Articles

Houston City College celebrates Community College Month by highlighting workforce pathways, student success and high-value education

Apr 1, 2026


Houston City College (HCC) is joining institutions across the country in celebrating Community College Month (#CCMonth), a national campaign that spotlights the vital role community and technical colleges play in driving workforce development and expanding economic opportunity.

Led by the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT), #CCMonth is a yearly grassroots initiative that raises awareness about the value and impact of community colleges nationwide. The 2026 campaign theme is “The Smartest First Step, the Strongest Next Step.”

Community College Month #CCMonth“Whether a student is preparing to transfer to a four-year university, seeking a career-ready credential or building new skills through short-term training, Houston City College provides accessible pathways to success,” said Margaret Ford Fisher, Ed.D., HCC Chancellor.

At HCC, those pathways translate into real opportunities that empower students to achieve their academic and career goals every day. That commitment and access to opportunity are at the heart of the community college mission.

“From community engagement to collaborative education, community colleges are more than just institutions,” said Pretta VanDible Stallworth, Ph.D., PMP, ACCT Board Chair-Elect and HCC Board of Trustees member, District IX. “Lifelong learning, career advancement, workforce development, K-12 dual credit and civic engagement are community college priorities. Boardsmanship, Advocacy, Student Success, Innovation and Service are the core values of community colleges that help every student to achieve educational and economic goals.”

At HCC, these values are reflected in real student achievements:

  • Tammy Foy returned to HCC after a decade away through our Houston Reconnect Scholarship program, which supports students looking to complete or restart their education. Now just one class away from earning her business management degree, Foy is on track to graduate next month.
  • Jeromecia Brantley, a young mother of three, relocated to Houston from Tampa, Florida to pursue a fresh start. With support from HCC faculty, staff and wraparound services, Brantley is successfully balancing motherhood, work and full-time studies while moving closer to her goal of owning a restaurant.
  • Marisabel Morales, a fashion design student, made program history by becoming the first student to construct a garment using a 3-D printer. Morales utilized the advanced fabrication tools in the Reality COLLAB, the first immersive technology lab of its kind in an educational institution in Texas.

“Community College Month is a powerful reminder of the impact institutions like Houston City College have on our region and beyond,” said HCC Board of Trustees Chair Eva Loredo, District VIII. “Every day, we see students who are working parents, returning learners and first-time college students gain the skills, confidence and support they need to build better futures. Our mission is rooted in expanding opportunity, strengthening our workforce and delivering high-value education that transforms lives.”

To learn more about our degree and workforce programs and student support services that HCC offers, visit hccs.edu.