News

When Ben Mendez walked the halls of Houston City College’s Southeast Campus in the late 1980s, he couldn’t have imagined the cultural legacy he would one day help build for the city of Houston. Today, as executive director of the Mariachi Festival in Houston, Mendez credits HCC with providing both the academic foundation and the community network that shaped his journey.

When Simon Obame came to the United States nearly two years ago from Gabon, his intent was to improve his English and return home to Africa and advance his career in the energy industry. He never intended to stay long in the U.S., but he fell in love with America’s culture and decided to take a huge step and start another degree. With that came the hardest part: leaving everything behind – his family, 12 years of career growth, and a stable life.

After spending more than 20 years in the transportation industry, John Russell Spear, Jr., decided it was time for a new direction. John enrolled at HCC Northeast where, in May 2025, he earned an Associate of Applied Science in Instrumentation and Controls Engineering Technology.

In a quiet corner of Houston City College’s Northwest Campus is where literary theory and soil meet. That is where English Professor Cathy Clay tends to more than just blooming plants—she’s cultivating young minds.

For Dennis J. Yazdanpanah, Houston City College was the launching pad to a rewarding career in civil engineering. After high school, Dennis didn’t immediately pursue college. Instead, he entered the restaurant industry, where long hours and demanding schedules quickly took their toll.

Kinzah Ali is a proud graduate of the Houston City College Northwest College, where in 2020, she earned an Associate of Science Degree before completing a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from University of Texas at Tyler.

From student to professor: Meet Dr. Roderick Dunn, Pharmacy Technician professor at HCC Coleman College!

When Aracely Salas graduated from Heights High School in 2023, she already knew her future would involve beauty and business. What she didn’t know was how quickly HCC could help put her on the path toward her dream of owning a salon.

Scharese embodies true leadership by speaking up for her classmates, uniting the campus community, and showing up with enthusiasm. Her kindness and willingness to connect with everyone make her a Coleman Champion in every sense. — Briyona Nixon, Student Life Coordinator

Each year, thousands of foodies anticipate the month of August to explore diverse culinary cuisines throughout the city of Houston to please their palates as part of Houston Restaurant Weeks. This year, two longtime chefs were looking forward to the annual event to showcase a curated experience not just for customers, but for student chefs as part of HCC's Culinary Arts program.