Pascrell Announces $1.5M Grants to Passaic County Community College

Award will help 900 students attain STEM credits to unlock greater employment opportunities

PATERSON, NJ – Today, U.S. Representative Bill Pascrell, Jr. (NJ-09) celebrated the awarding of a $1,498,946 grant by the National Science Foundation (NSF) to Passaic County Community College (PCCC). The honor will be used to fund a program that will accelerate the education of students historically underrepresented in the academic disciplines of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

“The future of any great civilization is paved by education, especially training in the sciences, in mathematics, in tech subjects, and of course in engineering,” said Rep. Pascrell, himself a former teacher and former member of the PCCC Board of Trustees. “What is so special about these National Science Foundation grants is that they are designed specifically to help schools serving students who have less access to quality STEM programs. This gift will have a profound impact on the lives and development of thousands of students just beginning to reach their potential.”

“The National Science Foundation Bridges to the Baccalaureate Grant will provide extraordinary opportunities for our students to become involved with advanced scientific research to ensure that they will be ready to continue their education to train for in-demand STEM positions,” said Steven M. Rose, Ed.D., President, Passaic County Community College. “PCCC thanks Congressman Pascrell for his support in bringing these essential programs to our college.”

PCCC serves as the lead institution of the Northern New Jersey Bridges to the Baccalaureate Alliance, a partnership of five public, associate-degree granting, Hispanic-serving institutions in Northern New Jersey. The other schools are Bergen Community College, Hudson County Community College, Middlesex County College, and Union County College. By assisting more than 900 students transition into baccalaureate STEM degree programs, the partner colleges provide their students with access to more employment opportunities, thereby resulting in a more diverse, globally competitive STEM workforce.

The National Science Foundation is an independent federal agency created by Congress in 1950 “to promote the progress of science; to advance the national health, prosperity, and welfare; to secure the national defense.” With an annual budget of $7.8 billion, NSF provides funding for approximately a quarter of all federally supported basic research conducted by America’s colleges and universities.

In Congress, Rep. Pascrell has worked closely with the National Science Foundation to obtain support for critical student programs in Northern New Jersey. In August 2014, Pascrell helped PCCC win a separate $1.5M grant from the National Science Foundation.

###