Governance
Essex County College Facts
Discover
Degrees & Programs
Academics
Continuing Education
Workforce Training & Business Solutions
Paying for College
Path to ECC
Student Life
Campus Information
Student Services
Why ECC?
NEWARK, N.J.– Essex County College has been selected to participate in the CIBER Consortium for Education Abroad (CC/FEA) Initiative, a national program led by The Forum on Education Abroad. The program, valued at approximately $5,000, will provide year-long training and capacity-building support for ECC’s Center for Global Education and Experiences.
Through this initiative, four ECC faculty members – Dr. Akil Khalfani, Professor Patrick Saint Fort, Dr. Bridget Turner, and Professor John Hammond — will work together to strengthen the College’s international education offerings. Over the next 12 to 18 months, they will participate in workshops, webinars, and networking opportunities designed to expand global learning pathways for community college students.
“This opportunity will help us create new ways for our students to connect with the world,” said Dr. Akil Khalfani, Director of ECC’s Center for Global Education and Experiences and the Africana Institute, which celebrates its 25th anniversary this year. “We want every student to see global engagement as achievable, regardless of their background or field of study.”
As part of the program, ECC will collaborate with a mentor institution and receive complimentary membership in The Forum on Education Abroad through June 2027. The initiative includes participation in the organization’s 2026 Annual Conference in Nashville, Tennessee, where ECC faculty will contribute to discussions on best practices in international education.
Funded by the Centers for International Business Education and Research (CIBER), with support from AIFS and the Gertz-Pellicane Foundation, the initiative aims to strengthen community colleges’ ability to develop meaningful education-abroad experiences.
Participation in this initiative underscores Essex County College’s commitment to preparing students for a more connected and competitive world – one where education extends far beyond the classroom.
