Those in attendance were there to celebrate a ribbon-cutting and grand opening of the University of St. Thomas’s USTMAX Center at 336 N. Main St., Conroe—Montgomery County’s only private, four-year university, according to UST.
“We want to be part of [Conroe’s] growth and support further expansion of the region’s economic base,” UST President Richard Ludwick said. “By providing educational opportunities, UST will help community members and businesses to grow and thrive.”
The storefront will serve as a recruiting and academic microcampus, providing direct access to UST’s faculty and staff members. There are currently 14 degree programs and three certificate programs offered, and online programs will continue to be added based on input from the community, officials said.
Programs include business, education, technology and nursing as well as three faith-based programs: a Master of Arts in Faith and Culture, a Master of Arts in John Paul II Studies and a Master of Arts in Theology.
“We listened and heard that there is demand for nursing and cybersecurity education as well as a growing interest in business-related programs,” Ludwick said. “We will continue to add online opportunities and, by listening to community members, develop custom academic options to suit their needs.”
The center is named after St. Maximilian Kolbe, who is often referred to as the patron saint of innovation.
Conroe officials, including Council Member Jody Czajkoski, had invited UST to explore opening the college in Conroe, according to UST. Czajkoski spoke at the event, referring to Conroe as the “miracle city,” in reference to the term used when George Strake struck oil in 1931, which transformed the city into an oil boomtown.
More information about the university center and its programs can be found here.
