2YourCollege 4 3 Pathwaysgrant · 2021. 1. 6. · Dr. Sarah Janes, San Jacinto College associate vice chancellor for continuing and professional development, has been leading a statewide

W W W . S A N J A C . E D U

SANJAC.EDU HOUSTON CHRONICLE CUSTOM ADVERTISING SECTION SUNDAY, JANUARY 3, 2021

News fromYour College2 4 College receivesPathways grant3 Virtual STEM expoheld on Zoom

College named afinalist for nationalBellwether Award

San Jacinto College was recentlynamed one of 10 national finalistsfor the 2021 Bellwether Award inWorkforce Development, awarded by theCommunity College Futures Assembly tothe most innovative community collegeworkforce program in the nation.

The College’s entry for this year’scompetition was titled “CrosswalksLinking Apprenticeship Training andWorkforce Courses: Blueprint for aStatewide Model.”

Dr. Sarah Janes, San Jacinto Collegeassociate vice chancellor for continuingand professional development, hasbeen leading a statewide effort to alignapprenticeship training with creditthat can be awarded for workforceeducation courses. Through fundingfrom the Texas Workforce Commissionand the Texas Higher EducationCoordinating Board, Dr. Janes isleading a team of College faculty andstaff and industry experts to devisecrosswalks for 10 initial programs. Thework will be presented virtually at theCollege Futures Assembly conference,where San Jac’s project will be judgedalongside nine other entries from acrossthe country.

The Bellwether Awards are an

integral part of the CommunityCollege Futures Assembly, focusing oncutting-edge, trendsetting programsthat other colleges might find worthyof replicating. The awards arewidely regarded as the nation’s mostcompetitive and prestigious recognitionfor community colleges and arepresented annually to colleges withoutstanding and innovative programs orpractices in three categories: workforcedevelopment, instructional programsand services, and planning, governance,and finance.

“We are thrilled to be a finalist for theprestigious Bellwether Award,” said Dr.Janes. “San Jacinto College is proud tobe an innovator and leader in workforcedevelopment, and having our programrecognized nationally is a testament toour commitment to our mission.”

Last year, San Jacinto College’sLyondellBasell Center for Petrochemical,Energy, & Technology was recognizedas a finalist in the competition, and in2019, the San Jacinto College MaritimeProgram won the Bellwether Award inthe workforce development category.

Giving Tuesdayproceeds to benefitstudents in need

The San Jacinto College Foundationraised $8,640 as part of its recent GivingTuesday campaign.

Widely known as a global day of givingback, Giving Tuesday began in 2012 asthe first Tuesday after Thanksgiving,with the idea of encouraging people todo good. Since then, it has grown into aglobal movement that inspires millionsof people to give, collaborate, andcelebrate generosity.

All proceeds from the San JacintoCollege Foundation’s Giving Tuesdaycampaign will benefit the HarrisCounty Promise program at San Jac.In partnership with Pasadena ISDand Good Reason Houston, the Harris

County Promise program at San Jacprovides up to three years of free tuitionand additional support to high schoolgraduates from Dobie High School, SamRayburn High School, and South HoustonHigh School who take the Promise Pledgeto become Promise Scholars.

For more information on the Promiseprogram at San Jacinto College, visitsanjac.edu/harris-county-promise-program.

New year, new goals:Register today!

Start 2021 off right by focusing onyour educational goals. Whether you’relooking to further your career, enhanceyour skills, or just try a new hobby inthe new year, San Jac has you covered.Spring classes begin Jan. 19, andregistration is open now.

Students have multiple options for theupcoming semester with “San Jac MyWay,” which offers five different ways tolearn, both in person and online: OnlineAnytime, Online on a Schedule,Face-to-Face, Hands-On Hybrid, andFlex Campus.• ONLINE Anytime allows students

to take classes online, at any time.This is the most flexible of the fouroptions, allowing students to work oncoursework whenever their scheduleallows, without having to cometo campus.

• The ONLINE on a Schedule optionalso delivers coursework online, but

the lectures and virtual instruction willoccur at specific times on certain days,just as a typical face-to-face coursewould occur.

• FACE-to-FACE classes will takeplace in person on campus, withreduced class sizes and socialdistancing measures.

• Hands-On HYBRID is for thetechnical and applied skill courses.Most class instruction will be deliveredonline. Students will come to campusin small groups to complete hands-onlearning and practical testing.

• The FLEX Campus option allowsstudents to spend some time in theclassroom with an instructor, inaddition to online learning. Smallgroups of students in each class willhave the option to attend in person,following all CDC and College healthand safety protocols, while theremaining students will access thesame coursework online. The smallgroups will rotate so all studentsin a class have multiple chances toattend in person, although it’s never arequirement to attend in person.Student services will remain available

to all students enrolled this spring,regardless of which course modality theyselect. Services include online tutoringand advising, on-campus documentdrop-off, and virtual appointmentsfor things such as admissions, careerservices, dual credit, financial aid,testing, veteran services, and more.

