Hudson County Community College President Christopher Reber Joins College Presidents for Civic Preparedness
November 13, 2024
Hudson County Community College President Dr. Christopher Reber recently became a member of the national consortium, College Presidents for Civic Preparedness.
National consortium cultivates civic engagement on college campuses.
November 13, 2024, Jersey City, NJ – What makes an informed voter? How does one discuss social, economic, and political
issues with people of different views? How can people with opposing ideologies work
toward the common good? How do colleges balance the complexities of freedom of expression
and open debate?
Historically, college campuses form the bedrock for cultivating free speech and civic responsibility in American society. Hudson County Community College (HCCC) President Dr. Christopher Reber, who has long championed diversity, equity and inclusion, joined more than 100 higher education leaders nationwide in College Presidents for Civic Preparedness, a new initiative from the Institute for Citizens & Scholars. The Princeton-based organization is committed to upholding free expression and designing new programs to promote democratic engagement among students, faculty, and the public.
Launched in 2023, the College Presidents for Civic Preparedness consortium is dedicated to guiding the next generation of well-informed, productively engaged and committed citizens; defending free expression, civil discourse, and critical inquiry as essential civic norms; and increasing thoughtful engagement and better understanding by students for the effective functioning of democracy. The consortium has grown from 15 members at its start to 112 today. These leaders make three civic commitments: educate students on the tenets of democracy; prepare students for a vibrant, diverse, and contentious society; and protect and defend free inquiry.
“Engaging in constructive, inclusive, respectful, and sometimes uncomfortable conversations about issues helps us understand one another,” Dr. Reber said. “The consortium helps empower us to equip students with the knowledge and skills to be productive and committed citizens.”
Consortium suggestions to advance civic commitment include hosting speaker series on diverse viewpoints, expanding course offerings centered on civic preparedness, offering student orientations for civic preparedness, and promoting voter education initiatives.
HCCC promotes civic engagement with programs, seminars, and activities in a variety of ways, including but not limited to:
- The President’s Advisory Council on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion that weaves DEI goals into every facet of College life to improve representation throughout.
- The HCCC Annual DEI Summer Retreat with guest speakers like Rev. Al Sharpton, Founder and President of the National Action Network, and Dr. Jelani Cobb, Dean of Journalism at Columbia University. Over 250 faculty, staff, and community leaders participate.
- The Annual Teaching and Learning Symposium on Social Justice in Higher Education that welcomes over 1,400 attendees from across the globe to discuss racial equity, the justice system, healthcare, climate change, corporate responsibility, and much more. Speakers at the national event include university presidents, authors, activists, faith leaders, and elected officials.
- Reber leads and co-chairs the New Jersey Presidents’ Council (NJPC) Committee on Social Justice, supporting best practices and lessons learned in the social justice arena.
“Higher education has a responsibility to provide students with critical skills and knowledge to participate effectively in our Constitutional democracy,” said Rajiv Vinnakota, President of the Institute for Citizens & Scholars. “College campuses are among the most diverse spaces in our country, and college is an important time for students to develop the habits, practices, and norms to live in a multicultural and interconnected democracy. Doing so can create a ripple effect, making young people more optimistic and increasingly committed about their future and our nation.”