Hudson County Community College Will Celebrate a Record 1,532 Graduates at the 47th Annual Commencement Ceremony

May 14, 2024

The largest graduating class in the College’s history will turn tassels at Red Bull Arena on Thursday, May 16.


May 13, 2024, Jersey City, NJ – Hudson County Community College (HCCC) will host the Class of 2024 and their family members and friends at the College’s 47th Annual Commencement Ceremony. A record 1,532 students will graduate on Thursday, May 16 beginning at 10 a.m. at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, NJ.

“As members of the HCCC Class of 2024 embark upon their next journey, we are confident they will continue to demonstrate the resilience and leadership that characterize them as Hudson County Community College students,” said HCCC President Dr. Christopher Reber. “Whether they are beginning new careers or continuing academic studies, we know our graduates will achieve great things and make us all proud.”

 

Hudson County Community College will graduate a record 1,532 students at the College’s 47th Annual Commencement Ceremony on May 16 at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, NJ.

Hudson County Community College will graduate a record 1,532 students at the College’s 47th Annual Commencement Ceremony on May 16 at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, NJ.

The Commencement festivities will be led by Dr. Lisa Dougherty, Master of Ceremonies and Senior Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment. The Order of Exercises includes Opening Remarks by Student Alumni Representative Sally Elwir; Greetings and Introductions by Dr. Reber, HCCC Board of Trustees Chair William J. Netchert, Esq., and Hudson County Executive Craig Guy; and Presentation of Graduates by Dr. Darryl Jones, Vice President for Academic Affairs.

“These graduates have overcome challenges and navigated uncertain times. Through it all, they have persevered with strength and determination, emerging stronger and more prepared to take on the world that awaits them,” Trustee Netchert said. “As they move forward toward bright futures, they will always have a home here at HCCC.”

During the ceremonies, HCCC Class of 2024 Valedictorian Najwa Essaki will address her peers. The immigrant, first-generation college graduate enrolled at HCCC in 2022 to overcome a language barrier. Excelling in English as a Second Language (ESL) classes, she went on to maintain a 4.0 cumulative grade point average (GPA) while pursuing her Associate’s degree in Accounting and participating in a federal work study program. Najwa worked side-by-side with her fellow students in community outreach and enrichment events such as preparing meals and caring for the homeless, blood drives, and more. She is a Chapter Officer of the Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society and served as Vice President of Scholarship in its Beta Alpha Phi chapter; Publicity Chair of National Society of Leadership and Success; President of Student Programming Board; Record Keeping Director of Student Government Association; and Vice President of the Arab Student Association.

HCCC Class of 2024 graduates earned Associates degrees and certificates from the HCCC Schools of Nursing and Health Professions; Business, Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management; Humanities and Social Sciences; and Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics.