Honors College starts at HCC Southwest
Sep 1, 2016
“I am excited about the honors program, to be honest I am excited about everything,” said Houston Community College (HCC) student Perla Alvarado. “I know this program will teach me to be independent and prepare me for any four-year institution I plan on attending.”
Alvarado, along with 24 other from students from HISD, Alief ISD, Ft. Bend ISD, as well as international students, make up the HCC Southwest Honors College inaugural class.
HCC Honors College students will spend the next two years with their counterparts, both inside and outside of the classroom. Jasmine Cantu is looking forward to developing comradery with her classmates and instructors.
“The bond we will make over the next two years will be long-lasting even after we go off to different colleges and universities,’ said Cantu. “We will be able to mentor each other, push each other to succeed, and hold each other accountable in and out of the classroom.”
HCC Honors College is a cohort that engages students in a rigorous academic curriculum to help groom them into well rounded students and prepares them to transfer to any four-year institution. The Honors College covers tuition, fees, and textbooks. During the students' sophomore year, they will participate in a travel experience somewhere within the U.S. or Europe. The trip is linked to courses they will take to enhance their travel experience.
Honors College Director, Deanne Schlanger, knows the amazing history behind the popular program. Familiar with student success, she is ready to help shape the newest members of HCC Honors College family.
There is a 92-percent graduation rate for students who go through the Honors College with an AA or AS degree and then transfer to a four-year institution.
“That is an exceptional completion rate by any standard for any college anywhere. We are very proud of the success of our students and they are typically capable of getting into any school where they apply,” said Schlanger.
For more information about HCC Honors College, visit hccs.edu/honorscollege.