HCC dual-credit graduate charts path of leadership, service

When Isabelle Arusiuka moved from Nigeria to Houston at 13, her family had one goal: to get her younger autistic brother the specialized care he deserved. Watching him thrive in their new city gave Arusiuka something she carries into everything she does: an unshakeable sense of gratitude.

“Gratitude is what motivates me,” the 17-year-old said. “My brother can learn and grow in a safe environment, and because of that, I feel like I must give back to my community around me.”

That community includes Houston City College (HCC).

A May 2026 graduate of the HCC dual credit program, Arusiuka earned her Associate of Science degree with high honors and her high school diploma from Alief Early College High School at the same time, a milestone that still brings her a sense of wonder.   

“Not only am I able to go to a four-year university, but two of those years were completed as a high schooler,” she said. “I am very grateful that HCC gives students like me the opportunity to continue my education and keep improving.”

During her time at HCC, Arusiuka embraced every opportunity available to her, inside the classroom and beyond.  She served as a Genesys Works ambassador on campus, helping young students prepare for interviews and build the professional skills needed to succeed at work. She also supported daily operations across four HCC campuses: Alief Bissonnet, Alief Hayes, Katy and Spring Branch.

The people who worked alongside her noticed.

“I have had the privilege of witnessing firsthand the remarkable confidence, resilience and determination Isabelle brings into every space she enters,” said Iszella Flowers, supervisor of Student Accounts, HCC Business Office. “Isabelle consistently meets challenges with maturity and adaptability, finding ways not only to succeed, but to uplift others around her in the process.”

Arusiuka’s academic and professional accomplishments reflect a student who never stops reaching. She was named a 2025 CITGO Distinguished Scholar, selected as an Amazon Future Engineer for 2026 and became a Future Business Leaders of America National Qualifier in the category of Job Interview—after placing second in the entire state of Texas.

This fall, Arusiuka heads to the University of Texas at Austin, her dream school, to major in Informatics, with a focus on user experience and accessible technology design. Inspired by her brother’s journey, she wants to build tools and systems that serve students the way Houston’s resources served him—with accessibility and inclusion at the center.  

“Watching Isabelle’s growth over the past year has been incredibly rewarding,” Flowers added. “I am truly proud of the leader, scholar and young professional she has become.”

Ready to chart your path to success? Register now at hccs.edu/apply.