Message from Trustee Charlene Ward Johnson	District II

Dear Neighbors,
Welcome to a new academic year at Houston Community College (HCC). As your District II Trustee, I am committed to making sure HCC is prepared to embrace the rapidly changing landscape of higher education and will continue to provide the best in educa- tion and workforce training. As the Fall 2024 semester begins, I encourage you to look towards HCC to enhance and complete your credentials. The energy is vibrant on our campuses and, no matter where you are in Houston or even around the world with
our Online College, HCC offers a great setting to continue your academic or professional journey.

Doing Business with HCC
The HCC Small Business Development Program provides business opportunities for local small businesses to participate in contracting and procurement at HCC. The program is currently offering free seminars to allow potential participants to learn about the program and help entrepreneurs register to receive bid notifications and procure- ment opportunities. Upcoming seminar dates and locations are listed below. Learn more about the events at https://www.hccs.edu/about-hcc/procurement/small-business-pro- curement/small-business-development-program.

Aug. 22, 2024	noon to 2 p.m.	West Loop Campus, Room: WLOP C108	
Aug. 29, 2024	noon to 2 p.m.	Alief Hayes Campus, Auditorium C100	
Sept. 12, 2024	9 to 10:30 a.m.	Missouri City Campus, MOCC Room: 226	
Sept. 19, 2024	9 to 10:30 a.m.	District, D01 Seminar A	
Oct. 3, 2024	noon to 2 p.m.	Coleman College Auditorium	

Medical Professional Programs at Acres Homes Campus
At the Acres Homes Campus, you can begin your journey to a career as a medical profes- sional in the Certified Nurse Aide program or Phlebotomy Technician program. Each offers excellent opportunities right at your local campus to meet the rising demand in the healthcare sector. If you have a passion for helping people and enjoy learning about medicine, I encourage you to take a closer look at these educational and career paths. For more information, please visit:
Certified Nurse Aide:
https://www.hccs.edu/continuing-education/ce-programs/certified-nurse-aide/

Phlebotomy Technician:
https://www.hccs.edu/continuing-education/ce-programs/phlebotomy-techni cian/

Welding Program at North Forest Campus
The Welding Program at HCC offers an outstanding opportunity for anyone looking to change career paths or enter the workforce with a skillset in high demand with good pay. Welding is used in shipbuilding, automobile manufacturing and repair, aerospace applications, and thousands of other manufacturing activities. Welding is also used in the construction of buildings, bridges, and other structures. Classes are offered in both English and Spanish, and are taught during the day, evenings and on the weekends. For more information please visit: https://www.hccs.edu/centers/material-science--smart-manu- facturing/.

I, along with my colleagues on the Board of Trustees, hope that you will take the next steps to connect with HCC. You can enroll at any time. Please visit our website at hccs. edu or call 713.718.2000 to get started.
We are dedicated to the success of all students at HCC, and our faculty and staff are here to help you along the way. We look forward to seeing you on campus!

Respectfully,

Charlene Ward Johnson HCC Board of Trustees District II

from HCC
HCC enjoys seamless transfer agreements with state and national universities
Fall 2024
View online:
hccs.edu/trustees
Houston Community College (HCC) has “articulation” agreements with dozens of colleges and universities to allow HCC students to seamlessly transfer their college credits to other higher ed institutions.
“It is a high priority for HCC students to be able to transfer easily to other institutions,” said Chancellor Margaret Ford Fisher, Ed.D. “We continue to expand the number of schools that allow our graduates to move onward with full credit for their HCC classes.”
A partial list of HCC articulation agree- ments with Texas universities includes:
Lamar University
University of St. Thomas
University of Texas
Out-of-state universities which maintain articulation agreements with HCC include:
Arizona State University
Colorado State University Global
Grand Canyon University
Loyola University
Missouri State University
Purdue University Global
Southern New Hampshire University
University of Maryland Global

HCC offers students resources that foster success
Houston Christian University
Prairie View A&M University
Sam Houston State University
Texas A&M University
Texas Southern University
Texas State University
Texas Tech University
The University of Houston
The University of Houston - Downtown
Campus
Western Governors University
Dr. Ford Fisher noted that schools who receive transferring HCC students report that HCC students tend to excel in their course work. “We are proud that our students can move forward with their education or career preparation at these schools,” she said.
Completing a degree or certificate can be daunting as students balance studies with work and family. HCC eases the way with a variety of services and resources tailored to individual journeys. Here are ways HCC helps students succeed:
Academic advising: Caring and trained advisors act as personal advocates helping with course selections, meeting degree requirements and explaining career pathways.
Financial aid: HCC assists students in
Student life: Organizations and clubs foster personal growth and social connec- tions. HCC promotes student involvement through diverse extracurricular activities and events, creating a vibrant college experience.
Specialized support: For students with disabilities or veterans, HCC provides disability accommodations, counseling about veteran benefits, and tailored academic support to ensure equitable access to education and resources.
HCC helped Saja Sosa transition from Pre-K teacher to high-performing engineer
After earning an HCC associate degree in science and taking part as vice president of the school’s Society of Women Engineers club, Sosa transferred into the University of Texas at Tyler to pursue electrical engineering. Armed with a bachelor’s degree, she applied at Aggreko, a leading international provider of mobile modular power, temperature control and energy services, and was offered a role as a field engineer.
After six months of additional training, she passed the requirements to become
navigating aid options, payment plans and emergency funds to help ensure that financial concerns do not hinder academic pursuits.
Library and tutoring: Libraries offer extensive resources, including books, journals and study spaces conducive to academic success. Additionally, tutoring centers provide individualized support, helping students grasp challenging concepts and excel in their coursework.
IT and technical support: Students qualify for a multitude of IT benefits, including the use of software programs and discounts.
Career services: HCC helps students find jobs by helping craft compelling resumes and cover letters, experience mock interviews, secure internships or full- or part-time jobs.
Eagle Pantries: HCC helps students with food insecurities through its Eagle food pantries.
Learn more about ways HCC helps students at hccs.edu.
HCC grad Saja Sosa, an electrical engineer at the international energy firm Aggreko, is making waves and breaking down gender barriers.
Sosa’s journey exemplifies determination and perseverance and just how flexible studying at HCC can be for those willing to strive toward a goal.
“I chose to attend HCC because it allowed me to balance a full-time job as a pre-K teacher with studying at night and during lunch hours,” she said. “I hoped to become a computer engineer.”
She shifted her goal after classes with Dr. Juurong Hsieh. “He’s an amazing professor, and he ignited my love for electrical engineering,” Sosa said.

a certified high-voltage engineer. Her passion and worth ethic were noticed, and she has climbed the company ladder. She is now responsible for top projects for major players throughout the energy sector.
The 29-year-old earns a six-figure salary and hopes to continue climbing the firm’s ranks to become a manager.
As the only female electrical engineer at Aggreko, Sosa continues to advocate for women joining the engineering ranks. “It is important to tell young girls not to stop studying subjects that societal stereotyping may discourage them from doing,” she reflected. “I’m an example of persistence. Girls can do whatever they choose to do.”