After 50 years, San Jacinto College continues focus on student success

Since opening its doors in 1961, San Jacinto College has remained focused on the goal of student success.

Enrollment growth has added new programs and facilities, including new fine arts centers for the North and South campuses, a new music building at Central Campus and interactive learning centers for all three campuses equipped with high-speed desktop computers that allow student access to the Internet and internal networks for students to register, make payments, change degree plans, search class schedules and view grades and transcripts. Each ILC also has multipurpose classrooms featuring configurable technology.

Interactive television classrooms are another innovation implemented at the SJC campuses, and are equipped with large flat screens so students can see, hear and talk to each other and professors as though the course were taught in one large classroom. Instructors rotate among campuses so students have a live, onsite instructor every third class.

A $295 million bond referendum funded many of the new facilities at the campuses in 2008. Libraries added 5,000 e-books to their inventories and the college began offering online tutoring in topics such as writing and organizational skills. Student Success Centers at the campuses offer free peer tutoring, counseling, career testing and other resources.

As a result of reductions in state funding, the college streamlined efficiencies and processes to maximize its budget and reduce redundancies. To assist with this effort, SJC has enhanced partnerships with independent school districts to create early college high schools and give students the opportunity to take high school and college courses at the same time.

The college also purchased 13 waterfront acres along the Port of Houston to build a facility for the U.S. Coast Guard-approved maritime vessel operation training to prepare mariners.

"The work of community colleges across our region, state and nation are more important than ever before," said SJC Chancellor Brenda Hellyer in a press release. "Despite the tough financial times we are facing, San Jacinto College continues to grow and thrive. Our challenge is to continue to generate greater returns for our community, even in difficult times. For 50 years, we have been committed to the success of our students. Our board of trustees, faculty and staff members remain committed to meeting the needs of our students and the communities we serve for the next 50 years and beyond."

For more information about San Jacinto College, call 281-998-6150 or visit sanjac.edu.