Deptford , NJ (November 21, 2025) |
On Thursday, November 20, Rowan College of South Jersey (RCSJ), First Harvest Credit Union, and the Gloucester County Board of Commissioners celebrated the establishment of a new financial literacy lab – the First Harvest Financial Innovation Lab at RCSJ.
“It is a great honor to stand before you today as we mark a pivotal moment in our College’s history with the opening of the First Harvest Financial Innovation Lab,” remarked Gloucester County commissioner educational liaison, Joann Gattinelli. “It really shows the academic growth of Rowan College of South Jersey and what a blessing it is to have such great partners to ensure our vision and respond to the needs of our community.”
Located within the Rastelli Business and Corporate Center on RCSJ’s Gloucester campus, the First Harvest Financial Innovation Lab will provide essential resources to enhance financial literacy and workforce development in a dedicated environment where classroom theory connects directly with real-world financial applications.
“This lab will allow students to analyze financial data, explore budgeting and personal finance scenarios, work with hands-on banking technology, and gain first-hand insight into how financial institutions strengthen the communities they serve,” outlined Business Studies dean, Dominic Puggi, Ed.D. “We extend our sincere appreciation to First Harvest for supporting this initiative. Your investment in our students, our new Finance program, and this physical learning
space reflects a shared belief that financial literacy and career readiness are essential to the long term economic health of South Jersey.”
The literacy lab was made possible through a generous, $85,000 donation from First Harvest Credit Union, as part of its “85 Acts of Kindness” initiative to commemorate the institutions’ 85th anniversary. The establishment of the First Harvest Financial Innovation Lab at RCSJ marks their 80th act of service to the South Jersey community in 2025, joining other notable efforts, including food pantry donations, financial education for high school students, first responder and teacher appreciation initiatives, supporting local families through Habitat for Humanity, and so much more.
“We believe we have an inherent responsibility to invest in the South Jersey community where we were founded 85 years ago. We are proud to partner with Rowan College of South Jersey to create meaningful pathways that strengthen both our local workforce and our community, especially at a time when the cost of higher education is becoming unreachable for so many,” said First Harvest Credit Union president and CEO, Mike Dinneen. “The First Harvest Financial Innovation Lab partnership will prepare the workforce of the future by nurturing educational and economic opportunities for generations to come.”
This most recent donation represents yet another way the credit union has provided essential support to RCSJ and its students over the years.
“First Harvest has been a strong supporter of RCSJ for the past ten years, providing over $60,000 in scholarship support and sponsoring numerous Foundation events that help raise funds to provide resources such as lab kits, laptops, books, and educational materials. In 2012, they established a $25,000 endowment to offer annual scholarships to students pursuing a degree in business,” outlined executive director of Advancement & Foundation, Cody Miller. “This new pledge of $85,000 over the next 10 years will support the rehabilitation of the newly opened space, funding for financial software and technology upgrades, initiatives of the business division, and additional scholarship support through the already established scholarship fund.”
The partnership places a strong emphasis on creating pre- and post-graduation employment opportunities. RCSJ students will receive priority access to paid internship placements at one of First Harvest’s Gloucester, Cumberland, Atlantic, Burlington, Cape May, or
Camden County locations. In addition, a direct connection employment program will be established to help graduates explore employment opportunities through First Harvest’s Human Resources department.
For students like Daniel N., a second-year Business Administration major interested in transferring to Stockton University to complete a bachelor’s degree in Finance, the lab represents an important next step in his educational journey.
“I can confidently say that choosing RCSJ for my first two years of college is one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. This college has provided me with not only an education, but also with meaningful connections, mentors, and opportunities that have set the foundation for my future career,” he shared.
“Since elementary school, I’ve had an interest in fluctuating markets and the sneaker market was my first passion,” Daniel continued. “Now that I’m old enough to invest in stocks my passion has altered, and I fell in love with the world of investing. The First Harvest Financial Innovation Lab will be my next step in exploring my interest . . . I have a growing fascination with financial literacy and strategic investment. My goal is to help people make informed financial decisions that give them confidence and stability in the future.”
Providing students with the education, resources, and connections they need to grow into their future careers is exactly what The First Harvest Financial Innovation Lab was designed for.
“The connections that you make in college – with other students, alumni, faculty and staff, and business partners – those connections are absolutely critical in terms of the path your life takes. At RCSJ, those connections are what we take pride in,” remarked interim president, Brenden Rickards, Ph.D.
“By working with First Harvest to open this literacy lab, we’re going to be able to provide our students with more opportunities to connect, get that crucial experiential learning, and move on from investing in shoes to investing in the stock market – for their own benefit and the benefit of their future clients. So, to everyone at First Harvest: Thank you very much. RCSJ and its students truly appreciate the continued support.”
To learn more about the First Harvest Financial Innovation Lab and other offerings within RCSJ’s Division of Business Studies, visit RCSJ.edu/Business.
