Group of students

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Atlantic Cape Community College is committed to significantly increasing student access and success while addressing the racial/ethnic and socioeconomic disparities in college attainment.

An equity-minded institution is one that demonstrates the commitment, capabilities, and experiences to serve low-income students, students of color and other at-risk student populations with respect to access, success and campus climate. An equity-minded institution also demonstrates that same commitment to provide opportunity for all employees, creating a culture of respect and opportunity.

A statement from President Dr. Barbara Gaba

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“At Atlantic Cape Community College, championing the success of every student and ensuring equity, are at the core of our decision making and are foundational to the College’s mission and vision. We are committed to creating opportunities for all of our students by removing barriers that may stand in their way and to be successful through the intentional re-design of the college experience. We continue to be an institution of higher learning that values everyone and ensures that each individual experiences a genuine sense of belonging.”

What is Diversity, Equity & Inclusion?

DEI Equity

DIVERSITY

Being exposed to differing non-like-minded social elements, such as ethnicities, cultures, faiths, economic backgrounds and more, thereby gaining an understanding of the uniqueness of all peoples, and how and why they live their lives as they do.

DEI Equity

EQUITY

The quality of being and acting fair and impartial. Equity emphasizes the practice of cultivating fairness in society by allocating additional resources to those who need them to succeed, thereby working to rectify social and historical disparities.

DEI Inclusion

INCLUSION

The practice or policy of including and integrating all peoples and groups in social activities, organizations, political processes, especially those who are disadvantaged, discriminated against or disabled. The goal of inclusion is to show respect towards all.

Atlantic Cape Student Clubs

Students raising flag for Hispanic Heritage Month

Participating in one of our diverse student clubs is a great way to meet fellow students on campus who come from different backgrounds, promote an inclusive environment, get involved in the community, gain invaluable experience, have fun and become part of the Atlantic Cape family.


  • Asian Cultural Club: Promotes and educates about the various Asian and Polynesian cultures through educational gatherings.
  • Black Student Alliance: Encourages recognition of every student's cultural, academic and social-needs by enhancing communication among all races on campus and in the community.
  • Club CRU: Offers opportunities to get to know more about God and share beliefs through weekly bible studies, prayer meetings, travel and meeting other students.
  • Community for the Differently Abled: Provides a safe environment for all students of differing ability statuses and their allies a safe place to have fun, discuss issues, and work together to educate and enlighten in a constructive and helpful way.
  • Cross-Cultural Student Association: Promotes international and intercultural understanding on the Atlantic City campus and the community as a whole.
  • Los Latinos Unidos: Share Latino traditions in many expressions to enrich the student experience.
  • Muslim Student Association: Creates an environment for Muslim students to integrate their identity on campus and spread awareness about our peaceful religion.
  • Pride Club: Represents gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and asexual students, and those who support them. Helps open communication with others about issues that affect them.

Visit atlanticcape.edu/clubs for additional student clubs, representing a variety of individual interests, that are available.

Resources and Support Services

Atlantic Cape student celebrates her graudation.

Atlantic Cape offers a diverse array of free resources from academic advising and career services to food pantries and mental health awareness for current students. We also provide various other services for our college alumni, veterans and members of the community.


  • Campus Closet: Provides clothing and shoes to students currently enrolled at Atlantic Cape who may need casual business attire for professional interviews, class presentations, events and various college-related activities.
  • Center for Accessibility: Ensures equal access to campus life, enhances academic success, and provides reasonable accommodations for with documented disabilities.
  • Educational Opportunity Fund: Helps economically and educationally disadvantaged students graduate and be succesful by providing comprehensive support services including tutoring, counseling and transfer assistance.
  • Food Pantries: Provides food and limited personal care items for our students. Food Pantries are located at each of the college’s campus locations.
  • Lactation Room: Offers students, staff and faculty a safe, private and secure location on each of our campus locations to nurse and utilize a breast pump to express breast milk.
  • Men of Atlantic Cape: Promotes the advancement of Black and Latino male students through peer-to-peer support, mentorship, leadership development and networking experiences. 
  • Mental Health SupportOffers students free and confidential wellness services, including teletherapy, an online peer-to-peer support network, in-person counseling and access to a psychiatrist, if needed.
  • Prayer Room: Students of all faiths may use this dedicated room in C Building on the Mays Landing campus for prayer, contemplation and meditation. Accommodations made upon request at Atlantic City and Cape May campuses.
  • Safe Space for LGBTQ+: The Mays Landing campus library offers a dedicated room with literature, positive messaging, resources and comfortable space for students of the LGBTQ+ community and their allies free from discrimination.
  • Student Support Services: Celebrates, empowers and uplifts students, who are low-income, first-generation, and/or students with documented disabilities, through trips, programs, and workshops.
  • Veterans Resources: We offer a wide range of services for our current military and veteranincluding assistance with G.I. Bill benefits, academic advising, mental health services, family resources and more. Veterans lounges are available at each campus.
DEI News

Atlantic Cape DEI Committees

The Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Cross Functional Committee is is committed to XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX and our goals are:

  • XXXXXXX
  • XXXXXXX

2023-2024 Committe Members:

Dr. Vanessa O'Brien-McMasters, Chair, Vice President Institutional Effectiveness and Chief Strategy Officer

Dr. Hana Bajes, Assistant Professor of Microbiology & Chemistry

Madeline Barrows, Chair, Academic Equity Committee

Carmen Cabrera, Assistant Director, One Stop Enrollment

Tonya Cooper, Accountant, Restricted Accounting

Maryann Flemming-McCall, Associate Professor, English

Lisa Givens, Assistant Director, Student Engagement

Tom Hendrickson, Executive Director, Human Resources

Raquel Martin, Director, Facilities and Constructionp

Rashawn Martin, Director, Student Support Services

Luis Montefusco, Senior Director, Institutional Research, Assessment & Planning

Myrna Morales-Keklak, Dean, Nursing and Health Sciencesp

Nancy Porfido, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Advocate and Judicial Officer

Marian Woodson, Workforce Development

The Academic Equity Committee is comprised of staff from various departments of Atlantic Cape and its goals are:

  • To promote awareness of and sensitivity to the identities and needs of all human beings regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, and ability.
  • To suggest strategies that support an inclusive and culturally-sensitive classroom environment and college community

 
2023-2024 Committe Members:

Madeline Barrows - Chair, Social Science

Jill Agosto, Nursing & Health Science 

Alonna Brown, Director, EOF/Assistant Director, Center for Student Success

Christopher Carbone, Science

Annmarie Chelius, Academy of Culinary Arts & Hospitality

Cynthia Correa, Director, Worthington Atlantic City Student Affairs and One-Stop Services

Latoya Gibbons, Counseling

Otto Hernandez, BISAS

Cheryl Knowles-Harrigan, Arts & Humanities

Svetlana Marzelli, BISAS

Maryann McCall, English and Speech

Stephanie Natale-Boianelli, English and Speech

Danielle Nicastro, Nursing & Health Science

William Osler, Math & Engineering