Ramapo@PCCC 2+2 Equals 4 Fantastic Success Stories

The Ramapo @ PCCC 2+2 program added up to a sum of savings, support, and success for  a group of PCCC alumni: Destiny Garcia, Anthony Dominguez, Evelyn Estevez, and Dahiana Cabral.  All four earned their AS degree in PCCC’s Class of 2022,  received their bachelor’s degree last spring from Ramapo College of New Jersey (RCNJ), and are currently enrolled, with advanced standing, in a master’s degree program at RCNJ.

“They are some of the most spunky, hardworking, and resilient students I have ever worked with,” said Nora McCarthy, the academic advisor and Transfer Specialist for Ramapo@PCCC, an innovative initiative that enables PCCC students to save significantly on the cost of a bachelor’s degree from RCNJ while remaining longer on the familiar PCCC campus.  

PCCC students who earn an associate’s degree in Human Services can transfer through the 2+2 program. They remain on the PCCC campus  for both their junior and senior years where they may continue to access all PCCC services while completing the RCNJ Bachelor’s in Social Work (BSW) curriculum taught by RCNJ professors.   

“It was smooth sailing,” said Destiny of the transition from PCCC into the Ramapo@PCCC program. “The Ramapo class schedules were very convenient, and I liked staying on the PCCC campus I was familiar with.” Destiny plans to become a school counselor for either elementary or middle school aged students and was impressed by the experience she gained through her three internships and by the advisors she encountered at both PCCC and Ramapo.

“I feel well prepared for a career, saved money, and whenever I need support or information, I have two caring college communities I can turn to.”

Evelyn Estevez  hopes to start her career as a social worker in a hospital or medical office and eventually turn to serving “vulnerable populations, especially those affected by natural disasters or environmental hazards.”

While Evelyn appreciated the cost savings and convenience of staying on the PCCC campus, she said the most significant benefit she gained from the 2+2 program is “smaller class sizes which provided me with a strong support system at school from my professors and advisor, Nora McCarthy.”

As part of a foursome that learned, studied, and worked together for four years and still continue their academic journey together, both Destiny and Evelyn feel strengthened by that shared experience. “We shared so much together,” said Destiny. “We are really more like a family now.” Evelyn expressed gratitude for her three classmates. “Having them to check up on each other and remind one another about homework and school events was a great help.”

As academic advisor to these four grads, Ms. McCarthy added, “Throughout the two years I have been working with them, I have been blown away by their tenacity, work ethic, and drive towards pursuing their BSW degrees and making the world a better and more loving place.”

Congratulations to Destiny, Evelyn, Anthony, and Dahiana as they journey together toward their master’ s degree in social work at Ramapo College of New Jersey.

by Linda Telesco
PCCC Writer/Publicist