Thank you for your support of Vino Scholastico!
DRAGON COUNTRY! The 19th annual Vino Scholastico welcomed more than 400 guests to Howard Community College on May 1 for an enjoyable evening celebrating community, culinary excellence, and student success.
The evening began with a VIP Reception featuring exclusive tastings and curated pairings, followed by the General Tasting, where attendees enjoyed wines, spirits, craft beverages, and signature dishes from local restaurant partners alongside culinary creations prepared and served by HCC Culinary & Hospitality students.
I am pleased to share that approximately $91,000 was raised to support Howard Community College’s Culinary & Hospitality programs and student scholarships. These funds help provide hands-on learning experiences, career readiness opportunities, and financial support for students pursuing careers in the culinary and hospitality industries.
Many thanks to our generous sponsors, restaurant and beverage partners, committee members, and the many faculty and staff whose efforts made this event possible. A special thank you to our Culinary & Hospitality students, who represented the college with professionalism, enthusiasm, and talent throughout the evening while gaining valuable real-world experience.
Thank you as well to the many faculty, staff, volunteers, and campus partners who helped make this year’s Vino Scholastico such a memorable and successful event. A special thank you to Jess Grim and Hal Kenny for coordinating the many event volunteers who made this event possible: Aram Abdollahi, Maria Acuna, Carlton Allen, Miora Arintsoa, Aubrey Bacho, Deya Dimitrova, Michele Dillon, Belinda Green, Dr. Lombuso Khazo, ChoWon Kim, Elin Kim, Jessica Kirkpatrick, Larissa Lopez, Marisol Lopez, Natalia Massanopoli, Jackie Palmer, Sonal Parikh, Benjamin Silver, Marisa Strickland, Ahn Truong, Andrea Urzagaste, and Tricia Zadjura.
Thank you as well to our volunteer wine pourers, The Columbia (MD) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated, for their longstanding support of Howard Community College and our students. I especially want to recognize the many offices and teams across the college that contributed their time and support to ensure a wonderful experience for our guests: A/V staff, development office staff, environmental services staff, event services staff, facilities staff, IT staff, mailroom staff, print shop staff, Public Relations and Marketing staff, and public safety staff. Thank you also to the many faculty and staff members who attended the event and supported our students through their ticket purchases and donations.
National Apprenticeship Week a Huge Success!
On Thursday, April 30, Howard Community College proudly celebrated 2026 National Apprenticeship Week by hosting apprentices, employer partners, and local leaders for an event recognizing and celebrating Allied Health Registered Apprenticeship programs.
A group of 21 Surgical Technicians and Cardiovascular Technologists attended and signed letters of commitment to careers in healthcare. Special guests included Maryland Secretary of Labor, Portia Wu, Howard County Executive, Dr. Calvin Ball, and Deputy Director, Office of Apprenticeship at Maryland Department of Labor, Logan Dean.
Employer partners in attendance included Johns Hopkins Hospital System, MedStar Health, and LifeBridge Health, highlighting the strong collaboration between Howard Community College and regional healthcare institutions to build Maryland’s healthcare workforce pipeline.
Congratulations to all involved including Bronwyn Bates, Alvin Charity, Michelle Dillon, Brian Fitzek, Khalil Harmon-Hough, Tina Mignon, Carissa Morin, Pamela Osuri, Jeff Richmond, Jim Rzepkowski, Andriana Sanchez, Kelly Scible, Denise Smith, Melissa Smith, Dr. Minah Woo, and others across the college.
Please Complete the Student YESS Survey
We’re halfway through the 2026 YESS Survey period, and we need your help encouraging students to participate!
Their feedback is invaluable in shaping the student experience at HCC.
Many students may have missed the initial email invitation. A quick reminder from you can make a difference! Please consider:
Making a brief announcement in class or in Canvas.
Reminding students that their feedback directly impacts college services.
Encouraging students to complete the survey by May 12th.
Don’t forget to mention that respondents can enter a drawing to win one of four $50 Amazon gift cards !!!
If you have any questions, please reach out to Betsy See at esee@howardcc.edu or x4520.
Thank you for supporting student engagement!
HCC Connections, Departures & Retirements
Leaving the College
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Campus Public Safety Tip
Lock your car, every time
Most vehicle break-ins on college campuses happen to unlocked cars. Visible bags, laptops, and electronics are the most common targets. A 2-second habit prevents the most common campus property crime.
Sustainability at HCC
Unplug the energy vampires
Devices left plugged in continue to draw power even when off. Phone chargers, coffee makers, gaming consoles, TVs, and printers are the usual culprits. Unplugging items you use occasionally — or putting them on a power strip you can switch off — can cut household electricity use by 5 to 10%.