On Monday, May 4, Hudson County Community College (HCCC) and Rutgers University–Newark officially launched the CONNECT Transfer Program – expanding seamless pathways from associate to bachelor’s degrees with enhanced transfer, advising, and support.

Hudson County Community College (HCCC) and Rutgers University-Newark (RU-N) have worked collaboratively for many years. More than a decade ago, the two higher education institutions forged a dual-admission agreement that made it easier for HCCC students who earned their associate degrees to transfer seamlessly to RU-N and attain baccalaureate degrees in Art, Biology, Computer Arts, Marketing and Supply Chain Management, Criminal Justice, English, Environmental Science, Public and Nonprofit Administration, and Theatre.

On Monday, May 4, 2026, HCCC President Dr. Christopher Reber and RU-N Chancellor Dr. Tonya Smith-Jackson signed the CONNECT Transfer Pathways Agreement that builds upon the longstanding relationship and offers HCCC students even more baccalaureate options and benefits. 

The new CONNECT Transfer Pathways Agreement provides HCCC students who earn their HCCC Associate in Science in Business Administration degree with the opportunity to transfer seamlessly to Rutgers University-Newark Bachelor of Science degrees in Marketing, Chain Supply Management, and Leadership and Management; and Bachelor of Arts degrees in Public Administration programs. Additional program pathways are in process in the areas of Biology, Psychology, Social Work, Computer Science, Education, and Criminal Justice.

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Hudson County Community College (HCCC) recently became a member of the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Region 15 Division III. HCCC Athletic Director Jonathan Sisk (right) was welcomed by NJCAA Vice President of Championship, Membership, and Sports Governance Dr. Brett Monaghan. HCCC will hold men’s and women’s basketball games beginning this Fall.

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Hudson County Community College (HCCC) was named a “Top College for Innovation”  by Insight Into Academia Magazine. The HCCC Hudson Scholars program that increases completion and reduces achievement gaps is just one of the College’s innovative programs. Pictured here, graduating HCCC students are honored as Hudson Scholars.

May 18, 2026, Jersey City, NJ – Hudson County Community College (HCCC) has received the 2026 “Top Colleges for Innovation” Award from Insight Into Academia Magazine, the nation’s longest-running publication advancing best practices in higher education.

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Hudson County Community College (HCCC) will hold Commencement ceremonies at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, May 19, 2026 at Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison, NJ. The HCCC Class of 2026 is the largest in the College’s history with more than 1,700 graduates.

The Hudson County Community College (HCCC) Class of 2026 includes students who overcame enormous challenges to complete their studies and attain their college degrees. Among the more than 1,700 graduates are single parents, survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault, students with disabilities, and career changers.

The HCCC 49th Annual Commencement ceremonies will be held Tuesday, May 19, 2026 beginning at 9:30 a.m. at Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison, NJ. Here are some of the graduates’ stories.

Charlene Adams is a Computer Arts major who balanced college and her roles as a Certified Nursing Assistant and personal caregiver. Living with dyslexia, she struggled with reading, writing and learning new material. “Instead of letting that stop me, I’ve learned to advocate for myself, use my accommodations, and develop strategies that help me succeed,” she said. “HCCC has been a place where I feel understood and encouraged, and where my challenges were met with resources instead of judgement.” Being a full-time student taught her that growth is possible, regardless of age, background, or learning style. She hopes her story encourages other adult learners, caregivers, and learning-disabled students to pursue their academic dreams.

Paul Estrada Cadena is graduating and going on to complete his Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing at William Paterson University. He stated: “As an ESL student, I initially faced challenges adapting to a new academic language and environment. However, with the support of my professors, advisors, and the HCCC community, I gained confidence in my communication skills and academic abilities.  Over time, I became more engaged in class discussions, group work, and presentations, which helped me develop both personally and professionally. HCCC has played a key role in shaping my academic path and preparing me for the next step in my education. I am truly grateful to HCCC for the support and opportunities that have helped me reach this milestone.”

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  Hudson County Community College announced that Marlon Peña Crespo has been named the Class of 2026 Valedictorian. Commencement ceremonies are scheduled for Tuesday, May 19, 2026 at Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison, NJ.

Hudson County Community College (HCCC) announced that Marlon Peña Crespo has been chosen as the Class of 2026 Valedictorian. He will address his peers, family, friends, faculty, and others at HCCC’s 49^th Annual Commencement Ceremonies on Tuesday, May 19, 2026 at the Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison, NJ.

Marlon is completing his Associate in Science degree in Computer Science, earning a perfect 4.0 Grade Point Average. A member of the Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society, Marlon is a semifinalist for the prestigious Jack Kent Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship. He navigated a new educational system after arriving in the United States from Cuba, transforming that challenge into academic excellence and a commitment to using technology for social impact. Marlon is focused on leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI) to solve real-world challenges, particularly improving access to resources for underserved communities. He specializes in rapid prototyping and translating human-centered needs into robust, scalable solutions.

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Hudson County Community College announced that President Christopher M. Reber, Ph.D. (pictured here) is resigning effective June 30, 2026, and will go on to serve as President of Harrisburg University of Science and Technology.

