Distinguished Alum Dr. Jacob Farbman offers advice to CAP graduates

In his nearly three decades with the New Jersey Council of County Colleges, Dr. Jacob C. Farbman has earned the reputation for high integrity, trustworthiness and an unwavering dedication to the community college mission.

A Salem Community College graduate and NJCCC’s Executive Director of Economic Mobility, Dr. Farbman gave the keynote address at the inaugural College Acceleration Program (CAP) graduation ceremony for 43 students on June 8 in the Sol and Jean Davidow Theatre on the SCC campus. The 42 seniors and one junior from Penns Grove High School’s Early College program and the Salem County Career & Technical High School’s Academy programs graduated from SCC before earning their high school diploma.

Dr. Farbman, pictured with the graduates, has served on the NJCCC team since 1999 in many roles, including Public Relations Officer, Director of Communications, and Executive Director of the New Jersey Center for Student Success.

“Whether it is doing what you say you are going to do, presenting yourself professionally, being on time, meeting project deadlines, or any other essential skill, all of these things have an impact on your professional reputation,” said Dr. Farbman, a 1996 SCC graduate who went on to earn a bachelor’s degree, a master’s degree and a doctorate in educational leadership from Rowan University.

“In addition,” he said, “if you live the best version of yourselves each day, strive to do what is right, and do your best to make good decisions, it will be very easy to continue strengthening your reputation. Work every day for your reputation.

“By the way, earning your college degree before you graduate high school… that’s already a strong starting point for building an exceptional reputation,” said Dr. Farbman, who has been recognized with many honors, including the SCC Distinguished Alumni Award. 
He also shared the following advice with the CAP graduates, representing the Salem County Vocational-Technical Schools’ academy programs and Penns Grove High School’s Early College program:

• Ask Yourself: "What Do I Care About?"
• Leverage Your College Degree
• Discover and Utilize Your Gift

“Graduates, you possess a rare combination of talent and raw ambition,” concluded Dr. Farbman. “To graduate college before high school means you refuse to let conventional norms dictate your potential. You didn't wait for the future to happen to you—you went out and claimed it.

“As you leave Salem Community College today, carry the pride of this place with you. Remember where you started, but never put a ceiling on where you can go. Be bold. Ask the hard questions, make good, informed decisions, leverage this incredible degree, use your God-given gifts, and go change the world.”