2YourCollege 5 4 on textbookcosts - San Jac

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SANJAC.EDU HOUSTON CHRONICLE CUSTOM ADVERTISING SECTION SUNDAY, MAY 3, 2020

News fromYour College2 5 Open Books saves

on textbook costs4 Mind Trekkers offersSTEM demonstrations

San Jacinto Collegeconducting alteredoperations duringCOVID-19

The College has moved to online coursedelivery as part of altered operationsnecessitated by the evolving coronavirus(COVID-19) situation. The College's boardof trustees approved the resolution in aspecial meeting on March 17,with altered operations beginningMarch 23, including:• All general education courses are

being delivered online for theforeseeable future.

• All technical courses are being deliveredonline as possible, with a plannedextension of the end of term to allow fornecessary in-person training and testing.

• College staff are working remotely.• All College campuses and facilities are

closed. No visitors and no studentsother than those with appointments andproper screening are allowed.“We understand that this is an

unprecedented situation for our region,our state, and our country,” said MarieFlickinger, chair of the San JacintoCollege Board of Trustees. “The healthand safety of our students, employees,and community are most important. Theboard is amazed at the work completed bythe faculty, staff, and administrators whohave worked tirelessly to ensure that wehave a plan in place to help our studentscomplete this semester and to keepCollege operations running in this alteredoperations period.”

The College has set up sanjac.edu/coronavirus to keep students, employees,and the community informed during thisaltered operations period. Additionalinformation may also be distributed tostudents through Blackboard.

The resolution remains in effect until itis rescinded by the board of trustees.

Donate now to helpour students in need

During these unprecedentedcircumstances, the San Jacinto CollegeFoundation invites the communityto participate in its 2020 Gala with aTwist fundraiser, assisting students byproviding vital resources.

Many of our students have beenaffected by the evolving COVID-19situation and the complex challenges itpresents, and your generous donationswill help San Jac provide relief in asmany ways as possible. All campaignproceeds will benefit San Jac students.

Donations will help with the cost oftuition, technology for online courses,food, clothing, transportation, andchild care for student recipients whoare now in unexpected circumstancesand need urgent assistance during theseuncertain times.

“Fortunately, this year’s gala wasplanned as an online campaign, sowe’ve been able to continue our effortsduring COVID-19, which is directlyimpacting so many of our students incomplex ways,” said Ruth Keenan, thefoundation’s executive director.“We’re able to focus on what mattersmost — helping our students succeed.”

In addition to the College’s Gala witha Twist fundraiser, the San JacintoCollege Foundation approved $200,000in emergency funding to assist studentswith $250 scholarships during theCOVID-19 crisis. Your donation willhelp the foundation do even morefor students.

Learn more and donate atsanjac.edu/twist or call 281-998-6104.

San Jac PTK studentsselected to All-TexasAcademic TeamSan Jacinto College Phi Theta Kappa

(PTK) students Andrew Currie, SadokatKhakimova, and Erin Graham have beenselected to represent the College aspart of the All-Texas Academic Team inconjunction with the Texas Associationof Community Colleges and PTK.Each year, approximately 100

outstanding community college studentsare selected from the 50 communitycollege districts in Texas to be honoredas members of the All-Texas AcademicTeam. Students are nominated by facultymembers, and selections are based onacademic achievement, communityservice, leadership, and expression.Since a 3.5 GPA is required whenapplying, the extra work and communityservice outside of their courses play animportant role in selection.

“The students we nominate all have a3.5 [GPA], so it’s either their communityservice, service to PTK, or other

extracurricular activities that set themapart,” said Elizabeth McKinley, PTKfaculty advisor and San Jac accountingprofessor.

“My life hasn’t been easy, but I doeverything I possibly can to do my bestat everything I try,” said Graham.“I strive to make A’s in all my classes,and I work hard to make it happen. I amextremely grateful for this opportunity.”Opportunities like these often require

long nights of studying and hours ofextra work to maintain excellence.Add in community service and PhiTheta Kappa duties, and the room forerror becomes even smaller. College canbe trying, but the results always makethe effort worth it.

“We are given an opportunity tochange our lives every day,” saidKhakimova, vice president of leadershipof San Jac’s PTK South Campus chapter.“All we must do is to recognize itand catch it. One thing we all have toremember is that hard work is alwaysrewarded. Belief in and [loving] whatyou do, along with a [good] work ethic,can take any person anywhere.”

