Mae Francis

Virtual Student Success Seminar on ‘Progressing During Difficulty’ is Thursday

Galveston College Technical and Professional Education will kick off its spring Student Success Seminars series on Thursday, March 4, at 9 a.m. with a presentation titled “Progressing During Difficulty” featuring Mae Francis of Lookin’ Up Consulting.
The seminar is free and open to all students, faculty, staff and the general public. The Zoom link to the seminar is as follows:
The seminar will focus on three ideas to help students and other participants progress in troubled times:
1) Mindset about difficulty,
2) Making room for resilience and
3) Building a personal mission statement.
Francis, known best for inspiring and transferring positivity to whomever she comes in contact with, is currently the president and owner of Lookin’ Up Consulting, a training and development company that builds interactive programs, speeches and mentorships that educate and inspire professionals, as well as programs that support the emotional and social development of youth.
With more than 25 years in the field of teaching and training, Francis believes that her purpose on earth is to enhance the lives of others. She spent 19 years in the chemical industry, including five years selling plasticizers for Sterling Chemicals and 14 years as the training and development leader for Ashland Chemicals.
Francis has been certified as a trainer and coach by the Association of Training and Development and is a United States Army veteran. She studied Bible and Theology, as well as Business Administration, at St. Leo University and College of the Mainland.
Francis is an active member of the Texas City/La Marque, League City and Galveston chambers of commerce, the Association for Talent Development, and the advisory board for the College of the Mainland Petrochemical Process Technology program. She also is an active big sister for Gulf Coast Big Brothers Big Sisters. She is the mother of one, Whitnie, and is married to Merlin.
For more information about the Student Success Seminars series, please contact Martin Crichlow, student success advisor, at the Galveston College Charlie Thomas Family Applied Technology Center, at [email protected].

Food for Change free drive-through distribution is Wednesday

Galveston College has announced spring 2021 distribution dates for its free drive-through Food for Thought mobile food markets for students.
Upcoming market dates are as follows:
  • Wednesday, Feb. 24 (new date)
  • Wednesday, March 3
  • Wednesday, March 24
  • Wednesday, April 7
  • Wednesday, April 21
  • Wednesday, May 5
All food distributions will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the college’s Charlie Thomas Family Applied Technology Center, 7626 Broadway Street.
Food for Thought is a partnership between Galveston College, the Galveston County Food Bank and the Houston Food Bank through its Food for Change food scholarship initiative.
The Food for Thought market gives all Galveston College students access to fresh produce, meats and other groceries on the Galveston College campus, enabling them to save money for other necessities and to maintain their focus on school.
Here are the steps to receive food:
  • Bring client ID card or current student ID for the spring 2021 semester.
  • Present ID through the window of automobile to receive food. (Windows must remain closed for the safety of the students and volunteers.)
  • Open trunk of automobile so that volunteers may place box/bag of food inside.
  • Drive off safely after receiving food.
  • Currently enrolled students can obtain client ID cards in the Galveston College Counseling and Advising Center on the first floor of Moody Hall on the main campus or at the office at the Applied Technology Center. Students enroll online by visiting the Food for Change page on the Houston Food Bank website Food for Change.
Volunteers are needed to assist in packing/bagging food for distribution at the ATC. Please do not volunteer if exhibiting any of the following symptoms:
  • cough
  • fever
  • tiredness
  • difficulty breathing
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations regarding social distancing, masks/face coverings, gloves, hand washing and sanitation will be followed.
In addition to the distributions at Galveston College, students also can locate unrestricted Food for Change markets here or by using the Houston Food Bank Mobile App. Food for Change markets are labeled to help clients identify all markets available to all Food for Change recipients.
For more information and to volunteer to assist with the program, contact Jose Martinez at [email protected] or (409) 944-1234.

Board of Regents receives 7 letters of interest for Position 8

The Galveston Community College District Board of Regents nominating committee has received seven letters of interest and resumes to fill Position 8, the unexpired term of Regent Carl Kelly who died unexpectedly July 31.

