Gala raises $300,000 for student scholarships
The San Jacinto College “Building a Brighter Future” gala, held Friday, May 16, 2014, at the San Jacinto College South Campus, raised more than $300,000 in support of student scholarships. The gala was co-chaired by the Honorable El Franco Lee, Commissioner, Harris County Precinct 1, and his wife Kaye; and the Honorable Jack Morman, Commissioner, Harris County Precinct 2, and his wife, Andi. The event honored Rose and John Moon, Sr., longtime supporters of San Jacinto College, with the first-ever San Jacinto College Foundation Legacy Award in appreciation of their continued support of student success through scholarships. Through their efforts, Mr. and Mrs. Moon, Sr., have helped to promote student success by assisting San Jacinto College students in their efforts to achieve their educational goals. Their son, Mr. John Moon, Jr., a member of the San Jacinto College Board of Trustees, presented them with the award.
New Personal Trainer program coming this Fall
A healthy lifestyle can now transfer into a career opportunity as a personal trainer with the new certificate program offered by San Jacinto College. A new personal trainer program will begin in Fall 2014 and will provide more mastery of biomechanical concepts, musculoskeletal deviation, and muscle mechanics. The program will encompass a continuation of the study of scientific principles, methodologies, and research applied to exercise and fitness. The two-semester (24 credit hours) personal trainer program also brings eight new courses to the College: first aid, personal training, exercise science, fitness event planning and promotions, lifestyle changes for wellness, theory of exercise program design and instruction, kinesiology and biomechanics, and wellness and health promotion. Upon completion of the program requirements, the student will earn a certificate of technology credential and be eligible to take the International Sports Science Association (ISSA) Personal Training Certificate exam.
College joins national initiative stressing well-rounded education
San Jacinto College has joined a national research initiative of the Association of American Colleges and Universities that stresses the importance of a diverse, well-rounded education for today’s college students.
Known as LEAP Texas (Liberal Education and America’s Promise), the initiative focuses on the importance of comprehensive liberal education for individuals and for a nation dependent on economic creativity and democratic vitality. With more than 60 institutions involved, LEAP Texas includes 34 two-year colleges, 23 universities, four research flagships, and a private institution with the potential to reach nearly 900,000 students. As the initiative continues to expand, it will focus on three key areas: leveraging the newly designed Texas Core Curriculum for Higher Education for improvement in undergraduate education; creating a capacity for large-scale, inter-institutional collaboration in student assessment; and embedding high-impact practices in undergraduate curriculum.
EnergyVenture recognized for outstanding education
Acknowledged for its continual outreach, organization, program structure, and participation monitoring, the EnergyVenture summer camp through San Jacinto College was recently recognized as Outstanding STEM Educational Program during the recent Celebration of STEM Education Week in Texas.
EnergyVenture began seven years ago with the goal to educate students, ages 12-15, on the energy industry, with a strong focus on the science, technology, engineering, and math fields; and in particular, career paths in engineering, process technology, and geology. So far, the program has introduced 1,163 students to the oil and gas industry, including 143 who attended last summer.
Softball finishes fifth in nation
The San Jacinto College softball team made its second-ever appearance in the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division I Softball Championship, walking away with a fifth-place national finish. A late season run, culminating with a Region XIV championship game appearance, allowed San Jac to advance to St. George, Utah, for the NJCAA championship tournament. San Jac finished with a 41-24 overall record. Sophomore infielder Jessie Rodriguez was named the most outstanding offensive player, and earned the Marucci Elite Hitter Award, at the national tournament. In addition, seven players earned All-Conference and / or All-Region honors.