Blinn College District Chancellor's Report 2020

2020 CHANCELLOR’S REPORT

www.blinn.edu

CONTENTS

CHANCELLOR’S REPORT | 2020

10

FEATURES

4

Blinn provides $370.1 million annual benefit for local economies

6

Grand opening of the RELLIS Agriculture and Workforce Education Complex

7 8

Blinn ranks no. 1 in academic transfer rate

Construction underway on Blinn’s new science, technology, engineering, and innovation building

10

College to proceed with design of a new, phase II RELLIS Campus building

20

10 12

New Cybersecurity Program

New AAS Degrees in carpentry, facility maintenance, HVAC, and water purification

14

Expansion of the Texas A&M Engineering Academy at Blinn-Brenham

21

16 17

New Agricultural Sciences facility

18

18 20

17 new endowed scholarships

Outreach program connected to thousands of students during Spring transition to online classes

Blinn College Wind Symphony’s virtual performance of ‘Shenandoah’

21

Vocational nursing students post 100% pass rate on national exam

22

Eunice Kelm makes largest land donation in Blinn College history

23

New Brenham and Bryan Campus esports teams launched this Fall

CHANCELLOR’S GREETING Dear Friends of Blinn College, As you know, 2020 has been a year unlike any other. Due to COVID-19, Blinn faculty, staff, and students came together to adapt to challenges never before faced by our communities. In the middle of the Spring semester, we converted more than 2,000 Spring course sections to an online format so that students could continue to advance toward their degrees. Although many of our students suddenly found themselves taking their first online classes, with the support of our dedicated faculty they successfully completed the academic year.

In advance of the Fall semester, Blinn developed a comprehensive plan, called Back With Blinn, that allowed for the safe return of faculty, staff, and students to campus. Through the successful implementation of this plan and the installation of live video equipment in our classrooms, Blinn welcomed students back to the classroom while continuing to enforce Centers for Disease Control guidelines to prevent the spread of COVID. Through the combined efforts of the entire Blinn community, we safely completed the semester, and recognized more than 200 graduates at our virtual Fall commencement ceremony.

Despite all that COVID changed in 2020, we continued to make advancements for the benefit of our students and community. In February, we opened a new agricultural sciences building on the Brenham Campus. In August, we partnered with The Texas A&M University System and the Texas A&M Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communications to welcome the Agriculture and Workforce Education Complex on the RELLIS Campus. This new facility will serve as the home of Blinn’s technical and community education programs in Brazos County, offering valuable skilled trades training with Associate of Applied Science degree pathways that lead to advanced degrees and high-wage leadership positions.

Blinn also began planning for a new, Phase 2 academic building at the RELLIS Campus and a new student housing facility on the Brenham Campus, and also started construction of a new science, technology, engineering, and innovation building on the Brenham Campus.

Through all of these developments, Blinn students continued to flourish in the classroom. In April, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board released new data that demonstrated that Blinn remains the state’s academic transfer leader, and continues to provide students with a seamless pathway to the state’s leading universities.

As you can see, Blinn’s faculty, staff, and students rose to the challenges 2020 presented.

Even in the face of a global pandemic, we found ways to thrive in the classroom, to allow students to pursue their dreams, and continue to build toward a bright future. I look forward to seeing how the foundations we laid in 2020 lead to even greater accomplishments in the years ahead.

Sincerely,

Mary Hensley, Ed.D. Chancellor Blinn College District

BLINN COLLEGE DISTRICT BOARD OF TRUSTEES Charles Moser Board Chair

At-Large Position 1

Jim Kolkhorst Board Vice-Chair At-Large Position 2

Theodora (“Teddy”) V. Boehm

Randy Wells

Douglas Rebecca Dennis Borchardt Ehlert Crowson

Board Secretary Precinct 1 Precinct 2 Precinct 4 Precinct 3

At-Large Position 3

www.blinn.edu | BLINN COLLEGE DISTRICT 2020 | 3

New Study: Blinn Provides $370.1 Million Annual Benefit for Local Economies The Blinn College District makes a $370.1 million economic impact on its local business community each year, according to a new study released in October.

BLINN COLLEGE TOTAL ANNUAL IMPACT

“As an economic driver for the communities we serve, it is gratifying to see these figures and recognize their importance,” said Charles Moser, Chair of the Blinn College District Board of Trustees. “Blinn strives to be both an excellent institution of higher education and a supportive neighbor to local businesses throughout our service area.”

$370.1 MILLION

The study, conducted by Emsi, a leading provider of economic impact studies to educational institutions, shows that Blinn’s annual economic impact supports the equivalent of 6,010 jobs each year.

The $370.1 million total includes $242.1 million in added income for Blinn students who enter the workforce with newly acquired knowledge and skills.

6,010

Blinn also generates a $90.9 million operational spending impact each year and $4.9 million in construction spending, which includes the creation of new facilities to meet the growing educational demands of the communities it serves and the maintenance of current facilities.

Student spending generates a $32.2 million annual benefit to the community. Approximately 77% of Blinn students originate from outside the College’s service area and many relocate to the region, spending their money locally at regional businesses.

The study found that the Brenham Campus generates a $70.7 million annual impact on Washington County and supports

“

While Blinn provides students the education and skills they need to compete in tomorrow’s economy, it also provides a real benefit to today’s business economy. From operational spending and construction to the benefits of an affordable education, Blinn is proud of its positive economic benefits to Central Texas.

Dr. Mary Hensley Chancellor of the Blinn College District 4 | BLINN COLLEGE DISTRICT 2020 | www.blinn.edu

ADDED INCOME OR

JOBS SUPPORTED

1,560 jobs, or one out of every 16 jobs in the county. The Bryan Campus provides a $164.1 million annual impact and supports 3,049 jobs (one out of every 47 jobs in the county). At the RELLIS Campus, Blinn provides a $10.2 million benefit to Brazos County and supports 114 jobs. The Blinn-Schulenburg Campus generates a $4.7 million annual impact on Fayette County and supports 90 jobs, and the Sealy Campus provides a $2.2 million annual benefit to Austin County and supports 32 jobs.

The study also analyzed the return students, taxpayers, and society receive in return for their investment in Blinn College. Per the study, students receive a 14% rate of return on their investment in a Blinn education, while Washington County taxpayers receive a 13.6% rate of return (Washington County is the only county in Blinn’s taxing district). Additionally, for every dollar invested in Blinn, Texas residents receive $13.10 in return for as long as Blinn students remain active in the state workforce.

