HCCC’s Hudson Scholars program received the Education Signature grant to fund “innovative programming that expands access to, and improves the quality of, academic development opportunities and educational experiences.”
Hudson Scholars was exactly the type of program PBF was looking for, as it expands access to educational opportunities for Hudson County students and significantly improves the academic outcomes these students achieve. “The Hudson Scholars program is groundbreaking,” says Samantha Plotino, Executive Director of The Provident Bank Foundation, “and we believe it to be the ideal model for community colleges nationwide to abate the challenges that might delay or prevent students from graduating.”
Developed under the visionary leadership of HCCC President Dr. Christopher Reber, the award-winning Hudson Scholars Program addresses these challenges, expands academic access, and drives student success through a unique, holistic combination of proactive academic advisement, financial stipends, high-impact educational experiences, and early academic intervention. Students can use these monthly stipends to pay for needs beyond tuition including books, transportation to and from classes, and more.
Launched in 2021, the Hudson Scholars Program received national acclaim when it won the prestigious, nationally competitive 2024 Bellwether Legacy Award a year after winning the 2023 Bellwether Award for Instructional Programs and Services. Hudson Scholars also earned the 2021-2022 Innovation of the Year Award from the League for Innovation in the Community College.
Many students enrolled in the Hudson Scholars program face significant barriers to academic success, whether it’s navigating financial challenges, working to put themselves through college, juggling family responsibilities, or food and housing insecurity. In the fall of 2023, when PBF began its support of the program, 34% of HCCC students were adult learners, 55% identified as Hispanic or Latino, and 88% self-identified as non-white. A staggering 77% of first-time, full-time students begin their college experience in English as a Second Language (ESL), Developmental English, or Developmental Math courses, and 80% qualify for Federal financial aid.
The results are a testament to the program’s success. 21% of Fall 2021 Hudson Scholars graduated within two years, surpassing the number from 2018-2020. Hudson Scholars has made its greatest impact on students from traditionally underrepresented communities.
Many HCCC students and Hudson Scholars are first-generation college students and don’t have experience navigating the complexities of starting college. Nina Maria Resureccion, an Exercise Science student at HCCC and the Student Government President, explained, “I didn’t know where to start, which classes to take, or how to schedule them.” The personalized guidance from her advisor helped her to begin on the right path.
Sonny Tungala, an HCCC student and adult learner pursuing a degree in nursing, said, “Being a Hudson Scholar has been a big help to me. The academic advisors provide you with all the necessary support systems. They have the resources to help students balance the academic and social aspects of being a student. They guide you on your path to reaching your goals. Hudson Scholars is a dream come true for me.”
Hudson Scholars like Nina appreciated the belief and support from their advisors, which expanded their horizons and pushed them to go beyond what they previously thought they were capable of achieving. This belief and support led to significant academic and personal growth for students like Nina, who reflected that “Being here gave me a lot of opportunities to better myself and express myself a lot more. I was able to explore a lot more things, especially in terms of being involved on campus. I recently became Student Government President. I never expected to be in this position, but HCCC gave me the opportunity. Hudson Scholars gives you a lot of confidence in yourself and makes you realize nothing is impossible. My advisor has been a great mentor for me – whenever I felt like I was on the verge of failing, he made me feel like I could succeed. Sometimes you need someone to push you harder, and he was that person for me.”
Beyond the academic and financial support, HCCC nursing graduate Shemmia Somerville, who recently moved to the United States from Grenada, appreciated the opportunity to meet and form friendships with like-minded HCCC students in the program. She met many of her friends at HCCC playing games like Uno and Jenga at a Hudson Scholars mixer event. Forming these bonds with her fellow students helped to set the stage for her academic success by giving her a sense of belonging and making her feel at home.
The one-on-one personalized level of academic support helped these Hudson Scholars succeed and achieve their academic goals. This would not have been possible without the generous financial support of PBF and others.
HCCC President Dr. Christopher Reber stated, “This program has made an extraordinary difference in the lives of our students, enabling many of them to overcome significant barriers and achieve their academic and personal goals. The Provident Bank Foundation’s commitment to expanding access to education and fostering student success aligns perfectly with our mission at HCCC, and we are thankful for their trust and partnership in transforming the lives of so many in our community.”
About Hudson County Community College
Hudson County Community College serves more than 20,000 credit and non-credit students annually. The College offers more than 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. The College’s School of Continuing Education and Workforce Development offers cutting-edge, industry-recognized, stackable credentials in alignment with high-priority workforce needs.
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, 2022 and 2023 Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award, this year honoring HCCC as one of six community colleges nationally to be named “Top Colleges for Diversity;” the “INSIGHT Into Diversity” 2022 and 2023 Inspiring Programs in STEM Award, and 2024 Inspiring Programs in Business Award. The College received the 2023 Outstanding Member Institution Award from the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU). HCCC was a finalist in seven categories of this year’s American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) national “Awards of Excellence” and earned CEO of the Year, Faculty of the Year, and Student Success Awards.
For the third consecutive year, HCCC was selected as one of 18 community colleges in the United States to be named among the “2024 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 and 2023 “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 and received the 2023 Bellwether Award for the College’s cutting-edge “Hudson Scholars” program, which also won the 2024 Bellwether Legacy Award.
The College’s exemplary work in advancing student success has been recognized with 2023 “Leader College of Distinction” 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 the Campus Prevention Network Seal of Prevention in 2023 and 2024 for demonstrating leadership in digital prevention programming focused on student safety, well-being, and inclusion.
About The Provident Bank Foundation
The Provident Bank Foundation, established by Provident Bank, aims continuously to search for and support organizations focusing on the enhancement of community enrichment, education and health, youth, and families. The Foundation serves this purpose by supporting nonprofit groups, institutions, schools, and other 501(c)(3) organizations that provide services in proud communities served by the Bank. Dedicated since 2003, the Foundation has granted more than $30 million to nonprofit organizations working toward strengthening our better and brighter communities. For more information, visit theprovidentbankfoundation.org, call (862) 260-3990, or join the conversation on LinkedIn.
