William Paterson University is deepening its long-standing connection to its founding city through a new partnership with the New Jersey Community Development Corporation (NJCDC). The university announced it will establish William Paterson University College Central, a dedicated educational outreach space housed inside NJCDC’s upcoming youth recreation center in Paterson.
Designed to serve students, working adults, and local families, the initiative will provide comprehensive programming to support Paterson residents looking to prepare for, enroll in, and navigate higher education.
To kick off the project, NJCDC will hold a official groundbreaking ceremony for the new Front Street youth recreation center on Oct. 16. As part of a broader alliance between the two institutions, William Paterson University has committed both financial and in-kind resources to power the center’s long-term educational operations.
“We are proud to partner with the NJCDC to expand educational opportunities for the people of Paterson,” Richard Helldobler, president of William Paterson University, said. “As we mark the 75th year of our move to our current campus, it is an especially promising time to reaffirm and deepen the University’s connections to the city of our founding.”
Helldobler highlighted the university’s ongoing local efforts—including its participation in the Paterson Alliance, partnerships with local athletic entities like the Cosmos and Jackals, the Paterson Anchor Collaborative, and its Small Business Development Center—noting that “College Central will provide the people of Paterson with a significant new means of empowering themselves and their community through higher education.”
Staffed directly by William Paterson University personnel, College Central will offer a full pipeline of college-access and workforce readiness initiatives.
Key services for college-bound youth and prospective students will include:
- Admissions & Financial Guidance: College fairs, application and essay writing workshops, FAFSA assistance, and college-financing instruction.
- Streamlined Entry: Instant decision days, campus tour transportation, and dual-enrollment opportunities for high schoolers.
- Transfer Support: Specialized advising pathways, particularly designed to help Passaic County Community College (PCCC) students transition smoothly to four-year degree programs.
In addition to supporting high school students, College Central is structured as a community hub for adult learners seeking to start, resume, or finish their degree. Offerings for adults will encompass prior learning assessments, career certificates, micro-credentials, and non-credit enrichment programs.
Recognizing that educational success involves the whole family, College Central will host bilingual information sessions for parents and guardians, college-readiness seminars, and culturally responsive community events. Academic skill-building workshops will focus on core areas including writing, mathematics, test-taking strategies, time management, digital literacy, and emerging technical skills such as coding, gaming, and animation.
The center will also serve as a career development platform. Planned initiatives include:
- Resume building and interview preparation workshops.
- Career exploration tools, job fairs, and placement assistance.
- Connections for job shadowing and local internship opportunities.
- Entrepreneurial support offered in conjunction with William Paterson’s Small Business Development Center and the Center for Socially Responsible Entrepreneurship and Innovation.
Beyond its impact on Paterson residents, the partnership creates substantial hands-on learning opportunities for current William Paterson University students. Through mentoring, tutoring, and community engagement roles at College Central, WPU undergraduates and graduates will gain valuable service-learning experience directly in the field.
Further updates regarding construction timelines and program launch dates will follow the Oct. 16 groundbreaking ceremony on Front Street.
