Rider University and Mercer County Community College have entered into a five-year guaranteed transfer agreement, aimed at enhancing educational opportunities for students. This collaboration was formalized by Rider President Gregory G. Dell’Omo, Ph.D., and Mercer County Community College President Deborah E. Preston, Ph.D.
The agreement encompasses 42 program-to-program agreements that have been updated to align with the latest curriculum offerings. Among these programs are education, film and television, game design, cybersecurity, and all business majors offered by Rider.
A notable inclusion is the program-to-program agreement linking Mercer's Associate of Applied Science in Information Technology: Cybersecurity Concentration to Rider's Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity. This specific pathway underscores both institutions' commitment to preparing students for careers in growing fields with necessary technical skills and practical experience.
Dell’Omo emphasized the importance of such partnerships in adapting to evolving higher education landscapes and changing student needs: “As higher education continues to evolve and students’ needs change, partnerships like ours are critical to ensuring that students can earn their degrees in a flexible, affordable and personalized manner.”
These agreements enable Mercer students who meet certain academic criteria while earning their associate degree to transition smoothly into completing their undergraduate studies at Rider.
Preston echoed this sentiment: “Like our partners at Rider, we are committed to providing the most comprehensive, accessible and seamless transition toward a high-quality, four-year degree,” she said. She added that they aim to create "convenient, supportive pathways" for obtaining bachelor's degrees through this partnership.
For over ten years, Rider and Mercer have collaborated on initiatives facilitating bachelor’s degree completion for students. Recent expansions include special room and board rates for Mercer students residing on Rider’s campus as well as tuition discounts for Mercer employees.
Rider has established similar transfer agreements with several other community colleges including Brookdale Community College, Bucks County Community College, County College of Morris, Middlesex County College, Raritan Valley Community College along with Mercer County Community College itself.
