Harford Community College has joined this network of higher ed institutions, coaches and advisors, state policy teams, investors and partners, to help our students and more than 4 million other community college students have a better economic opportunity to achieve their dreams. 

The College is beginning its third year as members of Achieving the Dream (ATD) and is working to operationalize our student success initiatives via our Strategic Plan. Four ATD themes have been included as objectives in the Strategic Plan: course modality and persistence, developmental course completion, onboarding, and equity. College representatives continue to partner with ATD's Leadership and Data coaches. The Data coaches are helping us to build our internal capacity with data literacy and understanding.

Harford County Public Schools (HCPS) and Harford Community College (HCC) share a mission to inspire academic growth and achievement for the people of our community. We believe in equity and access for every student, from pre-K through college graduation. For many years, both HCPS and HCC have worked to create educational opportunities tailored to the needs, abilities, and goals of our diverse student population—and now, we are coming together to ensure all public school students in Harford County graduate high school with the skills and experience necessary to succeed in today’s most in-demand careers.

We refer to this joint effort as North Star. North Star offers flexible and dynamic learning options, enabling students to explore career paths and areas of study while still in high school. After graduation, some students may choose to continue their coursework at HCC—earning an associate degree, certificate, or licensure that will transfer to a four-year institution or lead to employment—while others will be ready to enter the workforce immediately. We understand that every student is unique, and will provide students with the guidance they need to determine their future goals—along with the practical tools needed for professional and academic success.

North Star provides the structure for high school graduates to become the backbone of our workforce in Harford County. They are our future tradespeople—our electricians, HVAC workers, automotive technicians, heavy-equipment operators, and water treatment specialists. They will make up the next generation of white-collar workers, from IT specialists and accountants to paralegals and administrative professionals. Through North Star, students who choose to obtain a two- or four-year degree will do so in less time, and with less debt, thanks to dual-enrollment opportunities that allow HCPS students to earn college credit at HCC.

We are looking to expand our existing career and technical options, and hope to partner with local businesses, county government, and the people of our community to best meet the needs of our students, their parents, and the regional workforce. If you are interested in supporting us in this important work, please email NorthStar@hcps.org.

APG is the largest employer in Harford County. The Post Command works closely with College leadership to ensure our programs are aligned with regional workforce needs. They, along with their many defense contractors, provide opportunities for our students to explore cutting edge careers through co-ops and internships. Harford Community College maintains an office on Post where we provide to support to active duty military, veterans and their families who are pursuing academic goals. We also offer a schedule of credit classes each semester and provide contract training for organizations on Post.

Towson University in Northeastern Maryland shares a 2+2 program with Harford offering students the flexibility to pursue a four-year degree after they complete an associate degree. Located on the grounds of Harford Community College, their building houses state-of-the-art classrooms, labs and educational resources. Currently Harford offers 9 degree programs that transfer directly to Bachelor's degree programs at TUNE. This partnership allows Harford County students to earn a four-year degree without losing credits or leaving the county.

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The Harford Leadership Academy is a Community Leadership Development Program, co-sponsored by Harford Community College and the Harford County Chamber of Commerce. The Academy is designed to promote the development of existing and emerging leaders and to create a committed, involved, and diverse network of leaders in Harford County.