COM GRADUATE, BLINKA, HIRED AS DIRECTOR OF PURCHASING

TEXAS CITY -- College of the Mainland graduate Sonja Blinka understands the importance of community in a community college.
 
Blinka, who was hired as COM’s director of purchasing on Jan. 3, grew up in Dickinson and now lives in Santa Fe.
 
“(My job is to) make sure the College finds the best value for all its products and  services in a legal and ethical way,” Blinka said.  “(We want to) give opportunities back into our local economy as much as possible.”
 
She credits her time at the College with helping develop her career. Two of her children have attended COM as well.
 
“(COM) put me on the right career path,” Blinka said.
 
During her time as a COM student, Blinka was inspired to succeed by English instructor Astrid Lowery and history professor Manuel Urbina.
 
Blinka earned an associate degree in general studies with an emphasis in business in 2007 before graduating Magna cum laude from University of Houston-Clear Lake with a bachelor’s degree in public service management in 2010.
 
Blinka has more than 20 years of purchasing experience, mostly recently as a technology buyer with Clear Creek Independent School District.
 
She began her career through a cooperative education program at Dickinson High School in the late 1980s in which she worked for Northrop Grumman Corporation.
 
After graduating from Dickinson High, where she represented the school as its gator mascot, Blinka continued to work for Northrop Grumman’s purchasing department.
 
Blinka and her husband, Paul, a reliability specialist consultant, are avid gardeners in their free time.

College of the Mainland offers a wide range of classes, from nationally accredited associate degrees and certifications to skills, hobbies and trades. COM has an excellent professor-to-student ratio that helps instructors connect with their classes. We’re the launch pad for success stories throughout the Mainland.