HCC’s Adult Education Program largest in Texas

Houston Community College conducts the largest adult education program in Texas. About 10,000 students are enrolled every year with 75% of those speaking languages other than English. But what many people might not know is that the HCC adult education programs are not always taught on campus.

HCC Adult Education Programs Director, David Joost notes, “We do some of our work at college campuses, but we also do considerable outreach in the community and host classes in churches, community centers, schools, libraries, and places like that.”

Joost made the comment on the HCC program “Dialogue Houston.” Joost says once students find out about the programs they are happy to learn the classes are convenient. He says while HCC conducts more than 50% of the classes, about half of the programs are contracted out to non-profit organizations including AVANCE, Association for the Advancement of Mexican Americans, Chinese Community Center, Houston Center for Literacy, and Neighborhood Centers.

More on this segment and adult education at HCC

See why HCC Alumna, Heather Williams, is certified to have a bright future

Friends and family are the glue that holds Heather Williams together. Although she was already a certified surgical technician, the inability to find work in that field led her to return to school in pursuit of a nursing career.

However, her path to becoming a nurse hasn’t started off purely scientific. Along the way, Williams has earned an Associate’s degree in Art from Houston Community College. Getting creative wasn’t the problem – finding the strength to continue her studies was. That’s when photography professor Bennie Ansell stepped in. Williams says Ansell wouldn’t let her fall away from school.

“She (Ansell) told me not to let anything get in my way. That I was very smart,” Williams said. “And she would just tell me that I could do anything I wanted to do if I would put my mind to it.”

The classroom wasn’t the only place Williams found encouragement. Her husband, Gerald, also played a role in motivating her; he often tutored her and provided emotional and financial support.

“He hasn’t let me quit,” Williams said. Although there were times when Williams doubted her achievements, she realizes now that she’s accomplished something that not everyone has done: receive an Associate’s degree.

Williams hopes to attend Texas Woman’s University next semester to pursue a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Nursing and become a nurse practitioner within the next five years.

HCC alum cooks his way to a healthy life

“Grate Kakes” is Chef James Bonner’s middle name. It’s also the name of his dessert company, but before Bonner was whipping up delicious dishes in the kitchen, he went to Houston Community College where he completed the pastry program in 2008. Yet, that achievement didn’t satisfy his sweet tooth, so he decided to return to the college in 2011 to earn his degree in Culinary Arts.

As Bonner began his journey through the program, he faced a sickness that wasn’t part of the recipe. Bonner developed a blood clot in his leg, which traveled to his lungs. The Nashville native had to make a choice. “I had to decide if I wanted to live or die,” Bonner said. That’s when he opted to add a dash of culinary skills.

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Through cooking healthier food, Bonner lost 80 pounds. The cuisine that Bonner brought to his culinary courses quickly became the envy of his classmates and professors.

“When I went to class, and we were cooking different foods, I was bringing my own food that was healthy. And everyone wanted to eat my food,” Bonner said. “I got a lot of support from everybody, so I was very grateful for that.”

That support also came from Bonner’s mother, who serves as a source of inspiration for him because she graduated from Tennessee State University at 61 years old. It looks like when it comes to success – like mother, like son.

And although Bonner knows his way around the kitchen, he’s still not done studying. He’s pursuing his Bachelor’s degree at the University of Houston’s Conrad Hilton College of Hotel and Restaurant Management.

Chairman’s Report: Workforce development is key to our country’s future

It is easy to see why a college education is essential for students and society in this challenging working environment. In The Chairman’s Report, hosted by HCC Board of Trustees Chairman Bruce Austin, District II, a panel of experts discuss HCC’s role in educating the workforce in response the changing demands of the marketplace.

Austin is joined in this discussion by Charles Cook, Ed.D., HCC Vice Chancellor of Instruction, Irene Porcarello, Ed.D., President HCC Southeast, and Margaret Ford-Fisher, Ed.D., President HCC Northeast.

See more Chairman’s Report

Get resume writing tips on HCC’s show ‘Get a Job’

To create a resume may seem easy, but it is tricky as students entering the job market can testify.

HCC’s Get A Job host Rick Gillis has tips on writing an effective resume. Some items you might not have considered. Tips like deleting your physical address, providing seeking and objective statements. Gillis also challenges resume writers to think like journalists, meaning to keep your audience in mind.

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HCC student, gamer finds safe haven in ‘The Cloud’

“The Cloud” is changing the way people are computing. Once a concept first used in the 1960′s, the idea of time sharing, using the computing power of a main frame computer, has a new look and new applications.

HCC student Val Dagher shows how cloud computing has changed the way he plays video games making them more affordable and more fun. More on the HCC program Innovative Technology

The author of ‘Oleander Girl’ comes to HCC & Global Outlook, talks culture clashes in India today

Novelist and writing teacher Chitra Divakaruni is one of the guests on the HCC program Global Outlook. Divakaruni is the author of “Oleander Girl” a novel set in India in 2002. The writer notes the setting takes place following 9/11 which had a global impact. There are several themes including forbidding love, the clash between the old and the new, and a journey to the United States. Divakaruni also teaches writing courses at the University of Houston. Get more information

Could the Astrodome become the next Houston park?

Once the 8th wonder of the world, the Astrodome has become a Houston eyesore. There have been a lot of proposals over the years by business and government, and now UH architecture student Ryan Slattery has an idea, turn the Astrodome into green space. On the HCC program Dialogue Houston, Slattery discusses his masters project with host Laurence Payne. Payne says the idea is gaining momentum. More information on Dialogue Houston

Social media: Going offline to get academically in line

When it comes to social media, there’s no debating that everyone has an opinion. A panel of HCC speech students took to the airwaves to debate the hazards and benefits of this 24/7 digital platform. The mini-debate, featured in the HCC program “United We Stand” (show 25), pit distance against privacy or the lack of it. Get more information

‘Innovative Technology’ looks at why size matters on digital device screens

With the glut of computer technology on the market it’s a question people often face, does size matter? On the HCC program Innovative Technology a panel of tech experts, including HCC Professor Roger Boston, debate the question of screen size. It is not just about portability, battery life, and comfort also factor in the decision.

This video clip is from the segment “Apples and Oranges” in show 9. Program host HCC Professor Sean Otmishi moderates the debate. More on Innovative Technology