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Houston Community College wins prestigious Lumina Foundation $100,000 grant

Aug 18, 2022

Houston Community College (HCC) is one of nine national finalists to receive a grant of $100,000 from Indianapolis-based Lumina Foundation.

Through The Million Dollar Community College Challenge, the foundation awarded $1.9 million in grants and technical assistance directly to community colleges, with one school receiving $1 million and nine others receiving $100,000 each.

Finalists had to demonstrate how they would transform their brand-building and marketing efforts to be more inclusive of adult students.

“The Million Dollar Community College Challenge is all about promoting the opportunities at community colleges and connecting adults to higher education,” said Shauna Davis, Lumina’s strategy director for community college participation. Each finalist submitted a compelling vision for making vital campus to community connections and creative ideas for promoting their colleges’ brand.”

With the grant, HCC will reimagine and promote the reach of its Online College to a growing audience of adult learners.

“HCC’s Online College is an ideal learning option for adults needing to balance family, work, and education,” said HCC Online College President Dr. Margaret Ford Fisher. “With its convenience, access, low tuition and large course selection, Online College is opening doors of opportunity to a growing audience across the region. Online learning will play an increasing role in higher education for years to come.”

The other finalists were Community College of Rhode Island, College of Eastern Idaho, Great Falls College Montana State University, Long Beach City College (CA), Northwest Shoals Community College (AL), Minnesota State College Southeast, and Madison Area Technical College (WI).

Madera College of Madera (CA) received the $1 million prize.