Dignitaries from Collin College accept the Program of Excellence Award for the college’s Heating, Ventilation Air Conditioning program from the Texas Association of College Technical Educators, April 4 in Austin. Pictured from left: Frisco Campus Vice President/Provost Dr. Donald Weasenforth, Associate Dean Mike Coffman, HVAC Professor Brian Sanders, Dean Karen Musa and TACTE Board Member Laura Sanchez.
April 5, 2019 – Collin College’s Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning program was recognized as a “Program of Excellence” by the Texas Association of College Technical Educators (TACTE) at an awards luncheon on April 4 in Austin.
The Program of Excellence award is given to workforce programs which demonstrate: innovative partnerships and collaborations with employers, community stakeholders or other educational institutions; potential for positive economic impact in their region; outstanding program outcomes (such as graduation, placement, licensure pass rates, etc.); or best practices in workforce education and training that have improved student success. Collin College’s nomination form indicated the program’s success in each of those areas.
Collin College’s HVAC program partners with Princeton ISD and local industry, providing dual credit and general population students with training based on proven techniques and industry needs as outlined by advisory board members including local HVAC business owners. The college currently offers an associate of applied sciences degree and will introduce a stackable certificate series which feeds into the AAS in fall 2019, making the degree more attainable for more students.
“Collin College’s HVAC program provides its students pathways to successful careers in a growing industry,” Frisco Campus Provost Dr. Donald Weasenforth said after the award’s announcement. “Recognition by TACTE that this is a Program of Excellence, for what it has accomplished and for its future goals, is very much appreciated.”
Collin College serves more than 55,000 credit and continuing education students annually and offers more than 100 degrees and certificates. The only public college based in Collin 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 has an enrollment of 3,500 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.