Those submitting letters of interest and resumes include the following:

Amedia “Amy” Carmen Bly
Mary Hutchings Cooper
Torrina Harris
Keith W. McFatridge, Jr.
Dr. James Lester Murray
Carolyn L. Sunseri
M. Theron Waddell, Jr.

Nominating committee members include Board of Regents Vice Chair Fred D. Raschke, chair, past Board of Regents Chair Raymond Lewis, Jr. and Regent Mary R. Longoria.

Following a review of the letters of interest on Feb. 17, the nominating committee will select a small group of candidates for interviews on Feb. 24 and further consideration by the full board. It is anticipated that a decision will be made at the March 10 board meeting.

Galveston College promotes Dr. Arlinda Washington to professor of Nursing

Dr. Arlinda Washington has been promoted to professor of Nursing at Galveston College. The Galveston Community College District Board of Regents approved Dr. Washington’s promotion at its Jan. 13 regular meeting.

Dr. Washington is celebrating more than half a century of dedication, leadership, teaching, compassion and service as a nurse, nurse educator and nursing professional.

Dr. Washington graduated from Alvin Community College with an Associate Degree in Nursing in August 1971. She went on to obtain her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston in 1973. She served as a nursing supervisor and head nurse at Mainland Medical Center in Texas City from 1972 to 1983.

From 1983 to 1989, she served as a staff nurse and head nurse at Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital in Yakima, Washington. She obtained a Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Portland in 1987. From 1989 to 1991, she taught nursing at Yakima Valley Community College.

She returned to Texas in 1991 and served as a professor in the Associate of Applied Science in Nursing program at College of the Mainland in Texas City and as a staff nurse at Mainland Medical Center.

Dr. Washington joined the Galveston College family as an adjunct professor in July 2010 and came on board as a full-time faculty member in 2013. In 2017, she obtained her Doctor of Nursing Practice from the Chamberlain College of Nursing.

Dr. Washington said it is important for her to be a role model to her students and other nurse educators and nursing professionals.

“I am a lifelong learner. I have a strong passion for learning and paying it forward,” she said. “Standing in solidarity with thousands of other nurses, students and nurses that I have taught, I realize how blessed I am to call myself a nurse, a teacher and now a nursing professional.”

Galveston College is truly blessed to have Dr. Washington on its faculty.

Dr. Susan Schoelwer

Galveston College lecture series to feature Mount Vernon’s executive director and senior curator

Executive Director of Historic Preservation and Collections and Robert H. Smith Senior Curator Dr. Susan P. Schoelwer of George Washington’s Mount Vernon will be the guest speaker for the third installment of the 2021 lecture series on Diversity, Inclusion and Empowerment at Galveston College.

The lecture titled “What Can We Learn from the Exhibit ‘Lives Bound Together: Slavery at George Washington’s Mount Vernon’?” will be presented virtually at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 16, via Zoom videoconference. It is free and open to the public.

Installation of the current, award-winning special exhibition “Lives Bound Together: Slavery at George Washington’s Mount Vernon” in 2016 marked a significant step in an ongoing process of recognizing and recovering the historical experiences of hundreds of enslaved people owned by George and Martha Washington in the 18th century.

In her presentation, Dr. Schoelwer will present an overview of the galleries and offer behind-the-scenes reflections on the development of the exhibition and related projects, lessons learned, and continuing efforts to offer a more inclusive interpretation of life on one of America’s best-known plantations and most-visited historic sites.

“The lecture by Dr. Schoelwer will provide a unique glimpse at less-known historical facts surrounding the first president of the United States George Washington with respect to slavery,” said Dr. Laimutis Bytautas, chair of the Faculty Professional Development Committee at Galveston College. “The information presented in this lecture will be very valuable in providing a proper understanding of the early days of the history of the United States.”

Dr. Schoelwer directs the architectural preservation, furnishing, and interpretation of George and Martha Washington’s house and surrounding plantation buildings and landscape, as well as the creation of museum exhibitions, including “Lives Bound Together.”

