BLINN COLLEGE BREAKS GROUND AT WALLER CAMPUS

  

The Blinn College District joined legislators, community partners, and residents Friday morning to celebrate the historic groundbreaking of the Blinn College-Waller Campus, marking a transformative moment for higher education in Waller and northwest Harris County.

Held at the future campus site at 29638 FM 2920 in Waller, the ceremony commemorated the official launch of Blinn’s sixth campus and the first building on the new 100-acre property. The Blinn Board of Trustees, elected officials, and community leaders participated in a ceremonial turning of the dirt to symbolize the beginning of construction and a long-term investment in the region’s students and workforce.

“This campus represents access, opportunity, and Blinn’s long-term commitment to serving Waller and the surrounding region for generations to come,” said Dr. Mary Hensley, Chancellor of the Blinn College District. “Today marks an important milestone on our path to building what I believe will one day be the largest campus in the Blinn College District.”

The three-story, 82,000-square-foot academic building celebrated during Friday’s ceremony will feature modern classrooms, teaching laboratories, student support spaces, and administrative offices. The $68 million facility will serve as the foundation for future campus development and as a community anchor where students can begin their college journey, complete foundational coursework, and transfer seamlessly to pursue bachelor’s degrees and beyond.

Within a 20-mile radius of the campus site, the population is projected to grow from more than 850,000 residents today to more than 1 million by 2034. The Waller Campus will ensure those residents have access to affordable, high-quality higher education close to home, supported by strong partnerships with area school districts and university partners.

The campus became possible following action during the 88th Texas Legislative Session. Legislation carried by Sen. Lois W. Kolkhorst added the Harris County portion of Waller ISD to Blinn’s official service area, including the site of the new campus.

“It has long been a dream of mine to see Blinn College open a campus in Waller,” Kolkhorst said. “The future of Texas is being built in communities like this one. Blinn College will be at the front of that effort, preparing students for university transfer, workforce training, and the opportunities created by the rapid growth in Waller and Harris County.”

State Reps. Tom Oliverson and Mike Schofield also addressed attendees during the ceremony.

“Families in this region are looking for value when they invest in higher education, and Blinn College has an outstanding track record of opening doors for students,” Oliverson said. “The knowledge and skills students gain here translate directly into opportunity, whether that means transferring to a university or stepping into a high-demand career. I could not be more excited to see Blinn establish a campus in our community.”

“When I think about this groundbreaking, I think about the students who have not even been born yet who will one day come here to begin building their futures,” Schofield said. “This campus will provide opportunity, education, and a pathway to success for generations to come.”

The academic building represents a major component of Blinn’s broader investment in Waller and northwest Harris County. In addition to courses currently offered at Waller ISD facilities, construction is underway on a 17,000-square-foot Blinn College-Waller Workforce and Technical Education Complex, located approximately one block from the Waller Campus site. The facility will host a grand opening ceremony in June and begin offering classes in July, enabling the College to begin serving local students even as the larger campus takes shape.

Blinn plans to offer a wide array of programs at the Waller Workforce and Technical Education Complex, including expanded mechatronics and advanced manufacturing courses, Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)-Basic certification, phlebotomy, certified clinical medical assistant, HVAC, carpentry, and construction management. The health sciences lab will include low-fidelity simulation bays for students pursuing EMS, phlebotomy, and certified nurse aid training.

Blinn already offers HVAC courses in partnership with Waller ISD, and with the new workforce facility, high school graduates will be able to seamlessly transition into Blinn’s Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in HVAC program. In addition, the new location will enable Blinn to expand beyond its current evening offerings at Waller ISD facilities to offer daytime classes, providing greater access and flexibility for students.

To further support students, Blinn recently opened a new administration office at 31406 FM 2920, Suite B203, in Waller. Open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, the office aids with applications, payments, academic advising, and financial aid.

For more information about Blinn’s programs in Waller, please visit www.blinn.edu/waller.

(Story courtesy Blinn Information)