[ education ]
CCISD superintendent announces retirement
C
echoed the sentiments of staff and the larger community. “Dr. Smith is a leader of all leaders. of Schools Dr. Greg Smith publicly His handprint is all over this school district. I announced his retirement for Dec. 31, know I speak for the other school 2020 during the June 22 school board meeting. The public “Clear Creek ISD board members when I say that Clear Creek ISD is the district it announcement is necessary to is the district it is today because of his strategic allow the school board ample is today because mindset, heart for children, and time to identify the next leader of willingness to bring people to CCISD. of his strategic the table for the good of the The decision to retire was made mindset, heart community.” five years ago when Dr. Smith for children, and Dr. Smith joined Clear Creek signed his final contract, informing willingness to ISD in 2008 as Superintendent of the board at the time of his intent Schools. During his tenure, he was to close out his 40-year career in bring people named Superintendent of the Year education here in the Clear Creek to the table for by the Texas Association of School Independent School District. His the good of the Boards, the Top Administrator contract expires Dec. 31. community.” by the Texas Classroom “There is never a good time to Teachers Association and the make this type of announcement, Superintendent of the Year by the Texas PTA. but it is important to give the CCISD community He has been in public education for 40 years, time to find the right person to lead this 20 of those years as a superintendent. He is the exceptional school district,” Dr. Smith said. longest serving superintendent in Clear Creek “For those who know me, I do not tire. I remain ISD’s history. committed to the work ahead of reopening Clear As for plans after December, Dr. Smith plans Creek ISD to 42,000 boys and girls and leading us to continue his support to public education into a strong fall semester.” throughout Texas. CCISD Board President Dr. Laura DuPont lear Creek ISD Superintendent
Dr. Greg Smith
San Jac College named finalist for 2021 Aspen Prize
S
an Jacinto College has
been named as one of 10 finalists for the 2021 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence, the nation’s signature recognition of high achievement and performance among community colleges. Awarded every two years since 2011, the Aspen Prize recognizes institutions that achieve strong student outcomes across four key areas: teaching and learning, degree completion and successful transfer to four-year institutions, success in the workforce, and equitable outcomes for diverse student groups. In 2017, San Jacinto College earned the Aspen Rising Star Award; and in 2019, the Aspen Institute named San Jacinto College as one of the top 10 community colleges in the country. “It is again an honor to be recognized by the Aspen Institute for the incredible work being done at San Jacinto College to help our students reach their educational goals,” said
40
San Jacinto College Chancellor Dr. Brenda Hellyer. “This recognition is due to the dedication of our Board of Trustees, administration, faculty, and staff to ensure that all of our students have the resources they need and well-planned educational pathways to complete their certificates or degrees. On behalf of everyone at San Jacinto College, I thank the Aspen Institute for this amazing honor.”
FOCUS ON COMPLETION
The college’s laser focus on student completion has resulted in a 168.7 percent increase in certificates and degrees from 2009 to 2019. This is the result of the comprehensive work of employees to advise and track students from admissions to completion. The institution has developed an intentional, integrated advising
Bay Area Houston Magazine | JULY 2020
program to help students succeed. This program was designed to make the student experience more relational and less transactional and more intrusive and intentional, with career information and exploration strategically placed throughout the process. College Outreach Advisors monitor students’ progress and provide help, guidance, and encouragement if needed. “We know that our students are more successful when they have a connection to the college from the moment they come to campus to the moment they walk across the stage at graduation,” said San Jac Deputy Chancellor and College President Dr. Laurel Williamson. “That’s why we have been intentional about removing barriers and putting support systems in place so that our students can get the help they need wherever
they are in their certificate or degree programs.” The 10 Aspen Prize finalists were selected from the nation’s 1,000 community colleges in a process that included qualitative and quantitative data analysis and engaged more than 30 experts in the field. The finalists all effectively identify, develop, and scale strategies to propel all students to not just complete college but also succeed after graduation.
2021 Aspen Prize Finalists
• • • • • • • • • •
Amarillo College, Amarillo, TX Borough of Manhattan Community College, New York, NY Broward College, Fort Lauderdale, FL Odessa College, Odessa, TX Pasadena City College, Pasadena, CA Pierce College, Pierce County, WA San Antonio College, San Antonio, TX San Jacinto College, Pasadena, TX Tallahassee Community College, Tallahassee, FL West Kentucky Community and Technical College, Paducah, KY
