HCCC President Dr. Christopher Reber Honored By Hudson County Latin American Chamber of Commerce as Education Leader of the Year

HCLACC president Heidi Castrillon stated, “Dr. Reber has long been an ally to Hudson County’s Latino community. He is leading the effort to forge local, regional, and national partnerships that produce transformative and life-changing opportunities for students and community members.”   

Hudson County is one of the most diverse counties in the United States and home to a large demographic of Hispanic and Latino residents who make up over 40% of the county’s population.

Proudly serving this richly diverse community with a vibrant Hispanic culture and heritage, Hudson County Community College is a Federally-designated Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) – 56% of full-time students are Hispanic/LatinX.

Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) is one of the College’s guiding lights, and DEI principles are interwoven into everything that the College does to foster a welcoming and inclusive campus environment.  

HCCC’s Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion leads and supports the HCCC Latino Community Advisory Council, an alliance of more than 30 clergy, educators, business professionals, nonprofit organizations, and community leaders who meet regularly to discuss the needs and concerns of the Hispanic community, and to promote educational attainment throughout Hudson County. The HCCC Latino Community Advisory Council sponsors and hosts networking events, open houses, receptions, and informational and enrollment events throughout the year.

President Reber recently joined other leaders of Hispanic Serving Institutions from the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) to meet with United States Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo, where he outlined his vision to create a semiconductor manufacturing center at the College, and to create customized workforce development programs that align with the needs of this lucrative and high-tech industry. Earlier this year, Dr. Reber took part in HACU’s Washington, D.C. roundtable discussion with U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas.

Because of these institution-wide efforts, Dr. Reber and other College leaders are frequently recognized for their consistent and concerted support of the Hispanic community. Last month, HCCC received HACU’s “Outstanding Member Institution Award.”

In May, the College hosted “HACU on the Road,” a conference of over 100 national HACU leaders and members, chancellors and presidents of colleges and universities, superintendents of Hispanic-serving school districts, higher education representatives, state and local officials, and corporate and community leaders. The conference’s goal was to advance and promote dialogue about the state of Hispanic higher education. 

Additionally, HCCC Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Dr. Yeurys Pujols, was honored with the 48th Annual Hispanic Statewide Parade of New Jersey Excellence in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Award in 2023, and in 2022, Dr. Reber won the Education Leader of the Year Award and served as a Parade Grand Marshal for the Hispanic Statewide Parade of New Jersey.  

The College has also received the 2021 Community Partner Award from the Desfile Salvadoreño de New Jersey; received 2021 Recognition for Work with the LatinX Community by Ambassador Alfonso Morales, Consul General of Ecuador for New Jersey and Pennsylvania; 2021 Recognition for Community Service in Support of the LatinX Community in Hudson County by Multicultural Poder Hispano; 2020 Save Latin America Los Tres Antillanos Annual Gala Educational Award to Dr. Yeurys Pujols; and others. 

On receiving the Education Leader of the Year award from HCLACC, Dr. Reber stated, “As the proud leader of a Hispanic Serving Institution, it’s an honor to be recognized by the HCLACC. The honor speaks to our entire College community’s dedication and commitment to breaking down barriers and serving the Hispanic community. We take the word ‘community’ in our title very seriously. Our mission is to serve our community.”

HCLACC celebrated Dr. Reber and this year’s other honorees at its 2023 holiday party at The Fiesta in Wood Ridge, NJ.