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 Dear HCC Scholar,
It’s a great day to be at Housatonic!
It is my pleasure to welcome you to Housatonic Community College (HCC). The 2022-2023 College Catalog provides all of the information that you will need to navigate your journey as an HCC Scholar.
The College Catalog is an important resource that contains a comprehensive overview of HCC’s outstanding academic programs and courses, including requirements, pre-requisites and accreditations. You will also find detailed descriptions of institutional policies, procedures and practices along with information about our dedicated faculty and staff.
We are deeply committed to the academic success of our scholars, and I assure you that the HCC campus is a safe learning environment where mutual respect and appreciation for our diversity and differences is integral to the learning experience.
Whether you are taking classes at HCC to earn your degree or certificate with the goal of entering the workforce, or plan to transfer your credits to a university in pursuit of a higher degree, you will graduate from Housatonic Community College prepared for the next step in your journey.
On behalf of HCC’s faculty, staff, administrators, and community partners, I welcome you to Housatonic Community College and wish you the very best in your academic journey.
Dwayne Smith, Ph.D.
Chief Executive Officer
Housatonic Community College
Role and Scope
Housatonic Community College is located in Bridgeport, Connecticut’s largest city, and serves an eleven-town area in Southwestern Connecticut. A member of Connecticut State Colleges & Universities, the college opened its doors in 1966 as a branch of Norwalk Community College and became independent in 1967. In 1997 HCC moved to its present site in downtown Bridgeport. In 2008 Beacon Hall became the second building on the HCC campus. The Housatonic Museum of Art and Sculpture Garden are part of the teaching mission of the college. With nearly 4000 works in the collection, and over 1700 displayed throughout the building, the Museum offers lectures, demonstrations, and changing exhibitions in the Burt Chernow Galleries.
The renovated Lafayette Hall includes a new Welcome Center, student services office, restored art studio and the expansion of the school library and science labs.
Housatonic is accredited by the New England Commission on Higher Education and the Connecticut Board of Regents for Higher Education.
In response to community and student needs, Housatonic offers associate degree programs in preparation for transfer to four-year institutions, as well as occupationally-oriented associate degree and certificate programs. Short-term, non-credit courses, seminars and workshops, as well as targeted student services help meet community and personal enrichment needs. These programs prepare students for employment, and advancement in business, industry, manufacturing, health services, fine arts, theater, digital media, early childhood education, natural sciences, computer arts and information systems, and human services. The college also assists local businesses and institutions to train and update the skills of their workers.
Housatonic is a student-centered, Achieving the Dream Leader College and among the ASPEN top 150 community colleges. The college strives to provide high quality, accessible instructional and student services within an environment of mutual respect among faculty, staff, and students. These services are provided through an open-door admissions policy at affordable cost in a variety of settings and through a variety of teaching methods and approaches.
Special support services responding to student and community needs include disabilities support services, career and transfer counseling, academic support and tutoring, library facilities and instruction, English as a Second Language programming, and an array of student clubs and activities.
The student body reflects the diversity of the service region. Changes in student and educational goals, economic diversity, and industry needs are responded to with flexibility and responsible adjustment in programs and services. Outreach to the local community is part of the mission of the college. Non-credit courses, seminars, cultural events, and forums focus on the changing requirements of the workplace as well as personal enrichment.
Housatonic’s Mission
Housatonic Community College, through a collaborative, learner-centered, technology-rich and stimulating educational environment, empowers all individuals to develop to their full potential as lifelong learners. As a knowledgeable and dedicated faculty and staff, we inspire students to contribute responsibly to our dynamic regional and global society.
Vision
By 2021, Housatonic Community College, empowered by resources and public support, will be a regional leader in higher education, workforce development, and community engagement with cutting-edge programs in science, technology, engineering, arts, mathematics and other disciplines that address the ever-changing needs of students, employers, and society.
Values
Educational Excellence
- Providing innovative programs that satisfy a variety of individual, regional, and global societal needs
- Emphasizing critical thinking, empowering students to become independent learners, creative problem solvers, and engaged citizens
- Sparking intellectual curiosity and promoting lifelong learning through a rich cultural and academic environment
- Ensuring personal, academic, and organizational integrity and honesty in all endeavors
- Promoting the belief that learning is the basis for personal growth and enrichment and that personal maturity is defined by responsibility, accountability, and transparency
Diversity and Inclusion
- Embracing cultural and intellectual differences
- Fostering interpersonal engagements that are respectful of individuals and cultures
- Cultivating an environment that encourages diverse populations to contribute to, and participate in, the educational process
Services and Resources
- Providing students with resources and support from entry to completion of their goals
- Maintaining a safe and secure campus
Personal Connection and Community Engagement
- Providing opportunities for students to experience positive connections at Housatonic that last a lifetime
- Building strong connections that contribute to, and support, community engagement.
