Bergen Community College Students Earn $2,000 Scholarships

Bergen Community College students Janus Varela, of Bergenfield, and Brenda Turkdogan, of Clifton, each received $2,000 scholarships from the State of New Jersey for the cost of enrollment in certificate programs at BCC as part of the Governor’s Industry Vocations Scholarship for Women and Minorities.

The program—also known as NJ-GIVS—targets students pursuing non-degree certificate programs in construction-related fields. With a half-million dollars in state-appropriated funds, the newly launched program helps students secure in-demand, high-skilled jobs.

“In my case, I'm very glad it worked out,” Varela, who wants to enter the green energy workforce, said. “Otherwise, I would have remained in career limbo.”

Poised to start certificate programs in 2014 offered by the BCC’s Division of Continuing Education, Varela plans to complete the green technologies and sustainability program, while Turkdogan studies Computer Aided Design and Drafting.

“It’s a great starting point in these economic times,” Turkdogan who anticipates completing a degree program at the college after earning a certificate, said.

Roseanne Crisafi, coordinator of green initiatives at Bergen, identified the opportunity for students—after alerting the students about the scholarship, Crisafi facilitated and tracked their applications following the October deadline.

“She’s been instrumental in my success at Bergen. I would not have found the opportunity on my own,” Turkdogan said.