Katy Edition | March 2023

EDUCATION

STEM MBA program featured at UHV Katy campus this fall

GRAND CIRCLE BLVD.

BY ASIA ARMOUR

by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. “If you are [studying] biology, computer science, chemistry or some other scientic area, we are developing a master’s degree in business, which will include courses both in the subject area and in business,” Glenn said. Je Blodgett, the interim dean and professor of marketing for UHV’s College of Business, said the faculty is already in place for this program, so investment dollars will be put toward marketing and promotion for enrollment. Blodgett said the program will be organized in cohorts, in which students will have hybrid schedules that combine online classes with biweekly in-person meetings. Blodgett also spoke to the expected community’s workforce impact. He said the program—which was recently endorsed by the DHS to increase STEM

The University of Houston-Victoria will soon oer a master’s in science, technology, engineering and mathe- matics business program specically for its Katy campus. The State of Higher Education event Feb. 16 was held at the UHV Katy campus at 22400 Grand Circle Blvd. and hosted by the Katy Area Chamber of Commerce. At the event, UHV President Robert K. Glenn was one of three presenters from local colleges to provide updates on what the institu- tions are working on in 2023. Glenn said this STEM program will be of particular interest to the Katy area. Ocials with the College of Business, wherein the STEM MBA degree is oered, said they expect the program to be available for enrollment by this fall. First, it must go through internal university and external processes—which include approval

Ocial with University of Houston-Victoria at Katy said the city is a prime location to introduce its STEM master’s program this fall. (Courtesy University of Houston-Victoria at Katy)

A NEW PROGRAM

training and attract more professionals in this eld to the U.S.—will help propel its students into leadership roles within their organizations. Blodgett said the degree program will provide more in-depth, tailored teachings for professionals within the STEM elds who want both to improve their technical knowledge of these intensive concepts and receive business training. Due to this more intensive training and the unique opportunity the program will provide, Blodgett said students will be required to have a STEM background. “When you are teaching somebody about cybersecurity [who] does not have an IT background, you are

The University of Houston-Victoria at Katy’s STEM MBA aims to impact the city’s workforce.

Enrollment to start this fall Students must have STEM background

Hybrid class schedule SOURCE: UHV KATYCOMMUNITY IMPACT

teaching about the [broader] issues,” Blodgett said. “When you are teaching somebody who has a computer sci- ence background, you are extending their technical capabilities. That is the dierence.”

KATY EDITION • MARCH 2023