威斯特校長對社區教育的關懷

教育不只是校園裡的事，更是改變一個家庭、一個社區未來的力量

教育，是一個社區向上發展最重要的力量。

多年來，我一直相信，一座城市真正的繁榮，不能只看有多少高樓大廈、多少企業和投資，更重要的是，我們能不能讓下一代得到更好的教育，讓成年人有重新學習的機會，讓新移民和弱勢家庭也能找到走向成功的道路。

Houston City College Southwest 校長 Dr. Michael Webster 對社區教育與人才培養的重視，正代表了今天休斯頓教育發展的一個重要方向。

社區學院的使命，不只是頒發文憑。

它更應該走進社區、走近家庭、走向企業，把教育與真正的就業機會連接起來。

今天，科技正在快速改變我們的生活。人工智慧、醫療科技、先進製造、資訊科技、金融服務以及各種新的產業，都需要不同類型的人才。很多年輕人並不一定需要走傳統四年大學的道路，他們也可以透過職業教育、技術證照和短期培訓，學到真正能夠找到工作的技能。

對許多移民家庭來說，這樣的教育機會尤其重要。

父母可能因為語言、收入或工作環境，沒有機會接受完整的美國高等教育，但是他們最大的希望，就是下一代能夠站得更高、走得更遠。

因此，我們需要把學校的大門開得更大。

我們更希望看到學校、企業、政府和社區組織共同合作，建立一條完整的道路：

從教育到技能，從技能到工作，從工作到成功。

這也是我們目前推動社區 AI 與職業訓練的重要理念。

我們希望未來能與 Houston City College、City of Houston、University of Houston、Alief ISD、AT&T，以及更多企業合作，把教育直接帶進社區，把課堂與企業真正需要的人才結合起來。

學生學到的不只是理論，而是未來。

企業得到的不只是員工，而是人才。

社區得到的不只是學校，而是一個向上發展的希望。

我非常欣賞像 Dr. Webster 這樣願意關心社區、重視職業教育與下一代發展的教育領袖。

休斯頓是一座由移民建立、由多元文化共同發展的國際城市。當教育真正深入每一個社區，當每一個孩子、每一個家庭都能看到希望，我們這座城市的未來才會更加強大。

教育可以改變一個人的命運。

而當我們把教育帶進社區，它就可以改變整個城市的命運。

這正是我們今天最值得投資的未來。

李蔚華
美南新聞集團董事長

President Webster’s Commitment to Community Education

Education is not only about what happens in the classroom—it is a powerful force that can change the future of families and entire communities.Editor in Chie

Education is one of the most important forces for the growth and advancement of any community.

For many years, I have believed that the true prosperity of a city cannot be measured only by the number of high-rise buildings, businesses, or investments it has. More importantly, we must ask whether we are providing the next generation with better educational opportunities, giving adults a chance to learn new skills, and helping immigrant and underserved families find a path toward success.

The commitment of Dr. Michael Webster, President of Houston City College Southwest, to community education and workforce development represents an important direction for the future of education in Houston.

The mission of a community college should be about more than awarding degrees.

It should reach beyond the campus and into our neighborhoods, connect with families and local businesses, and link education directly to meaningful employment opportunities.

Today, technology is rapidly transforming our lives. Artificial intelligence, healthcare technology, advanced manufacturing, information technology, financial services, and many other emerging industries all require a new generation of skilled workers.

Not every young person needs to follow the traditional four-year university path. Through career education, technical certifications, and short-term workforce training, students can gain practical skills that lead directly to good jobs and long-term careers.

For many immigrant families, these educational opportunities are especially important.

Parents may not have had the opportunity to receive a complete American higher education because of language barriers, financial limitations, or work responsibilities. Yet their greatest hope is often that their children will have the opportunity to stand taller, achieve more, and build a better future.

That is why we must open the doors of education even wider.

We hope to see schools, businesses, government agencies, and community organizations working together to build a complete pathway:

From education to skills.
From skills to jobs.
From jobs to success.

This is also the philosophy behind our efforts to promote community-based AI education and workforce training.

We hope to work with Houston City College, the City of Houston, the University of Houston, Alief ISD, AT&T, and other business and community partners to bring education directly into our neighborhoods and connect classroom learning with the real workforce needs of employers.

Students should gain more than knowledge—they should gain a future.

Businesses should gain more than employees—they should gain skilled talent.

And communities should gain more than schools—they should gain hope and opportunity.

I deeply appreciate educational leaders such as Dr. Webster who are committed to the community, workforce education, and the development of our next generation.

Houston is an international city built by immigrants and strengthened by its extraordinary diversity. When education reaches every neighborhood, and when every child and every family can see a pathway toward opportunity, our entire city becomes stronger.

Education can change the destiny of one person.

When we bring education into the community, it can change the destiny of an entire city.

That is the future most worthy of our investment.

Wea H. Lee
Chairman, Southern News Group