威斯特校长对社区教育的关怀

教育不只是校园裡的事，更是改变一个家庭、一个社区未来的力量

教育，是一个社区向上发展最重要的力量。

多年来，我一直相信，一座城市真正的繁荣，不能只看有多少高楼大厦、多少企业和投资，更重要的是，我们能不能让下一代得到更好的教育，让成年人有重新学习的机会，让新移民和弱势家庭也能找到走向成功的道路。

Houston City College Southwest 校长 Dr. Michael Webster 对社区教育与人才培养的重视，正代表了今天休斯顿教育发展的一个重要方向。

社区学院的使命，不只是颁发文凭。

它更应该走进社区、走近家庭、走向企业，把教育与真正的就业机会连接起来。

今天，科技正在快速改变我们的生活。人工智慧、医疗科技、先进製造、资讯科技、金融服务以及各种新的產业，都需要不同类型的人才。很多年轻人并不一定需要走传统四年大学的道路，他们也可以透过职业教育、技术证照和短期培训，学到真正能够找到工作的技能。

对许多移民家庭来说，这样的教育机会尤其重要。

父母可能因為语言、收入或工作环境，没有机会接受完整的美国高等教育，但是他们最大的希望，就是下一代能够站得更高、走得更远。

因此，我们需要把学校的大门开得更大。

我们更希望看到学校、企业、政府和社区组织共同合作，建立一条完整的道路：

从教育到技能，从技能到工作，从工作到成功。

这也是我们目前推动社区 AI 与职业训练的重要理念。

我们希望未来能与 Houston City College、City of Houston、University of Houston、Alief ISD、AT&T，以及更多企业合作，把教育直接带进社区，把课堂与企业真正需要的人才结合起来。

学生学到的不只是理论，而是未来。

企业得到的不只是员工，而是人才。

社区得到的不只是学校，而是一个向上发展的希望。

我非常欣赏像 Dr. Webster 这样愿意关心社区、重视职业教育与下一代发展的教育领袖。

休斯顿是一座由移民建立、由多元文化共同发展的国际城市。当教育真正深入每一个社区，当每一个孩子、每一个家庭都能看到希望，我们这座城市的未来才会更加强大。

教育可以改变一个人的命运。

而当我们把教育带进社区，它就可以改变整个城市的命运。

这正是我们今天最值得投资的未来。

李蔚华
美南新闻集团董事长

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