BLINN SHOWCASES INNOVATIVE PARTNERSHIPS, CAREER-FOCUSED PROGRAMS AT NATIONAL CONFERENCE

  

The Blinn College District spotlighted its commitment to providing students with pathways to their academic goals with a special guest presentation at the annual conference of the National Career Pathways Network (NCPN). Blinn shared the unique options available for students through its Paralegal and Criminal Justice programs at NCPN Connect in Austin, February 26-28.

“Blinn is dedicated to preparing students for dynamic careers and our criminal justice and paralegal programs serve as an example of how we empower students to achieve their goals,” said Robert Stanberry, Department Head for Criminal Justice, Paralegal, Sociology, and Social Work. “NCPN Connect was an exciting forum for us to discuss how our unique partnerships, specialized advisory boards, and flexible degree pathways ensure students graduate with the skills they need to meet industry needs.”

Founded in 1991, the NCPN is dedicated to strengthening the education-to-careers pipeline through professional development in career pathways and career and technical education. At NCPN Connect, Blinn administrators highlighted several initiatives developed to equip students with the skills and credentials necessary for success in the criminal justice and paralegal fields while offering flexible learning options.

“It is a tremendous honor for Blinn College to be selected to discuss our programs on a national level,” Jay Anderson, Vice Chancellor for Applied Sciences, Workforce, and Economic Development said. “This type of academic alignment is a testimony to Blinn’s dedication to creating student-centered approaches to career and technical education pathways.”

Police Academy Partnership with TEEX

Blinn has partnered with the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (TEEX) to offer peace officer training and licensing opportunities. Through this program, students earn college credit toward certificates and degrees while completing comprehensive police academy training. This partnership provides hands-on, career-focused education for future peace officers.

Collegiate Technical Investigative Skills Program (CTISP)

CTISP, also in partnership with TEEX, allows students to gain certification in forensic science and licensure while earning college credits. This collaboration emphasizes best practices in technical investigative skills and prepares students for specialized roles in criminal investigations.

Field-Based Internships and Diverse Degree and Certificate Pathways

To provide real-world experience, Blinn’s Criminal Justice and Paralegal programs partner with agencies, courts, law firms, and other entities to offer field-based internships. These internships allow students to apply their skills in practical settings, bridging the gap between classroom learning and professional practice.

In addition, these programs offer a variety of degrees and certificates that fulfill the specific needs of each student. These include high school dual credit, stackable skills certificates, associate degree options, and transfer-focused pathways for students planning to continue their education at four-year universities.

For more information about Blinn’s Criminal Justice and Paralegal and Legal Studies programs, visit www.blinn.edu/criminal-justice or www.blinn.edu/paralegal.

(Story courtesy Blinn Information)