2 <<< Houston Chronicle Custom Advertising Section | Opportunity News | Sunday | May 3, 2020 sanjac.edu

News frOm YOur COllege

Photo courtesy of San Jacinto College


Students Sadokat Khakimova and Andrew Currie (back row, second and third from left) picturedwith author Jeanne Celestine Lakin. Not pictured: Erin Graham.


By Melissa TrevizoSAN JACINTO COLLEGE

San Jacinto College student JosmarGarcia was awarded the English as asecond language (ESL) PersistenceAdult Learner of the Year Award by theTexas Association of Literacy and AdultEducation (TALAE).

This $500 scholarship is providedto a student who has demonstratedleadership within the formal or non-traditional learning environments,overcome difficult circumstances topursue adult learning, supported otheradult learners, and managed significantadult responsibilities such as thoserelated to employment, family, orcommunity.

“Josmar worked hard to enter theSan Jac Integrated Education andTraining (IET) program,” said Denise

Orand, director, adult education andgrants. “He did extra instruction throughour distance learning program, took asummer course with us, and a year laterwe were able to place him in an IETprogram for educational aide.He truly is a good example of persistencepaying off.”

Garcia, who moved the UnitedStates from Venezuela in 2017, was aninstructor at the University of Los Andesfor 25 years.

“After retiring as a professor,I decided to start a new stage of my lifeand come to this country—a countrywhose language was different thanmine,” Garcia said. “I started in the ESLprogram at San Jacinto College, and I seta goal to obtain a certification as a mathteacher by 2021.”

In July 2019, Garcia obtained hiscertification as a paraprofessional andwas hired by the Pasadena IndependentSchool District as a special educationteacher’s aide. Currently, Garcia is alsoworking on the application process withRegion 4 to obtain his certification toteach math, one step closer to his goals.

“In the past three years, I have workedhard, and I now believe that when wehave a desire to grow and overcomeobstacles, it can all be accomplishedby being persistent and having a desireto prosper,” Garcia said. “I have nowachieved part of my goals and willcontinue to work on the rest of my plan.This country is full of opportunities. It isimportant to find them and to surroundyourself with people who help youachieve your goals.”

Sunday | May 3, 2020 | Opportunity News | Houston Chronicle Custom Advertising Section >>> 3sanjac.edu

Garcia achieves Goals throuGh persistence,obtains talae adult learner award

By Colton BennettSAN JACINTO COLLEGE

San Jacinto College's student jazz bandparticipated in a hands-on workshopwith the U.S. Marine Corps (USMC)Jazz Band on March 3. Led by USMCGunnery Sgt. Ken Ebo, students received

ensemble and teamwork training andwere able to play pieces alongside theircounterpart in the USMC Jazz Band.

The experience gave students anotherview of where music could lead them.Positions in the USMC Jazz Band, andthose of the other military branches,are as highly sought after as those innationally renowned symphonies. It’sa chance for musicians to share theirmusical talents around the globe whileserving their country.

“Many students are unaware of themusical opportunities available tothem in the armed services,” said LynnBrandt, San Jacinto College CentralCampus department chair of musicand audio engineering. “It’s importantfor students to be exposed to allopportunities available to them whenmaking decisions about their next stepafter graduation.”

The workshop arose after local Marine

Corps recruiter Staff Sgt. SamuelBarrera reached out to Brandt andmusic instructor Graham Tobin last fall.There was an informative presentationfor the wind ensemble by the MarineCorps, and when its jazz band was goingto be in town for this year’s HoustonLivestock Show and Rodeo, they askedif the College would be interested inhosting a workshop.

During the workshop, Ebo went overthe music San Jac's jazz band students

were currently working on and gavestudents guidance on how to engagewith it.

“Gunnery Sgt. Ebo is aworld-class musician and an energeticand engaging educator,” Brandt said.“His approach may have been tailoredto the genre of jazz, but the conceptsof communication, support, andcollaboration are skills which will beapplicable to these students in anyprofession.”


Josmar Garcia, a San Jac student, wasawarded the English as a second language(ESL) Persistence Adult Learner of the YearAward by the TALAE.

Photo by Colton Bennett, San Jacinto College

Photo by Colton Bennett, San Jacinto College

USMC Gunnery Sergeant Ken Ebo leads a jazz music workshop for San Jacinto College’sjazz ensemble students.

