Serving one of the most culturally diverse student populations in the country, this community treasure is embracing bold and innovative strategies to meet the changing needs of education, workforce development, and social equity. “We’re a comprehensive, urban, highly diverse institution,” says HCCC President, Dr. Christopher Reber.“We’re 87% non white and 56% Latino.We’re a proud Hispanic Serving Institution.The vast majority of our students are the first in their families to pursue a higher education credential, which means when they succeed, it’s life changing and transformational.” That transformation, however, requires more than academic opportunity. Many HCCC students face profound challenges.“Well over 1000 of our students are learning English while they are here. Many are working full time while attending full time in order to support themselves and their families. Nearly thirty percent of our students are parents, many young single parents trying to navigate all the issues of raising kids while trying to pursue a degree,” Dr. Reber explains.“Unlike any place I’ve worked in my 45-year career in public higher education, our students are so exceedingly grateful for the opportunity to pursue a college degree. It’s fundamentally important to them and to their families and communities, and they’re incredibly dedicated, hardworking, and smart.” FOSTERING ENGAGEMENT AND BELONGING Dr. Yeurys Pujols, Vice President for Institutional Engagement and Excellence, elaborates on HCCC’s inclusive and empowering environment. “We are firmly committed to promoting a welcoming and engaging campus community where every student, faculty, staff, and community member feels valued, supported, and can participate fully in the life of the college regardless of their background or lived experiences,” he shares. “Our mission is to offer educational programs that promote the social mobility of our entire community, one individual at a time.” Providing opportunities for student engagement is a priority, and HCCC is committed to supporting student experiences beyond the classroom. Dr. Pujols describes a recent opportunity where he accompanied a group of students to participate in the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities’ annual Capitol Forum, a two-day conference held in Washington, D.C. where students meet members of Congress in advocacy sessions. Other recent programs include a Holocaust and Armenian Genocide Commemoration that included the participation of 40 students who visited the United States Holocaust Museum and the Armenian National Committee of America in Washington, D.C., and an annual Juneteenth Celebration, which hosted 3 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 12, ISSUE 07 HUDSON COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE
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