Hudson County Community College President Named to NJBIZ ‘Education Power 50’ for Second Year in a Row
September 23, 2022
Pictured here, Hudson County Community College (HCCC) President, Dr. Christopher Reber.
September 23, 2022, Jersey City, NJ – Hudson County Community College (HCCC) Board of Trustees Chair, William J. Netchert, Esq., announced that HCCC President Dr. Christopher Reber has been named to this year’s NJBIZ “Education Power 50” list.
The 2022 list honors educators and administrators who are meeting the interrupted learning challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, rectifying historical inequities, and addressing the needs of New Jersey’s important economic sectors. In announcing the honorees, NJBIZ Chief Editor, Jeffrey Kanige, wrote: “As education evolved along with the economy, these individuals will ensure that the next generation – and the one after that – will be equipped to move the state forward. They are producing new health care professionals to meet serious medical needs. They are ensuring that communities of color will be better able to participate in the economic growth most business leaders expect at least over the medium term. And they are imparting skills that will enhance the trades we all depend upon to make our lives easier and more enjoyable.”
“This is the second year in a row that NJBIZ has recognized Dr. Reber with this honor,” Mr. Netchert stated. “We are very proud of him, and all he has done to promote student success, and diversity, equity and inclusion, and to address the unprecedented systemic challenges of achieving lasting improvement in the Hudson County workforce ecosystem.”
Dr. Reber, who was installed as HCCC President in July 2018, tirelessly and passionately advocates Hudson County Community College (HCCC) as well as state and national community college priorities. As HCCC President, he created the President’s Advisory Council on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (PACDEI); established the Vice President for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion position and Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion; instituted the “Hudson Helps Resource Center” to promote student retention and success through wraparound services to support the holistic needs of students; initiated “Hudson Scholars,” an award-winning student retention and support program poised to become a national model for community college best practices promoting student success; formed community and corporate partnerships that promote upward social and economic mobility for students and community members, including the Gateway to Innovation program that received a $1,050,000 award from JPMorgan Chase.
His leadership throughout the pandemic resulted in the formation of the HCCC Return to Campus Task Force comprised of students, faculty, and staff; the College’s investment in technology to offer courses, programs, and services remotely and online; providing free Chromebooks to all students in need; the preparation and distribution of more than 11,000 ready-to-heat meals by the HCCC Culinary Arts Institute students and chefs; and the HCCC vaccine initiative program that provided $100 incentives for students to become fully vaccinated – strengthening and prioritizing the health and safety of all. His administration also waived $4.8 million in outstanding financial balances for more than 5,000 HCCC students during the pandemic. Because of the culture of caring and connectedness Dr. Reber nurtured, HCCC students have proudly coined the phrase, “Hudson is Home!”
Christopher Reber has devoted his entire 40-year-plus career to higher education, serving as President of the Community College of Beaver County (2014-18); Executive Dean and Campus Executive Officer of Venango College of Clarion University of Pennsylvania (2002-14); Associate Provost for Advancement and University Relations, Dean of Student Affairs, and Affiliate Assistant Professor of Education at Pennsylvania State University at Erie, The Behrend College (1987-2002); Director of Human Resource Development Division, and Director of Lifelong Learning at Lakeland Community College (1984-87); and other positions earlier in his career. He holds a Postdoctoral Certificate from the Institute for Educational Management, Graduate School of Education at Harvard University; Ph.D. in Higher Education from the University of Pittsburgh; M.A. in College Student Personnel Administration from Bowling Green State University; and B.A. in Latin from Dickinson College.
Dr. Reber is the recipient of the 2022 Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) Northeast Regional Chief Executive Officer Award; Hudson County Chamber of Commerce’s inaugural “Spirit Award” presented at the 2021 Chamber Legends Gala; 2020 Phi Theta Kappa Middle States Regional Award of Excellence; and 2019 Phi Theta Kappa Paragon Award.
“Being named to the 2022 NJBiz Education Power 50 represents the transformational opportunities that have been achieved for our students and our community by working with my HCCC colleagues, our community, corporate partners, and elected officials,” Dr. Reber stated. “I am proud to share this award with all of them.”