Atlantic Cape Community College

Online nursing auction raises $5,800
CAPE MAY COURT HOUSE -- Atlantic Cape Community College Foundation’s Second Annual Arts, Leisure and Entertainment Online Auction to support scholarships and grants for ACCC’s nursing students raised nearly $5,800.
The auction ran from Sept. 28-Oct. 19, with a live event that took place on Oct. 19 at the Cape May County Fundraiser. This exciting virtual event helps the ACCC Foundation, a nonprofit charity, supporting needy and deserving ACCC nursing program students.
The public was invited to bid on more than 60 items, including original works of art, collectibles, jewelry, a quilt and autographed books. Additional items included an overnight stay at the Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa and vouchers for Spirit Airlines tickets.
Founded in 1978, the Atlantic Cape Community College Foundation is dedicated to serving the mission of ACCC by providing financial support to the college and its students. In its history, the foundation has raised more than $2 million for college scholarships, academic programs and enhancing the campus environment. For more information, visit www.atlantic.edu/foundation.

ACCC enrollment reaches historic high
CAPE MAY COURT HOUSE -- Atlantic Cape Community College’s fall 2007 enrollment is the largest in its 41-year history. The number of students overall rose to 6,929 from last year’s 6,828 for a 1.48 percent increase. The number of full-time students rose to 3,404 from 3,221, an increase of 5.7 percent, while part-time enrollment is 3,525, down 2.2 percent.
“This increase in enrollment at our Atlantic City and Cape May County campuses, and the continued strong participation in the NJ STARS program have supported the college’s overall growth,” Dean of Students Carmen Royal said. “ACCC provides a supportive, personalized learning environment in which students and professors explore and grow together. Our collegewide retention efforts, which have contributed to students’ success, are another key factor that has impacted our enrollment.”
Since 2000, ACCC’s fall enrollment has grown 50 percent to more than 68,200 credits from 45,573, according to Dr. Richard Perniciaro, dean of administration, planning and research
The number of credits students are taking overall rose to 68,252 from 65,714 in 2006, representing a 3.86 percent increase. The number of credits taken at the Mays Landing Campus rose to 42,248 from 41,106 for a 2.78 increase. Enrollment at that campus, meanwhile, went to 4,652 from 4,708 for a 1.19 percent decrease.
After the main campus, the college’s online virtual “campus” – students taking classes via the Internet – continues to represent a significant portion of the college’s total credit enrollment with a 2.80 percent credit increase to 9,368 from 9,113 in 2006, and an enrollment increase to 1,887 up 2.89 percent. Online credits represent nearly 14 percent of all credits taken by ACCC students.
At the Cape May County Campus, there has been a 5.68 percent credit increase to 9,285 from 8,786 in 2006, with a 2.15 percent enrollment increase to 1,139 from 1,115.
In addition, this semester ACCC experienced a nearly 52 percent increase in NJ STARS enrollments to 288, from 189 in 2006. This initiative, implemented by the State of New Jersey in 2004, enables high school students who graduated in the top 20 percent of their class to receive free tuition at Atlantic Cape Community College. Aside from tuition, NJ STARS covers the full cost of most fees for up to five semesters at ACCC.

Chef Patricia ‘Kelly’ McClay named Dean of ACA
MAYS LANDING — Atlantic City native Chef Patricia “Kelly” McClay was named dean of the Academy of Culinary Arts at Atlantic Cape Community College, effective Sept. 26.
McClay, of Mays Landing, who joined the college in 1994, was assistant director of the Academy — a post she had held since 1996. She was named acting dean in October 2006. She succeeds Dean Klaus Muller, who retired earlier this year.
Having launched her career at the Ramada Hotel in Washington, D.C., in 1981, she returned to her native city where she worked in various top kitchens. Among these were the Golden Nugget Hotel and Casino, Marriott’s Seaview Country Club and Trump Castle Hotel and Casino. She later became executive sous chef at Resorts International prior to joining the Academy.
She received an associate degree in education from ACCC and a bachelor’s degree in culinary arts from Drexel University. She is pursuing a master’s degree in business administration from Rutgers University.
In addition to this appointment, Chef Bruce Johns, of Marmora, who has been with the Academy since 1994, recently was promoted from chef supervisor to director of culinary operations.
After beginning his culinary career at Resorts International in 1983, Johns enrolled in the Academy of Culinary Arts to earn his degree. He went on to work in various South Jersey restaurants before becoming owner/chef of Our Place Too. He is pursuing his bachelor’s degree in hospitality management at Rutger’s University.
Both chefs are members of the distinguished American Culinary Federation.