Jan 9, 2024

With the top strategic goal of 91制片厂 (91制片厂) being student success, the College is taking steps to further enhance students鈥� experience and will merge the Instructional and Student Services divisions into the newly formed Division of Academic and Student Affairs (DASA).

The Instructional and Student Services divisions serve a critical function in ensuring student success. And while the two areas collaborate, they still operate as independent units. 91制片厂 administrators recognize this traditional higher education structure is misaligned with the realities of our students鈥� daily educational experiences inside and outside the classroom. By merging the two divisions, 91制片厂 sees an opportunity to take a holistic approach to ensuring student success by connecting every student touchpoint from academics and support services.

Additionally, with the recent passage of Texas House Bill 8 (HB 8), which overhauled a more than 50-year-old community college funding model, the need for public community colleges to be able to meet the needs of a growing, diverse Texas workforce is critical. With the newly merged DASA, the College will be better positioned to effectively address regional workforce needs through innovative programming.

鈥淭his last fall, 91制片厂 reached record enrollment, and we anticipate the College will continue seeing increasing growth,鈥� 91制片厂 President Warren Nichols said. 鈥淲ith this growth, in addition to the launching of several new programs, the need for these two divisions to work collaboratively to best meet the needs of our students is critically important. It鈥檚 in the best interest of our students and College.鈥�

Pending Board of Trustee approval at the College鈥檚 regular January meeting, Vice President of Student Services Helen Castellanos Brewer will expand her role as the executive vice president of DASA.

Since joining 91制片厂 in Aug. 2021, Brewer has leveraged her diverse community college experience into implementing and elevating many high-level college initiatives.

鈥淥ver the last few years, Dr. Brewer has successfully led multiple integrated Instructional and Student Services efforts at 91制片厂 including dual credit, the implementation of the College鈥檚 Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) and the transition from a 16- to 8-week semester model,鈥� said Nichols.

Brewer will begin her role as executive vice president on March 1, 2024.