Visit sanjac.edu/my-way to learnmore and to register.

2

Sunday | January 3, 2021 | Opportunity News | Houston Chronicle Custom Advertising Section >>> 3sanjac.edu

By Courtney MorrisSAN JACINTO COLLEGE

When Arili Bedoy was investigatingthe STEM Undergraduate ResearchClub, little did she expect to get ropedinto a video presentation.

The San Jacinto College studentreached out to Dr. Sheema Nasir, SouthCampus STEM (science, technology,engineering, and math) coordinator,to learn more about the club. In turn,Nasir asked her to help with anupcoming virtual STEM expo for secondto eighth graders.

Held annually at the Central, North,and South Campuses, the expo wasmoving to Zoom Nov. 19 because ofCOVID-19 limitations.

Bedoy ended up being the event’s onlystudent presenter. The aspiring medicallaboratory scientist created a rewardlearning video using the perfect labpartner to hook a younger audience: herGreat Dane, Lucy.

“The goal was to get students excitedabout science and pursuing a career inSTEM — to get them thinking about howwhat they’re doing now affects their lifelater,” she said.

Creating hands-on across cyberspaceEach fall, San Jac and Communities

in Schools (CIS) of Southeast Harrisand Brazoria County co-host threeSTEM expos featuring faculty-leddemonstrations and hands-on activities.Each event can draw up to 500 studentsand family members from CIS’s after-school programs in Pasadena and GalenaPark ISDs.

Because of COVID-19, they reimaginedthe 2020 expos as one hour-long virtualevent with activities students could do athome. Faculty converted their in-personstations into videos.

“We were able to plan via Zoommeetings, and participating facultyeither made arrangements to come to

campus and record on-site, or they madetheir recordings in their own homes,”said Lambrini Nicopoulos, CollegeSTEM Council co-chair, who helpedcoordinate the event.

Nicopoulos created a cloud storagefolder where faculty uploaded theirvideos. Then CIS embedded thesepresentations into the event PowerPoint.

Faculty also donated 250 bags withlung model kits, rubber band rocketmaterials, and College-branded goodies.Parents who registered for the eventthrough their CIS after-school campusreceived the supply kits for their kids.

Moving the event online also meanta wider audience than usual couldparticipate, including students fromBrazosport, Columbia-Brazoria, andAlvin ISDs.

“This gave those new studentsexposure to STEM while showcasinganother local community college thatthey might not have known aboutotherwise,” said Cheryl Sellers, directorof community relations for CIS ofSoutheast Harris and Brazoria County.

Demonstrating ‘paws-itive’ learningAbout 180 families logged on to

participate in the expo. Faculty alsologged on to monitor the chat in casestudents or parents had questions.

Professors shared a variety of

engaging presentations:• Diep Le demonstrated the effects of

smoking on lungs.• Dr. Yuli Pernia showed how to make

lungs using a straw, clay, a cup,and balloons.

• Maxine Lane taught composting withHalloween pumpkins.

• Natandra Gradney used eggs anddifferent solutions to mimic how watermoves in and out of cells.

• Nate Wiggins and Dr. Connie Gomezshowed how 3D printers createprosthetic limbs.

• Dr. Carrie Owens made a rubberband rocket using a straw, paper clip,staples, rubber band, and paper fins.

• Dr. Liana Boop suited up to showcaseher beehives.Although used to interacting with

students crowded around a table, mathprofessor Neil Jody enjoyed convertinghis self-similar patterns presentationinto something that could engage avirtual audience.

“It was challenging to pre-record whatis normally an interactive installation, butgoing through the process of recordingand editing for a non-interactive audienceproved fulfilling,” Jody said.

In her video, Bedoy showed herdog learning to do a handshake. Sheconnected the reward learning exercisewith how dopamine, the feel-goodhormone, strengthens memory.

“Reward learning also plays a role in

my motivation to do well in school,”Bedoy told younger students. “I studyand work as hard as I can not only forthe good grades but because I know thatthose good grades will lead me to thetrue reward I desire, which is to be asuccessful laboratory scientist.”

Since Zoom limited logins, CIS willreplay the PowerPoint during itsafter-school programs to expand theexpo’s reach.

Sparking a passion for STEMWhile faculty missed interacting with

kids face to face, Nicopoulos joked thatthere was a perk to hosting virtually:“Clean-up was a breeze.”

She also sees the next in-person exposincluding some virtual components.

Bedoy hopes her presentation ignitesa STEM flame in younger students whocan follow in her footsteps.“I’m Latina,” she said. “I didn’t seepeople like me in careers like this.I wanted students to see I’m doing it —you can do it too.”

