Tag Archives: Hudson County Community College

Education

 Hudson County Community College Begins Construction of New 11-Story Center for Student Success

Pictured here: architectural renderings of aerial and street views of Hudson County Community College Center for Student Success now under construction in the Journal Square area of Jersey City, NJ.

June 18th Groundbreaking for Journal Square Campus Tower which will house a gymnasium, theater, classrooms, conference rooms, offices, and much more.

Hudson County Community College (HCCC) pioneered the urban campus concept by integrating learning environments, cultural spaces, public areas, and workplaces within Jersey City’s Journal Square, the heart of Hudson County, New Jersey. In establishing the Journal Square Campus, the College became an essential part of the neighborhood that engages and serves the County’s residents and businesses where they live and has been the catalyst for the area’s development.

At 9 a.m. on Tuesday, June 18 the College l hosted a groundbreaking ceremony for the HCCC Center for Student Success at 2 Enos Place in Jersey City, New Jersey. HCCC President Dr. Christopher Reber and Trustee Pamela Gardner will welcome Hudson County Executive Craig Guy and other elected officials as well as representatives of the Hudson County Building and Construction Trades Council and labor leaders, and HCCC students, cabinet members, faculty, and staff.

Dr. Reber said that growing a campus embedded in one of the nation’s most densely populated areas poses unique challenges and that the College was keenly aware of its overarching need to serve as a good steward of the neighborhood.

“The Center for Student Success was designed to centralize and consolidate all of our student services in one convenient location and complement the architecture of the surrounding area. It is the final segment of the Hudson County Community College Facilities Master Plan,” Dr. Reber stated. “The County of Hudson has partnered with us through every step of our development so that we may provide our neighbors with the very best academic experiences possible. We are thankful for the ongoing support of County Executive Craig Guy, former County Executive Thomas DeGise, and the Hudson County Board of Commissioners.”

“This project will serve thousands of students here at Hudson County Community College. The HCCC Center for Student Success will be the epicenter of study, creativity, activity, and collaboration between students and the surrounding communities,” said Hudson County Executive Craig Guy. “Through this new Center for Student Success, HCCC and the County continue to work together to ensure everyone has equal opportunities to excel in their chosen field and drive economic development in the area.”

The eleven-story Center for Student Success, a 153,186 square-foot, mixed-use tower, is being constructed one block from the Journal Square PATH station on an existing HCCC-owned parking lot. It will replace several of the College’s small, segregated, and aging buildings. The tower plans include 24 classrooms; expanded student services areas; student common spaces; full-size National College Athletics Association (NCAA) gymnasium; fitness center; black-box theater; health sciences laboratories; 85 offices; eight conference rooms; a “University Center” for sister colleges and partners to offer baccalaureate instruction; and much more.

The HCCC Center for Student Success construction utilizes the newest and most environmentally sustainable materials and systems. A Project Labor Agreement assures that organized labor will be well represented on-site during construction. The grand opening is scheduled for Fall 2026.

Funding for the $96.3 million tower is supplied by proceeds from the sale of HCCC properties and the College’s reserve funds; the County of Hudson; and the New Jersey Office of the Secretary of Higher Education (OSHE), among others. 

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Education

Hudson County Community College to Honor RN Nursing Program Graduates at Pinning Ceremony

Graduates, who will help reduce the nursing shortage,
will take the International Nurses’ Pledge at the ceremony.

Pictured here, are graduates of Hudson County Community College’s RN Nursing Program

Hudson County Community College (HCCC) will honor sixty-six graduates at the College’s RN Nursing Program Pinning Ceremony at 11 a.m. on Thursday, June 13, at the HCCC Culinary Conference Center at 161 Newkirk Street in Jersey City, NJ.

The graduates will begin with the traditional procession and be welcomed by HCCC Nursing Program Director, Dr. Lori Byrd. After the ceremonial presentation of pins and Nursing Program awards and the time-honored candle-lighting ceremony, College Lecturer Carmen Pelardis will lead the graduates in reciting the International Nurses’ Pledge.

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Education

Hudson County Community College Receives 2024‘Most Promising Places to Work in Community Colleges’ Award

Members of Hudson County Community College’s Student Affairs team are seen here during their annual Professional Development Day convening.

The award recognizes HCCC as ‘a beacon for diversity.’

–  Diversity empowers people – from classrooms to corporations – to make a lasting and positive impact. For the third year in a row, Hudson County Community College (HCCC) has earned the “Most Promising Places to Work in Community Colleges” award from the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development (NISOD) and Diverse: Issues in Higher Education. The College is among 18 community colleges in the United States and two in New Jersey to receive this honor.

