HUDSON COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE: New Banners in Journal Square Highlight A Growing College Campus

ABOVE (l to r): Ahmed Shedeed, Trustee, Journal Square SID; Chris Reber, President, Hudson County Community College; Eric Friedman, Executive Vice President & Provost, Hudson County Community College; Chris Bernardo, Administrator, Journal Square SID.

College students have long provided social, economic, and cultural energy to the communities they study in. They support local businesses and seek out new and exciting ways to experience the neighborhoods and public spaces they inhabit.

In an effort to underscore the contributions of Hudson County Community College (HCCC), and its students, the College, along with the Journal Square Special Improvement District (SID), has
launched a campaign that includes 100 pole-mounted banners around the district. The banners highlight the College’s course offerings in STEM (Science,Technology, Engineering, Math), Nursing and the Culinary Arts.

“Our students already know about the diversity of the academic programs we offer,” Chris Reber, President of Hudson County Community College said. “We want everyone visiting the Journal Square area to know that too, and to see that they don’t have to leave the community to take advantage of a top notch college education.”

HCCC’s presence in Journal Square has grown rapidly over the last two decades with the development of new facilities throughout the district, including a state-of-the-art STEM building on Academy Street, the Gabert Library on Sip Avenue and the landmark Culinary Arts Center and pocket park on Newkirk Street. Further investment is anticipated with the planned development of an $8 million Student Center on Sip Avenue next to the Gabert Library.

“Although Jersey City may not be considered a college town in the traditional sense,” Eric Friedman, Executive Vice President & Provost for the College, said “the economic impact that students of Hudson County Community College (HCCC) have on Journal Square and our City should not be understated.”

While the college has made a significant financial investment in the banner campaign, the SID, with the assistance of its operations team, will manage it and provide all of the necessary installation and maintenance support for the program. Chris Bernardo, Administrator for the SID, said, “Streets aren’t just about cars, they’re about creating a sense of connection between people and the places they’re visiting.” Bernardo added, “we’re working with our City and County partners to create sidewalks and streets that are attractive, functional and safe.”

Pointing out that the SID has recently introduced a farmers market with artisan and merchandise vendors, and a seating area with food trucks, live music, and yoga, Jordan Galatz, President of the Journal Square Special Improvement District concluded that, “These new banners are just a small part of a much larger effort to make sure that people know when they visit Journal Square they are visiting an extended college campus.”

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