Prior to coming to Mount Vernon as curator in 2010, Dr. Schoelwer served for more than a decade as head of museum collections at the Connecticut Historical Society, where she authored “Connecticut Needlework: Women, Art and Family, 1740-1840,” winner of the 2011 Connecticut Book Award for Non-Fiction. She holds a Doctor of Philosophy in American studies from Yale University, a master’s degree from the Winterthur Program in Early American Culture at the University of Delaware and a Bachelor of Arts in history from the University of Notre Dame, where she participated in the historic transition to coeducation.

“On a daily basis, Dr. Schoelwer has the opportunity to draw upon documents and artifacts that bring to life the relationships between George Washington and the slaves who served him and Martha,” said Michael Berberich with the Faculty Professional Development Committee. “The insights Dr. Schoelwer brings to the topic from putting together the award-winning exhibit will be a unique contribution to the depth of our students’ education and will add new knowledge to the Galveston community as a whole.”

In addition to Mount Vernon and the Washingtons, Dr. Schoelwer has written and lectured on a variety of topics, including American art and decorative arts, needlework and women’s history. She is currently researching a book examining the creation and continuing re-creation of George Washington portraits.

To access the Feb. 16 lecture, visit the following Zoom link on the internet: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87079157421?pwd=QzhXR1E5UmR1Qlp3ZkR5MTZXYlF6dz09. The meeting ID is 870 7915 7421. The passcode is Galveston.

For more information, please contact Dr. Laimutis Bytautas, Faculty Professional Development Committee chair, at [email protected] or (409) 944-1273.

Galveston College Beacon at Sunset

Galveston College announces fall 2020 honors lists

Students named to the President’s List, Vice President’s List and Dean’s List for fall 2020 at Galveston College have been announced. Combined, the group has 406 students.

The three lists recognize students who achieved the highest grade-point averages while enrolled in at least 12 semester hours of study.

The President’s List includes students who have a 3.9 semester grade-point average or better. The Vice President’s List includes students who have a grade-point average of 3.6 but less than 3.9. The Dean’s List includes students who have a grade point average of 3.2 but less than 3.6.

Students are listed by designation, state and hometown.

