Some top Houston Community College leaders want to rebrand by dropping the word “community” from the college’s name.
The move could shed the stigma associated with two-year institutions and boost enrollment in HCC’s new bachelor degree programs, Chancellor Margaret Ford Fisher and several trustees say. But not everyone is on board — some leaders and students believe the key word that’s helped define the institution since 1971 is integral to the college’s identity.
The proposal, raised to trustees by Ford Fisher early this fall, has stirred up conflicting ideas about several questions: What’s the perception of a community college education? Would a new name command more respect or attract students? Would employers be more keen to hire graduates without “community college” on their certificate?
HCC officially debuted their first pair of four-year degree programs this fall, which Ford Fisher has largely hinged her argument for a name change on. But the Chancellor will have to get several skeptical trustees on board, including some who think HCC should pump the brakes on adding any more four-year programs.
“It’s no longer a community college. It is at the four-year level.” Ford Fisher told trustees at an August meeting. “… I think the question would be, since we have these programs and we have students who are in the (four-year) pipeline, how competitive will they be as they seek employment with companies?”
Trustees are expected to hear name suggestions at a board meeting on November 20. If approved, HCC would join the ranks of colleges across the state and country that have made similar recent rebrands, such as Dallas and Southwest Texas colleges, which recently changed their names to begin offering four-year degrees.
Though they won’t get the final say, the Houston Landing asked 17 students for their thoughts on the potential change, including several students in the bachelor’s programs driving the conversation.
Here are their answers in their own words, lightly edited for clarity.
Q: In your experience, does community college have a stigma?
Some leaders hope that by ditching the phrase “community college,” they’ll ditch the stigma they say comes with it.
“What it may do is offer the opportunity for people to understand the value of community college, without the word ‘community’ in it,” trustee Pretta VanDible Stallworth told the Landing. “People think college and community college are two different things, and it could give them the perception that, ‘Oh, this is better.”
Students had mixed feelings about if they’ve experienced such a stigma — and whether it’s a valid reason to change the college’s title. Some said the phrase “community college” has a positive connotation, signaling accessibility and openness. Others feel looked down upon because the institutions are not academically selective.
Muskaan Shahzad, Bachelor’s in artificial intelligence & robotics: Honestly, when I first heard about (the potential name change), I was a bit divided. Because since we started this (bachelor’s) program, the thing that we’re trying most to do is remove that stigma that surrounds the words ‘community college.’ And if we ourselves let go of that word altogether, which we’ve been fighting to defend for the last year, there’ll be a bit of a hypocritical move.
Lorelei Frigillana, computer science: To me, community college is much friendlier compared to university. I feel like it’s for everyone. And HCC is like that. … To me, HCC sounds good. It represents Houston, it represents everyone. It’s very diverse.
Trinitee Clover, biology and health sciences: Community college does have a stigma to it. Universities advertise to us more due to the social life, the sports and … going away from your family, and getting used to being on your own, in a way.
And then the stigma with community colleges is … you’re smarter if you go to university. And I just don’t believe that at all. I’ve attended university and community college, and I love community college more than university.
Thomas Handy, medical science: No, I don’t. … “Community college,” I feel like, helps people know that … If you want to come here, it’s going to help you out, if you can’t afford to go to a university.
It really helps students understand that they’re going to help you get to where you need to be.
Casey Cane, interior design: Whenever you say “community college,” people have a certain idea. … I guess (they) look down on it.
Daniel Mulonda, general studies: I think it does. But I would hate it if they dropped “community.”
Q: Some leaders worry the term ‘community college’ on a certificate might negatively impact a students’ job prospects. Do you worry about this?
Chancellor Ford Fisher and some trustees worry a negative perception of community college education could dog students after they graduate and begin applying for jobs.
“One thing I’m thinking about is, what is going to be the value of that student’s (bachelor’s) degree if it comes from a community college?” said Board Chair Cynthia Lenton-Gary. “We have to be realistic. Employers, companies, when they look at candidates to hire, they look at where that degree came from.”
Several students, including those in HCC’s four-year programs, think their degrees could be more valuable without the words “community college” on them.
