Sealy Campus Advisory Committee Meeting
Tuesday April 27, 2023
The Sealy Campus Advisory Committee met on April 27, in Classroom 110, located in the Main Building at 3701 Outlet Center Drive, Sealy, TX 78950.
Committee Members present: Mr. Ryan Svoboda, Mr. Russ Rainwater, Mr. Rick Kershner, Ms. Kimbra Hill, and Ms. Diane Holub
Committee Member(s) absent: Dr. Bryan Hallmark
Guest(s): Mrs. Chelsea Humes, Sealy Area Chamber Director
Representing Blinn College: Dr. Mary Hensley, Mr. Jay Anderson, Dr. Marcelo Bussiki, Dr. Becky McBride, Mr. Leighton Schubert, Mr. Randy Wells, and Ms. Lisa Caton
The meeting was called to order by Mr. Ryan Svoboda at 12:16 p.m.
Approval of Minutes. After a proper motion from Rick Kershner, seconded by Russ Rainwater, the Committee unanimously approved the minutes from the September 28, 2022 meeting.
Legislative Updates by Mr. Leighton Schubert, Executive Vice Chancellor. Mr. Leighton Schubert presented a legislative update explaining how HB 8 will change how Community Colleges are funded and will be focusing on success points. He stated that he was confident that Blinn’s funding should increase with the new criteria. Mr. Schubert also discussed HB 1114 which presents a service area change assigning the portion of Waller ISD, which is in Harris County, to Blinn. This bill has already passed the House and Senator Lois Kolkhorst will bring the bill to the Senate.
Mr. Schubert further informed the committee that Blinn would begin offering classes in Waller County nights and weekends this fall using Waller ISD facilities. These classes will continue until enrollment dictates that Blinn build a campus in Waller County.
Dr. Hensley asked Mr. Kershner if he thought we should offer evening classes at Royal ISD. He said he would like to gauge local interest and that it might be best to offer workforce classes to begin with.
Sealy Chamber Update by Mrs. Chelsea Humes, Sealy Area Chamber Director. Mrs. Chelsea Humes presented an update to the committee on upcoming events sponsored by the Sealy Area Chamber of Commerce. Thirsty Thursday, Lunch & Learns, Job Fair, Health Fair and the Golf Tournament were just a few of the events she touched on. Mrs. Humes also announced that the upcoming Chamber Banquet had a record number (394) of community members planning to attend. She also announced that several new companies were planning on locating or relocating to the Sealy Area including a travel center with an indoor waterpark. The company plans for a December 2024 opening and will eventually create up to 1,500 new jobs.
Mr. Jay Anderson mentioned that the Facilities Maintenance degree might be something to look at for the Sealy Campus.
Dr. Hensley reviewed the discussion from September 22 regarding Blinn’s presence in Sealy. She informed the committee about the tour of Sealy ISD facilities and that Blinn was optimistic something could work. Sealy ISD recently received a demographic report and determined that they would need the space. Dr. Hensley stated Blinn’s desire to remain in Sealy but was still concerned about enrollment. She asked committee members to let Lisa know if they became aware of a location that might work for the campus.
With no other business, the meeting was adjourned at 1:07 p.m. by Mr. Ryan Svoboda.