Message from the President

At College of the Mainland, we believe that education is not just about earning a credential. It’s about equipping students with the knowledge, skills and support they may need to overcome obstacles and reach their academic and career goals. That’s what truly makes COM a special place. Here, we know that these supports play a pivotal role in fostering student success by providing the necessary resources, guidance and encouragement to help students thrive in the classroom and beyond. Needless to say, I’m proud of the work that we’ve done and continue to do to implement a variety of strategies to further enhance the student experience in new and innovative ways.

COM has merged the Instructional and Student Services divisions into the newly formed Division of Academic and Student Affairs (DASA). By merging the two divisions, we see an opportunity to take on a more holistic approach to the student experience by connecting every touchpoint from academics and support services. This bold move will foster a more integrated and supportive environment for our students, ensuring that they receive comprehensive assistance and guidance along every step of their academic journey. With
the Division of Academic and Student Affairs in place, we look forward to providing an enriching experience that empowers students to reach their full potential.

Along those lines, COM is introducing a new learning model to help students balance their educational and life commitments through our new 8-week session format beginning Fall 2024. On track with national learning trends, the 8-Week Advantage offers huge benefits to students including increased focus on fewer subjects, boosted momentum to keep students motivated, more balance and flexibility and the ability to more easily attain full-time status.

As a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI), I’m proud to share that COM applied for, and received, three concurrent U.S. Department of Education Title V grants in support of expanded support opportunities for underrepresented students. Totaling $9 million, the five-year funding will further propel the College’s ongoing commitment to serving our diverse student populations through innovative strategies to improve success rates, increase persistence and provide better outcomes for students.

As you can see, this is an exciting time to be a student at College of the Mainland, and this excitement will be soaring to new heights with the passing of our 2023 general obligation bond. With our new bond comes endless new opportunities to further expand and grow our facilities and programming to better serve the growing needs of our students. I invite you to visit compass2025.com for regular bond updates.

Several new programs have recently launched or are on the horizon. The College has expanded its allied health offerings to include Radiology and Dental Hygiene programs. Additionally, we recently launched our first fully endowed program, the Mitchell Chuoke Jr. Plumbing Program, to ensure that COM students are ready to fulfill jobs in the fast-growing plumbing industry. We are also thrilled to witness the expansion of our academic offerings, with programs such as Computer Numerical Control (CNC), Culinary Arts and Robotic Process Automation (RPA), aimed at preparing COM students for promising career opportunities in diverse and thriving industries.

As you enjoy this issue of Horizons, I hope that this work inspires you just as much as it inspires me. By equipping students with a comprehensive toolkit for success, they are undoubtedly empowered to overcome obstacles, stay engaged in their education and achieve their goals.

Looking toward the future, the possibilities are truly endless as we continue our work to champion student success and create a brighter future for our community.

Sincerely,
Dr. Warren Nichols
President, College of the Mainland