San Jac Provost Aaron Knight named CHECHS Partner of the Year
PASADENA, Texas — Dr. J. Aaron Knight, South Campus provost for San Jacinto College, was named Clear Horizons 2022 Partner of the Year. Knight was selected for this honor by Clear Creek ISD.
Marshall A. Ponce, principal of Clear Horizons Early College High School, pointed to Knight's South Campus leadership and his crucial role in bringing all CHECHS students back to 100% face-to-face classes during the pandemic as two key factors in Knight's nomination.
"Dr. Knight's steady and calm leadership was appreciated during the fall semester while our students adjusted back to normal routines and behavioral expectations," said Ponce. "It has not been an easy road to travel."
Knight began his tenure at San Jacinto College during the height of the pandemic in July 2020 and has been a source of guidance for the College and its partners like CHECHS.
"This is a great honor," said Knight. "It brings me great joy to see the students at Clear Horizons back on campus. I am very proud of all of the work they have accomplished despite COVID-19 and am happy to have been a part of their educational journey."
Of the 93 seniors at Clear Horizons, 50% of them are Superintendent's Scholars, meaning they have earned an 85% or higher in Level I Honors, AP, and dual credit courses and a 95% or higher in Level II courses, and 65% of them are graduating with cum laude honors or higher.
"That unexpected success on the heels of a global pandemic has all the ingredients of a great comeback story," said Ponce. "Many thanks to Dr. Knight for creating the conditions for those possibilities to manifest."
"Dr. Knight is a strong leader with a passion for education and helping students succeed," said Dr. Laurel Williamson, deputy chancellor and San Jacinto College president. "His visionary work and commitment to students and meeting their educational goals has been a valuable asset to San Jacinto College and our community."
Earlier this year, Knight was recognized as the Phi Theta Kappa Paragon President Award. Knight was nominated for this award by San Jac PTK students for his commitment to student success and by providing them with more opportunities and stronger pathways to completion, transfer, and employment.
About San Jacinto College
Surrounded by monuments of history, evolving industries, maritime enterprises of today, and the space age of tomorrow, San Jacinto College has served the people of East Harris County, Texas, since 1961. San Jacinto College is among the top five community colleges in the nation as designated by the Aspen Institute for Community College Excellence, and was named an Achieving the Dream Leader College of Distinction in 2020. The College spans five campuses serving approximately 41,000 credit and non-credit students annually, and offers more than 200 degrees and certificates across eight major areas of study that put students on a path to transfer to four-year institutions or enter the workforce. San Jacinto College's impact on the region totals $1.3 billion in added income, which supports 13,044 jobs. The College is fiscally sound, holding bond ratings of AA and Aa2 by Standard & Poor's and Moody's.
For more information about San Jacinto College call 281-998-6150, visit sanjac.edu or join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter.
