COM Newsroom
Recent News
COM Eliminates CHS Program Fee for FAST Students and Establishes Financial Assistance to Protect Early College Access
The College of the Mainland (COM) Board of Trustees has approved the elimination of the $2,700 one-time Collegiate High School (CHS) program fee for students who qualify under the state's Financial Aid for Swift Transfer (FAST) program, effective fall 2026. In addition, COM will establish a financial assistance program to reduce or fully cover the fee for CHS students who do not qualify for FAST but demonstrate financial need.
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COM Invites Sponsors and Vendors to Participate in Flock the Block 2026
College of the Mainland invites businesses, organizations and local vendors to participate in its signature community celebration, Flock the Block, returning Saturday, March 28. Companies and individuals can take part by becoming event sponsors or securing vendor space in the FTB Bazaar, offering opportunities to engage directly with families, students and community members while supporting education and community connection.
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Join COM for the Fourth Annual Flock the Block Community Celebration
College of the Mainland invites the community to enjoy a day of free fun, games and entertainment during the fourth annual Flock the Block community celebration on Saturday, Mar. 28.
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College of the Mainland Rad Tech Student Selected for Nationwide Leadership Program
First-year College of the Mainland (COM) Radiologic Technology (Rad Tech) student Amanda Respondek has been named one of two Texas Society of Radiologic Technologists (TxSRT) members selected for the American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT) and TxSRT Student to Leadership Development (SLD) programs.
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COM Theatre Presents "Leader of the Pack: The Ellie Greenwich Musical"
The College of the Mainland (COM) Theatre will present "Leader of the Pack: The Ellie Greenwich Musical" from January 29 through February 15, 2026, as part of COM Theatre's 52nd Season.
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College of the Mainland Invites the Community to Celebrate Black History Month
College of the Mainland (COM) invites the community to celebrate Black History Month in February with two special events. "I Am Black History" will take place Tuesday, Feb. 3, followed by "Black History Centennial: 100 Years of Change, 60 Years of COMmunity" on Tuesday, Feb. 24. Both events will be held from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. in the COM Conference Center. The events are free and open to the public, and lunch will be provided while supplies last.
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COM Hosts January Information Session on Dual Credit and Tuition-Free College Opportunities
College of the Mainland (COM) will host the COM Dual Credit Advantage & Opening Doors Promise Scholarship Information Session on Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026, from 6-7:30 p.m. at the COM Conference Center. The event is designed for high school students and families interested in getting a head start on college while saving time and money.
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COM Awarded Planning Grant to Support Student Success and Completion
College of the Mainland (COM) was recently named one of nine community colleges awarded a $500,000 planning grant by Houston Endowment. The planning grant supports the design and implementation of capacity-building strategies that align with the Texas House Bill 8 (HB 8) and Senate Bill 1786 (SB 1786).
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College of the Mainland Helps Students Get Ahead in High School and Go Further in College
College of the Mainland (COM) is hosting the COM Dual Credit Advantage & The Opening Doors Promise Scholarship Information Session on Tuesday, Nov. 4 from 6-7:30 p.m. at the COM Conference Center. Students and families will learn how to earn early college credits through COM's Dual Credit and Collegiate High School (CHS) programs.
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Grand Opening for Community Dental Hygiene Clinic
The College of the Mainland Dental Hygiene Clinic will soon open its doors to community patients. Over the past year, students have cared for friends and family as they refined their skills and gained hands-on experience
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College of the Mainland to Host Meet and Greet for New President Dr. Helen Brewer on Thursday, October 16
The community is invited to meet College of the Mainland's (COM) new president, Dr. Helen Brewer on Thursday, Oct. 16. This meet and greet event will take place from 4 - 6 p.m. in the COM Conference Center.
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COM Professor Earns Back-to-Back Recognition Among Galveston County's Top Educators
College of the Mainland (COM) professor Bernie Smiley has once again been recognized among the area's top educators, earning second place in The Daily News Readers' Choice Awards for Best Professor. This marks the second consecutive year Smiley has received recognition in the annual community poll.
