Midland College Articulation Agreement Put Student on Path to Engineering Master's DegreeFebruary 11, 2019

Midland College (MC) grad Levi Bryand came to Midland College (MC) because it was close to home; however, its connections have taken him very far.

“I knew in high school I was interested in engineering, but there are so many choices for an engineering education, I was not sure where I wanted to go,” said Bryand. “Going to MC helped me save money and figure out where I want to go to from there.”

Fast forward: Bryand graduated from MC in summer 2015. With the guidance he got at MC, he transferred to Texas Tech receiving his Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering. Now, he is about to finish a master’s degree in Civil Engineering at Texas A&M University. He already has a secured a job with Landgraf Crutcher & Associates in Odessa as soon as he graduates.

“I cannot wait to use what I learned in ways that benefit my community,” said Bryand. “After all, I would not be where I am today without the altruism of the Permian Basin, especially MC.” 

“The transfer to Texas Tech was seamless because I had a lot of help from Midland College,” remembered Bryand. “The Student Access and Success Partnerships articulation agreement between MC and the Edward E. Whitacre, Jr. College of Engineering at Texas Tech was a huge help in taking all the guesswork out of transferring. MC Advisors helped explain every step of the process and they also helped me secure valuable, exclusive transfer scholarships. All the help from this partnership allowed me to focus on learning.”

Within the first two days on the Texas Tech campus Bryand ran into classmates from Midland College who also took advantage of the articulation agreement.

“When I went to Texas Tech, it was a little bit of a shock because it was so much bigger,” said Bryand. “I was lucky to find former MC students. It truly is a small world. We all ended up being in the same classes, so we eventually studied together every day until we graduated.”

Bryand says faculty and staff at Midland College always made him feel like he could ask for help with anything.

“People at MC knew my name, so if I needed to I could go talk to them,” said Bryand. “Whether it was class-related, homework-related or advice on how to advance my career, they knew me and would sit down and talk with me. The classes are tremendous as well. I had great instructors who got me ready academically, but that personal attention is one of the biggest advantages of MC.”

Bryand took advantage of an existing engineering articulation agreement between Midland College and Texas Tech.  Soon, MC will help even more students like Bryand and his friends with the ‘Texas A&M-Concho Engineering Academy at MC.’

On Thursday, Feb. 14 at 10:00 a.m., officials from Texas A&M University, Concho, Midland College and city leaders will be on hand to announce the Academy in the Carrasco Room at the Scharbauer Student Center.  

The program, which will begin in fall 2019, offers a one-of-a-kind opportunity for students to pursue a degree in engineering while being co-enrolled at MC and Texas A&M University. Students are able to save money and stay at home for their first two years, where they take highly rigorous and competitive engineering courses taught by Texas A&M faculty right here at MC before transitioning to the Texas A&M campus in College Station. Students in the Academy are exposed to the beginnings of as many as 19 engineering majors in their own backyard.

“I would have enjoyed being a part of something like the ‘Texas A&M Engineering Academy at Midland College,’” said Bryand. “I really enjoyed my time at Texas Tech as well, but I think the more opportunities for students to continue their education, the better. The Academy is a great addition to MC and the Midland community.”