Articles
Coleman Colleague: Kali Hocking, Class of 2025
Oct 31, 2025
Name
Kalika Hocking
City/Town of Residence
Sugar Land
Hometown & High School
Vienna, Austria - Vienna Christian School
Degree or Certificate Program
Respiratory Therapy
Year of Graduation
Class of 2025
Title & Place of Employment
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Respiratory Therapist, Memorial Hermann Southwest Hospital
Why did you choose HCC Coleman College?
I chose Coleman because of its outstanding board exam pass rates, its excellent reputation, and its location in the Texas Medical Center with all the opportunities it offers.
Why did you choose your program of study?
I chose Respiratory Therapy because I wanted to work in a dynamic and challenging healthcare environment that involves direct patient care but also a high level of problem-solving and critical thinking. I have personally been touched by several respiratory therapists and wanted to pay it forward.
What did you like best about your college experience?
The program was incredibly challenging and outside of my comfort zone. It truly showed me that I can do hard things, and there isn’t a limit to what I can learn.
What did you like best about your program of study?
I liked the opportunity to connect classroom learning with hands-on patient care through a variety of clinical opportunities — from adult and pediatric floors to ICUs, ERs, pulmonary clinics, and more. I also had faculty who would push me to be my best and support me in every way they could.
When you were tired, what motivated you to push forward?
What helped motivate me was remembering why I was doing this. It was the end goal of wanting to deliver exceptional patient care; mediocrity can’t be your bar when you’re dealing with people’s lives.
What advice can you offer to help other students succeed?
Hold on to your “why,” because you will get tired. Remember that if it was easy, everyone would do it — and wouldn’t you want your family members to only receive the best?
How did your education change or improve your life?
This program allowed me to focus on exactly what I would need for the workforce — and within two short years and three months after graduation, I’ve passed my boards, have a job I love, and am putting all my hard work into a rewarding career.
You graduate with clear goals ahead and a clear path into making them a reality.