CITY OF HOUSTON EMPLOYEES GAIN UNIQUE EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY IN NEW ARRANGEMENT WITH HCC, UH SYSTEM
May 25, 2007 - City of Houston employees can now receive credit at Houston Community College for a number of professional development courses taken through the City's E.B. Cape Center, paving the way for an associate degree and enrollment in the University of Houston System.
"It's a great partnership between the two schools and the City. This gives us a valuable tool to help employees succeed in an economy that increasingly depends on information and education," said Mayor Bill White. He was joined by HCC Chancellor Mary Spangler and UH System Chancellor Jay Gogue at a recent signing ceremony at City Hall for this innovative agreement.
This new partnership allows municipal employees to acquire HCC credit for classes completed at the City's Cape Center, where various courses in computer applications, leadership and management, project management, organizational effectiveness and business communication are offered.
These transferred credits can be applied toward fulfilling a degree plan at HCC. Degreed employees may then continue their higher education by enrolling at a UH System school, where programs have been specifically customized to coordinate with this partnership and better align with the educational needs of the City of Houston.
"HCC is excited to be part of an alliance that focuses on opportunities for higher education and provides a means for receiving a degree," Chancellor Spangler said.
The partnership, which begins this fall, has been in the planning stages for two years. "A lot of hard work, foresight and good intentions went into creating this agreement," said Chancellor Gogue. "Everyone in our community will benefit from it."
