Excellence

[ek-s(e-)len(t)s ] noun

the quality of being outstanding or extremely good

Dr. Alexander Okwonna: A journey from military service to educational leadership

As a community college graduate, San Jacinto College North Campus provost Dr. Alexander Okwonna knows firsthand the barriers students face. After struggling to work several part-time jobs to pay for his education, Okwonna turned to the military for financial relief.

Okwonna served as a sergeant and 62E Army heavy construction equipment operator. Like other non-commissioned officers, he and his team had the most impact on training and supervising junior enlisted personnel. The Army taught him about pushing himself.

Read more about Dr. Okwonna's driving force to reduce barriers for students.

I see myself in the students and understand their potential and challenges. This drives me to create opportunities to reduce barriers for them.”

Dr. Alexander Okwonna

Provost, North Campus

Okwonna has been with San Jacinto College since 2005, working his way up into various leadership roles, including dean of health and natural sciences at the South Campus. As provost, he enjoys collaborating with different teams across the district and community to benefit students.

His motivation to help students also led Okwonna to establish an endowment in his name through the San Jacinto College Foundation, pledging $25,000 over five years.

Weller teaches, makes College and Texas history

Dr. Eddie Weller fell in love with teaching after taking his former professor Ben Proctor’s advice to give it a try.

Weller made his mark when he started the College’s honors program in 1996.

“Our students participate in several events like the National Conference for Undergraduate Research, the premier research conference in America,” he said. “Last year, out of about 89 community college presentations, 22 were from San Jac. That sets us apart.”

Career-wise, Weller feels fulfilled and fortunate for many valuable opportunities.

“I’m president this year of the National Collegiate Honors Council, which makes me the sixth one in 60 years from a community college,” he said. “I’ve often been the first community college person to do something — first to be president of the Southwestern Historical Association and the Southwestern Social Science Association and first to be an officer of the Texas State Historical Association when I was secretary.”

Weller’s career is a testament to a teacher’s kindness.

“Ben Proctor invested his life in my life and changed my whole trajectory. He cared deeply,” Weller said. “I do it to pay back even just a small portion of what he gave to me because I know what a significant impact that effort can have on a student’s future.”

What keeps Weller at San Jacinto College? He enjoys working with students most of all.

“San Jac has always supported me,” he said. “To accomplish all those things, you have to have the support of such an amazing institution.”

rock-solid-support takes alumnus from lonely to m.D.

Dr. Robin Torres felt lost, alone. Not only was El Paso 800 miles from family, but hospitals nearby had begun setting up portable morgues. Life in fall 2020 was fragile. But Torres couldn't give up. And reflecting on his family’s sacrifices, he wasn’t about to.

See what helped Robin get to where he is today

Did you know?
With San Jacinto College’s natural science Associate of Science degree, students can customize their academic path, taking the specific science and math courses that fit their career path or transfer university's requirements.

The College’s financial position in FY 2024 continues to remain strong with a total net position of $79.8 million, which is a modest decrease of $3.5 million or 4% less than FY 2023. In addition, Standard & Poor's increased the College's bond rating on general obligation bonds to AA+/Stable from AA/Positive in March 2024. Below is a comparative graph of revenues and expenses for the last two fiscal years.

Grants, contracts, and federal revenue were lower in FY 2024 due to the closeout of the Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds grant. State appropriations were considerably higher due to the State's new funding model for community colleges, as adopted through House Bill 8 during the 88th session of the Texas Legislature. Scholarship expense was higher due to increased Pell grant awards for students.

This is an overview of the College’s financial operations for the fiscal years ended Aug. 31, 2024 and 2023. Most of the information contained within this Report to the Community is extracted from the financial information contained within the FY 2024 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report.

Operating Results