The state money will enable the college to buy more equipment and increase its computer-to-student ratio. New equipment will also enable the college to increase its curriculum to include video animation.
Pokrass said the computer ratio in the graphic arts program now is four students to one computer.
"We intend to increase that ratio to one computer to each student as well as purchasing hardware and software," he said.
The cooking and baking certificate program will benefit from a grant to construct a new food and baking lab at the Pemberton Campus.
The students will be cooking for the new "Cranberry Room" restaurant on the Pemberton Campus, according to Pokrass.
The federal "Success Seminars" grant will be used to conduct an instruction series for students who are on academic probation. The program objective is to build self-esteem and motivate students to improve their academic performance.
Pokrass said the program will concentrate on how to compensate for academic weaknesses.
Another series will help educators to recognize students who have learning disabilities. The seminars will instruct high school counselors and teachers at the college to recognize learning disabled students and help the students determine if they should continue their education.
"Students with a learning disability often do not want others to be able to recognize the problem," said Pokrass. "This program will aid in solving this problem."
Burlington County College also received a $100,000 state grant to integrate microcomputers into the basic math curriculum through the use of lap-top computers. Part of the money will also be used to make microcomputers a part of the statistics curriculum.
"Students who may have a fear of math will benefit from these computers," Pokrass said.
The college also will share a state grant with the New Jersey Institute of Technology as part of the NJIT certificate program in hazardous-waste cleanup. Previously offered at NJIT in cooperation with Middlesex County College, the program will now be offered this fall at Burlington.
The purpose of the program is to upgrade the skills of hazardous-waste workers who have completed the Environmental Protection Agency's mandated one- week training program.
The program is also targeted at those who are required under federal law to attain professional credentials to supervise the cleanup of hazardous sites.