The award considered workplace diversity, staffing practices, work environment, and categories such as family friendliness, salary/benefits, and professional development opportunities. HCCC was honored for its exceptional commitment to diversity in all forms, including race/ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, disability, age, class, Veterans status, and thought. The College will receive this national recognition on May 28 during NISOD’s International Conference on Teaching and Leadership Excellence in Austin, Texas.

“Thank you for serving as a beacon for diversity, and, again, we extend our heartiest congratulations to Hudson County Community College for receiving the award,” wrote Victoria Rios, NISOD Membership and Partnerships Manager, in announcing the College’s award.

“This award reflects Hudson County Community College’s commitment to an inclusive environment in which administrators, faculty, staff and students reflect our diverse community, and where professional development is encouraged and facilitated,” said HCCC President Dr. Christopher Reber. “We are grateful to our trustees, administrators, faculty, staff, and students for making the College a place where everyone feels welcomed, respected, and valued.”

HCCC is committed to integrating diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) principles in all operations. In a recent college-wide climate survey, 68% of employees categorized racial and ethnic groups on campus as very to extremely integrated, and 78% responded that HCCC accommodates their religious or spiritual needs during holidays and observances. The College promotes DEI every day by amplifying diverse voices; closing achievement gaps among traditionally underrepresented groups; developing and utilizing culturally relevant curricula; offering DEI training to improve engagement, understanding and respect for differences; expanding the number of religious observance days/holidays; creating a Children on Campus Policy; offering generous family and medical leave provisions; and allocating up to $9,000 for professional development or tuition reimbursement for every full-time employee, every year.

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Education

Hudson County Community College Professor Clive Li Wins AACC’s 2024 Faculty Member of the Year Award  

Dr. Li’s work to make science fun and accessible for HCCC students resulted in this national Award of Excellence from the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC).    

Thousands of community colleges across the United States are members of the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC), and each has many talented and dedicated faculty members who make a transformational difference in the lives of their students. Each year, one of these faculty members is awarded the national association’s prestigious “Faculty Member of the Year” Award. This year, Hudson County Community College (HCCC) engineering science professor, Dr. Clive Li, took home this phenomenal honor. 

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Education

Hudson County Community College President Dr. Christopher Reber Named Community College CEO of the Year

Dr. Chris Reber Hudson County Community College President

American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) selects Dr. Reber to receive its CEO of the Year National Award of Excellence

– Whether it’s the increasing success of students and formation of new academic and career pathways, the professional development opportunities that employees and staff are pursuing, or simply the inclusive and welcoming environment everywhere on campus, Hudson County Community College (HCCC) President Dr. Christopher Reber’s impact on the College is clear and pervasive. Now, Dr. Reber’s efforts are being recognized on a national level by the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC), which named him CEO of the Year at the organization’s annual convention held April 5-9, 2024 in Louisville, Kentucky.

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Education

How Hudson County Community College’s Hudson Scholars Program Became a National Student Success Model

The game-changing retention and completion model resulted from the bold choice to pursue a rare opportunity and develop an innovative idea.

Hudson County Community College (HCCC) President Dr. Christopher Reber (back row center) is pictured here with Hudson Scholars students.

 Recently, Hudson County Community College’s (HCCC) innovative and transformative Hudson Scholars program was presented the prestigious Bellwether Legacy Award for impacting student success in retention and college completion, particularly for those from traditionally underserved groups. The Legacy Award, the highest honor bestowed by the Bellwether College Consortium, is just one of many national accolades Hudson Scholars has received in the past two years. Others include the League for Innovation in the Community College’s 2022 Innovation of the Year Award, Bellwether 2023 Instructional Programs and Services Award, and Provident Bank Foundation’s prestigious 2023 Signature Grant ($100,000).

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Education

Hudson County Community College NamedLeader College of Distinction by Achieving the Dream

Hudson County Community College has substantially increased student retention and completion over the past five years. Pictured here, are joyful members of the HCCC Class of 2023

Hudson County Community College (HCCC) has earned “Leader College of Distinction” designation from Achieving the Dream (ATD), the national reform movement of high-achieving community colleges. The honor is bestowed upon innovative higher education institutions that demonstrate sustained and significant outcomes in the advancement of student success. HCCC is one of six Leader Colleges to receive this honor.

ATD is the acclaimed national nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing community colleges as hubs of equity and mobility in their communities. ATD created the Leader College of Distinction Award in 2018 to recognize colleges that meet challenging student success goals. It is the highest designation of institutional success outcomes in the ATD network of colleges.

