Nineteen HCCC graduates were honored at the celebration with a special toast and pinning ceremony.
Nursing is one of the most in-demand careers in the United States, but obtaining a college degree in this field can be cost-prohibitive for many students.
Caption: Graduates of the inaugural Pay It Forward Associate of Science (A.S.) in Nursing Degree Program at Hudson County Community College (HCCC) are toasted by (from center left) Dr.
Aspen-AASCU Student Success and Equity sessions provided best-practice support for the partnership and program’s development.
Hudson County Community College (HCCC) and New Jersey City University (NJCU) have collaborated to design HCCC|NJCU CONNECT, a transformational program that will provide highly visible, inclusive, and barrier-free transfer pathways to guide students and their families from high school, through studies at HCCC, and on to graduation from NJCU.
HCCC|NJCU CONNECT was developed during participation in the Aspen Institute–American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) Transfer Student Success and Equity Intensive. HCCC and NJCU were selected as a team to participate in the externally funded national project, a one-year initiative comprised of monthly sessions to support community college and university members in advancing best practices for improved and more equitable student success. The strategy- and practice-focused workshops provided practical support in advancing transfer reform.
Pictured: Participants in the press conference at HCCC announcing the launch of NJ Reentry Corporation’s inaugural Summer Training Institute, including NJRC founder and chairman, former New Jersey governor James McGreevey, HCCC President Dr. Christopher Reber, and others.     Â
May 11, 2023, Jersey City, NJ – On Wednesday, May 10, the New Jersey Reentry Corporation (NJRC) held a press conference to launch its Summer Training Institute for court-involved young adults at Hudson County Community College’s (HCCC) Culinary Conference Center.  Â
NJ Senate President Nicholas Scutari will deliver the keynote speech; Valedictorian Sally Elwir will address fellow graduates and their guests. Hudson County Community College (HCCC) will hold its 46th  Commencement Ceremony on Wednesday, May 17, 2023, at 10:45 a.m. at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, NJ. Approximately 1,500 graduates, a college record, will be joined by family, friends, elected officials, the College’s Trustees, as well as HCCC faculty and staff. New Jersey Senate President Nicholas Scutari will deliver the keynote address, and Sally Elwir will deliver valedictory remarks. Among the graduates, there will be 13 students from Hudson County High School who completed their associate degrees while still attending high school. There are also nine graduates who are incarcerated or reentry citizens.  “As members of the Class of 2023 embark upon the next chapters of their lives, we know they will continue to demonstrate the fortitude, perseverance, and leadership that brought them success as HCCC students,†said HCCC President Dr. Christopher Reber. “We look forward to celebrating them and their families.â€Â Representing the 22nd District, New Jersey State Senator Nicholas Scutari is a strong education proponent. He co-sponsored the New Jersey STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) Scholars Grant Pilot Program which builds upon existing STEM educational programs and creates new ones. Senator Scutari received his undergraduate degree from Kean College (now Kean University), his Master’s degree from Rutgers University, and his law degree from the Thomas Cooley Law School at Western Michigan University. Currently the President of the New Jersey Senate, he serves as Chair of the Joint State Leasing and Space Utilization Committee. HCCC Class of 2023 Valedictorian Sally Elwir is a Jack Kent Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship Semifinalist who will receive her Associate in Science (A.S.) degree in Criminal Justice. She is President of the HCCC Student Government Association and Vice President of the Beta Alpha Phi Chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) International Honor Society. Ms. Elwir is a frequent speaker at HCCC Town Hall and Board of Trustees meetings. She interned for the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office and volunteered for “It’s On Us,†an advocacy group dedicated to combatting sexual assault. “I feel strongly about public safety and ensuring that people’s concerns are taken seriously. It is important that someone in the criminal justice field fight for social justice from the government and for the people, which I am confident in doing,†Ms. Elwir said. Coming from a large family of Middle Eastern descent, Ms. Elwir speaks English and Arabic. She participated in a federal work-study program and serves on the HCCC JED Campus Team, supported by the nonprofit JED Foundation, an organization that helps protect emotional health and prevent suicide among teens and young adults. She is also a member of the HCCC Student Affairs Committee of the All College Council (the HCCC participatory governance organization), and Student Conduct Board. She volunteers for the Hudson Helps Resource Center and Hope House, an emergency shelter for homeless women with children; and works for HCCC’s Office of Student Life and Leadership. Additionally, Elwir has served as an HCCC College Student Success Mentor. #  #  #About Hudson County Community College Hudson County Community College serves more than 18,000 credit and non-credit students annually. The College offers nearly 90 degree and certificate programs, including award-winning English as a Second Language; Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM); Culinary Arts/Hospitality Management; Nursing and Health Professions; and Humanities and Social Sciences. The HCCC Culinary/Hospitality Management program was ranked number six in the U.S. by Best Choice Schools. HCCC has partnerships with major four-year colleges and universities in the greater New Jersey-New York area and beyond, accommodating seamless transfer of credits for further undergraduate and graduate education.The College’s commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion has been recognized with the 2021 Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) Northeast Region Equity Award; the “INSIGHT Into Diversity†2021 and 2022 Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award, this year honoring HCCC as one of seven community colleges nationally to be named “Top Colleges for Diversity;†and the “INSIGHT Into Diversity†2022 Inspiring Programs in STEM Award. HCCC was a finalist last year for the American Association of Community Colleges’ (AACC) “Advancing Diversity Award of Excellence.