Newsletter from Trustee Dr. Pretta VanDible Stallworth	District IX

To the HCC District 9 Family:

In fall 2021, I was elected to serve as Director-at-Large for the national Association of Community College Trustees. ACCT represents 1,200 community colleges and 6,500 trustees. It is with honor and great humility that I serve in this capacity. The ACCT Director-at-Large three-year term allows me to speak on behalf of HCC, Texas, and the ACCT Western Region.

This spring I was appointed to the historical Rice Engineering Alumni Board to serve a three-year term. The REA is the oldest affinity group at Rice University. As a Board member, I look forward to strengthening the relationship between HCC and Rice.

Options to Help You Succeed
This fall HCC will be more involved in the District 9 recruitment efforts for academic programs. HCC offers a special program for eligible Seniors aged 55 and older. In 2018 I advocated for the program, and it was established. Seniors 55-64 can take classes at half tuition, and Seniors over age 65 can take classes tuition-free.

Dual-Credit classes are now offered at Worthing Early College High School, Madison and Westbury high schools. Students are also eligible to take workforce Career Technical Education Certification training at South Campus and Brays Oaks Campus.

Opening Doors of Opportunity
Collaborations with organizations in District 9 increase campus activities that raise awareness about HCC. HCC District 9 partners with organizations
including public and private businesses, religious establishments, homeowner associations, civic clubs, community development corporations and nonprofit entities.

Bridging the Digital Divide organization distributed more than a thousand free WIFI Hot Spots to District 9 residents. The Life Achievement Award honored 100 volunteers for their tireless community service in District 9 and beyond. Two TED Talk events by TEDxAlief were hosted at the West Houston Institute. The Black Alumni Network of the High School for the Performing and Visual Arts celebrated its 50th year at the historic Heinen Theater on Central Campus.

HCC will continue to strengthen relationships within District 9. HCC District 9 has advisors at South Campus and Brays Oaks campus who can assist residents with education and workforce needs. HCC advisors provide potential, new and returning students with enrollment and financial aid support. Additional information about HCC is available online by request at onecollege.hccs.edu/rif-form/.

Sincerely,

Pretta VanDible Stallworth, Ph.D., PMP HCC Board of Trustees
District IX

from HCC

Fall 2022
View online:
hccs.edu/trustees

Dual-credit classes help high school students get a jump on college
It’s a deal almost too good to be true.

Houston Community College provides high school students the opportunity to earn both college and high school degrees by attending HCC while still in high school.

college plans. Classes are taught by educators who mirror the profile of traditional college instructors.
For more details, visit hccs.edu/dual-credit

Important enrollment/registration dates
Students can earn an associate’s degree at the same time they graduate from high
school. Our dual-credit pathways with area school districts provide workforce credits and academic core classes with credits that can be transferred to four-year colleges or universities.

The dual-credit program also offers homeschooled students and those attending public/private and charter high schools the chance to get a head start on their four-year

Scholarships and financial aid make college possible
for majority of students
for fall and spring semesters
Fall 2022 registration is in full swing as students prepare for classes that begin Aug. 22. Registration for the remaining fall sessions ends the first week of November.

Students are advised to apply early and submit required documents for spring classes that start Jan. 17, 2023. There’s also a special mini-session that runs between the fall and spring semesters, with classes starting Dec. 12.

Registration for the spring semester kicks off the last week of October. The course schedule includes both in-person and online classes.

“Now’s a good time to fill out an application and apply for financial aid,” said HCC Registrar Mary Lemburg.
“It’ll be seamless if students send it in and allow a little time to process.”

Admissions and pathway advisors are ready to help guide students through the enrollment process with career assessments and advice on choosing a major. Help is available at every campus.
For more details and help, visit
hccs.edu/virtuallobby

In addition to federal and state aid, scholarships are a great way to help with the cost of your education.

Searching for scholarships can be stressful if you don’t know where to look or how to search. To make the process easier for you, the HCC Financial Aid Office lists monthly scholarships for which you may qualify.
The scholarships include:

PepsiCo Foundation Uplift Scholarship – and professional mentoring program to support Black and Hispanic community college students.

FormSwift Scholarship – for driven, up- and-coming entrepreneurs who are ready to commit to building a better world through their business ideas.
For more information, visit hccs.edu/finaid

HCC Fall Registration Fairs planned for August 2022

Students who want to get a head start on their education journey are invited to take part in two Fall Registration Fairs on Aug. 13 and Aug. 20. The Saturday events will take place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at HCC campuses districtwide.

Students will have the chance to meet with HCC staff to ensure the registration process is smooth and seamless. Specialists from Student Services, Financial Aid, Testing and other areas will be on hand to offer advice and answer questions.

“Our goal is providing a personalized onboarding experience for all students,” said Dr. Betty Fortune, interim Associate Vice Chancellor of Enrollment Management and Success.

“When they leave that day, they’ll have a degree plan in hand and the ability to
map their pathway to completion for their program of choice.”

The earlier students register, the better because there’s time to speak to advisors, confirm their financial aid status and choose and enroll in classes at the times and places needed.