Resilience

San Jac broke ground on its Center for Biotechnology at the Generation Park Campus and cut the ribbon for the biomanufacturing training program at the South Campus on Jan. 26. The College is the exclusive National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training provider in the southern U.S. The program offers an Associate of Applied Science degree and shorter credentials for post-graduates.

Marine Log Magazine named Captain Amy Arrowood, maritime credit program director, one of the 2023 Top Women in Maritime. Arrowood’s career spans 20-plus years — from serving in the U.S. Coast Guard and industry sector to joining San Jac as a full-time maritime faculty member.

Twenty-eight San Jac students made Texas Music Educators Association All-State choir, jazz band, and symphonic band — the highest honor community college music students can achieve. For the second consecutive year, a San Jac student also won the Texas Community College Band Directors Association concerto competition.

San Jac students and alumni helped make history by working on Odysseus, the first commercial spacecraft to land on the moon Feb. 22. Intuitive Machines’ IM-1 lunar lander is also the first U.S.-built craft to touch down on the moon since NASA's final Apollo mission in 1972.

Equipping students for seafaring success, the Maritime Campus earned the U.S. Department of Transportation Maritime Administration’s 2024 Center of Excellence for Domestic Maritime Workforce Training and Education Feb. 22. This designation follows the College’s inaugural recognition in 2021.

San Jac’s eye care technology and nursing students teamed with eye care professionals to provide Pasadena Independent School District students with free eye screenings, exams, and glasses fittings during See to Succeed Feb. 26-March 1. More than 1,300 Pasadena ISD students participated, with 97% receiving glasses.

Rear Adm. William W. "Bear" Pickavance Jr., U.S. Navy, was honored March 6 for his contributions to the Maritime Campus’ establishment and construction. The ceremony marked the naming of the Admiral’s Lounge near the campus entrance, which Pickavance designed.

From March 7-8, local youth experienced mind-blowing science at the Mind Trekkers STEM Festival at the LyondellBasell Center for Petrochemical, Energy, & Technology. The event welcomed approximately 5,300 attendees, with daytime STEM activities for sixth graders and a family night open to the public.

The San Jac Ravens baseball team hosted the fourth annual Challenger game day at the North Campus March 9. As part of the national Little League Challenger Program, the local Challenger Division allows children and youth with physical and mental challenges to enjoy baseball.

The Health and Wellness Fair at the South Campus April 3 connected the community with physical and mental health resources. Activities included blood pressure checks, a gratitude journal workshop, and program/community resource booths. Approximately 250 attended this event funded by a San Jacinto College Foundation Student Success Initiative grant.

San Jac and LyondellBasell won the American Association of Community Colleges’ Award of Excellence in the outstanding college/corporate partnership category April 8. LyondellBasell helps develop curriculum, awards student scholarships, and hosts lunch-and-learns, plant tours, and virtual interview trainings. The company also received San Jac’s 2024 Legacy Award.

The community enjoyed food and fun during Flock to the Block at the Central Campus April 20. Open to prospective and current students and families looking for weekend fun, the event included carnival games and booths about the College’s educational programs.

Central Campus provost Van A. Wigginton numbered among 19 campus leaders honored with the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society’s Shirley B. Gordon Award of Distinction in April 2024. This student-nominated award is the international honor society’s most prestigious for community college presidents.

San Jac ranks among the top community and technical colleges offering online computer science associate degree programs, according to TechGuide. Ranking No. 20 in the nation, San Jac is the only college in the region and one of only three in Texas to make the list.

The Houston Business Journal named San Jac the top-rated Houston-area trade school and technical college for laying a strong academic and workforce foundation for students. The ranking was based on data from Niche.com.

The community stepped out on the red carpet May 17 to support future Promise Scholars. The San Jacinto College and LyondellBasell Hollywood Nights Gala presented by the Sinor Family raised nearly $680,000 for the Promise @ San Jac Scholarship, which allows in-district high school graduates to earn a certificate or degree debt-free.

For the seventh time in College history, the Ravens softball team advanced to the NJCAA Softball Division I World Series, finishing in the top 10 nationally. The Ravens baseball team advanced to the Region 14 Super Regional, finishing with a 40-21 overall record. Eight softball players and 11 baseball players earned all-Region 14 South Conference or All-Region honors.

During a ribbon cutting May 31 at the LyondellBasell Center for Petrochemical, Energy, & Technology, Kaneka Corporation presented $100,000 to support training equipment, technology, and curriculum needs. Together, Kaneka and the San Jacinto College Foundation celebrated the naming of the Kaneka Nondestructive Technology Quality Lab.

San Jac numbers among 10 finalists competing for the 2025 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence. The $1 million award is the nation's signature recognition of community colleges with high student success, strong support, and equitable outcomes. San Jac has placed as a top-10 finalist in each of Aspen’s last five award cycles.

Eric Weaver will head the Ravens baseball team. Weaver spent eight seasons as San Jacinto College’s assistant coach, overseeing pitching and helping recruit players. During his time with the then Gators, the team made six National Junior College Athletic Association World Series appearances. Most recently, Weaver served two seasons as Blinn College’s associate head coach.

Ravens baseball and softball players racked up athletic and academic accolades during the 2024 season:

• 11 baseball players earned all-conference or all-Region XIV honors
• 12 softball players made the Region XIV all-academic team
• Nine softball players were named National Fastpitch Coaches Association all-American scholar-athletes
• 16 student-athletes made National Junior College Athletic Association all-academic teams
• Baseball catcher Jake Bennett earned conference co-offensive player of the year
• Softball shortstop Arriana Wright was the National Fastpitch Coaches Association and National Junior College Athletic Association all-American and two-time conference and Region XIV player of the year.