HCCC to Celebrate the Class of 2020 with Virtual Commencement Exercises on December 10
December 10, 2020
Event will feature addresses from two valedictorians and the keynote speaker, James Elliott.
December 10, 2020, Jersey City, NJ – Hudson County Community College (HCCC) invites family and friends to honor the HCCC Class of 2020 by viewing live-stream Commencement ceremonies on Thursday, December 10, 2020 at 12 noon on the HCCC YouTube Channel – www.youtube.com/user/HudsonCountyCollege. At the virtual event, associate degrees and certificates will be awarded to 1,680 May and December 2020 HCCC graduates.
The keynote speaker will be James Elliott, the 2019-2020 International President of Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) Honor Society, and recipient of the first-ever PTK Presidential Scholarship. The 2020 Delaware Technical Community College graduate will share his inspirational life story. At age 19, Mr. Elliott was convicted of a felony, and spent nearly six years in prison. After his release, he returned to Delaware to complete a dual degree program in human services and drug and alcohol counseling. He has been named to the All-USA Academic Team, and is a New Century Transfer Pathway Scholar. Mr. Elliott is also a prison reform advocate who promotes education for recidivism reduction.
The valedictorians are Gabriela Melendez (May 2020), and Vanisha Patel (December 2020), both Jersey City residents. Ms. Melendez graduated with an Associate in Science degree in Computer Science-Cybersecurity option, and Ms. Patel with an Associate in Science degree in Biology.