Articles

Houston Community College Southeast receives $200,000 grant from Bank of America for innovative student success initiative

Dec 10, 2024

Bank of America has selected Houston Community College Southeast (HCC-SE) as a 2024 Neighborhood Builder, awarding the college $200,000 to launch the Yellow Brick Road Project, an innovative initiative designed to transform access to higher education in Southeast Houston's underserved communities.

The grant will support HCC-SE's comprehensive strategy to remove barriers to college success for low-income and first-generation students. Launching in December 2024, the Yellow Brick Road Project will create clear pathways from community organizations to college completion, incorporating multiple student support systems.

“Like the well-known yellow brick road, this grant illuminates a path where each step leads to possibility. It transforms the journey to higher education from a distant dream into an achievable reality, ensuring that no member of our community walks alone,” said Dr. Frances Villagran-Glover, president of HCC Southeast College. “In Southeast Houston, where less than 30% of residents have a high school diploma and household incomes are significantly below the county average, removing barriers to college access is crucial for economic mobility.”

The Neighborhood Builders program includes both grant funding and leadership development opportunities for the college president and an emerging leader within the institution. This comprehensive approach will strengthen HCC-SE's capacity to serve as an anchor institution in Southeast Houston.

“For 20 years, Bank of America has strengthened Houston nonprofits through the Neighborhood Builders program. As part of the award, the grant and leadership training have provided solutions to local challenges and promoted economic advancement in our community. To make the celebration even more special, HCC-SE is the first Houston college to be named a Neighborhood Builder. We look forward to seeing the success of the Yellow Brick Road Project in its effort to support student success,” said Hong Ogle, president of Bank of America Houston.

HCC-SE serves a student population that includes 26% Pell Grant recipients, with nearly half of its students coming from households earning under $20,000 annually. The college ranks among the top two-year institutions nationwide in awarding associate degrees to Black and Hispanic students.

For more information about the initiative or enrollment opportunities, visit hccs.edu/southeast or call 713.718.7000.