Alliance for College and Career Student Success receives $370,000 grant

Program housed at Blinn-Schulenburg is coalition with six rural school districts

September 3, 2024

The Trellis Foundation has awarded a three-year, $370,000 grant to the Alliance for College and Career Student Success (ACCSS), a partnership of the Blinn College District and six rural school districts in Fayette, Colorado, and Lavaca counties.

“This grant is going to be a complete game changer,” Dr. Becky Garlick, Executive Dean of the Schulenburg Campus. “It’s going to allow us to continue to provide comprehensive support such as career counseling for students who have not had a previous opportunity to use these resources. We see improved performance and improved retention in students involved in the program.”

ACCSS is housed at the Blinn College-Schulenburg Campus. The program currently includes partnerships with the Columbus, Fayetteville, Flatonia, Moulton, Schulenburg, and Weimar school districts. Students from high schools in those districts can earn up to 60 hours of college dual credit or job certifications that will help them acquire a job in a high-demand, high-paying field.

The ACCSS mission is to ensure that every student, regardless of their background, has access to opportunities needed to thrive in the pursuit of their educational and career aspirations. It provides comprehensive academic and career resources, guidance, and support essential for students to earn post-secondary credits or workforce career credentials.

“We thank the Trellis Foundation for its support and commitment to educational excellence, and its belief in the ACCSS mission and vision for students in our area,” Garlick said.

Dr. Jeff Harvey, Superintendent of Fayetteville ISD and Chairman of the ACCSS Leadership Board, said the alliance is a means to share resources.

“Our goal is to make sure we can share our resources and pool them together with our strategic partners so we can provide more opportunities for workforce solutions and academic opportunities for our students,” Harvey said. “A teacher in Schulenburg can be teaching a student in Fayetteville. This partnership allows our students to expand their horizons and prepare for their future.”

Jesus Perales, Trellis Foundation Program Manager, said the ACCSS mission is in line with the Foundation’s goals.

“Trellis Foundation focuses on post-secondary completion,” Perales said. “We’re super-excited about this grant, particularly because it’s in a rural area. For us, making sure that students complete their post-secondary goals by giving them the resources they need is important.”

For more information, contact ACCSS Program Director Susie Shank at 979-743-5239 or susie.shank@blinn.