By Andrea Vasquez
In fall 2020, San Jacinto College will open its new Generation Park Campus. At the helm will be Executive Director Dr. Destry Dokes. As the days near to its opening semester, Dr. Dokes discusses his leadership vision for the new campus.
“I’m looking forward to developing our fifth campus, along with an engaging culture that promotes the College’s values, and encouraging an intentional focus on working with students, faculty, staff, ISDs, industry partners, and our community to advance San Jacinto College Generation Park as an educational campus of choice,” said Dr. Dokes.
With more than 20 years of leadership experience in the medical and higher education administration sectors and a doctorate degree in business administration from Walden University, Dr. Dokes is no stranger to organizational leadership roles. Before his career in higher education, he served in administrative and operational roles in Houston’s Medical Center. He later joined Houston Community College (HCC), where he served as an advisor, interim president of HCC Northeast College, and Chief Operations Officer of HCC Northwest during his six years there. “I appreciated the chancellor’s confidence in me to lead the college, which proved to be instrumental in preparing me for this new role at San Jacinto College.”
As the Generation Park Campus executive director, Dr. Dokes believes that success is tied to experience from the moment students walk through the doors to the day their name is called at graduation. “If students have the best possible student experience from every step from the enrollment process to the faculty members teaching their classes, that creates advocates for San Jacinto College. They will encourage their friends and family members to join in that success and accomplish their own goals, and that is something that perpetuates the College’s mission of committing to opportunities that enrich the quality of life in the communities we serve.”
Leading the new San Jacinto College Generation Park Campus along with
Dr. Dokes will be Dr. Kelly Mizell, director of instructional services, and Sonia Townsend, director of student support services. Together they will open the new $26 million, 57-acre campus with an initial 55,000-square-foot facility that will house general education and academic classes, focused on the educational needs of students looking to transfer to four-year colleges and universities. The College’s Generation Park Campus has a projected enrollment of more than 3,000 students for its inaugural semester in fall 2020.
“Students attending the Generation Park campus can expect to experience a beautiful campus specifically designed around student engagement, student services, academic learning, and training needs,” said Dr. Dokes.
Dr. Brenda Hellyer, San Jacinto College Chancellor, adds that the new campus facility will continue the College’s global reputation as a leader in workforce training.
“San Jacinto College is proud to be part of this rapidly growing area, and we are positioned to serve the needs of the northern part of our taxing district,” said Dr. Hellyer. “We look forward to serving the surrounding area by being an academic transfer partner and a resource for workforce training.”
