Bergen Community College

Bergen Community College alumna Glenda Norine Rhodes, ‘25, studied hospitality management to create great experiences for people in the hotel, travel and tourism industry.

“I chose Bergen Community College because it offers courses that align with my interests and career aspirations,” said Rhodes, of Paterson. 

“Over the years, I’ve held a variety of jobs — most of them underpaying and undervaluing the energy and heart I poured into them,” said Rhodes. Reflecting on her life, she asked herself a question: “What will happen to her when she gets older?” Afterwards, she pondered what brought her joy and what skills she has. “I went back to the things that made me happy as a child — cooking, organizing, drawing, and helping people. That’s when I discovered that a hospitality job wasn’t just a job — it was a fit.”

Rhodes earned a certificate in Hospitality Management and Event Planning, and stayed to earn her associate’s degree in Hospitality Management. “This path has helped me gain the skills and knowledge necessary to prepare for my future goals in the hospitality industry.”

In order to gain industry experience, Rhodes assisted the Hospitality and Restaurant Management program and developed the Torched Cafe located at Bergen’s Meadowlands Campus. She was also part of the Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF) program at Bergen, and dedicated much of her success to her EOF advisor, Christian Abreu.

She also attributed her success to faculty and staff from the Hospitality and Restaurant Management program including Ronda Drakeford, John Bandman, Sherry Wilson, Aaron Morrisey, Dylan Orlik, Tomer Zilkha, Tia Garrison and Rebekah Dejesus.

“Their dedication has given me the knowledge and confidence to succeed,” said Rhodes.

Rhodes has left Bergen with these words of wisdom: “It’s never too late. No matter your age, background or situation, an opportunity is out there, waiting for you to step into it.”

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.

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