Master Plan: Major focus on new and expanding health care pathways creates opportunities for students

Collin College’s master plan, a comprehensive outlook for all college facilities and programming, was designed to provide opportunities for students like Sheeka Jackson who have transformed their lives by choosing to invest in themselves through education.

“Becoming a Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) has changed my life professionally, educationally, and financially,” said Jackson. “I am now able to work as a nurse in an acute care setting which is something that wasn’t always available as an option for LVNs. However, I think the biggest change has been my increase in income. Prior to becoming a nurse, I never made more than $20 an hour. Becoming an LVN has given me the opportunity to help provide for my family better than I ever could before.”

Emphasis on Health Care Programming
Over the past two years, college leadership has taken proactive steps to seek firsthand input from business leaders throughout the district to gain a clearer understanding of the workforce challenges facing local employers and hospitals in particular. A large part of this feedback included a thorough listening tour with more than a dozen hospital executives to pinpoint programming gaps specific to health care. 

As North Texas continues to grow, the need for these high-demand occupations increases steadily each year with no tangible relief in sight. As a result, the college has prioritized health care programming districtwide to help meet this need, starting with the development of an additional Health Sciences Center. While the location is still being determined, the building will prioritize health science and medical imaging programming, including Nursing, Radiologic Technology, Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Cardiovascular Technology, and more, all pending regulatory and accreditation approvals.

U.S. Department of Commerce Invests in Health Care Programming
Underscoring a districtwide commitment to health care programming, in May 2024,the U.S. Department of Commerce awarded Collin College a $2 million grant in support of building infrastructure improvements to support workforce training in healthcare fields to prepare students for high-demand jobs. The grant will support new programming at the Plano Campus, including Licensed Vocational Nursing, Certified Nurse Assistant, Patient Care Technician and Medical Assisting Advanced Practice.

“Real progress to tackle the challenge of ongoing healthcare needs depends on the success of vibrant partnerships to do more together,” said Collin College District President Dr. Neil Matkin. “Talk is not enough. When hospitals must pay skyrocketing prices to ensure the talent is on hand to provide world class services, it becomes an economic development issue for
all of us.”

Changes Coming to Courtyard Center
The college also has plans to incorporate a variety of health care programming at the Courtyard Center, including Continuing Education for local health care professionals such as CPR and Basic Life Support. Additional programs will include Central Sterile Processing, Phlebotomy, Certified Nurse Aide, Electrocardiography, Patient Care Technician, Medical Massage, and Esthetician. Pending appropriate approvals, the college is exploring adding Barbering and Cosmetology in the
near future.

According to Collin College Board of Trustees Chair Andrew Hardin, these changes will provide new options for area residents. “We are excited to meet the community’s needs by expanding and providing new programs throughout the district,” Hardin said. “Our goal is to continually be forward-looking, provide accessible high-quality education at a low cost to enable upward mobility for our students, and strengthen our vibrant local economy by training the dynamic workforce of the future.”

The best measure of success is summarized in the student perspective. “My ultimate career goals are constantly evolving,” Jackson said. “I plan on earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. After that, my options are limitless.”

For more information about the college’s master plan, visit www.collin.edu/masterplan. Want to help? Visit www.collin.edu/foundation/give/districtenhancement.html.