County College of Morris Awarded $650,000 Advanced Technology Education Grant from the National Science Foundation Leading Community College to Expand Data Science Program and Establish a Data Science Institute

RANDOLPH, NJ — County College of Morris (CCM) is thrilled to announce it has been awarded a $650,000 Advanced Technology Education (ATE) grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) . The grant, distributed over three years, will support the college’s expansion of its current nationally recognized Data Science program and aid in the establishment of a new, cutting-edge Data Science Institute. This initiative aligns with the college's commitment to innovation, academic excellence and meeting the evolving needs of the community and industry.

Dr. Anthony J. Iacono, president of CCM, expressed gratitude to NSF for the generous grant and emphasized its significance in advancing the college's mission. "Not only will this grant enable us to expand Data Science at CCM,” said Iacono, “but also help create the Data Science Institute and strive to meet our goals from the training of faculty with industry certification to creating a seamless career pathway in data science for students of all ages.”

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Key Benefits

CCM provides an opportunity for students to gain an early interest in the data science field with a fast-track approach toward employment. The college’s Center for Workforce Development offers cutting-edge courses in Business Analytics, Tableau, R-Programming and more to accelerate one’s career as a data scientist. Students can enroll at CCM to quickly earn the 16-credit certificate of achievement in data analytics in less than one year and even further their studies at CCM towards an associate of science degree in computer science with a concentration in data science .

The ATE grant will support teachers to ensure they attain industry-recognized certifications and are equipped with the latest tools and knowledge in data science to deliver excellent instruction. Students may gain training and specialized workshops on data manipulation, statistical analysis, machine learning, data visualization and more, on campus and in virtual format. Guest lecturers, industry visits and networking events will also showcase real-world applications of data science and help funnel students to industry.

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Most recently, the college’s Data Science program has participated in the New Jersey Council of County Colleges (NJCCC) Pathways Initiative that includes the New Jersey Big Data Alliance (NJBDA ) - Data Science Articulation Project. This project establishes seamless transfer pathways from several two-year to four-year institutions across New Jersey, including CCM.

According to Iacono, “CCM will continue to be a leader in education and data science plus play a pivotal role in driving economic growth and technological advancement in the region.”

"This grant truly represents a significant milestone for the college," said CCM Professor of Mathematics Kelly Fitzpatrick. "We are excited to embark on this journey of expansion and innovation, and we are confident that the resources provided by this grant will empower our faculty and students, including underrepresented groups and Women in STEM, to excel in the dynamic field of data science."

CCM’s success in Data Science has been highlighted and publicized nationally.

• New Jersey Business and Industry Association (NJBIA) featured this project on the March 23 episode of Minding Your Business where Fitzpatrick spoke about the project’s success.
• NSF featured the college’s courses, transfer agreements and pathways in Data Science in their annual publication, ATE Impacts , page 91.

CCM is a renowned institution of higher learning known for its commitment to academic excellence, student success, and community engagement. For more information about CCM or media inquiries, please contact Melissa Albright, Vice President of Marketing, Public Relations & Enrollment Management, email: malbright@ccm.edu , or call (973) 328-5171.

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