The board also was presented with a study analyzing the projected economic benefits of five of the College’s capital projects between 2017 and 2026: the Walter C. Schwartz Building and forthcoming Phase II academic building on the RELLIS Campus in Bryan, and Mill Creek Hall, the forthcoming student housing complex, and the forthcoming science, technology, engineering, and innovation building on the Brenham Campus.

These five projects, which cost $169.6 million in initial construction costs, will generate an additional $137.5 million in economic benefits for the community over that 10-year span and will continue to provide the community with economic benefits well beyond that time period.

For more information regarding the impact study, visit www.blinn.edu/ impact.

Alumni Impact: $242.1 Million

Added Income 40x Impact of the increased An economic boost earnings of Blinn College similar to hosting alumni and the businesses the World Series they work for.

OR

Operations Spending Impact: $90.9 Million Added Income

Impact of annual payroll and other spending.

3,386 Jobs Supported

1,813

OR

Jobs Supported

Enough to buy

2,708 new cars

Student Spending Impact: $32.2 Million Impact of daily spending of Blinn College students attracted to or retained in the region.

OR

Added Income

730

Jobs Supported

Enough to buy 2,594 families* a year’s worth of groceries

Construction Spending Impact: $4.9 Million

* Family of four

Added Income

Investment Analysis

The average associate degree graduate from Blinn College will see an increase in earnings of $9,700 each year compared to someone with a high school diploma working in Texas.

High School Diploma

$33,200

Certificate

$37,800

Associate

$42,900

Bachelor’s

$60,700

For Every $1...

Students gain

Taxpayers gain

Society gains

in lifetime earnings

in added tax revenues and public sector savings

in added state revenues and social savings

$3.70

$5.80

$13.10

The Blinn College District Service Area Austin Brazos Burleson Fayette Grimes Lee

Madison Milam Montgomery Roberston Walker Waller Washington

About Blinn College

26,567 Credit students 2,331 Non-credit students 1,563 Employees www.blinn.edu | BLINN COLLEGE DISTRICT 2020 | 5

Blinn and the Texas A&M University System Celebrate Grand Opening of the RELLIS Agriculture and Workforce Education Complex With more than 2,500 students, RELLIS welcomes new facilities and a pioneer spirit In September, Texas A&M University System and Blinn College District officials celebrated the grand opening of the Agriculture and Workforce Education Complex located on the 2,000-acre RELLIS Campus.

“Opening this world-class facility on the innovative RELLIS Campus will ensure our students have access to the practical hands-on education needed to succeed,” said Texas A&M University System Chancellor John Sharp. “We look forward to seeing how this partnership benefits not only our students, but the local workforce.”

The 38,000-square-foot complex is a state-of-the-art facility where students prepare for high-demand careers in secondary education and the construction industries, and is the result of a collaborative effort between the A&M System, the Texas A&M University Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communications, and the Blinn College District.

The $15 million complex is now the home of the Texas A&M agricultural science program, which prepares and places agricultural science teachers into high school classrooms

6 | BLINN COLLEGE DISTRICT 2020 | www.blinn.edu

across the state of Texas. It also serves as home to Blinn College’s workforce training offerings, which range from welding, carpentry, and HVAC to the public and electrical trades.

“The Blinn College District is proud to stand alongside The Texas A&M University System, the cities of Bryan and College Station, and all the partners at the RELLIS Campus in celebrating a complex that will bring new innovations and hands-on educational opportunities for students throughout the region,” said Dr. Mary Hensley, Chancellor of the Blinn College District. “Blinn looks forward to training the next generation of workforce leaders at this dynamic new facility.”

The 16,000-square-foot building includes five demonstration and traditional classrooms, incorporating teaching and simulation technology, as well as a seminar room and a computer classroom, faculty offices, and space for students to collaborate on projects. The facility also features the 11,000-square-foot Agricultural Trades Pavilion and the 11,000-square-foot Construction Trades pavilion, which serve as large open laboratory spaces for students to work on full-scale projects using equipment they will utilize in their chosen profession.

Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board Data: Blinn Ranks No. 1 in Academic Transfer Rate Once Again Blinn students save 44% in tuition and fees compared to the average Texas public university

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board once again found that the Blinn College District is the best academic transfer institution in the State of Texas and continues to save students thousands compared to the average state university, according to data released in April.

Blinn once again ranked No. 1 among Texas two-year colleges with a 45.9% academic transfer rate. No other institution exceeded 40%, and the state-wide average was 24.1%.

Blinn’s 42-hour core curriculum transfers to any public college or university in Texas. Fifty-three percent of Blinn transfer students continue their studies at Texas A&M University. Sam Houston State University, Texas State University, the University of Houston, and Texas Tech University also rank among Blinn’s top five transfer destinations.

As a member of the RELLIS Academic Alliance, Blinn offers courses at The Texas A&M University System’s RELLIS Campus that transfer seamlessly into the fouryear bachelor’s degree programs offered by the Texas A&M System regional universities also located onsite.

For more information, visit www.blinn.edu/RELLIS. Blinn also has partnered with Texas A&M University to develop pioneering co-enrollment programs such as the Texas A&M-Blinn TEAM Program, Texas A&M Engineering at Blinn, and the Texas A&M Engineering Academy at Blinn-Brenham.

The THECB’s CollegeForAllTexans.com website shows that Blinn’s academic excellence also is a tremendous value. According to the site, out-of-district Blinn students taking 30 credit hours in 2020-21 save $4,514 (44%) in tuition and fees compared to in-state residents at the average Texas public university.

In addition to Blinn’s low tuition and fees, the Blinn Foundation offers more than 200 endowed scholarships available to incoming and returning students from a wide range of backgrounds, majors, and experiences. Current and prospective students can complete a single application to apply for all Blinn scholarships at www.blinn.edu/scholarships.

“Blinn is very helpful with the transition out of high school into college. You get everything you would from a university, but it is a little more personal and directed at you as an individual.”

Taylor NeSmith Blinn Class of 2020

“I recommend Blinn because it is more affordable than a four-year university. It is nice to get your basics out of the way and work toward a degree before figuring out where you want to transfer.”

Jagger Wessels Blinn Class of 2021

“I like that Blinn is an affordable community college and you get a lot of one-on-one learning experiences.”