USMC JAzz BAnd HoStSworkSHop At SAn JAC


Mind TrekkerS offerS MAnYjAw-dropping STeM deMoSBy Courtney MorrisSAN JACINTO COLLEGE

Can you shoot a ping-pong ballthrough a soda can? Students experiencedthe adventurous side of science, technology,engineering, and math (STEM) duringSan Jacinto College’s 2020 Mind TrekkersAdventures in STEM Festival March 5-6.

During the free two-day event at theCentral Campus, selected sixth gradersengaged in STEM demonstrationssponsored by industry and communitysupporters. The goal? To promote students’interest in science and math, whichcontribute to economic sustainability.

Students came from Channelview, ClearCreek, Deer Park, Galena Park,La Porte, Pasadena, and Sheldonindependent school districts, and the

Rhodes School.During the public family night

March 5, children and their familiesenjoyed activities from making 60-secondice cream to watching a controlledexplosion in a garbage can.

This year’s event attracted more than

5,500 participants, with demonstrationsled by College students, faculty, andindustry representatives.

Event sponsors included AcadianAmbulance Services, Chevron Phillips,Dow, INEOS, LyondellBasell, andPetrochemWorks.

Photos by Courtney Morris, San Jacinto College

Photos by Courtney Morris, San Jacinto College


By Courtney MorrisSAN JACINTO COLLEGE

San Jacinto College’s Open Booksresource has saved students $10.6million in textbook costs over three yearsthrough courses that use free andlow-cost digital educational materials.

Launched in spring 2017, the initiativeoffers an alternative to the rising costof print textbooks, helping studentsovercome higher education cost barriersby providing access to course materialsvia web browser or the Blackboardlearning management portal.

Students may choose from threeOpen Books course types at the College(noted in course descriptions):• Open Books: No textbook costs

since the course uses only free openeducational resources (OER)

• Open Books Plus: Materials availableat the lowest retail price (inclusiveaccess offerings through partnershipamong school, bookstore,and publisher)

• Open Books Low $: Materialsavailable for $50 or lessOpen Books Plus launched spring

2019, and Open Books Low $ launchedsummer 2019.

By eliminating textbooks with highprice tags from many general educationcourses, San Jacinto College anticipatedsaving students $3.5 million total byspring 2020. However, as more facultyswitched to Open Books format andenrollment in these courses climbed,

the total savings tripled to $10.6 million.Since 2017, the College has offered

more than 5,350 Open Books, Plus, andLow $ course sections taught by nearly600 faculty members, and enrollment inOpen Books courses has expanded from768 students in 2017 to nearly 36,000in fall 2019.

Open Books’ growth has resultedfrom increasing student awarenessand faculty support, according toSan Jacinto College assistant vicechancellor of instructional innovationand support Niki Whiteside. The Collegealso sent faculty to OER conferences,brought in speakers, and provided otherresources to boost adoption.

“The faculty are the ones choosing todo this. We are just paving the way,”said Whiteside, whose team ofinstructional designers facilitates OpenBooks adoption. “It’s about equity forstudents—every student having theopportunity (to attend college).”

Higher education institutions haveexperimented with OER since earlyinternet days. San Jacinto College’sinitiative started with an Achieve theDream grant in 2016 and continued laterwith a partnership with Rice University’sOpenStax program.

San Jacinto College has contributed toOpenStax by converting more than 40OER general education textbooks into achapter-by-chapter, ready-to-load formatfor the Blackboard learning managementsystem. These are then available to anyother institution that adopts OpenStax.

College Open Books instructorKimberly Miller-Davis says the initiativenot only reduces higher education costbarriers but also allows faculty to tailormaterial to each unique student group.

“When we really talk to students aboutwhat they learned, they learn more andretain more when it’s relevant to theirlives,” Miller-Davis said. “Traditionaltextbooks don’t have that sameimmediacy and relevance.”

For more information, visitwww.sanjac.edu/open-books.

OPEN BOOKS SAVES STUDENTS$10.6 MILLION IN TEXTBOOK COSTS

The San Jacinto College District is committed to equal opportunity forall students, employees, and applicants without regard to race, creed,color, national origin, citizenship status, age, disability, pregnancy,religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, geneticinformation, marital status, or veteran status in accordance with applicablefederal and state laws. The following College official has been designatedto handle inquiries regarding the College’s non-discrimination policies:Vice Chancellor of Human Resources, 4624 Fairmont Pkwy., Pasadena, TX77504; 281-991-2659; [email protected].

