Articles

Houston City College receives $400,000 grant to strengthen teacher pipeline

Feb 24, 2026


The greater Houston area is the second-fastest growing metro in the nation, and with that growth comes rising demand for certified teachers across the region.

To help meet that demand, the Houston Endowment recently awarded Houston City College (HCC) a $400,000, two-year grant to strengthen its Education Professions Center of Excellence (COE) to address critical teacher shortages and expand equitable access to high-quality educator preparation.

“The most frequently reported shortages exist in special education, science, math and other high-need fields, and within these shortages, there is a demand for bilingual teachers,” said Kimberly Andrews, Ph.D., dean of the Liberal Arts, Humanities and Education Professions COE. “These shortages are influenced by declining enrollment in teacher preparation programs, attrition among early-career educators, and a growing number of teachers working toward certification, particularly in communities where barriers to completion can be significant.”

The Education Professions COE serves as a vital talent development hub for first-generation college students, paraprofessionals, career changers and other nontraditional learners. Through associate degrees, stackable credentials, alternative certification and apprenticeship-based models, HCC provides affordable entry routes into the teaching profession.

“This investment from the Houston Endowment affirms HCC’s commitment to bolstering the educator workforce across our region,” said HCC Chancellor Margaret Ford Fisher, Ed.D. “By investing in people, partnerships and student success, we are helping ensure Houston classrooms are led by certified, well-prepared teachers who reflect and understand the communities they serve.”

Grant funding from the Houston Endowment will support two key investments within the Education Professions COE:

  • A dedicated, full-time success coach for Education Professions students, providing individualized advising, academic planning and guidance through certification and transfer processes
  • A comprehensive graduate-tracking database to monitor student progress through transfer, bachelor’s degree completion and entry into the teaching workforce–supporting long-term workforce planning and accountability

The grant will also advance HCC’s leadership in Grow Your Own and apprenticeship-based teacher preparation models. Students pursuing an Associate of Arts in Teaching can complete their degree at HCC, transfer to a four-year university and later return to HCC for the Alternative Teacher Certification Program, which prepares individuals for Texas certification in elementary and secondary education.

“These investments are designed to improve student retention, persistence and completion—key outcomes for building a stable, long-term educator pipeline,” Dr. Andrews added. “By reducing barriers and increasing structured support, we are helping more students successfully complete the journey from enrollment to certification.”

HCC is exploring partnerships with local independent school districts to create structured apprenticeship placements in high-need schools and support districts in increasing the number of certified teachers in their classrooms.

To strengthen regional alignment, grant funds will support targeted outreach efforts designed to increase awareness of HCC’s educator preparation pathways and workforce outcomes. This fall, HCC will also host an annual stakeholder summit, convening school districts, university partners, alumni and community leaders to share best practices and deepen collaboration.

“Community colleges play a vital role in addressing educator shortages by providing affordable, flexible, and community-rooted pathways into the profession,” said Frances Villagran-Glover, D.A., president, HCC Southeast. “With support from the Houston Endowment, HCC is accelerating high-impact strategies that expand access to teaching careers while strengthening outcomes for students and school districts alike.”

This investment strengthens the region’s educator preparation gateway and reinforces Houston City College’s role as a strategic workforce partner committed to student success and regional prosperity. To learn more about how HCC is preparing the teachers of tomorrow, visit hccs.edu/education.