10.23.09
Maldonado hosts Higer Ed forum, next up tranportation
Via press release, Rep. Maldonado: Williamson County Positioned as a Leader in Higher Education:
Round Rock – State Representative Diana Maldonado (HD-52) hosted a Community Forum to discuss higher education Thursday evening at the Round Rock Higher Education Center. Maldonado was joined by professionals from the participating schools to discuss educational opportunities and programs that are available for residents and students in House Ditrict52.
“Williamson County is uniquely positioned to be a leader in higher education for new students as well as returning students looking to further their career,” Rep. Maldonado said. “Access to a quality and affordable continuing education provides communities with a skilled workforce for local businesses, growth opportunities for the cities, and an economic boost for the entire region.”
House District 52 is home to many higher education institutions which are continuing to grow and expand their programs and coursework. The emergence of the Round Rock Higher Education Center and the East Williamson County Higher Education Center have provided schools with unique opportunities to bring specialized programs and courses to the area that are in high demand and will have a direct impact on local industry.
Participants in the panel discussion were: Dr. Robert Gratz, Special Assistant to the President of Texas State, Dr. Chuck McCarter, Executive Dean of the East Williamson County Higher Education Center, Ms. Sharyl H. Kincaid, Executive Director of Tech Prep for Austin Community College; and Dr. Sharon Wilkerson, Dean of the College of Nursing at the Texas A&M Health Science Center.
During the 81st Legislative Session, Rep. Maldonado worked to secure more than $17 million of state funding for schools located in House District 52. Texas A&M Health Science Center received $16 million dollars while the East Williamson Higher Education Center/Renewable Energy Training Institute received $805,000, and Texas State University’s Round Rock Higher Education Center was awarded $350,000.
“The education process is continually changing as we experiment with new tools and resources to enhance the learning process for students, and I truly believe we are fortunate in Williamson County to have so many cutting edge educational facilities,” Rep. Maldonado said. “I applaud the efforts of all of the educators, administrators, and local leaders who have helped to create a culture that values and supports education throughout Williamson County.”
On Tuesday October 27th, Rep. Maldonado To Host Transportation Community Forum in Hutto.
Hutto’s State Representative Diana Maldonado will host a transportation community forum in Hutto Oct. 27 to discuss current transportation issues facing East Williamson County as well as local and regional plans for the area.
The forum is open to the public and will consist of a panel discussion with experts from the Texas Department of Transportation, Capitol Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO), Williamson County and the City of Hutto.
The forum will be held at the Hutto ISD Administration Building, located at 200 College St. It will begin Tuesday at 5:30 p.m.
“The enormous growth in Williamson County is causing many cities to develop long-term strategic plans for the increased number of cars on our roads,” Maldonado said in a statement. “Confronting this issue is one of the top issues facing Central Texas. Local municipalities are continually working with CAMPO and TxDOT to plan and chart future roadway construction, and I believe this forum will be an opportunity for the public to get an inside look at local plans to move forward.”