BLINN BOARD AUTHORIZES NEW CLOUD COMPUTING, WEB PROGRAMMING DEGREES

  

The Blinn Board of Trustees authorized the introduction of new cloud computing and web programming degrees for the upcoming fall semester at its meeting Tuesday.

The Associate of Applied Science Degree in Cloud Computing will prepare students for entry-level technician opportunities in the cloud and information security sector. The degree combines both networking and systems administration fundamentals with a focus on cloud strategies to secure networks and systems.

The Associate of Applied Science Degree in Web Programming would prepare students for careers as web programmers/developers. In these careers, graduates will develop and implement websites, web applications, application databases, and interactive web interfaces while optimizing website performance, scalability, and server-side code and processes.

Also on Tuesday, the board recognized students from Blinn’s Phi Theta Kappa honor society and livestock judging and esports teams.

During Chancellor Dr. Mary Hensley’s report to the board, she introduced coaches and students from the livestock judging team, which recently won community college team titles at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo and San Antonio Livestock Exposition. Trustees were also introduced to members of the esports team, which is advancing to the national tournament in Valorant and Overwatch.

Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) honor students from the Brenham and Bryan campuses were also on hand after winning three awards at PTK’s international conference, PTK Catalyst, in Denver, Colorado.  The Bryan Campus chapter was recognized with the Distinguished Honors in Action Project, the Distinguished Theme Award, and the Distinguished Chapter Award, which was awarded to just 39 of PTK’s 1,200 chapters worldwide.

The board also authorized the College to seek proposals for demolition of Holleman, Memorial, and Solons halls on the Brenham Campus, and to seek qualifications for engineering services related to the design of a parking lot expansion at the site of Solons Hall. These halls will be demolished as Blinn introduces the 505-bed Prairie Lea Hall this fall.

In other action, the board authorized the College to negotiate and execute contracts with:

• Gowan/Garrett Inc. for mechanical contractor services related to building automation upgrades on the Bryan Campus,
• E.C. Industries, Inc. for mechanical contractor services related to the chiller replacement on the Bryan Campus and student center fire damper and mechanical renovations on the Brenham Campus,
• Aggieland Construction for general contractor services related to the access control and finish upgrades on the Bryan Campus,
• and Barnes & Noble to continue to provide bookstore services for the College District.