HCC Emerging as Premier Resource for Maryland Tourism, Industry

The Howard Community College men’s and women’s basketball programs completed their regular seasons last evening with thrilling games against rival Community College of Baltimore County - Catonsville. The Dragons will enter the Region 20 tournament next week, with both teams ranked in the top five of the region and projected contenders for the conference championships.

The Kahlert Foundation Complex opened last fall as the new home of Dragon basketball. It will host the regional tournaments next week, welcoming thousands of fans from the state’s community colleges for the region’s official kickoff to March Madness.

It is one of three basketball tournaments that Dragon Country will host in the next few months, joining national invitationals She Got Buckets and The Basketball Cup. She Got Buckets founder Ellen Wang described it best for the Baltimore Sun during a press conference held in the complex just hours before the games.

“Wang and her team toured many different areas and gyms when deciding on a venue for the biggest events. Wang described the facilities in Howard County as “the best in the country.” She also referenced Howard County’s location as an important factor in the decision-making process, including its proximity to the nation’s capital and the WNBA’s Washington Mystics.”

As Howard County grows as a premier tourism destination for regional and national events, Howard Community College is a centerpiece for that growth. The college’s central location, modern facilities, and a commitment from President Daria J. Willis to have HCC serve as “the community’s college” have attracted international delegations and government events at every level.

In 2024, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore launched a community college cybersecurity training program at HCC. The college is home to the fastest-growing program in registered apprenticeships in industries like healthcare, information technology, childcare, and automotive trades.

Earlier in the week, HCC’s Burrill Galleria welcomed more than 500 job seekers and recruiters from 50 companies and state government agencies who participated in a career fair for displaced federal workers.

HCC’s expanding footprint parallels a vision from County Executive Calvin Ball to center Howard County as an international hub for fast-growing industries and executive talent rooted in its communities. Last November, he led a delegation of educational and business officials to Europe to explore trade opportunities with colleges and major corporations.

Willis, one of the members of the trade mission delegation, extended the invitation for Maryland and the world to discover more about HCC's vision for global impact.

“Howard Community College is a campus community of faculty and students representing 104 countries worldwide. Every opportunity that we can create or in which we can collaborate to broaden the teaching and learning experience not only represents our community’s best interests but also those of people and nations around the globe. We are best in class in industries ranging from healthcare to hospitality, cybersecurity to construction management, and education to early childcare. The world is taking notice of the quality of our programs and graduates, and we invite them to see and learn more about what we have to offer.”