†For the second consecutive year, HCCC was selected as one of 20 community colleges in the United States to be named among the “2023 Most Promising Places to Work in Community Colleges†by the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development (NISOD) in collaboration with “Diverse: Issues in Higher Education.†The College was one of 22 community colleges in the nation, and the only college in New Jersey, to be recognized by ModernThink LLC and the “Chronicle of Higher Education†as a 2022 “Great College to Work For® You.â€Â HCCC is one of two colleges in the United States to be named a Top Ten Finalist in all three program categories for the nationally recognized 2023 Bellwether Awards and received the 2023 Bellwether Award for the College’s cutting-edge “Hudson Scholars†program. The College’s exemplary work in advancing student success has been recognized with the 2023 “Leader College†designation by Achieving the Dream, the national nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing community colleges as catalysts for equity and mobility in their communities. HCCC was also presented with the Campus Prevention Network Seal of Prevention by Vector Solutions for demonstrating leadership in digital prevention programming focused on student safety, well-being, and inclusion. |
Pictured from left, Dr. Christopher Conzen, Executive Director, Secaucus Center and Early College Programs; Elana Winslow, Associate Professor, Business; Raffi Manjikian, Instructor, Chemistry; and Anna Krupitskiy, Vice President for Human Resources. Â
The College is one of only 20 U.S. community colleges to earn this recognition.   Â
For the second year in a row, Hudson County Community College  (HCCC) has received the national “2023 Most Promising Places to Work in Community Colleges†Â
OPENING CELEBRATION FOR CONTEMPORARY PEACEMAKERS EXHIBIT: EVENT DESIGN BY TERESA-FEEL THE LOVE WITH KARMA- GOYA & HCCC SCULPTURE FOR CHANGE
Opening February 15th-Closing April 6th,2023
Tuesday to Friday 11am-4pm
|  Week-long, virtual nationwide symposium will feature a host of nationally acclaimed presenters who will speak about social justice issues confronting Higher Education and all Americans in 2023. Last year, the Hudson County Community College (HCCC) Center for Teaching, Learning, and Innovation presented a first for New Jersey higher education – a national symposium dedicated to teaching and learning practices to promote social justice in colleges and universities. The symposium was enormously successful, and many of the nearly 500 registrants from seven states and 47 colleges and universities encouraged HCCC to make this an annual event.  Beginning Monday, February 27, and continuing through Friday, March 3, 2023, HCCC will present its Second Annual “2023 Teaching and Learning Symposium on Social Justice in Higher Education†free of charge to all who wish to attend. The nearly 40 presenters and panelists include nationally prominent educators, authors, college and university presidents and trustees, community advocates and leaders, and students who will examine how social and racial issues impact employment, health and the health care system, the environment, mental health, spirituality, the justice system, corporate responsibility, and youth advocacy.   “We are exceedingly proud to present this comprehensive symposium. It has been a full year in the making,†said HCCC President, Dr. Christopher Reber. “Realizing that the need for teaching about social justice grows more essential every day, Dr. Paula Roberson, the Founding Director of our HCCC Center for Teaching, Learning, and Innovation, has worked passionately to prepare a roster of important topics and to engage expert presenters from across the United States.† Dr. Reber said this year’s symposium will begin with welcoming remarks from Dr. Brian Bridges, Secretary of Higher Education for the State of New Jersey and former Vice President of Research and Member Engagement at the United Negro College Fund (UNCF). The keynote address will be delivered by Dr. Wayne A. I. Frederick, President of Howard University and distinguished Charles R. Drew Professor of Surgery.  Among the symposium’s expert presenters and panelists are Dr. Johnetta B. Cole, former and first female African American President of Spelman College; John K. Pierre, Esq., Chancellor of Southern University Law Center; Jacquie Abram, author of Hushmoney; Matthew J. Platkin, Attorney General for the State of New Jersey; Dr. Jessica Pryce, Child Advocate, Social Scientist, TED Presenter, and Executive Director of the Florida Institute for Child Welfare; Dr. Sarah Ketchen-Lipson, Fulbright Scholar and Assistant Professor, Department of Health, Law, Policy and Management at Boston University, who is sponsored by Christie Campus Health; James McGreevey, former New Jersey Governor and Chairman of New Jersey Reentry Corporation; Esther Suarez, Prosecutor, Hudson County, New Jersey Prosecutor’s Office; Carmella Glover, Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Officer of Arthur W. Page Society and Adjunct Professor at Georgetown University; and Dr. Teik Lim, ninth President of New Jersey Institute of Technology and distinguished Professor of Mechanical Engineering.  