Hudson County Community College and Rutgers University-Newark Sign CONNECT Transfer Pathways Agreement
May 26, 2026
On Monday, May 4, Hudson County Community College (HCCC) and Rutgers University–Newark officially launched the CONNECT Transfer Program – expanding seamless pathways from associate to bachelor’s degrees with enhanced transfer, advising, and support.
Pictured from left: Dr. Tonya Smith-Jackson, Chancellor of Rutgers University-Newark and Dr. Christopher Reber, President of Hudson County Community College.
May 26, 2026, Jersey City, NJ – Hudson County Community College (HCCC) and Rutgers University- Newark (RU-N) have worked collaboratively for many years. More than a decade ago, the two higher education institutions forged a dual-admission agreement that made it easier for HCCC students who earned their associate degrees to transfer seamlessly to RU-N and attain baccalaureate degrees in Art, Biology, Computer Arts, Marketing and Supply Chain Management, Criminal Justice, English, Environmental Science, Public and Nonprofit Administration, and Theatre.
On Monday, May 4, 2026, HCCC President Dr. Christopher Reber and RU-N Chancellor Dr. Tonya Smith-Jackson signed the CONNECT Transfer Pathways Agreement that builds upon the longstanding relationship and offers HCCC students even more baccalaureate options and benefits.
The new CONNECT Transfer Pathways Agreement provides HCCC students who earn their HCCC Associate in Science in Business Administration degree with the opportunity to transfer seamlessly to Rutgers University-Newark Bachelor of Science degrees in Marketing, Chain Supply Management, and Leadership and Management; and Bachelor of Arts degrees in Public Administration programs. Additional program pathways are in process in the areas of Biology, Psychology, Social Work, Computer Science, Education, and Criminal Justice.
HCCC students who meet the CONNECT criteria and become part of the program – including Early College students in local high schools – will be granted joint admission to HCCC and Rutgers University-Newark. All application fees will be waived for students in the program. If applicable, CONNECT students will be required to complete a Free Application to Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), and additional applications for scholarships, grants, and other financial assistance offered by RU-N. The HCCC and RU-N CONNECT students benefit from personalized transfer support, one-on-one advisement, and maximum transfer benefits.
“The CONNECT program is transformational,” Dr. Reber said. “It removes barriers and the duplication of required courses, and it provides seamless and expedited pathways to baccalaureate degrees and better paying, more secure careers. We are very proud of our long and productive partnership with Rutgers University-Newark, and look forward to continuing to develop new programs that help improve the lives of our community.”
“This partnership with Hudson County Community College affirms our shared belief that talent is universal and opportunity must be deliberate, creating inclusive, well-supported pathways to the baccalaureate. Through the CONNECT program, HCCC students arrive at Rutgers-Newark poised to thrive, proving that when institutions work together, transfer success becomes a promise kept,” said Rutgers-Newark Chancellor Tonya Smith-Jackson.
Click here for more information about the HCCC-RU-N CONNECT program.