News & Events

BRYAN, Texas — A new group of industry leaders, the RELLIS Building Trades Advisory Council, will begin validating workforce training courses so students can be assured they are taught all the basic skills to qualify for jobs in the building trades industry.

The 35-member advisory council, made up of employers in various construction companies, will review workforce training courses offered by educational institutions or companies.

The group was formed to make sure workforce training at RELLIS will lead to filling voids in the industry and will offer valuable training for incoming students who are interested in highly skilled and lucrative jobs in the building trades, Texas A&M University System Chancellor John Sharp said.

“We at The Texas A&M University System have heard about the struggles of Texas builders to find qualified employees,” Chancellor Sharp said. “And in the tradition of serving our great state, we are making sure our new RELLIS campus will be part of the solution as we train the next generation of professionals in the building trades.”

Courses validated by industry will be identified with a thumps-up logo in a worker’s glove. (See attachment)

Chancellor Mary Hensley said Blinn College supports the program.

“Blinn is pleased to partner with local industry to provide the customized skills training that strengthens our local workforce and meets the specific needs of Brazos Valley business leaders,” she said..

Thomas Gessner of the Brazos Valley’s Gessner Engineering will be chairman of an advisory council that will provide direction for the RELLIS Building Trades Advisory Council and help meet the workforce needs of Texas.

”This unique partnership will serve to add to the labor force directly where there is need; ensuring that the students are investing in a career with an instant path to success,” Gessner said.

Hunter Goodwin, President and Chief Operating Officer of Oldham Goodwin Group, chairs the External Advisory Committee to the RELLIS trades council.

“When industry and academic institutions work together, both students and industry benefit,” Goodwin said. “Our program foundation is based on a true partnership that validates the curriculum, giving the program instant market credibility, benefitting the programs’ graduates, and we hope that everyone in the Brazos Valley and State of Texas will embrace.” Educational institutions or companies interested in having their courses reviewed should contact the RELLIS Campus at 979-458-2404 or rellis@tamus.edu.

 

About the RELLIS Campus

Founded in 2016 by The Texas A&M University System, the RELLIS campus in Bryan, Texas, fosters cutting-edge research, technology development, workforce training and two- and four-year college degrees by tapping the A&M System’s state agencies and multiple universities, along with academic, corporate and government partners outside the System.

 

Contact: Laylan Copelin

Vice Chancellor of Marketing and Communications

(979) 458-6425

(512) 289-2782 cell

lcopelin@tamus.edu

 

 

BRYAN, Texas — The RELLIS Academic Alliance hosted the first of three academic Transfer Fairs at the newly established RELLIS Campus in Bryan, Texas earlier today.

The fair, held at the Center for Infrastructure Renewal, allowed prospective students and family to visit with university representatives about program offerings, outline potential degree programs and review official transcripts. Students who applied onsite for fall 2018 admission received an application fee waiver.

Tashra Banks is originally from the area and chose to attend the transfer fair in order to learn more about the Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences degree from West Texas A&M University. Banks, who is originally from the area, was drawn to the RELLIS Academic Alliance because the program caters to her desire to grow at work in the business and administrative side of health sciences.

“I currently work at the health department in Hearne and I really enjoy what I do, but I knew I needed to go back to school in order to excel at work and provide for my daughter,” said Banks. “When I heard about the RELLIS Academic Alliance and the Bachelor of Sciences in Health Sciences, I knew it was a good fit for me.”

Representatives from nine Texas A&M System regional universities were available, including Texas A&M University-Texarkana. The Bachelor of Science in Biology degree TAMUT will be offering in the fall of 2018 features opportunities for collaborative research in hands-on learning environments.

“RELLIS is a unique opportunity to serve students and offer the high-touch personal approach that we practice in Texarkana,” said Dr. Del Doughty, Dean of the College of Arts, Sciences and Education. “We have one of the best biology programs in the state and we are pleased to be offering it to people in Central Texas.”

Beginning fall 2018, degree programs will be offered at the RELLIS Campus by Blinn College and several Texas A&M System Universities. Each program at the RELLIS Academic Alliance creates a seamless pathway for students to earn a bachelor’s degree in a variety of related fields including criminal justice, business and health sciences.

Two additional academic Transfer Fairs are slated to be held this summer, June 28 and July 26. Representatives from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, Texas A&M University-Texarkana, Tarleton State University, Prairie View A&M University, West Texas A&M University, Texas A&M University-Kingsville, Texas A&M International University, Texas A&M University-Central Texas and Texas A&M University-Commerce will be available on the following dates:

• June 28; 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.; 4:30 to 7:30 p.m.
• July 26; 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.; 4:30 to 7:30 p.m.

For more information or to sign up to attend a RELLIS Transfer Fair visit RELLIS.TAMUS.EDU/TRANSFER.

