Hudson County Community College Vice President Receives ‘Outstanding Dominican Recognition Abroad Award’

October 17, 2024, Jersey City, NJ – Dr. Yeurys Pujols embodies Hudson County Community College (HCCC) values, exudes Hispanic pride, and exemplifies the immigrant experience in America. The HCCC Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion was recently honored with the “Outstanding Dominican Recognition Abroad Award” from Instituto de Dominicanos y Dominicanos en el Exterior (INDEX). Dominican Republic President Luis Abinader presented the award in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Dominican Republic.

INDEX referenced Dr. Pujols’s great contributions to the Dominican American community.
“The commitment demonstrated by Dr. Pujols to keep the name of our country high through countless initiatives makes him worthy of this distinction.”

“Dr. Pujols is a special source of pride for our entire community,” said HCCC President Dr. Christopher Reber. “He is a role model who brings a deep appreciation of diverse cultures, love of education, and genuine warmth and understanding to all he does. Dr. Pujols’s life journey mirrors those of almost half of Hudson County residents who were born outside of the United States, including HCCC students, the vast majority of whom are the first in their families to pursue a college degree.”

At age 13, Yeurys Pujols emigrated from the Caribbean nation to the United States. Raised by a single mother who motivated him to work hard, he learned English and worked full time while attending college. He holds an Associate in Arts degree in Liberal Arts from HCCC, Bachelor of Arts degree in History from New Jersey City University (NJCU), Master of Arts degree in Diplomacy and International Relations from Seton Hall University, Doctor of Education degree in Community College Leadership from NJCU, and certificate in Diversity and Inclusion from Cornell University.

A proud HCCC alumnus, Dr. Pujols joined the College staff in 2006. He served as a Counselor, Instructor of History, Director of Enrollment and Student Services, and as Executive Director of the North Hudson Campus before becoming the College’s inaugural Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in 2021. Building the Office of DEI from the ground up, Dr. Pujols has engaged staff who embrace the College’s vision for promoting an institutional climate that appreciates and celebrates differences while championing inclusive practices, policies, and procedures.

In 2023, the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) selected Dr. Pujols as a Fellow in the fifth cohort of the HACU Leadership Academy/La Academia de Liderazgo. The one-year program is designed to increase diversity in executive and senior-level positions in higher education.

Dr. Pujols has been a guest speaker at national and local educational and community-oriented events. His affiliations include HCCC Alumni Association, Latino Advisory Council, African American Outreach Committee, Boys to Leaders Foundation, “Juventud Ecuatoriana,” and Save Latin America, which recognized him with the Juan Pablo Duarte Award in 2020.