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COM to Host Health Careers Open House and Community Health Fair Sept. 20
College of the Mainland (COM) will host a Health Careers Open House and Community Health Fair on Saturday, Sept. 20, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the COM STEM Building. Visitors can explore programs in Nursing, Radiologic Technology, Surgical Technology, Dental Hygiene and other health professions. They will also have the chance to meet students and faculty and connect with local health organizations offering free resources.
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Fiesta Comunidad Returns to COM for Third Year of Culture, Food and Fun
Colorful performances, lively music and family-friendly fun will fill College of the Mainland (COM) during the third annual Fiesta Comunidad, a COM community celebration in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month. This free event takes place Saturday, Sept. 20, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Parking Lot F.
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COM Selected for Aspen Institute's Presidents & Trustees Initiative
College of the Mainland (COM) President Dr. Helen Brewer and the COM Board of Trustees have been selected to participate in the inaugural Aspen Institute Presidents & Trustees Collaborative, a national initiative designed to strengthen alignment between college presidents and boards in support of lasting reforms that improve community college student outcomes.
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Heartfelt Journeys to Broadway Hits: COM Theatre's 2025-2026 Season
The College of the Mainland (COM) Theatre is proud to announce its 2025-2026 season, featuring an exciting blend of heartfelt storytelling, razor-sharp comedy and spectacular musical productions.
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Families Gear Up During Back-to-School Bash at COM
Backpacks filled with school supplies and faces filled with smiles, families gathered at the College of the Mainland (COM) Conference Center on Friday, Aug. 1, for the third annual Back-to-School Bash hosted by Family Service Center - The Center for Mental Health & Wellbeing in partnership with Communities in Schools Galveston County.
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Former College of the Mainland President Warren and Chris Nichols Provide Short-Term Support for Dickinson Opening Doors Promise Scholarship Students
College of the Mainland (COM) announced today that former President Dr. Warren Nichols and his wife, Chris, are providing short-term scholarship support for incoming Dickinson Opening Doors Promise Scholarship-eligible students. The announcement was made during the College's July 28 general Board of Trustees meeting, following the Dickinson Management District's (DMD) decision to discontinue funding the program, the sole funding source since its inception.
Read StoryCollege of the Mainland Provides Clarification on Promise Scholarship Program
College of the Mainland (COM) would like to provide clarification regarding comments made by Dickinson Mayor Travis Magliolo about the Dickson community's Promise Scholarship at the July 22 City Council meeting. The College believes it's important to share accurate information about this valuable program that has supported local students.
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College of the Mainland to Host Free Robotic Process Automation Workshop
Explore the world of process automation during College of the Mainland's (COM) free Robotic Process Automation (RPA) Career Training program workshop on Saturday, Aug. 2, from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. in STEAM Building, Room 120.
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From Simulators to Smart Beds: COM Nursing Levels Up with $325K Grant
College of the Mainland (COM) has received a $324,916 Jobs and Education for Texans (JET) Grant through the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) to enhance nursing education. The grant funded advanced simulation equipment, including a MamaAnne maternal and birthing simulator, a SimBaby manikin, and 25 hospital beds with built-in scales and alarms.
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COM Alumni Becomes UH Student Regent
Former College of the Mainland (COM) Collegiate High School (CHS) graduate and 2019 commencement speaker Adrian Caraves was recently appointed student regent for the University of Houston (UH) System Board of Regents by Texas Governor Greg Abbott.
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Newly Elected COM Board Members Sworn In
College of the Mainland (COM) is pleased to announce the swearing-in of its newly elected and re-elected Board of Trustees (BOT) members following the May 3, 2025, election. The swearing-in took place during the board meeting on May 28, 2025.
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Campus Involvement Leads to Scholarship
Recent College of the Mainland (COM) Collegiate High School (CHS) graduate Gabriella Garcia was named one of 15 graduating high school seniors residing in Galveston County to receive the Leslie P. Daughtry Scholarship, provided by The Daily News (TDN).
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Salute the Soldiers: A Juneteenth Celebration Honoring African American Troops
College of the Mainland (COM) invites the community to its annual Juneteenth Celebration happening on Tuesday, June 17 at 12:30 p.m. in the COM Conference Center. This year's theme, "Salute the Soldiers", honors the African American troops who arrived in Galveston and played a vital role in securing the freedom of newly emancipated slaves.
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