TO ALL MY STUDENTS:

Welcome to HCCS, one of the finest community colleges in the U.S.  Our goal is to educate, and, to that end, you will discover that  HCCS accommodates students by utilizing multiple delivery systems, day, evening, weekend, second-start, and mini term classes.  Moreover, professors use a variety of strategies to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to survive in a fast-paced, ever-changing world. 

Technology demands that  students "get up to speed" and be computer literate.  If not, they will be left behind.  Lucrative salaries are reserved for those who have sufficient computer knowledge and possess the requisite skills,  experience, and determination to perform satisfactorily in their career.

If you are a beginning freshman, welcome to the many challenges that lie ahead.  Although you may find it difficult, frustrating, and even frightening to navigate within the system, you are not alone.  Even professors who have been teaching for years feel overwhelmed at times and find it hard to get answers.  However, the good news is that HCCS offers a wealth of resources for students:  financial aid, scholarships, counseling, tutoring, testing, and career planning and job placement.  Accordingly, students must avail themselves of the many opportunities at Southeast.  If you have questions, don't ever be afraid to ask..  College is not an "extension" of high school; it is an institution that  demands more from its students.  There is extensive reading, writing, listening, and participating in class discussions.  Also, you must make many sacrifices and formulate short and long-term goals if you are pursuing a certificate or an associate's degree. 

Conversely, if you are a returning student, welcome back.  You have faced many challenges and will continue to do so.  Moreover, you have the distinct advantage of being able to navigate in the system and more answers than questions. 

Although success at HCCS is not guaranteed, it is certainly possible, but  you must be actively engaged in learning to gain sufficient knowledge in each course.  In other words, you must be willing to help yourself before others can help you. 

I challenge each of you to demand more of yourself, expect  more complex and challenging assignments, be persistent, and  stay focused.  If you "stretch yourself," you will discover that you will be more receptive to learning and more enriched by it.

Sincerely,

Prof. Jeannine Horn