Blinn, five partner school districts awarded $842,780 Greater Texas Foundation grant to support rural student success

Collaborative partnership will establish seamless pathways toward postsecondary awards and credentials

September 23, 2021

The Blinn College District and the Columbus, Fayetteville, Flatonia, Schulenburg, and Weimar ISDs celebrated the launch of a new partnership designed to increase high school dual credit completion and establish seamless pathways toward postsecondary awards and industry credentials with a signing ceremony held Thursday, Sept. 23, on the Blinn College-Schulenburg Campus.

With the support of an $842,780 grant from the Greater Texas Foundation, Blinn College District Chancellor Dr. Mary Hensley, Columbus ISD Superintendent Jim Connor, Fayetteville ISD Superintendent Dr. Jeff Harvey, Flatonia ISD Superintendent Dr. Andy Reddock, Schulenburg ISD Superintendent Duane Limbaugh, and Weimar ISD Superintendent Jon Wunderlich signed an articulation agreement establishing the Alliance for College and Career Student Success (ACCSS) in South-Central Texas.

“Through this partnership, the Blinn College District and its partner school districts will assist rural Central Texas students by providing them with the support and guidance they need to prepare for rewarding, high-demand careers,” Hensley said. “We believe this innovative partnership will yield life-changing results for these students and serve as a model for community colleges across the nation.”

Members of the ACCSS will collaborate to advise students regarding their college and career pathways, including technical and career training options. Member students will receive a personal graduation plan that includes a program of study to receive college hours. Additionally, high school courses will be aligned to postsecondary curriculum to build a culture of preparedness for postsecondary study.

Through Blinn’s Dual Credit Program, students in the program will be able to earn college credit and stackable certifications, including a Level 1 or 2 industry-based certificate or up to 60 college hours while in high school. Blinn’s Division of Technical and Community Education will offer students the opportunity to pursue awards in certified clinical medical assistant, construction management, facility maintenance, HVAC, and pharmacy technology.

ACCSS will begin to recruit students during the fall 2021 semester and students may begin taking courses through the program as soon as spring 2022.

“Greater Texas Foundation's mission is focused on supporting efforts so more Texas students can earn postsecondary credentials, and strong rural collaborations like this one are central to achieving this goal,” said Sue McMillin, President and CEO of Greater Texas Foundation. “We are proud to support this innovative partnership to provide college and career pathways to students in this region of the state. We are confident this will result in long-term benefits for students, families, and the entire community.”

With five Central Texas campuses and an array of online courses and programs, Blinn is the state’s academic transfer rate leader. At its Schulenburg Campus, Blinn offers a low student-to-faculty ratio and the one-on-one attention that makes Blinn one of the finest community colleges in the State of Texas.

Blinn’s Dual Credit Program allows high school students to earn credit toward a college degree by enrolling in courses that simultaneously satisfy the requirements for high school graduation and a college degree. Dual credit courses may be taught at a Blinn or high school campus and include the same content and rigor as courses taught to other college students.

The Greater Texas Foundation supports efforts to ensure all Texas students are prepared for, have access to, persist in, and complete postsecondary education, placing particular focus on helping underserved and socioeconomically disadvantaged populations. For more information about the Greater Texas Foundation’s mission, visit www.greatertexasfoundation.org.

For information regarding the ACCSS, call the Blinn-Schulenburg Campus at 979-743-5200.