JERSEY CITY, N.J. – Two historic Hudson County institutions of higher education came together in partnership on Tuesday, December 2nd, to sign a new partnership agreement, establishing Saint Peter’s University as an official partner of the Connect program at Hudson County Community College. Both Hubert Benitez, D.D.S., Ph.D., president of Saint Peter’s University, and Chris Reber, Ph.D., president of Hudson County Community College, signed the agreement and were joined by a contingent of administrators and staff instrumental in creating the details of the partnership. 
Started two years ago at Hudson County Community College, Connect allows students a seamless transfer pathway to earn a bachelor’s degree. It provides dual enrollment and is uniquely designed to help students complete their bachelor’s degrees on time and save money. Over 200 students are currently part of the program. The Saint Peter’s agreement came together quickly, only taking four months, a testament to the commitment of both schools to offer this opportunity. Saint Peter’s will offer 16 programs to students including accounting, biology, business administration, criminal justice, cyber security, education, and psychology. Six of these programs will also include graduate opportunities.
Lisa Dougherty, senior vice president for student affairs and enrollment, opened the signing ceremony by explaining the unique nature of this program and why it benefits students. “From day one at Hudson they have an identity as being a Hudson student and a Saint Peter’s student and they know, from day one, that they will transfer to Saint Peter’s. They are assigned a transfer success coach that works for Saint Peter’s that works at Hudson…that is the secret sauce of this program.” Alexandra Ruiz, admissions & enrollment specialist at Saint Peter’s University, will be acting as the liaison and transfer coach for the Connect Program. That identity for students is not just in the classroom; they will be able to take part in athletics at Saint Peter’s, use facilities like the library, and attend events. Saint Peter’s University professors will also teach third year classes at Hudson County Community College.
Next to speak was Guillermo de Veyga, executive vice president and chief operating officer at Saint Peter’s University, who spoke about how important it is to provide options to all students. “We are not trying to compete with others. We’re simply trying to offer another alternative. We are offering our students and your students the opportunity to choose to go somewhere that they feel welcome in the same way that we have been today.”
Ultimately though, everyone agreed the reason we come together is for these students. As Dr. Reber said in his remarks, “So much more is possible when we work together, as institutions, as colleagues, around a single common value. Why are all of us doing this work in higher education? It’s because of our students. We are all united by a commitment, providing life changing opportunities for our students.”
Upon taking the podium, Dr. Benitez spoke directly to the students in the room. After explaining the Jesuit value of “care for the whole person” that makes Saint Peter’s unique, Dr. Benitez said, “It is values based education. For the students in the room, I say this, and I say it with all confidence, every single student, I believe, feels at Saint Peter’s, it is home. ‘Hudson is Home’ for Hudson County Community College; Hudson is home for Saint Peter’s University.”