HFC welcomes Cortney Markham as MCA Lab Technician

HFC Media Communication Arts Lab Technician Cortney Markham, who joined the College in early May, made two major life-changing decisions based on conversations she had with strangers.

“Call it fate, but that’s how it happened,” recalled Markham. “The first conversation was with the manager at a Biggby Coffee shop. It was right after things started to open up again after COVID. The interviewer had asked me what college I was thinking about attending. She immediately told me to go to the University of Michigan-Dearborn, and I decided she was right. I think this was fate, because she hired me on the spot, but I never heard from her again. I think that interview happened so I could have the conversation about college,” she said.

The second was a conversation with a college advisor at Woodhaven High School.

“I was struggling to figure out what I wanted to study,” she said. “After high school, I reached out to see if they could help me. I was thinking about a degree in English, but after talking to the advisor, she basically said, ‘It sounds like you don't want to major in English. You should go into journalism.’ I took her advice. And now here we are!”

Markham joins HFC just as MCA unveils its new look

A lifelong Trenton resident, Markham is an only child. Her mother, Karen Markham, graduated from HFC (then called Henry Ford Community College), earning her associate degree in nursing.

During her time at Woodhaven, Markham was dual enrolled at Wayne County Community College District. After graduating from high school in 2020, she enrolled at UM-Dearborn. In late 2023, she earned her bachelor’s degree in journalism and media production.

“At UM-Dearborn, I took an audio class and realized I'd much rather be in the production classes,” said Markham. “That meant another 180-degree turn, and here we are today!”

Her duties at the College include are varied, such as getting the new editing equipment, computers, and TVs up and running for MCA faculty. She reports to HFC Chair of the Department of the MCA Susan McGraw.

“I’ve come onboard just as the department changes its name and look this summer,” said Markham. “I’m getting ready for its facelift. I knew coming in that I would have some familiarity with whatever the needs would be at the College. I loved what I did over at UM-Dearborn and I love what I’m doing over here. Everyone’s so nice to work with here at HFC – that’s really special.”

Her passion and can-do attitude are an asset to HFC

Outside HFC, Markham is active in community theater. With the Southgate Community Players, she has appeared onstage as Babe in Crimes of the Heart and as Chloe in While the Lights Were Out.

Markham discovered she enjoys directing. She has served as assistant director on the following plays:

• Legally Blonde: The Musical at the Downriver Actors Guild in Wyandotte.
• Bye Bye Birdie at the Downriver Actors Guild.
• Be More Chill at the Downriver Actors Guild.
• Laughter on the 23rd Floor at the Southgate Community Players.
• The SpongeBob Musical: Youth Edition at the Players Guild of Dearborn.

“I'm delighted to have Cortney on board to start during this hectic summer season as we reinvent the MCA area,” said McGraw. “Her passion and can-do attitude have already begun to pay off in her role here. Cortney fits right in with the collaborative spirit of our HFC arts programs, and her wide-ranging interests and underlying love of working with others are exactly what we were looking for to complement our team. I'm excited for her to hone her skills and continue to grow as she gains experience and contributes to our creative culture here at HFC.”