College of the Mainland’s first graduates of the Mitchell Chuoke Jr. Plumbing Program stand with their certificates.
Nine College of the Mainland Students Make History
Join us in celebrating the first cohort of Mitchell Chuoke Jr. Plumbing Program graduates at College of the Mainland (COM). COM Foundation is honored to have established the memorial Mitchell Chuoke Jr. Plumbing Program through an endowed fund created with generous donations from local community partners. Honoring the life and legacy of Mitchell Chuoke Jr., the program recognizes the family’s longstanding commitment to the plumbing industry and to the local community. This program will train an estimated 48 students per year, at no cost to the students, in perpetuity.
Texas Workforce Solutions identifies plumbing as a career in high demand across the Gulf-Coast region and the state–with a projected growth of 22% and annual job openings at 5,750 per year by 2030. This first cohort of COM plumbing graduates is prepared to answer the growing need for skilled plumbers in Texas’ future workforce. In fact, they are already experiencing the life-changing success of completing this first step in their careers.
“I was looking for an opportunity to better myself.
The program was excellent . . . I found a job right away, and I love it.”
– COM Mitchell Chuoke Jr. Plumbing Program Participant
This tuition-free, 10-week (80-hour) certificate program equips individuals with the foundational knowledge and skills needed to pursue an industry plumbing apprenticeship. A second cohort of plumbing students has already begun their studies and will complete the program in mid-September. COM Foundation wishes them every success!
The 2024 Student-Donor Scholarship Luncheon
Students and donors share stories and smiles at the 2024 COM Foundation Student-Donor Scholarship Luncheon.
On April 11th, COM Foundation hosted our annual Student-Donor Scholarship Luncheon with over 70 donors and nearly 90 students in attendance. This special event gives students the chance to meet with COM Foundation scholarship donors and thank them personally for their support. Donors can visit with student scholarship recipients and wish them success in their next educational steps. Programs in which the scholarship recipients are enrolled range from academic programs like Collegiate High School to workforce programs like nursing and process technology, and from music and the arts to industrial careers. Donors come from both public and private sectors–including corporations, foundations, local community organizations, and individuals.
COM Foundation Board Vice President Chris DeVries visits with scholarship recipients.
Scholarship recipient Adrian Castaneda shares his story.
The event’s donor speaker, COM Foundation Board of Directors Vice President Chris DeVries, shared his enthusiasm for service and gave encouragement and words of wisdom to the students in the audience. Student speaker Adrian Castaneda, a Collegiate High School student and a first-generation college student, explained the impact of scholarships for students like him and expressed gratitude to all donors who support the educational journey of others. Adrian received multiple scholarships throughout his time at COM and graduated in May with an Associate of Applied Science in Business Administration-Management.
Thank you, COM Peers!
COM Foundation would like to thank the college’s very own COMPeers volunteer organization, for their tireless devotion to our mission of student support through scholarships. Since its founding in 2013, COMPeers has donated vital student scholarship funds through the tireless work and generosity of its membership.
Although COMPeers members are all employed by the college, their devotion to the campus and surrounding communities does not end when the workday does. COMPeers members volunteer their personal time, talents, and finances to support those in need. One of their annual projects, the COMPeers scholarship fund, awards four scholarships annually to both workforce and academic program students. Regan, a workforce student and scholarship recipient, thanked COMPeers by saying,
“Receiving this scholarship means more to me than words can express. Your generosity has given me the opportunity to pursue my dreams and aspirations without the constant worry of financial constraints. This scholarship will not only impact my educational journey but also shape my future in a profound way.”
COMPeers is recognized on our Texas Stars wall of honor at the Bluebonnet giving level ($10,000 to $24,999 level). This amazing accomplishment is a testament to the love and dedication these employees have for our college and for our students.
COMPeers also supports many other projects for students and our communities including hosting annual school-supply drives for local school districts and holiday toy drives to benefit local families; volunteering for Ronald McDonald house, M.I. Lewis Social Services, the Galveston County Food Bank, CASA, and Independence Village; and supporting United Way, Meals on Wheels, and many other charity causes. To our campus COMPeers, please know how important and appreciated your volunteer work is to our students and our communities.
Thank you, COMPeers, for supporting COM students through scholarships!
COMPeers members wore red to support women’s heart health in February.
No matter how you choose to give, your generosity will directly benefit College of the Mainland students.
