Summary of Accomplishments

Received a three-year grant from rootEd Alliance to serve high school students in Alice, Aransas Pass, and Sinton with dedicated postsecondary success advisors.

Received the Outstanding Leadership for a Community-Based Organization award and $10,000 from the National College Access Network.

Implemented the Emerging Professionals Internship Program in 2019 for 30 high school students from Calallen, Corpus Christi, and West Oso ISDs.

Received a $91,108 grant from Workforce Solutions of the Coastal Bend to implement the Texas Internship Initiative.

Implemented the highly successful Recapture Your Dream program for adults with some college and no degree through a $275,000 grant from the Lumina Foundation and significantly increased postsecondary enrollment.

In partnership with Corpus Christi ISD, increased FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) completion rates by 6%.

Updated and distributed 13 education/career pathways from certificates to bachelor’s degrees leading to in-demand jobs through partnerships with Workforce Solutions of the Coastal Bend, Del Mar College, and Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi.

Served over 17,000 clients at Coastal Compass Education and Career Resource Center since we opened in May 2013.

Welcomed Coastal Bend College and Crossroads Adult Education & Literacy as new Coastal Compass partners.

Represented the City of Corpus Christi at national education conferences and convenings.

Hosted the Ready for College and Career Conference for over 350 high school juniors and seniors as part of Texas Industry Week and in conjunction with the YOU Choose Career Expo provided by Workforce Solutions of the Coastal Bend.

Hosted the Discover Your Direction: Exploring Endorsements Conference for students in Grades 7-10.

Continued bringing together community leaders as part of the educational nonprofit network and published the Nonprofit Resource Guide.

Served as the coordinating organization for the regional College Preparatory Course.

Established the Emerging Professionals Internship Program with a cohort of 30 students.
Received a $91,108 grant from Workforce Solutions of the Coastal Bend to implement the Texas Internship Initiative.
Implemented the Recapture Your Dream program for adults with some college and no degree through a $275,000 grant from the Lumina Foundation.
In partnership with Corpus Christi ISD, increased FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) completion rates by 6% through using a $40,000 grant from the National College Access Network, and received a $10,000 check and the Outstanding Leadership for a Community-Based Organization award at the national convening.
Provided a week-long STEM-ulate Your Summer Camp for 35 students through funding from ConocoPhillips.
In partnership with community organizations, led efforts to survey community employers and employees through The Graduate Network’s Bridging the Talent Gap survey.
Co-hosted, with United Corpus Christi Chamber of Commerce, the Impact of the 86th Legislative Session on Education and the Workforce for over 200 guests.
Updated and distributed eleven education career pathways for certificates to bachelor’s degrees leading to in-demand jobs.
Served over 16,000 clients at Coastal Compass Education and Career Resource Center since we opened in May 2013.
Hosted the Counselors/Education to Employment Conference & Industry Tour for 60 participants.
Hosted Youth Summer Job Fairs and Destination: Education Fair at La Palmera Mall.
Welcomed Goodwill of South Texas and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University as new Coastal Compass partners.
Represented the City of Corpus Christi at national education convening.
In partnership with Workforce Solutions of the Coastal Bend, provided the Educator Externship Program for 97 educators.
Hosted the Ready for College and Career Conference for over 350 high school juniors and seniors as part of Texas Industry Week and in conjunction with the YOU Choose Career Expo, provided by Workforce Solutions of the Coastal Bend.
Hosted the Discover Your Direction: Exploring Endorsements Conference for 165 students in Grades 7-10.
Continued bringing together community leaders as part of the educational nonprofit network and published the Nonprofit Resource Guide.
Served as a coordinating organization for the regional College Preparatory Course.

Awarded $275,000 by the Lumina Foundation and designated Corpus Christi as one of 24 cities in the nation as a “Talent Hub.”
Received $40,000 in grant funding from the National College Access Network to increase FAFSA rates in Corpus Christi.
Selected by National League of Cities (NLC) as one of 6 cities nationally to participate with a cohort to solve equity issues around postsecondary and workforce access. The Corpus Christi team led an NLC site visit, attended the NLC Mayors’ Institute with Mayor Joe McComb and participated on a panel at the NLC National Briefing.
Hosted the Building Bridges: Education Excellence Awards and recognized four outstanding organizations in our community.
Completed ten education career pathways for certificates to bachelor’s degrees through generous funding from the Trellis Foundation.
Served over 14,000 clients at Coastal Compass Education and Career Resource Center since we opened in May 2013, and increased visits to the Center by 25% over the previous year.
Hosted College Expo, Youth Summer Job Fair, and Destination: Education Fair at La Palmera Mall.
Welcomed United Corpus Christi Chamber of Commerce as a new Coastal Compass partner.
In partnership with the Mayor’s Education/Workforce Policy Board, finalized and adopted the first Corpus Christi Education/Workforce Strategic Plan.
In partnership with Workforce Solutions of the Coastal Bend, provided the Educator Externship Program, a one-week program for 77 educators.
Held “FAFSA Frenzy” at Coastal Compass each Saturday in October through partnerships with higher education institutions.
Hosted the Ready for College and Career Conference for over 300 high school juniors and seniors as part of Texas Industry Week.
Hosted the Discover Your Direction: Exploring Endorsements Conference for 175 students in Grades 7, 8, 9, and 10.
Assisted schools and communities devastated by Hurricane Harvey through grant funds provided by the Prichard Family Foundation.
Continued bringing together community leaders as part of the educational nonprofit network.
Served as coordinating organization for the regional College Preparatory Course.