281-998-6150 | sanjac.edu

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SanJacinto Your Success

Photos courtesy of San Jacinto College


The North Campus Gallery featuredstudent work on Instagram. Thispiece is from @buzzawesome.

San Jacinto College softball playerAlexis Uresti showed off her physicalprogress while social distancing.

Student engagement employees postedtheir new coworkers after the work-from-home order announcement.

THIS MONTH IN SOCIAL MEDIA

An Equal Opportunity Institution

sanjac.edu | 281-998-6150

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San Jacinto College baseball head coachTom Arrington shared a team photo whileannouncing the end of the 2019-20 season.

Instagram user @glyonphotographygave a sneak peak of the new SouthCampus cosmetology center.

The South Campus Gallery sharedthis digital landscape from designstudent Ricardo Gutierrez.

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By Andrea VasquezSAN JACINTO COLLEGE

Like many national events, the 2020 National Conference for Undergraduate Research (NCUR)—the most prestigious undergraduate research conference in the U.S., scheduled for March 26-28 at Montana State University—didn't escape the COVID-19 closures.

San Jacinto College had 29 students accepted to the conference to present 19 group and individual research projects. Although the conference was canceled, the invitation to present at this renowned conference still provides these students with great advantagesand opportunities.

NCUR is an annual international interdisciplinary conference where nearly 4,000 students representing more than 500 universities and colleges across the globe present their research and creative works in oral, poster, and performance/visual arts presentations. Institutions such as Harvard University, Stanford University, the University of Texas, and Texas A&M University are usually represented. Last year,only 53 projects from 14 community colleges were chosen from more than 3,000 abstracts accepted.

“Without question, it is a great honor for anyone to be accepted froma research university—many are turned down,” said Dr. Eddie Weller,San Jacinto College Honors Program

director. “Most of those presenting areuniversity seniors who are presentingtheir senior thesis or independentresearch study. This year out of the3,000 that were accepted, less than 75were chosen from community colleges.San Jacinto College having 19 projectsaccepted is rather amazing. Thesestudents can use this on their universitytransfer applications and whenthey apply for scholarships andgraduate schools.”

One of the unique things about beingaccepted to present at this conference asa community college student is the levelof writing and research that studentssubmit. Dr. Weller said that this speaksto the students’ innovative thinking,research methods, and sources, and tothe commitment the faculty put intohelping their students succeed.

“I am always amazed at the caliber ofresearch that our students are capableof—and willingly do. In many cases thework they are doing is graduate schoollevel. Not only are they doing greatresearch, but they are also learning howto work in research teams, which will benecessary in their future educationand careers. Another reason ourstudents do so well is due to thededication of our faculty. Our facultymembers willingly give of their timeand energy to give our students thisincredible opportunity. Few colleges oruniversities have so many people whoare willing to go the extra mile, do theextra work, and take the extra time tomentor their students like this.”

Prestigious research conference canceled;oPPortunities remain for students

Group Projects• Hadeel Al-Sahli, “Artificial Skin Structure forPhlebotomy and Venipuncture Practice ArmModel,” faculty mentors Dr. Connie Gomezand Dr. Phuong Doan; other student teammembers: Menna Elsaka, Daniel Guera,Jessica Ha, Stephen Medel, Thu Nguyen,Tyler Oneal, Huan Tran, Nga Vu

• Karina Eguren Guajardo, “Synthesisof Alky Functionalized Derivatives of2-(3,4-Dialkoxybenzylidene)-1Indanone,”faculty mentor Dr. Jose Nunez;other team member: Bianka Torres

• Mark Hanna, “The Effectiveness ofDifferent Types of Motor Oil,” facultymentor Dr. Phuong Doan; other teammember: Rahan Siddiqi

• Saad Nadeem, “Engineering an AlternativePractice Arm for Venipuncture TrainingThrough 3D Printing,” faculty mentorsDr. Phuong Doan and Dr. Connie Gomez;other team members: Daniel Guera,Stephen Medel, Huan Tran

