CAPE MAY COURT HOUSE – Atlantic Cape Community College held its Annual New Student Orientation (NSO) at each of its three campuses in mid–August as it hosted nearly 500 students and guests at the Mays Landing campus on August 13, at the Charles D. Worthington Atlantic City campus on August 18 and at the Cape May County campus on August 20.
Each year hundreds of incoming students attend NSO to become familiar with the College's surroundings, meet staff and faculty members while also getting to know fellow classmates. Each student has his or her own story and reason for attending Atlantic Cape. Whether for a specific academic program; its close proximity to home; its affordability, accessibility and flexibility; or one of our 10 athletics programs.
Several students discussed their motivations for enrolling at the College this year.
After being homeschooled for her entire scholastic life, Cape May Court House resident and human services major Serenity Taylor was comfortable choosing Atlantic Cape to start her higher education journey.
“Since I’ve been homeschooled, I didn’t want to start college and just go away to a completely new place and start in a classroom for the first time. I decided to start here at Atlantic Cape, so I can get used to being in the classroom and being at school. Everyone has been really nice so far,” said Taylor, who would like to earn her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in social work so she may become a children’s therapist.
Egg Harbor Township resident and computer hardware engineering major Riccardo Ordonez chose Atlantic Cape because of its proximity to his home and current job.
“Going to Atlantic Cape allows me to work comfortably and go to school too, so I have that little dynamic and obviously I'm at home so I can be with family still,” Ordonez, who works for his family’s company and would like to transfer to a college that specializes in hardware engineering.
Alina Gvozdeva is an international student majoring in radiology who has been a resident of Wildwood Crest for seven years. She will be attending the College’s Cape May County campus, a short drive from her nearby home.
“I think everybody here is friendly and very helpful. I'm excited to start studying here at Atlantic Cape. After I graduate, I want to find a job in a hospital somewhere around this area,” said Gvozdeva.
At the Mays Landing campus NSO, the keynote session featured nationally–recognized speakers Jeff Dess and Lenny A. Williams of Trill or Not Trill for an engaging and motivational discussion that challenged the students to show up authentically, stand out with purpose, and remain solid through their college journey and beyond.
At the Atlantic City and Cape May County campuses, Les Squair Jr., founder, Never Quit & Associates LLC, delivered the keynote address. There he discussed practical strategies for navigating the transition to college, maintaining mental and emotional well-being, managing stress, developing healthy coping skills, and balancing the new responsibilities and challenges of college life.
The students also attended sessions on how to succeed during their first year of college; a panel discussion featuring current students and alumni on navigating their first year at Atlantic Cape; understanding financial aid; Center for Accessibility services; understanding Blackboard; how to properly manage their time; and getting involved in student life while on campus. For the parents that were in attendance, Dean of Students Stacey Zacharoff and College Registrar Kayla Scannell presented on how they may support their student’s journey at Atlantic Cape.
Cape May Court House resident, Cape May Technical High School graduate and psychology major Kiley Dicola made the easy decision of attending Atlantic Cape because of the really good things she heard about the college from classmates, friends and family.
“After I graduate, I plan on going to a university to keep studying psychology.”
For Alek D’Onofrio, a Rio Grande resident and general studies major, familiarity with Atlantic Cape is what made his decision to enroll an easy one. Several family members have attended the College as well.
“It's close to home too and I wanted to at least do my first two years of college here before I go to a four-year college. My dream has been to get my four-year degree or a master's degree in theology through the Order of Saint Dominic,” said D’Onofrio.
Classes at the Mays Landing and Atlantic City campuses begin on Monday, August 31 while the Cape May County campus’ 13–week semester begins Monday, September 21. There is still time to register for the first and second eight–week fall sessions, which begin on August 31 and October 26, respectively. For more information or to register for classes today, visit atlanticcape.edu/register.
View a Flickr photo gallery of the Mays Landing campus NSO here.
View a Flickr photo gallery of the Atlantic City campus NSO here.
View a Flickr photo gallery of the Cape May County campus NSO here.
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About Atlantic Cape Community College
Established in 1964, Atlantic Cape Community College is a Middle States-accredited, Hispanic-serving institution proudly serving the residents of Atlantic and Cape May counties. As a comprehensive, two-year community college, Atlantic Cape offers more than 50 undergraduate degree programs and 34 certificate and workforce development professional series programs at its Mays Landing, Atlantic City, and Cape May campuses. Atlantic Cape is home to the renowned Academy of Culinary Arts, rated the top culinary school in New Jersey, and to its highly acclaimed Nursing program for more than 60 years. 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.
