Bergen Community College

Bergen Community College student Dedan Choezom values the rigorous academic environment that allowed her to expand her mind both inside and outside of the classroom.

“I chose Bergen Community College because it provided both affordability and opportunity,” said Choezom, of Fair Lawn. 

At the 2026 Judith K. Winn School of Honors Student Conference, Choezom presented her research paper, “Protecting Deep-Ocean Ecosystems in the Mineral Rush.” This experience deepened her research interests and motivated her to serve as co-president of the Honors Association. She also serves as the director of communications and recruitment for Bergen’s Phi Theta Kappa Honors Society Chapter. 

“My professors have consistently challenged and encouraged me, while also creating supportive learning environments where I felt comfortable asking questions and pursuing new interests,” she said. “My peers have motivated me through collaboration, leadership, and shared academic goals.”

To further immerse herself into her studies in biology, Choezom spent the summer of 2026 studying abroad through the Community Colleges in France Bootcamp initiative offered by Villa Albertine, the French Institute for Culture and Education. She was part of the “Ocean and Energy Towards Sustainability” program at the Ecole D’Ingenieurs in La Rochelle, France.

“Being a coastal city, I was especially looking forward to exploring La Rochelle’s vibrant culinary scene and living by the shore,” said Choezom. “Beyond the location itself, I was thrilled about the opportunity to connect and collaborate with a community of like-minded community college students from across the country who share a passion for the environment.”

To study abroad, she received the Dr. Richard Ciccone Scholarship worth $5,000 from the Bergen Community College Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization independent of the College that supports the financial needs of Bergen students. 

Choezom also became a volunteer for the STEM Research Center. She focused on supporting her peers, which led her to serve as a peer tutor at the Cerullo Learning Assistance Center.

“Bergen allowed me to pursue higher education in an academically rigorous environment,” she said. “I was drawn to the strong sense of community and the wide range of opportunities available to students, including leadership positions, honors programs, research experiences, and academic support roles.”

Choezom expects to graduate in 2027.

Based in Paramus, Bergen Community College (www.bergen.edu), a public two-year coeducational college, enrolls more than 24,000 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.

# # #