The Midland Chamber hosted its annual State of Education luncheon at the Bush Convention Center on August 15. The event featured a panel consisting of University of Texas Permian Basin (UTPB) President Dr. Sandra Woodley, Midland College (MC) President Dr. Damon Kennedy, and Texas Tech University (TTU) Health Sciences Center Provost Dr. Darrin D’Agostino.
The chamber shared a Facebook post thanking the community "for showing up to support higher education, institutional collaboration, workforce training, and responding to current and future community needs."
According to the post, among the topics touched on during the panel discussion were the impact of advancing technology in student and professional work, housing, facility needs and upgrades, changing learning methods and systems, health care, and behavioral health.
Kennedy said that he and his fellow administrators want students to be workforce ready, Permian Basin stations KMID News and KPEJ News reported.
"We want them to be able to go into industry with the skills required and provide a service that’s much needed," Kennedy said.
KMID and KPEJ reported that UTPB, MC, and Odessa commence classes later this month.
According to the chamber’s website, the purpose of the State of Education luncheon is to engage and inform the public about educational challenges and opportunities facing the community, with this year’s event focused on the future of higher education in the Permian Basin.