Hudson County Community College President Dr. Chris Reber To Receive Phi Theta Kappa ‘Paragon President’ Award

February 25, 2020

February 25, 2020, Jersey City, NJ – Hudson County Community College (HCCC) President Dr. Chris Reber will be recognized as a Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) Honor Society “Paragon President.” The award will be presented during “PTK Catalyst 2020,” the Society’s annual convention, which will be held April 2 – 4, 2020 in Texas.

The PTK “Paragon President” Award is given to new college presidents who have shown strong support of student success by recognizing academic achievement, leadership and service among high-achieving students at their college. Dr. Reber was nominated for the award by members of the College’s PTK chapter. He is one of just 28 community college presidents in the United States to be named for the honor, and was chosen from more than 500 new college presidents.

PTK Honor Society President and CEO Lynn Tincher-Ladner wrote to Dr. Reber: “We know the depth of each member’s experience has a lot to do with the value placed on Phi Theta Kappa by college leaders. Your nomination and selection for this award is recognition that your PTK students have your support – thank you!”

 

Dr. Chris Reber

 

The HCCC PTK members wrote that Dr. Reber, who became HCCC President on July 1, 2018, immediately began highlighting exemplary HCCC students. They related that he congratulates recipients of the Leader of Promise, Pearson, and Cengage Unlimited Scholarships in person; invites PTK members to share their successes at HCCC Board of Trustees meetings; attends PTK chapter events; spotlights the chapter’s work and achievements at College-wide-events and in the College’s podcasts; supports travel for chapter members; and assists with the chapter’s community projects, such as the aquaponics greenhouse that produces mushrooms and scallions for the HCCC food pantry.

“This award has special significance to me because it comes from our students, who are at the heart of everything we do at Hudson County Community College. It is my honor and privilege to work with them and for them,” Dr. Reber said.

Phi Theta Kappa is the premier honor society recognizing the academic achievements of students at associate degree-granting colleges, and helping them grow as scholars and leaders. Established in 1918, the Society has more than 3.5 million members, and nearly 1,300 chapters in 11 nations, with approximately 240,000 active members in U.S. colleges.

Beta Alpha Phi, the HCCC chapter of PTK, has earned the distinction of Five Star Chapter Status, Phi Theta Kappa’s highest level of recognition. The PTK Chapter Plan offers five levels of engagement, with each level consisting of prescribed activities to build a strong, active chapter taking advantage of all PTK has to offer.