Atlantic Cape Welcomes New & Returning Students and Guests to Campus as it Hosts “Party in the Quad”

MAYS LANDING — Under clear skies, abundant sunshine and summer breezes, more than 150 visitors gathered outdoors at Atlantic Cape Community College’s Mays Landing campus with members of the faculty and staff for a “Party in the Quad” on August 22.

This inaugural event was branded as a way to “open up” the college campus to the public, to give the residents of its surrounding communities the opportunity to explore, engage and learn how Atlantic Cape can provide a quality higher education at an affordable tuition rate that is close to home.

“We were all so thrilled to meet and connect with so many new and returning students during the Party in the Quad,” said Tasha Rivera, Director of One-Stop Enrollment and Recruitment. “Students had opportunities to connect with faculty, tour the campus, and learn about the upcoming fall semester.”

It was an enjoyable and fun evening, as new and returning students, their family and friends, and members of the public, were treated to free entertainment, food fresh off the grill, light refreshments and discussions with professors, advisors and student club members from the college. Atlantic Cape President Dr. Barbara Gaba strolled through the Quad, personally greeted and posed for photographs with many of the students and their parents.

Maddie Ventura, an incoming freshman and Health Science major, from Mays Landing said she chose Atlantic Cape, “because it’s close to home and I am a NJ STARS recipient.” Ventura decided to attend this event to speak with some of the student clubs because, “I want to be involved.”

Theresa Vonellingtton, also an incoming freshman and Computer Science major, from Absecon decided to join her friend, Ventura, this evening and “hang out” on campus.

The evening’s festivities were not just for Atlantic Cape students. Several current high school students, including some that are dual credit participants, and their parents stopped by to tour the campus and speak with advisors and professors. Some parents spent the evening attempting to convince their soon-to-be-college-students to stay close to home and attend Atlantic Cape.

Tables lined the Quad’s walkways as representatives from student clubs, various college departments and community organizations provided free literature and giveaways. The Academy of Culinary Arts’ Let’s Chow Food Truck offered delicious corn tortilla nachos with a mexican-style cheese sauce and tomato pico de gallo salsa as well as faux margaritas with lime juice, orange juice, sparkling soda and simple syrup.

Clubs from Atlantic Cape included the Student Government Association, Pride Club, Circle K and Theater Club; while community organizations included the City of Atlantic City, Horizon New Jersey Healthcare, The Positive Pursuit, Gateway Community Action, Atlantic Prevention Resources, South Jersey Aids Alliance, Planned Parenthood, Avanzar, Center for Family Services and Southern New Jersey Medical Centers.

“We received rave reviews from so many people so we may consider holding this event again in the future,” Rivera concluded.

Learn more about Atlantic Cape at atlanticcape.edu.

About Atlantic Cape Community College

Atlantic Cape is a comprehensive two-year community college serving the residents of Atlantic and Cape May counties. The college offers over 40 career, transfer and workforce development programs to more than 8,000 students annually at three campuses in New Jersey: Atlantic City, Cape May Court House and Mays Landing.