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Hillsborough Community College provides comprehensive student services empowering students to maximize their potential and excel throughout their educational experience. Student service programs embody the holistic concept of student development and promote campus environments that support the needs of a diverse student population. Hillsborough Community College provides student support programs, services, and activities consistent with its mission that promote student learning and enhance the development of our students. Empowering students to excel through superior teaching and service is central to the College’s mission and vision.
HCC is dedicated to sustaining opportunities for student involvement in support programs, services, and activities because a higher level of engagement promotes student learning and development.
As an institution focusing on student learning, HCC offers a variety of student support programs to assist students with developing the knowledge and skills that will enable them to effectively manage their educational careers. These varied learning options and alternatives complement the College's strong, traditional educational program. Among the supportive services provided are academic advising, career planning and job placement, counseling, services for students with disabilities, and academic support services.
Student support programs, services, and activities are coordinated by the District Office of Student Services and made available to students through Student Services Offices located on each campus. The following is a brief description of the support programs, services, and activities provided by the Student Services Department faculty and staff at each campus to promote student learning and enhance students’ development.
Academic Advisement
Student Services provides academic advising centers on all four campuses. Each center is staffed with full-time academic advisors who assist students in selecting courses to complete degree requirements; interpret and explain institutional and state educational rules, regulations and requirements; evaluate and assess transfer credits; and serve as a referral source for numerous other institutional services. Career Planning and Job Placement
Each campus has a Career Resource Center with a mission to assist students with making a smooth transition from their educational environment to the world of work and maximizing their potential for success. (HCC Catalog, p. 70; Student Handbook, p. 19; Center Web Page). College Publications
In addition to contributing to the College Catalog and producing the Student Handbook, Student Services publishes several resources for students consistent with the College’s mission to promote student learning and enhance student development:
Advising Guides are available to assist students in fulfilling degree requirements for their chosen majors. Used in conjunction with the catalog and other College resources, the Guides supplement the advising process. (Advising Guides Web Page).
The HCC Scholarship Book contains a listing of local resources that offer tuition scholarships and financial assistance to help defray the cost of textbooks and other educational expenses. Scholarships offered by the College and the HCC Foundation, Inc. are also included. Moreover, a comprehensive listing, which includes state and national scholarships, is available at each HCC campus library (Scholarship Book).
Counseling
Counseling services are also available on each of the four HCC campuses, each with a staff that varies according to the size of the campus. The College's counseling faculty provide assistance and a variety of activities that help students develop their academic skills, broaden their educational experiences, and overcome problems that could interfere with their academic success. These centers augment the instructional process and assist students in achieving their educational goals. (HCC Catalog, p. 71; Student Handbook, p. 22; Student Services website).
Tutorial and Student Success Centers
Tutoring services are provided to students in a variety of formats: individual and group peer tutoring, supplemental instruction, and online tutorial assistance. Peer tutors provide academic assistance to students across a broad spectrum of academic subjects. Peer tutors are trained and work under the supervision of professional staff members of the college. Supplemental instruction pairs students with peer tutors who provide assistance in courses that the tutors have already completed with a high grade; Supplemental Instruction tutors work directly with faculty to create tutorials for currently enrolled students. Additionally, HCC offers its students access to Smart-Thinking, an online tutoring service that is designed primarily for students who are enrolled in distance education courses; however, the service is also available for other students who prefer an option to on-campus assistance.
Services for Students with Disabilities
Hillsborough Community Colleges Offices of Student Services make every effort to assist students with disabilities to maximize their HCC experiences by providing reasonable accommodations to ensure access to all academic programs, on-line tutorials, campus organizations, services and activities, in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990.
All College activities, organizations, courses, and academic and technical programs are open to students with disabling conditions. College facilities are, as a whole, accessible to persons with physical disabilities via ramps, automatic entrances, and elevators. Accessible restroom facilities, parking spaces, telephones and water fountains are also available. (HCC Catalog, p. 71; Student Handbook, p. 22; Office of Services for Students with Disabilities website ).
TRIO Student Support Services Program (TSSSP)
The goal of TSSS is to increase the postsecondary persistence and graduation rates of low-income, first-generation college students and students with disabilities and to facilitate these students’ transition from one level of higher education to the next. Activities and services offered by TSSS include instruction in basic skills, tutoring, academic advising, financial aid and career counseling, transfer and graduate school counseling.
Admission and Registration
The Hillsborough Community College District Office of Student Services operates an Admissions, Registration and Records (AR&R) office on each campus to answer students' questions about admission, assist with registration, help complete College forms, respond to requests for transcripts, and provide information required by outside individuals and organizations. (HCC Catalog, pp. 29-48; Student Handbook, p. 16). Financial Aid
Financial Aid Services are provided to HCC students through the governance of the College's District and Campus Financial Aid Offices. The College awards students federal, state, and institutional sources of financial aid. The campus Financial Aid Offices advise students on how to apply for financial aid, assists with completing students’ financial aid files, and directs students on the types of financial aid they are qualified to receive.
Students are given the opportunity to receive grants, scholarships, on campus employment and student loans; and students who qualify are packaged to receive one or a combination of awards. The awards were used for the purpose of paying the tuition, fees, and the purchase of books. Students whose awards exceeded the institutional costs were issued the remaining balance of funds from their financial aid accounts.
