Community Mutual Aid Student Union
Building bridges, fostering community, creating change
Building bridges, fostering community, creating change
Join Houston Community College's fastest-growing student organization dedicated to mutual support, resource sharing, and community engagement.
Become a MemberStay updated with CMASU announcements and opportunities
February 27, 2025 - 8:00 AM
We are working diligently to secure special offers and expect to distribute Perplexity Pro memberships exclusively to active users between February 28 and March 15, 2025.
This cutting-edge AI research assistant helps users quickly find reliable information, generate citations, access academic papers, and develop critical research skills. The Pro subscription enhances productivity with advanced features not available in the standard version.
"We are currently negotiating aggressively to obtain the best possible deals for our community," explains the team. "Our goal is to provide these premium features to our most engaged users who consistently demonstrate value from our platform."
The team is working around the clock to secure these benefits and finalize the distribution plan. We are optimistic about providing this value to active users who have supported the platform's growth.
Eligibility criteria are being finalized, with distribution expected to prioritize users who meet certain activity thresholds. If successful in our negotiations, eligible users will receive access instructions via email during the distribution period.
Perplexity Pro features include enhanced citation capabilities, deeper research tools, and improved AI assistance for complex queries and projects.
February 20, 2025 - 2:30 PM
Our semi-annual Resource Fair will take place on April 15th at the Central Campus Student Center from 10 AM to 2 PM. This event connects students with campus and community resources including financial aid assistance, food support programs, healthcare services, and employment opportunities.
We're seeking 15 volunteers to help with setup, greeting visitors, and assisting at information tables. Volunteers will receive community service hours and a free lunch. Sign up through the CMASU member portal or contact Hector Little at W217536927@student.hccs.edu.
Our history, mission, and impact
The Community Mutual Aid Student Union began in January 2024 when a group of five HCC students noticed many of their peers struggling with basic needs like textbooks, technology access, and even food security. What started as informal study groups and resource sharing quickly grew into an official student organization.
Within our first year, CMASU expanded to all six HCC campuses and established partnerships with the Houston Food Bank, United Way, and several local businesses. Today, we have over 120 active members and have assisted more than 500 students through our various programs.
CMASU is dedicated to fostering student success through three core principles:
We believe that by addressing basic needs and creating supportive networks, we can help more students persist and graduate.
In our first year of operation, CMASU has:
Students who participate in CMASU programs show higher retention rates and GPA improvements compared to the general student population.
Meet the dedicated students who guide our organization
President
Hector is a second-year Business Administration student with a concentration in Non-Profit Management. Before attending HCC, he worked with AmeriCorps VISTA in community development projects across Houston's Third Ward. His experience with resource mobilization and community organizing led him to found CMASU in January 2024.
Education should be a bridge, not a barrier. When students support each other, we all succeed together.
Vice President
Karen is pursuing an Associate of Arts in Social Work and plans to transfer to the University of Houston. As a returning student and single parent, she brings a unique perspective on the challenges many non-traditional students face. Karen oversees our mentorship programs and community partnerships, drawing on her 8 years of experience in healthcare administration.
Community college changed my life. Through CMASU, I'm helping create the support system I wish I'd had when I first started.
Secretary & Treasurer
Paul is completing his Associate of Science in Accounting and has already passed two sections of the CPA exam. A first-generation college student and former U.S. Army Specialist, he brings exceptional organizational skills and financial acumen to CMASU. Paul manages our budget, maintains records, and leads our grant writing efforts.
Transparent financial management and clear communication are the foundation of any successful organization. I ensure CMASU's resources directly benefit students who need them most.
Our leadership team is supported by dedicated committee chairs and faculty advisor Dr. Maria Johnson, Professor of Sociology.
Contact Our TeamHow we support the HCC community
Our free resource exchange program where students can donate and receive textbooks, school supplies, professional clothing, and other essentials. Located at Central Campus, Room A215.
Hours: Monday-Thursday, 10am-6pm
In partnership with the Houston Food Bank, we help operate food pantries across HCC campuses, providing nutritious food options to students experiencing food insecurity. No questions asked, no documentation required.
Locations: All six HCC campuses
Distribution Days: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 11am-3pm
Our technology lending library provides short-term loans of laptops, hotspots, calculators, and other essential tech. We also offer weekly digital literacy workshops and one-on-one tech support.
Equipment Loans: Up to 4 weeks with student ID
Tech Support Hours: Wednesdays, 2-5pm, West Loop Campus Tech Center
Free tutoring and study groups led by student volunteers who have excelled in challenging courses. We focus on gateway courses with high withdrawal rates like College Algebra, Biology, Chemistry, and English Composition.
Schedule: View the current semester's tutoring schedule on our member portal
Locations: Learning Commons at each campus and online via Zoom
Our mentorship program pairs first-generation college students with peers who can provide guidance on navigating college systems, accessing resources, and building academic confidence.
Commitment: Mentors and mentees meet bi-weekly throughout the semester
Apply: Applications for mentors and mentees are accepted at the beginning of each semester
Through partnerships with educational technology companies, we provide members with access to premium research and learning tools including Perplexity Pro, citation managers, and specialized software relevant to various fields of study.
New: Perplexity Pro subscriptions available starting March 15th
Training: Monthly workshops on maximizing research tools
Monthly volunteer opportunities with local nonprofits allow students to give back while developing professional skills. Service hours are documented for résumés, scholarship applications, and transfer admissions.
Recent Partners: Houston Food Bank, Habitat for Humanity, Hermann Park Conservancy
Upcoming: See our Events section for the next volunteer opportunity
Our sustainability initiatives include campus garden projects, recycling programs, and environmental education events. The Central Campus garden produces fresh vegetables for our food pantry.
Garden Workdays: First Saturday of each month, 9am-12pm
Location: Behind the Science Building at Central Campus
CMASU members volunteer at nearby K-12 schools to provide tutoring, college preparation advice, and positive role modeling for younger students. This program helps build a college-going culture in our community.
Partner Schools: Yates High School, Marshall Middle School, Blackshear Elementary
Time Commitment: 2 hours weekly during the academic year
Join us for these upcoming activities and opportunities
February 28 - March 15, 2025
For Active Users Only
We're excited to announce the distribution of Perplexity Pro memberships exclusively for our active users. Pro features include advanced search capabilities, citation generation, and AI research assistance to enhance your academic and professional workflow. Eligible users will receive access instructions via email during the distribution period.
April 15, 2025 | 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Central Campus Student Center, Main Hall
Connect with campus and community resources including financial aid assistance, food support programs, healthcare services, housing resources, and employment opportunities. Over 30 organizations will be present. Open to all HCC students, faculty, and staff.
May 1, 2025 | 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Multiple Campus Libraries
Prepare for finals with extended study hours, peer tutoring, and academic support. Free coffee, snacks, and study materials provided. Tutors will be available for math, science, writing, and business subjects. Stress-relief activities include yoga breaks and therapy dogs.
May 20, 2025 | 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
West Loop Campus, Room 302
Learn about summer volunteer opportunities with CMASU and our community partners. We'll present our summer service schedule and help you find opportunities that match your interests and schedule. Refreshments provided.
Become part of our community of support and service
We welcome students from all backgrounds, majors, and campuses!
Get in touch with our team
Hector Little, President
W217536927@student.hccs.edu
Karen J. Reece, Vice President
W217421526@student.hccs.edu
Paul Malone, Secretary & Treasurer
W217032644@student.hccs.edu