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Cover Story
San Jacinto College: Celebrating 60 Years of Growth, Achievement, and Service.
Pictured here and below: South Campus Engineering and Technology Center
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San Jacinto College, an accredited two-year postsecondary educational institution, began in September 1961 in a rented storefront in downtown Pasadena. By the end of its first week, 876 students had enrolled. Today, the College boasts more than 41,000 credit and continuing education students each year and has become one of the top community colleges in the nation.
The College has five campuses across East Harris County, including its newest, Generation Park, in the Lake Houston area. This northernmost campus occupies a beautiful 57-acre lot and features a 55,000-squarefoot facility for general education and academic classes.
Another recent addition is the EDGE Center in the heart of Clear Lake’s Houston Spaceport. This center gives students hands-on training to start the next phase of aerospace history. San Jac is proud to be the training partner for the Houston Spaceport with five aerospace industry certification programs, drone classes, and customized training to meet individual company needs. College offers more than 200 degrees and certificates across eight major areas of study. Students can choose from Associate of Arts, Associate of Science, and Associate of Applied Science degrees or university transfer courses and career certificates and training. Nursing, one of the College’s early programs, recently expanded to meet the needs of working registered nurses. The RN-to-BSN program offers a low tuition rate, small class sizes, and in-person and online learning opportunities. The College’s BSN graduates not only have higher credentials but also gain more professional opportunities in the nation’s health care hub, the Texas Medical Center.
San Jac’s growth mentality is evident in its new facilities and expanded course offerings. Continuous improvement has led to the College’s prestigious standing in the community and in the nation. San Jac was ranked fifth in the nation by The Hispanic Outlook on Education Magazine for awarding associate degrees to Hispanic students. The College was also named one of the top five colleges nationwide as a Finalist with Distinction for the 2021 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence, the nation’s signature recognition of high achievement and performance among community colleges.
San Jac will conclude its 60th anniversary with the “Step Brightly into the Future” gala presented by LyondellBasell. The gala will take place Friday, May 20, 2022, at the LyondellBasell Center for Petrochemical, Energy, & Technology at the College’s Central Campus. Funds raised at the gala will benefit the student success endowment for Promise @ San Jac scholarships.
For 60 years, San Jac has helped East Harris County residents achieve their dreams through degrees and upskilling programs. In the next 60 years and beyond, the College will continue enriching the quality of life in the communities it serves -- through bigger, bolder dreams and opportunities.
