Hudson County Community College Welcomes Alumna, Educator, and Community Activist Lissa Santiago to the Board of Trustees

“As a Jersey City teacher, school administrator, and community activist, Ms. Santiago has demonstrated her commitment to serving the people of Hudson County,” said Jeanette Peña, HCCC Trustee Chair. “We welcome her to the Board and look forward to collaborating with her in furthering our mission. We also extend our gratitude to Dr. Doria for his work as a Trustee, and his commitment to education and public service.”  

Dr. Doria’s career in public service began on the Bayonne Board of Education. He served as New Jersey Assemblyman, Mayor of Bayonne, and New Jersey State Senator. His roles also included Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, Chairman of the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency, and serving on the New Jersey Council on Affordable Housing, New Jersey Redevelopment Authority, and New Jersey Meadowlands Commission.

A Puerto Rican immigrant who arrived in the United States when she was 17, Ms. Santiago is passionate about children and education. Her lineage includes educators and professors from Jersey City, Bethlehem and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, New York City, Florida, and Puerto Rico. She received her HCCC Associate degree in Childcare Education, and worked as an elementary school teacher in Jersey City Public Schools while continuing her studies. Her assistant principal roles include Jersey City Frank R. Conwell Middle School #4, Franklin Williams Middle School #7, and her current position at Martin Luther King, Jr. School #11. She was also acting principal of Jersey City James F. Murray Public School #38, and held various teaching positions in the District. Ms. Santiago earned her Master of Arts degree in Bilingual/Bicultural/ESL Urban Studies from Seton Hall University, and Master of Arts degree in Administration, Curriculum, and Instruction from New Jersey City University.

Lissa Santiago is devoted to and works tirelessly for underprivileged members of the community, especially seniors and children. She has dedicated decades to alcohol and drug abuse programs. Through the Lissa Santiago Foundation, she organizes holiday food drives, haircuts, backpack giveaways, and health fairs, collaborating with other community groups to donate Thanksgiving meals and host toy drives.

The HCCC Board of Trustees consists of ten voting members, eight of whom who are appointed by the County with the advice and consent of the Board of Commissioners, and at least two of whom are appointed by the Governor. Trustees maintain their Trustee status until they are reappointed or replaced by the appointing authority. The President of the College serves as an ex-officio member of the Board of Trustees without a vote. In addition, the student body elects one representative from the graduating class to serve as a non-voting representative to the Board of Trustees for a term of one year. Trustees are the stewards of the College and as such are responsible for monitoring its performance relative to compliance with statutes, service to students and the community, and performance relative to comparable institutions.