What we reported Gov. Greg Abbott signed Senate Bill 2118 on June 12, allowing the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to authorize certain public junior colleges to offer bachelor’s degrees in applied science, applied technology and applied nursing. Lone Star College System is developing proposals for a bachelor of science in nursing and a bachelor of applied technology.

The latest Bachelor’s degrees in applied technology would be offered at the 130,000-square-foot Westway Park Technology Center, which is scheduled to open in time for the fall semester at 5060 Westway Park Blvd., Houston. LSCS officials said the system is investing roughly $6.2 million to open the new facility.

What’s next Chancellor Steve Head said he expects the board to approve the applied technology program in mid-2018 in time to start offering classes in 2019. Students will have access to degrees in welding, process technology and cybersecurity, among other fields, to address a workforce shortage. A four-year degree will cost around $10,000.

This story is one update from The January Issue. View the full list of Top 10 stories to follow in 2018 here.