COM Taking the Lead in Higher Education with New Initiatives
COM Taking the Lead in Higher Education with New Initiatives
By: By Ruth Rendon Communications Officer College of the Mainland
College of the Mainland in Texas City is a comprehensive accredited community college offering certificates and associate degrees in 48 degree fields with more than 4,300 students. The most popular programs included General Studies, Petrochemical Process Tech, Fire Academy, Nursing, Cosmetology, Occupational Safety and Health, Medical Assisting, Business and Criminal Justice.
Student success is one of COM’ s core goals. With this in mind, the college faculty and staff are always looking for ways to provide the best quality education and meet changing workforce demands.
The college’ s academic master plan- Plan to Advance Student Success( COMPASS)- is designed to be a strategic road map for the physical development of the college’ s campus over the next 10 years. The plan includes recommendations on program offerings based on the labor market needs of the Texas Gulf Coast and beyond. A crosssection of the community has been involved in creating the on-going master plan which will determine where to focus and invest in terms of facilities and infrastructure as well as programs of study.
As the region continues to grow, there is a larger demand for the college to provide a variety of classroom instruction for students earning a two-year associate to meet the workforce needs.
One of the most successful programs at College of the Mainland is in process technology.
Over a course of five semesters, PTEC students earn an Associate of Applied Science degree and put themselves in a position to gain immediate employment. A degree in process technology can be used in a variety of fields including refinery operations, chemical plant operations, food processing, pharmaceuticals, offshore work and more. Many of the classes provide hands-on experience.
In line with process technology, COM’ s Gulf Coast Safety Institute was established in 2007 to provide safety and health training and education to workers and employers.
Workforce ready classes are offered in electrical, HVAC, carpentry, drywall, painting, plumbing and masonry. Associate degrees can be had for such disciplines as well as welding and instrumentation and electrical.
The college serves the residents of Dickinson, Hitchcock, La Marque, Santa Fe and Texas City. The college also provides higher educational opportunities to residents of Friendswood, Kemah and League City. The COM Learning Center-North County in League City offers college credit, dual credit and continuing education classes for students of all ages. A second League City location also provides dual credit and academic classes.
Many high school students take advantage of dual credit courses where they can earn high school and college credits simultaneously. Students can earn 30 or more college credits in high school, plus receive a discount on COM’ s affordable tuition.
COM academic courses within a student’ s academic plan will transfer to public universities throughout Texas. Students can complete an associate degree in small classes at a fraction of the cost of a university.
For years now, high school students come to the Texas City campus and earn an associate degree and high school degree at the same time through the Collegiate High School program. Students may enroll from Clear Creek, Dickinson, Friendswood, Hitchcock, La Marque, Santa Fe and Texas City school districts, Premier Learning Academy, Odyssey Academy and home schools.
The college’ s 50-Plus Program has more than 1,200 students that attend a variety of classes at its Gulfway Plaza facility in La Marque.
Learn more about College of the Mainland at www. com. edu.
11 MOMENTUM / April 2018