Overview

Looking for a clear path to success in southeast Texas? Head an hour south of Houston, through two years at Brazosport College, and straight into a high-paying job in the petrochemical industry. With close relationships to the region’s major employers, Dow Chemical and BASF, the college provides state-of-the-art facilities for its process technology and other science programs, and training that is so relevant and effective that the companies use it themselves.

The college has strong support not just from employers but the broader community. A revenue bond and private fundraising have enabled significant campus renovations—including a new library, concert hall, and tutoring center that facilitate engagement and learning.

Improving Student Success

Brazosport’s strong focus on employers and the community is matched by effective approaches to improve student success. Several years ago, administrators began to identify Brazosport’s weaknesses, and exposed faculty and staff to the hard truth of them. The college set out to identify specific goals for students, and started evaluating all employees on whether they are being met. Since then, the college has more than doubled its retention rate, narrowed achievement gaps, and improved success in key courses.

Learning Frameworks

While many changes have put the college on a path to improvement, a central strategy is a course called Learning Frameworks. Most community colleges offer a class that teaches learning and life skills; few have given it the attention that Brazosport has, through thoughtful course development, intentional hiring and training of professors for the course, and a requirement that all students in college for the first time take it. The college’s intentional approach and consistently improving levels of student success have earned it national recognition. Says president Millicent Valek, “We are firmly convinced of the efficacy of the course and committed to keeping that an inescapable part of the college experience.”