Virtual StEM Expo fEaturES GrEat DanE,rubbEr banD rockEtS, anD bEEhiVES

Photo courtesy of San Jacinto College

Biology professor Diep Le shows a healthylung beside an unhealthy one.


Biology professor Natandra Gradney showswhat happens to an egg after being soaked incorn syrup two days.


STEM student Arili Bedoy demonstratesreward learning with her Great Dane, Lucy.

By Melissa TrevizoSAN JACINTO COLLEGE

Former San Jacinto Collegedepartment chair and Houstonphotographer Dalton DeHart waspresented the distinguished 2020LGBTQ Community Vision Award byThe Montrose Center.

“To me, this award validates whatI have dedicated my life to,” DeHartsaid. “I’m thrilled to be recognizedfor the contributions I have made andcontinue to make.”

DeHart, who retired from San Jac in2006, has taken more than 1 millionphotos of community gatherings andhas used about 20 different cameras inthe process.

“I started taking photos on thesidelines of the Deer Park footballgames years ago,” DeHart said. “Ienjoyed it so much that I began takingphotos at all of the student eventson San Jac campuses when someoneencouraged me to join the EPAH tovolunteer as well.”

The Executive and ProfessionalAssociation of Houston (EPAH) isan LGBTQ social and networkingorganization. In short order, DeHartwas taking photos for EPAH, theMontrose Softball League, AIDSFoundation Houston, and many otherLGBTQ community organizations.

Over the years, DeHart has amasseda huge archive of photos documentingthe LGBTQ community in Houston.That’s why in 2015, he formedthe Dalton DeHart PhotographicFoundation. The nonprofit’sfundraising efforts have allowed himto digitize more than 300,000 photostaken with film and build a website toshare the photos free of charge. In all,www.daltondehart.com will soon havemore than 750,000 searchable photosavailable to the public.

DeHart’s event images includeeveryone who makes communitysocial events possible, from the hostsand major donors to the servers andjanitors. Every person in attendanceand behind the scenes is equallyimportant to him.

Over the years, DeHart has becomea highly respected photographer. Hehas received numerous awards fromthe organizations he has photographedevents for, including being named aPride Houston Grand Marshal in 2008and receiving the Kindred SpiritsCommunity Treasure Award in 2014,the Diana Foundation Award in 2015,the Houston Transgender UnityCommittee's Transgender ArchiveAward in 2015, and several OutSmartGayest & Greatest Favorite MaleCommunity Photographer awards.

The prestigious LGBTQ CommunityVision Award, has been presented toonly seven other high-profile Houstonactivists and public servants. DeHartwill be in the company of people likeformer Houston mayor Annise Parker,representative Garnet Coleman, RayHill, and Tommie Ross.

“Every year we honor a pillar ofour community, someone who is onein a million and doing the work toadvocate for our community," saidMeleah Jones, community projectspecialist for The Montrose Center.“Dalton DeHart fits that description.He brings people together and makeseveryone around him feel important.We could think of no one betterto honor with this year’s LGBTQCommunity Vision Award.”

DeHart was presented the award

at the center’s Out for Good virtualholiday gala on Thursday, Dec. 3.To learn more about The MontroseCenter, visit www.montrosecenter.org.


DEHART HONORED WITH LGBTQCOMMUNITY VISION AWARD

SPRING2021

CLASSES BEGIN

JAN. 19

Apply, register, andpay at sanjac.edu

Five ways to learn:Online, face-to-face,

and more!


Annise Parker, former Houston Mayor,presents Dalton DeHart with the MontroseCenter 2020 LGBTQ Community Vision Award.

Photo courtesy of Alex Rosa, OutSmart Magazine


By Melissa TrevizoSAN JACINTO COLLEGE

The LyondellBasell Center forPetrochemical, Energy, & Technology(CPET), through its work with San JacintoCollege’s career services, is now offeringstudents innovative ways of connectingwith industry partners through virtualmock interviews.

Jeff Pearce, coordinator for educationand workforce at CPET, saw an increasein students wanting to know more aboutwhat to expect from an interview for aposition in the oil and gas industry.

“In the past we’ve had representativescome from different companies and givetalks to students about what they arelooking for in a new hire,” Pearce said.“With the onset of the pandemic, weweren’t able to offer those opportunitiesanymore, and the idea for virtual mockinterviews was born.”

Pearce consulted with Brittany Bonds,coordinator for career services at San Jac,to work out the logistics of pairing CPETstudents with industry partners.

“We started with doing interviewsthree days a week, and slots started tofill up quickly,” Bonds said. “Career

coordinators from the North, Central, andSouth Campuses are all involved to helpfacilitate each interview and offer real-timefeedback to students.”

