Hudson County Community College President Dr. Christopher Reber Joins Business-Higher Education Forum Board of Directors
August 16, 2024
Hudson County Community College President Dr. Christopher Reber recently joined the Business-Higher Education Forum Board of Directors.
August 16, 2024, Jersey City, NJ – The Business-Higher Education Forum (BHEF) announced that Dr. Christopher Reber, President of Hudson County Community College (HCCC), has joined the BHEF Board of Directors. Also joining the Board are Jae Lynn Akins, HR Executive at State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company, and Terrence Cheng, Chancellor of Connecticut State Colleges and Universities. Dr. Reber is the sole community college president to serve on the Board.
BHEF is a national network connecting pioneering corporate and higher education leaders to identify emerging skills and co-develop pathways that address talent gaps. Business and higher education leaders join the Forum to lead innovation that meets the changing needs of learners, workers, and businesses. For members and partners, BHEF convenes action-oriented summits and roundtables; illuminates emerging talent needs and skill gaps; rapidly prototypes, implements, and scales talent solutions that bridge learning and work; and advocates for transformative business-higher education partnerships.
BHEF Board members champion the BHEF vision; participate in governance and oversight; commit to collaboration and attending at least two in-person member meetings each year; amplify BHEF’s influence by acting as ambassadors and building awareness among industry and academic peers; and support innovation and research by actively endorsing and contributing to BHEF’s learning and research agenda, and helping steer innovative projects that align with the organization’s strategic priorities.
“Our three new Board members will bring their expertise to our work to create inclusive pathways into the critical occupations and skills of the future, ensuring that innovative higher education and business leaders are key actors in achieving this vision, and catalyzing impactful collaboration,” said Kristen Fox, BHEF Chief Executive Officer. “With the diverse perspectives, strong leadership, and momentum we have across our network, we are poised to more closely align higher education and the business sector for strong economic outcomes.”
In addition to Jae Lynn Akins and Terrence Cheng, Dr. Reber will join Board members Joseph E. Aoun, President, Northeastern University; Board Vice Chair Jeffrey D. Armstrong, President, California Polytechnic State University; John J. DeGioia, President, Georgetown University; Lisa Gevelber, Chief Marketing Officer, Americas Region, Google and Founder, Grow with Google; Board Chair Laura K. Ipsen, President and Chief Executive Officer, Ellucian, Inc.; Earl F. “Marty” Martin, President, Drake University; Ryan Oakes, Managing Director, Accenture; Jay A Perman, M.D., Chancellor, University System of Maryland; Madeline Pumariega, President, Miami Dade College; and Timothy D. Sands, President, Virginia Tech.
“It is an honor to join the BHEF Board of Directors. All throughout my career I have prioritized higher education partnerships and collaborations with business and industry so the people of our community thrive in strong economies and careers with family-sustaining wages,” Dr. Reber stated. “I look forward to working with the esteemed members of the Board in furthering BHEF’s important work.”
Dr. Reber has devoted his entire 40-plus year career to higher education. As President of Hudson County Community College since 2018, he leads and supports the College’s engagement in local, regional, and national partnerships that support life-changing opportunities for students and the community.
Dr. Reber has been recognized with several awards, including American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) 2024 Award of Excellence – CEO of the Year; Phi Theta Kappa 2024 Shirley B. Gordon Award of Distinction; Hudson County Latin American Chamber of Commerce 2023 Education Leader of the Year Award; NJBIZ 2021, 2022 and 2023 “Education Power 50”; 2022 Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) Northeast Regional Chief Executive Officer Award; Hispanic State Parade of New Jersey, Inc. Education Leader 2022 Award; Hudson County Chamber of Commerce 2021 Legends Spirit Award; and 2020 Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society “Paragon President” Award.
Earlier this year, Dr. Reber was nominated to serve on the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)-Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) Leadership Group. That body provides guidance and strategic direction to ensure the Hispanic community equitably participates in and benefits from USDA education and employment programs, resources, and services.