Warren Community College (Warren), which already boasts one of the premier Unmanned Systems (drones) programs in the country, is about to get an even bigger boost. 

In a joint statement, NJ Governor Phil Murphy, along with Acting Commissioner of Education Dr. Angelica Allen-McMillan and Secretary of Higher Education Dr. Brian Bridges, in June announced that Warren was one of nine community colleges in the state to be approved for a Securing Our Children’s Future Bond Act (SOCFBA). 

The grants, intended to fund school security, water infrastructure improvements, and enhancement of career and technical education (CTE) in county vocational-technical school districts and county colleges, are supported by $500 million in bonds approved by New Jersey voters in November 2018.   

Overall, nearly $26 million have been earmarked for the community colleges, with Warren receiving $1.5 million toward its full project.   

Warren will use the funds to renovate and expand its space at the College’s Phillipsburg Education Center in support of its nationally recognized drone program. The program, which began just a few short years ago, has garnered a host of national certifications including from the FFA.  

When completed Warren will have the ability to more than quadruple the size of the UAS program as enrollment demands increase and also offers a pathway for students to go between the college and Warren County Technical School, located next door to Warren’s main campus in Washington Township. It will also enhance its outreach to public service agencies, as well local hospitals, the county and law enforcement.  

“This grant in essence allows us to prepare for the future in a field that has boundless potential,” said Dr. Will Austin, President of Warren, and the college’s Chief Pilot Instructor. “Already our students have benefited from the program in myriad ways and we anticipate that this is really just the beginning. The expansion will allow us to grow as more and more people will want to get into this field, still at the ground floor.” 

Through the grant, the college ultimately is looking to create a center of excellence that would also include expanded labs to accommodate work with unmanned ground and sea vehicles, and a robotics classroom. 

Dr. Austin noted, “Drones are the future in multiple industries,” including national defense, agriculture, land surveys, search and rescue, law enforcement, parcel delivery, construction, driverless automotive systems, media, healthcare, climate monitoring, environmental protection, and the movie and TV industry.  

Warren’s program has helped many local entities already, and in a statewide project has been training existing power inspection professionals at the electric company, JCP&L, in an effort to further enhance the state’s power grid. 

“I have long believed that investments in our students and schools are investments in the future of our state,” said Governor Murphy. “These projects will ensure that they are ready for the careers of future.”