ByMichael T. Nietzel,
Senior Contributor.
The state of New Jersey has created a statewide engagement and coaching program that’s already re-enrolled more than 13,500 adults in college.
Launched in 2023 in partnership with ReUp Education, a national leader in re-engaging adults who’ve dropped out of college before earning a degree, the program is aimed at the roughly 840,000 New Jersey adults who fit into the Some College, No Degree (SCND) population. Now, a new report is documenting the initial success of the program in helping the state achieve its goal of 65% postsecondary credential attainment among working-age citizens.
New Jersey’s re-enrollment marketplace is a statewide effort that currently includes 22 institutions (11 community colleges and 11 four-year schools) covering most of the state. To date, the initiative has been able to contact 280,000 adults who dropped out of college before completing a degree. Of that number, 28,000 have actively explored a return to college, with 45% indicating their intent to return to school immediately, and 23% saying they plan to re-enroll within 6-12 months.
