Howard County Community College: An Overview

Howard Community College (HCC), situated in Columbia, Maryland, stands as a vital public community college serving Howard County and its neighboring regions. With a strong commitment to accessible and affordable education, HCC offers a diverse range of programs designed to cater to various student aspirations, whether it's transferring to a four-year university or entering the workforce directly.

A Hub for Higher Learning

HCC prides itself on being the primary hub for higher learning in one of Maryland's most vibrant and well-educated counties. The college offers outstanding two-year degree and certificate programs built around careers that are in demand. HCC is a smart choice, with courses that will transfer to any one of a long list of four-year institutions and education that will prepare you for the workforce. Students of all ages and educational levels also can prepare for a new career, sharpen job skills or explore personal interests through the many programs in our noncredit, Continuing Education and Workforce Development division. HCC makes higher education accessible with multiple locations, flexible scheduling and online, hybrid and accelerated learning formats. As we like to say, no matter where you’re going in life, you can get there from HCC.

History and Founding

Howard Community College was founded in 1966 by the Board of Education in Howard County and formally authorized by the Howard County Commissioners Charles E. Miller, J. Hubert Black, and David W. Force. The school was built on a prehistoric Native American settlement which became the site of the Dieker farm, which was later inherited by Gustave Basler's (1858-1938) wife Dora Dieker. Alfred Christian Bassler sold his share of his father's 400-acre Cedar Lane farm to Community Research and Development to be the site of the project.

The college officially opened its doors to students in October 1970. The first classes took place in a new structure called the Learning Resources Center, now the James Clark Jr. building. Alfred J. Smith Jr, former dean of faculty at Corning Community College, was hired as HCC's first president in June 1969. Mary Ellen Duncan became president of the college in 1998.

Campus Environment and Facilities

HCC's main campus is located in Columbia, MD, 35 minutes south of Baltimore and 50 minutes north of Washington, D.C. The campus boasts state-of-the-art facilities, a vibrant cultural and arts scene, and an incredibly dedicated faculty and staff. The main campus is made up of 14 buildings, including a Welcome Center.

Read also: Tuition and Fees at Howard

Notable features of the campus include modern academic buildings, a comprehensive library (Library and Learning Commons), the Horowitz Visual and Performing Arts Center, state-of-the-art science and technology labs, athletic facilities including a fitness center and athletic fields, and the Howard Community College Garden.

In 2003, a new instructional building was completed, the Mary Ellen Duncan Hall for English, Languages & Business, which includes a landscaped area now known as The Quad. The Student Services Building, completed in spring 2007, is the most recent building added to The Quad. It was later renamed The Rouse Company Foundation Student Services Hall. The Peter and Elizabeth Horowitz Visual and Performing Arts Center opened in the fall of 2006. In November 2014, a groundbreaking was held for a 145,300 sq ft four-story Science Engineering and Technology (SET) building.

Academic Programs and Divisions

HCC offers classes for credit in more than 100 programs, non-credit classes, and workforce development programs. Students can earn degrees and certificates in 60 different fields. Popular programs include General Studies, Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies, and Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse.

There are eight academic divisions at Howard Community College.

Enrollment and Student Demographics

In 2023, Howard Community College had a total enrollment of 8,540 students. 26.7% of students are enrolled full-time. The enrolled student population is diverse, with the following racial and ethnic composition:

28.6% Black or African American
24.1% White
14.3% Asian
13.5% Hispanic or Latino
6.04% Two or More Races
0.222% American Indian or Alaska Native
0.105% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders

Costs and Financial Aid

In 2023, the median undergraduate tuition at Howard Community College is $3,834, which is less than the national average for Associates Colleges. After taking grants and loans into account, the average net price for students is $10,654.

In 2023, 60% of undergraduate students attending Howard Community College received financial aid through grants, while 8% received financial aid through loans.

Graduation and Completion Rates

In 2023, 1,243 degrees were awarded across all undergraduate and graduate programs at Howard Community College. 62.7% of these degrees were awarded to women, and 37.3% awarded men. The most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients was white (381 degrees), 1.15 times more than then the next closest race/ethnicity group, black or african american (330 degrees).

In 2023, 13% of students graduating from Howard Community College completed their program within 100% "normal time". Comparatively, 23% completed their degrees within 150% of the normal time, and 29% within 200%.

The student demographic with the highest graduation rate in 2023 at Howard Community College is Female and Two or More Races (40.7% graduation rate).

Endowment and Finances

Howard Community College has an endowment valued at nearly $12.9M, as of the end of the 2023 fiscal year. In 2023, Howard Community College had a total salary expenditure of 122M.

Locations and Global Presence

While Howard Community College primarily serves Howard County and the surrounding Maryland region, its global presence is manifested through its diverse international student body, English Language Institute, and opportunities for students to engage in study abroad programs. The college fosters global awareness and intercultural understanding through its curriculum and campus activities.

In addition to the main campus, Howard Community College operates at the following locations:

Laurel, Maryland, USA
Columbia, Maryland, USA
Mount Airy, Maryland, USA

Leadership

As of April 2025, Howard Community College’ leadership includes:

Dr. Daria J. Willis - President
Dr. C. Michelle Diaz - Vice President of Student Success
Mr. Bryson F. Mortell III - Vice President of Administration and Finance
Dr. Minah Redington Woo - Vice President of Academic Affairs
Ms. Carrie D. Tonya R. Kennon - Vice President of Workforce, Community Education & Strategic Initiatives

Commitment to the Community

HCC is deeply embedded in the Howard County community, offering a wide range of services and programs to support local residents and businesses. These include:

Continuing education courses for personal enrichment and professional development
Workforce development programs to meet the needs of local employers
Cultural events and performances at the Horowitz Visual and Performing Arts Center
Partnerships with local organizations to address community needs

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