Governor Hogan Visits HCC Days After Signing College Promise Scholarship Bill

Two days after signing the “Near Completers and Maryland Community College Promise Scholarships” bill into law, Governor Larry Hogan and his cabinet members toured Howard Community College (HCC) and spoke with faculty, staff, as well as several students who could benefit from tuition and fees support the bill will provide.

HCC President Kate Hetherington hosted the Governor and guests as they toured the college’s Science, Engineering, and Technology Building (SET), first visiting the engineering build room and laboratory as students prepared for Engineering Projects Night, a culmination of their work throughout the semester. A sampling of projects were on display for the Governor to see.

The Governor then visited one of the college’s cybersecurity laboratories and met a graduating student who spoke about her experiences in the IT field. The group then moved to the geology lab, where engineering and geology students have collaborated on an interactive “sandbox,” which uses 3D mapping to create a topographical map of landscapes on the sand – a high-tech way for students to see and understand topography.

The tour continued in the college’s Heath Sciences Building, starting at the Dental Hygiene Center where students provide dental hygiene care to the community. The Governor then visited a dental hygiene laboratory and met with students using some of the advanced simulation models to learn dental hygiene techniques. He then walked upstairs to the Emergency Medical Services lab, which houses a full size ambulance for teaching and learning.

Governor Hogan’s visit followed the May 8, 2018 signing of the Maryland Community College Promise Scholarship Program, which begins in academic year 2019-2020. The program will appropriate $15 million statewide among the state’s 16 community colleges to provide eligible community college students with support for tuition and fees.

The bill was authored by Howard County Delegate Frank Turner, who was also present for the Governor’s visit today. The college also welcomed Howard County Executive Allan Kittleman, Senator Gail Bates, Maryland Adjutant Major General Linda Singh, and Maryland Higher Education Secretary James Fielder. Earlier in the day, Maryland Secretary of Commerce Mike Gill also toured the Science Engineering and Technology Building, meeting with engineering and cybersecurity students.