Central and North Campuses
Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program
Recognizing the ability to help meet the increasing demand for RNs who hold BSN degrees, San Jacinto College—along with several area community colleges—began the process required to expand programs offered by community colleges. College administrators and faculty engaged local hospital partners to participate in the development and approval process of what would become San Jacinto’s new BSN program. The Texas Legislature also understood the growing need, and during the 85th Texas Legislative Session in 2017, authorized certain community colleges to offer BSN programs. Following legislative approval, the college’s health science deans and faculty prepared comprehensive proposals to the THECB, SACSCOC, and BON. Geared toward the working RN, the BSN program will cost the same as general education courses, include small class sizes, and focus on face-to-face and online learning opportunities. Participants will also have the same financial aid and educational resources as traditional students.
Innovators: Rhonda Bell, Teddy Farias, Veronica Jammer, Nisha Matthews, Edward Nichols, Alexander Okwanna, Susanne Tolley
Central, North, and South Campuses
EDGE Center and Houston Spaceport at Ellington Airport
The San Jacinto College EDGE Center offers aerospace training and a pathway to careers in the aerospace industry. San Jacinto is the official education training partner for the Houston Spaceport at Ellington Airport. The college, along with partners from Houston Airport System, Houston City Council, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and others, gathered in June 2019 for the groundbreaking of the Spaceport. Work is underway at the development site, which will sit on 154 acres at Ellington Airport. When all 450 acres at the airport are fully developed, the Houston Spaceport will become a focal point in the region for aerospace research, manufacturing, and commercial space operations. By housing organizations from across several industries and disciplines on one campus, the innovation incubator concept will foster and accelerate key aerospace engineering activities, including component and composite development and fabrication, space vehicle assembly, zero-gravity scientific and medical experiments, micro-satellite deployment, astronaut training and development, and space tourism.
Innovators: Janis Fowler, Jerelyn Glenn, Allatia Harris, Sarah Janes, Kevin Morris, David Sample, Rob Stanicic
Central Campus
LyondellBassell Center for Petrochemical, Energy, & Technology
The new LyondellBasell Center for Petrochemical, Energy, & Technology (CPET) opened its doors to more than 2,800 students in fall 2019. Students ranging from 16-year-old dual credit students to 37-year-old nontraditional students have access to the state-of-the-art, industry-leading training CPET provides. Each part of the process, from the planning stages to the implementation of the center’s 35 custom labs and 19 classrooms, was influenced by industry. Partners—including naming sponsor LyondellBasell—offered not only their expertise, but also equipment and the use of their instructors. The college is also implementing incumbent worker training. The goal is to offer course packages to industry partners that train their employees to advance their skills in specific areas. San Jacinto College instructors, along with educational partners, will lead the curriculum for each course. As a training facility, the college ranks second for producing process operator associate degree graduates in the U.S.
Innovators: Les Crnkovic, James Griffin, Allatia Harris, JR Ragaisis, Van Wigginton, Joseph Zwiercan
