Keep the world moving: HCC opens Logistics Center of Excellence
Apr 28, 2016
For many faculty members, community leaders and educators, the grand opening of the Houston Community College (HCC) Logistics Center of Excellence was like coming home.
“This is where I started. I grew up over here in the East Side,” said Eva Loredo, HCC Board of Trustees, District VIII. “We are very proud of this building in this neighborhood and the opportunity that HCC is giving to our students.”
The HCC Logistics Center of Excellence is located at the HCC Felix Fraga Academic Campus in Houston’s East End, an area that is also close to the heart of Board Chair Dr. Adriana Tamez.
“This is like coming home. I taught and supervised schools in this area. We are so proud to be here. Houston Community College is about access to all types of education for everyone who walks through our doors,” said Tamez.
These doors would not open however, if it wasn’t for a strong, collaborative effort, a “village” as many call it, that consists of community organizations, educational and industry partners including Capital IDEA. The program prepares students for middle skilled positions.
“Capital IDEA offers a second chance for adult learners and high school graduates who are stuck in dead end jobs,” said Bob Loiseau, executive director.
For Cynthia Garza, director of the Logistics Center of Excellence, the input of the industry partners is what drives the mission and vision of the program, which offers courses in logistics and global supply chain management, and a specialization in maritime logistics.
“Our goal,” indicated Garza, “is to continue looking at opportunities from our advisory board so our students are exposed to all of what logistics encompasses.”
The celebration was a testament that the program is not only producing future professionals in the logistics industry, but also future entrepreneurs like Elvira Xisto.
“I plan to own my own business in freight forwarding, basically setting up a trade lane between the U.S. and several other countries,” said Xisto. “Supply chain is something I believe moves the world right now and logistics is what rules the global economy.”
Testimonials like Elvira’s constitute the best motivation for Mary Williams, president-elect of the HCC Foundation, to continue working tirelessly to provide scholarships for students.
Williams said, “That is our mission. We help HCC students with scholarships and close the gap between them and the Houston job markets. Their stories are fantastic. They are the nuts and bolts of what we do.”
Former Houston City Council Member and civic leader Felix Fraga, for whom the campus was named, was among the many elected officials and community leaders in attendance.
“I could not be happier that this center is here. Who would have told me that in this part of town there was going to be this magnificent center of studies? It is a wonderful thing,” said Fraga.
To learn more about the HCC Logistics Center of Excellence and the programs offered, visit hccs.edu/centers.