Hudson County Community College Drives Student Success with Record Breaking Summer Enrollment

June 25, 2025

With a 45% increase in summer enrollment, HCCC’s Free Summer Initiative becomes an innovative model transforming summer into a season of student success momentum—not a pause.


June 25, 2025, Jersey City, NJ – While summertime is traditionally viewed as a break from academics, Hudson County Community College (HCCC) is utilizing the season as a powerful springboard for student achievement. Through its new Free Summer Initiative, the College is helping thousands of students accelerate progress toward graduation.

Led by HCCC President Dr. Christopher Reber, Associate Vice President for Institutional Research and Planning John Urgola, and Dean of Enrollment Services Matthew Fessler, the initiative emerged from research into the multi-year increases in graduation rates among Pell students at the College. This analysis revealed an impactful insight: Full-time students who take a summer course between their first and second year at the College are up to eight times more likely to graduate within two years, while part-time students are up to 17 times more likely to graduate.

Pictured here are students at the May 2025 Commencement that celebrated the fifth consecutive record number of graduates in Hudson County Community College history.

HCCC’s Free Summer Initiative helps more students stay on track for graduation. Pictured here are students at the May 2025 Commencement that celebrated the fifth consecutive record number of graduates in Hudson County Community College history.

"The Free Summer Initiative is a prime example of how we let the data guide us in our decisions,” explained John Urgola. “When considering the historic impact of summer enrollment on a student's likelihood of success, the question really shifted from 'Can we afford to make this bold financial investment?' to 'Can we afford not to do this?'"

In response to compelling data, HCCC launched the 2025 Free Summer Initiative, offering up to seven summer credits free of cost to virtually all credential-seeking continuing students after other forms of financial aid are applied. But nearly 70% of the students enrolled in the Free Summer Initiative are receiving some financial aid, including Summer Pell, NJ Summer Tuition Assistance Grant (TAG), and other programs, making the initiative revenue-positive for the College. Over $3.1 million in grants were awarded to this year’s first summer session students, nearly double the total awarded last year, and demonstrating the cost-effectiveness of the initiative.

The results have been immediate and encouraging.

As of mid-June 2025:

  • Over 3,000 students are enrolled in HCCC’s first summer session, eclipsing the previous record from 14 years ago by over 650 students.
  • Compared to last year, Summer Session 1 saw a more than 45% increase in enrollment overall, and a 47% increase in continuing student enrollment. 
  • Summer Session 2 has already surpassed historical enrollment records a full month before classes begin, while also surpassing 2024 Summer 2 final totals by over 11%.

These short-term gains have been historic, setting a foundation for longer-term student success. Nearly 60% of Free Summer Initiative students enrolled for Summer 2025 are already registered for Fall 2025 — making them three times more likely to do so than their peers. Fall 2025 enrollment compared to one year ago is currently up by over 15%.

“At HCCC, everything we do is centered on student success — and the Summer Enrollment Initiative is another shining example of this,” said HCCC President Dr. Christopher Reber. “By removing financial barriers and encouraging students to remain engaged year-round, we’re not just helping them earn credits — we’re helping them persist toward graduation and a brighter future.” 

Visit here for more information about Hudson County Community College’s Free Summer Initiative!