HCC recognized as 2023 Star Award Recipient by Texas Higher Ed Coordinating Board

Dec 14, 2023

Houston Community College was named a Star Award recipient for 2023 by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.

The board recognizes exceptional contributions toward achieving one or more of the goals of the state strategic plan for higher education. The awards were established by the state agency in 2001, marking their 22nd anniversary this year.

HCC was recognized for the work of its Vocational Advancement and Skill Training (VAST) Academy, a program that provides post-secondary transition programs and comprehensive support services, which lead to meaningful credentials, employment and independence for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Opportunities include vocational certificates, pre-college and first-year success bridge courses, career readiness credentials, internships and employment assistance.

The academy has been transforming the lives of students by giving them a chance to receive affordable college career-readiness training leading to meaningful credentials, employment and independence since 1990.

"The VAST Academy was a great experience for me," said Patrick Hill, a recent student who earned an associate degree in culinary arts.  "It gave me the confidence to excel in my field of Baking/Pastry Arts and to further my education."

The life-changing education provided by the academy continues to transform lives, including providing certificates and degrees in fields ranging from food services and childcare, to cyber security and welding, among others.

“We are enormously proud of our VAST Academy and its role in preparing students for meaningful work,” said HCC Interim Chancellor Margaret Ford Fisher, Ed.D. “We are grateful for this recognition among our peer institutions.”

Winners were honored in Austin earlier this week along with HCC.Other honorees include:

• Texas A&M University for its Open Educational Resources efforts
• Texas Southmost College for overall efforts to improve student success
• Texas Tech University for its Raider Success Hub
• University of North Texas for its Empower, Learn, Excel, enVision, Advance, Rise program