Approved and Adopted February 16, 2016
Academic Goals
Degrees and Certificates
Housatonic Community College is a two-year comprehensive community college authorized to award Associate in Arts and Associate in Science degrees. Students are prepared to continue their education and to transfer their credits to four-year institutions throughout the country. Career programs prepare graduates for occupations in business, human services, criminal justice, early childhood education, manufacturing, and others, usually requiring no more than two years of study. All degree career curricula include a core of studies in general education as well as in technical and occupational courses.
The college also offers a broad variety of certificate programs and program options for personal enrichment and to prepare students for employment or advancement in business, industry, health, manufacturing, and public service organizations.
Committed to Success: Support Services
Academic Support Services have been designed to help students commit to succeed in their studies. Academic Support Services include the Center for Academic Progress (CAP) offering Accuplacer Prep classes and refresher programs, classes and tutoring for students needing help placing into college-level courses, Library study rooms, Writing Across the Curriculum Center, services for those with disabilities, free tutoring, including online tutoring, computer labs, and frequent workshops. Services are provided by highly qualified and dedicated faculty and staff. Visit the Academic Support Services website at http://www.housatonic.edu/student-services/academic-support.
Workforce Development & Continuing Education
The Workforce Development & Continuing Education vision is to focus on creating an educational system where the programs span the diverse audiences, from community service programs to professional certification programs offered in face-to-face environment, online, or in a blended format. The goal is to serve internal stakeholders, faculty, administration as well as external students. The type of noncredit programs offered are diverse from pre-collegiate programs for high school students, to learning for personal enjoyment, professional advancement and certification, contract programs for employers, economic development initiatives and targeted to specific groups.
The Workforce Development mission is to support variety of industries by providing high quality job training, employee development opportunities, and continuing educational programs to maximize employee job success and career pathways. Connecting people in community to training and employment.
Continuing Education will continue to implement new and existing programs in Allied Healthcare, Manufacturing, Business and Information Technology, English as a Second Language (ESL), Health, Fitness and Recreation, Hospitality, STEM, and Workforce Development. Students that enroll in these occupational training programs, will be prepared for entry and/or mid-level skills employment.
For current information about Housatonic’s Workforce Development & Continuing Education, visit the college’s website at www.housatonic.edu/CE or call 203-332-5057.
Organization
Housatonic Community College is one of 12* regional community colleges in Connecticut. Each serves specific geographic areas and each offers some specialized degree and certificate programs.
The system was established under Public Act 330 enacted in 1965 and amended in 1989 when the separate community college and technical college systems were merged. In July 2011, one governing board, the Connecticut Board of Regents for Higher Education, was established for all community colleges and state universities.
*Currently, the community colleges are: Asnuntuck (Enfield), Capital (Hartford), Gateway (New Haven), Housatonic (Bridgeport), Manchester (Manchester), Middlesex (Middletown), Naugatuck Valley (Waterbury), Northwestern (Winsted), Norwalk (Norwalk), Quinebaug Valley (Danielson), Three Rivers (Norwich), and Tunxis (Farmington).
Currently, the state universities are: Central Connecticut (New Britain), Eastern Connecticut (Willimantic); Southern Connecticut (New Haven), and Western Connecticut (Danbury).
Housatonic’s Administrative Officers:
The Chief Executive Officer: Dwayne Smith, Ph.D.
The Dean of Academic Affairs: Robin L. Avant
The Interim Dean of Student Affairs: Robin L. Avant
The Associate Dean of Campus Operations: Mario Pierce
Human Resources Generalist: Ashley Nicholson
HR Regional Manager for the Shoreline-West Area: Marlene Cordero
The Housatonic Community College Foundation, Inc.
The Housatonic Community College Foundation, Inc. (HCC Foundation) was founded in 1990 by a group of Greater Bridgeport area residents and business and arts leaders to assist the college and its students beyond the fundamentals provided by the state, and to help the college grow as a unique educational resource for its students and the community.
The mission of the HCC Foundation is to solicit, secure and manage contributions from the private sector through philanthropic individuals, corporations and foundations, for the benefit of Housatonic Community College students.
The Foundation serves as a vehicle generating funds for Housatonic student scholarships, equity programs and academic enrichment activities. In addition, the Foundation raises funds for student books and emergency assistance. The Foundation also supports the Housatonic Museum of Art and its collection, educational programs and exhibits.
Students can learn more about scholarships and assistance awards through the Foundation’s website: Housatonic.edu/Foundation
The HCC Foundation, Inc. is exempt from federal income tax under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. All philanthropic funds and donations are received by the Foundation on behalf of Housatonic Community College. For more ways to contribute log onto: http://www.housatonic.edu/foundation/donations Contributions can also be sent to the following:
HCC Foundation, Inc.
