Investing education into Newark, NJ .

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg couldn't have picked a better place to privately invest in public education.  Historically, New Jerseyans have seen the results, or lack of results, of increased public dollars in the state's most-costly public school system [Newark, NJ] . However, Zuckerberg isn't the only visionary to see the light in Newark, NJ.  Decades ago the state began merging and acquiring institutions like Newark State College, Newark College Hospital, and NJ College of Medicine & Dentistry, known today as Rutgers University, University Hospital, and UMDNJ School of Health-Related Professions.  In the same way, then Governor-elect, Chris Christe chose the Robert Treat Academy in Newark, NJ as his very first stop after winning office as governor; a "Blue-Ribbon" a charter school founded by community leader Steve Adubato. Similarly, Mayor Corey Booker has cited higher education as a top priority of his administration. Booker has also championed the integration of various faith-based community leaders and the city's police department to paticipate in "Clergy Patrols" directed the Newark Police Clergy Affairs Unit and the civilian Clergy Alliance (which contributed to a record-breaking drop in murders).

Among those educational investors in Newark is Dr. David E. Schroeder, President of Somerset Christian College, and President Emeritus of Nyack College,  who also envisions Newark as fertile ground for educational investment. Somerset Christian College, a 100 year-old institution based out of central New Jersey, which launched a bachelor degree completion program for adults in the downtown section of the Brick City in 2009.  Matching the city's diversity, the college has attracted numerous Hispanic, African-American, and Asian adult learners desiring to complete their accelerated  bachelor's degree.

In addition, what sets Somerset Christian College apart--besides being the only accredited four-year college in New Jersey rooted in the Biblically-grounded evangelical Christian tradition--is that it offers a private four-year college education at public university rates. This key feature has attracted nearly 100 students to the program in the last year, and has contributed to the college out-growing its temporary classroom space at the Gateway Hilton Business Center across from Newark Penn Station, and seeking out a larger instructional site closer to the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) and Military Park. 

Moreover, Somerset Christian College (SCC) specializes in professionally-oriented and career-focused programs across the fields of human and social services, business and non-profit management, and religious studies through its nine combined majors and concentrations in related fields. SCC President, Dr. David Schroeder said: "offering busy adult students a second chance at college, by bringing the classroom to their community is what we intend to keep doing here in Newark" Schroeder continued "Many of our students are non-profit leaders, ministers and counselors here in Newark and appreciate, accredited,  university-level education that is congruent with their values and morals while being academically and professionally valuable as well". Private scholarships for Essex County residents and many others have been added and  increased to maximize the financial aid SCC offers it's students, in addition to state and federal TAG and PELL grants for low-income students that qualify.

Of equal importance, is the college's philosophy of offering more for less (high-quality education for less tuition) is fitting with its mission to " Educate, Inspire, and Equip students for excellent scholarship, service, and leadership". As Director of Admissions at Somerset Christian College I feel that the greatest personal reward, is seeing how we empower students to graduate college and become more self-sufficient.  Whether it's establishing a community-based organization, running their own business, working as caseworker for a social services agency, or serving as a lay counselor within a local faith-based organization, SCC is equipping our students to immediately make a difference right there where they work and live.  This uniquely transformative and positive impact, far-outweighs all other contributions that SCC makes to its students and their respective communities.

In sum, I am so grateful  that Somerset Christian College is a part of the renaissance and rebuilding of the City of Newark, through it's empowering curriculum, experienced faculty, and faithful school spirit.  Seeing the light in Newark is not a new concept, but nonetheless, one that requires steady leadership, sacrifice, and collaboration.  Confidently, I submit that Newark, the Garden State, Facebook, and Somerset Christian College are all well-positioned with entrepreneurial leaders bearing a commitment to service before self and to people above profits. God speed to them all!


* Source(s):

Clergy Patrol? | NJ.com

Newark's 40-Year Milestone: A Murder-Free Month : NPR

Somerset Christian College launches adult degree completion ...

