HCC and Texas A&M University launch innovative co-enrollment program for Engineering students
Jun 26, 2015
Texas A&M University announced the formation of the Texas A&M-Chevron Engineering Academy at Houston Community College, an innovative co-enrollment partnership developed to address the state's growing need for engineers. Qualified students will be admitted to the Texas A&M Dwight Look College of Engineering, complete the first two years of coursework at HCC, then finish their engineering degrees in College Station.
Mechanical Engineering Student Taiwo Odetola is part of the first cohort of HCC students who start the program in the fall.
“To me this is a lifetime opportunity,” said the father of two. “I wanted to go to Texas A&M; but thought it would be financially impossible. When the opportunity came up I said ‘oh wow, this is for me’!”
The Texas A&M-Chevron Engineering Academy will allow students like Odetola to remain close to home for the first two years while pursuing one of 16 majors within the college of engineering at Texas A&M. This program is being generously supported by Chevron.
“Texas has a significant need for more engineers and has an abundance of capable students. This new academy program provides a unique pathway toward earning a bachelor’s degree in engineering by completing the first two years of coursework at a two-year college as a Texas A&M engineering student,” said John Sharp, chancellor of the Texas A&M University System.
A 2012 report by the President’s Advisory Council on Science and Technology projected that one million more STEM degrees would be needed in the next decade. In Texas alone, the projected need for engineers in the workforce is 62,000 by 2022. To meet this need, universities and two-year colleges will need to work together to bridge the gap, and attract and retain students who are interested in STEM fields.
“Chevron is committed to increasing access to, and the quality of, education around the world,” said Steve Green, Chevron vice president of public and government affairs. “We are proud to partner with Texas A&M on this important initiative to help ensure an educated and skilled workforce.”
Chevron has donated $5 million to support the Texas A&M-Chevron Engineering Academy at Houston Community College; as well as three other academies across the state.
“Chevron is excited to be able to continue our longstanding relationship with Texas A&M through support of the Engineering Academy initiative, which will help provide opportunities in the field of engineering for many underrepresented and first generation college students,” said Shariq Yosufzai, Chevron vice president of ombuds, diversity & inclusion and university & association relations. “Partnering with Texas A&M, a top source of engineering hires for Chevron, to help provide opportunities in the field of engineering will support our efforts to help build the diverse workforce of tomorrow that will be required to meet the energy needs of the future.”
“HCC is proud to partner with Texas A&M University and Chevron to create this exciting, affordable opportunity for our students,” said Dr. Cesar Maldonado, HCC chancellor. “Our nation is in need of more engineers and this program will prepare students for a career in this high-demand market.”
Texas A&M Engineering Vice Chancellor and Dean M. Katherine Banks said the academies have the potential to reach beyond the typical pathways for access to a top-ranked engineering program.
“We are excited about this program because our goal is to attract the very best students to Texas A&M Engineering, even if circumstances require them to stay close to home for the first two years of college,” said Banks. “This is not a traditional transfer program. The Academy students are enrolled in the engineering college at Texas A&M from day one. We are committed to supporting these students throughout their academic program, which will result in a degree from one of the premier engineering colleges in the nation.”