“This recognition is important to our colleges. It affirms to their faculty and staff and communities the importance of their student success work and that they are making progress on important milestone metrics in their journeys,” said Dr. Karen A. Stout, President and CEO of Achieving the Dream. “Hudson County Community College is an exemplar of excellence within the ATD Network. It is driving accelerated and scaled gains in equitable student success results, which affect substantive improvements for students, families, and the community HCCC serves. Their dedication and hard work both inform and inspire other colleges, and we admire them for their work.”

HCCC joined the ATD network of 300 colleges in January 2019 and achieved Leader College status last year by demonstrating continuous improvement in retention and graduation rates, especially among Hispanic and African American students; attending annual ATD DREAM meetings; filing annual student success action plans and reports; and serving as an invited presenter at ATD national meetings and webinars.

“We’re proud to be named a Leader College of Distinction, and thank our Trustees, faculty, staff, and students for helping produce transformative results that empower our students and our community,” said HCCC President, Dr. Christopher Reber. “ATD’s mission aligns with our College’s mission of opening new pathways for our most vulnerable learners and helping ensure that students achieve their academic and professional goals. Seeing our students complete degree and certificate programs, become gainfully employed, and engage in civic participation is inspiring, and compels us to continue building upon our successes.”

Hudson County Community College utilizes evidence-based data and programs and ATD best practices to shape policy and practices that result in student success:

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General

Hudson County Community CollegeNames Danielle Lopez Inaugural Director of Accessibility Services

 Pictured here, Danielle Lopez, who has been named Hudson County Community College’s first Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) for Accessibility Services.
 

–  Hudson County Community College (HCCC) has appointed Danielle Lopez as the College’s first Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) for Accessibility Services.
 
“The entire HCCC family is delighted to welcome Danielle Lopez to the College,” said HCCC President Dr. Christopher Reber. “She will lead and support our accessibility and accommodation programs for students and employees. In addition to serving as our Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)/Section 504 Coordinator, Danielle will be our primary compliance and content expert for all accessibility matters. She will play a key role in advancing our culture of care and our overarching priorities of student success and diversity, equity and inclusion.”
 
Ms. Lopez will manage and supervise the HCCC Office of Accessibility Services (OAS). A key component of her work is to reduce systemic barriers and promote disability awareness and a culture of accessibility. In her new position, Ms. Lopez will collaborate with multiple campus constituents, including faculty; the Offices of Academic Affairs; Student Affairs and Enrollment; and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion; Human Resources; Counseling and Wellness; Registrar; Public Safety and Security; Facilities; Communications; Information Technology; Legal Counsel; and others.
 
A dedicated and enthusiastic higher education professional, Ms. Lopez is highly experienced in accessibility and disability services, advisement, and administration. For the past ten years, she served as Assistant Director and Academic Counselor at City University of New York (CUNY) Center for Student Accessibility. There, she developed and implemented best practices to help students with disabilities and diverse needs achieve academic success. In addition, Ms. Lopez served as an Adjunct Lecturer at CUNY, teaching psychology courses. As a Project REACH mentor, she assisted individuals with autism, coordinated curricula and service plans, and facilitated meetings related to academic, social, and professional development. Ms. Lopez also mentored students with disabilities to support their campus initiatives at the College of Staten Island.
 
Ms. Lopez received her Master of Science degree in Disability Services in Higher Education from the School of Professional Studies at CUNY, and her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from the College of Staten Island, CUNY. Her professional affiliations include the Association on Higher Education and Disability (AHEAD), New York State Disability Services Council (NYSDSC), and CUNY Coalition for Students with Disabilities (CCSD). She holds certification in Mental Health First Aid from the National Council for Behavioral Health.
 
“I am very happy to be a part of Hudson County Community College, where diversity, equity, and inclusion is valued and lived,” Ms. Lopez stated. “I look forward to working with our students and my new colleagues to further advance opportunities and accessibility for everyone at HCCC.”

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General

Hudson County Community College ReceivesHispanic Association of Colleges and Universities‘Outstanding Member Institution Award’

The honor was conferred at HACU’s 37th Annual Conference on
Hispanic Higher Education in Chicago. 
Hudson County Community College (HCCC) was recognized by the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) with the “Outstanding HACU-Member Institution Award” for excellence in support of HACU’s mission. The award was presented during HACU’s 2023 conference, “Championing Hispanic Higher Education Success: Diversifying Our Workforce and Strengthening America,” October 28-30, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois.

