San Jacinto College reaches record enrollment
San Jacinto College reached record enrollment in the fall 2017 semester with 30,509 students enrolled across the College district. “This record enrollment is a testament to the work that our faculty and staff do every day in and out of the classroom,” said San Jacinto College Chancellor Dr. Brenda Hellyer. “The Fall term was tough for all of us with Hurricane Harvey, and I know many of our students and employees are still recovering. However, I am proud of our faculty and staff for persevering to make sure that our students got enrolled and completed the semester.” The record 30,509 students enrolled in the fall term is an unduplicated number, meaning students who take classes on more than one San Jacinto College campus are only counted once for College-wide enrollment purposes. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board certifies enrollment data every semester. A more detailed breakdown of enrollment numbers can be found on the San Jacinto College quick facts web page.
College is leading crosswalk project for apprenticeships
San Jacinto College is working on a crosswalk project that would allow for apprenticeships to translate into college course credits. The College offers apprenticeships with several employers, including Dow Chemical, with an approximate 80 percent success rate. Dr. Sarah Janes, associate vice chancellor for Continuing and Professional Development at San Jacinto College, held a workshop in December which included industry representatives and educators to crosswalk registered apprenticeships in 10 areas to specific courses in the Texas Higher Education Workforce Education Curriculum Manual. A steering committee will present the crosswalks to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board for approval this spring. Late last year, San Jacinto College was presented with a proclamation from Gov. Greg Abbott in appreciation of National Apprenticeship Week.
Graduates show they’re ‘Houston Strong’ at December commencement
The San Jacinto College fall 2017 commencement topped off a year of highs and lows for new college graduates. Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner served as the keynote speaker for the ceremony, which took place at the home of the World Series champions at Minute Maid Park. Turner recounted the year Houston hosted the Super Bowl, survived Hurricane Harvey, and celebrated the Astros as World Series champions. He reminded graduates how some are sprinters, and some are long distance runners, but what really matters is staying in the race. “I want you to feel proud of what you’ve done,” Turner told the graduates. “You’ve been to one of the best colleges the world could ever find, right here at San Jacinto College. You’ve had some of the best faculty members who could have instructed you. Decide where you want to go next.” For Jacqueline Bischof, the commencement stage brought a sigh of relief after a year of “hurdles.” Talking about fall 2017 was difficult for Elizabeth Vallejo, who lost her home and vehicle to Harvey. Even though the hurricane made it difficult for her to get through her semester, she found help from her professors and graduated with her associate degree. Vallejo now plans to transfer to the University of Houston (UH) to study criminal law. She walked the commencement stage with her sister, Karina Romero, who graduated with an associate degree in communication and will soon begin the San Jacinto College nursing program. For Shirley O’Donnell, whose family business was damaged by the hurricane, graduating at the San Jacinto College commencement meant a promise fulfilled to her mother. The San Jacinto College fall 2017 commencement also honored the late Ernest Mitchell by awarding the degree of Associate of Applied Science in Air Conditioning Technology posthumously in recognition of Mitchell’s academic achievements. Mitchell’s daughter, Suzanne Allen, received the award on behalf of her father tables.