New ECC–Montclair State Transfer Agreement Expands Pathways

ECC President Dr. Augustine A. Boakye and MSU President Dr. Jonathan Koppell are pictured during the signing ceremony for a new transfer agreement at ECC’s Newark campus.

NEWARK, N.J. – A new transfer agreement between Essex County College (ECC) and Montclair State University (MSU) will make it easier for ECC students to complete bachelor’s degrees at Montclair State University.

The agreement, signed Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025, by ECC President Dr. Augustine A. Boakye and MSU President Dr. Jonathan Koppell during a ceremony at ECC’s Newark campus, goes into effect upon signing and will remain in place for five years, with automatic renewal for additional five-year terms. Under the agreement, students who earn an Associate of Applied Science, Associate of Arts, Associate of Science or Associate of Fine Arts degree at ECC will be able to seamlessly transfer into select Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Fine Arts programs at MSU.

The first curriculum mapping approved under the agreement is the articulation of ECC’s Associate of Applied Science in New Media Technology to Montclair State’s Bachelor of Fine Arts in Animation and Visual Effects.

ECC President Dr. Augustine A. Boakye and MSU President Dr. Jonathan Koppell pose with students and administrators to mark a new transfer agreement between the two institutions.

The agreement establishes a framework for future transfer pathways, allowing students to plan for a bachelor’s degree from the start of their academic journey at ECC. By aligning coursework between the two institutions, the partnership is designed to minimize duplicate credits, reduce time to degree completion and help students maximize their financial resources.

“It is a great honor and privilege to have two great institutions come together to sign this articulation agreement,” said Dr. Augustine A. Boakye, president of Essex County College. “This agreement reflects our shared belief in building stronger, more coordinated pathways for students. The goal is to change lives through education, and this partnership is just the beginning. I want to extend our appreciation to President Jonathan Koppell and the many leaders who worked behind the scenes to bring this agreement to fruition.”

The partnership also supports ECC’s broader mission of expanding educational access and strengthening transfer opportunities for students seeking to complete their undergraduate education at Montclair State University.

“This partnership is about giving everyone the opportunity to develop their potential,” said Dr. Jonathan Koppell, president of Montclair State University. “Both of our institutions are deeply committed to making education accessible. Creating meaningful pathways for students requires the kind of collaboration we are marking today. This agreement is not a starting point, but an important milestone as we continue to deepen our partnership in service of students.”