(TOMS RIVER, NJ) -- Ocean County College has been selected as one of the grantees of Lumina Foundation's mini-grant opportunity and first-ever Instagram challenge. A total of seven community colleges have been awarded $50,000 each to enhance their digital outreach and marketing efforts. Their engaging Instagram Reel showcased the exceptional value and vibrant experiences that Ocean County College offers, helping us stand out among over 100 entries from public, accredited two-year institutions nationwide.

The winners include: Ocean County College, NJ; Ohlone College, CA Community College of Beaver County, PA; State University of New York (SUNY) Niagara, NY; Owens Community College, OH; Chaffey College, CA; and Jefferson State Community College, AL.

The Instagram challenge invited community colleges to create a 90-second Reel, highlighting why their college is the best choice for practicality, convenience, and excellence. By participating, we aimed to highlight #WhatsExcellent about Ocean County College and demonstrate the extraordinary opportunities available to our students.

“The grant will assist OCC in developing an exciting new digital outreach program that will provide our students with opportunities to develop their creative skills, gain valuable experience, and build a strong portfolio for their future, while showcasing the vibrant campus life, diverse student body, and exceptional programs offered here at OCC,” said Dr. Pamela Monaco, president of Ocean County College. “I am thrilled by the collaboration from our enrollment services team with college relations, and the amazing talent of the students and team who created our winning Reel.”

“For the past two years, Lumina has engaged in a national conversation about understanding and strengthening community college brands,” said Mary Laphen Pope, Lumina's strategy officer for participation. “While discussions often focus on challenges such as enrollment declines, success stories about community colleges and their students are rarely highlighted. We aim to change that.”

Community colleges like OCC embody the dreams and aspirations of our communities, offering excellent student services, beautiful campus facilities, heartfelt community engagement, and dynamic classroom experiences. We are excited to continue sharing our stories and highlighting the diverse and profound impact of a community college education.

“We were excited to offer this mini-grant opportunity and so impressed by all the outstanding video reels we received. We hope this initiative will help shift the narrative around community colleges and all that they offer,” added Laphen Pope.

Lumina invites community colleges to continue sharing their stories and highlighting their excellent work. For more information about the mini-grant challenge and to apply for future opportunities, visit Lumina’s Challenge Page.

For 60 years, Ocean County College, a public two-year community college sponsored by Ocean County and the State of New Jersey, has provided area residents with the opportunity to benefit from higher education. OCC is an innovative academic leader offering affordable, student-centered, high-quality educational experiences that prepare and empower diverse learners to contribute to and succeed in global societies. OCC invests in and fosters academic, economic, and cultural excellence, and ensures financial strength by generating new revenue streams, engaging in national and international university and corporate partnerships, and cultivating a technologically progressive and entrepreneurial spirit.

Lumina Foundation is an independent, private foundation in Indianapolis committed to making opportunities for learning beyond high school available to all. We envision higher learning that is easy to navigate, addresses racial injustice, and meets the nation’s talent needs through a broad range of credentials. We are working toward a system that prepares people for informed citizenship and success in a global economy.