Under Secretary of Education visits San Jacinto College
PASADENA, Texas — On Tuesday, June 28, the U.S. Under Secretary of Education, Mr. James Kvaal, visited San Jacinto College for a roundtable discussion and interactive tour of the South Campus Science and Allied Health building.
"We were honored to host Under Secretary Kvaal to discuss our COVID response, how we assisted students with federal stimulus funds allocated to the College, and the work we are doing to fill workforce pipelines in our region," said San Jacinto College Chancellor Dr. Brenda Hellyer. "I appreciate his interest in learning more about our students, employees, and training programs. We appreciate him spending time with us."
Kvaal's visit began with a roundtable discussion with College leadership, faculty, and an alumnus, where he learned more about the College, its workforce business model, its COVID response, and how the nearly $78.4 million in Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds were disbursed. The group also discussed Promise @ San Jac, and the strategic partnerships that the College holds with industry partners in aerospace, maritime, and health care. They concluded with discussions around how San Jacinto College is positioned to help its students and community moving forward.
While touring the facility, Under Secretary Kvaal interacted with faculty and students who are training in physical therapy and nursing, using equipment that was purchased through Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds. The Under Secretary also learned more about the College's Undergraduate Research Center and visited an anatomy and physiology lab. The tour concluded with a demonstration of the College's 3D print capabilities, which were used during the pandemic to print face shield brackets for local health care providers.
About San Jacinto College
Surrounded by monuments of history, evolving industries, maritime enterprises of today, and the space age of tomorrow, San Jacinto College has served the people of East Harris County, Texas, since 1961. San Jacinto College is among the top five community colleges in the nation as designated by the Aspen Institute for Community College Excellence, and was named an Achieving the Dream Leader College of Distinction in 2020. The College spans five campuses serving approximately 41,000 credit and non-credit students annually, and offers more than 200 degrees and certificates across eight major areas of study that put students on a path to transfer to four-year institutions or enter the workforce. San Jacinto College's impact on the region totals $1.3 billion in added income, which supports 13,044 jobs. The College is fiscally sound, holding bond ratings of AA and Aa2 by Standard & Poor's and Moody's.
For more information about San Jacinto College call 281-998-6150, visit sanjac.edu or join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter.
