Leadership from BGCCC, RCSJ, and RCSJ Foundation come together to celebrate a ceremonial partnership signing. Back row, from left: Diane Fisher-Cristano, board member, BGCCC; Rosemary DeQuinzio, chief financial officer, BGCCC; James Piccone, vice president & chief administrative officer, RCSJ; Taryn Allison, unit director, BGCCC; Michael Deem, Jr., director of Special Projects, BGCCC; Shirley Santos, advisor, RCSJ; Cody Miller, executive director of Advancement and Foundation, RCSJ; Sarah Palese, director of Foundation and Alumni Relations, RCSJ. Front row: Paul Trivellini, vice-chair, RCSJ Foundation; Brenden Rickards, president & chief academic officer, RCSJ; Carlos A. Mercado, Jr., chief executive officer, BGCCC; Danielle Carroll, RCSJ Board of Trustees.
Rowan College of South Jersey (RCSJ) hosted a partnership signing ceremony between RCSJ, the Rowan College of South Jersey Foundation, and the Boys & Girls Club of Cumberland County (BGCCC) recently. This new partnership will expand pathways for Cumberland County’s youth through scholarship support, mentorship, career exploration, and college-readiness efforts.
BGCCC is a youth development organization that provides youth, ages five to 18, with after-school programs for healthy lifestyles, academics, community service, and recreational activities.Its mission is to inspire and enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, and responsible citizens.
Carlos Mercado, chief executive officer of BGCCC, conveyed the importance of community collaboration.
“This partnership is much more than what’s written on paper—it’s about opening doors and showing our kids that their future can be filled with possibilities. I also believe that no organization can do it alone. It takes partnerships like this to truly make a difference,” Mercado said. “On behalf of our board of directors, our staff, and most importantly, the young people we serve, we thank you for believing in our mission and investing in our futures. We look forward to a long and successful partnership with RCSJ.”
The partnership also supports the college’s mission to advance educational opportunities and student success. Brenden Rickards, president of RCSJ, shared how the goals of BGCCC and RCSJ are aligned.
“The Boys & Girls Club of Cumberland County and Rowan College of South Jersey share a common mission: Creating opportunities that transform lives. Together, we’re investing in our community, empowering future leaders, and helping individuals develop the skills, character, and confidence needed to become engaged citizens and make a lasting impact where they live and work.”
RCSJ has played a leading role in helping area youth transition to postsecondary education. Its Collegiate High School has provided hundreds of students with a pathway to academic success. Students can earn college credits that can count toward an associate degree or transfer credits to other institutions, all before graduating high school.
Additionally, RCSJ’s GEAR UP partners with Bridgeton City public schools, supporting students from middle school through their first year of college as they explore, prepare for, and navigate postsecondary education.
This new BGCCC partnership will further expand educational pathways for Cumberland County youth by providing tuition assistance and scholarship support for up to 10 eligible Boys & Girls Club members annually.
Cody Miller, executive director of the RCSJ Foundation, explained how this partnership addresses barriers to education that some students may face.
“Not every student knows what resources and programs are available to help them continue their education, whether that’s financial aid, grants, or scholarship support while working toward a certification, associate degree, or bachelor’s degree,” Miller said. “With this partnership, we’re not only offering scholarship support to students who want to enroll at RCSJ, but we’re also connecting them with the resources they need to help them afford whatever path they may choose.”
For more information about scholarships and campus initiatives, visit RCSJ.edu/Foundation.
