Bergen Community College student Christopher Hernandez is studying surgical technology for a career as a surgical technologist.
“I chose Bergen because it was the perfect option for me to pursue a career change that I was excited about,” said Hernandez. “Bergen offers its students so many resources that allows them to excel in their studies and personal life as well.”
As a student in the Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF) program, Hernandez is proud to be a member of the program. “Whenever I had trouble understanding something or need guidance, everyone at Bergen welcomes me and helps me with open arms,” said Hernandez. “This school truly does care about its students and wants them to succeed.”
When asked what has made him successful at Bergen, Hernandez credits Bergen’s Sidney Silverman Library, the Cerullo Learning Assistance Center (CLAC), and the Center for Health, Wellness and Personal Counseling for his success. Hernandez feels confident in knowing that he has the correct resources and can go to it for whatever he needs.
Hernandez feels that the library has equipped him with “endless knowledge in books or even a nice and quite place to sit and do my work.”
When reflecting on his experiences at CLAC, he appreciates having “tutors that love to sit down with you on a problem that you need help understanding.”
With the everyday stresses and worries that students encounter, he feels that the counselors in the Center for Health, Wellness and Personal Counseling have greatly impacted him.
“They truly understand you and want to see you succeed,” said Hernandez. “They give you different practices to work on yourself and tips or advice on how to control your thoughts and overcome them instead of being buried in all these thoughts about upcoming tests or homework assignments you might be worried about.”
He expects to graduate in 2026.
Based in Paramus, Bergen Community College (www.bergen.edu), a public two-year coeducational college, enrolls more than 13,000 students at locations in Paramus, the Philip Ciarco Jr. Learning Center in Hackensack and Bergen Community College at the Meadowlands in Lyndhurst. The College offers associate degree, certificate and continuing education programs in a variety of fields. More students graduate from Bergen than any other community college in the state.
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