** Note: The author, Richard Valdes, is staff Director of Admissions at Somerset Christian College and appointed as honorary Deputy Chief of Police as a Police Chaplain for the City of Newark, NJ Police Department where he also volunteers as Director of Training & Education for the Newark Police Clergy Alliance.

 

 

Big Government, Anti-business, Republican?

Jersey City conservative questions Lonegan’s tactics.

By Rich Valdes

Would it be rational for Mayor Bloomberg to enter the McDonald’s in China Town and request that they remove their Chinese language menus or face a boycott proposed by the mayor? Are we to enter the Wal-Mart’s, PathMark’s, and other Big Box retailers of our communities and ask them to remove the English/Spanish signs that hang over each aisle in these stores? How is this the mayor’s business, and why is the government involved in this to begin with?

I recently went to visit my parents who live in Ridgefield Park and picked up the local newspaper. To my surprise one of the cover stories was of a fellow Republican promoting a boycott of a local business posting a Spanish language billboard in his own town—where he serves as mayor.

As a Republican Committeeman in Jersey City, I must say that I was confused when I saw, Bogota Mayor, Steve Lonegan’s, stance on a Spanish language billboard at a McDonald’s restaurant in Bogota, NJ. Traditionally, Republicans have fundamentally supported smaller governments that do not intrude in ones personal life; they have defended private property, free enterprise, and an individual’s right to free speech.

It seems that the local government led by Mayor Lonegan is interfering in private enterprise, challenging free speech, and suggesting what McDonald’s and CBS Viacom (US Companies not foreign one’s) should do on their private property. These actions are contrary the fundamental framework that composes the Republican platform and undermine the efforts that NJ Conservatives have labored for, for many years.

Moreover, it is unfortunate that one of our own would oppose the very beliefs that our Party [GOP] embraces, to propagate his opposition on the immigration issue. Mayor Lonegan’s requested boycott does not send a message that illegal aliens should obey the law, and that legal immigrant’s should learn English; it sends a harsh-toned message that says it is okay for the government to interfere with private industry, and that it is okay for the government to tell McDonald’s and CBS Viacom what and how to advertise on their own private property.

Furthermore, numerous marketing reports and analyses suggest that the Hispanic population is responsible for nearly one third of the purchasing power that our economy enjoys annually. With Hispanics being the largest ethnic minority group in the US, it would be foolish for any company to dismiss efforts to court the patronage of Hispanics in the US. Although both parties in this scenario are employing their right to free speech, only one side is promoting big government interference in free private industry, only one side is dictating what one can do on their private property, and only one side is appearing to suggest that advertising or marketing to the largest minority group in the country is inherently wrong.

I, like Mayor Lonegan, support securing our nation’s borders and seriously addressing the illegal immigration problem that the US is facing. However, I respectfully disagree with the mayor’s position on this issue as it has the potential to be construed as ill-spirited and bigoted toward Hispanics, which is contrary the vision of inclusion and diversity that President Bush and the Republican Party endorse.

As a Hispanic conservative, I close with a word of thanks to Mayor Lonegan for his continued efforts in addressing so many important issues that the rank and file of our Party have failed to address. Nonetheless, I respectfully request that Mayor Lonegan consider his future actions and/or comments when exercising his right to free speech and consider a position more consistent with the Conservative movement and the Republican Party.

Note: The author, Rich Valdes, is a freelance political analyst from Jersey City, New Jersey,  Rich interned as a Congressional Aide in New Jersey's 5th District and was the 2005 Republican Nominee for State Assemblyman in New Jersey’s 33rd legislative district. With over 10 years of sales and client relations experience Rich is the Director of Public Affairs for Gospel Tabernacle Church A/G in North Bergen, New Jersey.  Rich Valdes is also spokesperson for the Hudson County Republican Committee where he serves as an executive board member. Mr. Valdes is presently serving a two-year term as an elected Committeeman in Jersey City's Ward E12. Rich is married and has two daughters. Rich can be reached at info@RichValdes.com

The above was originally published July, 2006 by The Jersey Journal © 2006. Used with permission.