Early College Alumni

The Early College Program has changed and grown over the years in terms of the number of partnerships across high schools, grade levels served, and even in name (formerly known as LEAP and LEAP+). What has not changed is the commitment to providing high school students the opportunity to earn college credits through one of our pathways.

With over 10,000+ HCCC Early College alumni going through our program and making our network strong, discover the voices of alumni who have left their mark across the college.

See the impact of our Early College Scholars, by the numbers. Our students are representative of the student body across Hudson County and their numbers speak to the growth and success of our program. See for yourself the impact our students have made throughout the previous academic years.
	2021 - 2022 AY	2022 – 2023 AY	2023 – 2024 AY	2024 – 2025AY	2025 – 2026 AY
Enrollment	779	1,052	1,038	1,332	Pending
Registered Credits	5,869	7,704	9,283	13,670	Pending
Course Pass Rate	87.11%	88.97%	89.62%	88.67%	Pending
Students who Graduated under an Associate's Degree or Certificate Program	32	13	21	48	Pending
	Graduates from James J. Ferris High School; Marist High School; William L. Dickinson High School	Graduates from High Tech High School; Marist High School; William L. Dickinson High School	Graduates from Bayonne High School; High Tech High School	Graduates from Abraham Lincoln High School; Bayonne High School; High Tech High School; Kearny High School	Come back soon for this information!

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Share YOUR Early College Story – Let YOUR Voice Be Heard!

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Consider submitting your testimonial and helping the next wave of Early College scholars see themselves in you. Let them be inspired. Submit a Early College Alumni Spotlight Form for us to share your story!

Data by Term

View our data brochures comparing terms one year apart in demographic, enrollment and student success outcomes.

Fall 2025 Data Brochure

Our alumni leave their mark everywhere. From being graduate and medical students, to careers in health and cybersecurity, our Early College alumni run the gamut. Discover where their paths have taken them and hear what they had to say.

"My advice to future students would be “Any way that you can further prepare yourself for the future, the better. Even if you're not sure what you want to major or what field you want to have a career in, the experience of working in a college like environment and learning to deal with college level work early will be incredibly helpful. Even if the class might not help you toward a specific career, it can still give you credits and you can still learn something that you will be able to apply in your life in some way, shape, or form. Three words to describe the Early College Program would be, helpful, beyond words."

Christopher Lugo - New Jersey City University - Computer Science & National Security - Liberty High School Class of 2015 - Employed as an IT Support Specialist at BlackRock.

"The Early College Program was the start of … “my life changing forever. I thank God and the Early College Program for the opportunity of a lifetime where I was able to advance in my education. The program allowed me to pursue beyond my expectations and strive towards bigger opportunities. Not only has the program helped me in my education, but it allowed me to share my skills and knowledge of the program with students who wish to pursue it and learn from fellow alumni. Three words I would use to describe the Early College Program would be, limitless, transformative, and supportive."

Jessie Galarza-Cornejo - Rutgers University New Brunswick – Psychology and Cognitive Sciences - William L. Dickinson High School Class of 2023

"Someone at HCCC that made a big difference in my academic journey would be my English professor. Dr. Das showed me that I wasn’t inadequate at writing and really did have potential. In high school I always did poorly on essays, however, after taking her class my writing skills have greatly improved. Three words I would use to describe the Early College Program: preparatory, fun, useful."

Roshaan Chaudhry - Stevens Institute of Technology – Cybersecurity Infinity Institute Class of 2025

"My advice to future students: “Take advantage of great opportunities like LEAP, even if they feel challenging at first — your future self will thank you. My LEAP speech course pushed me to grow in ways I didn’t expect, and the confidence and discipline I gained there helped me throughout college. Don’t be afraid to stretch yourself; these early steps can open doors you don’t even see yet. Three words I would use to describe the Early College Program: grateful, transformative, uplifting. "

Priscilla Ramos - Montclair State University – Pursuing a Masters in Cybersecurity - Jose Martí STEM Academy Class of 2020

"How has the Early College Program prepared you? “LEAP prepared me not just for college, but for life—by teaching me discipline, confidence, and how to rise to challenges before I ever thought I was ready. Three words I would use to describe the Early College Program: transformative, empowerment, defining."

Chelssy Silverio - Barry University – Nursing - Harrison High School Class of 2020

Contact Information

Early College Program
2 Enos Pl
J104
Jersey City, NJ 07306
(201) 360-5330
EarlyCollegeFREEHUDSONCOUNTYCOMMUNITYCOLLEGE