Brookdale Community College has expanded its global education opportunities by forming a new partnership with Aarhus Business College in Denmark. The two institutions recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), aiming to foster academic and cultural exchange, providing valuable international learning experiences for students and faculty from both schools.
The agreement was officially signed during Brookdale’s Board of Trustees meeting in February, with Dr. David M. Stout, president of Brookdale, and Hans Henning Nielsen, executive vice president for Education at Aarhus Business College, formalizing the collaboration. The partnership seeks to strengthen educational ties between Denmark and the United States through academic research, student engagement, and shared opportunities.
“This partnership aligns with Brookdale’s mission to provide students with transformative global education opportunities,” said Dr. Stout. “By connecting with Aarhus Business College, we are creating an exchange that enriches learning experiences for students on both sides of the Atlantic.”
Under the terms of the MOU, Brookdale and Aarhus will develop joint academic activities such as conferences and seminars and facilitate the exchange of students, faculty, and administrative personnel. The two institutions will also share educational materials and publications to enhance cross-cultural learning.
One of the first initiatives will be a study tour program in October 2025. This program will bring up to 25 Aarhus students and faculty members to Brookdale. During their visit, the Danish delegation will participate in academic sessions led by Brookdale faculty, engage in cultural exchange with local students, and visit businesses in Monmouth County to learn about American business practices and the local entrepreneurial landscape.
In preparation for the study tour, Nielsen and Linda Buhl Krog, academic dean at Aarhus Business College, visited Brookdale’s campus. They met with faculty and administrators, toured Brookdale’s business programs, and explored local business hubs like Red Bank, Asbury Park, and Bell Works. These visits helped shape future collaboration and provided valuable insights into regional economic opportunities.
Janice Thomas, director of Brookdale’s International Education Center, spoke about the enriching impact of the partnership. “Students from Brookdale and Denmark will have the opportunity to get to know each other, share their cultures, and learn from one another. That’s one of the best parts of the educational process,” Thomas said.
Nielsen expressed his excitement for the collaboration, noting the shared values between the institutions. “We are particularly impressed by the academic expertise and dedication of your staff, which will further strengthen our collaboration. From the outset, it has been clear that Brookdale and Aarhus share common values. We are both committed to student success and ensuring they achieve their full potential.”
Krog, who has worked in vocational training at Aarhus for 18 years, also highlighted the benefits of the partnership. “What’s truly exciting about this partnership is seeing how education and industry come together to create real opportunities for students. By collaborating internationally, we’re expanding perspectives and giving students the skills they need to succeed in a global workforce,” she said.
The Aarhus delegation also toured Asbury Park, meeting local leaders such as Tom Gilmore, former Director of Economic Development for Asbury Park and current president of the Monmouth Ocean Development Council, Sylvia Sylvia, Director of Business Development for Asbury Park, and Matthew Whelan, executive director of the Asbury Park Chamber of Commerce. Whelan spoke about the town’s economy, saying, “We support our businesses, promote tourism, and create events that bring thousands of people to town to keep our economy vibrant year-round.”
Brookdale’s Culinary Education Center left a strong impression on the Danish visitors as well. Professor Michelle Zuppe emphasized the importance of real-world experience for students. “The Culinary Education Center and the hospitality industry in Asbury Park create incredible opportunities for our students. We’re not just teaching them how to cook—we’re preparing them for real careers in a thriving industry,” Zuppe said. “Through partnerships like this, we’re connecting students with businesses and ensuring they have pathways to success in restaurants, hotels, and beyond.”
The partnership has been facilitated through Brookdale’s International Education Center, led by Janice Thomas, and the Office of Governmental Affairs and Community Relations, overseen by Executive Director Ed Johnson. These departments are also working on securing grant opportunities to support reciprocal study experiences for Brookdale students and faculty in Denmark.
As the institutions prepare for their first exchange programs, the collaboration with Aarhus Business College is seen as a model for future international educational partnerships. This agreement underscores Brookdale’s ongoing commitment to fostering global engagement and preparing students with the skills needed to thrive in an increasingly interconnected world.
This partnership enriches experiences for students across both sides of the Atlantic
Monmouth to Denmark: Brookdale Expands Global Education Horizons