Morris County Launches the Morris Ambassador Program

Committee Appointed to Promote College Promise in Underserved Communities

The Morris County Board of County Commissioners is excited to announce the launch of the Morris Ambassador Program, a volunteer committee collaborating with County College of Morris (CCM) and the Morris County Vocational School District (MCVSD) to promote the Morristown College Promise and other educational initiatives.

Morris Canal Towpath Ribbon Cutting on June 15, 2024 in Dover. Second from left in the front is CCM College Promise Program Director Julian Gomez and Morris County Commissioner John Krickus. Dover Mayor James Dodd is standing center with scissors. Directly behind the mayor is Assemblyman Christian Barranco and to his right is Wharton Mayor Bill Chegwidden. Third from the right in the front is Morris County Commissioner Tayfun Selen.

The Morristown College Promise, which started in November, is a partnership aimed at assisting motivated, low-income middle and high school students and their families in navigating academic and financial challenges associated with higher education. CCM offers free after-school mentoring, tutoring, and guidance on pathways including college, the military, trades, and workforce entry with industry credentials. Additionally, the program involves students in community volunteer projects.

“Morris Ambassadors will help spread the word in Morristown about this program and the amazing opportunities at CCM and MCVSD,” said Morris County Commissioner John Krickus.

The formation of the new committee was first announced by Krickus at the county’s Juneteenth Art in the Atrium event on June 13. Subsequently, the full Board of County Commissioners adopted a resolution creating the Ambassador Program and appointed its members on June 26.

“The Ambassador program is a critical component of the program's success. Ambassadors help ensure members of the community are aware of these programs and advise the college on how it can continuously serve the community with excellence,” said CCM President Dr. Anthony J. Iacono. “CCM appreciates the Ambassadors and the continuously exceptional support the college receives from Morris County Commissioners. Together we are changing lives and strengthening communities!”

Current Morris Ambassadors include several community leaders such as Rev. David A. Hollowell, Sr., Vanessa Brown of the NAACP, Henry J. Lee, Rev. Herman Scott, Roberta Strater, and Leslie Folmar Harris. The Morris County Commissioners are accepting nominations for additional appointments.

The Morristown College Promise is modeled after the Dover College Promise, initiated by CCM under President Iacono in 2020. CCM reports that approximately 96 percent of program participants enroll in college after graduation, highlighting the success of the program’s mentoring, tutoring, and student support.

The Morris Canal Towpath trail in Dover.

Commissioners Krickus and Tayfun Selen recently attended a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a community project completed by Dover College Promise students: the Morris Canal Towpath in Dover. Students contributed to the design of the nearly one-mile recreational trail in Dover’s Water Works Park, now part of the Morris Canal Greenway, a pedestrian pathway aiming to retrace the historical Morris Canal route from the Hudson River to the Delaware River.

“Morris County and the state have made significant investments in CCM and MCVSD in recent years, including an Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering Center and plans for a new Entrepreneurship and Culinary Program. A new Career Training Center is currently being built to support an additional 500 VoTech students, along with a new health science center for careers in medicine and dentistry,” said Krickus.

“The College Promise programs will give students in underserved communities access to the necessary training and skills to lead successful careers in industries that are in demand and growing,” he added.

Questions about Morristown College Promise can be directed to Julian Gomez, Director of the College Promise Program at CCM, (973) 328-5271, jgomez@ccm.edu.