STEM

Stem at San Jac

With Houston ranking among the top 10 cities nationwide for STEM careers, San Jac takes STEM seriously. We’re making efforts to provide you with the resources to excel in science, technology, engineering, and math fields. Ready to geek out with us? Discover how San Jac can STEM-ulate your success! 

San Jac STEM Stats

1 of 2
Community colleges in the U.S. to receive the NASA MUREP Aerospace Academy grant, which recruits and retains underserved students into STEM fields.
Top Ten
Computer Science and Engineer Design Graphics are two of the top ten degrees and certificates earned at San Jac.
$10.9 Million
Grants received in 2022 for STEM undergraduate research opportunities, professional development for faculty, field trips, industry guest speaker events, and outreach opportunities for students.

AIM for STEM

San Jac and Rice University are working together on a project called AIM for STEM. Funded by The National Science Foundation (Award #2122214), this project’s goal is to help students succeed in math, science, and other STEM subjects. A core component of AIM (Acceleration In Mathematics) for STEM is the creation of a Summer Institute in Mathematics facilitated by Rice University’s Tapia Center for Excellence and Equity.
We aim to improve the experience of STEM students in developmental courses and increase the number of students earning AS degrees at San Jac. The strategy will impact 44 faculty and 900 AIM students, with 36 AIM pilot courses being developed. AIM for STEM aims to reduce the underrepresentation of racial and cultural minorities in STEM degree programs and careers, a well-recognized issue of critical national importance. By improving grades in developmental math, the plan also lowers credit costs and reduces the number of general studies credits students have to pay for. 
We aim to improve the experience of STEM students in developmental courses and increase the number of students earning AS degrees at San Jac. The strategy will impact 44 faculty and 900 AIM students, with 36 AIM pilot courses being developed. AIM for STEM aims to reduce the underrepresentation of racial and cultural minorities in STEM degree programs and careers, a well-recognized issue of critical national importance. By improving grades in developmental math, the plan also lowers credit costs and reduces the number of general studies credits students have to pay for. 

 

Name Title & Institution Email
Dr. Laurel Williamson

SJC Deputy Chancellor & President,
San Jacinto College

 
Dr. Rachel Garcia AIM for STEM Grant PI, 
San Jacinto College
Rachel.Garcia@sjcd.edu
Dr. Richard Tapia AIM for STEM Grant, CoPI,
Rice University
 
Dr. Paul Hand Tapia Center for Excellence and Equity in Education, Director,
Rice University
 
Dr. Leticia Velazquez Tapia Center for Excellence and Equity in Education,
Rice University
 
Karen Kassekert Tapia Center for Excellence and Equity in Education,
Rice University
 
Maria Mosley Grant Part-Time Assistant,
San Jacinto College
Maria.Mosley@sjcd.edu 
Quan Vu Grant Part-Time Assistant,
San Jacinto College
Quan.Vu@sjcd.edu 

 

 

 

 

Participants (First Cohort) 

Name Campus
Professor Aurora Alvarez SJC South Campus
Professor Eliud Castillo SJC North Campus
Professor Kate Dinwiddie SJC North Campus
Professor Kristen Foxley SJC South Campus
Professor Kei Hayashi SJC South Campus
Professor Douha Kelibi SJC South Campus
Professor Sandra McCurdy SJC South Campus
Professor Abigail Payne SJC South Campus
Professor Eduardo Rossi SJC South Campus
Dr. Shannon Solis SJC Generation Park

 

STEM Students

Our Vision

Our vision is to enrich the community by having a workforce in Aerospace and STEM that is diverse and robust.
STEM Students

Our Mission

Our mission is to provide innovative Aerospace/STEM education, workforce training, resources, and opportunities through collaborative partnerships.

Soaring to Success: Our Four Goals

  1. Assist in meeting the STEM education needs of our community.

  2. Strive to increase awareness of Aerospace and STEM careers.

  3. Develop STEM programs for K-20 student success.

  4. Aim to bridge the gap between education and industry through relevant Aerospace workforce programs.

 

Advancing Aerospace

 

Schools and Colleges in San Jac School District

Independent School Districts within the San Jacinto College District include Deer Park, LaPorte, Pasadena, Galena Park, Channelview, and Sheldon. Early Colleges in partnership with San Jacinto College include Pasadena Early College, Sheldon Early College, and Clear Horizons Early College.

Collaborative STEM Programs and Workshops

Aerospace Education and Workforce sees formal and informal educators as critical partners in filling the STEM pipeline. That’s why we’ve developed programs for teachers and parents to help students build STEM interest. Our trainings provide cutting-edge methods and technologies for teaching STEM subjects and providing valuable field experiences. Our workshops utilize technology, including online learning and podcasts, to assist educators across a wider geographical area.

Aerospace Collaborations

Aerospace Education and Workforce also collaborate with the Houston Airport System, Aerospace industry partners,  NASA, Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership, Greater Houston Partnership, and community partners in supporting and developing new workforce programs.

Aerospace in the Texas Gulf Coast

Since its creation, Aerospace Education and Workforce has developed close ties with the aerospace industry community in the Texas Gulf Coast region, serving more than 5,500 employees from approximately 60 companies. Aerospace Education and Workforce, housed at the Houston Space Port at Ellington, is uniquely positioned to gauge the ever-changing needs of the aerospace industry and respond accordingly with customized programs. 

Boosting STEM Education

San Jac and Rice University team up to increase the number of STEM graduates by developing the AIM for STEM grant. This grant provides resources and professional development opportunities for San Jac’s math and college prep faculty.
Dr. Alexander Okwonna
We have a robust and holistic approach to STEM. We’re excited about what this opportunity means for our students and San Jac’s STEM programs.”
AIM for STEM
Dr. Alexander Okwonna, North Campus provost

Contact Us

If you have any questions, please contact us. 
Clinton Harris
Dir, CPD Aerospace Academy
Phone
(281) 459-5473

Science

Department Chairs
Sharon Nelson
DC, Life / Physical Sciences
Phone
(281) 478-3656
Tyler Olivier
Dept Chair, STEM - GP
Phone
(281) 998-6150x7183
Lambrini Nicopoulos
Int Dean, Health/Nat Sciences
Phone
(281) 922-3471
Connie Gomez
Int Dept Chair, Life Sciences
Phone
(281) 998-6150x3113

Technology and Engineering

Department Chairs
Ryan Martinets
Dept Chair, Math and Engr
Phone
(281) 998-6150x1804
Tyler Olivier
Dept Chair, STEM - GP
Phone
(281) 998-6150x7183
Debra Acuff
DC, Mgmt/Professional Svcs
Phone
(281) 998-6150x7765
Roger Watkins
DC, Busi/Computer Tech Svcs
Phone
(281) 929-4603

Math

Department Chairs
Ryan Martinets
Dept Chair, Math and Engr
Phone
(281) 998-6150x1804
Tyler Olivier
Dept Chair, STEM - GP
Phone
(281) 998-6150x7183
Tim Bell
Dept Chair, Mathematics
Phone
(281) 998-6150x7392