Family Had ‘Double’ Meaning For WCCC Graduates Nicholas and Nathan Harrison

It was a family affair at Warren Community College the past two semesters. In fact, you could say that it had a double meaning for Nicholas and Nathan Harrison.

Nicholas and Nathan, you see, are twins. If that’s not double meaning enough, what makes it a doubling of family connections, their mom is a Professor at Warren.

Both Nicholas and Nathan graduated from Warren this past May with Associate degrees in Liberal Arts.

It should also be noted here that Dr. Jennifer Harrison also is a graduate of Warren, having earned a Liberal Arts degree in 2000 on her way to eventually getting a Doctorate. Her oldest daughter Courtney is also a Warren graduate (2018).

“Having all of my children attend WCC has given me a unique opportunity to better understand the student experience at WCC and further help other students in my role as a Professor,” said Dr. Harrison, adding that her two other children, Paige and Michael, have taken courses at Warren while attending other colleges. “It was fun (having them here)! They would often come and visit me in my office, steal some snacks, and catch me up on how their classes were going.”

It was fun for Jennifer, but how about for her sons?

“For me, it wasn’t strange having my mom at the same college that I attended,” said Nathan. “It felt pretty normal. I actually liked it. In between classes, I would go into my mom’s office to talk to her and relax. I enjoyed getting to see her every day at work. I was not in any of my mom’s classes since she wasn’t allowed to be my teacher (college policy). I wish I could have taken one of her classes since I hear they’re amazing.”

“Surprisingly it was not that strange being in the same college as my mother,” agreed Nicholas.

Nathan and Nicholas both graduated from Hackettstown High School in 2022. During the COVID shutdown they took online courses through Warren. When school resumed they picked up college credits while at Hackettstown High through dual enrollment classes. Thus, when they started at WCCC in the fall of 2022, they both had a year of college under their belts.

Initially, both considered going to 4-year colleges but for financial reasons and other considerations, felt that Warren was a better fit.

“I was planning on going to McDaniel College on a soccer scholarship but decided against it due to the benefits I found at WCCC , being close to home and still earning my degree,” said Nathan.

Added Nicholas, “I was going to attend a 4 year D3 school in Maryland for soccer but decided against it because I didn’t want to be in debt.”

Early on Nathan and Nicholas got a bit of the star treatment from some students.

“Their first semester they said everyone would say hi to them in the hallways like they knew them because they are my kids,” said Dr. Harrison. “They would just smile and say hello back (usually in unison). They said they felt a little famous, which we all found funny.”

“Students were all pretty nice about it,” said Nathan. “I was always having people talk to me about how they try to get her as a teacher every semester since they enjoy her classes.”

“Kids usually thought it was cool that my mom taught there because they all loved her if they had had her as a teacher,” chimed in Nicholas.

Nicholas’ plans for the immediate future have him taking electrical classes in preparation for his plans come the fall. “My plans for the fall are to find a line school or trade school to become an electrical lineman, and get into an apprenticeship program,” he said.

Nathan, meanwhile, for now will continue to work at his part time job at Lowe’s and then “build up the business my brother and I created. We created the business ‘Harrison Hauling LLC’ in March. Hopefully I can build the business into something that can provide for me.”

For the Harrison family, Warren County Community College has truly been a home away from home.