(PDF) (DOC) (JPG)December 17, 2025

MAHWAH, NJ — Ramapo College of New Jersey and Thomas Edison State University have signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) affirming their shared commitment to expand access to high-quality, flexible educational pathways for learners at every stage of their academic and professional journeys.

The agreement, signed by presidents Dr. Cindy R. Jebb of Ramapo and Dr. Merodie A. Hancock of Thomas Edison, in a special ceremony at New Jersey’s State House on December 16, 2025, officially marks the collaborative effort between two of New Jersey’s public institutions that responds to the evolving needs of workforce development and communities across the state.

The LOI outlines the guiding principles that will inform the institutions’ joint work. Ramapo and Thomas Edison will prioritize immediate, student-centered action by focusing on educational access and flexibility for traditional-age students, adult learners and non-traditional populations. Both institutions reaffirm their commitment to academic quality, accreditation standards and institutional autonomy as they explore new ways to connect learners with programs that support their goals. The partnership also emphasizes mutual benefit and long-term sustainability, ensuring that initiatives advance each institution’s mission while generating meaningful outcomes for students. Agility and innovation will guide the collaboration as the institutions work to meet rapidly changing workforce, economic and community development demands.

Under the LOI, Ramapo and Thomas Edison will continue exploring several initial areas of collaboration. These include the development of articulated master’s degree pathways that create seamless transitions from undergraduate programs at one institution to graduate programs at the other. The institutions will also continue to examine opportunities to offer responsive certificate programs, stackable credentials and micro-certificates aligned with emerging workforce trends and career-advancement needs. Additional areas of focus include establishing new degree-completion pathways — particularly those that incorporate prior learning assessment for adult learners and others who have earned credits but have not yet completed a degree — and coordinating student support services such as aligned advising where applicable.

“This agreement reflects the best of what public higher education can offer — collaboration, innovation and an unwavering focus on students,” said Jebb. “We look forward to the work ahead with Thomas Edison State University as we design pathways that are responsive, inclusive, aligned with the needs of today’s learners and also contribute to New Jersey’s workforce development.”

“This Letter of Intent represents a proactive and forward-looking commitment to New Jersey’s learners,” said Hancock. “By leveraging Ramapo’s strengths as a leading public liberal arts college with TESU’s decades of expertise serving adult students through online and flexible learning, we are creating pathways that are both academically rigorous and immediately responsive to the needs of students and employers.”

New Jersey Secretary of Higher Education Dr. Brian Bridges is supportive of the collaborative initiative between Ramapo and Thomas Edison. “This partnership exemplifies how collaboration across New Jersey higher education institutions is working to expand opportunities for all learners and drive innovation in our state,” said Bridges. “As institutions statewide continue to develop and deepen alignment, every New Jersey resident is being empowered to succeed.”

TESU and RCNJ will expedite work to assess, design and prioritize joint initiatives stemming from this agreement. The institutions expect to announce specific program pathways and offerings as they are developed.

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About Ramapo College

Ramapo College of New Jersey is the state’s premier public liberal arts college and is committed to academic excellence through interdisciplinary and experiential learning, and international and intercultural understanding. The comprehensive college is situated among the beautiful Ramapo Mountains, is within commuting distance to New York City, was named one of the 50 Most Beautiful College Campuses in America by CondeNast Traveler, and boasts the best on-campus housing in New Jersey per Niche.com. Established in 1969, Ramapo College offers bachelor’s degrees in the arts, business, data science, humanities, social sciences and the sciences, as well as in professional studies, which include business, education, nursing and social work. In addition, the College offers courses leading to teacher certification at the elementary and secondary levels, and offers graduate programs leading to master’s degrees in Accounting, Applied Mathematics, Business Administration, Contemporary Instructional Design, Computer Science, Creative Music Technology, Data Science, Educational Leadership, Nursing, Social Work and Special Education, as well as a Doctor of Nursing Practice. To learn more about Ramapo College, visit ramapo.edu.

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