Elizabeth Ables Blinn Class of 2021

www.blinn.edu | BLINN COLLEGE DISTRICT 2020 | 7

Construction Underway on Blinn’s New Science, Technology, Engineering, and Innovation Building Construction of the new science building and a new housing complex will prepare Blinn’s Brenham Campus for future enrollment growth

In the renderings designed by PBK Architects, the new science, technology, engineering, and innovation building now under construction on the Blinn College-Brenham Campus stands tall in the campus landscape, offering students and visitors a vision of new discoveries and a brighter tomorrow.

That long-term vision for the future is precisely why work is underway now on the approximately 17-month construction process scheduled to be completed for the Fall 2021 semester.

“From computer technology and cybersecurity to engineering and healthcare, Blinn’s talented faculty will use this facility to train students in the careers that will define our future,” said Dr. Mary Hensley, Chancellor of the Blinn College District. “With the construction of this new building, the students who come to Blinn in the years to come will be welcomed to a space where they can not only discover new ideas, but transform those ideas into action.”

Three stories tall and spanning 72,000 square feet, the new building will feature 17,000 square feet of laboratory space and a 3,000-square-foot innovation lab that will include a 3D printing lab, soldering space, robotics area, and a space where students 8 | BLINN COLLEGE DISTRICT 2020 | www.blinn.edu

can work with interrelated computing devices. The innovation lab also will include a virtual reality space and a high-tech fabrication shop where students can use laser cutters to make precisely fitted materials.

The new facility also will include anatomy and physiology, biology, chemistry, computer science, engineering, geology, information technology, microbiology, nursing, organic chemistry, and physics labs. On the roof, students will have access to a weather station where they can monitor and gauge local weather.

As Blinn expands existing programs and welcomes new awards in fields such as cybersecurity and drone maintenance and repair, it also anticipates a greater demand for Brenham Campus housing.

To support that need, Blinn’s Board of Trustees has authorized a new student housing complex that would house approximately 500 students.

In Fall 2018, Blinn introduced Mill Creek Hall to the Brenham Campus. That semester, Blinn posted record enrollment, including 2,737 students in Brenham, a 16.8% increase over Fall 2017.

While COVID-19 means that Blinn and community colleges across the state are budgeting for significant enrollment declines in Fall 2020, Blinn’s long-range vision for the Brenham Campus remains the same. The new student housing complex will be privately funded through a public-private partnership in a manner similar to Mill Creek Hall, allowing Blinn to add housing capacity without utilizing College funds.

The complex would include two buildings - a 184-bed facility that would be completed in time for the Fall 2021 semester and a 320bed facility scheduled to open in Spring 2022. With the addition of both complexes, Blinn anticipates continued long-term growth on the Brenham Campus.

“

The projects we pursue today will allow us to provide an unparalleled experience for the next generation of Blinn students. With the addition of the new science, technology, engineering, and innovation building and the new student housing complex, the future is bright for Blinn College.

Charles Moser, Chair of the Blinn College District Board of Trustees

www.blinn.edu | BLINN COLLEGE DISTRICT 2020 | 9

College to Proceed with Design of a New, Phase II RELLIS Campus Building New facility will provide space for continued enrollment growth at RELLIS

In June, the Blinn College District Board of Trustees authorized the College to proceed with the design of a Phase II academic building on the RELLIS Campus.

Trustees also authorized the College to request proposals for construction manager at risk services for the facility.

Blinn has been a partner with The Texas A&M University System at the RELLIS Campus since Texas A&M System Chancellor John Sharp announced the cutting-edge initiative in 2016. As a member of the RELLIS Academic Alliance, Blinn provides freshman- and sophomore-level courses for students at the RELLIS Campus, allowing them to seamlessly complete their bachelor’s degrees in related fields from one of the Texas A&M System regional universities also located on site.

At RELLIS, students can pursue bachelor’s degrees in highdemand fields such as agribusiness, biology, business, communication, computer information systems, computer science, criminal justice, electrical engineering, health science, mechanical engineering, public administration, social work, and water resources science and technology.

In August 2018, Blinn opened its first facility at RELLIS, the Walter C. Schwartz Building, and welcomed more than 1,500 students in its inaugural Fall semester. Last Fall, more than 2,500 Blinn students enrolled at RELLIS. In response to that enrollment growth, at its February 2020 meeting the board approved the hire of Gensler, a global architecture, design, and planning firm, to provide programming for a new Phase II building.

Through that process, Blinn and Gensler developed a programming plan that provides for a three-story, 75,000-square-foot building that will be located just north of the Schwartz Building. The facility will include classrooms, engineering/computer science labs, faculty offices, student services spaces, student gathering spaces, a micro-market vending area, administrative spaces, and a large meeting room.

Construction would begin in February 2021 and be completed in time for the College to offer classes in the facility in Fall 2022.

For more information regarding the RELLIS Campus, visit www.blinn.edu/RELLIS. 10 | BLINN COLLEGE DISTRICT 2020 | www.blinn.edu

New Cybersecurity Program Prepares Students for High-Paying, High-Demand Information Security Careers Program begins in Fall 2020 and trains graduates to combat an estimated 70% increase in cybercrimes by 2024

The Blinn College District is providing a new academic pathway into the high-demand cybersecurity field, which is estimated to have 3 million unfilled jobs worldwide by 2021, according to Cybercrime Magazine.

Blinn began offering an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) Degree in Cybersecurity and a Cybersecurity CertificateLevel 2 at the Bryan Campus during the Fall semester. The program plans to expand to the Blinn-Brenham Campus in Fall 2021 with the completion of the new science, technology, engineering, and innovation building now under construction.

From educational institutions to government organizations to large corporations, the demand for individuals trained in cybersecurity and data protection is universal. With the dominance of the digital environment, there will be an estimated 70% increase in cybercrime by 2024. Increased threats and vulnerabilities also are anticipated due to the COVID-19 pandemic forcing individuals to work remotely in unsecured settings.

Cybersecurity Program graduates are on track for careers as information security analysts and other roles in computer network administration. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, information security analysts earn a median salary of $99,730 per year. Employment opportunities are surging in this field as technologies continue to evolve. Between 2018 and 2028, the demand for information security analysts is expected to grow 32%, creating an additional 35,500 jobs nation-wide.

Blinn’s Cybersecurity AAS Degree is a two-year program that prepares students to enter the workforce or pursue their bachelor’s degree in computer science or computer information systems at four-year institutions. Graduates of the program also earn the Cybersecurity Certificate-Level 2 upon completion.

The 30-credit-hour certificate is available separately and can be applied to individuals’ current positions or utilized for professional development.

