Mercer County Executive Dan Benson joined the presidents of The College of New Jersey (TCNJ), Mercer County Community College (MCCC) and Thomas Edison State University (TESU) on Tuesday, Oct. 27, to announce the establishment of a new higher education consortium aimed at strengthening collaboration among the three institutions and expanding educational opportunities throughout Mercer County.
The agreement, signed during a ceremony at the Mercer County Administration Building in Trenton, brings together three of Mercer County’s public institutions, each with distinct educational missions and a shared commitment to serving students, supporting workforce development and strengthening the region’s educational landscape.
The consortium establishes a framework for greater cooperation among the institutions, creating opportunities to explore new academic partnerships, improve pathways to higher education and better connect educational programs with the evolving needs of Mercer County’s workforce and economy.
“Mercer County is fortunate to be home to three outstanding public institutions of higher education, each of which plays an essential role in the success of our residents and our local economy,” Benson said. “By bringing these institutions together, we have an opportunity to break down barriers, strengthen and increase educational pathways, and ensure that more residents can access the skills, credentials, and degrees they need to succeed. This innovative partnership reflects our belief that when our educational institutions work together, our entire community benefits.”
“Our institutions have distinct missions, but a shared commitment to student success and the growth of our region economically, socially, and intellectually,” said Michael A. Bernstein, president of The College of New Jersey. “By aligning our strengths, we can create clearer pathways to a college degree, expand access to educational opportunities, and strengthen our region’s workforce, all for the greater good of Mercer County and its residents.”
“Mercer County Community College is proud to be part of the Mercer County higher education ecosystem, and we look forward to aligning our programs and initiatives with those of our partner institutions,” said Deborah E. Preston, president of Mercer County Community College. “When we work together, we create bigger and better opportunities for our students and our community.”
“This Consortium creates an opportunity to build stronger pathways from education to employment, support employers in developing a skilled workforce and help more Mercer County residents advance their careers,” said Merodie A. Hancock, president of Thomas Edison State University. “By working together, we can strengthen the connection between higher education and the workforce, ensuring that educational opportunities align with the skills and credentials employers need to drive our region’s economic growth. At Thomas Edison State University, we understand the importance of connecting learning with workforce needs, and we look forward to expanding that impact through this partnership.”
The three institutions serve diverse student populations and offer a wide range of educational programs, from associate degrees and workforce training to undergraduate and graduate education. Through increased collaboration, the consortium seeks to build on the unique strengths of each institution while identifying new opportunities to share resources and serve students, employers and the broader community.
The agreement also underscores Mercer County’s commitment to promoting educational attainment, economic opportunity and long-term regional growth. The institutions hope the partnership will serve as a model for other jurisdictions around the state and country.
