Houston Community College (HCC) is considering a rebranding that may involve removing the word ‘community’ from its name as part of its efforts to expand its academic offerings, including bachelor’s degree programs. According to the
Houston Landing
, Chancellor Margaret Ford Fisher and several trustees believe the change could help shift perceptions of two-year institutions and support the college’s growing focus on four-year degrees, potentially impacting enrollment and public perception.
There is a range of perspectives within the HCC community. Some view the inclusion of ‘community’ as a representation of accessibility and inclusivity, while others believe that removing it could help elevate the institution’s standing in competitive job markets. In a statement obtained by the
Houston Landing
, “What it may do is offer the opportunity for people to understand the value of community college, without the word ‘community’ in it,” Trustee Pretta VanDible Stallworth expressed. However, a survey of 17 students interviewed by the Houston Landing reveals a range of opinions on both the current stigma and the proposed name change, indicating that the push for rebranding is not a consensus decision.
At the annual “State of the College” breakfast, Ford Fisher emphasized the college’s continued growth, noting key developments including the introduction of four-year degree programs—central to the rebranding discussion—as well as initiatives in global online education, urban aeronautics, and the metaverse, this information according to
the Katy Times.
Administrators are gathering community feedback and plan to present name suggestions later in November, though the Board of Trustees has not yet reached a consensus. The deliberations are focused on a range of factors, including logistics, legacy preservation, and market perception; “One thing I’m thinking about is, what is going to be the value of that student’s (bachelor’s) degree if it comes from a community college?” Board Chair Cynthia Lenton-Gary stated in a
Houston Landing
report, her concerns about post-graduate employability are a key consideration in the ongoing discussions.
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