HCC welcomes new and returning students for Spring semester
Jan 22, 2016
It does not matter if you are starting elementary school or college, the first day of school brings on a sense of nervousness and excitement like no other. As hundreds of students walk through the doors of the Houston Community College Southwest campuses, those overwhelming feelings fill the hallways.
“I'm nervous because I have all new teachers and courses. I didn’t know who was going to be in my class or how my professors were going to be,” HCC student Kaelynn Guzman said. "After my first class, I'm more relaxed because my teacher was enthusiastic and when teachers love what they do, it makes me calm and interested in the course.”
New students are embarking on new adventures, while returning students are looking forward to continuing the foundation they have already started. Biology major Stachell Givens knows HCC will provide the skills and footing she needs to transfer to a four-year university.
“My focus while going to HCC is to transfer to a university, it has been a nice little wedge in between high school and college to get the experience I need,” Stachell said. “It's also helped me narrow down what I want to do in the field of Biology.”
HCC faculty and staff know all too well about first-day jitters. HCC Southwest Campus staff work hard to make sure when students return, everyone is ready to welcome them with a smile and help them ease into classes at a new campus.
“Students come in to our campuses with excitement and uncertainty. Most importantly, they come to us with their dreams of a better future through education,” HCC Southwest Interim President Madeline Burillo, Ed.D. said. “As educators and mentors, we must do everything possible to welcome and support our students, foster a positive campus environment, guide them in the process, and provide them a strong foundation with the knowledge and skills that will help them be successful and achieve their goals.”
New campus maps for the Stafford Learning Hub and the West Loop locations were put to use the minute the students walked through the doors. New signs have also been installed at all four Southwest campuses to help students find their way around. Additional signs are currently being updated and replaced to create a more unified and polished look. Students at the West Loop Campus also received mini survival kits with maps, pens and other essential items to help with the first day of school.
There are more incentives for students to find their way around campus. Any student who stops by the Student Life Office from January 19-22 will receive a welcome gift.