Bergen Community College

Bergen Community College Associate Director of Health Services and College nurse Dania Huie-Pasigan taught the Physical Assessment course (NUR 181) for the first time in the nursing program in spring 2026. Little did she know the impact that she would make on Bergen nursing evening student Noah Rohan, ‘27, originally from Thailand, who had enrolled in her course to pursue a career as a nurse.

As a new nursing student, Rohan was nervous about the program and felt like everything was a “first” for him, especially since English was not his first language.

“I often felt frustrated and nervous about the program,” said Rohan who had played professional volleyball in Thailand.

When Professor Huie-Pasigan shared that this was her first time teaching a college course, that changed everything for Rohan.

“I was completely comfortable with that because everything was a ‘first’ for me too,” said Rohan.

For Rohan, knowing that Huie-Pasigan and him were both starting this journey together was a relief.

“From the very first day of class, I could tell that Professor Huie-Pasigan was a kind and understanding person,” said Rohan. “She taught with professional insight, drawing from her own experiences.”

When the first exam grade came back, Rohan had struggled and failed. “I knew she truly wanted us to succeed and master the materials she shared,” he said.

Always open to student questions and feedback, Professor Huie-Pasigan had adjusted and came prepared to instruct her class for the next exam. Rohan shared how Professor Huie-Pasigan explained complex concepts clearly and provided helpful case studies to the students in the course.

After the second exam, Rohan emailed her to say thank you for helping the students prepare for the exam. “While a simple ‘thank you’ might not seem like much to some, it meant a lot to me as a person who does not speak English as a first language,” said Rohan. “Her efforts made the material much easier to understand.”

As Rohan continued in the course, he worked hard to learn the material. As the third exam was about to start, Rohan realized that he had forgotten his phone, and he began to panic because he needed a log-in code from his phone to access the test.

“Professor Huie-Pasigan spoke to me so calmly,” said Rohan. “She told me not to worry and immediately called the school’s technical support to help me get the code.”

“I am so touched by her kindness and truly appreciate everything she has done for my classmates and me,” said Rohan. “I wish every school had more professors as compassionate and dedicated as Professor Huie-Pasigan.”

Through Huie-Pasigan’s support, Rohan was able to make friendships with his classmates and the professors at Bergen, which ultimately helped him succeed.

“I feel that a good friendship with my classmates and all the lovely professors has made me fulfilled with joy and love while I’m here,” he said. “I’ve realized that being surrounded by all the good energy has already made another part of my life successful.”

“Bergen Community College is the best school and I believe that this place provides the perfect foundation for me to graduate with true quality and expertise,” said Rohan.

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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