Hudson County Community College Receives Insight Into Diversity 2025 Inspiring Programs in Business Award
February 25, 2025
Only 21 colleges in the United States earned this national recognition.
February 25, 2025, Jersey City, NJ – From Main Street to Wall Street, small business and Fortune 500 companies that
value educated and knowledgeable workforces attract and retain talent, develop innovative
ideas and solutions, and boost profitability. Businesses and organizations employ
people with broad perspectives and experiences to help strengthen their reach, build
public trust, and improve branding.
Insight Into Diversity Magazine presented its 2025 Inspiring Programs in Business Award to Hudson County Community
College (HCCC) for its School of Business, Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management’s
Business Administration program. The award recognizes programs that provide comprehensive
support for students from traditionally underrepresented groups. Winners were selected
for their ability to inspire and engage students to pursue business careers through
mentoring, teaching, research, programs, and initiatives.
Pictured here, members of the Hudson County Community College Class of 2024 School of Business graduates at their commencement ceremony at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, NJ.
“We are honored to receive this recognition from Insight Into Diversity,” said HCCC President
Dr. Christopher Reber. “Hudson County Community College provides inclusive, high-quality
educational programs and services that increase student success and upward social
and economic mobility. Through curricula, students’ industry-based activities, and
professional development, our programs underscore HCCC’s dedication to academic excellence.”
The HCCC A.S. in Business Administration program was established in 2012 and has evolved to prepare students to meet the demands of a global economy. The College’s Business Education Supplemental Training (B.E.S.T.) program is a national model for business degree programs. HCCC Professors Dr. Peter Cronrath and Elana Winslow, who are Business-Higher Education Forum (BHEF) Faculty Innovation Fellows, engaged with BHEF’s national network to develop the badging/leadership program that connects the HCCC B.E.S.T. students with industry leaders. B.E.S.T. students meet in the College’s Bloomberg Finance Lab to prepare for the Bloomberg Financial Challenge and complete badge-earning tasks in student surveys, marketing, finance, career readiness, positive social change management, and more. Importantly, students meet with professional mentors from financial institutions, law, supply chain, and telecommunications.
The B.E.S.T. students competed against 2,400 college teams worldwide in the Bloomberg Investment Trading Challenge; attended a Career Readiness/HR Bank of America workshop; and met with a Federal Reserve Bank representative for activities, a presentation, Wall Street tour, and two case-study competitions.
“We know that business programs are not always recognized for their success, dedication, and mentorship for underrepresented students,” says Lenore Pearlstein, owner and publisher of Insight Into Diversity Magazine. “We are thrilled to recognize those that prioritize excellence and create pathways for students who seek careers in a wide range of business sectors. We are proud to honor these programs as role models for other institutions of higher education and beyond.”