HCC Brays Oaks Center holds first Block Information Party
Jul 11, 2017
Houston Community College (HCC) held a fun-filled day with music, food, and giveaways designed to build community ties and educate residents about the HCC offerings in their community.
The brand new 28,268 square-foot Brays Oaks Center just held it’s first semester of classes and is promoting the opportunity for the community to participate in fall enrollment. Registration is now open and fall classes begin Monday, August 28.
As potential HCC students entered the building, they were given a simplified one-stop-shop opportunity to get advising help, check for financial aid available, register for classes and pay for the all in one location.
“We hope this open house will build better relationships with our current and future students by providing them with fun, but informative experiences,” says HCC Southwest College President Dr. Madeline Burillo. “Students need opportunities like this to meet with financial aid advisors, instructors and counselors to help them choose classes and ultimately enroll.”
Block Party attendees received a bingo card directing them to fun activities and informational booths. The bingo winners were entered into a raffle drawing each hour with HCC-themed prizes and gift cards donated from area businesses.
“The intent is to continue to increase awareness about HCC in this community and what the Brays Oaks Center has to offer and have a little fun with our new neighbors,” Burillo explains. Brays Oaks Center offers over 10 Continuing and Adult Education programs and has the capacity to accommodate 800 students this fall. By holding the Block Information Party, HCC staff hope to fill every seat.
Business Continuing Education Director ML Young explains that having Continuing Education (CE) here brings a twist to the noncredit side of HCC. “In CE we are able to offer a wide variety of short-term certificate programs allowing students to retrain and find a new job, add another level of expertise to their current education, and receive a promotion,” Young says.
In conjunction with the health careers programs offered at Brays Oaks Center, the event promoted a healthy lifestyle. Community partners provided free health screenings, taught free Zumba classes and the YMCA offered discounts on their services. Moving forward, the YMCA will play a pivotal role in Brays Oaks Center success.
“We are collaborating with the West Orem YMCA at Southwest College to provide community members from 16-24 years old, who already have a high school diploma or GED, but quit or never started college, career readiness assistance, no matter the field of study,” says Dean of Student Success Student Services Matias Garza. “HCC is excited to provide additional wrap-around services, like counseling and financial aid services, at HCC and the West Orem YMCA. Our goal is to remove all barriers. This is starting right here at Brays Oaks and could potentially move to all HCC Southwest locations.”
Register now for fall classes at 8855 West Belfort Street in Houston, or go online and apply for classes at: hccs.edu/apply.
