Howard Community College

Howard Community College's promise is that You Can Get There From Here, but many students are choosing to go further. Whether a Ph.D. or college first-timer, homemaker or veteran, employed or retired, picking up course prerequisites or earning a degree, more and more adult students are enrolling at HCC to enter, maintain, and advance in the workforce. The rising number in enrollment of adults over 25 years old is not surprising given the demographic profile and trends for Howard County. As of the 2010 census, over half of the county population was comprised of adults ages 25 –59, and within this range, the 25–44 age group is the fastest growing, with an 11 percent increase projected through 2030. Howard County continues to rank among the most affluent, advanced, and educated communities in the nation, and maintains the lowest unemployment rate in the state; so what does HCC offer these degreed and working professionals? In a research study of Howard County adults commissioned by the college, the majority responded that they would consider attending HCC for learning that helped them stay competitive in their jobs or enter new careers. With compounding technological changes and globalization of our economy, keeping job skills updated and marketable is becoming a necessity. Consider that just ten years ago "cyberspace" would be a foreign word for a college graduate in computer science; a preschool teacher would not be developing science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) curriculum; and the demand for educated workers did not exceed the supply in many allied health occupations. Read on to meet adult learners sharing how HCC has helped them to further their lives and livelihoods. Go Further t Waymon and Anjole 2 Howard Community College

• Cover