San Jacinto College

San Jacinto College is a public community college in the Greater Houston with its campuses in Pasadena and Houston, Texas. Established in 1961, San Jacinto College originally consisted of the independent school districts (ISD) of Channelview, Deer Park, Galena Park, La Porte, and Pasadena. The college now also serves Sheldon, and portions of Clear Creek ISD and Humble ISD. San Jacinto College headquarters are located in Pasadena, Texas.

History

In May 1960, voters in the Channelview, Deer Park, Galena Park, La Porte, and Pasadena school districts approved the creation of East Harris County Union Junior College, elected seven members to serve on the Board of Regents and authorized the Board of Regents (now Board of Trustees) to levy a tax for the college operations and maintenance.

On February 16, 1961, the Board of Regents changed the name of the district to The San Jacinto Junior College District. Using renovated buildings in Pasadena, the college welcomed 876 students to its first classes in September 1961. The San Jacinto Junior College District was approved and accredited by the Texas Department of Education when the college opened. The college was granted full membership in the Association of Texas Colleges and Universities on April 6, 1963. On November 4, 1968, Sheldon Independent School District was voted part of the college district.

On November 30, 1966, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools first granted San Jacinto college accreditation. The north and south campuses were first accredited in 1976 and 1979, respectively. The most recent reaffirmation of accreditation for all three campuses occurred in 2019.

Bonds issued in 1972 included funds for the North Campus. Following five terms of extension classes offered at North Shore High School, the North Campus opened for classes on its site in the fall of 1975. In 1976, bonds were approved for a third campus. After several terms of extension classes offered at J. Frank Dobie High School, San Jacinto College South opened for classes in September 1979.

In 1997, James F. Horton became the chancellor, and Adena Williams Loston became the second president of San Jacinto College South and the first African-American president in the district.

In December 1999 voters approved the issuing of $91 million in general obligation bonds, allowing the construction of six new buildings including the Interactive Learning Centers and Fine Arts Centers. Another vote in May 2008 earmarked $295 million to create updated science facilities, allied health facilities, library improvements, and physical education facility improvements.

Clear Horizons Early College High School opened its doors on the south campus in the fall of 2007. A partnership with Clear Creek ISD, this program allows students to earn an associate degree while simultaneously earning a high school diploma. In 2008, Hurricane Ike inflicted significant damage to the three campuses. Students were back in class in less than three weeks.

Campuses

The college has five main campuses and six extension centers. The Central campus is in Pasadena, the North and South campuses are in Houston on Uvalde Road and Beamer Road respectively. The maritime campus is located in La Porte. The college opened its fifth campus at Generation Park in Houston in 2020. There are two extension centers in Webster, one at Clear Lake High School, two in Galena Park and one in Pasadena.

San Jacinto College opened its fifth main campus, Generation Park, on August 1, 2020. The site is located in Northeast Houston and primarily serves students from the Sheldon and Humble communities who want to transfer to a four-year university. Students at this location may earn a 2-year academic Associate of Arts (A.A.) or Associate of Science (A.S.) degree at Generation Park.

Organization and administration

Established in 1961, the district originally consisted of the areas of Channelview ISD, Deer Park ISD, Galena Park ISD, La Porte ISD, and Pasadena ISD. The district now also serves Sheldon ISD. As defined by the Texas Legislature, the official service area of San Jacinto College includes territory within the following school districts: the Channelview Independent School District, the Galena Park Independent School District, the La Porte Independent School District, the Pasadena Independent School District, the Sheldon Independent School District and the portion of Clear Creek Independent School District located in Harris County. Some facilities are also located within the boundaries of Clear Creek ISD but Clear Creek ISD is not considered In-District for enrollment purposes.

Academics

San Jacinto College offers students an opportunity to complete classes in Basic, Intermediate, and Paramedic level emergency medical technology. The college also offers maritime trade and logistics education programs. The most recent results published in ''Texas EMS Magazine'' indicate a 41% first attempt pass rate for Paramedic program graduates from December 1, 2008, to November 30, 2009.

In 2020, San Jacinto College was awarded the Excellence and Equity in Community College STEM Award by the Aspen Institute and Siemens Foundation.

Student life

Sport

Each campus has its own team for athletics – the San Jacinto Central Ravens represent Pasadena, whilst the San Jacinto North Gators and San Jacinto South Coyotes are in Houston.

Notable alumni

* Brandon Belt, Major League Baseball player for the San Francisco Giants
* Walter Berry, former NBA player
* Briscoe Cain, lawyer and politician from Texas
* Francisco Calvo, Costa Rican international footballer
*Sam Cassell, former NBA All-Star and current assistant coach of Los Angeles Clippers
*Roger Clemens, former Major League Baseball pitcher
*Chad Deering, MLS midfielder who played for the Dallas Burn and the United States men's national soccer team, appearing in the 1998 FIFA World Cup
* Karith Foster, comedian and national radio personality currently on ''Imus in the Morning''
* Steve Francis, former NBA All-Star
* Merlene Frazer, Jamaican sprinter (Olympic silver medal and 5 World Championship medals, 1 gold)
*Rick Hearst, actor and winner of Daytime Emmy Awards
* Karlene Haughton, Jamaican, later Canadian, sprinter
* Thomas Henderson, former NBA player
* Dean Hughes, former Mexican Pro Basketball Player 1986 to 1987
* Zach Lofton, basketball player for the Detroit Pistons
* Sean Nolin, Major League Baseball pitcher for the Toronto Blue Jays
*Andy Pettitte, former Major League Baseball pitcher
* Sandie Richards, Jamaican sprinter (2 Olympic medals, 12 World Championship medals including 4 gold)
*Marcus Session, former FIBA player
*Omar Sneed, basketball player
*Patrick Swayze, actor
* Ray Williams, former NBA player with the New York Knicks
*Jeff Bourns, Former Amputee Tennis Professional
*Devin Smeltzer, Major League Baseball pitcher for the Minnesota Twins

References

External links

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Buildings and structures in Harris County, Texas
Community colleges in Texas
Education in Galveston County, Texas
Education in Harris County, Texas
Educational institutions established in 1961
Greater Houston
Two-year colleges in the United States
Universities and colleges in Houston
1961 establishments in Texas
NJCAA athletics