College earns Bayou Buddy award

San Jacinto College recently earned the Greens Bayou Corridor Coalition’s (GBCC) Bayou Buddy award, based on the College’s “real dedication to the care and restoration of the watershed.” Faculty, staff, and students from the College participated in volunteer efforts to clean up trash, and remove tires and invasive plants, replacing them with native plants such as cannas, lizard plants, and irises. The College also helped in initial cleanup efforts at Thomas Bell Foster Park, a canoe launch project that is in the works. The canoe launch park, located near the Interstate 10 East Freeway bridge over Greens Bayou, is scheduled to open to the public in late 2013.

Chancellor named one of Houston’s ‘Most Influential Women’

San Jacinto College Chancellor, Dr. Brenda Hellyer, has been named one of “Houston’s 50 Most Influential Women of 2012” by Houston Woman Magazine. A subscriber of Houston Woman Magazine first nominated each honoree for inclusion on the “50 Women” list. The staff of the publication then selected the final 50 women. “As chancellor of San Jacinto College, I have the incredible opportunity to work with faculty, staff, and Board members who are committed to empowering students to achieve their educational dreams,” said Dr. Hellyer.

“What a wonderful place to be!” Since being named chancellor of San Jacinto College in 2009, Dr. Hellyer has seen the College grow to serve 30,000 credit students and more than 5,000 continuing education and workforce training students. Under her leadership, San Jacinto College has also received national recognitions which include being named an Achieving the Dream leader college, one of the top community colleges in the U.S. by the Aspen Institute, ranked eighth in the nation for Hispanics earning associate degrees by the Hispanic Outlook in Higher Education Magazine, and a Military Friendly School by G.I. Jobs Magazine. The Pasadena Chamber of Commerce also recently namedDr. Hellyer “Citizen of the Year.”

Students meet with Texas legislators at Capitol

In early February in Austin, Texas legislators welcomed students from San Jacinto College to discuss their concerns during the fifth annual Texas Community College Student Day. Texas Community College Student Day is held every two years when the Texas legislature is in session. Students from all 50 Texas community colleges are invited to visit with their representatives, get a hands-on approach to the legislative process, and tour the capitol complex. San Jacinto College students brought forth a variety of topics with Sen. Larry Taylor (TX-District 11), and Representatives Wayne Smith (TX-District 128), John Davis (TX-District 129), Ana Hernandez-Luna (TX-District 143), and Mary Ann Perez (TX-District 144), including educational opportunities for international students, alleviating the high school dropout rate, and continued funding for Texas community colleges.

Pasadena children learn of chemical reactions and polymers during San Jacinto College visit

Twenty-five San Jacinto College students and faculty members recently visited San Jacinto Intermediate School to present an evening of science education. Children participated in activities relating to the study of pressure differences, density and Boyle’s Law, chemical reactions, and polymers. The San Jacinto College volunteers also assisted with judging the school’s science fair projects.  The College has coordinated science service learning events throughout the Pasadena area since the 1990s. Service learning is found to improve a college student’s cognitive skills; course-related skills and self-reported learning outcomes; increase academic, interpersonal and leadership skills; increase community engagement; increase exposure to career development opportunities; improve self-esteem; and increase ability to apply course concepts to new real-world situations. Pictured is 7-year-old Daniel Eli Andrade as he makes a Cartesian diver, a physics experiment that demonstrates density, pressure, and Boyle’s Law.

College names Excellence Award recipients

Eight faculty, administrators, and staff members have been selected as recipients of the 2012-2013 San Jacinto College Excellence Awards. Recognition is given each year to those who demonstrate dedication in service and involvement with the College community, serve as role models and work collaboratively with others, address or meet the needs of the students and employees, and other exemplary qualities and attributions. San Jacinto College employees who earned 2012-2013 Excellence Awards are: Debra Acuff-Whitaker, professor of engineering design graphics, North Campus; Amanda L. Booren, director of communications and publications, District; Woody Dunseith, department chair of public safety and security, Central Campus; Nate Wiggins, professor of mathematics, North Campus; Dr. Brenda Jones, interim provost, South Campus; Celeste Jones, senior administrative assistant, Central Campus; Dr. Kerry Mix, dean of enrollment services, South Campus; Niki Whiteside, vice president of educational technology services, District. Congratulations to the excellence award recipients!