900 Lafayette Boulevard
Bridgeport, CT 06604-4704
Accreditation
 Housatonic is accredited by the Connecticut Board of Regents for Higher Education and by the New England Commission on Higher Education (NECHE), the regional accreditation agency for colleges and universities in the six New England states: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont. Accreditation by NECHE indicates that an institution meets or exceeds criteria for quality, institutional integrity, and continuity. The college is authorized to award the Associate in Arts and Associate in Science degrees.
Inquiries regarding the status of an institution’s accreditation by the New England Commission of Higher Education should be directed to the CEO’s Office, Lafayette Hall, Room A211, 203.332.5222 or to the New England Commission of Higher Education, 3 Burlington Woods Drive, Suite 100, Burlington, MA, USA, 01803 718-425-7700, https://www.neche.org.
To view the last ten year (2022) NECHE Self-Study document, you may download it as a PDF file from the HCC web site (requires Acrobat Reader).
Accreditation by the New England Commission is for the institution as a whole.
The Early Childhood Inclusive Education program has received national accreditation from the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) 1313 L St. NW, Suite 500, Washington, D.C. 20005 (800) 424-2460.
The Surgical Technology program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) 1361 Park Street, Clearwater, FL 33756. Phone: 727-210-2350, Fax: 727-210-2354, Email: mail@caahep.org
Housatonic Community College is a member of the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities system.
The following programs are individually accredited. See their program pages for information.
Marketing & Communications
HCC’s Marketing and Communications Services serve the college’s internal publicity needs and extends the college’s reach into the community. External reach includes public and media relations, marketing, advertising and publications supported by in-house graphic design, web administration and content management. Internally, this department produces brochures, posters, web support, and color-print shop production to support in-house functions and updates the internal community to news and items of general interest.
The Housatonic Museum of Art
The Housatonic Museum of Art (HMA) was established in 1967 on the premise that visual art should be integrated into the daily environment as a vital component of an enriching academic experience. The Museum’s collection includes a broad range of art and ethnographic objects with a special emphasis on contemporary art. The HMA is one of the largest art collections of any two-year college in the Northeast.
Paintings, sculptures, and prints are displayed in small, thematic exhibitions throughout the college. The Burt Chernow Galleries present rotating exhibitions that address topics relevant to the student body, that are inspired by the works in the collection, or traveling exhibitions that highlight regional, national or international artists. Programming between the museum, faculty and students further engages the students with the collection and exhibitions.
The collection has significant works by artists who are considered major art historical figures such as Pablo Picasso, Craig Kauffman, Auguste Rodin, Mary Cassatt, Milton Avery, Larry Rivers, Victor Vasarely, Andy Warhol, Robert Rauschenberg, Roy Lichtenstein, Alex Katz, Tom Wesselmann, Isamu Noguchi, Christo and Jean-Claude, Sylvia Sleigh, Valerie Jaudon, Larry Bell, Jeff Koons, Will Barnet, and Larry Zox.
The Museum’s Mission:
- To establish a collection of artworks that will serve as a repository of important artistic achievement
- To introduce the Greater Bridgeport area to the pleasures and challenges that result from exposure to original art
- To continue and expand The Housatonic Museum of Art as an expression of the serious commitment the college has made to cultural enrichment
- To maintain and enhance the collection, with a focus on providing the college with an opportunity to engage students through object-based learning
The Museum and The Burt Chernow Galleries are expressions of a serious commitment to cultural enrichment. The college considers it essential for students, faculty members, administrators and visitors to experience art as an integral part of the educational environment, as important as libraries, textbooks and teachers.
Visit the Museum web site at www.HousatonicMuseum.org.
Statement of Nondiscrimination
Continuing Notice of Nondiscrimination
Housatonic Community College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, age, sex, national origin, marital status, ancestry, present or past history of mental disorder, learning disability or physical disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression or genetic information in its programs and activities. In addition, the College does not discriminate in employment on the additional basis of veteran status or criminal record.
Housatonic Community College no discrimina con base en la raza, color, creencias religiosas, edad, sexo, origen nacional, estado civil, descendencia, historia de enfermedades mentales presentes o pasadas, discapacitación física o mental, orientación sexual, identidad y expresión de género o información genética en sus programas y actividades. Además, Housatonic Community College no discrimina en el empleo con base adicional en el estatus de veterano o antecedentes criminales.
All programs are open to students. These programs are described in the Degree and Certificate Programs section of the College Catalog and Student Handbook. Programs with specific admission requirements will indicate those requirements on the program page of this catalog.
The following people been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: Nicholas D’Agostino, (860) 723-0727, ndagostino@commnet.edu; and Title IX/Section 504/ADA Coordinator, Dean of Students Office, Room BH 278, phone number 203-332-5061 and 203-332-5085.; Housatonic Community College, 900 Lafayette Boulevard, Bridgeport, CT 06604.
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