About the RELLIS Campus:

Founded in 2016 by The Texas A&M University System, the RELLIS campus in Bryan, Texas, fosters cutting-edge research, technology development, workforce training and two- and four-year college degrees by tapping the System’s state agencies and multiple universities, along with academic, corporate and government partners outside the System.

 

RELLIS Academic Contact:

DaNeetra Walker

Admissions Coordinator II

(979) 862-5393

dwalker@tamus.edu

 

Laylan Copelin

Vice Chancellor of Marketing and Communications

(979) 458-6425

(512) 289-2782 cell

lcopelin@tamus.edu

BRYAN, Texas —The Texas A&M University System announced today that the first 250 students to enroll in the inaugural class at the RELLIS Academic Alliance will receive free tickets to Texas A&M University home football games.

“The RELLIS Academic Alliance gives students an opportunity to get a college degree at a lower cost without leaving the Brazos Valley,” said Texas A&M University System Chancellor John Sharp. “And now the inaugural RELLIS class can attend Texas A&M football games and other sporting events. Welcome to the Texas A&M System family!”

The tickets, available only to upper-division RELLIS students, will allow students to attend the seven home football games at Kyle Field. RELLIS students also will be able to attend other TAMU sporting events, including basketball, volleyball, soccer, baseball and softball, if there are seats available.

Beginning August 2018, several Texas A&M System universities and Blinn College will offer selective degree programs in a variety of topics, including criminal justice, business and health sciences, in one location.

Students interested in one of the academic programs are invited to attend one of three RELLIS Academic Transfer Fairs slated for May 24, June 28 and July 26. University representatives will be available to review official transcripts, outline potential degree plans and host information sessions. Students will also be able to apply onsite for fall 2018 admission and receive an application waiver.

For more information about the RELLIS Transfer Fairs visit RELLIS.TAMUS.EDU/TRANSFER.

About the RELLIS Campus:

Founded in 2016 by The Texas A&M University System, the RELLIS campus in Bryan, Texas, fosters cutting-edge research, technology development, workforce training and two- and four-year college degrees by tapping the System’s state agencies and multiple universities, along with academic, corporate and government partners outside the System.

 

For more information about the Transfer Fair contact:

DaNeetra Walker

Admissions Coordinator II

(979) 862-5393

dwalker@tamus.edu

 

For all other media inquiries contact:

Shylo Adams

Senior Communications Specialist

(979) 458-6022

sadams@tamus.edu

 

BRYAN, Texas — The RELLIS Academic Alliance is set to host three academic Transfer Fairs this summer at the newly established RELLIS Campus in Bryan, Texas.

The fairs, slated to be held May 24, June 28 and July 26, will allow prospective students to learn more about program offerings, visit with university representatives, review official transcripts and outline potential degree plans. Students who apply onsite for fall 2018 admission will receive an application waiver.

“We are excited to bring together faculty and representatives from A&M System regional universities to offer prospective upper-division students a chance to sit down with them and have their questions answered onsite,” said Admissions Coordinator DaNeetra Walker. “This gives students a chance to really get a feel for RELLIS and what it could offer them.”

Beginning fall 2018, degree programs will be offered at the RELLIS Campus by Blinn College and several Texas A&M System Universities. Each program at the RELLIS Academic Alliance creates a seamless pathway for students to earn a bachelor’s degree in a variety of related fields including criminal justice, business and health sciences.

The first building in the RELLIS Academic Complex is expected to be completed June 2019 and will feature 10 classrooms, group learning and collaboration spaces, modern allied health teaching laboratories, upper division science laboratories and more than 40 faculty offices. The inaugural class of students at RELLIS will utilize Blinn College’s Walter C. Schwartz building for the first academic year.

Representatives from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, Texas A&M University-Texarkana, Tarleton State University, Prairie View A&M University, West Texas A&M University, Texas A&M University-Kingsville, Texas A&M International University, Texas A&M University-Central Texas and Texas A&M University-Commerce will be available to speak to prospective students at the three Transfer Fairs on the following dates:

• May 24; 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.; 2 to 4 p.m.
• June 28; 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.; 4:30 to 7:30 p.m.
• July 26; 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.; 4:30 to 7:30 p.m.

For more information or to sign up to attend a RELLIS Transfer Fair visit http://RELLIS.TAMUS.EDU/TRANSFER.

About the RELLIS Campus:

Founded in 2016 by The Texas A&M University System, the RELLIS campus in Bryan, Texas, fosters cutting-edge research, technology development, workforce training and two- and four-year college degrees by tapping the System’s state agencies and multiple universities, along with academic, corporate and government partners outside the System.

 

RELLIS Academic Contact:

DaNeetra Walker

Admissions Coordinator II

(979) 862-5393

dwalker@tamus.edu

 

Laylan Copelin

Vice Chancellor of Marketing and Communications

(979) 458-6425

(512) 289-2782 cell

lcopelin@tamus.edu