Articles

HCC launches alumni association

Jul 2, 2024

Houston Community College (HCC) has launched an Alumni Association and opened an Alumni Affairs Office with the goal of better serving graduates.

The association is committed to developing strong connections with alumni through initiatives that include access to HCC's Career and Transfer Services and others.

Alumni can take advantage of career and transfer events, receive assistance with resume writing and search for career opportunities. Access to these services and the alumni association is available to graduates at no cost.

Among activities planned are transfer fairs to colleges such as the University of Houston, Texas A&M, University of Texas at Austin, Texas Southern University, Sam Houston State University and other area institutions.

“HCC has an estimated 2 million alumni,” said James Mable, interim director of Alumni Affairs, with the earliest grads dating back to the early 1970s. The Alumni Affairs Office celebrated more than 2,000 students who graduated from HCC on June 13 with free “Class of 2024” t-shirts.

Many HCC alumni have gone on to successful careers. Riyam Al Msari, who went from HCC to the University of California-San Diego for her undergraduate and graduate work, is now at MIT studying to earn a Ph.D. in biological engineering. Al Msari won a $90,000 fellowship from the Paul and Daisy Soros Fellowship for New Americans. She is researching new ways to improve cancer treatments.

Dennis and Juliana Yazdanpanah, who are married, both attended HCC and earned their associate degrees in engineering science. The couple then transferred to the University of Texas at Tyler and pursued engineering. Dennis Yazdanpanah received his bachelor's degree in civil engineering and Juliana Yazdanpanah graduated with a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering.

"Our office is dedicated to engaging our vast HCC alumni network," Mable said. "We are creating benefits that alumni can use locally, nationwide and internationally.

Learn more about the office at https://www.hccs.edu/alumni.