HCC’s ‘Invest in Houston's Future Campaign’ hits $20 million goal
Jun 22, 2023
Officials presented a ceremonial check at the HCC Board of Trustees meeting on June 21.
Houston Community College’s Invest in Houston's Future Campaign is celebrating a historic fundraising milestone: $20 million raised for HCC student success.
HCC Foundation Board members and various college leaders were on hand when a ceremonial check was presented to the college at the HCC Board of Trustees meeting on June 21.
Foundation Board Chair Ryan McCauley said the fundraising milestone marks a “wonderful achievement” for HCC and the HCC Foundation because fundraising takes teamwork.
“The funds we have raised directly contribute to HCC’s important mission of serving those in our community who want to aspire to higher education to achieve their academic and occupational goals,” McCauley said. “The good that comes to our communities and region from these contributions is exponential.”
The HCC Foundation supports HCC's mission by providing financial assistance in three main areas: student scholarships and endowments, college capital projects and program support, and faculty grants and awards that advance student learning.
“The $20 million goal for the comprehensive campaign, set in September 2019 and scheduled to run through the end of Fiscal Year 2024, was achieved 16 months ahead of schedule,” said Chancellor Cesar Maldonado, Ph.D., P.E. “The effort has been truly remarkable, and I am proud beyond measure of HCC’s leadership, the HCC Foundation Staff and the dedicated HCC Foundation Board volunteers.”
“We have been intentional in building relationships across HCC and the Houston community,” said Karen L. Schmidt, MBA, CFRE, foundation president. “We are grateful to our valued donors who responded by investing generously in Houston’s future.”
Students whose lives have been changed for the better by receiving support through scholarships laud the foundation as key to their advancement.
One such student who was helped during his time at HCC through scholarships is PepsiCo UPLIFT scholar Jeff Ogbor, now working as a network engineer for a Managed Security Service Provider in Houston. He completed an associate degree in computer networking at HCC last year.
"My scholarship helped me a lot with paying for my classes,” Ogbor said. “HCC and the PepsiCo Foundation changed my life.”