Hudson County Community College Delegates Participate in Hispanic Association of Colleges & Universities 33rd Annual Conference
October 17, 2019
October 17, 2019, Jersey City, NJ – A delegation of Hudson County Community College (HCCC) students and administrators recently attended the HACU (Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities) 33rd Annual Conference at the Hilton Chicago. The conference, which included a series of workshops to showcase exemplary programs and initiatives, and the most promising practices in educating Hispanic students in higher education, took place from Saturday, October 5, to Monday, October 7, 2019. The theme for this year’s conference was "Championing Hispanic Higher Education Success: Meeting the Challenge of Prosperity and Equality."
Hudson County Community College is a member of HACU, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting Hispanic student success in higher education. HACU represents more than 470 universities and community colleges in the United States that, together, enroll two-thirds of all Hispanic students in higher education. (HACU also has 45 member universities in Latin America and Spain.) The organization’s activities include improving legislation and government support for U.S. member institutions, building the institutional capacity of its member institutions, and promoting strategic alliances and partnerships, including academic cooperation programs across borders.
The HCCC delegation to the conference was headed by HCCC President Dr. Chris Reber, Executive Vice President and Provost Eric Friedman, and North Hudson Campus Executive Director Yeurys Pujols. The HCCC students – Rafael Castro, Katricia Colon, Suri Hidalgo, and Kailyn Segovia Vazquez – were among just 234 students who attended the conference as participants sponsored by HACU and its partners from higher education institutions, corporations, and federal entities.
“Hudson County Community College is proud to be designated as a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI), one of only 275 colleges and universities in the nation that is recognized as such by HACU,” Dr. Reber stated. “HACU provides scholarships, seminars, and opportunities like this conference that are immensely beneficial for our students.”
The Hudson County Community College students joined more than 600 students from colleges and universities throughout the United States and Puerto Rico to participate in the HACU ¡Adelante! Leadership Institute. In these workshops and networking sessions, students addressed educational, career, cultural and leadership issues, gained insight on the newest employment opportunities and hiring trends, and met potential mentors and employers.
The College’s administrative delegates participated in workshops focused on Grants and Fundraising Opportunities; Partnerships that Work; Executive Leadership for Presidents, CEOs and Trustees; Championing Academic Success for Hispanic Students, Research and Practice; Advocacy and Policy; and International Partnerships.