Silvia Rodriguez

Silvia Rodriguez - HCCC Trustee

Master in Urban Education - New Jersey City University (1993)

Bachelor of Arts - New Jersey City University (1980)

Trustee Silvia Rodriguez has a longstanding connection to Hudson County Community College, dating back to 1974 when she became the third student to enroll—then known as the Hudson County Community Commission. A retired educator with a 28-year career, she served as a guidance counselor at Memorial High School and West New York Middle School from 2004 to 2018. Earlier in her career, she worked as an elementary school teacher, bilingual summer enrichment teacher, and bilingual parent facilitator. Ms. Rodriguez holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Urban Education from New Jersey City University and was honored as the 2014–2015 Governor’s Educator of the Year. She joined the Hudson County Community College Board of Trustees in 2019.

What resources or support services (e.g., tutoring, counseling, career services) did you find most helpful during your time at HCCC?

In 1973, when I started at HCCC, support services were not available, as the institution was in the planning stages.

 

Was there a moment, class, or person at HCCC that made you feel supported, welcomed, or empowered as a student?

Rosa Casillas, the admission secretary, was the first person I met from HCCC. She was welcoming, positive, and very helpful.

 

What were some of the biggest challenges you faced during your community college experience?

I had three challenges: learning English as my second language was my first biggest challenge; learning my way around a makeshift campus in Emerson High School, Union City, was my second challenge. Finally, keeping a good GPA was not as difficult because I had always been a disciplined student in my country.