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New Jersey Legislative District 40 lawmakers Senator Kristin Corrado, Assemblyman Al Barlas, and Assemblyman Christopher DePhillips visited William Paterson University in Wayne on Wednesday, February 11 for a firsthand look at how the institution prepares students for in-demand careers and serves as a driver of the regional workforce and economy.
All three legislators represent the district in which William Paterson is located, home to thousands of the University’s students, alumni, faculty, and staff. During the visit, legislators toured key campus facilities, including the state-of-the-art Nel Bolger RN Nursing Simulation Lab, and spent time in the Machuga Student Center and Wayne Dining Hall, which are central hubs of student activities and campus life.
Senator Corrado, who serves on the Senate Education and Economic Growth Committees, praised the University’s role in preparing students for meaningful careers. “It was inspiring to see how our local university is shaping the next generation of leaders and directly supporting families and businesses in our district,” Corrado said. Willam Paterson maintains a strong local footprint, with nearly 8,800 alumni living in Legislative District 40.
The legislators’ visit highlighted how state policies translate into real-world outcomes for students and employers alike, from addressing critical healthcare workforce shortages to supporting innovation and job creation.
William Paterson boasts the largest nursing enrollment on any college campus in New Jersey and became the No. 1 producer of MBA graduates in the state in 2024. The University also ranks among the nation’s top four-year institutions in social mobility, reflecting its success in advancing students’ socioeconomic standing.
Assemblyman Barlas, a member of the Assembly Labor and Budget Committees, emphasized the University’s economic impact. “William Paterson’s focus on workforce readiness, innovation, and community engagement demonstrates how higher education can strengthen our local economy,” he said.
Assemblyman DePhillips, who serves on the Assembly Health; Infrastructure; and Science, Innovation, and Technology Committees, noted the importance of experiential learning opportunities such as the Nursing Simulation Lab. “Seeing students train in a real-world clinical environment underscores the critical role this institution plays in preparing healthcare professionals who serve our communities,” he said.
“We were honored to welcome Senator Corrado and Assemblymen Barlas and DePhillips to campus and demonstrate how William Paterson University delivers measurable outcomes through education and workforce preparation,” said Willam Paterson University President Richard J. Helldobler. “Their visit underscores the importance of sustained public investment in higher education to expand access, strengthen New Jersey’s economy, and address critical workforce needs, from healthcare to business, while advancing social mobility and long-term community impact.”
Nearly half of William Paterson students are the first in their families to attend college. The institution has also been repeatedly recognized for being “veteran friendly,” and it provides innovative approaches to meeting the specific needs of adult learners through its College of Adult and Professional Studies.
The University’s new Career Experience Program, required starting with the Fall 2025 cohort of first-year students, embeds real-world learning into every major and connects students with internships, practica, or clinical placements.
Ranked among the top regional universities in the North by U.S. News & World Report, WP is nationally recognized for excellence in nursing, business, computer science, psychology, and other disciplines. Its undergraduate music and entertainment industries program has been named one of Billboard magazine’s Top Music Business Schools for eight consecutive years; it was one of only three New Jersey institutions and one of a select group worldwide to receive the recognition in 2025.
