News Archive

HCC Central College Reality COLLAB will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its new immersive learning space from 10 to 11 a.m., Wednesday, Oct. 22, in the J.B. Whiteley Building, Room 201, 1301 Alabama St., Houston. The Reality COLLAB, founded at HCC Central in 2016, is the first immersive learning innovation lab of its kind in Texas higher education, according to Donald Sparks, HCC Central College communications director.

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.

After spending more than 20 years in the transportation industry, John Russell Spear, Jr., decided it was time for a new direction. “I looked at several paths, and Houston City College offered the best opportunities,” he said. John enrolled at HCC Northeast where, in May 2025, he earned an Associate of Applied Science in Instrumentation and Controls Engineering Technology.

When Simon Obame came to the U.S. 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, but he fell in love with the culture and decided to take a huge step and start another degree. His decision to enroll at HCC has paid off as Obame recently earned a $5,000 scholarship from the ISA Houston Section to further his academic journey in HCC’s Smart Building Technology program.

With the Houston region’s unemployment rate in August reaching its highest level in nearly a decade — 5 percent — the need for education and training opportunities is urgent. HCC is stepping up to help those who have lost jobs prepare for in-demand roles that require more than a high school diploma but less than a two- or four-year degree through its Connect 2 Workforce program.