Texas is experiencing growth, which also means an increase in the demand for a skilled workforce. Collin College has joined forces with Texas A&M’s esteemed engineering program to address these needs.
Many students in Texas face challenges in completing a four-year degree after transferring from community colleges. Establishing pathways to improve the state’s completion rate is not only beneficial for workforce development but also for helping individuals secure high-paying jobs that ensure their future and encourage them to remain in Texas.
According to Texas 2036, although Texas has seen continuous growth in its workforce, a significant portion of this growth has been in mid- to low-wage positions. To sustain economic growth and promote more equitable distribution, this trend must be reversed.
While Texas A&M is a public institution with lower costs compared to private schools, Collin College offers a highly affordable option at just $62 per credit hour for local students. By enrolling in this program, students can potentially save up to $40,000, as highlighted by Jay Corwin, the chief student success officer at Collin College.
Prospective students at Collin College have the chance to undergo an application process for co-enrollment with Texas A&M through this partnership, as stated by Corwin. This means that they will be both a Collin Cougar and an Aggie right from the beginning.
Each semester, students will take about 12 credit hours with Collin College and another three with Texas A&M faculty at the Allen-based Collin College Technical Campus before transferring to College Station, Corwin said. The program is also open to existing students, he said.
One of the major higher education issues Texas has been facing is that community college credits often fail to count toward a bachelor’s degree. This program eliminates that problem for students going through it.
As well as Collin College’s full suite of student services, those in the program will also get access to Texas A&M’s, including its library, counseling services, and even student football tickets, Corwin said. In the end, graduating students will have a diploma from both schools, he said.
That can help foster stronger ties between the two schools and their students, encouraging a sense of community and connection.
For its first year, Collin College doesn’t plan on having to cap the number of students who can participate, but is hoping to enroll at least 50 students, Corwin said. Collin College has already received around 40 applications, he said, which will be accepted until June 15 for the fall semester.
Texas A&M has the second-largest engineering school in the nation, a Collin College news release says, with nearly 800 faculty members and over 24,000 students. It’s one of the best in the nation. Chipping away at barriers to high-quality education is vital for Texas to flourish, and this partnership can help do just that.
SOURCE: Texas2036.org
