(MIDDLESEX COUNTY, NJ) -- Middlesex College and the Middlesex County Division of History and Historic Preservation launched a pilot program in fall 2023 to take advantage of the County's own unique sites in providing students a glimpse into County life, culture, and ideas during the 1700s.
Middlesex College students visited East Jersey Old Town Village (EJOTV) in Piscataway last October as part of their coursework in Colonial U.S. History.
According to Cristobal Espinoza-Wulach, a history professor at the College, that experience and the collection of artifacts found at EJOTV over the course of a semester served as the basis for students building digital archives and analyzing qualitive data.
“That experience connected students with their local history and community,” he said. “The visit also enabled them to engage with those concepts using offline content that empowered them to think and create beyond AI data sets.”
The success of the pilot program has led to the College expanding its partnership with the Middlesex County Division of History and Historic Preservation with additional course offerings that incorporate similar opportunities. For the spring semester, four U.S. History I courses will offer site experiences with one taught at an actual site operated by the Division of History and Historic Preservation.
“Our partnership with Middlesex College represents how County institutions can work together to serve the community,” said Mark Nonestied, Middlesex County historian and head of the Middlesex County Division of History and Historic Preservation. “It’s important that current and future generations understand and appreciate the history of where they live and how it can be used to inform and build the future of their community.”
Espinoza-Wulach says there are additional plans in development, including possible internship opportunities with the Division of History and Historic Preservation.
“Our partnership with the County enables us to engage students with the environment that shaped the generation of the American Revolution. In doing so, we hope to ensure that new generations understand the roots of their community and those who set the foundations for our democracy,” said Espinoza-Wulach.
Middlesex College, established in 1964, is a public, two-year institution of higher education located in the heart of New Jersey. With a main campus in Edison and centers in New Brunswick and Perth Amboy, Middlesex College offers over 90 degree and certificate programs encouraging its more than 10,000 students to explore, grow, and thrive. Middlesex College, through dedicated faculty, state-of-the-art educational facilities, and holistic student supports, is committed to providing a high-quality, affordable college education that provides every student an opportunity for growth and achievement. Middlesex College is Middlesex County’s premier destination for lifelong learning and workforce training.
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