President’s List

Texas

Ryan Blackwell, Alvin

Tamara Foster, Angleton

Sarah Davis, Baytown

Hallie Gloor, Blanco

Hortance Stevenson, Cedar Hill

Evan Cameron, Conroe

Jeremy Davis, Crosby

Jordan Rasmussen, Dayton

Zachary Young, Deer Park

Joseph Cazares, Dickinson

Nicholas Cortinas, Dickinson

Clay Hunker, Dickinson

Manuel Martinez, Dickinson

Sarah Niccum, Dickinson

Fabian Rodriguez, Dickinson

Theresa Stanford, Dickinson

Makinzie Tomascik, Franklin

Michael Faber, Friendswood

Dora Martinez-Ruiz, Friendswood

Jasmine Mata, Friendswood

Holly Agee, Galveston

Katherine Albares, Galveston

Samantha Alcocer, Galveston

Hemal Amin, Galveston

Gabriela Bailon, Galveston

Kelsey Barillas, Galveston

Eliana Barlow, Galveston

Olivia Baze, Galveston

Lauren Beall, Galveston

Ameerah Ben-Aissa, Galveston

Lea Benavides, Galveston

Caitlin Brewer, Galveston

Eva Bui, Galveston

Alejandro Casillas, Galveston

Leslie Castillo, Galveston

William Clore, Galveston

Aaron Correa, Galveston

Richard Crawford, Galveston

Brooke Cromie, Galveston

Bailey Daniel, Galveston

Ronaldo De la Garza, Galveston

Brittany Diaz, Galveston

Svitlana Domingo, Galveston

Caffery Eli, Galveston

Maggie Farmer, Galveston

Creed Fisher, Galveston

Oscar Fuentes, Galveston

Sara Gabriel, Galveston

Carrie Garcia, Galveston

Claira Garcia, Galveston

Maria Garcia, Galveston

Constance Gonzales, Galveston

Trevor Grace, Galveston

David Griffin, Galveston

Eusebio Guerra, Galveston

Amie Guidry, Galveston

Curtis Gundrum, Galveston

Luke Havard, Galveston

Chet Henry, Galveston

Jillian Hester, Galveston

Sofia Ixcotoyac, Galveston

Ginger Jackson, Galveston

Paula Jackson, Galveston

Noah Jansen, Galveston

Dominique Jordan, Galveston

Anupama Kandel, Galveston

William Kanost, Galveston

Roza Kastis, Galveston

Alexis Labao, Galveston

Katy Lackey, Galveston

Jessica Lawson, Galveston

William Livanec, Galveston

Kaleyah Malveaux, Galveston

Natalia Martinez, Galveston

Diana Martinez Rodriguez, Galveston

Cecille Maxey, Galveston

Mandy McDaniel, Galveston

Maybelline Medrano, Galveston

Mary Moore, Galveston

Ma Noviz Nevarez, Galveston

Kelly Nicholas, Galveston

Zoe Overton, Galveston

Patricia Phol, Galveston

Kate Ramos, Galveston

Kyra Ramos, Galveston

Yasmine Rawas, Galveston

Miguel Rodriguez, Galveston

Christine Salinas, Galveston

Gerardo Santos, Galveston

Marsha Scoggin, Galveston

Noa Seigel, Galveston

Tiffany Sherman, Galveston

Renard Simmons, Galveston

Jully Singh, Galveston

Jacob Strueby, Galveston

Joseph Terrell, Galveston

Anakin Thacker, Galveston

Catalina Tovar, Galveston

Katherine Walker, Galveston

Sparkle White, Galveston

Christopher Wilson, Galveston

Jayme Yeager, Galveston

Nathan Zecco, Galveston

Graciela Neff, Galvestoon

Amy Meyer, Helotes

Audrey Moody, Hitchcock

Darian Prefontaine, Hitchcock

Travon Brown, Houston

Phuonganh Nguyen, Houston

Ikechukwu Okafor, Houston

Santos Rivas, Houston

Thomas Phelan, Jamaica Beach

Enrique Franco, Katy

Zubair Mir, Katy

Brenda Trejo, Kemah

Breanne Butcher, Kountze

Amita Karsen, Kyle

Jessica Curtis, La Marque

Michele Garza, La Marque

Sylvia Perales-Lee, La Marque

Michael Worthy, La Marque

Annika Anderson, League City

Jeeshia Bacarinas Selerio, League City

Jonathan Daniel, League City

Clay Erwin, League City

Corey Lanier, League City

Robert Reeves, League City

Santosh Soule, League City

Dana Holst, Liberty

Erynne Johnson, Liberty

John Hamilton, Liberty Hill

Odette Lopez, Lufkin

Lacey Moton, Nederland

Jason Dyess, Paris

Marisa Velasquez, Pearland

Kendall Florence, Port Bolivar

Everett Williams, Port Bolivar

Jeremy Ross, Rosharon

Wendy Ormand, San Antonio

Robert Preshong, San Antonio

