Tag Archives: Hudson County Community College

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.
Education

Hudson County Community College AppointsEight New Full-Time Faculty

 

Pictured here, are HCCC’s eight newly appointed, full-time faculty members. Top row: Sharon Daughtry, Dr. Gabriel Holder, Sebastian Pieciak, and Sovi Pujols. Bottom row: Dorante Dawn Richards, Sonja Rodiger-Radovic, Keeley Thorton, and Dr. Benedetto Youssef.

The Hudson County Community College (HCCC) Board of Trustees has approved the appointment of eight faculty to new, full-time, tenure-track positions.

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Education

Hudson County Community College Keeps a College Education Within Reach for All  

Ensuring that College Remains the Doorway to the American Dream  

 HCCC continues to break down the barriers to obtaining a college degree by making a high-quality education affordable and accessible to all Hudson County residents.  

There are one million fewer students on college campuses than there were prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. While the causes can be debated, this decline is alarming because earning a college education is still the doorway to the American Dream for millions. The wage gap between college graduates and those with only a high school diploma recently reached a record high, and multiple sources report that, over the course of their careers, college graduates will earn significantly more on average than their counterparts with a high school education.     

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Education

Hudson County Community College Offers High School Students 50% Tuition Savings and a Jumpstart on College Goals

11 of the 13 HCCC Early College graduates in May 2023

HCCC Early College Program is open to ALL high school students
who attend school or reside in Hudson County.

In 2021, Bayonne resident Kate Neal earned her high school diploma and Associate in Science (A.S.) in Environmental Studies degree at the same time. She attained this exceptional accomplishment as a result of the Hudson County Community College (HCCC) Early College Program. Now a junior studying Civil Engineering at The College of New Jersey (TCNJ), Ms. Neal said: “I am extremely grateful for the HCCC Early College Program opportunity. It has helped me feel better prepared to enter a four-year college.”

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Education

Hudson County Community College President Named to NJBIZ “Education Power 50” for Third Year in a Row 

 HCCC President Dr. Christopher Reber is pictured here with new students in HCCC’s Equal Opportunity Fund (EOF) Program.

September 18, 2023, Jersey City, NJ –  Hudson County Community College (HCCC) Board of Trustees Chair, William J. Netchert, Esq., announced that HCCC President Dr. Christopher Reber has again been named to the NJBIZ â€œEducation Power 50” list.

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