Hudson County Community College Receives ‘2023 Most Promising Places to Work in Community Colleges’ National Award

To select the awardees, the “Most Promising Places to Work” research team uses a web-based survey to examine areas such as innovative programs, family friendliness, salaries/benefits, and professional development opportunities. The “Most Promising Places to Work in Community Colleges” team reviewed HCCC’s on-boarding and evaluation, new faculty and staff orientation, professional development, and work-life practices, as well as salaries and benefits. They learned that HCCC is steadfast in its commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and encourages:

• Culturally aware curricula;
• Recruitment of – and opportunities for – diverse populations, including administration, faculty, staff, and students;
• Diversity training and education that is available to everyone;
• Mediation of differences that may arise among community members to attain the best possible solutions and compromises; and
• Diverse conversations and discussions without censure or hostility.

“Last year, HCCC was recognized as ‘a beacon for diversity,’ and this year’s award reflects our continued commitment to advancing equity and excellence,” said HCCC President Dr. Christopher Reber. “Everyone at HCCC – trustees, faculty, staff, students, and benefactors – work to make the College a welcoming, safe, and inclusive place to work and learn. ‘Hudson is Home’ is not just a slogan, it is affirmation of the sense of belonging we foster here, and the fulfillment of our mission, vision, and values. We share this award with our entire HCCC family!”

Hudson County Community College serves one of the most ethnically and racially diverse areas of the United States. HCCC’s Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion promotes a climate that embraces and celebrates differences while championing inclusive practices, policies and procedures in all College activities. In 2019, the College established the President’s Advisory Council on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (PACDEI). In its first year, PACDEI launched a college-wide climate survey with approximately 800 students, employees, and members of the Board of Trustees participating. The Office of Institutional Research and Planning evaluated the data and created comprehensive representations that were formally shared with the entire HCCC community for review and input. Four overarching goals were established:

• Supporting an inclusive culture of care at HCCC; creating DEI infrastructure, training programs, and initiatives across the College.
• Weaving diversity, equity, and inclusion guidelines and practices into recruitment and hiring practices, screening committee procedures, promotion considerations, and succession planning.
• Creating clear and transparent processes for safety, security, and incident reporting that are free of intimidation and respectful of confidentiality.
• Building community and a sense of belonging for students by advancing their academic development, professional growth, and personal transformation.

Transparent and inclusive processes at HCCC are truly owned by the College community and include monthly Town Hall meetings; implicit bias training; inclusion of faculty and staff at national conferences; opportunities for members of the College community to participate in the eCornell Diversity and Inclusion Certificate program free of charge; a competitive tuition reimbursement program for faculty and staff; a broad range of regularly scheduled employee development workshops; and much more.

“This is an exciting time to be part of HCCC,” states Anna Krupitskiy, Vice President for Human Resources. “Dr. Reber, the Trustees, and the entire HCCC community work together to ensure a welcoming, collegial environment where everyone is respected, treated with dignity, and afforded opportunities to grow and realize their full potential.”