Middlesex College will become the fourth school to join Princeton University’s Community College Teaching Partnership. Representatives of Middlesex and Princeton met Sept. 22 to sign an agreement formalizing the relationship.

The program offers community college instructors opportunities for continuing education and professional development at Princeton. It also sends graduate students, the next generation of Princeton-educated academics, to teach the wide range of undergraduates in New Jersey seeking certificates and two-year degrees — and to learn from experienced community college professors.

“Both institutions are investing in making higher education accessible to everyone,” said Rodney Priestley, dean of Princeton’s Graduate School and the Pomeroy and Betty Perry Smith Professor of Chemical and Biological Engineering. “We’re delighted to forge this partnership with Middlesex College. Both Princeton and Middlesex have a deep commitment to making higher education accessible to everyone and to investing in talent in New Jersey and beyond.”

Middlesex College President Mark McCormick said he is pleased by the new partnership, which will benefit Middlesex College’s 16,000 credit and non-credit students, as well as Princeton University graduate students.

“We look forward to connecting our community college faculty, who have years of experience as effective and engaging faculty, as mentors to Princeton University graduate students,” McCormick said. “The community college sector is uniquely positioned to provide opportunities for Princeton University graduate students to engage with a diverse population of learners, with whom they can share their expertise and passion for their fields.”

Middlesex College joins Mercer County Community College, Camden County College and Rowan College of South Jersey as partners in the program.

Read the entire story on the Princeton Homepage.