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Success Story

Breaking Barriers at Bergen Community College

Bergen Community College is committed to removing barriers that impact student success. Through a combination of essential support services, innovative engagement initiatives, and data-driven decision-making, the institution has created a more connected and supportive campus experience.
Institution Type:
Public Community College
Customer Since:
2023
Student Population:
13,000
Location:
Paramus, New Jersey

About Bergen Community College

Founded in 1963, Bergen Community College is the largest community college in New Jersey, serving approximately 13,000 students each year. Dedicated to providing accessible, high-quality education, Bergen’s student-centered approach focuses on removing barriers, supporting student well-being, and fostering a strong sense of community.

Outcomes

Since implementing CampusGroups in 2023, Bergen has increased event participation, improved student communication, and strengthened its data-informed approach to student success. Key outcomes include:
Increased Student Engagement
Campus-wide notifications and mobile communications have significantly boosted event awareness and participation across campus.
Stronger Student Connections
By combining comprehensive support services with meaningful engagement opportunities, Bergen has created a more connected campus community.
More Informed Decision-Making
Engagement data helps Bergen evaluate impact, improve programs, and allocate resources more effectively.
“Students need their basic needs met first”
“Students need their basic needs met first—whether it's food, clothing, or mental health support—to be successful in the classroom. The rigor of being a student should be in the classroom, not in navigating resources, finding support, or staying enrolled.”
Dr. A.J. Trump, Vice President of Student Affairs
Bergen Community Collge
“We amplified events with campus-wide notifications”
“Once we adopted the CampusGroups app, we amplified events with campus-wide notifications. At Pizza with the President, we had such a huge turnout that we needed more pizzas and a bigger space.”
Dr. A.J. Trump, Vice President of Student Affairs
Bergen Community Collge
“Data allows us to identify what works”
“We track event participation, student engagement, and outcomes to make informed decisions. Data allows us to identify what works, iterate on ideas, and strategically reallocate resources.”
Dr. A.J. Trump, Vice President of Student Affairs
Bergen Community Collge

Challenges

Bergen’s student success strategy required addressing barriers both inside and outside the classroom. The institution needed to support students’ basic needs, improve engagement, and better understand participation patterns. This included:

Removing Barriers to Student Success: Many students face barriers outside the classroom that can affect academic success and persistence. Access to food, clothing, childcare, and mental health support can significantly impact a student’s ability to stay enrolled.

Strengthening Student Engagement and Communication: Bergen faced challenges engaging students and fostering a strong sense of community across campus. Ensuring students were aware of opportunities, events, and resources remained an ongoing priority.

Improving Visibility Into Participation and Outcomes: The institution lacked sufficient visibility into participation trends and student outcomes. This made it more difficult to measure impact, evaluate programs, and identify opportunities for improvement.

Solutions

Bergen implemented a comprehensive strategy that aligned directly with its core challenges. The approach combined essential support services, centralized engagement technology, and data-informed planning.

  1. Comprehensive Support Services: Bergen provides essential services, including a food pantry, clothing closet, daycare services, and personal counseling. These resources are promoted and centralized through the CampusGroups platform, making it easier for students to discover and access support when they need it. By helping students meet their basic needs, Bergen enables them to stay focused on learning and academic success.
  2. CampusGroups Student Engagement Platform: To strengthen engagement, Bergen upgraded to the CampusGroups student engagement platform and mobile app. CampusGroups enables the institution to promote events, communicate with students, and send campus-wide notifications through one centralized channel.
  3. Engagement Data and Strategic Planning: Bergen uses engagement data in CampusGroups to evaluate participation, measure outcomes, and improve student success strategies. These insights help the institution identify what works, refine programs, and allocate resources more effectively.

Conclusion

Bergen Community College demonstrates how a holistic approach to student success can create meaningful impact. By addressing students’ basic needs, strengthening campus engagement, and leveraging data-driven insights, the institution has built a more supportive and connected campus environment.