CAPE MAY COURT HOUSE — Atlantic Cape Community College and First Harvest Credit Union are collaborating on a new partnership and long-term commitment that will feature First Harvest donating $30,000 to the College over the next five years in support of student scholarships and various educational programs at Atlantic Cape.
In recognition of this gracious donation, the Cape May County campus renamed its Student Life Center the First Harvest Credit Union Student Life Center during an official unveiling ceremony on Monday, July 14.
Representing the College were Atlantic Cape Chief of Staff & Foundation Executive Director Jean McAlister; Foundation Advancement Officer & Associate Director Chris Mularz; Senior Manager, Advancement, Alumni, and Foundation Events, Kristin Jackson; Cape May County Campus Director Krista McConnell and Foundation Second Vice President Terry Budd, who thanked First Harvest for its generosity and support of the College’s students.
“We really appreciate First Harvest’s efforts for the Student Life Center, which I am sure the students will thoroughly enjoy. As a commuter community college, we're always looking for something to keep our students on campus because it's nice to see activity and the students communicating with each other, that's all part of the education experience,” said Budd. “This donation also means so much to our students. Any financial help is motivation for them to give them that jump to help them move forward.”
First Harvest has also expanded its accessible banking services with its first physical location in Cape May County—a new First Harvest ATM installation, located in the lobby of the Cape May County campus. These initiatives reinforce First Harvest’s support for educational partners through community reinvestments.
“As we celebrate First Harvest’s 85th Anniversary throughout 2025, we are proud to give back to our communities and support our partners in meaningful ways. We are honored to invest in Atlantic Cape’s commitment to providing quality higher education to the residents of Cape May County,” said First Harvest President & CEO, Mike Dinneen. “The county college system in the state plays such a vital role. We think there is such an opportunity to help students, even though they can take remote classes now, and for some, it’s their only option, but there is still something to learning when you are together. So, our ability to invest in this togetherness is something we strongly believe in.”
Visit the Cape May County campus on our website to learn more about the academic programs offered.
About Atlantic Cape Community College
Atlantic Cape Community College is a Middle States accredited, 2022 Achieving the Dream Leader College and Hispanic Serving Institution proudly serving the residents of Atlantic and Cape May counties. As a comprehensive, two-year community college, Atlantic Cape offers 47 undergraduate degree programs, and 34 certificate and professional series programs at its Mays Landing, Atlantic City and Cape May County campuses. Atlantic Cape is home to the renowned Academy of Culinary Arts, rated the top culinary school in New Jersey, and for more than 50 years, our highly-acclaimed Nursing program. Atlantic Cape also partners with more than 30 colleges and four-year universities to offer students the opportunity to seamlessly earn a bachelor’s degree upon graduation.
About First Harvest Credit Union
Established in 1940, First Harvest Credit Union is a low income-designated credit union headquartered in Deptford, NJ. With more than $440 million in assets, 47,000 members, and 700 Select Employer Groups, First Harvest is the largest credit union in Southern New Jersey and operates six full-service branches and seven ATM-only locations across Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, and Gloucester Counties. The credit union offers a full suite of saving, spending, borrowing and financial wellness solutions for consumers, institutions and businesses.
