The Blinn College District and the Columbus, Fayetteville, Flatonia, Schulenburg, and Weimar ISD’s recently launched a new partnership designed to increase high school dual credit completion and establish seamless pathways toward postsecondary awards and industry credentials. The Alliance for College and Career Student Success (ACCSS) in South-Central Texas partners collaborate to advise students regarding their college and career pathways, including technical and career training options, that will help them acquire a job in a high demand, high paying field. The pathways they will have to choose from initially include: 42 Texas Core Curriculum, Allied Health/Nursing, Construction & Building Trades, Teaching, and Agri-Business. The goal of ACCSS is to increase access to these opportunities for all students. With the cooperation of partner schools and the support of community investors, transportation and cost of fees and tuition will not be a barrier to students enrolling. This opportunity will enhance the future of any student willing to step up to the challenge
Susie Shank, the ACCSS Director, is excited to announce that they have added Sarah Nickel to the ACCSS Team as their Student Success Coach. “We were looking for an inspiring success coach to motivate students toward reaching their full potential. In this role, she will be responsible for recruiting students to enroll in ACCSS, evaluating individual needs, motivating students to work towards their goals, and monitoring their progress. Sarah was the ideal candidate.”
Ms. Nickel shared, “I am so excited to be a part of this program and help aid students in making our community better through their successes. Being from this area, I know there are different challenges and obstacles that might be in the way of students planning to continue their education after high school. I grew up in LaGrange and attended Blinn college right after high school myself. I am glad I was able to experience all that Blinn has to offer. It helped me see my potential at the post-secondary level. I finished up my bachelor’s at SHSU and completed my Masters in Guidance and Counseling at Texas A&M in San Antonio. I have always been drawn to the helping professions, knowing I wanted to do something pertaining to counseling. I have not only taught at the high school level but have also been a high school counselor for the past 4 and a half years. I feel most accomplished when I can aid a student in discovering their full potential and they are in turn successful in those endeavors. I am excited to begin this opportunity to assist and support students in opening doors to their futures.” Sarah will office out of the Blinn College – Schulenburg Campus, but she will be at each high school on a weekly basis. Families interested in learning more may reach her at sarah.nickel@blinn.org or (979)743-5206. For more information on ACCSS or to donate to their designated fund for dual credit scholarships, visit www.myaccss.net.
About ACCSS:
It is the mission of Alliance for College and Career Student Success in South Central Texas (ACCSS) is to collaborate as a partnership with rural public-school districts and institutions of higher education to provide academic and career resources, guidance and support necessary for students to complete a post-secondary or workforce career credential.
(L-R) Selah Waltz/CNA, Hannah Garlick/Agri-Business, Caitlin Urban/Teaching, Blake Meyers/Welding, and Kadin Schmitt/42 Core
