HCCC is recognized in the following 2026 Awards of Excellence categories:
- Advancing Institutional Equity and Belonging — HCCC was chosen for dedicating resources that result in measurable, equitable outcomes;
produce an inclusive environment for students, employees, and the community; and engender
innovative and progressive practices.
- Faculty Innovation — Professor of Theatre Arts Joseph Gallo was selected for creating HCCC’s Theater Arts Program; integrating his Off-Broadway
and Kennedy Center playwright experience into teaching and learning; maintaining open-door
advising; redesigning remote classes from lecture-based to interactive, including
nationally-recognized artists; designing the new 100-seat black-box theatre currently
under construction; building Playwrights Festivals; establishing a paid internship
program; and arranging for more than 2,000 students to attend New York City theatre
productions.
- Outstanding College Corporate Partnership — HCCC and New Jersey Reentry Corporation
is an alliance that creates opportunities for previously incarcerated citizens to earn academic and industry-recognized
credentials. Of the more than 1,000 students enrolled since the program’s inception
in 2021, 83% have completed classes; 70% earned a credential, continued their education,
or secured employment; 14 received a proficiency certificate; and 72 enrolled in a
GED program.
- Rising Star Manager — Director of Employee and Labor Relations Amaalah Ogburn has a record of strong engagement on college committees, with external constituents,
and in state and national organizations that support student success. Ms. Ogburn has
identified inefficiencies, and reimagined and refined processes to solve problems
and improve students’ experiences.
- Rising Star Executive — Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Heather
DeVries co-chaired the Return to Campus Task Force during the pandemic; led teams from the
College, business and K-12 communities, and college/university partners to develop
Academic and Student Success Action Plans; worked with Achieving the Dream to produce
significant gains in student retention and graduation; and co-led the Justice-Involved
Undergraduate Success and Training (JUSTice) Program in partnership with the Hudson
County Department of Family Services and Reintegration.
- Faculty Member of the Year — Assistant Professor of Exercise Science Karen Hosick
embraces and integrates evidence-based, collaborative strategies that lead to student
success. Professor Hosick helped develop the HCCC Personal Fitness and Exercise Science
programs; stage pop-up events to help students interact with staff; and demonstrate
techniques with state-of-the-art equipment.
“We congratulate Joseph Gallo, Amaalah Ogburn, Dr. Heather DeVries, Karen Hosick,
and our colleagues at the New Jersey Reentry Corporation for their well-deserved recognition,”
said HCCC President Dr. Christopher Reber. “We thank them and so many additional HCCC
faculty, staff, and students who contributed substantively to achieve these celebrated
outcomes.”
51ԹϺ is dedicated to advancing proven student success initiatives
and supporting outstanding faculty and staff. HCCC was also a finalist in six AACC
award categories in 2024 and received the national awards for Student Success (Hudson
Scholars Program); Faculty of the Year (Dr. Clive Li); and CEO of the Year (Dr. Christopher
Reber).