
San Jacinto College wins national award for outstanding STEM education
The Aspen Institute College Excellence Program and the Siemens Foundation awarded San Jacinto College the Excellence and Equity in Community College STEM Award for the College’s associate degree nursing and process technology programs.
Eight winning programs from seven community colleges across the country received this award for providing outstanding preparation for high-demand jobs in advanced manufacturing, energy, health care, and information technology. Additionally, these community college programs are also being nationally recognized for their intentional outreach and support of diverse populations that typically are underrepresented in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) careers. San Jacinto College is the only institution to receive the award for two programs.
Each winning program received $50,000, with half of the funds allocated for program development and the other half allocated as scholarships for outstanding students, known as Siemens Technical Scholars.
“San Jacinto College utilizes a holistic approach for equity in access and success to ensure that all students have an opportunity to earn a higher education credential,” said Chancellor Dr. Brenda Hellyer. “We are incredibly thankful and grateful to the Aspen Institute and the Siemens Foundation for this award and for recognizing San Jacinto College faculty and staff for the important work they do every day to ensure our students succeed.”
For more information on San Jacinto College’s nursing and process technology programs, visit sanjac.edu/nursing and sanjac.edu/cpet.
Register for spring 2021 classes
There’s no better time than now to start thinking about your goals for the new year! Whether you’re looking for a new hobby, thinking about a career change, or considering a new post-retirement skill, San Jac has you covered.
Register now for San Jacinto College’s spring 2021 classes, which begin Jan. 19.
Students have multiple options for the upcoming semester with “San Jac My Way,” which offers five different ways to learn, both in person and online: Online Anytime, Online on a Schedule, Face-to-Face, Flex Campus, and Hands-On Hybrid.
- ONLINE Anytime allows students to take classes online at any time. This is the most flexible of the four options, allowing students to work on coursework whenever their schedule allows, without having to come to campus.
- The ONLINE on a Schedule option also delivers coursework online, but the lectures and virtual instruction will occur at specific times on certain days, just as a typical face-to-face course would occur.
- FACE-to-FACE classes will take place in person on campus, with reduced class sizes and social distancing measures.
- Hands-On HYBRID is for the technical and applied skill courses. Most class instruction will be delivered online. Students will come to campus in small groups to complete hands-on learning and practical testing.
- The FLEX Campus option allows students to spend some time in the classroom with an instructor, in addition to online learning. Small groups of students in each class will have the option to attend in person, following all CDC and College health and safety protocols, while the remaining students will access the same coursework online. The small groups will rotate so all students in a class have multiple chances to attend in person, although it’s never a requirement to attend in person.
Student services will remain available to all students enrolled this spring, regardless of which course modality a student selects. Services include online tutoring and advising, on-campus document drop-off, and virtual appointments for things such as admissions, career services, dual credit, financial aid, testing, veteran services, and more.
Visit sanjac.edu/my-way to learn more and to register.
College delivers Promise program to Pasadena ISD students
San Jacinto College has partnered with Pasadena ISD and Good Reason Houston as participants in the Harris County Promise program to advance degree and certificate completion among students and to continue to create a college-going culture among underrepresented high school students.
High school seniors from Pasadena ISD’s Dobie High School, Sam Rayburn High School, and South Houston High School now have an opportunity to have their tuition and fees at San Jacinto College paid in full by becoming Harris County Promise Scholars.
The Harris County Promise program is available to Texas resident high school seniors, regardless of GPA or family income. Eligible seniors who become Promise Scholars receive up to three years of guaranteed tuition and fees, assistance with books, and additional support to help them complete their degrees. Other participating Houston-area school districts include Aldine ISD (Aldine Senior High School, Eisenhower High School, Nimitz High School) and Alief ISD (Taylor High School) with partnerships with Lone Star College and Houston Community College respectively.
San Jacinto College welcomed its inaugural cohort of 500 Promise students in fall 2020. These students are pursuing a variety of degree and certificate pathways with 34 percent studying areas within life sciences. Business, math, and engineering are next highest degree pathways.
For more information on the Harris County Promise program at San Jacinto College, visit sanjac.edu/harris-county-promise-program.