Ensuring Degree Completion and Transfer Pathways for Our Community 

Based on 2022 Census data, San Jacinto College’s (SJC) service area is 54.5% Hispanic and 45.6% non-Hispanic. The median household income is $59,562, and 26.7% of households earn less than $35,000. In terms of educational attainment, 49.5% have less than a high school education, 8.2% have associate’s degrees and 14.1% have bachelor’s degrees. Approximately 55% of high school graduates pursue higher education in the first year after graduation, and of these, 72.8% attend SJC.  

San Jacinto College offers eleven STEM degrees, both academic and technical. The courses required for our meta-major pathways are updated annually to ensure students complete degrees with no excess hours or loss of credits. We have an internal transfer site for student advisors, which houses information for the top five transfer institutions: transfer agreements, admissions information, university degree plans, university financial aid codes, important dates, university contacts, and scholarship information. SJC articulates at the program level and has 50 active agreements and 208 maps for full- and part-time students. Technical program curricula, hands-on training, and learning experiences are reviewed regularly through program advisory committees. Strong partnerships with employers benefit programs in curriculum development, facilities, student support, and employment. The Chancellor’s Advisory Council approves program advisory committee membership, ensuring advisory committees are optimally staffed.

The Take Flight STEM Pathway is a collaborative initiative between Rice University, San Jacinto College, and Lone Star College aimed at expanding access to and supporting the completion of four-year STEM degrees for high-achieving students from under-resourced backgrounds. The Take Flight program consists of co-curricular activities, a Take Flight Day at Rice, sessions on how to apply to four-year colleges, and REU discussions for Honors students. 

A Commitment to STEM through Workforce Development and New Bachelor’s Degrees 

SJC is committed to first listening and then working with the industry on solutions. For example, the LyondellBasell Center for Petrochemical Energy, and Technology is an SJC facility designed with industry partners. Likewise, the maritime program, a federally designated Center of Excellence, was developed with industry. SJC’s Workforce and Economic Development Council monitors labor market trends and develops programs using information from focus groups and external partners, including the Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership, Economic Alliance Houston Port Region, Greater Houston Partnership, Texas Workforce Commission, Workforce Solutions, and Bureau of Labor Statistics. SJC purchased Lightcast to improve labor market analysis and intuitive reporting, adding a data analyst position to IRDS focused on the workforce. SJC’s Workforce Philosophy reflects SJC’s commitment to quality training, authentic learning, and curricula that emphasize critical thinking, professionalism, collaboration, and communication. Students learn through integrated lectures/labs, field trips, and work-based learning. Regional industries include petrochemical, healthcare, maritime, construction, logistics/information technology, and commercial aerospace. 

Recognizing the need for nurses with higher degree qualifications, SJC opened a bachelor’s degree in nursing in the fall of 2020. Based on the same level of regional need and industry support, we opened two bachelor’s degrees in fall 2024: cybersecurity and early childhood education. It is estimated that there will be a 35% growth in cybersecurity employment, driven by e-commerce and artificial intelligence. By establishing our own bachelor’s degree pathways, we can respond quickly to workforce needs and address student retention and completion in ways we know are effective.   

Supporting STEM Teaching and Learning through Research and Professional Development

While the college is not a research-driven institution, the administration encourages faculty to take part in educational research that is often grant-funded. This allows faculty to explore innovative ways to enhance teaching and learning and support the success of STEM students. In 2023-2024, the college received grant funds from at least six funding sources focused on instruction. 

For example, San Jacinto College was awarded a grant from the National Science Foundation to improve the classroom experience in developmental math courses, which resulted in the AIM for STEM program, a faculty professional development program to boost student success in these courses. The goal of this program was to help students understand the importance of math and how it is relevant to their career aspirations. Metrics included increased retention rates, increased student engagement in the courses, and increased degree completion. 

Because most faculty at SJC are on a nine-month contract, faculty opt to teach a summer course to make twelve months of pay in lieu of participating in summer professional development. A summer institute in mathematics was proposed to provide a robust professional development opportunity for faculty without loss of income:  participants would receive a summer stipend for their participation equivalent to their summer pay. The summer institute was led by Dr. Richard Tapia, a renowned mathematician, and his team. It was held at Rice University as a five-week session during which selected math faculty learned about problem-based learning, developed a math curriculum to implement the following semester, and presented at a capstone session that SJC administrators attended. 

Results from the grant-funded project showed an increase in self-efficacy of the faculty who participated in the project, a strong aptitude specific to STEM, and feeling unquestionably more connected and more prepared for re-entry into the classroom during the upcoming fall semester. The program solidified SJC’s robust network of educators and willingness to support each other during the subsequent years. Students engaged in the projects during class and also presented their projects outside the class. 

The SJC STEM Council: Strong Leadership for Advancing STEM 

San Jacinto College is strongly committed to outreach programs in STEM, driven by the passionate faculty and staff. Many of the activities are overseen by the STEM Council, whose goal is to increase awareness of education and career opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and math. Houston ranks among the top 10 cities for STEM careers, and the council sponsors STEM activities throughout the College and region. The council works with community members and forges strong partnerships with universities and industries for further education and workforce training. Other aspects of the council include capitalizing on STEM efforts already underway at the College, serving as a recommending body to SJC’s administration, identifying and expanding a variety of learning and internship opportunities for P-16 and workforce/ industry partnerships, identifying course alignment concerns and gaps in course offerings, and recommending actions to increase student success in STEM programs. 

In sum, STEM Outreach at San Jacinto College is robust. Together with the plethora of initiatives, programs and degrees outlined above, it exemplifies SJC's strong commitment boosting STEM opportunities and success for the community it serves.

Student Alumni News Link: https://www.sanjac.edu/about/news/2023/take-flight-stem-honors-student-pivots-ho-hum-job-rice-pathway

About the author 

Dr. Garcia is Associate Vice Chancellor of Teaching and Learning at San Jacinto College. She holds a Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry, an MBA, and a Chemistry degree. A former professor and department chair, she’s earned accolades including the Piper Nominee and Roueche Award. As PI and Co-PI on major STEM grants, she champions student-centered learning and the advancement of academic and public service initiatives.