Headline: Rowan’s New Shreiber Vet School Puts the I‑295 Corridor on Notice — What Harrison and Nearby Exits Should Know
Rowan University marked a milestone with the grand opening of the Shreiber School of Veterinary Medicine — New Jersey’s first program awarding the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree. That’s a big deal for Glassboro and Gloucester County, but it also matters to towns farther up the map, like Harrison, and to travelers and businesses along the I‑295 corridor. Here’s a community‑focused look at what opened, where it sits, and why readers whose daily exits include I‑295 should care.
Where it is and how to get there
– The Shreiber School is on Rowan’s Glassboro campus; Google Maps places the facility at the university grounds that have been expanding for years. For people driving from Hudson County, Harrison and other northern towns, the trip is a straightforward regional hop — one that underlines how higher education projects in South Jersey ripple north along major arteries like I‑295 and the NJ Turnpike.
– While the school anchors Glassboro, its services and graduates will touch several counties. That means pet owners, municipal planners and small businesses along I‑295 will see knock‑on effects over time.
Why this matters for Harrison and the I‑295 region
– Workforce and jobs: Veterinary schools are labor sinks and talent factories. The Shreiber School will hire faculty, clinicians, technicians and support staff and will train new DVMs who will enter the local and regional job market. For towns like Harrison that are investing in mixed‑use development and trying to keep young professionals in New Jersey, that’s an added talent pool and a potential employer network.
– Clinical services and partnerships: Many veterinary schools run teaching clinics that double as advanced care centers. That can mean referrals from private practices in Harrison and Hudson County, as well as continuing‑education partnerships for local vets. It may also reduce travel time for owners in the I‑295 corridor who historically went to veterinarians in Philadelphia or northern New Jersey for specialty services.
– Small business lift: Colleges create daytime populations — students, staff, vendors — and those people spend money on food, housing, retail and services. Rowan’s expansion has already spurred housing and retail projects around its campus; expect ripples in supply chains and service demand that benefit contractors, suppliers and hospitality businesses across the region. Developers watching exit‑level traffic along I‑295 will see reason to consider PetCare, lab services, housing, and transport offerings where demand is growing.
– Research and economic development: Veterinary programs increasingly partner with biotech, food safety, and public‑health initiatives. That means grant money, spin‑out startups and contract research that can be pitched to regional economic development agencies. For Harrison, which has its own redevelopment story and easy access to the Port and mass transit, this expands partnership possibilities beyond typical downtown redevelopment projects.
Local context and community response
– Regional outlets such as NJ.com and local Patch sites have tracked Rowan’s growth for years; this opening is the next step in the university’s push to be a major South Jersey anchor. Coverage has emphasized the school’s potential to keep students and professionals in state, rather than losing them to out‑of‑state programs.
– Community sentiment around veterinary care and local clinics is readily visible on platforms like Yelp: demand for high‑quality, specialty pet care is strong, and many independent practices show high ratings but limited specialty capacity. A university clinic can fill gaps and also bring teaching resources into the network.
– For residents near I‑295 exits who commute or run local businesses, the school’s opening is less about a single ribbon‑cutting and more about steady change: job postings, construction traffic for associated development, and gradually more options for specialized animal care without a long drive.
What to watch next
– New clinics and referral patterns: Local veterinarians and clinics in Harrison and nearby towns may announce partnerships or referral agreements. Keep an eye on local Facebook groups and Patch pages for those updates.
– Hiring and internships: If you’re a veterinary technician, lab tech, or student looking for work, watch Rowan’s job boards and local job listings. Internship pipelines often open to nearby towns first.
– Local development projects: The school’s opening could accelerate housing and retail projects aimed at students and employees. Municipal planning boards along I‑295 exits near Rowan’s service area may see new applications.
– Transportation and access: With more visitors traveling to Glassboro for care and continuing education, expect increased traffic on the I‑295 corridor at key times; municipal transit agencies and private shuttle services sometimes respond with new routes or seasonal service.
Why Harrison readers should care
You may not cross Glassboro every day, but the Shreiber School changes the regional fabric: more jobs, expanded healthcare capacity for animals, and increased economic ties down the Turnpike and along I‑295. For Harrison — a town focused on growth, transit access, and keeping talent in New Jersey — that translates into partnership opportunities, hires from a new local talent pool, and potential business for local suppliers and service providers.
If you want to follow this story locally, check Rowan University’s announcements, NJ.com and Patch for regional coverage, and neighborhood apps for notices about internships, job fairs, and community clinics. And if you’re watching development along your favorite I‑295 exit, add “Rowan veterinary expansion impacts” to your radar — the effects will be gradual, but tangible.
Photo: Rowan University celebrated the grand opening of the Shreiber School of Veterinary Medicine, the state’s first DVM program, on the Glassboro campus.