The total financial aid funds disbursed in 2003-2004 were over $29.4 million dollars (this is an increase of $2 million dollars from 2002-2003 award year). Testing Services
To assist students in realizing their educational goals, HCC helps them prepare for standardized examinations for acceptance to colleges, universities, and particular programs of study. College Test Centers administer the Computerized Placement Test (CPT) required in some cases for registration in HCC courses. The Centers also administer faculty 'make-up' and counseling related and professional examinations, and stock preparatory materials for the College Level Examination Program (CLEP), SAT and American College Test (ACT). The Dale Mabry Campus Test Center is also a local testing center for CLEP, ACT, Law School Admission Test (LSAT), SAT and credit by exam (HCC Catalog, p. 73; Student Handbook, p. 31; HCC Test Center website).
Student Activities
In support of the College’s mission, HCC Student Activities Programs seek to respond to students' changing needs and to promote a higher level of engagement by students. HCC views student participation in extracurricular activities and organizations as essential to student learning and development. Thus, the purpose of the Student Activities Program is to provide avenues for students to develop greater self-understanding, greater sensitivity in working with others, and rational and logical thinking in problem solving situations.
The HCC Office of Student Services guide the operations of student groups, manage facilities and organize activities that are open to all students and benefit the student population as a whole, including:
Athletics
HCC offers a variety of opportunities for students to participate in intercollegiate athletics. Varsity sports include volleyball, basketball, tennis, softball, basketball, and baseball. The HCC Hawks are members of the Florida Community College Activities Association, Southcoast Conference and Region VII of the National Junior College Athletic Association. (HCC Catalog, p. 76; HCC Sports and Athletics website)
There are weight rooms located on the Brandon, Dale Mabry and Plant City campuses. Additionally, the Dale Mabry Campus provides an outdoor sports complex, tennis and racquetball courts, and a gymnasium. HCC students, faculty, and staff may use the sports complex at no charge while participating in college credit courses. Clubs and Organizations
Hillsborough Community College student clubs and organizations provide students with the opportunity to further engage in the learning process; club membership allows students to develop their leadership skills and to participate in activities with other students holding similar interests and goals. Especially considering HCC's structure as a commuter college with no campus-based housing, student clubs and organizations offer HCC students an important way to network and establish connection to the College community (HCC Catalog, p. 76; Student Handbook, p. 46; List of Clubs and Organizations).
Cultural and Special Events
Students are afforded opportunities to broaden their horizons through cultural and special events on each campus, including art shows, exhibits, drama, music, film, dances and other special events. (HCC Catalog, p. 75-76; HCC Cultural & Special Events website)
Hawk Radio
Students handle all phases of the broadcast operation for Hawk Radio. With a power of 1,000 watts, the station is on the air weekdays from 8:00AM until 2:00PM. HCC Hawk Radio broadcasts news, weather, and sports to the school and the community at large. With a variety of talk shows and select music formats, the station airs something for everyone. Hawk Radio offers a unique career preparation opportunity for those seeking careers in Radio and Television broadcasting, offering the opportunity of live, on-air experience. Hawk Radio is located at 1520 AM, and offers live, streaming internet audio (HCC Hawk Radio website).
Phi Theta Kappa (PTK)
Phi Theta Kappa is an international honors fraternity that "encourages the academic achievement of two-year college students and provides opportunities for individual growth and development through participation in honors, leadership, service, and fellowship programming" (Phi Theta Kappa website). Each of HCC's four campuses sponsors an individual chapter of PTK. The Alpha Lambda Alpha Chapter, based on the Dale Mabry campus, received the PTK Five Star Recognition in 2004 for its programs and services including hosting PTK Satellite Seminars; tutoring at-risk children; helping area schools prepare for the FCAT; providing free math tutoring for HCC students; and promoting Operation Vote Smart.
Student Opportunities for Advocating Responsibilities (SOAR)
SOAR is a year-long student leadership development program that brings students from all campuses together for shared activities and programs. The program features leadership retreats, guest speakers, and travel to leadership conferences, as well as campus-based activities. SOAR helps students develop the skills to be effective leaders at HCC and better citizens in their community. Student Activities Areas
Student activities areas on each HCC campus are open to all College students. The areas include Cyber Café’s and Student Union facilities for meetings of clubs and organizations. Student Union facilities also house each campuses' Student Government Association (HCC Catalog, p. 75; Student Handbook, p. 31). Student Government Association
The Student Government Association (SGA) provides opportunities for students to participate actively in programming and policy-making at HCC. The SGA provides the official forum for communication between students and College administration. All HCC students are represented by the SGA, and each campus has an SGA with a president, executive board and senate. (HCC Catalog, p. 75; Student Handbook, pp. 46-48).
SGA Leadership Council
The Executive Board of each HCC campus SGA is invited to meet with the College President twice annually. These meetings provide the SGA leadership with direct access to the highest level of College administration and the opportunity to discuss issues of concern that affect the entire HCC student population. Student Publications
Hillsborough Community College student publications and the student press are valuable aids in establishing and maintaining an atmosphere of free and responsible discussion. The College requires that its student publications staff adhere to responsible journalistic practices. The Canons of Journalism, the Advertising Code, and the Advertising Standards of Acceptability serve as external standards for which the editors and staff of the students’ publications at HCC strive. (HCC Catalog, p. 75; Student Handbook, p. 31; Student Publications website)
- The Hawkeye is HCC's student newspaper. Published regularly, the paper is produced by students from all campuses and receives assistance from faculty advisors. The newspaper is free.
- The Galeria, HCC's literary-arts magazine, is published annually by the Student Publications Department under the supervision of a faculty advisor. The Galeria has a staff of student volunteers, and students from all campuses contribute the material published. The magazine is free to all HCC students.
- The Triad, HCC's general magazine, is published annually by the Student Publications Department under the supervision of a faculty advisor. Volunteer journalism students staff The Triad, and the magazine is free.
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