Academic Center for Excellence
The Academic Center for Excellence (ACE) provides free in-person, virtual, and hybrid tutoring to support most credit courses offered by the college. In addition to course-specific tutoring, ACE offers academic coaching and assistance with writing assignments, study skills, learning styles, time management, memory development, note-taking, and test-taking strategies. Students may also access the ACE computer lab on a drop-in basis for individual or group academic work. Tutoring and academic support services are available by appointment to students enrolled in credit courses. For additional information, contact ACE in RCF 340 at 443‑518‑1320 or visit www.howardcc.edu/tutoring.
Ambiciones
The Ambiciones program is a cohort‑based initiative designed to educate, engage, and empower students within a supportive and inclusive community. The program offers comprehensive services including academic coaching, academic advising, personalized student support, career development, and community networking opportunities. Participants also have access to a wide range of campus resources, such as tutoring, mentoring, financial aid support, scholarships, and internship opportunities.For further information, visit RCF 340 or call 443‑518‑4428.
Career Exploration & Planning
Career Services offers career exploration and planning services to current students, prospective students, and alumni who are navigating career decisions, selecting academic programs, entering the workforce, or considering a career change.
Career Services provides individualized support to help students identify their strengths, values, interests, and goals. Services include one-on-one career coaching, career assessments, targeted workshops, and access to experiential learning opportunities like internships and campus employment.
Students are also encouraged to utilize our digital and physical career resources, which include self-guided tools, online platforms, and curated materials to support decision-making and career readiness.
For more information, contact the Career Services office in RCF 222 or visit howardcc.edu/career.
Parent Scholars Program
The Parent Scholars Program is a holistic student success initiative designed to support student parents as they pursue academic credentials, career advancement, and long‑term family stability. The program recognizes student parents as vital members of the college community and is committed to reducing systemic barriers while building on the strengths, resilience, and leadership they bring to higher education.
Parent Scholars receive individualized support from dedicated staff who partner with students to clarify academic goals, explore career pathways, and develop personalized success plans that align educational programs with family and workforce aspirations. Students are connected to academic supports such as tutoring, learning communities, and campus resources that promote persistence, performance, and completion.
The program also assists student parents in navigating financial systems by identifying scholarships, emergency supports, and public benefits that can help relieve financial strain. Through coordinated referrals, participants gain access to essential on‑ and off‑campus resources, including childcare, healthcare, housing assistance, and community-based family supports. For additional information, visit RCF 340 or call 443‑518‑1320.
Completion Services
Completion Services assists in the development of retention plans that support students’ academic persistence and success. This includes student academic monitoring, assessment, follow-up, and skill reinforcement, which complements enhanced student performance. Programs and services provided by Completion Services include academic and transfer success workshops, academic standing interventions, and HCC Early Alert program. For further information, visit www.howardcc.edu/academicstanding.
Cooperative Education/Internships
Cooperative education (co-ops) and internships are both forms of experiential learning. These experiences are directly related to a student's area of study or career interests and are intended for students to develop professional skills and greater knowledge of the world of work while still in college. Internships are not associated with academic credit, while co-ops are internships for academic credit. Students who are interested in internships should schedule an appointment with career services, room RCF-340 or call 443-518-1340. Students who are interested in co-ops should contact the Center for Civic and Community Engagement, room MH-120 or call 443-518-1885.
Disability Support Services
HCC is committed to providing an accessible education and supportive learning environment for all students. A student, or prospective student, with a disability may make an appointment with a counselor in the disability support services (DSS) office at any time for information and assistance. DSS counselors can assist a student through the application, advising and registration process. In order to receive academic accommodations, the student must complete the DSS online student application and provide appropriate documentation of the disability to this office. After appropriate disability verification documentation is accepted, the DSS counselor and the student will meet and discuss appropriate academic accommodations within the interactive intake process. All information provided will be kept confidential and will be used only to determine appropriate and reasonable academic accommodations. Each semester it is the student’s responsibility to request accommodation memos through the AIM online platform. As a result of this, accommodation memos will be produced through the AIM platform and emailed directly through AIM to the student's instructors and a copy will be emailed to the student.
It is highly recommended that students in both credit and non-credit classes needing interpreters work closely with the interpreter coordinator and complete early registration to give the college greater time to find an appropriate sign language interpreter. To schedule a sign language interpreter, a credit or noncredit student must notify DSS of the student’s semester schedule at least three weeks prior to the start of classes. When requesting sign language interpreting services, please send an e-mail to hccinterpretingservices@howardcc.edu, call 443-539-8186 on the videophone or call (voice only) 443-518-3348. Interpreters are also available for college activities.
Services provided to students with documented disabilities include advocacy, interpreters, notetaking assistance, test-taking accommodations, academic advising, and assistive technology. For further information regarding scheduling services, assistive technology, course substitutions, personal care attendants, service animals, the grievance process, or other concerns related to students with disabilities, please contact the DSS office at 443-518-1300, disabilitysupport@howardcc.edu, or in person in room RCF-302.
Noncredit student requests for accommodations must be made by emailing the Disability Support Services office at disabilitysupport@howardcc.edu, calling 443-518-1300, or in person in room RCF-302 preferably at least three weeks prior to the class start date. All information is kept confidential.
Career Services
Career Services offers personalized career support for students, alumni, and community members. Services include access to Handshake, our online job and internship platform, career assessments, resume and cover letter reviews, interview preparation, job search strategies, and more. Our website also connects users to valuable career resources and industry-specific tools.
Students are encouraged to engage with Career Services early in their college journey to explore and clarify occupational goals, build experience, and strengthen career readiness. Job and internship fairs are hosted on campus twice a year and are open to students, alumni, and the community. We organize career-focused workshops and employer engagement events designed to help strengthen professional connections and improve employment outcomes. For more information, stop by the Career Services office in RCF 222 or visit HowardCC.edu/career.
Howard P.R.I.D.E.
The Howard P.R.I.D.E. (Purpose. Respect. Initiative. Determination. Excellence.) program promotes student leadership while supporting continuous academic, professional, and personal growth. Through structured programming and intentional mentorship, the program provides academic support and meaningful opportunities for social engagement, fostering student success, and a strong sense of community. For additional information, visit RCF 310 or call 443-518-3108.
Personal Counseling
College can sometimes be a difficult and stressful time for students. With students trying to juggle school, work, and family responsibilities, there are times when these demands can be overwhelming. Short-term individual counseling and crisis intervention are available to registered credit HCC students who are struggling with a variety of concerns. Students are eligible for personal counseling services during the summer if they are enrolled in summer classes, were enrolled in the previous spring semester, or are registered for the upcoming fall semester. Confidential personal counseling services are free for HCC credit students on an appointment basis and during crisis walk-in hours. Educational resources on a wide range of mental health issues are also available, along with information and referral to community programs and services. To schedule an appointment or for further information, contact the counseling office, room RCF-302, or call 443-518-1340. Please feel free to visit our webpage at howardcc.edu/counseling for additional resources.