How can a university respond to community desires for increased educational opportunities for its young people, national shifts in student demographics, and the loud calls for increasing college affordability?

When Rutgers University–Camden launched its Office of Civic Engagement a decade ago, community stakeholders were very clear that access to higher education was a top priority. The need was justified: less than half of Camden’s high school seniors graduated and enrolled in college. Rutgers–Camden responded by developing a suite of K12 programs for students in grades four through 12 in Camden that provided out-of-school-time programs focused on college access. However, what also became apparent was that access to higher education for first-generation students both in Camden and across the state of New Jersey was impacted by college affordability; for those who did enter college, a smooth path to graduation was a challenge. What emerged was a critique of the value of college degree and calls for measurable approaches to student success. Learn more about how Rutgers University–Camden developed an “all in” strategy focused on access, equity, and student success—including our K12 efforts, Bridging the Gap (our innovative program focused on greatly reducing or completely eliminating student debt), and our student success efforts that holistically support students along the path to a timely graduation.