“We also had construction trade unions come in to talk to our students about what’s next for them, and the apprenticeship and employment options available.” To support future opportunity, micro credentials are embedded directly into academic pathways so that when students complete a non-credit program, they can seamlessly earn credits toward an associate degree. “We have been able to increasingly bridge non credit and micro credentials, and segue these into a continuing academic pathway that can take students as far as they want to go educationally,” noted Dr. Reber. EMBRACING TECHNOLOGY AND AI Over recent years, HCCC has invested in infrastructure aimed at expanding access to technology and improving the student experience. Tricia Clay, Associate Vice President for Information Technology and Chief Information Officer, outlines several initiatives designed to meet the evolving digital needs of students, including virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI), which allows access to HCCC desktops and software from any location complemented by a laptop loan program. “We also set up video immersive classrooms,” she adds.“We have 64 currently, and that’s to add capacity between our Journal Square and our Union City campuses, and also to provide more engagement for students, faculty, and staff who are on either 7 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 12, ISSUE 07 HUDSON COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTI5MjAx