“

Career opportunities in cybersecurity offer exponential growth in high-wage positions. Through state-of-the-art equipment and our dedication to innovative technologies, we are excited to supply Blinn students with the training and expertise necessary to break into this evolving field.

Carol Wiggins, Information Technology Program Coordinator

Courses in the program include Fundamentals of Networking Technologies, Firewalls and Network Security, and Introduction to Digital Forensics.

“The curriculum of this program prepares graduates to immediately enter the workforce and take up posts essential to safeguarding businesses, governments, and our personal information,” said Max Hibbs, Dean for the Division of Engineering, Computer Technology, and Innovation. “As cybersecurity attacks continue to become more and more sophisticated, we want Blinn graduates to be at the forefront of helping to tackle this ongoing and ever-changing threat.”

In addition to the new Cybersecurity AAS degree, Blinn also offers an Associate of Science Degree in Computer Science that will transition seamlessly into upcoming bachelor’s degree programs in computer science, computer information systems, and cybersecurity offered by Texas A&M University-Commerce at the RELLIS Campus.

For more information about the Cybersecurity Program, visit www. blinn.edu/cybersecurity. www.blinn.edu | BLINN COLLEGE DISTRICT 2020 | 11

Blinn Launches New AAS Degrees in Carpentry, Facility Maintenance, HVAC and Water Purification All four degrees provide graduates with greater earning power

With four new associate degrees that launched this Fall, the Blinn College District is offering more than an entryway into the skilled trades – it offers students a pathway to high-demand management positions.

Blinn is offering new Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degrees in carpentry, facility maintenance, HVAC, and water purification. All four degree plans are 60 credit hours and are approved by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

Students also can earn occupational skills awards and Level 1 and 2 certificates, either as standalone awards for entry into the workforce or en route to their AAS degree.

“

These new associate degree programs will go a tremendous way toward filling a significant employment gap in our region. As we work to build an even better Brazos Valley, we’re privileged to support the Blinn College District’s efforts to train our workforce and provide people with versatility in seeking career paths.

Matt Prochaska President/CEO of the Brazos Valley Economic Development Corporation

“Students who earn these AAS degrees will be in high demand when they enter the workforce because employers will know that they have received industry-leading training on state-ofthe-art equipment,” said Jay Anderson, Vice Chancellor, Health Sciences, Technical Education, and Community Programs. “Just as importantly, their skills and education will place them on the fast track to leadership roles in the industry.”

Each award plan uses National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) curricula, providing graduates with nationally recognized credentials.

Blinn selected and developed each degree in partnership with local industry. Each AAS degree leads to a high-wage, highdemand career identified on the Workforce Solutions Targeted Occupations List.

“As long as I lived in the Brazos Valley, there has always been an underserved need for skilled trades training and development.

As our community continues to grow, the need for workforce training becomes ever more paramount,” said Hunter Goodwin, Chairman of the RELLIS External Advisory Committee and President and COO of Oldham Goodwin Group. “I’m thrilled to see Blinn’s commitment to serving this regional and statewide demand through their new programs in carpentry, facility maintenance, HVAC, and water purification.”

Courses in all four degrees are offered at the new RELLIS Agriculture and Workforce Education Complex located at the RELLIS Campus in Bryan.

These four new degrees mark the first in a series of skilled trades AAS degrees at Blinn.

Pending approval from the THECB and SACSCOC, Blinn plans to introduce AAS degrees in construction management, power line worker, and surveying in Spring 2021. New degrees in construction safety, electrical, and industrial mechanics and maintenance are scheduled to debut in Fall 2021.

12 | BLINN COLLEGE DISTRICT 2020 | www.blinn.edu

ASSOCIATE OF APPLIED SCIENCE DEGREE IN CARPENTRY The AAS Degree in Carpentry provides students training in the fundamentals of carpentry; wall, stair, finish, and roof systems; forms and foundations; and job safety. As students pursue their AAS degree, they also earn their NCCER Core Construction and Carpentry Level 1-4 certifications and Blinn’s Occupational Skills Award and Level 1 and 2 certificates in carpentry.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, carpenters earn a median salary of $48,330 per year and employment is expected to increase 8% (faster than average) between 2018 and 2028.

“Someone who has the practical experience and the business knowledge of the carpentry trade would be an individual I would most value in my company,” said Bill Bingham, owner of Bingham

Construction & Remodeling. “I feel that hiring an individual with an associate degree would help assure me of their competency and management skills of this trade.”

In the first year of the program, courses include Basic Construction Safety, Introduction to Carpentry, Testing and Inspection Systems, Safety and Ergonomics, Floor Systems, Industrial Mathematics, and Exterior Finish Systems. During the second year, students take Principles of Management, Advanced Communications in Management, Roof Systems, Forms and Foundations I, Interior Finish Systems, Wall Systems, and Business and Professional Communication. Students also participate in property maintenance and management internships in the second semester of both their first and second years.

For more information, visit www.blinn.edu/carpentry.

ASSOCIATE OF APPLIED SCIENCE DEGREE IN FACILITY MAINTENANCE The AAS Degree in Facility Maintenance provides students training in entry-level carpentry, HVAC, plumbing, and electrical skills for maintaining commercial and industrial buildings. As students pursue their AAS degree, they also earn their Occupational Skills Award and Level 1 and 2 certificates in facility maintenance.

elevator access as well as unique logistical constraints to the facility under their management. Without a doubt, it would be very difficult for The CryoGuys to be successful without the knowledge and wisdom of facility coordinators.”

“As a transportation company that specializes in the relocation of laboratories, we rely on the experience and expertise of each facility coordinator as we plan for the move-in and move-out of each lab,” said Phillip Garrett, General Manager of The CryoGuys.

In the first year of the program, courses include Basic Construction Safety, Introduction to Carpentry, Testing and Inspection Systems, Basic Electrical Theory, Industrial Mathematics, Electrical Calculations I, and National Electrical Code. During the second year, students take Residential and Light Commercial Blueprint Reading or Basic Blueprint Reading for Plumbers, Plumbing Codes I, Piping Standards and Materials, Residential Construction Plumbing, Gas and Electric Heating, Residential Air Conditioning, and Business and Professional Communication. Students also participate in property maintenance and management internships in the second semester of both their first and second years.

“Facility coordinators always provide insights into dock and

For more information, visit www.blinn.edu/facility-maintenance.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, general maintenance and repair workers earn a median salary of $39,080 per year and employment is expected to increase 6% between 2018 and 2028.

