Momentum - Business to Business Online Magazine MOMENTUM April 2019 | Page 28

RUTH RENDON
Communications Officer
College of the Mainland
College of the Mainland
GROWS
T
he landscape at College of the Mainland
is changing as crews work to complete
renovations to the Student Center and
groundbreaking for other new buildings are
scheduled for later this year.
The addition of three new buildings – STEAM/Allied
Health, Industrial Careers and a Student Success Center
- is on the horizon following taxpayer approval of a
$162.5 million bond referendum in November.
Before the new buildings are constructed, crews are
finishing up renovations to the Student Center, which
sits on the banks of Lake Eckhert on campus. The
building’s exterior walls were removed and replaced
with metal stud walls, insulation and then brick to
make it more energy efficient. The center will have a
contemporary look complete with an outside terrace
overlooking the lake plus a canopy and sunlight screens
to shade the area and existing glass wall.
The improvements to the Student Center as well
as the construction of a new chemistry lab, the
replacement of underground pipes, a renovated
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MOMENTUM
Physical Education building, a new roof on the Fine Arts
building and the conversion of the indoor pool into the
COM Conference Center were part of a $16.2 million
maintenance tax note approved by the college’s Board
of Trustees.
Architects are now completing plans for the
construction of the STEAM/Allied Health building and
the Student Success Center.
The STEAM building will allow for the necessary
expansion of the college’s popular nursing program and
house new programs in surgical tech,
imaging tech, dental hygienist, physical
therapy assistant and communications.
The college also plans to add programs
in four engineering disciplines – civil,
chemical, electrical and mechanical. The
new building also will be able to expand
and add cyber security networking labs,
as well as labs for graphic arts, computer
science, drafting and geology.
The planned Student Success Center
will be constructed to replace the
existing administration and enrollment
center. This building will consolidate
and streamline all student services
like admissions, financial aid, student
engagement, business office and dean
of students. Also housed in the building
will be the college’s leadership team and
a board meeting room. Off-site offices
for marketing and public affairs and
institutional advancement also will be
located in the building.
These two building are scheduled for
completion by January 2021.
The college’s Process Technology program – which is
marking its 25th year and was the first of its kind in the
country – will be able to expand in the new Industrial
Careers building. The Gulf Coast Safety Institute as well
as the Occupational Hygiene and Safety Technician
and HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning)
programs will relocate into the building. Instrumentation
and electrical programs also will be included.
For more information about College of the Mainland,
visit www.com.edu or call 409-938-1211.