• Christian Pappas, “EmissionsCharacterization and Air Quality Impact ofDeer Park Chemical Plant Fire,”faculty mentor Dr. Madhu Gyawali;other team members: Olivia LaRochelle,Vijaya Shodavaram

• Isabella Ramirez, “Developing PumpingSystem for Educational Venipuncture Arm,”faculty mentor Dr. Connie Gomez;other team members: Eder Flores,Steven Presutti

• Rabab Virani, “Using an AugmentedReality Sandbox to Develop ResearchOpportunities for Engineering Students,”faculty mentor Dr. Connie Gomez; other

team members: Anthony McIntyre,Noe Armendariz Gonzalez

Individual Projects• Amy Agueros, “Quinceañera,”faculty mentor Dr. Greg Smith

• Karina Eguren Guajardo, “Characterizationof RAD52,” University of Iowa researchproject coordinated by Dr. Christopher Wild

• Hilda (Rachel) Juarez, “The MexicanAmerican Struggle in Houston ISD inthe 1960s and 1970s,” faculty mentorCody Pogue

• Sadokat Khakimova, “Muon Identificationat Muon Endcap Sub-detector of CMSDetector,” faculty mentor Dr. Radia Redjimi

• Christian Pappas, “Space and GroundBased Decadal Trends of Nitrogen Oxidesover Oil and Natural Gas Regions in Texas,”faculty mentor Dr. Madhu Gyawali

• Christina Sanchez (Robbins),“Vaping Effects on Oral Health,”faculty mentor Dr. Connie Gomez

• Kiswa Shaikh, “Snowden’s Patriotismat its Best,” faculty mentor Dr. Greg Smith

• Johnpaul Stolle, “The Musical Triumphof Van Cliburn,” faculty mentorDr. Eddie Weller

• Bianka Torres, “Expression Patterns ofArhgef38, Cobll1a and Ric1 in ZebrafishEmbryos During Facial Development,"University of Iowa research projectcoordinated by Dr. Christopher Wild

• Alexander Vela, “Legends of the West:John Wesley Hardin,” faculty mentorDr. Eddie Weller

• Lynsie Veuleman, “The Life and Art ofTom Lea,” faculty mentor Dr. Greg Smith

2020 San Jacinto College NCUR Student Presenters:

Photos courtesy of San Jacinto College

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Surrounded by monuments of history, evolvingindustries, maritime enterprises of today,and the space age of tomorrow, San JacintoCollege has served the citizens of East HarrisCounty, Texas, since 1961. San Jacinto Collegeis among the top 10 community colleges in thenation as designated by the Aspen Institutefor Community College Excellence, and wasnamed an Achieving the Dream Leader Collegeof Distinction in 2020. The College servesapproximately 45,000 credit and non-creditstudents annually, and offers more than200 degrees and certificates across eight majorareas of study that put students on a path totransfer to four-year institutions or enter theworkforce. San Jacinto College’s impact onthe region totals $1.3 billion in added income,which supports 13,044 jobs. The College isfiscally sound, holding bond ratings of AA andAa2 by Standard & Poor’s and Moody’s.

COMMUNITYIMPACT

Vision — San Jacinto College will advance thesocial and economic mobility of all membersof our community. We will be known forour excellence in teaching and learning, ourintentional student-centered support, and ourcommitment to every student. We will be thepreferred workforce and economic developmentpartner in the region and a champion forlifelong learning. San Jacinto College will inspirestudents to explore opportunities, define theireducational and career paths, and achieve theirgoals and dreams.

Mission — San Jacinto College is focused onstudent success, academic progress, universitytransfer, and employment. We are committed toopportunities that enrich the quality of life inthe communities we serve.

VISION &MISSION

An Equal Opportunity Institution

SUPPORT STUDENTSUCCESS

A gift to the San Jacinto College Foundationtransforms lives, enriches our community, andprovides tomorrow’s community leaders. Formore than 20 years, the foundation has helpedthousands of students reach their goals. Ourformer students and graduates have filled vitalroles in hospitals, classrooms, executive offices,manufacturing plants, and laboratories acrossour region and beyond. They have also won theWorld Series and NBA championships, starredin major motion pictures, and created majortheatrical productions. Help our students todaywith the gift of education. Contact the SanJacinto College Foundation at 281-998-6104 orvisit sanjac.edu/foundation.

YOUR GOALS. YOUR COLLEGE.

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