Texas State Representative Lauren Ashley Simmons visited Houston City College (HCC) – Coleman College for Health Sciences to discuss community empowerment through workforce education and to tour the college’s state-of-the-art learning facilities located in the Texas Medical Center, the largest medical complex in the world.

Rep. Simmons met with HCC Chancellor Dr. Margaret Ford Fisher, HCC Coleman College President Dr. Lutricia Harrison, and other HCC leaders to explore strategic pathways to expand career-ready education and strengthen Houston’s position as a national model for affordable, high-impact higher education.

Chancellor Margaret Ford Fisher: Transforming Houston’s Educational Landscape

Dr. Margaret Ford Fisher, Ed.D., serves as the ninth chancellor of Houston City College (HCC), leading a vast network of seven colleges and 22 campuses serving more than 88,000 students annually across 700 square miles in the nation’s fourth-largest city.

Since joining HCC in 1985, Dr. Ford Fisher’s career has been a study in visionary leadership. As the inaugural president of HCC Online College, she spearheaded the creation of over 60 fully online degree programs and 70 hybrid programs, growing enrollment to more than 62,000 students. Under her leadership, HCC Online was recognized by Newsweek as one of America’s Best Online Colleges for both 2022 and 2023.

Beyond her transformative work in Houston, Dr. Ford Fisher’s influence extends globally. She has represented American higher education at the University & College Teaching and Learning Conference in Switzerland, the Oxford International Roundtable for Community College Presidents in England, and the International Meeting of Ministers of Education in Windsor, Canada.

Her extensive civic engagement includes service on the boards of the Greater Houston Partnership, the Texas Association of Community Colleges, the Global Community College Leadership Network, and the Greater Houston Women’s Chamber of Commerce.

Her accolades include being named among the 50 Most Influential Women of 2023 by Houston Woman Magazine, receiving the World Affairs Council Jesse Jones Award for Global Education & Institutional Leadership, and earning the Lifetime Achievement Award from the late Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee at Rice University’s Community Forum.

Dr. Ford Fisher has published more than 50 academic works and four books, including her pioneering 1996 publication High School Students Earning College Credit: Guide to Creating Dual Credit Programs.

She holds a Doctor of Education in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Houston, and both a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts in English from Wichita State University.

HCC Coleman College: Where Education Meets Innovation

Founded in 2004, HCC Coleman College for Health Sciences is a leading institution for health education and workforce training. As a proud member of the Texas Medical Center, Coleman provides students with unparalleled access to cutting-edge healthcare facilities and clinical partnerships.

With more than 20 accredited programs, HCC Coleman College for Health Sciences empowers students to pursue rewarding, high-demand careers across a wide spectrum of healthcare fields, including nursing, dental hygiene, diagnostic medical sonography, health information technology, pharmacy technician training, respiratory therapy, radiography, surgical technology, physical therapist assistant studies, and medical laboratory technology. Each program combines academic rigor with immersive, hands-on clinical experience, ensuring that graduates are exceptionally well-prepared to meet the evolving healthcare needs of Houston and communities beyond.

Meet the President: Dr. Lutricia Harrison, DNP, APRN, FMP-BC

At the heart of HCC Coleman College’s success is Dr. Lutricia Harrison, a dynamic leader, educator, and healthcare provider whose distinguished career spans nearly three decades.

Dr. Harrison’s professional journey includes roles as Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Houston-Katy, faculty member at the University of Texas Medical Branch-Galveston, and Professor of Nursing at Lone Star College-Kingwood. Her teaching approach emphasizes mentorship and innovative learning methods that prepare students for real-world healthcare environments.

As a licensed Nurse Practitioner and former CEO of the NPC Family Clinic in Houston, Dr. Harrison combines clinical expertise with educational leadership, fostering a culture of compassion and excellence among faculty and students alike.

She holds:

• Doctorate in Nursing Practice (University of Alabama)
• Master of Science in Nursing (Prairie View A&M University)
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (Prairie View A&M University)

“I am honored and grateful to be here,” said Dr. Harrison. “Our mission at Coleman is to advance healthcare education while equipping our students to serve, heal, and lead in their communities.”

Two Campuses, One Mission

HCC Coleman College proudly operates across two dynamic Houston locations, each uniquely positioned to advance healthcare education and community impact.

The Coleman Campus, located at 1900 Pressler Street, Houston, TX 77030, sits in the heart of the Texas Medical Center, offering students unparalleled access to Houston’s leading hospitals, clinics, and research facilities. This central location immerses students in a world-class healthcare environment, providing hands-on experience and real-world clinical training alongside top medical professionals.

The Coleman College at Midtown, located at 1300 Holman Street, Houston, TX 77004, serves as a vibrant and accessible urban campus designed to expand opportunities for students citywide. Its proximity to public transit, cultural hubs, and downtown Houston ensures that education remains convenient and inclusive for all learners.

Together, these two campuses embody one powerful mission: transforming the future of healthcare—one student, one patient, and one community at a time.

HCC: Shaping Houston’s Workforce of Tomorrow

From the leadership of Dr. Margaret Ford Fisher to the vision of Dr. Lutricia Harrison, Houston City College stands as a beacon of opportunity, inclusion, and excellence. Through education, collaboration, and community impact, HCC continues to fulfill its mission: empowering students and strengthening Houston’s economic and healthcare future.

Visit www.hccs.edu to learn more about Coleman College and upcoming enrollment opportunities.