THECB highlights workforce models: MD Anderson STARS and San Jacinto biomanufacturing honored

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board on Oct. 23 recognized this year’s STAR Award recipients and heard detailed presentations on two workforce programs the agency said are building “a Talent Strong Texas.” Assistant Commissioner Brandon Griggs introduced the awards and framed them as examples of institutional innovation that align higher education with employer needs.

Why it matters: The presentations offered concrete program designs that board members and staff said can be models for other colleges. Both programs combine curriculum redesign, employer partnerships and work‑based learning to shorten student pathways into in‑demand jobs.

MD Anderson: paid clinical apprenticeships and rapid hiring

Kim Hoggett Crumwiddie, dean of the School of Health Professions at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center (who introduced herself as “Dr. K”), described the Student Talent Advancing Retention Success program, or STARS, which embeds students into paid, up to 20‑hour per week clinical roles while providing tuition coverage, mentorship and leadership development. The program began in 2022 with 10 students and now enrolls…