Articles

Ten Years Later, One Class Closer: Houston Reconnect Scholar to finish what she started at Houston City College

Feb 20, 2026

In 2016, Tammy Foy was just one class shy of earning her Associate of Science in Business Management at Houston City College (HCC), but family obligations took priority. Her parents became ill, responsibilities at home mounted, and her education was placed on hold.

“I had to stop and do life,” she said. “I thought I would pick my education back up.”  But as the years passed, returning to school felt increasingly out of reach.

Now 53, Foy has spent 27 years as an administrative assistant with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice Parole Division. Still, the disappointment of not completing her coursework lingered.

Enter her niece, Jana’ Jasper, an HCC Dual Credit Pathways advisor and alumna.

A passionate advocate for education, Jasper encouraged her aunt to revisit her unfinished goal. When Jasper discovered the Houston Reconnect Scholarship, a program designed to help former students return and complete their credentials, she urged Foy to apply.

“I told my aunt, who was concerned about finances, that we were going to figure this out and get her back in school,” Jasper shared. “Once I learned about the Houston Reconnect Scholarship, I knew that was her way back in.”

For Spring 2026, Foy enrolled in HCC Global Online College and chose her remaining course, an elective, Introduction to Astronomy. According to her advisor, she is on track to earn her associate degree this May.

A grandmother of six and an active church member, Foy credits her faith and family for guiding her return to HCC.

“Age doesn’t define what you can and can’t do, and I certainly won’t let it define me,” Foy said. “And I will continue my education.”

In fact, Foy is considering changing careers to become a counselor, perhaps even opening her own practice one day.

One door closed in 2016. In 2026, another opened.

Ten years later, Tammy Foy is finishing what she started, and proving it’s never too late to complete the journey.

Are you ready to come back to HCC? Apply now at hccs.edu/reconnect.

To explore all our Global Online college options, visit hccs.edu/online.