenges over the past five months. However, we have been successful in addressing these challenges thanks to the understanding and cooperation of the entire college community. Whether it is streamlining operations, providing instruction remotely, or learning to work differently, we have demonstrated how resilient we are and how dedicated the Atlantic Cape team is to the students and the communities we serve. Let us continue to strive to fulfill the College’s mission each and every day.

Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF) Allocations

On Friday, Governor Murphy and the Office of the Secretary of Higher Education (OSHE) announced an award of $150 million in federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief (CRF) and Economic Security (CARES) Act funds to New Jersey’s public and private colleges and universities to help offset costs directly incurred as a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Atlantic Cape was allocated $856,855. Similar to the CARES Act and GEER funding, the expenses covered include facilitating costs associated with distance learning, including technological improvements, as well as protective supplies, disinfectant and other expenses directly related to COVID-19. While the allocation does not cover loss of revenue due to the pandemic, it does allow us to pay for additional expenses for health and safety preparation.

Health and Safety Preparation

Our campuses look a little different as we implemented CDC guidelines. The plexiglass is installed on student-facing areas and workspaces; public spaces and classrooms are reconfigured for social distancing. Additional hand sanitizers are available at our campuses’ building entrances, and we implemented enhanced cleaning and sanitizing protocols. Signage describing on-campus safety protocols are hung throughout the campuses.

We have taken several other safety precautions. The staff have already begun to take the mandatory Daily Health Assessment, which is required for all faculty, staff, students, and visitors who are on campus. We continue to limit population density with most classes offered online/remotely. Limited in-person instruction will take place in our Nursing skills labs, the Academy of Culinary Arts, and the Aviation program. Additionally, there are no outside groups and student events permitted on campus.

Now that we have taken many necessary precautions, student services including admissions, counseling, advising, registration, financial aid, and bursar are available for students who want to meet in-person starting this week. Remote services also continue to be available. Campus operating hours are posted at www.atlanticcape.edu/return.

It is important that while we are taking care of our students, that you take care of yourselves and follow all the guidelines.

We Are Ready!
We are responding to the needs of our students and we are open for business.

Our faculty have also been planning to ensure the learning experience is excellent. We will continue to rely on your commitment to excellence to ensure that no matter the course format—online, remote, or hybrid—our students have the opportunity to succeed and stay engaged in the learning process. In turn, we want to make sure that you have the support you need to deliver on this mission.

Our students rely on our faculty and staff for inspiration, expertise, guidance, and direction. They expect excellent service and high-quality instruction, even now. Thank you again for being so dedicated to your students’ success.

Let's strive to continually deliver exemplary customer service; always remember to treat our students as you would like to be treated. Be responsive, be caring, be empathetic, and be available when our students need us the most.

Dr. Natasha Corbitt - A Student Success Story

We have so many successful alumni that started their journey at Atlantic Cape; some may have taken one course or completed an entire degree and/or credential. Dr. Natasha Corbitt is another great example of how her experience at Atlantic Cape contributed to her success as a pediatric surgeon.

Dr. Natasha Corbitt is the country’s first African-American female pediatric surgeon with a double doctorate: both an M.D. and Ph.D and only the 16th Black woman to become a pediatric surgeon in the United States.

She graduated from Oakcrest High School in 2002 at the age of 16 and attended Atlantic Cape during several summers (2001, 2003, and 2004) earning 16 credits. She leveraged those credits to attend Howard University as a sophomore and then graduated from the University of Pittsburgh in 2013 when she added both an M.D. and Ph.D. She is currently completing a Pediatric Surgery Fellowship at C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital in Ann Harbor, Michigan. On Sept. 1, she will head to Dallas as a pediatric attending surgeon at the University of Texas (UT) Southwestern Children’s Medical Center. Click here to read the full article.

Many thanks to all of our faculty and staff for their contributions to all of our student success stories. To date, we have developed an impressive roster of distinguished alumni. We are Atlantic Cape Strong!

Hero Card

Lastly, please recognize faculty and staff who provide exemplary service to students so they too can achieve their career goals. Simply send an email to the colleague with the word “Hero Card-Name” in the subject line and provide details as to why you are sending a Hero Card. Please copy ggiordan@atlanticcape.edu. A random drawing for a $100 Amazon Gift card will be held on August 31, the first day of class.

“Those who are happiest are those who do the most for others.”

~ Booker T. Washington

Sincerely,

Dr. Barbara Gaba 

President