Blinn College District awarded participation in Texas Success Center’s $11 million Texas Pathways Grant
Blinn selected as a Cadre 1 college in the Texas Pathways strategy in recognition of its commitment to advancing student pathway practices
September 10, 2019
The Texas Success Center has selected the Blinn College District to participate in the $11 million, five-year Texas Pathways Grant in recognition of its commitment to advancing pathway practices and helping students enjoy a seamless experience en route to advanced degrees.
Texas Pathways is a comprehensive, statewide five-year strategy to build capacity for Texas community colleges to implement structured academic and career pathways at scale. Grounded in research and based on the American Association of Community Colleges’ Pathways Project, Texas Pathways is an integrated, system-wide approach to student success that guides students from the selection of their high school endorsement through postsecondary education to attainment of high-quality credentials and careers with value in the labor market. Through Texas Pathways, colleges clarify paths to student end goals, help students choose and enter a pathway, help students stay on their pathway, and ensure students are learning.
"Blinn is proud to be recognized as a state leader in creating educational pathways that help students clearly identify the steps they must complete to earn their degree and embark upon a high-demand career," said Dr. Marcelo Bussiki, Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs. "We look forward to working alongside the Texas Success Center to build upon our success in helping students reach their academic and career goals."
Texas Pathways Round 2 is the next evolutionary step of the pathways strategy to provide continuous support for colleges as they redesign the student experience. Blinn previously has implemented guided pathways essential practices and in Round 2 will implement all essential practices at scale.
"It is an honor to receive this designation and to have our faculty, staff, administration, and Pathways team recognized for their leadership toward redesigning the student experience at Blinn," said Max Hibbs, Dean of Engineering, Computer Technology, and Innovation. "With our promotion and continued participation in the Texas Guided Pathways movement we will continue to enhance student learning and success."
Dr. Cynthia Ferrell, Vice President of the Texas Success Center, said, "Texas is very fortunate to have a set of funding partners willing to invest in the important work of the community colleges. The Texas Success Center and our funding partners are impressed by the college commitment to design and implement pathways. We are excited to work with Blinn College as they continue to transform student experiences."
Blinn has established itself as an academic state-wide leader, particularly for students seeking an affordable pathway to a four-year degree. Blinn’s academic transfer rate of 45.4% ranks No. 1 in the state and far exceeds the state-wide average of 23.1%. Additionally, Blinn has partnered with Texas A&M University to develop pioneering co-enrollment programs such as the Texas A&M-Blinn TEAM Program, the Texas A&M Engineering Academy at Blinn-Bryan, and the Texas A&M Engineering Academy at Blinn-Brenham.
Blinn also is a partner with The Texas A&M University System in the RELLIS Academic Alliance. Through this collaboration, students can complete their foundational coursework with Blinn before completing their upper-level coursework with one of the Texas A&M System regional universities also located at the RELLIS Campus.
According to data compiled by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board’s CollegeForAllTexans.com, out-of-district Blinn students who enroll in 30 credit hours during the 2019-20 academic year save an estimated $4,036 in tuition and fees compared to students at public universities across the state. In addition to Blinn’s low tuition and fees, the Blinn Foundation offers more than 200 endowed scholarships available to incoming and returning students from a wide range of backgrounds, majors, and experiences.
Registration for Fall 12-week courses is available through Tuesday, Sept. 17, with classes beginning Wednesday, Sept. 18. Registration for Fall 8-week courses is available through Tuesday, Oct. 15, and classes will begin Wednesday, Oct. 16. For enrollment or financial aid information, visit www.blinn.edu.
