Passaic County Community College president reports enrollment gains, solar plan and new workforce programs

Dr. Stephen Rose, president of Passaic County Community College, briefed the Passaic County Board of County Commissioners on Sept. 9, reporting increases in enrollment, new workforce programs and a campus-wide solar plan he said should lower energy costs.

Rose said the college is entering its 54th year (the transcript said "50 fourth year"; the speaker identified the institution as Passaic County Community College) and has seen a post-pandemic enrollment increase. He told commissioners his office is installing solar arrays across campuses and expects the Wanaque campus to be 100% solar; he estimated campus solar could save the college about $500,000 a year in energy costs.

Rose outlined new and expanding programs intended to meet local workforce needs: the college will add dental hygiene and dental assisting programs at a new building in Paterson, start a medical ultrasound program, and last year launched a surgical technology program with students already placed in hospital clinical rotations. "Many dental practices are having a hard time ... especially in the urban areas because they can't get dental assistants and hygienists," Rose said, describing local demand.

He also flagged curriculum work to integrate artificial intelligence tools and to emphasize soft skills. "Most jobs, both entry level and a little higher than that, are all going to need artificial intelligence," Rose said, and he said employers expect graduates to use AI responsibly and have workplace skills such as punctuality and communication. Rose said faculty and administrators are still developing the approach to AI instruction and described it as an emerging challenge for higher education.

Commissioners thanked Rose for the update; no formal county action was associated with the presentation.