Education
BY SIERRA MARTIN
New Braunfels sees growth in higher education opportunities
A thriving local economy, persistent popula- tion growth and its central location on the I-35 corridor have made New Braunfels an attractive destination for higher education facilities to invest in, said Jonathan Packer, president and CEO of the Greater New Braunfels Chamber of Commerce. The specifics Within New Braunfels city limits, there are four institutions that offer various programs, degrees and certifications, including Howard Payne University, Alamo Colleges-Northeast Lakeview College, Wayland Baptist University and most recently Texas State Technical College. Packer said having higher education options in a community is essential to economic growth. “There’s a strong tie between the availability of education and the ability to have jobs and a strong economy [so] that people can be success- ful,” Packer said. “Fundamentally, you cannot have economic development without strong higher education [opportunities].” Two of these colleges, Texas State Technical College and Alamo Colleges-Northeast Lakeview College, are making strides in expanding their services. A closer look Due to the approval of House Bill 4997, Texas State Technical College has begun enrollment for courses in New Braunfels. Before the bill was passed in the 88th Legislative Session, ser- vice-area jurisdiction rules prevented TSTC from providing programming without the established district community college first declining to serve as the educational provider.
Highest educational attainment According to the latest data from the U.S. Census Bureau, more than half of New Braunfels residents lack technical or college degrees.
Less than 9th grade 9th-12th grade, no diploma High school graduate
Some college, no degree
Associate degree
Bachelor's degree
Graduate or professional degree
New Braunfels
Comal County
Guadalupe County
SOURCE: U.S. CENSUS BUREAU 2021 AMERICAN COMMUNITY SURVEY 5-YEAR ESTIMATES/COMMUNITY IMPACT
HB 4997 gives TSTC the ability to bring new programs to Comal and Guadalupe counties without going through the process of offering right of refusal each time. The campus is antici- pated to have an overall cost of $268 million once completed. Packer said he would like to see residents use trade courses as a pathway to find a career. “There is such a need for technical trade training in this region that even with a significant investment of this size, there’s still going to be an unmet need,” Packer said.
Diving in deeper Kathleen Labus, director of marketing and strategic communications for Alamo Col- leges-Northeast Lakeview College, said 37% of its students reside outside of where the college is based in Bexar County. “We are currently working with local leaders to discuss program offerings that will be offered at the New Braunfels site,” Labus said. “This includes expanding core academic course offerings and providing short-term workforce training.”
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NEW BRAUNFELS EDITION
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