Hudson County Community College Receives 2024 National ‘Inspiring Programs in Business’ Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity
March 11, 2024
The College’s programs are recognized for making a difference among traditionally underrepresented groups in the business field.
March 11, 2024, Jersey City, NJ – Hudson County Community College’s (HCCC) School of Business, Culinary Arts, and Hospitality Management has received Insight Into Diversity Magazine’s 2024 “Inspiring Programs in Business” Award. The prestigious national award honors business schools that demonstrate outstanding commitment to encouraging and assisting students from traditionally underrepresented groups to enter the field of business.
HCCC was recognized for its comprehensive diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) recruitment, retention, and educational initiatives including curriculum development, industry-based student activities, faculty professional development, and best practices that support and nurture the College’s diverse student body.
Prospective students of Hudson County Community College’s tour the kitchens of the College’s award-winning Culinary Arts program with Dr. Ara Karakashian, Dean of Business, Culinary Arts, and Hospitality Management.
“Our School of Business, Culinary Arts, and Hospitality Management utilizes a multifaceted approach to instruction and facilitating the growing needs of our local business community,” said HCCC President Dr. Christopher Reber. “We proudly accept this honor that acknowledges the transformational impact HCCC makes in the lives of our students and our community.”
All HCCC curricula embrace the importance of DEI:
- Courses in Business and Management highlight recruitment and workforce diversity; accommodate diverse groups of employees; and examine the expanding global marketplace, human resources management, workplace discrimination and sexual harassment laws, pay equity, and business ethics, among others.
- Economics courses examine economic inequities, mobility, and international trade.
- Business Administration electives include Global Business, Entrepreneurship, and Business Internships.
- HCCC’s Accounting program collaborates with four-year colleges and universities to offer scholarship information and help students transfer seamlessly.
- Learning tools are accessible to accommodate students with diverse learning needs.
- Student-centered, DEI-focused activities include Implicit Bias Workshops, Speakers, and Alumni Panels.
- HCCC's Hudson Helps Resource Center offers services and programs to address students' holistic needs and help them achieve success, including on-campus Food Pantries, Physical and Mental Health and Wellness Services, Career Closet, Emergency Funding, Accessibility Services, and more.
Dr. Reber shared that HCCC’s targeted recruitment efforts and unique academic programs have led to increases in the number of students from historically underrepresented groups. The number of Black or African American students in the HCCC School of Business, Culinary Arts, and Hospitality Management disciplines increased about 150%, from 54 to 134 students (12% of HCCC's total enrollment in these programs); and the number of Hispanic students increased 170%, from 249 to 676 (60% of program total enrollment).
“We know that business programs are not always recognized for their success, dedication, and mentorship for underrepresented students,” said Lenore Pearlstein, owner and publisher of Insight Into Diversity Magazine. “We want to honor the schools and organizations offering programs that inspire and encourage young people interested in a future career in business. We are proud to honor these programs as role models to other institutions of higher education and beyond.”