Hudson County Community College Rolls Out the Welcome Mat for Local High School Students
May 3, 2024
Students from Hudson County’s high schools getting a first-hand look at what college life is like.
May 3, 2024, Jersey City, NJ – Hudson County Community College (HCCC) is rolling out the welcome mat for local
high school students, inviting them to visit the campus for a series of memorable
events to get a firsthand look at what College life is like.
HCCC recently hosted students from Jersey City’s Snyder High School for an on-campus
pep rally and College tour. Community leader Tamika McReynolds of the Hudson County
Office of Family Services and Reintegration hosted the event in conjunction with Teen
Magazine, the Hudson County Sherriff’s Office, Jersey City School District representatives,
and others. HCCC faculty, staff, and students teamed up with special guests including
Hot 97’s renowned DJ Wallah, whose music set a vibrant, energetic tone that mirrored
the students’ excitement about their educational futures. Elected officials, including
U.S. Congressman Rob Menendez, State Senator Angela McKnight, and Jersey City Councilwoman
Mira Prinz-Arey also attended.
Students from Jersey City’s Snyder High School visited HCCC for an on-campus pep rally and college tour.
McReynolds declared, “We want to give the kids an opportunity, a shot at the title,” while DJ Wallah explained, “Our current initiative is to help every graduating senior apply for higher learning, so we’re bringing graduating seniors to the college to show them what’s possible. Getting them to check out colleges can be difficult, so we make it a field trip that combines education and entertainment.”
Students met faculty and staff from various academic programs, clubs, and organizations to learn more about what each has to offer. Attendees could apply to HCCC on the spot at the school’s “application station” with the help and guidance of admissions staff.
This wasn’t the only time HCCC opened its doors to local high school students for a celebratory and informative pep rally. Recently, students from other Jersey City high schools, including Lincoln High School and the Renaissance Institute, visited HCCC for similar events.
Between the three events, hundreds of Hudson County high school seniors have applied to HCCC in what could be a future-altering decision.
Snyder High School senior Roshone Amaker said, “The event was useful for high school students who want to find out more about what they want to do next in life. Coming to Hudson was great; we got to see everything, and it’s a good environment with a lot of energy.” Amaker also explained that McReynolds “…is doing a lot of good things for the community, not just for our high school but for multiple high schools, and she is doing it out of the goodness of her own heart.” Amaker, who plays baseball for Snyder High School and plans to study business or accounting when he begins college, used the event as an opportunity to apply to HCCC.
HCCC Dean of Enrollment Matt Fessler explained, “We want to give local high school students a preview of what college is like and show them that they can do this. You can come to a community college right in your own neighborhood like HCCC and get a great College experience.”
These three pep rallies are recent examples of HCCC opening its doors to give local high school students a taste of life at HCCC, with additional Hudson County high schools participating in the coming weeks. Associate Vice President for Continuing Education Workforce Development Lori Margolin said, “Our initiative to welcome local high school students onto our campus is about more than just showcasing what HCCC has to offer; it's about empowering these students with the belief that their dreams are within reach.”
HCCC President Dr. Christopher Reber emphasized that “Opening doors to these students is what motivates us every day.”