The Hudson County Community College graduating class of 2024 put their 1,532 best feet forward Thursday morning, ready to tackle the next chapter of their lives.
A 1,500-plus class — a record for the two-year school with campuses in Jersey City and Union City — received their diplomas during the school’s 47th commencement ceremony, which took place at Red Bull Arena in Harrison.
“As members of the HCCC Class of 2024 embark upon their next journey, we are confident they will continue to demonstrate the resilience and leadership that characterize them as Hudson County Community College students,” said HCCC President Christopher Reber. “Whether they are beginning new careers or continuing academic studies, we know our graduates will achieve great things and make us all proud.”
The commencement festivities were led by Lisa Dougherty, master of ceremonies and senior vice president for student affairs and enrollment. The order of exercises included opening remarks by student alumni representative Sally Elwir; greetings and introductions by Reber, HCCC Board of Trustees Chairman William J. Netchert and Hudson County Executive Craig Guy; and presentation of graduates by Darryl Jones, vice president for academic affairs.
“These graduates have overcome challenges and navigated uncertain times. Through it all, they have persevered with strength and determination, emerging stronger and more prepared to take on the world that awaits them,” Netchert said. “As they move forward toward bright futures, they will always have a home here at HCCC.”
HCCC Class of 2024 graduates earned associates degrees and certificates from the HCCC Schools of Nursing and Health Professions; Business, Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management; Humanities and Social Sciences; and Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics.
HCCC Class of 2024 Valedictorian Najwa Essaki also addressed her peers. The immigrant, first-generation college graduate enrolled at HCCC in 2022 to overcome a language barrier. Excelling in English as a Second Language (ESL) classes, she went on to maintain a 4.0 cumulative grade point average (GPA) while pursuing her associate’s degree in accounting and participating in a federal work study program.
Najwa worked with her fellow students in community outreach and enrichment events such as preparing meals and caring for the homeless, blood drives, and more. She is a chapter officer of the Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society and served as vice president of scholarship in its Beta Alpha Phi chapter; publicity chair of National Society of Leadership and Success; president of student programming board; record keeping director of Student Government Association; and vice president of the Arab Student Association.
