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 is initially being funded by a generous grant from Greater Texas Foundation. Members of ACCSS will collaborate to advise students regarding their college and career pathways, including technical and career training options. Participating students will receive a personal graduation plan that includes a program of study to receive college hours, partially accomplished by aligning high school courses to postsecondary curriculum. Students will have the opportunity to choose a pathway and open the door to graduating high school with up to 60 college hours and/or associates degree or certificate(s) 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.
Blinn College has hired Susie Shank as Director of the ACCSS program. As Director, Mrs. Shank will be responsible for managing the ACCSS grant activities, implementing the program initiatives as agreed upon by ACCSS leadership, and building sustainability to carry the ACCSS program beyond the initial funding by Greater Texas Foundation. Becky Garlick, Executive Dean at Blinn College-Schulenburg Campus shared, “We are so excited to have Susie joining the ACCSS team. With her passion for helping students achieve their dream of earning college credit and/or workforce credentials while in high school, Blinn College-Schulenburg Campus and the five ACCSS schools are fortunate to have her leading this program. ACCSS students in Columbus, Fayetteville, Flatonia, Schulenburg, and Weimar ISDs are certain to benefit from her innovative thinking, desire to help others, and strong work ethic.” Shank comes to Blinn with twenty years of experience in community outreach and non-profit management and fundraising. She takes this mission personally, as a mother of four and dedicated Schulenburg resident. Susie Shank shared, “I hope to shine the light on our rural communities as cultivators of high-achieving students and employees. The Blinn College campus here in Schulenburg is a hidden jewel and asset that all area residents who determine to be life-long learners have access to. We are blessed to have Blinn here in our backyard to make programs like ACCSS a possibility, connecting these five rural high schools and creating a force that each on their own would not be able to manifest.” For information regarding ACCSS, contact Susie Shank, Director, at the Blinn College-Schulenburg Campus at 979-743-5239 or susie.shank@blinn.edu or visit with the high school counselor at your student’s campus.
About ACCSS:
It is the mission of Alliance for College and Career Student Success in South Central Texas (ACCSS) 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.