Hudson County Community College (HCCC) Board of Trustees announced that the College’s President, Dr. Christopher M. Reber, has tendered his resignation effective June 30, 2026. Dr. Reber has accepted the position of President of Harrisburg University of Science and Technology in Harrisburg, PA.

“On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I want to thank Dr. Chris Reber for his dedicated leadership and eight years of service to Hudson County Community College,” said HCCC Board of Trustee Chair Jeanette Peña. “We are grateful for his many contributions and wish him continued success in his new position.”

Michael Fiaschetti, Chair of the Harrisburg University Board of Trustees, stated the experience Dr. Reber brings to the table, and “his undeniable energy and enthusiasm leave no doubt in my mind that HU’s future is in capable hands.”

Dr. Reber came to HCCC in July 2018. Under his leadership, HCCC earned several national honors, including the 2024 Bellwether Legacy Award for HCCC’s acclaimed Hudson Scholars student success model. Dr. Reber himself was named Community College CEO of the Year by the American Association of Community Colleges in 2024 and Executive of the Year by the New Jersey Business & Industry Association in 2025.

In announcing his resignation to the HCCC community, Dr. Reber wrote: “It has been the honor of my life and career to work side by side with all of you! I will always love Hudson County Community College and its people.” He continued: “Thank you for calling and entrusting me to serve you over

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Hudson County Community College students and alumni contributed to one of the largest soil microbiome mappings in the United States. Pictured here, from left: HCCC Instructor of Chemistry Raffi Manjikian, and students Katerin Marquez, Ashley Medrano, Alketa Muja, Zoe Canizares, and Aadil Ishtiaq.

Lincoln Park is one of the jewels of Hudson County, with 150 acres of athletic facilities, playgrounds, a track, golf courses, and kayak rentals on the scenic Hackensack River. Statues commemorate Abraham Lincoln and other historic figures and times. The park’s foundation – its soil – is part of the planet’s most biodiverse habitat, the source of more than half of all existing species. Its microorganisms largely remained unstudied – until now.

Hudson County Community College (HCCC) students, guided by Instructor of Chemistry Raffi Manjikian, spent a week collecting soil samples in Lincoln Park for one of the largest soil microbiome mapping projects ever attempted. Students and alumni who participated in Biodiversity and Informatics for Genomics Scholars (BioDIGS) were members of the local American Chemical Society chapter. Students and alumni Ashley Meddano, Alketa Muja, Zoe Canizares, Katerin Marquez, and Aadil Ishtiaq are majoring in Biology, Nursing, Chemistry, Education, and Business, respectively. Professor Manjikian and the students were part of the BioDIGS consortium, involving about 150 researchers across many institutions, who collected samples and catalogued the findings.

The BioDIGS consortium combed through more than 40 locations throughout the United States, including farmlands, hiking trails, forests, parks, and Superfund sites. Students received pre-assembled soil collection kits and sent their samples to Johns Hopkins University, where analysis and DNA-sequencing was leveraged to unlock microbial genomes. Scientists and students looked for genetic relationships and patterns between the soil, the environment, and human health. Their work was published in the prestigious journal Nature Genetics.  

The consortium logged more than 1,000 newly discovered bacterial strains, a fraction of the planet’s microbial “dark matter.” Research revealed information about arthropods, annelids, nematodes, plants, fungi, bacteria, archaea, bacteriophages, and other microbial species.

As a faculty fellow of the Genomic Data Science Community Network (GDSCN), Professor Manjikian provided students with the rare opportunity to engage in real-world scientific inquiry supported by the National Human Genome Research Institute and the National Science Foundation. “GDSCN works towards a vision where researchers, educators, and students from all backgrounds can fully participate in genomic data science research,” he said.

“My participation in the BioDIGS project began with a simple curiosity about the soil in Lincoln Park, a heavily frequented public space in Jersey City,” said HCCC alumnus Aadil Ishtiaq. “By contributing to this broader comparative study, I hope to gain insights into the potential variations and similarities in soil microbiomes, revealing how human activity and environmental factors shape these essential ecosystems.”

“We are very proud of our students and Professor Manjikian for their contributions in this important work that involved more than 40 research and teaching institutions,” said HCCC President
Dr. Christopher Reber. “The BioDIGS project is vital to understanding the soil microbiome and its impact on animals, plants, and humans, its relevance to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education, and the advancement of data science.”

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Hudson County Community College (HCCC) has been recognized as a national finalist in six American Association of Community Colleges’ Awards of Excellence categories. Pictured here: members of the HCCC Advancing Institutional Equity and Belonging team; HCCC-New Jersey Reentry Corporation leadership; Faculty Innovation Finalist Joseph Gallo; Rising Star Manager Finalist Amaalah Ogburn; Rising Star Executive Finalist Dr. Heather DeVries; and Faculty Member Finalist Karen Hosick.

For the second time in three years, Hudson County Community College (HCCC) programs, faculty, and staff are finalists for six of ten American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) Awards of Excellence. HCCC is the only community college in the United States to be honored as finalists in so many categories. Nationwide winners will be announced at AACC’s Annual Conference, April 10-14, 2026  in Seattle, Washington.

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