From the Desk of the President

As the 2023 academic year comes to a successful conclusion, I want to celebrate those who teach inside and outside the classroom during #NationalTeacherAppreciation Week.

As we continue to navigate through the pandemic, please know your efforts are noticed and appreciated, as I have publicly stated over the past three years. Being a facilitator of learning today is very different than when some of us entered this noble profession. We now maneuver in a teaching and learning environment that includes the positive and negative influences of social media, instant communication and safety concerns.

I thank you for:

• Showing up every day and providing HACC students with the education, guidance and assistance they need to be successful - no matter their background

• Being a champion, no matter what circumstances a student experienced during their engagement with you

• Making our communities more inclusive and equitable

• Creating a sense of belonging and offering social supports to help students feel connectedness and cared about, accepted, respected and valued (Strayhorn)

In speaking with many of you over the semester and before our Commencement exercises on May 9, I was reminded, again, that your resilience, ingenuity and commitment to the success of ALL our students are evident and make a meaningful difference. I have seen, first-hand, how many of you commit to preparing our students for the world of tomorrow, and it is inspiring.

In speaking with many of our students, especially those I interacted with before or after this week’s Commencement exercises, please be reminded of your immeasurable impact on their lives, destinies and family trees. Many of them expressed appreciation for the direct and/or indirect influence you had in helping them earn their credentials. As I have iterated over the past nearly 12 years, I am proud to work alongside you as your president.

I will strive to catch you more regularly in the act of inspiring students and let you know how much your efforts matter and are appreciated.

Until the next time, stay well.

Thank you. 

“A good teacher is like a candle — it consumes itself to light the way for others.”

– Mustafa Kemal Ataturk