Jared Dornak, Santa Fe

Bret Martin, Santa Fe

Elizabeth Pizzitola, Santa Fe

Megan Crowel, Splendora

Jeryn Baldwin, Texas City

Jodie Chapman, Texas City

Michelle De Salvo, Texas City

David Gage, Texas City

Karina Gonzalez, Texas City

Jacqueline Lawrence, Texas City

Matthew McDaniel, Texas City

Olena Reading, Texas City

Tracy Rios, Texas City

Hunter Green, Vidor

Tionna Gibson, Webster

Amber Alexander, Whitehouse

Massachusetts

Charles Jenness, Brookline

New Hampshire

Lazer Axelman, Hooksett

Washington

Kaila Lay Port, Orchard

Vice President’s List

Texas

Shelli Darnell, Alvin

Johnny Davis, Alvin

Angelica Rios, Alvin

Megan Diaz, Beeville

Cassie Sartain, Brazoria

Aspyn Grossman, Bullard

Connor Dunham, Dayton

Yahaira Jones, Dickinson

Brandon Quinonez, Dickinson

Avorie Williams, Dickinson

Wendy Jardine, Freeport

Dennis Acosta, Galveston

Dazlin Allen, Galveston

Rohan Balasubramanian, Galveston

Daniela Barragan, Galveston

Samuel Bell, Galveston

Mary Breitbach, Galveston

Kathleen Bromley, Galveston

Oscar Carrillo, Galveston

Alexis Cermeno, Galveston

Basel Chreidi, Galveston

Leira Clinton, Galveston

Kodiak Cox, Galveston

Jamari Crooks, Galveston

Grant Davison, Galveston

Joelleryan Dondonay, Galveston

Markeisha Dumas, Galveston

Dayana Enamorado, Galveston

Britney Fletcher, Galveston

Anais Franco, Galveston

Maria Fuentes, Galveston

David Garcia, Galveston

Tyler Garcia, Galveston

Nicky Giron, Galveston

Jackson Glenn, Galveston

Mason Glidewell, Galveston

Braden Hebert, Galveston

Jorge Hernandez, Galveston

Bernardino Hernandez Estrada, Galveston

Mariella Huerta, Galveston

Audrey Johnson, Galveston

Dausen Kuypers, Galveston

Selso Loubet, Galveston

Richard Mancuso, Galveston

Lilia Martinez Pompa, Galveston

Noemi Mata, Galveston

Aaron Moser, Galveston

Alec Muniz, Galveston

Kayla Murray, Galveston

Sarah Nonmacher, Galveston

Wyatt Petersen, Galveston

Abigayle Pruns, Galveston

Melody Rumion, Galveston

Jaime Saenz, Galveston

Hannah Sendejas, Galveston

Dazjah Shannon, Galveston

Raoul Simmons, Galveston

Caleb Smith, Galveston

Vividiana Solis, Galveston

Elahe Tabibzadegan, Galveston

Elizabath Thomas, Galveston

Alanicesia Vanhorne, Galveston

Ter’nique Wells-Webb, Galveston

Jacob Wenzel, Galveston

Bailey Westhause, Galveston

Desmond Wheeler-Martinez, Galveston

Savannah Wilkinson, Galveston

Jaelyn Williams, Galveston

Angelina Woods, Galveston

Riley Wusk, Galveston

John Yeager, Galveston

Leticia Flores, Hitchcock

Marisa Reyes, Hitchcock

Sarah Reyna, Hitchcock

Bailey Groom, Hooks

Chasity Kambitsch, Houston

Michael Nguyen, Houston

Clayton Young, Humble

Madeline Knapp, Huntsville

Samantha Fremin, Katy

Pablo Carcano Martinez, La Marque

Ashley Hicok, La Marque

Julianne Jones, La Marque

Shanikqua Miller, La Marque

Waylin Wells, La Marque

Blake Garrison, League City

Celene Nunez, League City

Brittney Wingate, League City

Christina Trevino, League City

Haley Henderson, Leander

Flash Rainey, Odessa

Madison Murdock, Orange

Tyran Norris, Pearland

Savannah Robisheaux, Pearland

Adam Jacobsen, Richmond

Trystyn Matthew Cline, Rosharon

Deborah Stricklind, Santa Fe

Dylan Whitehurst, Santa Fe

Arce Cisneros, Texas City

Trayvon Cotton, Texas City

Taylor McDaniel, Texas City

Angela Onofre, Texas City

Gary Riggs, Texas City

Jeraud Samuels, Texas City

Shmarrion Williams, Texas City

Latoishia Smith, Woodway

New York

Jake Murciano, Roslyn

Dean’ List

Texas

Krysten Hurick, Abilene

Kaitlyn Kincaide, Alvin

Conny Navarrete, Angleton

Valeria Oliden, Angleton

Morgan Ambler, Austin

Patrick Dubourdieu, Bay City

Natasha Aiken, Baytown

Sarah Wingate, Baytown

Kirk Schiesler, Beaumont

