College celebrates grand opening of maritime campus
With the cut of a ribbon and ring of a bell, San Jacinto College marked the grand opening of the new Maritime Technology and Training Center on the Maritime Campus on March 8, 2016. The Center, located next to a turning basin along the Port of Houston, is the ideal location for students training to enter the maritime industry, and for current mariners upgrading their U.S. Coast Guard certifications. The grand opening featured remarks from several local, state, and federal elected officials, in addition to a flag raising ceremony with a U.S. flag that was flown over the U.S. Capitol on the first day of classes held at the Center. The flag was donated by Congressman Babin. The event culminated with a christening ceremony, ribbon cutting, and the ringing of the bell, opening the doors to the Center for tours. For information about maritime training, visit sanjac.edu/maritime.
San Jacinto College breaks ground on new Center for Industrial Technology
Elected officials, San Jacinto College leaders, and industry partners gathered on Friday, Feb. 19, 2016 to break ground on a state-of-the-art Center for Industrial Technology (CIT), which will enable the College to keep pace with the rising demand for technical workforce training. The projected completion date for the 111,000-square-feet center, located on the San Jacinto College North Campus, is October 2016. Technical programs that will be housed in the College’s new CIT include welding technology, pipefitting fabrication, diesel technology, logistics, electrical technology, and heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVACR). Other non-credit Continuing and Professional Development technical courses will also be housed at the new technology center, such as sheet metal, machining, and millwright training. The new CIT will provide the necessary space, as well as up-to-date infrastructure, so that San Jacinto College can keep pace as workforce training needs continue to escalate.
Faculty, staff members recognized for excellence
Barbara Schumacher, Betty Woodfill, and Imelda Umansor have been recognized by San Jacinto College for their outstanding service to the institution and higher education. Schumacher, a professor in the biology department on the Central Campus, is this year’s Minnie Stevens Piper nominee from San Jacinto College, and also earned one of the College’s faculty excellence awards. Since 1958, The Minnie Stevens Piper Foundation has recognized outstanding professors from two- and four-year colleges and universities, both public and private. The Piper Professor Program is one of its biggest recognitions. Nominations are based on submissions by each college or university in the state of Texas. Woodfill is a writing professor in the college preparatory department, and was named a faculty excellence recipient. Umansor is a financial aid specialist on the San Jacinto College South Campus, and received the staff excellence award.
San Jacinto College named among top 150 in country
Highlighting the critical importance of improving student success in America’s community colleges, the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program has named San Jacinto College as one of the nation’s top 150 community colleges. The College is now eligible to compete for the 2017 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence and $1 million dollars in prize funds, as well as Siemens Technical Scholars Program student scholarships. The Prize, awarded every two years, is the nation’s signature recognition of high achievement and performance among America’s community colleges, and recognizes institutions for exceptional student outcomes in four areas: student learning, certificate and degree completion, employment and earnings, and access and success for minority and low-income students. Nearly half of America’s college students attend community college, with more than seven million students – youth and adult learners – working toward certificates and degrees in these institutions across the country. Since 2007, San Jacinto College has experienced a 129 percent increase in the number of credentials awarded to graduates; from 2,682 in 2007, to 6,144 in 2015.
San Jacinto College and Baylor University announce partnership
San Jacinto College and Baylor University have partnered for a formal Baylor Bound transfer agreement that will help students transfer more easily between the two institutions and continue to expand educational opportunities for young people all across Texas. San Jacinto College Chancellor Dr. Brenda Hellyer, and Baylor President and Chancellor Ken Starr, signed the partnership agreement during a ceremony at the College in February. As one of its goals under the Pro Futuris strategic initiative, Baylor intends to create 10 Baylor Bound partnerships during the next five years. The Baylor-San Jacinto College agreement is the eighth such partnership. San Jacinto College students who become part of the Baylor Bound program can choose a plan from 66 majors, all of which are articulated through specific MAPS – or Major Academic Planners – that will assist them as they move toward timely degree completion.