UST President Richard Ludwick and The Woodlands Area Chamber of Commerce Director of Sales Royce Brooks cut the welcoming ribbon to celebrate the opening of USTMAX Center, the University of St. Thomas’ new micro-campus in downtown Conroe that serves the residents of Montgomery County.

USTMAX Center joined The Woodlands Area Chamber of Commerce - known as Greater Houston’s most influential business organization, in September 2020.

UST President Richard Ludwick's Greeting

Ludwick greeted the group and gave a brief overview of USTMAX Center’s offerings. The new micro-campus is located at 336 N. Main Street in downtown Conroe. Along with online associates degrees in cybersecurity, network technology and electronic technology, UST offers 14 online master’s programs and three certificate programs. As a gift to Montgomery County residents, Ludwick announced free tuition for new students who register for the two-year, online technology associates degrees for the spring 2021 semester.

Ludwick told the group that UST is there to listen to their workforce needs and work with them to build the curriculum most desired in that area. He also mentioned that along with the USTMAX Center, UST opened a cutting-edge nursing lab and offers its Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree through its Odis and Carol Peavy School of Nursing, which is also located in Montgomery County near the large hospitals in Shenandoah, TX.

Chamber Welcome

"We are excited to welcome USTMAX to Montgomery County and very much appreciate their support of the Chamber and the community," J.J. Hollie, president and  CEO of The Woodlands Area Chamber of Commerce, said. "The Chamber, through its Core Focus of Advocacy, supports important policies and initiatives that benefit the economy of the area. One of those initiatives is Workforce Development and we feel it is crucial to have educational opportunities that support health care, cyber security, and a range of other employment needs in the area."

Guests in Attendance

In attendance for the Chamber’s welcome festivities were Carla E. Alsandor, Ph.D., interim director of the USTMAX Center and Senior Director of Alumni Relations and Brenda Banegas, USTMAX Center recruitment counselor. Dr. Chris Evans, UST’s Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Nicole Walters, dean of UST’s Associates Programs, Courtney West, assistant director of development and Brittani Wright, corporate relations manager. Special guests included Fr. Tom Rafferty ’79, M.Div. ’82, pastor of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in The Woodlands and UST Board member, Dr. Daniel T. Hannnon, chaplain of Interfaith of The Woodlands, as well as Chamber Diplomats David Dewhurst, Prosperity Living, Scott Naughton, MTX Local, Janet Skeels, David Allen Capital and David Lee, EdwardJones.

Alsandor said, “We value our relationship with The Woodlands Area Chamber of Commerce and are grateful for the warm welcome and show of support. We intend to be very active and to get to know as many fellow members as we can.”

Learn More about USTMAX Center

The USTMAX Center hosts information sessions on its degree programs  and welcomes prospective students and The Woodlands Area Chamber of Commerce members to check out the new Center and get to know what University of St. Thomas has to offer the community. To learn more, go to www.stthom.edu/maxcenter.