OCC Now Offering Degree in Homeland Security

Students interested in careers in the growing homeland security industry can now earn associates degrees in that field at Ocean County College.

Gina Suriano, OCC’s Director of Resource Development, said the New Jersey Council of County Colleges approved the curriculum for the degree. Homeland security courses are now offered at the college.

Those who earn the two-year degree at OCC will be able to use it to pursue a four-year degree at Monmouth University in West Long Branch, explained David Wolfe, senior assistant to OCC President Dr. Jon Larson.

It may not end there.

Another of Larson’s assistants, Bray Barnes, urged some members of New Jersey’s delegation in the House to support efforts to create a Homeland Security Education and Training Center at Joint Base McGuire, Dix, Lakehurst.

One Member, Rep. Chris Smith, R-4th, said that his cousin is one of the top assistants to Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, which will not hurt the cause of creating the center at the base.

Barnes said all of the members cautioned that the ban on the use of earmarks to ease special projects through the budget process will make funding the center more difficult.

If the center is created, Wolfe said OCC could be involved in training Air Marshalls, the State Police, FBI, and Port Authority officers for homeland security assignments.

“We had interesting and productive visitis with all the congressmen, who expressed support for our programs,’’ said Larson.

The OCC delegation also discussed a partnership between the Navy, the college, and Specialty Systems Inc. of Toms River to develop an aviation data management and control system to support tactical ship operations.

Also on the wish list as the creation of an OCC School of E-Learning, Larson said.