San Jacinto College enjoyed the spotlight at the 32nd annual College Academic Support Programs (CASP) Conference where College representatives saw their colleagues present breakout sessions, install two new officers, and receive a coveted award.

The Texas Association for Developmental Education (TADE) and Texas College Reading and Learning Association (TxCRLA) hosted the Conference in Amarillo, Texas Oct. 2 to Oct. 4. The event gathers higher education professionals from all over Texas every year to share ideas and put forth best practices for facilitating student success.

Professor Betty Woodfill of the College Preparatory Department at Central campus and TADE Membership Chair said San Jac gave an impressive showing at the event.

“SJC’s contributions to the conference went beyond honors, officers, and memberships. A number of SJC presentations have been accepted as concurrent sessions for the National Association for Developmental Educational Conference planned for early next year in Dallas, Texas,” Woodfill said.

The College has a strong presence in the CASP community she said.

“Among community colleges and universities, SJC’s campuses rank near the top in membership in these two professional organizations,” Woodfill said.

San Jac’s Assistant Vice Chancellor of College Preparatory Dr. Rebecca Goosen received the CASP Lifetime Achievement Award. Joanie DeForest, professor of Integrated Reading and Writing in the College Preparatory Department on South campus, presented the award. In addition, Carolyn Poole was installed as TADE Treasurer, and Woodfill as Membership Chair.

“Rebecca’s and Joanie’s leadership not only helped make the conference a success,” Woodfill said, “but contributed to the large SJC involvement in TADE and Texas CRLA.”

The sessions presented at the conference included: Future Directions for Developmental Education in Texas by Goosen and co-presenter Dr. Russ Hodges; Mission Possible Lessons for the Impossible Holiday Doldrums by Woodfill; Integrated Reading and Writing: A Shared Vision of Academic Success by Kina Siriphant-Lara and Tina Willhoite; and, SJC Students Hit the Target with Aim by Dr. JP Anderson, Kristen Foxley, and Matthew Lewis.

“The future for Developmental Education is a bright one in Texas,” Woodfill said, “In part, because of the continually increasing contributions of San Jacinto College Preparatory Department.”