Galloway, N.J. — The Stockton University Board of Trustees held its regular meeting May 1 in the Campus Center Event Room.

During the meeting, students and a high school partner spoke about the importance of Stockton’s High School Dual Credit program. The university offers dual credit courses in 59 high schools in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware to nearly 2,700 students this year.

Stockton's dual credit program gives students a jump-start on college by allowing them to earn college credits while completing their high school course requirements simultaneously.

Sophomore Nick Guerriero, an Environmental Science major from Surf City, said the dual credit courses he took at the Marine Academy of Technology and Environmental Science (MATES) in Stafford Township gave him a head start on his college degree.

“I graduated last May from MATES. Most of the classes I took for college credit aligned with Stockton’s Environmental Science classes and I came in a full year ahead. The cost was affordable, and it was a worthwhile investment,” Guerriero said.

Annabella Hund, a sophomore Liberal Studies major, recalled the dual-credit Holocaust and Genocide Studies course she took while a student at Egg Harbor Township High School.

“My teacher helped us to prepare for college by making us work at a college level. My dual credit course laid the groundwork to help me prepare for college more than any other class,” Hund said.

MATES principal Alison Carroll said the partnership with Stockton since 2012 has helped MATES students advance in their majors as they move on to college.

Also at the meeting, the Board of Trustees:

• Approved a Bachelor of Science degree in Hemp and Cannabis Business Management, which will now be reviewed by the New Jersey Presidents’ Council and the Office of the Secretary of Higher Education.
• Voted to continue the Fiscal Year 2024 budget into July. The board anticipates approving the FY25 budget at its next meeting July 17, following the approval of the State of New Jersey budget
• Recognized the leadership of Student Trustee Shalaby Parsons of Salem, who is completing a two-year term.