COM announces new president 

New COM president Dr. Beth Lewis

College of the Mainland has named Dr. Beth Lewis as its seventh, and first female, president. Lewis' contract is for three years, effective Jan. 1, 2013.

 
"I am grateful to the board for their confidence in me with the unanimous vote, and I am looking forward to doing some exciting things working with the great people at College of the Mainland and in our service area," Lewis said. "My love is community colleges because you can change a life in 16 weeks."
 
Ralph Holm, board of trustees chairman, stated, "We are excited to bring on Dr. Lewis as our next president and first female president. We look forward to all she brings with her past experiences. I think we will find her tenure here to be very exciting and progressive."
 
Lewis comes with more than 25 years of experience in higher education instruction and administration. Prior to accepting the presidency at COM, Lewis was vice president of academic affairs at Northeast Lakeview College. Lewis also served as the dean of academic affairs at Blinn College in Brenham, Texas. Lewis earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Texas at Austin, a Master of Arts in English and a doctorate in educational leadership from Sam Houston State University. She is a certified mediator in workplace conflict.

A salute to success 

College of the Mainland for the fourth year in a row was named among the top 15 percent of colleges and trade schools that do the most to ensure the college success of America's military service members and spouses. To read more, click here.  

Motivated to save time and money on higher education, 817 high school students are enrolled this year in COM's Dual Credit Program, the largest number in the program's 13-year history. The Dual Credit Program allows students to take college courses--and earn college credit--while still in high school. To keep reading, click here.   

Exceeding the state average, 84 percent of the graduates of College of the Mainland's EMT-Basic passed the state exam and 80 percent of EMT-Intermediate graduates passed on the first try. "It's reaffirming that our methods, though unconventional, are successful," EMS director Julianne Duncan said. To keep reading, click here.  

Adult learners now have a new reason to be thankful with an opportunity to get on a fast track to workforce readiness with an innovative COM program. Individuals can now enroll in a course to gain workforce skills in either welding or medical coding and billing and simultaneously take a free class that teaches the math and reading skills needed to succeed in that occupation. To keep reading, click here.