Muskaan Shahzad, Bachelor’s in artificial intelligence & robotics: If we go with that perspective, then definitely we do need a name change. Because keeping in mind the reality of things, this is how things work. Even if you start fighting against the stigma of “community” now, maybe it’ll take generations for that stigma to be less of value than it is now, but it will never go away completely.
Emily Lopez, dual-credit: Let’s be honest, if you tell someone, ‘I go to Yale,’ and then someone else is like, ‘I go to Houston Community College,’ it kind of lowers you down … Which isn’t true, because they still offer great classes.
Sumesh Surendran, Bachelor’s in artificial intelligence & robotics: (The name) matters a lot. If you’re taking a masters degree from UH or you’re taking a masters degree from MIT or Princeton or Stanford. Both are universities. But (the latter) has a name. The name can push students to reach their goals.
Sometimes I tell my friends here, ‘I’m studying at HCC, I’m doing my bachelor’s degree.’ They’re gonna say, ‘Community colleges can’t have a bachelor’s degree.’
Kayla Sheppard, dual-credit: I think there is a stigma that people who go to community college are lesser than those who go to universities. … So maybe they should change it out.
Fisayo Jassey-Jabarr, Bachelor’s in artificial intelligence & robotics: I wouldn’t really care, if the program was great, if my certificate said “community college.” … But yes, it’s true, both employers and recruiting agencies want some bit of prestige.
When the name changes, it kind of gives me an advantage, right? … It’s just a prestige thing.
Q: Do you think HCC should change its name?
For many, whether HCC should change its name depends on what the alternative would be. No options have been officially presented yet. Administrators have been gathering community feedback and are expected to present ideas to trustees in late November.
When neighboring Lone Star College, formerly North Harris Montgomery Community College District, changed its name, they solicited options and held a public vote before trustees approved the college’s current title. Trustee VanDible Stallworth said a similar approach should be used at HCC.
“The people should decide,” VanDible Stallworth said. “Just find out how satisfied the people are with the education service that you give, and then give them the opportunity to name your college. And that resolves the issue of us haggling at the board table about it. It’s like your baby. Everybody wants to name your baby.”
DeMarion Keys, multidisciplinary studies: I think they could switch it up a bit, if they want to transfer to more of (a four-year college).
But what I’m more intrigued to see is how that’s going to work out. Because personally, I don’t really think we have the infrastructure right now to support being a full-blown university. Right now, sure, we (can) support those two four year courses. But what about if we add more four year courses? How are we going to house all that?
Tothieu Pham, electrical engineering: They have a really well-known reputation under this name. … I don’t believe (it would be a good idea). Houston Community College is embedded in every Houstonian. If they changed the name, it would lead to some confusion. And it would not define us anymore.
Mikyaal Richardson, welding: Just dropping “community college” and maybe saying “Houston College” or something similar like that without “community,” I feel like that would be better. Just say “Houston College.” When you say “community,” it makes people think that … wherever they’re going is a piece of s–t.
People just look at you differently, like we’re not getting the same education that they’re getting.
Emma Ware, culinary arts: No. It’s open to the community. (The name) describes why you should come here. … If it’s just “Houston College,” it’s probably gonna tell people that it is private.
Mel Pennue, marketing: I think they should. Community college, people automatically think it’s lower than universities.
Ana Sophia Fajrdl, fashion design: I don’t think it’s necessary.
“Community” does have meaning — for all of us together, right? … If they want to change it, that’s fine. But I personally like the name because it does bring a lot of people in.
Maryanna Gallow, culinary arts: I feel like it should just stay the way it is. There’s no reason to change the name. It’s “community” for a reason, right? It hasn’t really affected me in any negative way.
When I think of “community,” I just think of everybody coming into one certain place. And I’ve noticed that this is the school where there’s so many people with different outcomes, different stories, that come for one reason: to learn and get a good education.
Miranda covers Houston’s community colleges in partnership with Open Campus. Despite roughly half of Houston’s higher-education students attending community colleges, there hasn’t been much news covering these systems or students — until now. Her reporting holds institutions accountable, highlights barriers faced by students and helps them navigate their opportunities. Reach Miranda at miranda@houstonlanding.org or on Twitter and Instagram.
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