Houston City College Chancellor presents at AACC National Conference

Event Recap

HCC took center stage at the American Association of Community Colleges National Conference in April 2026, where Chancellor Dr. Margaret Ford Fisher presented on the Challenges of Urban Community Colleges and highlighted HCC’s leadership in student success, workforce development, and innovation.

Back row (from left to right): Bob McCracken, Vice Chancellor of Administration and Operations; Terrance Corrigan, Executive Director of Internal Auditing. Front row (from left to right): Dr. Rima Adil, Vice Chancellor of Strategic Communications & Marketing; Dr. Margaret Ford Fisher, Chancellor; Andrea Burridge, Vice Chancellor of Strategy, Planning & Institutional Effectiveness.
Back row (from left to right): Bob McCracken, Vice Chancellor of Administration and Operations; Terrance Corrigan, Executive Director of Internal Auditing. Front row (from left to right): Dr. Rima Adil, Vice Chancellor of Strategic Communications & Marketing; Dr. Margaret Ford Fisher, Chancellor; Andrea Burridge, Vice Chancellor of Strategy, Planning & Institutional Effectiveness.

Houston City College (HCC) took center stage at the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) National Conference in April 2026, where Chancellor Dr. Margaret Ford Fisher presented on the Challenges of Urban Community Colleges and highlighted HCC’s leadership in student success, workforce development, and innovation.

The national conference brought together higher education leaders from across the country to discuss strategies for supporting student success, strengthening workforce pathways, and addressing barriers facing today’s community college students. Houston City College’s participation underscored the institution’s growing role as a leader among large urban community colleges.

Showcasing Houston City College’s Impact

During the presentation, Dr. Ford Fisher emphasized Houston City College’s commitment to serving student populations while addressing the real-life challenges many students face, including financial hardship, housing insecurity, and balancing work and school responsibilities. These challenges are common across urban community colleges nationwide and HCC continues to implement innovative solutions designed to support student persistence and completion.

Houston City College currently serves approximately 95,000 students across its multi-college district, making it one of the largest community colleges in Texas and a key driver of workforce development and economic mobility in the region.

Dr. Ford Fisher highlighted how HCC is responding to these challenges through strategic initiatives that include:

  • Guided pathways to help students stay on track
  • Expanded wraparound student support services
  • Case management advising
  • Dual credit and early college partnerships
  • Registered apprenticeships and workforce programs
  • Scholarship and financial support initiatives
  • Digital support centers and online resources

These initiatives reflect Houston City College’s commitment to supporting the “whole student” and improving retention, completion, and workforce outcomes.

Leading Innovation in Texas Community Colleges

The presentation also highlighted the impact of Texas House Bill 8, which shifted community college funding toward student outcomes such as completion, transfer, and workforce placement. Houston City College has embraced this outcomes-based model, strengthening programs aligned with high-demand industries and expanding opportunities for students to earn credentials with real-world value.

Through intentional strategies and strong industry partnerships, Houston City College continues to improve student success metrics and expand access to career-focused education that supports regional economic growth.

As Houston City College continues to expand programs, strengthen partnerships, and support student success, the institution remains committed to its mission of creating opportunities and transforming lives through education.

Houston City College’s presentation at the AACC National Conference reinforces its role as a leader in innovation, student success, and workforce development, both in Texas and across the nation.

Related News & Stories

All News