Increasing Access to and Strengthening Healthcare

The Increasing Access to and Strengthening Healthcare Pathway project expands opportunities for adult learners—especially recent graduates of vocational programs such as Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), Medical Assistant (MA), and Phlebotomy Technician—to advance along the health sciences education continuum. Through partnerships between Salem Community College (SCC) and Salem County Vocational and Technical School (SCVTS), the project provided two pilot cohorts with access to college-level coursework, specifically BIO 150 – Fundamentals of Anatomy and Physiology.

Students received free tuition and fees, as well as personalized advising and academic support throughout the course. In total, 16 adult learners participated across two cohorts (Spring and Summer), with 38% successfully earning college credit. Of those, half registered for additional coursework in the following semester, signaling continued pathway engagement.

To strengthen student engagement and retention, SCC enhanced the BIO 150 curriculum with patient care-focused experiential learning components. Faculty received targeted professional development to effectively implement new instructional techniques and equipment. Student feedback indicated the added activities were “very helpful” in understanding course material and connecting classroom learning to real-world healthcare roles.

This project not only increased access but also strengthened instruction to better prepare learners for health care careers. Long-term impact is expected through the continued integration of experiential learning and cross-department faculty collaboration at SCC.