HCC offers new opportunities at citywide college fair
Aug 3, 2016
Tamika Key went to the Catch Your Success One Stop College Fair with one mission in mind: to get her niece registered for college, but a new opportunity opened up for her. Houston Community College (HCC) advisors informed Key of a little explored field for women. Key, a graduate of the HCC Certified Nurse Aid program (CNA), decided to sign up for the Welding Technology program.
“We don’t have a lot of women welders, so now it’s time for something different,” she said. “I want to be able to buy a house and not worry about finances. My new career as a welder will make that dream a reality.”
Changing lives through education is the ultimate goal of the event, which took place at the Northeast Multi-Service Center. This was the first of a series of one stop college fairs that are free, bilingual, and open to the public. Representatives from higher education institutions, workforce organizations, and support services offer vital information about college admissions, financial aid, transportation options, resume building, and career opportunities.
“We wanted to partner with all of these resources and have it at a multi-service center in the community; because for many, college events can be intimidating,” said Dr. Melissa Gonzalez, HCC chief of staff. “If we have it in their neighborhoods they are more likely to attend.”
The Catch Your Success One Stop College Fairs are an initiative of Houston Health Department My Brother's Keeper (MBK), a local and national effort designed to improve life outcomes for young men of color and their communities. HCC is part of the MBK Milestone 4, which is to make sure all Americans complete post-secondary education or training needed for successful careers.
“If we really want people to be college ready and make college accessible we are going to come to where the people are,” said Kristi Rangel, public health education chief, MBK-Houston Movement.
For Tamika Key, this was all about timing and this fall, she will be among the thousands of HCC students starting new chapters in their lives.
The next Catch Your Success One Stop College Fair is Saturday, September 24 at the Kashmere Multi-Service Center, 4802 Lockwood, Houston, TX 77026. Contact Kesha P. McNeil, 713.254.2831 for more information.
