“Collaboration is critical to ensuring we successfully train our future workforce,” said Dr. Cynthia Teniente-Matson, President of Texas A&M University San Antonio, to a group of local business leaders and proud Aggies as she detailed the upcoming changes coming to TAMUSA.
With more than 57% of their student population being first generation college goers and 17% with some military affiliation, TAMUSA is continuously working to serve a unique population of students. The average number of credit hours transferred by student to TAMUSA is 81 hours, meaning more students are coming in with at least 2 years of college experience under their belt. This makes student advising and the connection to relevant career pathways critical to post-graduation success in our evolving workforce.
Dr. Matson explained TAMUSA’s vision as related to the newly unveiled 60x30 Plan from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. The overarching goal of 60x30 is to have 60 percent of 25 to 34-year-old Texans with an industry certification or college degree by 2030. The plan focuses on three pillars important to students: Completion, marketable skills and student debt.
“TAMUSA is ready and willing to partner with our industry partners and other institutions of education to ensure students seamlessly transition from K-12 to higher ed to workforce,” Dr. Matson told the crowd.
Using recent reports issued by SA2020’s Talent Pipeline Task Force and the Alamo Area of Council Governments Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy, TAMUSA has begun to plan and develop new degree programs to match the projected job needs of tomorrow. Some of the new programs to be offered by TAMUSA include: Water Resources (U & G); Healthcare Management (U); Community & Public Health (U & G); BioInformatics (U & G); Supply Chain Management (U & G); Project Management (U & G); and Multidisciplinary Engineering (U).
Additionally, Dr. Matson commented on her challenge to faculty members to use project- based learning within their curriculum as well as her goal to encourage partnerships to create work-based learning opportunities for students. “Students will gain those essential skills not just in the classroom, but also on site with a business to help show them what it means to do the job.”
You can learn more about the THECB 60x30 plan by downloading the full plan online.
For more information on how to get engaged with the Chamber’s Education & Workforce Committee you can email Priscilla Camacho.
