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HCC Central College to celebrate new immersive space with ribbon cutting

Oct 16, 2025


A look at the Reality COLLAB space at HCC Central College.HCC Central to host ribbon-cutting ceremony for Reality COLLAB on Wednesday, Oct. 22.

Houston City College Central College Reality COLLAB will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its new immersive learning space from 10 to 11 a.m., Wednesday, Oct. 22, in the J.B. Whiteley Building, Room 201, 1301 Alabama St., Houston.

The Reality COLLAB, founded at HCC Central in 2016, is the first immersive learning innovation lab of its kind in Texas higher education, according to Donald Sparks, HCC Central College communications director.

Community leaders, business representatives and media partners are invited to attend the event highlighting HCC’s partnership with Meta. Last year, HCC was among more than a dozen institutions across the United States and the United Kingdom to participate in Meta for Education’s Beta program. Meta donated $25,000 for Instagram and Facebook promotions of HCC’s immersive learning initiatives, selected HCC as the first institution in the Meta Quest EDU Headset Management Pilot and provided 10 Meta Quest 3 headsets to power the Reality COLLAB experience.

The new learning space features a developers’ zone, a 3D printing station, a compact studio, digital storytelling stations and an audio/streaming/casting system. The collaborative space connects students, faculty, the community and industry to turn ideas into real-world solutions.

“Donating equipment, important software and dedicated support to engage our community is more than a gift — it’s an investment in the future of our students and the city we serve,” said Rubén Durán, HCC Reality COLLAB faculty instructor. “The collaboration benefits the entire city of Houston, creating opportunities for innovation, certificates of value, workforce development and equity in emerging technologies.”

WHAT:  Ribbon Cutting for Reality COLLAB at HCC Central

WHEN: 10-11 a.m., Wednesday, Oct. 22

WHERE: J.B. Whiteley Building, Room 201, 1301 Alabama St., Houston 

ONSITE CONTACT:  Donald Sparks, donald.sparks@hccs.edu or 713-718-6226.