Caitlin Denison, Bridge City

Richard Lilljedahl, Buda

Joseph George, Carrollton

Matthew Perez, Channelview

Connor Kaiser, College Station

Harlee Haag, Colorado City

Olivia Yargo, Cypress

Tammy Walker, Deer Park

Andrew Albright, Friendswood

Joseph Alexander, Galveston

Daniela Alvarado Carballo, Galveston

Chantelle Anderson, Galveston

Giuliana Araujo, Galveston

Priscilla Arellano, Galveston

Josue Ayala, Galveston

Joseph Baker-Scott, Galveston

Victor Benavides, Galveston

Alexandra Benitez Briseno, Galveston

Jakolby Bryant, Galveston

Corina Chavez, Galveston

Sarina Contreras, Galveston

Jayce Courville, Galveston

Copley Davis, Galveston

Zachary Dean, Galveston

Sysco Delacruz, Galveston

Alyssa Dill, Galveston

Kurt Dillon, Galveston

Jolie Edwards, Galveston

Ethan Fox, Galveston

Brayan Garay, Galveston

Brijha Gibson Nunes, Galveston

Kinara Cali Gibson Nunes, Galveston

Azucena Gonzalez Garcia, Galveston

Barbara Harbaugh, Galveston

Madeline Haver, Galveston

Angelique Hernandez, Galveston

Lindsey Hernandez, Galveston

Sebastian Hernandez, Galveston

Rory Hinton, Galveston

Edward Hoffman, Galveston

Reagen Isbell, Galveston

Alana Jones, Galveston

Dillon Jones, Galveston

Kristin Kaufman, Galveston

Alejandro Lopez, Galveston

Mary Lopez, Galveston

Brielen Martin, Galveston

Kamille Martinez, Galveston

Karla Martinez, Galveston

Roxana Martinez, Galveston

Shannon Mathers, Galveston

Branden Medina, Galveston

James Mellen, Galveston

Johnathan Mendoza, Galveston

Ruby Morgan, Galveston

Allan Mungarro, Galveston

Princess Musick, Galveston

Reece Ogden, Galveston

Kiara Ortiz, Galveston

Yohalma Ortiz, Galveston

Gabriel Pinto, Galveston

Tyler Pothos, Galveston

Michael Rabinowitz, Galveston

Yeison Ramirez, Galveston

Isabel Ramos, Galveston

Tyrell Randle, Galveston

Matthew Reed, Galveston

Sienna Reeves, Galveston

Noel Reyes, Galveston

Austin Roche, Galveston

Bryan Rodriguez, Galveston

Karalynn Salva, Galveston

Jimena Sanchez, Galveston

Cade Sattelmaier, Galveston

Ramiro Silva, Galveston

Stephanie Simmons, Galveston

Grace Smith, Galveston

Trinity Smith, Galveston

Natalie Stewart, Galveston

Joanna Strueby, Galveston

Amanda Thomas, Galveston

Jose Tovar, Galveston

Michael Varela, Galveston

Aldo Vazquez, Galveston

Joshua Ward, Galveston

Erica Washington, Galveston

Valerie Wilmeth, Galveston

Lanetra Woods, Galveston

Sheree Smith, Hitchcock

Dorion Alcantar, Houston

Monica Caballero Rey, Houston

Alyssa Castellano, Houston

Damian Ebirim, Houston

Dalila Elhamdi, Katy

Connor Tinsley, Katy

Tanner Evans, Kingwood

Maritchie Arriaga, La Marque

Tanner Maughan, La Marque

Yvonne Shaw, La Marque

Shakella Steen-Woods, La Marque

Myles Anderson, League City

Chasity George, League City

Kristen Hartwell, League City

Ty Luper, League City

Brett Meyer, Leander

Lauren Vacker, Lumberton

Abby Anderson, Orange

Brandon Trevino, Pasadena

Scottlyn Goodmanson, Pirates Beach

Isaac Oden, Plano

Jada Nolasco, Port Bolivar

Chanda Ybarra Hendricks, San Leon

Jarren Guerra, Santa Fe

Christopher Paxton, Seabrook

Amanda Rodriguez, South Houston

Anabella Valadez, South Houston

Bianca Guardian, Sweeny

Angela Cantu, Texas City

Alexis Gallardo, Texas City

Ryesha Gipson, Texas City

Chazmond Oaks, Texas City

Chelsea Simmons, Texas City

Ashley Trahan, Texas City

Ledreya Washington, Texas City

Celeste Watkins, Texas City

Madeline Locke, The Woodland

Jennifer Gilbreth, Webster

Illinois

Kenna Skepnek, Algonquin

Pennsylvania

Jamison Hughes, Indiana

Wyoming

Naomi Reece, Cheyenne

Australia

Joshua Meyer, Carnegie, Victoria

2020 BAS HM Graduates

Historic milestone: 13 students receive bachelor’s degrees from Galveston College

