For the past six years, �ƹ���Ƶ student Owen Taylor has been teaching himself how to write music, as well as how to sing, play guitar and dabble in the piano.

“I spend a lot of my time writing and releasing songs under the name ‘Shulin’ on streaming platforms and making videos for them on YouTube,” Taylor shared. “Aside from music, I love reading and writing stories, hiking and camping, spending time with friends and exploring new places.”

Moving to a new country can feel daunting, and taking steps to learn a second language requires courage, patience and the willingness to step out of one’s comfort zone. Many choose to take that leap with English as a Second Language (ESL) courses offered through community colleges. �ƹ���Ƶ is no exception – providing small ESL classes that offer personalized attention with patient and experienced instructors. 

For as long as she can remember, Olga Berry has had a penchant for mathematics. Her father, a remarkable mathematician, taught her through ancient math tasks – a form of intellectual games. 

“I remember pleading with him that I wanted to play sports like all the other kids, to which he replied: ‘You can play chess – the mind sport.’ Since then, I have loved to play chess and still do with family and friends,” Berry shared. 

Born and raised in Kyiv, Ukraine, she studied and taught mathematics in her home country before coming to the United States in 2000. 

In 1999, the National Security Agency launched the Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance Education (CAE-IAE) program. Under this program, colleges could earn a CAE-IAE designation upon passing rigorous curriculum and program requirements. 

�ƹ���Ƶ’s culinary program offers an internship with Deborah Heart and Lung Center, New Jersey’s only specialty heart, lung and vascular hospital. Launched in January 2021, the Culinary Internship Program includes a structured curriculum that aligns with Deborah’s corporate governance and mission and values, while carefully following New Jersey State Sanitation Code and Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points – vitally important regulatory checks in safe food handling.

Since childhood, Diana Walker had always wanted to become a chef, but before she even stepped foot into a culinary class, she enrolled at �ƹ���Ƶ to overcome a language barrier and set herself up for success.

Where can you earn two degrees for less than what most universities charge in a single year? �ƹ���Ƶ! Through the college’s partnership with Rowan University, students may pursue bachelor’s degrees in ten program areas, including Biology, Business, Nursing and more. 

At 64 years old, Marion Akins knows a thing or two about the time it takes to find yourself and summon the courage to pursue the path that’s right for you. As a child, Akins found little interest in school, preferring to socialize and network with others. Eventually, however, she grew to love her academic journey and continues to pursue higher degrees. 

Chaunce Foster is the type of person who will only pursue opportunities that he truly believes will help him in the future. Growing up, his father was absent throughout his childhood, and his mother tragically passed when he was just a teenager. At the time, it forced him to make some tough decisions and to steer himself toward the path he truly wanted. 

When he was in the midst of his college search, Chaunce considered geographical convenience, as well as what each college could offer him. He landed at �ƹ���Ƶ and hasn’t looked back since. 

For �ƹ���Ƶ (RCBC), experiential learning opportunities are key to ensuring that students are prepared to lead and serve in the community and throughout the world. 

What better complement to RCBC’s commitment to holistic education than an entirely student-run cafe designed to empower the next generation of changemakers?