The mock interviews take place muchlike a typical interview, with a panelof CPET, industry, and career servicesrepresentatives. Students are givengeneral informational and situationalquestions for 10 to 15 minutes, and thenthe attention is turned to instant feedback.

“This has given me a phenomenalwindow into what someone on aninterview panel for industry is lookingfor and how they analyze not only youranswers, but your communication skills aswell,” said Joshua Roussell, CPET student.

“I’ve done four interviews so far, and I feellike with each one I’ve been able to takethe advice and do better each time. Thattype of encouragement is invaluable.”

Since the onset, representatives fromTurner Industries, LyondellBasell, Arkema,Noltex LLC, Kaneka, W.R. Grace, INEOS,Performance Contractors, Olympus, andChevronPhillips Chemical-Cedar Bayouhave volunteered their time to helpstudents hone their skills.

“These students are the folks whoare driving the future of our industry.Anything we can do to help mentor themnow and prepare them for the workforcethe better,” said Rick Brown, generalmanager at Arkema. “It’s been a lot offun to work with them. They are takingit seriously and taking in all of the adviceand feedback.”

San Jac career services has resources forall students, but has seen an uptick in thenumber of CPET students reaching outindependently for services from the office.

“I used to see one or two students amonth come in the office for resumeadvice or interview tips, but now I’mseeing one or two CPET students a week,and they know me by name,” said Bonds.“This industry is competitive, and if we

can help students build their networkswhile they are still in school, that is avaluable tool for later.”

Though the mock interviews startedbecause of face-to-face restrictions, Pearcelooks for them to continue in the future asa networking and skill-building resource.

“I’m proud of San Jacinto Collegefor starting this initiative,” said CarlaThompson, workforce developmentmanager for Turner Industries. “We arebuilding our future and the competenciesand expectations that are set out for theindustry. San Jac is taking the lead withthis, and I’m proud to be a part of it.”

LYONDELLBASELL CPET OFFERS VIRTUAL INTERVIEWS,PUTTING STUDENTS FACE-TO-FACE WITH THEIR FUTURE

SAN JAC HAPPENINGSDATE EVENT TIME SITEJan. 14 CPD Your Health Matters Part 3: Live an Active Lifestyle 12-1 p.m. Online: Register at [email protected]. 15 CPD Learn@Home Crafts: Valentine Mailboxes 12-1 p.m. Online: Register at [email protected]. 18 Martin Luther King Jr. Day College closed All campuses and onlineJan. 19 Spring classes begin All campuses and onlineJan. 20 CPD Career Information Session: Computers and IT 2-3 p.m. Online: Register at [email protected]. 21 CPD Texans Recovering Together: Stress and Anxiety 12-1 p.m. Online: Register at [email protected]. 22 Maritime Information Session 10 a.m. Online: Register at sanjac.edu/form/maritime-information-session-registrationJan. 28 CPD Conversational Spanish 12-1 p.m. Online: Register at [email protected] times and event schedules listed are subject to change. For more information, visit sanjac.edu.


CPET student Ashley Zhang interviewswith Mike Anderson from INEOS, as well asJeff Pearce, coordinator for education andworkforce at CPET, and Kirsten Hilson, careerservices specialist.


Rick Brown, general manager at Arkema,leads an interview with CPET student RobertSalcedo, as well as Jeff Pearce, coordinatorfor education and workforce at CPET, andMelissa Trevizo, communications coordinator.

TSC Grant continued from page 4“We are very fortunate

to have wonderful fundingpartners like T.L.L. TempleFoundation, that are willing toinvest in this important work,”said Dr. Cynthia Ferrell, vicepresident of the Texas Success

Center. “The Texas SuccessCenter is so impressed byour colleges’ commitment toimplement Texas Pathways,and we are excited to continueworking with these EastTexas colleges.”

The following eight East

Texas colleges have beenawarded funds to support thescaling of Texas Pathwayspractices:• Kilgore College• Lee College• Northeast Texas Community

College

• Paris Junior College• San Jacinto College• Texarkana College• Trinity Valley Community

College• Tyler Junior College

“Community colleges playa critical role in educating

our future workforce,” saidDr. Wynn Rosser, presidentand CEO of the T.L.L. TempleFoundation. “Investing inTexas Pathways will ensuremore East Texans succeed incollege and that our regionthrives economically.”

Connect with us on

JOIN SAN JACINTO COLLEGEIN ACHIEVING EXCELLENCE IN

HIGHER EDUCATION.FIND YOUR NEXT CAREER AT

WWW.SANJAC.EDU • 281-998-6150

8

2YourCollege 4 3 Pathwaysgrant · 2021. 1. 6. · Dr. Sarah Janes, San Jacinto College associate vice chancellor for continuing and professional development, has been leading a statewide

Documents