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Brookdale Community College, in Lincroft, has been a first stop and a return trip for countless tens of thousands of students since the sprawling campus first opened its doors in 1967.

But, Brookdale is more than just another of the Garden State's 19 community colleges. In fact, it has carved out a special place in the educational landscape and has become a prominent leader in vocational training and retraining. Consequently, the college has become a vital resource, given today's economic environment and changing career paths.

Nancy M. Kegelman is the dean of academic affairs at Brookdale Community College, in Lincroft. Kegelman holds a bachelor's degree from Montclair State University, a Master's of Business Administration from Fairleigh Dickinson University and is completing her doctorate at Rowan University.

She said that one barometer of how careers are changing can be seen in the college's enrollment. Between the Fall '08 and '09 semesters at Brookdale, enrollment raised 8.2 percent, to 16,335 students at the college today, according to Kegelman. The dean noted that 35 percent of Brookdale's students are on a career or certificate track.

When asked if Brookdale's mission has changed dramatically since the economic crisis broke during the past year or so, Kegelman was candid. "The mission has not changed; however, the programs and delivery have in response to the economy.

"Some of the less popular programs have been replaced with new programs in response to students and employer needs. Other programs have been redesigned and repackaged to meet industry and employer needs," Kegelman said.

Kegelman said, "The most popular career programs are those that lead to living-wage jobs. The most popular by far is nursing followed by other allied health degrees and business. The Alternate Route Teacher Certification Program attracts hundreds of interested students each year." Notably, the most popular academic programs have been approved for funding from the Workforce Investment Board (WIB).

"We found that some career changers already had degrees and were seeking new skills. In response to degree-holding career changers, the Legal Studies Department faculty designed a two-semester certificate for associate or bachelors degree holders seeking a new career as a paralegal," Kegelman noted.

Programs approved by the WIB includes academic degrees and certificates in: accounting, business, communication design, computer science, culinary, electronics, fashion merchandising, health information technology, human services, interior design, network information technology, paralegal and paralegal certificate. Within the next year, Kegelman said she expects the college to add programs in: medical coding certification and associates programs in computer aided drafting and design, digital animation, automotive, respiratory therapy, radiologic technology and engineering, among others.

At $115 per credit hour, Kegelman noted that Brookdale represents an economical, as well as an efficient way, of retraining for the 21st century workplace.

Brookdale has also formed important partnerships with other educational institutions of higher learning, such as with Georgian Court, Monmouth, Rutgers, Kean and William Paterson universities to help augment their abilities to serve the student body.

Kegelman concluded, "Brookdale seeks to be innovative addressing workforce training from several perspectives including curriculum, accelerated program delivery, technology and partnerships.

For more information about Brookdale, go to the college's website.

(VIDEO) Nancy M. Kegelman, dean of academic affairs, speaking about workforce development, career programs that lead to living wage jobs.