ASSOCIATE OF APPLIED SCIENCE DEGREE IN HVAC The AAS Degree in HVAC provides students training in the fundamentals of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning; safety; residential and commercial applications; heat pumps; and Environmental Protection Agency recovery certification. As students pursue their AAS degree, they also earn their NCCER Core and Level 1-4 credentials and their Blinn Occupational Skills Award and Level 1 and 2 certificates.

owner of Clear Creek Heat & Air. “Having a new pool of collegetrained technicians with an associate degree will be of great value to HVAC contractors in the Brazos Valley.”

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, HVAC and refrigeration mechanics and installers earn a median salary of $48,730 per year and employment is expected to grow 13% (much faster than average) between 2018 and 2028.

In the first year of the program, courses include Basic Electricity for HVAC, Basic Construction Safety, Refrigeration Principles, Residential Air Conditioning, Industrial Mathematics, Gas and Electric Heating, Advanced Electricity for HVAC, and Air Conditioning Troubleshooting.

Second-year courses include Heat Pumps, Advanced Air Conditioning Controls, Commercial Refrigeration, EPA Recovery Certification Preparation, Testing, Adjusting, and Balancing HVAC Systems, and Business and Professional Communications. Students also participate in property maintenance and management internships in the second semester of both their first and second years.

“We are often in the market for new hires,” said Richard D. Morris,

For more information, visit www.blinn.edu/hvac.

Continued on next page

www.blinn.edu | BLINN COLLEGE DISTRICT 2020 | 13

- CONTINUED FROM PAGE 13 ASSOCIATE OF APPLIED SCIENCE DEGREE IN WATER PURIFICATION The AAS Degree in Water Purification provides students training in monitoring and operating the system of machines included in the transfer and treatment of water or wastewater. As students pursue their AAS degree, they also earn their Blinn occupational skills award and Level 1 and 2 certificates.

Blinn’s AAS degree transfers directly into the Bachelor of Science in Water Resources Science and Technology offered by Texas A&M UniversitySan Antonio at the RELLIS Campus.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators earn a median salary of $47,760 per year and Texas has the second-highest employment in the nation.

“This certification goes to show that the individual has a genuine desire and interest in growing with and contributing to the future growth of this industry,” said Chris F. Wright, Assistant Director of Public Works for Cibolo, Texas. “As a hiring manager for water and wastewater utilities, I would definitely give significant weight to any candidate with a Certified Water Professional Certificate.”

In the first year of the program, courses include Business and Professional Communication, Basic Wastewater Operations, Basic Water Works Operation, Quality Assurance and Quality Control, Principles of Management, Waste Minimization and Pollution Prevention, and Wastewater Laboratory. Second-year courses include Surface and Groundwater Collection, Wastewater Collection, Advanced Communications in Management, Water Rules and Regulations, and Advanced Environmental Instrumental Analysis. Students also participate in property maintenance and management internships in the second semester of both their first and second years.

For more information, visit www.blinn.edu/waterpurification.

14 | BLINN COLLEGE DISTRICT 2020 | www.blinn.edu

Blinn, Texas A&M College of Engineering Expand Texas A&M Engineering Academy at Blinn-Brenham to 150 Students Unique co-enrollment program allows students to take Blinn and Texas A&M courses while living and learning together at Blinn’s Mill Creek Hall

The Blinn College District and Texas A&M University College of Engineering are providing even more students an affordable pathway to their engineering bachelor’s degree this year.

The Blinn College Engineering Department and the Texas A&M College of Engineering announced in January that they would accept 150 students into the Texas A&M Engineering Academy at Blinn-Brenham, up from 100 students in each of the past two years.

“We are proud and excited to offer this unique opportunity to even more high-achieving engineering students,” said Max Hibbs, Dean of Blinn College’s Division of Engineering, Computer Technology, and Innovation. “We look forward to welcoming even more students into an engineering program unlike any other in the nation.”

Dr. M. Katherine Banks, Vice Chancellor of Engineering and National Laboratories for The Texas A&M University System and Dean of Engineering at Texas A&M University, said, “Blinn College is an outstanding partner in engineering education. Together, we are able to increase the access and affordability of an engineering degree.”

The Texas A&M Engineering Academy at Blinn-Brenham gives talented students an opportunity to pursue their engineering degree while co-enrolled at Texas A&M University and the Blinn College District.

Students accepted to the Texas A&M Engineering Academy at Blinn-Brenham participate in a living and learning community, allowing participants to live in Mill Creek Hall on campus, and take their first-year math, science, and engineering courses together.

Texas A&M College of Engineering courses are taught on the Brenham Campus by Texas A&M faculty.

Benefits of the Texas A&M Engineering Academy at Blinn-Brenham include:

• the opportunity to enroll in engineering courses previously reserved only for students admitted to Texas A&M College of Engineering.

• the opportunity to participate in all student activities and organizations to the fullest extent possible at both institutions, as well as NJCAA sports, if taking at least 12 hours at Blinn (in addition to Texas A&M classes).

• taking math, science, and engineering courses with the same students and developing a community of engineering academic peers.

• enrolling in quality Blinn courses with smaller student-faculty ratios.

• an economical pathway to Texas A&M University, with a savings of approximately $3,000 per semester for students taking 15 credit hours.

The application process starts with prequalification. To prequalify, complete the ApplyTexas application for Blinn. Select Brenham as the campus choice and engineering as the major. Complete the general admissions requirements based on your situation, and submit official SAT and/or ACT scores to Blinn. Transfer college students also must submit a Prospective Candidate Form while current Blinn College students only need to submit a Prospective Candidate form.

Students who meet the minimum requirements for the Academy receive an email notification containing the Texas A&M Engineering Academy at Blinn-Brenham program application link. For more information regarding the application process, please visit www.blinn.edu/engineering-academy-brenham/ admissions-process.html.

Upon acceptance to the Engineering Academy, students will be required to complete all admission requirements for both Blinn and Texas A&M by the respective deadlines of each institution.

For more information about Blinn’s Engineering Department, including its partnership with the Texas A&M College of Engineering and Blinn’s Associate of Science Degree in Engineering, visit www.blinn.edu/engineering.

“I honestly do not think I would be where I am right now if I had not enrolled in the Engineering Academy.”

Peter Blank Engineering Academy graduate and member of the Texas A&M College of Engineering Class of 2020

www.blinn.edu | BLINN COLLEGE DISTRICT 2020 | 15

Blinn Welcomes New Agricultural Sciences Facility 6,000-square-foot building continues growth of Blinn’s renowned agricultural program

More than 200 faculty, staff, students, and community members celebrated the grand opening of a new agricultural sciences building on the Blinn College-Brenham Campus in February.