In a first for Galveston County, 13 Galveston College students made history in December as the first graduates to receive Bachelor of Applied Science in Healthcare Management degrees from their local community college – Galveston College.

The students also were the first students ever to receive bachelor’s degrees from Galveston College, which before 2019 offered only two-year associate degrees and technical and professional certificates.

“The future is bright for the class of 2020,” said Dr. Tirizia York, program director. “I was honored to be a part of their educational journey, and I know they will use the leadership skills gained in the program to make a difference in the field of healthcare management.”

Class of 2020 graduates included Hemal Amin, Gabriela Bailon, Brittany Diaz, Ginger Jackson, Roza Kastis, Patricia Phol, Marsha Scoggin, Tiffany Sherman and Catalina Tovar, all of Galveston; Michele Garza and Yvonne Shaw, both of La Marque; Jeremy Ross of Rosharon; and Christina Trevino of League City.

“We are so proud to have our first cohort of students graduating with their Bachelor of Applied Science degrees,” said Dr. Cissy Matthews, vice president of instruction. “These students were able to balance responsibilities they have for home and work while completing this rigorous curriculum. I know their hard work and determination will pay off as they take on future leadership roles within the healthcare industry.”

The Bachelor of Applied Science in Healthcare Management prepares graduates for entry- to mid-level management positions in planning, directing and coordinating medical and health services in hospitals, clinics, managed-care organizations, public health agencies or similar organizations. The students took a blend of online and on-campus classes.

“I enjoyed being in the program, and I feel that I learned a lot throughout the courses I took,” said Roza Kastis of Galveston. “Prior to this program, writing papers had been a challenge for me; however, the BAS program strengthened my ability to write effective reports pertaining to healthcare management. My instructor, Dr. York, was very helpful and responded quickly to emails if I had a question. Overall, this experience enhanced my growth and my intellectual skills.”

In November 2017, the Galveston Community College District Board of Regents took a historic vote to create the opportunity for Galveston College to pursue offering the bachelor’s degree in Healthcare Management, as well as a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.

The college launched the Bachelor of Applied Science in Healthcare Management in fall 2019 and plans to add the Bachelor of Science in Nursing soon.

“The bachelor’s degrees we are offering complement our two-year degree and certificate programs that prepare students for the workforce and to transfer to four-year universities,” said Dr. Myles Shelton, president of Galveston College. “These are degrees where there is a local workforce need either for skills that need specific training and require a bachelor’s degree or for someone who has those skills and wants to advance into a management role.”

Dr. Shelton said Galveston College will continue to add baccalaureate programs, while retaining the technical mission that is part of a community college’s job — that is, training workers for local industries.

“These graduates are a testimony to the need for affordable bachelor’s degrees offered close to home, work and family,” Dr. Shelton said. “We are very proud of their achievements and wish them the best as they continue their careers and future educational pursuits.”

Galveston College mourns passing of Charlie Thomas

Galveston College is deeply saddened by Friday’s passing of longtime business leader Charlie Thomas, 89, of Houston, who at one time owned multiple Texas car dealerships as well as the Houston Rockets basketball team.

Through the generosity of Mr. Thomas and his family, Galveston College opened the Charlie Thomas Family Applied Technology Center in 2013 at the dealership’s former Galveston location on Broadway Street as a commitment to provide multiple workforce and technology programs for residents to be trained to enter lucrative careers in the Galveston County area.

Since that time, the programs have produced hundreds of graduates who have joined the workforce or become their own service industry business owners and providers.

