HOUSTON -- Houston Community College held its first state of the college address on Tuesday, KPRC Local 2, Your Education Station, reported.

Business and community leaders, including Houston Mayor Bill White and Harris County Judge Ed Emmett, attended the address at the Junior League of Houston.

Chancellor Dr. Mary Spangler shared HCC's economic impact on the greater Houston community.

"We contribute $40 billion overall to the economy," said Spangler. "Students get 21 percent of the investment dollars and they could look forward to an annual income of $56,000 with an associate's degree."

College officials said the average age of one of their students is 27 years old, and students are typically in search of securing their family's future by increasing their income.

Clarissa Durand-Rougely was one of those people. She went straight into the workforce after graduating from high school. She said she enrolled in a nursing program at HCC after five years of no career movement. After a few classes, she wanted much more.

She's now on the road to becoming medical doctor and earning a doctorate of philosophy.

"While I enjoyed my time there, I wanted to increase my income," Durand-Rougely said. "You need to go back to the beginning to get where you want to go."

Student Maria Sanchez said hopes to become a police officer -- a dream she wants to fulfill not only for herself, but also for her mom.

"She didn't have the opportunities I have now," Sanchez said. "She was a struggling single mom and I just want her to be proud of me."