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Hudson County Community College will appoint Senior Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment Lisa Dougherty interim president.

The college’s board of trustees is expected to formally approve the appointment during its June 9 meeting. According to the college’s Wednesday announcement, Dougherty will serve as interim president while trustees conduct a national search for HCCC’s next permanent leader.

As NJBIZ previously reported, current President Christopher Reber resigned last month to become president of Harrisburg University of Science and Technology in Pennsylvania. Reber led HCCC since 2018.

Dougherty joined HCCC in 2016 as dean of enrollment. She was promoted to her current senior vice president role at the Jersey City-based college in 2019.

During her tenure, Dougherty has helped launch several major student support initiatives, such as:

• The Hudson Helps Resource Center
• The nationally recognized Hudson Scholars student success program
• The Mental Health Counseling and Wellness Center
• Generation Hope’s Family U initiative supporting student parents

Prior to joining HCCC, Dougherty served as national director of admissions and training at Ross University School of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine. She also spent time as executive director of admissions at DeVry University and Keller Graduate School of Management.

Supporting students

“It is our pleasure to appoint Dr. Dougherty to this position,” said HCCC Board of Trustees Chair Jeanette Peña. “In the decade she has been at HCCC, she has consistently focused on student success and has overseen the provisions of on-campus and remote support services for HCCC students.

“As a first-generation college student, she knows and understands the challenges our students face and has worked collaboratively to remove roadblocks and help empower students so they can complete their higher education dreams.”

Hudson County Executive Craig Guy said Dougherty’s leadership will help provide continuity during the transition period.

“With the support of my Administration, the Board of Trustees, the Unions, and faculty, we know that Dr. Dougherty will maintain the access to opportunities and support our students have always enjoyed at HCCC,” Guy said.