Future is bright for HCC’s Online College

The light emanating from HCC’s Online College is about to glow even brighter.

This summer, the college is unveiling a long-planned initiative to address the changing needs of the regional employment landscape that finds a million Houston-area residents who do not have the certificates or degrees needed to be employed in well-paying jobs that require digital skills.

“In an age when automation is replacing more and more workers, we plan to open doors to those who want to acquire the skills they need to be competitive for jobs that require skills in demand,” said Dr. Margaret Ford Fisher, president of HCC Online College.

Many residents don’t have even the basic computer skills needed to attend an online class. To address that issue, the HCC initiative is providing Digital Skills Centers at multiple campus locations. The sites will be open to the public and will be equipped with computers and workstations. HCC staff will be on hand to provide instruction which will prepare people with the digital skills they need to begin studies.

“For the most part, these are people who have jobs, children and many commitments that make attending an in-person class almost impossible,” Dr. Ford Fisher said. “So, we want to provide the basic digital knowledge and skills such people need to move their lives forward.”

HCC’s online courses include more than 80 academic and workforce subjects and dedicated faculty that strives to help students succeed. As the third largest online college in the nation and already cited on Newsweek’s list of “Top Online Colleges in the United States,” HCC has programs that provide the flexibility to allow attendees to study in their spare time without putting their lives on hold.

“This can make all the difference to a single, working parent, struggling to make ends meet,” the president said. “Our goal is to level the playing field so that all who have the drive and interest can achieve goals to enrich their families and themselves.”