Paula Pando, Ed.D.

Paula Pando, Ed.D.

Hudson County Community College

Jersey City, NJ
United States

2017-2018
Aspen Rising Presidents Fellow

Dr. Paula Pando has worked in higher education for 25 years in both the public and private sectors. She currently serves Hudson County Community College as its Senior Vice President for Student and Educational Services, responsible for student and enrollment services, the libraries and academic support, campus safety, technology, e-learning, and cultural affairs. She is also the chief administrative officer for HCCC’s North Hudson Campus which serves 3,000 students. The daughter of Chilean immigrants, Paula is fluent in Spanish. She earned a B.A. in theater arts from Stockton University, an M.A. in education administration from Saint Peter’s University, and an Ed.D. in educational leadership (with a concentration in community college leadership) from Rowan University. A recognized champion for empowering students, Paula has presented nationally and internationally on topics related to student success, access to higher education, college governance, and community engagement. Earlier this year, she served as the keynote speaker for the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Puerto Rico at their conference on student retention. She has received many awards and recognitions for her work including the Community College Sprit Award from the NJ Council of County Colleges in 2015; Woman of Distinction award from the Hudson County Board of Chosen Freeholders in 2012 for her work in empowering women through education; and the EOF Champion award in 2011. While Dr. Pando has played many leadership roles her career, she considers her greatest role to be that of mother to her three children, Jacob, Luke and Isabella.