Doug Pierce, who has been with Blinn since 1993 and has been instrumental in its continued growth, said that while facilities are important, “people build programs, not facilities.”

The new, 6,000-square-foot building will allow additional space for hands-on learning activities while accommodating the continued growth of Blinn’s Agricultural Sciences Program. Located at 1403 Old Mill Creek Road beside the W.J. “Bill” Rankin Agricultural Complex, the new building will include a livestock demonstration room, tack room, farrowing house, livestock pens, and a livestock chute.

“You’re only as good as the people around you,” he said.

The facility will allow Blinn to introduce new award pathways; offer laboratory courses in animal science, agronomy, and horticulture; and expand space for summer camps and continuing education.

Board Chair Charles Moser said the new building will be a great addition to the program.

“The Agricultural Sciences Department at Blinn is second to none,” said Moser. “These facilities are going to make it even better, but it’s the people who have made this department what it is today.”

Bryn Behnke, Assistant Dean for Agricultural Sciences, said the opening of the building “is a great day for many, many reasons” and credited “not just the people in the Ag Department – it’s the people of Blinn College” for helping make the program so successful.

Behnke said Blinn’s program serves as “the model” for other twoyear colleges.

“One of the things that makes Blinn College great is these kids,” he said. “It’s a great day to be a part of the Blinn Agricultural Sciences Program. The sky is the limit.”

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He said it is a goal of the department to teach students the importance of “honesty, integrity, and standing by your word.”

“There’s no grade point average in the world that can take the place of that,” Pierce said.

The new facility will not only be used for Blinn students but also will allow for Blinn agriculture and livestock judging camps and adult education classes in partnership with the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension.

Blinn plans to introduce a new 60-hour Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree in Livestock and Range Management.

Students on the new AAS degree path will study the agriculture industry, animal science, agronomy, horticulture, agricultural economics, and animal reproduction. As part of the degree plan, students would participate in an internship in animal/livestock husbandry and production.

With the 20,200-square-foot Rankin Complex serving as its hub, Blinn offers agricultural science classes in Brenham, Bryan, Schulenburg, and Sealy, and has one of the most active extracurricular programs in the state, including a livestock judging team, Agriculture Club, and Ag Mechanics Club. For more information, visit www.blinn.edu/agricultural-sciences.

STUDENT SUCCESS

Outreach Program Connected with Thousands of Students During Spring Transition to Online Classes Massive phone effort reached almost 8,000 students Blinn College District employees made sure students knew they hadn’t been forgotten after the College moved to online classes in March due to COVID-19.

Approximately 90 Blinn staffers took part in a phone outreach program that contacted 7,763 appreciative students. The effort was coordinated by Karen Buck, Vice Chancellor of Student Services and Administration; Becky Garlick, Executive Dean of the Schulenburg Campus; Chris Marrs, Executive Dean of the RELLIS Campus; and Lisa Caton, Executive Dean of the Sealy Campus.

Buck participated in a virtual webinar and learned that a fouryear college in the U.S. was doing a phone outreach program for its students. She already had decided that Blinn needed to make an effort “to reach out to all of our students – and it needed to be personal.”

“We knew that over 2,000 courses would need to be converted to an online delivery modality – a daunting task for faculty and staff, to say the least,” Buck said. “That work began, but I started to think about how this change was also going to really affect our students.”

Students were asked to comment on the effort, and most of those were “very positive,” Marrs added.

“A lot of them were shocked and surprised that the College was actually reaching out to them individually,” he said. “A lot of times, we got parents by accident, and they were very pleased as well that we were reaching out.”

Caton, who coordinated assigning volunteers their list of students to call, said faculty and staff also benefited from the outreach project.

“I believe reaching out to the students was so important, especially in the beginning when so much was unknown,” Caton said. “The task was overwhelming in the beginning, but the results speak for themselves. Everyone involved seemed to appreciate the effort and got more than they expected out of the project.”

Buck contacted Garlick later on the same day as the webinar and learned that she and Caton were looking at a similar outreach effort.

“We were brainstorming ideas in Schulenburg about how we were going to work with our students who were going to go online because many of them live in very rural areas,” Garlick said. “They don’t have access to the internet. Some of them did not have access to laptops.

“We wanted to see how we could reach out to these students to see what they needed and what kind of obstacles and challenges they were facing.”

As a result, Blinn’s outreach project was born. A script was created that included a variety of campus and community resources available to students.

“I think we accomplished something that people thought was impossible due to the magnitude of the project, but in the end, it shows that persistence to the point of accomplishment can be very rewarding and fulfilling,” Buck said.

Marrs said it provided an opportunity for the College to quickly address students’ needs. www.blinn.edu | BLINN COLLEGE DISTRICT 2020 | 17

Blinn College District and Blinn Foundation Thank Donors of 17 New Endowed Scholarships Current high school and college students can apply for Blinn scholarships now

The Blinn College District and the Blinn College Foundation thanked the donors of 17 new endowed scholarships during a celebratory luncheon Friday, Feb. 21, on the Blinn-Brenham Campus.

The luncheon celebrated gifts that established or expanded 17 endowed scholarships:

• the Nancy and Leonard Berry Endowed Scholarship,

• the Ancel Boswell, Jr. Endowed Scholarship,

• three Brenham/Somerville Order of the Eastern Star Endowed Scholarships,

• the Chuck and Tedi Ellison Endowed Scholarship,

• the Bettye Pylant Honerkamp Nursing Scholarship,

the Dr. A.C. “Buddy” and Judy Krizan Endowed Scholarship, •

• the Hayley McHam Memorial Scholarship,

the Kenneth Mutscher Agriculture Endowed Scholarship • established by Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative, the Glenwood and Shirley Prenzler Endowed Scholarship, •

• the Schoenvogel Family Endowed Scholarship,

• the Larry Wahrmund Endowed Scholarship,

• the Warren Masonic Lodge Scholarship III,

• the F.W. “Bert” and Mae Dean Wheeler Memorial Endowed Scholarship,

• and the Wiese-Woods-Smith Endowed Scholarship.

Current high school and college students can apply for Blinn scholarships by completing the application at www.blinn.edu/ scholarships. Prior to applying for scholarships, students must complete their application for admission to Blinn College at www. applytexas.org.

