Howard Community College Leader Wins National Award
The American Association of Community Colleges selected Howard Community College (HCC) Vice President of Workforce, Innovation, and Strategic Partnerships Minah Woo as the winner of its 2023 Award of Excellence in the Rising Star–Executive category.
"I am so honored to be recognized for the work my colleagues and I do to ensure our students are a step ahead," said Woo when accepting the award. "Community colleges have always provided a solution to this country, whether it be access to education, economic mobility, or social justice. Community colleges build partnerships, remove barriers, and create support for our students so they never have to choose between work or education. We do the hard work so that our students do not have to choose. Our students can have college and a pathway to a career. "
While leading the workforce development and continuing education division of the college, Woo has been the driving force behind the creation of registered apprenticeship programs at HCC. More than 80% of HCC students attend classes part time due to family and other obligations, while regional employers struggle with attracting and retaining workforce talent. The apprenticeship programs are a win-win opportunity for both students and employers by bringing new talent into the workforce. Since starting the programs in 2019, HCC has grown from 12 apprentices in one program to serving 270 apprentices across 12 occupations, from heating and air conditioning, construction management, and plumbing to surgical technologist, information technology, and electrical.
“Minah Woo is a goal-oriented leader,” said Dr. Daria J. Willis, president of Howard Community College. “Her exceptional skills coupled with her ability to build and nurture relationships benefit both students and employers. In everything she does, her work furthers the mission, vision, and values of Howard Community College.”
Woo represents HCC at the local, state, and national levels as an apprenticeship expert. Most recently, she served as a panelist at the White House Cyber Workforce Challenge Culminating Event during the 2022 National Apprenticeship Week. She currently is a member of two Maryland State Joint Commission task forces on registered apprenticeships and a member of Maryland Department of Labor workgroups on apprenticeships.
Earlier in her career, Woo was critical to the creation of programs that provide access to English instruction and career development. The English Institute, an intensive English program for F1 international students, is the only program of its kind among Maryland community colleges. The Skilled Immigrant Program provides educated professionals from different countries access to career opportunities and work-specific English instruction.
The American Association of Community Colleges also honored Dr. Craig Murray, chair of the engineering program and associate professor of engineering, who was chosen as a finalist for the Faculty Innovation Award. Dr. Murray created the Dragon Racing Team at Howard Community College to bring a new experiential learning opportunity to students. He also developed and taught the course Introduction to Aerospace Systems. HCC is the only community college in Maryland to offer this specialized engineering course.
Woo and Murray were honored at the 2023 Awards of Excellence ceremony held during the AACC Annual gala on April 3, 2023, in Denver, Colorado.