“HACU is fortunate to have member institutions like Hudson County Community College partnering with us on initiatives that advance Hispanic student success, and this award recognizes their efforts” said HACU President and CEO Dr. Antonio R. Flores. “HACU congratulates HCCC on this well-deserved recognition and looks forward to their continued success as an Hispanic-Serving Institution.”

“For more than 28 years, Hudson County Community College has enjoyed an outstanding partnership with HACU. In working together, we have expanded opportunities for our students, developed and implemented award-winning student success programs, and strengthened collaborations with government, business, industry, and beyond,” said Dr. Christopher M. Reber, HCCC President.Hudson County Community College is an Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) – 56% of full-time students are Hispanic/LatinX. Diversity, equity, and inclusion principles are interwoven into every HCCC policy, procedure, program, and offering to foster and support a welcoming, diverse, equitable and inclusive environment on all HCCC campuses.

HCCC’s Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion leads and supports Cultural Affairs, Accessibility Services, Veterans’ Affairs, and International Student Services. The Office also hosts the high-functioning President’s Advisory Council for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (PACDEI), Latino Community Advisory Council, and African American Community Outreach Committee.
PACDEI is comprised of 40 students, faculty, staff, administrators, trustees, Foundation directors, and community leaders, and provides leadership, support, and counsel to foster an environment that embraces shared values among all HCCC constituencies.

Now in its fourth year, the HCCC Latino Community Advisory Council, an alliance of more than 30 clergy, educators, business professionals, nonprofit organizations, and community leaders, meets regularly to address the Hispanic community’s issues and concerns, and to promote educational attainment throughout Hudson County. The group sponsors and holds networking events, open houses, receptions, and informational and enrollment events throughout the year.As a result of these programs and alliances, HCCC is frequently recognized for its support of the Latino community. Recently, HCCC Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Dr. Yeurys Pujols, was honored with the 48th Annual Hispanic State Parade of New Jersey Excellence in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Award, and in 2022, Dr. Reber was a Parade Grand Marshal and recipient of the Educator of the Year Award. The College has also received the 2021 Community Partner Award from the Desfile Salvadoreño de New Jersey; ??2021 Recognition for Work with the LatinX Community by Ambassador Alfonso Morales, Consul General of Ecuador for New Jersey and Pennsylvania; ?2021 Recognition for Community Service in Support of the LatinX Community in Hudson County by Multicultural Poder Hispano; 2020 Save Latin America Los Tres Antillanos Annual Gala Educational Award to Dr. Yeurys Pujols; and others.

In May, the College hosted “HACU on the Road,” a convening of more than 100 national HACU leaders and members, chancellors and presidents of colleges and universities, superintendents of Hispanic-serving school districts, higher education representatives, state legislators, and corporate and community leaders. The convening was designed to promote dialogue about the state of Hispanic higher education.

Last month, Dr. Reber participated in a Washington, D.C. roundtable discussion with United States Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo and other notable HSI leaders that was hosted by HACU President and Chief Executive Officer Dr. Antonio Flores. Recently, Dr. Yeurys Pujols was selected as a Fellow in the HACU Leadership Academy/La Academia de Liderazgo; and Irma Williams, HCCC Associate Registrar, was chosen to participate in HACU’s inaugural Enlace Mid-Level Leadership Program as a recipient of a Capital One grant. Earlier this year, Dr. Reber took part in HACU’s Washington, D.C. roundtable discussion with U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas.

HCCC students benefit from HACU scholarships, internships, advancement programs, and career development opportunities. “As our partner, HACU helps the College provide the people of our community with avenues to succeed and excel in higher education and their careers,” Dr. Reber stated. “We are proud of our alliance with HACU, proud of our heritage as a Hispanic-Serving Institution, and honored to receive this award.”#   #   #Caption: Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) President Dr. Antonio Flores, at left, presents Hudson County Community College President Dr. Christopher M. Reber with the 2023 “Outstanding HACU-Member Institution Award” for excellence in support of HACU’s mission before 2,500 conference participants.


About Hudson County Community College
Hudson County Community College serves more than 20,000 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. 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;” and the “INSIGHT Into Diversity” 2022 and 2023 Inspiring Programs in STEM Award. HCCC was a finalist recently 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 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.The College’s exemplary work in advancing student success has been recognized with 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.

About the Hispanic Association of Colleges and UniversitiesThe Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU), founded in 1986, represents 500 colleges and universities in the United States, Latin America, Spain, and school districts throughout the U.S. HACU is the only national association representing existing and emerging Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs). The Association’s headquarters is in San Antonio, Texas, with regional offices in Washington, D.C. and Sacramento, California.