Officials recommend that students and prospective students submit their application and letter(s) of recommendation by April 1, 2020, to be considered for the first round of awards. Students will be notified of scholarship awards beginning in May. Endowed scholarships are available to incoming and returning students from a wide range of backgrounds, majors, and experiences. Though some scholarships are restricted to students who fit specific criteria, if a student who exemplifies those requirements does not apply, the scholarship may be offered to a wider range of students. Students are considered based on high 18 | BLINN COLLEGE DISTRICT 2020 | www.blinn.edu

academic achievement, participation in student activities, and community involvement.

Almost all Blinn students are eligible for a scholarship, including but not limited to: • students attending the Brenham, Bryan, RELLIS, Schulenburg, or Sealy campuses; • Austin, Brazos, Burleson, Lee, Grimes, Fayette, and Waller county students;

• students majoring in accounting, business, digital arts, education, English, graphic design, history, kinesiology, real estate certificate, speech, and theatre arts;

• members of the Phi Theta Kappa honor society;

• students accepted into the Brenham or Bryan Campus

• Licensed Vocational Nursing programs or the Bryan Campus Associate Degree Nursing Program; • Blinn athletes and students who were athletes in high school; • and students who participate in leadership activities or are involved in 4-H, FFA, or a church youth group.

A full list of the College’s endowed scholarships is available at http://catalog.blinn.edu. Students also can fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at https://studentaid. gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa.

Students who have applied for admission to Blinn College will be notified through myBLINN when their aid processing has begun and can find updates throughout the process at www.blinn.edu/ financial-aid.

For more information, contact a scholarship advisor at scholarships@blinn.edu.

The Blinn Foundation is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization designed to provide financial support for programs and activities that enhance the quality of education for Blinn College students and expand educational opportunities for the entire community.

The Foundation supports the College by generating private and corporate gifts for scholarships, academic programs, student activities, campus buildings, and special events, and also seeks to heighten community awareness of the mission and accomplishments of the College and to promote excellence in education. For more information, visit https://foundation.blinn.edu. www.blinn.edu | BLINN COLLEGE DISTRICT 2020 | 19

The 2019-20 Blinn College Band Gives One Final Performance Thanks to a Bit of Digital Wizardry Band Director Sarah Burke uses technology to coordinate the Wind Symphony’s virtual performance of ‘Shenandoah’ Even a global pandemic could not stop the Blinn College band’s talented students from making music together.

Darrell Lewis, a sophomore music major and president of Blinn’s Kappa Kappa Psi band fraternity, said Burke’s effort is appreciated.

Dr. Sarah Burke, Director of Bands, started a virtual band project shortly after Blinn discontinued face-to-face classes in March and moved to a totally online format as a health and safety precaution.

“Thanks to Dr. Burke, we got to have that ‘one more time,’” he said.

“Hearing the piece on YouTube brings me to tears when I think about the individuals in the video. The video really does a good job for helping me remember what it feels like to be a part of the Blinn band community.”

“I was searching for ways for our band to play together again even though we couldn’t physically be in the same room anymore,” Burke said. “We’ve all been on online meetings with multiple people talking over one another due to a lag in the connection. There isn’t a great solution to playing together online at the same time.”

Instead, Burke created a play-along track of “Shenandoah” for members of the band’s wind symphony to listen to while members recorded individual parts of the song.

“This track helped students stay together even though we couldn’t all play live,” Burke said. “Each student then recorded their individual parts and sent them to me.”

Burke spent hours separating the audio and lining up each segment.

“Once the audio sounded like a band, I set about working up a video. Again, the video from each student had to be synced up and multiple video files were layered on top of each other to create a grid view,” she said.

The resulting video, just over five minutes long, can be found at www.blinn.edu/ music and on Blinn’s YouTube page at www.youtube.com/ Blinn1883/videos. The virtual concert has been shared on Blinn’s Twitter and Facebook accounts, and has more than 1,300 views.

“We’re all saddened that we can’t play together, and nothing really replaces the feel and sound of a live concert,” Burke said, “but it was my hope that this project gave each student a sense of community and a true product that they can share from this abnormal semester.”

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Lewis, a flute player who earned a spot on the Texas Community College Band Directors Association (TCCBDA) All-State Band in February, also thanked Burke “for believing in me and my skills as a musician.”

“I’ve been truly blessed to be taught by such amazing and talented people,” he said.

Fellow TCCBDA All-State Band selection Mason Taylor, a French horn player, said the Blinn band was like a second home to him.

“Because of Dr. Burke’s determination, she created an amazing video that shows not only us playing, but being a team and sticking together even through hard times,” he said.

For more information about the Blinn Music Department, visit www. blinn.edu/music.

Brenham Campus and Online-Blended Vocational Nursing Students Post 100% Pass Rate on National Exam Graduates are now certified to meet the high statewide demand for vocational nurses

“

This is a remarkable group of students.

They overcame a lot of challenges through their hard work and dedication. Their accomplishment is even more impressive because of the COVID-19 pandemic. We are very proud of all of them.

Michelle Marburger Vocational Nursing Program Director Each student in the Blinn College-Brenham Campus and onlineblended vocational nursing programs passed their national licensure exam in 2020.

In the Brenham Campus program,

Kaylee Bernick (Brenham), TreAndranique Green (Bryan),

Brittany Greene (Houston), Nakyshia

Guyton (College Station), Mallory

Hanath Chappell Hill), SydniHavel

(Giddings), Brooke Hynes (Brenham), Shelby Jones-Dunk (Ellinger),

Latajez Josey (Sealy), Jaquel Londo

(Hempstead), Monica Million

(Somerville), Kayden Pieper

(Brenham), Lisa Prestwood (Brenham),

Jessica Rodriguez-Salas (Brenham), Taylor Singer (Bellville), Deja Tolbert (Bellville), Christina Trevino (Somerville), Dulce Valles (Brenham), Brooke Vinklarek (La Grange), Nickoya Virgil (Katy), Lydia Weigelt (Brenham), Sarah Wiltshire (College Station), Alencia Woodberry (Brenham), Shelby Wunderlich (Weimar), Ashley Yantz (Giddings), and Daniela Zamora (Brenham) passed the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-PN).

The 10-month Brenham Campus program includes classroom, laboratory, and clinical training. Clinical rotations are held at hospitals and other healthcare facilities throughout the area.

According to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, almost 98% of Blinn’s graduates from the program during the past three years have found jobs in the profession.

“The sheer abundance of knowledge and experience from our instructors truly led to our success,” graduate Lydia Weigelt said.

