Doreen Pontius-Molos, M.S.W., L.C.S.W.

Doreen is the Director of Mental Health Counseling and Wellness at the college. Her office provides mental health counseling support and crisis intervention to students. She also facilitates mental health training and develops programs to promote HCCC as a stigma-free campus. In addition to managing day-to-day operations, Doreen supervises staff and graduate-level interns. She is also the Chair of the Jed Campus team and the Chair of College Life. With 22 years of experience as a licensed clinical social worker in the mental health field, Doreen specializes in working with students who have learning disabilities, mental health needs, or who have had traumatic experiences.

Doreen is a highly skilled therapist with over 22 years of experience in the mental health field. She specializes in helping college students manage stress and develop practical coping tools using evidence-based techniques. Doreen focuses on mindfulness and relaxation techniques to promote well-being and assists students in achieving their academic goals. Doreen has been employed in the field of higher education since August 2019. In 2020, the Hudson County Borough recognized Hudson County Community College (HCCC) as a stigma-free institution. During her tenure, Doreen took the initiative to establish and implement mental health awareness and educational programs to benefit staff, faculty, and students. She has also written two grants, one for the Innovation Grant, which provided $287,587 to develop community partnerships for supporting students, and the other for Staff and Faculty Professional Development, which awarded $22,222. In 2023, she was recognized with the Excellence Award Recipient at the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development (NISOD). Before pursuing higher education, she gained extensive experience in the mental health sector, working as a clinician, family counselor, and lead social worker in an alternative high school for nearly two decades. Throughout her career, she has focused on supporting students who are at risk of failing in school, with a particular emphasis on treating trauma and domestic violence survivors. Her passion and dedication have driven her work to advocacy. Doreen began her educational journey at Bergen County College and later transferred to Fairleigh Dickinson University on an academic scholarship. Despite learning disabilities, she has achieved several degrees and is a doctoral candidate at Manhattanville College. She is set to graduate in the summer of 2024.