VINELAND — The members of this year’s Student Pathways Leadership Institute at Cumberland County College are learning to develop the skills needed to become effective leaders. At the same time, they are making a difference by giving back to the community.

The team comprised of CCC students Sarah Donovan, Angel Gutierrez, Derek Smith and Jonathan White, organized an education and awareness symposium on the topic of HIV/AIDS that was open to the community. The symposium featured topic experts who discussed the facts about HIV/AIDS, its causes and methods for preventing the spread of the disease. Keynote speaker was Dr. John Ahrens, an Infectious Diseases specialist from South Jersey Healthcare Regional Medical Center.

Students Brenda Ackley, Zulibette Adorno, Martin Dunns, Angelica Mercado, Jordan Robbins and Amanda Roesly dubbed their team, Leaders of Compassion. Their project was a fundraiser to benefit special needs children in Cumberland County. The team organized a “Special Needs Walk” the proceeds from which were donated to the Fairton campus of Salem County Special Services School District for the purpose of purchasing a Wii gaming system that will encourage developmental growth among special needs students.

For their leadership project, the team of Ariel Ceasar, Oscar Cortes, Troy Holdcraft, Leann Marshall, Reema Patel and Erin Thompson planned the “Battle of the Dukes” pep rally that brought awareness to, collected items for, and honored local veterans and the servicemen and servicewomen currently stationed overseas. Items collected during the event will go to the Military Support Group of New Jersey. The students also partnered with the “Socks for Soldiers” campaign.

CCC’s Student Pathways Leadership Institute began four years ago to give students a more comprehensive window of opportunity to not only showcase their talents, but also develop a personal “toolbox” for success.

The college’s SPLI planning team facilitates growth and development each semester with leadership sessions and community projects.

“This year's SPLI program has reached new heights. The students are excited about their community projects,” said Kellie Slade, CCC’s Director of Student Life and Athletics. “Through the Student Pathways Leadership Institute, students gain personal leadership skills and ones that will benefit their future professionally.”

Youth Leadership Cumb. County Touts Inaugural Class

VINELAND — The Center for Leadership, Community and Neighborhood Development at Cumberland County College is pleased to announce the participants of the inaugural class of the Youth Leadership Cumberland County program. The program is offered to high school sophomores from throughout the county.

Participants included 22 students from six area high schools. They are: Nadia Albino, Sean Carter, Lizbeth Hernandez, Leopoldo Marquez and Betsabe Santiago from Bridgeton High School; Lauren Davis and Luke Fahrnbach from Cumberland Regional High School; Daniel Brewster, Ashley Jones, Taylor Lloyd, Ariel Melendez, Jesse Todd and Samantha Waltman from Millville Senior High School; Gabrielle Calabrese, Rebekah Catalana, Danielle Devilli, Alissa Kazan and Samantha Winterburn from Our Lady of Mercy Academy; Kevin Pettit from St. Augustine Preparatory School; and Crysta Gonzalez, Robin Juan and Maryann Wallace from Vineland High School.

Youth Leadership Cumberland County’s program objectives focus on encouraging personal development, cultivating leadership skills, exploring possibilities, valuing diversity and promoting pride in Cumberland County.

Through the Center for Leadership, Community and Neighborhood Development, and in conjunction with the Leadership Cumberland County program, high school sophomores are afforded a unique opportunity to uncover their leadership potential while discovering the county in which they live. Upon completion of the nine-month program, students receive three credits from Cumberland County College.

The Youth Leadership Cumberland County program is funded through grants from the Cumberland Empowerment Zone Corp. and PNC Community Bank.

CCC students among 31 honored by NJ Council of County Colleges

VINELAND —Cumberland County College students Andrew Benfer of Bridgeton and Toya Edmeads of Vineland have been named to the 2010 New Jersey All-State Academic Team.

Benfer and Edmeads were two of the 31 community college scholars to be honored by the New Jersey Council of County Colleges during its 16th annual Phi Theta Kappa Day celebration at the Marriott at Lafayette Yard Hotel in Trenton on May 6.

Phi Theta Kappa has recognized and encouraged scholarship among community college students for 92 years while promoting the academic integrity of the associate degree program. Students with grade point averages of 3.5 or higher are invited to join Phi Theta Kappa.