HCC Foundation gives $95,000 to support students in workforce programs
Nov 7, 2016
Students enrolled in workforce programs at Houston Community College (HCC) are reaping the benefits of generous donors who give scholarships to the HCC Foundation (HCCF).
The HCCF Board Finance Committee recently agreed to give the $95,000 interest made off those funds to support workforce scholarships. David Itz, committee chair and treasurer of the HCC Foundation Board of Directors, explained that it was an easy decision.
“Our members are true believers in student success,” said Itz. “This money is an investment in their future and we are proud to have the ability to help them financially.”
The 13 Centers of Excellence at HCC have over 70 workforce programs that prepare students, through education and training, to work in high-demand fields. Each Center of Excellence offers associate degrees and certificates that provide relevant, needed skills to the Houston job market.
“One of the things that makes HCC great is that we offer an array of workforce programs that are strategically aligned with the middle skills gap,” said Dr. Kimberly Beatty, vice chancellor of Instructional Services and Chief Academic Officer. “The students who leave HCC in a workforce program have a placement rate of 89.9% in either another higher education institution and/or in a job (2016 THECB Higher Education Almanac). Our dedicated faculty and staff are huge contributors to HCC’s success in this area!”
The HCCF is splitting the $95,000 between the Fulfilling the Dream Workforce Scholarships, which awards students within any workforce program across HCC, and the Coleman Workforce Scholarship for students taking health career courses in the HCC Health Sciences Center of Excellence at Coleman College for Health Sciences.
“These scholarships will provide students with funding they may not have had to attend college. There are many opportunities in the allied health professions and this will aid a student in accessing those jobs,” said a grateful Dr. Phillip Nicotera, Coleman College President.
Frederick Heard, director of the HCC Advanced Manufacturing Center of Excellence, appreciates what this scholarship money will do for individuals who want to pursue careers in manufacturing.
“This opportunity opens doors that wouldn’t otherwise be open to our students. As a result, we now have students training for jobs in the manufacturing sector of tomorrow,” said Heard.
“At a time when many students have been affected by the downturn in Houston's economy, HCCF is proud to give $95,000 to scholarships for workforce students,” said Mary Williams, president, HCCF Board of Directors. “The opportunity for students to go back to school and earn a certificate for a specific skill will not only help them, but also the entire Houston community.”
To learn about the many scholarships offered through the HCC Foundation, visit hccsfoundation.org.