The New Jersey Department of Education supports schools, educators and districts to ensure all of New Jersey's 1.4 million students have equitable access to high quality education and achieve academic excellence.

NJDOE recognizes the need to increase and retain diversity in the K-12 education workforce, and specifically men from disadvantaged or minority backgrounds. Through a partnership with Rowan University, “Men of Color Hope Achievers” focused on recruiting, preparing, and placing men of color to become teachers in New Jersey through an alternate route program.

As part of the Men of Color Hope Achievers Program (MOCHA), Rowan aimed to recruit 25 participants each year to obtain licensure to teach in participating school districts. The teachers serve as role models for minority and non-minority students.