35 students who graduated from Houston Can Academy in January were eligible to apply for associate degree scholarships at Houston Community College (HCC). The winter graduates ofHouston Can Academy, a nonprofit dropout prevention and recovery high school serving mostly at-risk students, are eligible for three scholarships for associate degrees to HCC as well as grants from the Accelerate TEXAS (ATX) program. Associate degree scholarships were awarded based on essays the students wrote explaining their desire and commitment in pursuing continuing education.
The HCC Morales Foundation scholarships were awarded to Marysol Rodriguez, Grace Esparza and Mark Espinoza.
Dr. James Troutman, Houston Can Academy Hobby principal said, “This is a great opportunity for our graduating students to take advantage of and to pursue a variety of workforce certifications. Houston Community College continues to be a supportive partner with our campus to provide continuing education and real job training beyond high school.”
The ATX grants at HCC will help support the cost of the high school graduates entering a range of courses including computer support specialist, electrical technician, medical business office professional and general office assistant. The grant can pay not only the cost of books and tuition, but also any necessary equipment, test materials and certification exam fees. To demonstrate commitment to their own success, students are expected to pay a modest one-time registration fee. The program is designed to help students complete entry level certificate programs through contextualized learning. Contextualized learning helps students improve their reading, writing, math and English communication proficiencies using the content of the training programs in which they are enrolled. All students are eligible to apply for the grants.
“In all of my experience as an educator, I can't think of a better strategy than Accelerate TEXAS for helping underprepared students to complete post secondary certificates and degrees,” said Dr. David Joost, director of Adult Education at HCC. “Teachers recognize that it works; students recognize that it works, and employers recognize that it works. It's the best thing that's ever happened to Adult Education.”