HCC Katy Campus Opens Nancy Dillon Itz Greenhouse, Advancing Agricultural Education and Honoring Family Legacy
Houston Community College (HCC) Katy Campus celebrated a major milestone in its Agricultural Sciences program on March 19 with the ribbon-cutting of the Nancy Dillon Itz Greenhouse, a facility designed to provide students with real-world, hands-on learning in horticulture and plant science.
Named in honor of Nancy Dillon Itz, the greenhouse was made possible by a gift from her son, David Itz, a Houston philanthropist and chairman of the HCC Foundation Board. Nancy Itz, a devoted community member and avid backyard gardener, had a lifelong passion for education and service. Her memory now lives on through this new learning space, where students will grow, study, and cultivate plants as part of HCC’s expanding Agricultural Sciences offerings.
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The greenhouse will support coursework in plant biology, crop production, and sustainable agriculture, helping prepare students for careers in modern agriculture and environmental science. “It completes the science lab experience outside of the classroom,” said Chris Qualls, program manager for Horticulture at HCC. “It prepares students for careers in modern agriculture and environmental science.”
The program, which has been offered for years at HCC Northwest College, continues to grow through strong community partnerships and university collaborations, including an upcoming initiative with Sam Houston State University. In Fall 2025, HCC will launch the Agricultural Sciences Academy, supported by funding from the USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA).
From left to right: HCC Trustee Dave Wilson, Sarah Itz, HCC Northwest College President Dr. Zachary Hodges, David Itz, whose family donated funds to fully cover the cost of the greenhouse, spoke at the event about his appreciation for HCC’s impact. “I am very impressed with HCC’s size and breadth of subject matter,” he said. “It’s not just about that but also how HCC impacts our community across Houston and in Katy."
In addition to student use, the greenhouse will also benefit the broader community through HCC’s partnership with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension and the Texas Master Gardeners. “It is special to us because it’s opportunity to get back into the community,” said Jess Johnson, manager of Texas Master Gardeners Harris County.
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“This project has been in the works for more than three years,” said Zachary Hodges, President of HCC Northwest College. “We would like to thank the Itz Family for their continued contribution to HCC and for making this milestone at the Katy campus possible.”
With job growth for Agricultural Technicians projected at 8% in the Greater Houston Area, the greenhouse supports a growing field by giving students access to the tools, training, and environment they need to succeed in agriculture and environmental sciences.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.
