About NCLC

NCLC was launched in January 2015 to ensure that all Newark residents have the opportunity, information, and access to go to college, afford college, complete college, and ultimately obtain good jobs. As Newark continues to experience an economic resurgence, residents need to be equipped with the skills and credentials to compete for employment in the city.

Compared to state and national rates, Newarkers have fallen behind in post-secondary attainment, or degrees and credentials earned after high school. In 2018 roughly 21% of Newark residents had earned an associate degree or higher, compared to 46% of all New Jersey residents and 40% of Americans. In today’s economy, more than half of all jobs require a credential higher than a high school diploma or GED. For Newark to thrive, it is essential that more residents go to college.

NCLC is made up of partners from community-based organizations, K – 12 schools, local government, foundations, corporations, and higher education. All partners support a shared goal of increasing the proportion of Newark residents with a degree or credential beyond high school to 25% by the year 2025 and ultimately sustaining Newark’s college-going culture well beyond 2025.

NCLC ensures Newarkers have the opportunity, information, and access to obtain:

• Bachelor’s Degrees
• Associate Degrees
• High-Quality Credentials Aligned to High-Growth Industries