RCSJ honors high school equivalency graduates with free college credits

Rowan College of South Jersey used its High School Equivalency Recognition Ceremony to do more than celebrate a milestone. At the Gloucester campus, about 40 graduates were handed a public signal that their second chance could also become a next step, with President Frederick Keating surprising each student with six college credits at no cost.

Joe Spencer, director of the college’s Career & Technical Education Division, welcomed graduates, family members, friends, faculty and staff to the ceremony. Keating told the students they were “shaking hands with opportunity,” a phrase that fit the college’s message that high school equivalency is not an ending but a doorway into college and work.

For adults who did not finish a formal high school program, Rowan College says its High School Equivalency program can start with a basic-skills assessment and lead to classes that prepare students for the HiSET or TASC test. Passing that assessment can earn a New Jersey high school diploma issued by the State Department of Education, a credential that can open the door to job applications, training programs and college admission. The college also says its adult basic education programs are built to move students toward college information sessions, work readiness and computer literacy workshops, all of which matter for adults trying to re-enter a labor market that increasingly expects digital skills and formal credentials.

Lakeisha Hollmon gave that path a human face. As one of the student speakers, she said she earned her diploma at age 38 after becoming a mother at 15 and is now pursuing a career in health care. Her story underscored what the credential can mean in Cumberland County and the wider region: a way for parents, workers and caregivers to move into steadier employment, particularly in fields such as health care where education and certification often determine whether a job is reachable at all.

Rowan College says its adult education offerings are available in hybrid and in-person formats, and that the programming is funded by the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development. The college listed enrollment windows for summer 2026, fall 2026 and spring 2027, part of a pipeline designed for adults who need a schedule that fits work, family responsibilities and transportation barriers. In a county where many residents are balancing low wages, child care and limited time, the message from the Gloucester campus was direct: a high school equivalency credential can still change the terms of a life.