Presidential Candidate

A native of Henderson, N.C., Dr. Darryl Jones (he/him) began his tenure at Hudson County Community College (HCCC) in November 2019.  Located in Jersey City, New Jersey, HCCC is a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI), serving more than 20,000 credit and non-credit students annually in one of the most ethnically diverse and densely populated communities in the United States.

As Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Jones provides visionary leadership for the Journal Square and North Hudson Campuses; the College Libraries; the Center for Online Learning; the Center for Teaching, Learning, and Innovation; the Honors Program, the Office of Open Education Resources (OER), and the Abegail Douglas-Johnson Academic Support Services Department. A dynamic and engaging leader, Dr. Jones is known as a passionate promoter of equitable higher education programs and services. His leadership of the Division of Academic Affairs has contributed to several award-winning college recognitions: “Leader College of Distinction” designation by Achieving the Dream; “Insight to Diversity” Inspiring Program Awards in STEM, Business, and Health Professions; and the Bellwether College Consortium Legacy Award. As Chief Academic Officer, Dr. Jones is responsible for four Academic Schools (School of Business, Culinary Arts, and Hospitality Management; School of Humanities and Social Sciences; School of Nursing and Health Professions; and the School of STEM); providing leadership for all credit-based instruction, along with faculty hiring, promotion, and tenure.

Dr. Jones has dedicated over 35 years working in higher education providing transformational leadership for equity initiatives, strategic planning, resource development, regional and programmatic accreditation, developmental education redesign, high school partnerships, regional workforce development, and extensive hiring of faculty and staff.

The breadth of his experiences encompasses a variety of higher education institutions, including: Liberal Arts Colleges, Catholic Higher Education, Community Colleges, Research 1 Institutions, Hispanic Serving Institutions, and Historically Black Colleges and Universities. He has been the Principal Investigator and Project Director for numerous grant-funded initiatives that have strengthen academic programs and faculty development, allowing for the expansion of leading-edge facilities and technology, enhanced student scholarships, and greater opportunities for career pathway exploration for students.

Dr. Jones has served as a peer evaluator for the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) and recently he was selected as an external reviewer for both the Journal of Applied Research in the Community College (JARCC) and the Association for the Study of Higher Education (ASHE). In 2022-2023, Dr. Jones was selected as an Aspen Rising Presidents Fellow; a year-long mentorship experience for aspiring community college presidents. In 2023, he received the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development (NISOD) Excellence Award for his leadership in academic affairs. In 2021, he was the recipient of the Dr. Derrick E. Nelson Educator of the Year Award for leadership in the educational field, presented by Nu Lambda Chapter, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. In 2019, Dr. Jones was recognized by the York County Economic Alliance (YCEA) in Pennsylvania for his leadership as a Board Member and Chairman of the Economics Club.

Previously, Dr. Jones served as Campus Vice President at Harrisburg Area Community College (HACC) in York, Pennsylvania, spearheading campus advancement and fundraising initiatives along with day-to-day administrative operations. Dr. Jones also held a number of academic positions at The College of New Rochelle in New Rochelle, New York: Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dean of the School of New Resources, Campus Director, and Assistant to the Dean of the Graduate School.

As a first-generation college graduate and an educator, Dr. Jones passionately believes that higher education is an ideal place for free thinking and open dialogue across diverse communities and disciplines. Dr. Jones holds a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership from Union Institute, a Master’s degree from Howard University, and a Bachelor’s degree from North Carolina State University. He is a Life Member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated; an Honorary Member of Phi Theta Kappa International College Honor Society; and he proudly and honorably served his country in the United States Marine Corps.