HCC takes part in initiative to increase college graduation rates

The Center for Houston’s Future -- a Houston-area Think Tank -- launched My Degree Counts with a press conference kicked off by Houston Mayor Annise Parker on Monday, April 2, at the Hilton Post Oak Hotel Houston.

Houston Community College Chancellor Mary Spangler was in attendance at the launch.




HCC's mascot Swoop took part in the event along with mascots from other area colleges and universities.



My Degree Counts is a campaign to increase the region’s 2 and 4-year college graduation rate and thereby improve the economy, and is the local initiative of the national Talent Dividend Prize, a million-dollar project sponsored by CEOs for Cities.

“Increasing our college degree rate by just 1% increases personal income by $4.2 billion annually,” said Catherine Mosbacher, President and CEO of the Center for Houston’s Future. “Now that the Center has laid the groundwork, we’re ready to connect the public, through the My Degree Counts campaign and website, to the info and resources that make it easier to finish a degree or take those first steps toward college. It’s one-stop shopping for college success.”

The My Degree Counts launch featured spokespersons Houston Texan James Casey and local rapper Baby Jay, along with leaders from Houston area community colleges, universities, ISDs and nonprofits. The launch coincided with the 2012 National Talent Dividend Meeting being hosted in Houston on April 2nd and 3rd.



What sets My Degree Counts apart from other educational efforts is the directness and urgency of the focus – raise college degree rates by the summer of 2013 with a $1 million prize awarded to the US city that does the best job of achieving that increase – and the unprecedented way in which universities and colleges are collaborating with each other, with all the ISDs in the region, and with local employers, to facilitate degree completion.

Related links:
• www.mydegreecounts.com
• www.myhccdegreecounts.org