By Andre L. Williams
CCC Journalism Program
This year marks the third year that Dr. Lauren Hill has been the Equal Opportunity Fund (EOF) coordinator at Camden County College, but it marks one of many years she has been a leader in the city of Camden.
Dr. Lauren Hill works as the Equal Opportunity Fund coordinator at Camden County College. By Andre L. Williams, CCC Journalism Program
Hill was born in Camden and is number 17 of 18 children. Hill and her siblings were split evenly, nine females and nine males. She has an undergraduate degree in business from Rutgers School of Business, a master’s degree in public administration from Rutgers and a doctorate in education from Wilmington University in Delaware.
Before coming to CCC, she worked 20 years in higher education at Rutgers University. She also has a consultancy position with the New Jersey Education Association, where she trains educators.
One of Hill’s favorite parts of her job is not only helping and motivating the students she works with but also leaving a good impact on her coworkers. Bessie Williams, who is an EOF adviser at CCC, has learned many things working with Hill. “Dr. Hill pushes you in a way that makes you want to become a better professional,” Williams said.
Williams recalled how in the summer of their first EOF program, when things were unorganized because it was the first year, Hill did her best to make things work and because of that earned a lot of respect from her staff and students.
“The program required a lot and at times it got out of hand, and Dr. Hill sat us down and got us all on track,” Williams said.
Hill believes this job was for her and if it was up to her she wouldn’t choose any other path. “I like helping students and teaching them to persist,” Hill said. “I think it’s important to be the voice that says it is easy to give up, but you achieve the goal by being persistent.”
Growing up in a house of 18 siblings, education and family were important to Hill. Having that many siblings required a lot of patience from Hill because 17 others had to be attended to as well, but having patience has helped not only her, but others she has worked with as well.
“She has taught me to have an extreme amount of patience working this job and working with residents in the city of Camden,” Williams said.