Many graduates overcame large obstacles in their academic journeys. Here are a few of their stories:
Ebony Batts dropped out of college twice to raise her two children. Fast forward nearly 20 years. Her daughter enrolled at a college, and her high-school-aged son convinced Ebony that it was her turn to pursue her college degree. She enrolled at HCCC to complete her Liberal Arts degree. “Once I made it through the first semester, like mothers do to children when they get older, my children let my hand go and said, ‘I believe in you. Now you believe in yourself.’ I did just that,” she reflected.
Wicunaa Campbell moved from Florida to New Jersey and lived on her sister’s couch while working full time and attending College. Initially, she failed many classes due to stress, a lack of motivation, and sleep, and the death of a friend. Wicunaa will receive her Associate of Science degree in Computer Science on May 21. “I was homeschooled my whole life, but I didn’t learn much,” she explained. “I did math at a third-grade level when I was 21. There was no structure when I was growing up. I had to teach myself grammar at age 12 from Google on an old laptop my uncle gave me after losing a bet. I’ve had my room since 2024 and have been crushing my classes.”
Deysi Campuzano is an Ecuadorian immigrant and the first in her family to earn a college degree, an Associate in Science in Criminal Justice. She found a sense of belonging and empowerment at the College. “I was afraid of who I would become, how everything would unfold, and what my future would hold,” Deysi said. “Coincidentally, my grandfather told my uncles, ‘Don’t look back,’ when they emigrated to the United States. It’s the same thing my parents told me when I arrived at the airport. Now I’m adjusting to the rhythm of life in the United States, working, studying, and trying to give my best. You can’t go far by staying in your comfort zone.”
Jamie and Jonathan Lowman are siblings and former college dropouts. Jamie will receive her Associate of Science in Medical Science degree; Jonathan will receive his Associate of Arts in Business-Liberal Arts degree. “I graduated from high school thinking I wanted to teach, but I wasn’t sure if that was what I wanted. I ended up in banking, something I was decent at but didn’t care about,” Jamie said. “I gave the Certified Nurse Aide course at HCCC a try. I loved it. I decided to pursue a degree in 2019. I returned after the pandemic, around the same time my brother enrolled.”
Susan Lucas is a 38-year-old Mexican-American wife, mom of two, and survivor who fled domestic violence. Susan will receive her Associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education. “One of my sons has multiple disabilities, and it’s one of the reasons I had difficulty in school, because I’m constantly needed. Overall, I am a happy woman,” she said.
Azhane McDaniel is a mother of two girls and the first in her family to earn her college degree, an Associate in Science in Human Services/Pre-Social Work. She worked part-time in the Early College Program and balanced college, home, federal work study, and honor society memberships. “Many opportunities have come my way during my journey at HCCC,” she said, noting that she plans to transfer to New Jersey City University.
Jessica Morales will receive her Associate of Arts in Early Childhood Education degree 20 years after graduating from high school. She is a mom of three, ages 19, 15, and 6, and her eldest attends HCCC. “I’ve had the privilege of experiencing college life with my oldest child and also my two younger brothers, who are currently HCCC students,” Jessica noted. “My advice is to keep pushing forward, even if it feels like baby steps.”
Mahamat Sakine Hissein is from Chad and studied pharmacy in Sudan before winning a visa lottery in 2021 and moving to the United States. He was set to go back to complete his pharmacy studies, but the civil war in Sudan prompted a change of plans. “The problem was that my university in Sudan was closed because of the war, and I could not get my official papers to bring to the U.S.A., so I faced a significant obstacle,” Mahamat said. He enrolled at HCCC, taking English as a Second Language classes. He will receive his Associate in Science in Science and Mathematics – Biotechnology degree.
Dr. Joseph Segriff is a former Montclair State University and New Jersey City University adjunct professor and lifelong learner. He holds six HCCC degrees (Health Services, Sociology, History, Psychology, Biology, and Biotechnology), and this year will receive his Associate in Science in Criminal Justice degree, his 33rd college degree! “It will be my 23rd undergraduate degree, for I already have ten graduate degrees, which include three earned doctorates, six master’s degrees, and a post-master’s Specialist in Education graduate degree from Rutgers University,” he said.
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 has received dozens of national awards throughout the years. In 2023, HCCC received the Outstanding Member Institution Award from the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU). HCCC was a finalist in seven categories of last year’s American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) national “Awards of Excellence” and earned the 2024 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). HCCC 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 2024, 2023 and 2022 “Great College to Work For®” and named to the 2024 and 2023 “Honor Roll of Distinction.”
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 the 2025, 2024, and 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 2024 and 2023 for demonstrating leadership in digital prevention programming focused on student safety, well-being, and inclusion.
