Cassadie Hynd is the board’s first ‘3+1’ student . ‘3+1’ students save money completing an RCBC associate degree and Rowan University bachelor’s degree.
The Rowan College at Burlington County (RCBC) Board of Trustees recently welcomed May 2017 graduate Cassadie Hynd as an Alumni Trustee, marking the first time a 3+1 student has been appointed to the board.
This spring, RCBC became the first community college in this region of the country to offer junior-year courses as part of its 3+1 program.
The 3+1 program allows students to save money while completing an RCBC associate degree and Rowan University bachelor’s degree.
Since debuting in January, RCBC officials say roughly 380 students have committed to the program with 560 more interested in it.
“3+1 has transformed higher education in Burlington County,” said Burlington County Freeholder Linda Hughes, who serves as education liaison. “This innovative program sets Rowan College at Burlington County apart from colleges throughout the nation while helping develop leaders such as trustee Hynd.”
Hynd was part of the RCBC Foundation’s Dress for Success program and will continue in her role as vice president of service in the Phi Theta Kappa honor society.
“It’s an honor to represent Rowan College at Burlington County in the community as an alumni trustee,” Hynd said. “As one of the first students in the 3+1 program, I look forward to showing the community about the success and leadership opportunities that RCBC offers to students.”
Hynd, who is currently enrolled in RCBC’s 3+1 program for psychology, plans to go for her master’s degree and become a therapist and open her own practice.
“3+1 provides an exceptional opportunity to our students and we’re so thrilled to welcome a 3+1 pioneer to our board,” Board Chair George Nyikita said. “Students are our top priority and we value the opportunity to have students formally represented on our board of trustees.”
When she’s not in school, Hynd holds two jobs, one at the college’s library circulation desk and another as a bank teller. In her spare time, she enjoys yoga, listening to music, going out to eat and spending time with nature.
“As 3+1 leads our Rowan College at Burlington County forward into the future, students in the 3+1 program are true leaders in their community,” RCBC President Paul Drayton said. “I look forward to working with Trustee Hynd and our growing number of 3+1 students who represent the vanguard of higher education.”
The alumni trustee is a non-voting position with a one-year term. Hynd is replacing Kevin Wright, the college’s inspirational valedictorian in 2016 who overcame dyslexia and the lack of a formal high school education to earn his RCBC associate degree, nursing degree from Thomas Jefferson University and is now pursuing a master’s degree in nursing.
For more information about RCBC’s 3+1 program, visit rcbc.edu/3plus1.
