Non-Profit Organization
U. S. Postage
PAID
Permit No. 9957 Houston, Texas

Become an HCC Eagle! Register for classes now.

Message from Trustee Dr. Pretta VanDible Stallworth	District IX

Dear Friends,

Welcome to a new academic year at Houston Community College. As your District IX Trustee, I am humbled to announce that I am a Rice University 2024 Outstanding Engineering Alumni Honoree. This award was first presented in 1974 with George R. Brown as the initial recipient. It honors Rice engineering alumni for outstand- ing professional achievement and service to society. I am deeply grateful to the Rice School of Engineering and the Rice Engineering Alumni Board for this most prestigious award. As your Trustee I
continue my commitment to making sure that HCC embraces the constituents of District IX by providing the best in education and workforce training. To learn more about the award please visit: https://engineering.rice.edu/news/rice-engineering-celebrates-2024-engineer- ing-alumni-awardees

Educational Opportunities for Adults
As the Fall 2024 semester begins, I encourage you to look towards HCC to enhance and complete your credentials. Houston Community College has programs available for adults who need financial assistance and want to pursue an academic or workforce program.
HCC has partnered with Capital IDEA Houston to establish a comprehensive workforce development program. The target group is unemployed, underemployed, and current working adults over the age of 18 who are not in school. The program covers all tuition and fees as well as books. This program is run through Capital IDEA, and HCC provides educational experience along with apprenticeship and work-based learning opportunities. For more information please visit: https://capitalideahouston. org/programs/college-degree/
The Center for Achieving a College Education (CACE) is a federal TRIO program that provides information regarding financial and academic assistance to qualified adults who want to enter or continue to pursue a program of post-secondary educa- tion. This program is located at HCC South Campus and is geared towards high school seniors and adults 19 years of age and older. All services in the CACE TRIO program are free! For more information please visit: https://www.hccs.edu/student-experience/ trio-educational-opportunity-center/

Senior Tuition Discount Program
Seniors interested in returning to school receive special discounts on tuition and fees. These discounts apply to academic and workforce courses. I encourage you to take advantage of this special offer:
Age 55-65: 50% discount on tuition and fees

Age 65 and older: Free tuition and fees for up to 6 credits per semester

Dual Credit for HISD Students
HCC provides Houston Independent School District (HISD) with dual credit programs at the vast majority of HISD high schools. In these programs high school students can earn an Associate Degree or a Level 1 Certificate. These credentials of value allow students obtain college credits while in high school and are prepared to enter the workforce with an established credential to give them the advantage over their peers. For more information about the opportunities offered with dual credit programs please visit the HCC website, https://www.hccs.edu/programs/dual-credit/ or contact your current high school guidance counselor.

Take the next steps to connect with HCC, we are dedicated to the success of all students. You can enroll at any time. Please visit our website at hccs.edu, or you can call 713.718.2000 to get started. Our faculty and staff are here to help you navigate towards your career goals.
We look forward to seeing you on campus at Houston Community College!

Sincerely,

Pretta VanDible Stallworth, Ph.D., PMP HCC Board of Trustees
District IX

HOUSTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEM 
P.O. Box 667517
Houston, TX 77266-7517

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.

BECOME AN HCC EAGLE
It’s Not Too Late!
The 2024 fall semester is still open. Register today!

Need Help? Scan the QR Code to visit our virtual lobby.

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.”

	

DEGREE HIGHLIGHTS 
NATIONAL LY
#1

among 2-year institutions awarding associate degrees to international students

IN TEXAS 
#1

in awarding associate degrees to Asian students

TOP 10 
WORKFORCE 
DEGREE PROGRAMS 
BY ENROLLMENT DURING FALL 2023 

STUDENT 
ENROLLMENT 
FOR 2022–2023 

85,858

#2

#2

among 2-year public institutions
in awarding associate degrees to
Black students

in awarding associate degrees to total students

Business Management Accounting
Computer Systems Networking
Business Technology Digital Communication Real Estate
Welding-Structural Automotive Technician Nursing
Interior Design

Hispanic /	Black /

Latino

38.9%	26.2%

African-American

White

14.2%

Asian

12.4%

Other

8.4%

DEGREES & A W ARDS OFFERED 

63 of Applied

Associate

Science

#

3

in awarding associate degrees to
Hispanic students

12

Associate of Arts

2
75
35

Bachelor Degrees
Certﬁcate
Level 1
Certﬁcate
Level 2

3
2
11

Enhanced Skills
Certiﬁcates
Advanced Technical
Certiﬁcates
Occupational Skills
Certiﬁcates