THE BIG PICTURE
Access
The College has provided educational access to more students than ever before. Enrollment has literally skyrocketed, from 2,653 in the fall of 1996 to 4,678 in the fall of 2003, an increase of more than 70 percent.
Housatonic Community College (HCC) offers financial aid to more students than ever before. Over the past seven years, Housatonic has seen a 165 percent increase in financial aid applications, resulting in a 190 percent increase in the amount of dollars awarded to students.
Success
The College's mission ensures student success. According to a 2001 socio-economic report completed by CCbenefits, Inc. and using the Association of Community College Trustees' model, the study showed that HCC students will earn, on average, $87 more per year for every credit hour equivalent completed. In other words, these students will earn an additional $2,093 per year for every year they attend HCC full-time.
Diversity
The majority of HCC's students are minorities. Fifty-four
percent are African American, Hispanic, Asian, and Native American.
Female
students comprise 68 percent of the student body and the average
age is 29. This diverse group of students represents a cross section
of the area's
population,
from urban residents of Bridgeport to the
surrounding mill towns.
In 1998, Housatonic offered 45 programs; today, HCC offers 63 degree and certificate programs. Of these, new programs have been introduced that address the workforce needs of the students in South Central Connecticut; programs that prepare students for employment across the street as well as across the country.
Additionally, HCC's web site was the first in the state system to achieve certification for its accessibility to people with disabilities.
Partnerships for Economic Revitalization
Housatonic has taken an active role in business and community affairs. The College continues to work closely with city and state governments as well as the business community in the economic revitalization of the City of Bridgeport.
HCC helped to create the Bridgeport Economic Resource Center (BERC), which is charged with attracting and retaining business. Next, HCC worked with BERC to secure: a $10,000 grant from the Connecticut Business and Industry Association (CBIA); a $125,000 grant from Connecticut's Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD); and a $1.7 million grant for training, lean manufacturing, purchasing, and marketing from the U.S. Department of Labor to create the Metal Manufacturers Education and Training Alliance (METAL). One result: the METAL alliance saved metal manufacturing companies $1,240,000!
Equally noteworthy is the indirect impact the College has had on the region's economic climate, particularly in the downtown area. By bringing more than 5,000 people downtown weekly, the College has served as a catalyst for its revitalization, including a new mall, the Harbor Yard sports complex, the Bridgeport Arena, and numerous businesses.
Fiscal Responsibility
There is more to institutional effectiveness and measuring its value to students than just the dollars and cents aspect. HCC is accountable to its students and its community. The following shows the College's contributions to both constituencies:
Accountability
- Housatonic Community College's unique contributions to the community:
- HCC contributes more than $60,000,000 per year to the region's economy.
- HCC saves the state some $1,400,000 annually in reduced health care, welfare, unemployment, and crime by educating students.
- Gives state taxpayers a 13 percent return on their investment. Taxpayers recover their investment in HCC recovered in 8.6 years.
- For every dollar invested in an HCC education, students will receive a $6.03 return in higher future earnings and recover this investment in 4.9 years. (See the Just the Facts)