A firm partnership between Houston Community College and UST’s McNair Center for Free Enterprise and Entrepreneurship is supporting and training student entrepreneurs who wish to start, launch or grow businesses, and the collaboration continues to expand. The first of many joint events happens Wed., Nov. 11 at 5 p.m. via Zoom.

Learn Top Soft Skills for a Post-COVID World

The inaugural event will feature Ashley Martin, MEd ‘13, principal consultant of Leadership Lady, a training and development company focused on helping people & organizations to close gaps in their leadership and other soft skills to improve operational efficiency. Focusing on three areas for improvement — people, productivity and programming — Leadership Lady works collaboratively with individuals and teams to save money, reduce turnover and reach goals. 

During this event, open to HCC and UST students, Martin will speak on the “Soft Skills You Should be Learning NOW. Top Soft Skills post COVID.” This is a Zoom event and pre-registration is required through the link:

https://stthom-edu.zoom.us/j/91776562121?pwd=SEtNSGVFdUcrV3VtN0dBc2JTbFRoZz09

Prior to training and consulting, Martin served in public education as a teacher and later an administrator. She has a Master’s in Educational Leadership and authored “Focus: Productive Leadership in Action” and other books. With a heart for leaders and the next generation, Martin believes you learn something new every day.

UST/HCC Partnership

HCC and UST originally partnered on the BOLD Pitch Competition for the last two years, a contest in which UST alumni and successful area entrepreneurs judge innovative, student business ideas. Prizes were awarded along two tracks: for-profit and not-for-profit . First, second, and third place winners received $5,000, $2,000 and $1,000 respectively.

Patrick Woock, director of UST’s McNair Center, believes in the model of entrepreneurs teaching budding entrepreneurs. “Only entrepreneurs can teach entrepreneurs entrepreneurship. Engaging the experienced business community in our programs enables UST to offer practical, value-add benefits to our students.” According to Woock, “Our judges often follow up with the students and many mentor them.”

Collaborating with HCC is a natural fit to introduce community college students to UST’s bachelor majors and minors. “Awareness is a big piece from the partnership,” Woock said. “Sharing each other’s events and programs enables us to market and share opportunities for students.”