Davis Rouse named one of Houston’s most influential women
San Jacinto College Board of Trustees member Erica Davis Rouse was named a Top 30 Influential Women of Houston honoree.
Now in their eighth year, these awards recognize the tenacity, discipline, and diligence of women who have broken barriers in their fields and left their mark on Houston, changing the city’s business and community service landscape. This year’s honorees include civic and cultural icons, entrepreneurs, and corporate executives.
In 2016, Rouse, along with husband Bobby Rouse, founded Reach One 713, which focuses on helping families overcome poverty. She has also volunteered with several non-profits, including Making it Better Texas and Yellowstone Academy. She is a Smahrt Girl Foundation advisory board member and proud Houston Texans ambassador as a member of the NFL alumni association.
“Erica has always had a passion for helping her community and making a difference with children, and she is doing just that as a member of the San Jacinto College Board of Trustees,” said Board Chair Marie Flickinger. “I am proud of Erica for receiving this honor and congratulate her on behalf of the entire Board.”
Griffin earns prestigious ICON Award
San Jacinto College’s Jim Griffin received the prestigious ICON Award from the Economic Alliance of Houston Port 
Region at the 2021 Gulf Coast Industry Forum.
Griffin, who has worked more than 30 years in the petrochemical manufacturing industry, is the College’s associate vice chancellor/senior vice president for the LyondellBasell Center for Petrochemical, Energy, & Technology. He has experienced many changes in petrochemical workforce demands and the increased need for workers with degrees and certificates.
In his San Jac role, Griffin oversees petrochemical curriculum and instruction to ensure all training meets the expectations of hiring managers throughout the region’s chemical plants.
“We are proud of Jim for his lifelong work in the petrochemical industry, which is so deserving of this ICON Award,” Chancellor Dr. Brenda Hellyer said. “His commitment to the industry and his understanding of what our industry partners need is what makes him so valuable to the College and this region. He is helping to ensure that tomorrow’s workforce has the skills to continue to make the petrochemical and energy industry in Southeast Texas viable and sustainable.”
San Jac in running for 2023 Aspen Prize
The Aspen Institute named San Jacinto College one of 150 institutions eligible to compete for the $1 million Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence.
Finalists for the nation’s signature recognition of high achievement and performance stand out among more than 1,000 community colleges nationwide as having high and improving student success and equitable outcomes for Black and Hispanic students or those from lower-income backgrounds.
“It is an honor to be recognized by the Aspen Institute for the work we do at San Jacinto College, supporting our students as they complete their workforce credential, certificate, or associate degree,” Chancellor Dr. Brenda Hellyer said. “We know that what we do in our community to help fill workforce gaps and to get students on a path to completing their degree is making a difference for our students and their families, as well as for our region’s economy. On behalf of our Board of Trustees and our students, faculty, and staff, I thank the Aspen Institute for considering San Jacinto College for this prestigious award.”
San Jac is one of eight Texas community colleges among the 2023 Top 150 finalists.
Hispanic Outlook magazine ranks San Jac on Top 100 lists
The Hispanic Outlook on Education Magazine recently ranked San Jacinto College in its Top 100 Colleges and Universities for Hispanics issue. San Jac ranked third on the science technologies/technicians degree list and ninth on both the 2019-2020 total enrollment four-year schools and total associate degrees granted lists.
“San Jacinto College continues to strive and improve in its efforts to serve the ethnically diverse communities of East Harris County,” said Chancellor Dr. Brenda Hellyer. “Landing in the top 10 of all three of these national lists validates our efforts and highlights the need for continual support and outreach.”
According to data in the Oct. 11 issue of the magazine, the College had 25,106 Hispanic/Latino students enrolled in 2019-2020, or 58 percent of the entire student enrollment. It also had 2,568 Hispanic/Latino students — or 56 percent of the total students enrolled — graduate with an associate degree that same academic year.
The College also had 128 Hispanic/Latino students enrolled in the science technologies/technicians degree, making up 50 percent of the total number of students enrolled in the degrees. Data for the rankings is from the NCES IPEDS database for community colleges granting the most degrees in the 2019-2020 academic year.
A grand entrance: Celebrating new facilities College-wide
In fall 2021, San Jacinto College celebrated the opening of six new facilities to better serve the College community, including the new Generation Park Campus.
While the buildings officially welcomed students in 2020, the grand opening events were postponed due to COVID-19 restrictions.
The College’s Board of Trustees and Chancellor Dr. Brenda Hellyer cut the ribbon to celebrate the Central Campus Welcome Center, South Campus Cosmetology Center, South Campus Engineering and Technology Center, North Campus Cosmetology and Culinary Center, the EDGE Center, and Generation Park Campus.
To learn about these events and see more photos, visit sanjac.edu/grand-openings.