“Mr. Thomas was an outstanding business and community leader, Texan and friend of Galveston College,” said Dr. Myles Shelton, Galveston College president. “He left a tremendous legacy in Galveston and will continue to touch many lives through the students who receive technical education and training at the Charlie Thomas Family Applied Technology Center. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.”

For more information about the Galveston College Charlie Thomas Family Applied Technology Center, please contact Dr. Van Patterson at [email protected] or (409) 944-1205.

Mr. Thomas’ obituary may be found in the Wednesday, Jan. 20, issue of the Houston Chronicle. Funeral service information may be found here.

Photo: Geo. H. Lewis & Sons Funeral Directors

Galveston College Foundation announces Helen K. and Phillip A. Lohec Endowed Scholarship

The Galveston College Foundation Board of Directors has announced the creation of the Helen K. and Phillip A. Lohec Endowed Scholarship at Galveston College.

Established by Mark T. and Pamela Lohec Stasney and family, the new scholarship is available to full- and part-time students at Galveston College who are pursuing an associate degree or technical certificate and may be applied to tuition, fees, books or course supplies. The first recipient will be announced in spring 2022.

“My parents have been a part of the Galveston community for decades,” said daughter Pamela Stasney. “They have served and volunteered in the community in many roles, from government to historical to education to church. We wanted to find a way to honor their contributions and hard work, and we felt a scholarship at a local institution would be an appropriate way to thank them while supporting and encouraging others. We hope the recipients will find the same calling to work hard and to support their home communities.”

Galveston College Foundation Board of Directors Chair Jeri Kinnear said, “It is a great honor to announce that Pam Stasney and her family have endowed a scholarship to recognize the contributions that her parents, Helen K. and Phillip A. Lohec, have made to our community. Galveston College is so fortunate to have patrons such as the Stasneys, who like the college believe and support the philosophy of “opening doors and changing lives.”

“On behalf of our students, faculty and staff at Galveston College, I want to express my sincere gratitude for the creation of this endowed scholarship that will benefit our students for years to come,” said Dr. Myles Shelton, president of Galveston College. “We are thankful for the Lohec family and the positive impact they’ve had on the Galveston community.”

Currently, there are several scholarships available for students interested in Galveston College.

Application information is available on the college website at https://gc.edu/financial-aid/available-aid/scholarships/ and from the Office of Financial Aid at [email protected].

To make a gift to the Galveston College Foundation, please contact Dr. Van Patterson at (409) 944-1205 or [email protected].

Welding Technology at Galveston College

Galveston College Receives $750,000 in Texas Reskilling Support Fund Initiative

Galveston College Receives $750,000 in Texas Reskilling Support Fund Initiative  

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) on Dec. 18 awarded Galveston College $750,000 as part of the first round of awards totaling $18.1 million to Texas higher education institutions under the Texas Reskilling Support Fund grant program.
Through a competitive process, 40 applicants representing 49 institutions were selected for the awards.

Reskilling grants will allow Texas public colleges, technical schools and universities to provide financial assistance to Texas students to cover tuition and fees. The grants are designed to support displaced Texas workers who need to reskill or upskill to get back into the workforce, and to support students who have previously stopped out of higher education in completing a postsecondary credential. The program is supported by a portion of the $175 million allocation to the THECB from the Governor’s Emergency Educational Relief (GEER) Fund

“Galveston College is honored to be selected as one of only 40 applicants in the state for first-round funding for this important workforce development initiative,” said Dr. Myles Shelton, college president. “Our workforce programs are prepared to move full-speed ahead in the coming months to assist in retooling and reskilling our local workforce in response to the needs of our region’s economy.” 

“These strategic investments, supported by Governor Abbott and our Texas legislative leadership, will play an important role in supporting Texas students and driving the recovery of the Texas economy. We can help students who have previously stopped out of higher education without completing a postsecondary credential as well as help displaced Texas workers who need to reskill and upskill and complete a higher education credential so they can rejoin the workforce and get back on their feet,” said Commissioner of Higher Education Harrison Keller. “Our Texas institutions are making significant commitments to create programs that keep more students on track to enter the workforce with the high-value credentials and education that tomorrow’s economy will demand.”