“When COVID hit, it was a very trying time for all of us, but they never gave up on anyone. Readying our class for both the NCLEX and our future nursing endeavors is all owed to them.”

From the online-blended program, Kyle Coleman (North Zulch), Jirah Heard (Houston), Jenny King (Washington, Texas), Sarah Truelove Naumann (Bryan), Charlotte Linthicum (Franklin), Crystal Robertson (College Station), Wendy Rosenfeld (Bryan), Kirsten Rushing (Bryan), and Abby Sefcik (Brenham) each passed their NCLEX. The 12-month online-blended program is designed for students who may already have a job and covers the material over a longer span than the traditional 10-month program.

“I am very proud of them,” Marburger said. “They worked really hard. They were having to learn while taking care of their children.

Schools were closed, kids were trying to learn online, our students were trying to learn online … the challenges were real.”

Blinn graduates consistently post first-attempt passing rates well above the Texas and national averages. From 2015-2019, 97% of the graduates from the Brenham Campus program passed the NCLEX-PN on their first attempt. The Texas NCLEX-PN average for vocational nursing candidates was 87.57% and the national average was 84.2%.

Graduates who pass the state board exams are qualified to work in a variety of settings, including home health care, dialysis, hospitals, clinics, and physicians’ offices. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the 2019 annual median pay for a vocational nurse was $47,480.

For more information regarding Blinn’s Vocational Nursing Program, visit www.blinn.edu/vocational-nursing. www.blinn.edu | BLINN COLLEGE DISTRICT 2020 | 21

Eunice Kelm Gifts 186-acre Farm for Use

by Blinn College Agricultural Sciences The gift marks the largest land donation in Blinn College history Eunice Kelm has gifted the more than 186-acre Kelm Angus Farm, located approximately 10 miles north of the Blinn CollegeBrenham Campus, to the Blinn College Foundation to be used for educational purposes by the Blinn College District Agricultural Sciences Department.

The gift marks the largest land donation in Blinn College history.

“The enormity of this gift is exceeded only by the love and support Eunice Kelm and her family have for Blinn’s agricultural students and faculty,” said Sam Sommer, Chair of the Blinn College Foundation. “As one of the largest donations ever to the College, this is a transformational moment for all involved.”

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Blinn plans to use the property to provide hands-on learning opportunities on an active, operating ranch.

“This generous donation adds to the exciting new era that the Agricultural Sciences Department is experiencing,” said Dr. Bryn Behnke, Assistant Dean of Agricultural Sciences. “On behalf of all our faculty, staff, and students, I would like to thank Eunice Kelm and the Kelm family for this generous donation. We look forward to providing the next generation of agricultural leaders the opportunity to develop their skills on a working ranch.”

Kelm Angus Farm was established by Elwood and Eunice Kelm in 1975 with a handful of Angus cattle. Together, they always supported local 4-H and FFA organizations and sponsored youth with registered Angus heifers. Elwood Kelm, who passed away in 2017, enjoyed a close friendship with Blinn Agricultural Sciences Professor Doug Pierce dating back to the 1980s. Three generations of the Kelm family have graduated from Blinn.

“I’m confident that with Doug’s supervision, along with the other ag faculty, this facility will be used to educate young ag students about raising good Angus cattle and producing excellent forage with good pasture management,” Eunice Kelm wrote in a letter to Blinn’s Board of Trustees. “We, in agriculture, must be efficient in order to feed the everincreasing population of the world.”

Based at the W.J. “Bill” Rankin Agricultural Complex on the Brenham Campus, Blinn’s Agricultural Sciences Program is approximately four times the size of any other two-year agricultural program in the state.

Blinn is an active member of the Agriculture Consortium of Texas and maintains close associations with department heads and representatives from all Texas agriculture universities to ensure a smooth transition for students. For more information, visit www. blinn.edu/agricultural-sciences.

Blinn Names Former Pro Gamer its New Esports Coach Blinn’s new Brenham and Bryan Campus esports teams launched this Fall Blinn College’s new esports coach brings a wealth of video gaming experience and a desire to build a program that will compete at the highest level.

In June, Blinn named North Carolina native Aaron Kapiko the first head coach of Blinn’s Esports Program. In March, Blinn’s Board of Trustees authorized the launch of new esports teams on the Bryan and Brenham campuses.

Max Hibbs, Dean of Engineering, Computer Technology, and Innovation, said Kapiko stood out from a large number of applicants from around the country due to his esports experience.

“He was a collegiate player and recently retired as a professional player, where he was rated in the top 25 in the world for his game (Hearthstone),” Hibbs said.

“He also served as the social media and brand manager for two large esports organizations.

“He has five years of coaching experience, including at the collegiate level. He also has strong recruiting experience and has evaluated hundreds of recruits’ skills to determine their level of play.”

Kapiko earned his coaching certification from the National Association of Esports Coaches and Directors.

Kapiko received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Science, Technology, and Society from North Carolina State University. His career included two years as a wrestling coach at a high school in Raleigh, N.C. Kapiko said his experience as a high school wrestling coach taught him how to lead a program.

“One of the best things about esports is that schools of all sizes can be competitive, and two-year schools like Blinn can still beat Division I programs,” he said. “That is certainly a goal of mine, to be competitive at the highest level.”

Kapiko said the time he spent as a professional gamer “was one of the best experiences I could ask for.”

“I got to travel the world to play and enjoyed all of it. It was certainly a grind at times and a lot of hard work, but I got to have experiences and do things I never would have if not for getting to play Hearthstone at that level,” he said. “It was always a great experience, and I got to play against world championship contenders. I wouldn’t trade that for the world.”

Blinn is one of the few community colleges in the region offering varsity-level esports scholarships. The College also is recruiting students to provide support for the new program, including production, streaming, casting, content creation, and social media.

More information is available at www.blinn.edu/esports. www.blinn.edu | BLINN COLLEGE DISTRICT 2020 | 23

BRENHAM CAMPUS 902 COLLEGE AVE. BRENHAM, TX 77833 979-830-4000

BRYAN CAMPUS 2423 BLINN BLVD BRYAN, TX 77805 979-209-7200

RELLIS CAMPUS 1366 BRYAN ROAD BRYAN, TX 77807 RELLIS@BLINN.EDU

SCHULENBURG CAMPUS 100 RANGER DR. SCHULENBURG, TX 78956 979-743-5200

SEALY CAMPUS 3701 OUTLET CENTER DRIVE SEALY, TX 77474 979-627-7997

www.blinn.edu