Coleman Champion: Leonard Harris

Name
Leonard Harris

City/Town of Residence
Katy, Texas

Hometown
Belle Glade, FL

Current Degree or Certificate Program
Occupational Therapy Assistant

Year & Class
2nd Year, Class of 2026

Leadership Positions and/or Extra-Curricular Activities on Campus
I am involved in National Black Occupational Therapy Caucus (NBOTC) and have been recognized on the Dean’s List, Honor Society, and Rising Pulse Award recipient.

Jobs or Leadership Positions in Community
I serve as a male youth mentor at my church, helping guide and support young individuals in my community.

Talents or Hobbies, or Something People Don’t Know About You
I enjoy designing clothing in my spare time and plan to launch my own clothing line in May 2027.

Why did you enroll at HCC Coleman College?
I chose HCC Coleman College because I heard positive things about its occupational therapy program.

Why did you choose your program of study?
Observing the patience and compassion occupational therapists show their patients inspired me to pursue this field. It made me appreciate the profession and want to be a part of it.

The program at Coleman is patient-centered and values each individual’s goals and feedback. It allows us to use meaningful and functional activities to make therapy engaging and effective.

What do you like best about your college experience?
I appreciate the sense of community in the program and on campus. 

What do you like best about your program of study?
What I enjoy most is learning how one simple activity can address multiple therapeutic goals. For example, a basic dressing task can improve coordination, strength, and independence.

I also enjoy learning about the pediatric setting, especially topics like retained reflexes and child development.

When you are tired, what motivates you to push forward?
My family, especially my wife and daughters, motivate me to keep pushing forward and achieve my goals.

What advice can you offer to help other students succeed?
Stay consistent and keep going no matter what challenges arise. The program can be difficult, but with dedication and effort, success is achievable.

Any final thoughts?
This program has been a rewarding journey that is preparing me to make a meaningful impact in others’ lives.