Commit to Complete: HCC holds week-long event

Ana Gonzalez, Culture Editor

Houston Community College is hosting its very first Commit to Complete event, a weeklong event that the college has set aside to promote one mission: student success and completion. All week long, all eleven schools will host a celebration of students’ goals, and success.

The event also encourages current students to be “committed” to obtain a degree or certificate from Houston Community College, from getting advice from former students who had already graduated, to advisors who are ready to help out with students’ goals. It is the school’s way of providing awareness and importance of a higher education degree or certificate.

Ana Gonzalez/The Egalitarian
First-year student Kyle Ramaeos posing for a picture with a cap and gown provided by HCC officials during the #CommitToComplete event at Central Campus. He is majoring in Liberal Arts.

Students can sign the #CommitToComplete banner and sign a pledge that solidifies their commitment to Houston Community College. Afterwards, students were able to try on a cap and gown, which signifies their completion and encourages students to “keep going”.

When students signed the pledge, they promised to see an advisor twice a year, get good grades, meet a tutor in case they find difficulty in a subject in class, among other agreements that students commit.

Former Military Veteran “Bill” is now an HCC student after completing his service at the Army Reserve. He is going for his Manufacturing Engineering degree, as well as a certificate in the Business Management. Bill only needed one semester to complete his manufacturing engineering degree, but he does plan to stay a little longer to complete another degree.

“My plan is to transfer to Texas State University [in San Marcos], to complete my bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing Engineering Technology,” he says, “I am thinking of switching it over to complete my Associate degree in Business Administration and Management, so I can have an ‘in’ for any management positions at the manufacturing engineering field.”

Bill already has 14 years of experience in the manufacturing field, but his #commit2complete is to advance to a better position in the field, especially since leaving the Army Reserve. He has already held at least 9 occupations during his time.

According to HCC’s website, students who complete their associate degree:

  • Have a higher chance of finding a job in their respective field,
  • Have a better chance of getting accepted into a 4-year university to earn a bachelor’s degree or higher,
  • Have values of an employee that future employers want: the ability to succeed.
  • Are more likely to volunteer more in the community

Furthermore, student parents who obtain an associate degree serves as a role model to their children and other family members.

If you are ready to make that commitment to your education, Completion Week will last until this Thursday at the following campuses:

Alief Hayes Campus: Wednesday, 4 – 6 p.m. and Thursday, 4 – 6 p.m.

Katy Campus: Wednesday, 4 – 6 p.m. and Thursday, 4 – 6 p.m.

Spring Branch Campus: Wednesday, 4 – 6 p.m. and Thursday, 4 – 6 p.m.

South Campus: Thursday, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Northeast Campus: Wednesday and Thursday, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Northline Campus: Wednesday and Thursday, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Coleman Campus: Wednesday, 3 p.m. – 6 p.m. and Thursday, 3-6 p.m.

Eastside Campus: Wednesday and Thursday, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Missouri City Campus: Wednesday and Thursday, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Stafford Campus: Wednesday and Thursday, 10 a.m. -2 p.m. and 4 – 6 p.m.

West Loop Campus: Wednesday and Thursday, 10 a.m. -2 p.m. and 4 – 6 p.m.