Collin College Honors Business Leaders
Implementation of the grant included business volunteers and program staff offering career coaching, résumé development training, mentoring and participating in the Business and Industry Leadership Team (BILT), which reviewed and approved the college’s curriculum to ensure students were being taught workforce-ready and marketable skills. The BILT model was developed through the National Science Foundation National Center of Excellence in Convergence Technology grant, also based at Collin College. Through NISGTC, the model was expanded to other programs nationally. The BILT team for networking and data communications (Convergence) will continue to meet quarterly to discuss trends, knowledge, skills and abilities that employees should have to make them desirable hires.
“A successful program would not have been possible without the collaboration and cooperation of our business partners,” Collin College Executive Vice President Brenda Kihl said at a reception held in the volunteers’ honor. “Their commitment to this project has made a significant impact on Collin College and our students. We truly appreciate their time and their expertise, and invite them to continue their connection with Collin College long after this grant project ends.”
BILT Chair Matt Glover expressed his gratitude at being allowed to help students make more of their education.
“When you have a program like this, which allows us the opportunity to help forge these students into students we want to employ, it is very meaningful,” he said.
Facts about how employers made a difference at Collin College through the NISGTC grant:
- At least 32 companies hired multiple Collin College students as a result of the program.
- 54 companies participated in at least one student-focused event funded by the grant.
- 74 companies requested résumés, announced job openings and/or interviewed students on campus in connection with the program.
Careers targeted in this grant included computer software engineers, application developers, computer security specialists, database administrators, network systems and data communications analysts, geodetic surveyors, and surveying and mapping technicians.
Collin College serves nearly 52,000 credit and continuing education students annually and offers more than 100 degrees and certificates in a wide range of disciplines. The only public college in the county, Collin College is a partner to business, government and industry, providing customized training and work force development. In addition, the college operates the Collin Higher Education Center, which serves 3,200 additional students each year in partnership with The University of Texas at Dallas, Texas Woman’s University, Texas A&M Commerce, Texas Tech and the University of North Texas.