Articles

HCC alumnus Ben Mendez builds legacy through Mariachi Festival

Oct 15, 2025

When Ben Mendez walked the halls of Houston City College’s Southeast Campus in the late 1980s, he couldn’t have imagined the cultural legacy he would one day help build for the city of Houston.

Today, as executive director of the Mariachi Festival in Houston, Mendez credits Houston City College (HCC) with providing both the academic foundation and the community network that shaped his journey.

“I got all my basics completed at HCC’s Southeast Campus,” said Mendez, who graduated in 1989. “From there, I transferred to the University of Houston, earned a degree in mechanical engineering, and later came back to teach at HCC. It all came full circle.”

But Mendez’s story stretches beyond classrooms and engineering labs. With a deep appreciation for his Hispanic heritage, he saw an opportunity to create something that would both educate and inspire Houstonians: the Mariachi Festival.

“The network that HCC has is vast,” said Mendez, who lives in Houston with his wife, Iris, and their four children. “Because of that, I was able to start the Mariachi Festival. It’s a nonprofit organization that educates the masses about our Hispanic culture. With the leadership I met through HCC, we were able to build something impactful for the city.”

The festival, now a signature Houston event, has grown steadily with strong backing from community leaders and institutions — including HCC.

“HCC has been a big supporter of ours,” Mendez said. “They’ve sponsored the Mariachi Festival for several years, and we hope to continue that partnership.”

“Ben is a perfect example of how our students thrive after their experience at HCC,” said HCC Southeast President Frances Villagran-Glover. “We are very proud of the impact he is making, building a strong community.”

Mendez said his journey from student to festival director illustrates the enduring power of education and community connections. “If it wasn’t for the network of folks I met through HCC, we wouldn’t be where we are today,” he said.

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