Information about the HCCC “2023 Teaching and Learning Symposium on Social Justice in Higher Education†may be obtained by contacting Dr. Paula Roberson at proberson@hccc.edu or 201.360.4775. The complete program of sessions is available at https://www.hccc.edu/page/symposium-agenda.html.       Those interested in attending any or all of the virtual sessions must register at https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJwtd-yvrDIqE9wYs_f5u1ba04fbi4cmdVHK.  “Social and racial issues affect each and every person in this country in different ways,†Dr. Reber said. “Teaching and learning about social justice, and how we can develop and strengthen our collective sense of equality, equity, and fairness, are essential to the wellbeing of our communities. We invite all to attend these critically important sessions.â€# # # Caption: Pictured here, Hudson County Community College “Teaching and Learning Symposium on Social Justice in Higher Education†keynote speaker, Dr. Wayne A. I. Frederick, President of Howard University and distinguished Charles R. Drew Professor of Surgery.  About Hudson County Community College Hudson County Community College serves more than 18,000 credit and non-credit students annually. The College offers nearly 90 degree and certificate programs, including award-winning English as a Second Language; Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM); Culinary Arts/Hospitality Management; Nursing and Health Professions; and Humanities and Social Sciences. The HCCC Culinary/Hospitality Management program was ranked number six in the U.S. by Best Choice Schools.  HCCC has partnerships with major four-year colleges and universities in the greater New Jersey-New York area and beyond, accommodating seamless transfer of credits for further undergraduate and graduate education.  The College’s commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion has been recognized with the 2021 Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) Northeast Region Equity Award; the “INSIGHT Into Diversity†2021 and 2022 Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award, this year honoring HCCC as one of seven community colleges nationally to be named “Top Colleges for Diversity;†and the “INSIGHT Into Diversity†2022 Inspiring Programs in STEM Award. HCCC was a finalist this year for the American Association of Community Colleges’ (AACC) “Advancing Diversity Award of Excellence.†HCCC was selected as one of 24 community colleges in the United States – and the only community college in New Jersey – to be named among the “2022 Most Promising Places to Work in Community Colleges†by the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development (NISOD) in collaboration with “Diverse: Issues in Higher Education.†The College was one of 22 community colleges in the nation, and the only college in New Jersey, to be recognized by Modern Think LLC and the “Chronicle of Higher Education†as a 2022 “Great College to Work For®.†HCCC is one of two colleges in the United States to be named a Top Ten Finalist in all three program categories for the nationally recognized 2023 Bellwether Awards. |
The HCCC ‘Technology Advance Project’ will provide ITV in 24 of the future Tower’s classrooms, increasing remote study offerings and more.
When Hudson County Community College (HCCC) began planning the new 11-story, 153,186 square-foot Academic Tower facility that will soon begin rising in the Journal Square section of Jersey City, technology to provide expanded learning opportunities for more students was high on the list of priorities.
“During the COVID-19 pandemic, we made a significant investment in technology to ensure our students could continue to make progress in achieving their academic goals by offering courses, programs, and services remotely and fully online,†said HCCC President, Dr. Christopher Reber. “We determined that if we had the resources, we would apply those and other advanced technology principles to the Tower. Thanks to the advocacy and support of our representatives in the United States Congress and Senate, HCCC has been awarded $2.2 million in federal funding to make this a reality. This will greatly benefit our students and the entire Hudson County community.
Hudson County Community College (HCCC) Board of Trustees recently approved appointments to leadership positions, and awarded tenure to instructors. Â
HCCC President Dr. Chris Reber noted that the appointments and tenure awards reflect the College’s dedication to ensuring HCCC students receive a quality education provided by individuals who are the best in their fields.
“Everyone at HCCC applauds our dedicated colleague, Dr. Ara Karakashian, and welcomes John Hernandez and Cecily McKeown to Hudson County Community College. We congratulate them on their new appointments,†Dr. Reber said.
November 26, 2018, Jersey City, NJ – As a rule, the first 150 days set the tone and pace of a presidency and often indicate priorities that will be pursued. Recently, Dr. Chris Reber marked the 150th day of his term as president of Hudson County Community College (HCCC). In the five-plus months since taking office, he has been moving forward nonstop with optimism and enthusiasm.
Since July, Reber has conducted a “listening tour†that has involved more than 100 meetings with faculty, staff, students and community leaders and yielded an understanding of those constituents’ perspectives, concerns, hopes and ideas. He has been preparing for collective bargaining negotiations and working with faculty and staff to ensure for the College’s successful reaccreditation by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. Continue reading HCCC President Chris Reber: Building Upon the Success of the First 150 Days
