Fourteen Houston Community College (HCC) students have been selected to participate in the prestigious College Renaissance Corps (CRCorps) program. CRCorps is a national AmeriCorps service and leadership program designed to empower students in high-demand fields like advanced manufacturing.
CRCorps offers paid opportunities for students to engage in service projects that connect them with industry leaders. These leaders provide mentorship and networking training, helping students navigate their careers and gain valuable industry experience.
Adaiah Jones is a 25-year-old single mother of two boys. She is a second-year student at HCC and was selected as one of the ambassadors. She often felt behind because of the choices she made in her life, but she chose welding as a career to put her on a track to financial stability.
“This ambassadorship is really helping me financially. Girls my age and in my situation are sometimes scared,” she said. “Finding a job that fits my busy schedule while caring for my children is hard. This opportunity will help me build a better life for them.”
Some of her responsibilities for the year include writing blogs about her academic experiences and doing community service work that requires speaking to high school students.
She said, “I’m hoping to reach out to more young people who graduate high school and need more guidance. There isn’t a lot of positive representation of young Black moms like myself, and I want to give hope to more of us. The CRCorps got my back.”
The program addresses critical issues like economic instability, unemployment and limited access to education and skills training. It fosters diversity and empowers the next generation of skilled professionals.
Michael Ndu is a second-year computer science student specializing in cyber security. As an ambassador, he can connect with industry partners to better understand the skills and credentials needed to succeed.
“Originally, I got a bachelor’s degree in electronics engineering in Nigeria. I wanted to get into a career that AI won’t replace 10 years from now. I was looking for something stable, so I chose cyber security,” Ndu said. “I had limited knowledge in that area, so I looked for programs, and HCC caught my attention. With this ambassadorship, I can leverage all my skills to get an entry-level position. I’ll get my master’s at the University of New Haven when I’m done here.”
CRCorps is driven by the transformative impact of national service as a way of workforce development, and its programs reflect the diverse student demographics found at Houston Community College and other community colleges across the nation. A study of community colleges published by Columbia University shows that during the 2020–2021 academic year, 7% of students were Asian, 12% were Black, 26% were Hispanic and 44% were white.
Houston Community College’s student body comprises 38.5% Latinos, 27.9% Blacks, 14.9% whites and 12.9% Asians. This diversity allows CRCorps to empower many students and prepare them for success in various industries.
Benefits for CRCorps Members
Participation in CRCorps offers a range of significant benefits for students, including:
- A living allowance of $24,000 per year
- An education award of $4,826.50 that can be used towards their own education or transferred to a family member for up to seven years
- Student loan forbearance during the program year
- Access to a host of wrap-around services available through HCC Student Services, such as mental health resources, childcare assistance, and emergency funds
- Professional development opportunities, including workshops, certification classes, and conferences
- Resume development assistance
- Support with job placement after completing the year of service
This expansion by CRCorps highlights its commitment to empowering students and addressing workforce shortages in key industries. By providing mentorship, networking opportunities, valuable service experiences, and comprehensive support services, CRCorps is helping students from HCC and across the nation achieve their educational and career goals.
