Ken Atwater, President, Hillsborough Community College
In an interview with Invest:, President Ken Atwater of Hillsborough Community College highlighted the more than 8,000 credentials awarded last year, doubling since 2010, while driving a $1.3 billion economic impact in Tampa. Key initiatives include a high-demand electrical line worker program and new FinTech training, developed in partnership with industry leaders to address workforce needs.
What are the most significant accomplishments or highlights for HCC over the past 12 months?
Hillsborough Community College (HCC) serves over 45,000 students annually across five campuses and three centers. We offer more than 200 programs, with 170 specifically designed for workforce development, preparing students to enter or re-enter the workforce in their chosen fields. Nearly 90% of our students come from the Tampa area, and over 84% stay here after completing their education. This contributes to an annual economic impact of $1.3 billion for our region.
When I reflect on what I’m most proud of, it’s the growth in our completion rates. When I began my tenure in 2010, we awarded around 3,000 degrees and certificates annually. Last year, that number exceeded 8,000 — more than doubling over the years. For me, success is measured by the number of students who complete their education here, as each completion represents someone gaining the tools to improve their life, their family’s life, and our community. It’s a privilege to serve this community and be part of such transformative work.
Could you tell us more about the electrical line worker training program?
This program is a great example of how we partner with the community to meet critical workforce needs. As a two-year college, we pride ourselves on being a talent pipeline developer. In this case, we partnered with Tampa Electric Company (TECO) to address a specific need for trained electrical line workers — a vital role, especially in Florida, where hurricanes often disrupt power.
We launched this short-term program, which lasts just four months, and TECO generously provides over $300,000 annually in scholarships to support students. So far, we’ve graduated four cohorts, and many of those graduates were instrumental during the recent hurricane recovery efforts.
The results speak volumes: graduates of this program are earning an average of $27 per hour, which translates to around $55,000 to $60,000 annually for a regular work schedule. During hurricane recovery, with the overtime involved, many have earned six-figure incomes. It’s a testament to what targeted, high-quality training can achieve.
How do partnerships contribute to HCC’s success?
Partnerships are integral to what we do. For instance, we have extensive programs in allied health and public safety. Through our training in fields like nursing, radiation therapy, medical coding, and even dental hygiene, we work closely with healthcare providers such as Tampa General, St. Joseph’s, AdventHealth, HCA, and Moffitt Cancer Center.
In fact, if you visit a dentist or healthcare provider in the area, there’s a high likelihood their staff trained with us. Similarly, we train a majority of the region’s first responders — whether they’re EMTs, firefighters, or law enforcement officers.
What are some of HCC’s latest initiatives or programs?
We launched our first FinTech program this past January, in partnership with Citibank and JPMorganChase. These financial institutions employ thousands in our region and have expressed a need for well-trained entry-level finance professionals. JPMorganChase alone provided $300,000 in funding to support scholarships and program development.
Another example of our collaborative approach is the FUSE program, a partnership with the University of South Florida. Through this initiative, students are co-enrolled at both HCC and USF, ensuring a seamless transfer into their chosen programs. It’s a great pathway for students, allowing them to start here while working toward degrees in fields like biomedical sciences and more.
How do HCC’s programs prepare students for long-term success?
Across all our programs, we focus on two key principles: stackable credentials and essential skills. Our stackable credentials allow students to build their education step-by-step. For example, someone interested in nursing could start with a phlebotomy certification, then progress to a licensed practical nurse, and finally get their Bachelor of Science in nursing to become a registered nurse — all while gaining experience and advancing their careers.
Essential skills, or what some call “soft skills,” are equally important. Whether it’s communication, critical thinking, or customer interaction, these skills ensure our graduates are not only technically proficient but also effective in real-world scenarios.
In short, our mission is about more than providing education; it’s about empowering our students to thrive personally and professionally, while strengthening our community as a whole.
How does HCC help students see the value in their education?
One way is through a tool we call “Hawk GPS.” Every student can use it to map out their educational journey. For example, if someone wants to become a welder, they can access Hawk GPS on their phone, input their goal, and see the required courses, costs, and timeline. It even shows what jobs they can expect in the region after completing their program, along with average salaries.
It’s like using a GPS to navigate a trip — something we’ve all come to rely on. I always say I don’t know how I got around before GPS. Now, I’d be lost without it, and Hawk GPS provides that same sense of direction for our students.
What makes Tampa an ideal location for education and business?
First, the climate and quality of life are incredible. For example, on my birthday, January 13, it’s usually 75 degrees here — much better than the cold and snow I experienced working in the Midwest. Tampa is a place where people can truly enjoy their lives.
What’s special about Tampa is its unique combination of a small-town feel and the resources of a large city with nearly three million people. People here are welcoming — strangers greet you on the street, which is rare in many big cities.
On top of that, Tampa is highly collaborative. Whether it’s private industry, government, education, or faith-based organizations, everyone works together to make the region a better place. That spirit of cooperation extends to supporting institutions like ours. It’s one of the reasons we’ve been able to thrive and make such an impact.
What are your top priorities for HCC over the next few years?
My main focus remains on increasing the number of degrees and certificates we award. That’s been my priority since I started, and it will remain so until I leave. When we provide students with a credential, it changes their lives, their families’ lives, and even our community.
We also focus on anticipating industry needs to ensure our programs align with future job markets. For example, we’ve developed programs in areas like FinTech and cybersecurity based on input from employers.
Personally, I’m in the “fourth quarter” of my career, moving toward retirement. But don’t mistake that for slowing down — I’m throwing touchdown passes, not running out the clock. My staff jokes that when I take a short vacation, I return with 9,000 new ideas for improving the college.
I encourage all to visit us and see what we’re doing firsthand. When I first arrived in 2010, even local leaders didn’t realize the breadth of our offerings. During a tour with the mayor, we showed programs like law enforcement, firefighting, welding, and transportation. The mayor said, “I didn’t know you were doing this.” That’s no longer the case. Today, we’re recognized as a key partner in workforce development.
Our dual enrollment program is another point of pride. We work with nearly 8,000 high school students annually, allowing them to earn college credit while still in high school. Each year, 250 to 270 of those students graduate with a degree before even receiving their high school diploma. It’s an amazing way to set students up for success early in life.