2016

Presented “Education Advocate Awards” at a Mustangs’ fundraising event raising over $30,000

Received a grant from TG Philanthropy in the amount of $126,000 to develop Coastal Bend education and career pathways

Invited to participate in National League of Cities Leadership Academy (one of 12 cities nationally)

Assisted over 2,500 clients at Coastal Compass Education and Career Resource Center at La Palmera Mall Held “FAFSA Frenzy” each Saturday in February and October

Welcomed two new partners to Coastal Compass – Education Service Center Region 2 and Saint Leo University

Worked with Mayor Martinez and the Education Stakeholders to develop a draft education strategic plan for Corpus Christi

Co-hosted the Emerging Leaders Initiative Educator Externship Program, a one-week program for 39 educators

Provided professional development to educators through the uAspire Financial Aid webinars and at the Education to Employment Conference, which included an industry tour

Hosted the Discover Your Direction: Exploring Endorsements Conference for 150 students in Grades 8, 9, and 10

Hosted iDiscovery Safari Career and Education Fair for over 1,400 participants

Hosted Generation Texas Day in La Palmera Mall to celebrate the decision of over 200 graduating seniors to pursue postsecondary education

Hosted the Ready for College and Career Conference for 180 high school juniors and seniors and their counselors

Brought together over 50 community leaders to establish a nonprofit network

Served as coordinating organization for Academic Vertical Alignment Training and Renewal (AVATAR) state-wide project and led the regional College Preparatory Course Advisory Council Participated in national Postsecondary Success City Action Network and other professional development as the Mayor’s designee

Received numerous grants/support – AT&T, Coastal Bend Community Foundation, HEB, Kenedy Memorial Foundation, Lumina Foundation, Blanche Moore Foundation, National College Access Network, National League of Cities, Ed Rachal Foundation, TG Philanthropy, uAspire, University of North Texas/Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, and Workforce Solutions of the Coastal Bend

2015

Received a Charity League grant in the amount of $251,000 for Coastal Compass Mobile Center

Assisted over 2,500 clients at Coastal Compass Education and Career Resource Center at La Palmera Mall

Hosted Generation Texas Day in La Palmera Mall to celebrate the decision of over 200 graduating seniors to pursue postsecondary education

Hosted Bridging the Gaps Math Symposium for area high school and college teachers

Hosted iDiscovery Safari Career and Education Fair for children and their families

Hosted the Ready for College and Career Conference for over 200 high school juniors and seniors and their counselors

Hosted the Discover Your Direction: Exploring Endorsements Conference for 160 students in Grade 8, 9, and 10

Co-hosted the Emerging Leaders Initiative Externship Program, a two-week program for 16 educators

Served as coordinating organization for Academic Vertical Alignment Training and Renewal (AVATAR) state-wide project Coordinated and led the regional College Preparatory Course Advisory Council Joined with Mayor Martinez to launch the initial meeting of Corpus Christi Education Stakeholders Participated in national Postsecondary Success City Action Network as the mayor’s designee

Received numerous grants – Charity League, Ed Rachal Foundation, Coastal Bend Community Foundation, CITGO-Hands for Hillcrest, American Bank, Dougherty Foundation, HEB, Kenedy Memorial Foundation, Prichard Family Foundation, Lumina Foundation, Yvonne Simard Foundation, Susser Family Foundation, Workforce Solutions of the Coastal Bend, University of North Texas/Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, and America’s Promise Alliance

2014

Established Coastal Compass Education and Career Resource Center – May 2013

Received Gold Award for Coastal Compass – Texas Association of Partners in Education Received Education Award for Coastal Compass from Robstown Regional Economic Development Corporation

Awarded Charity League grant ($230,000)

Awarded Best College Application Drive Grand Prize for Gen TX Day; hosted Gen TX Signing Day One of 35 cities (Cohort 2) selected to participate in Lumina Foundation’s Community Partnership for Attainment program ($170,000)

Hosted GradNation Summit with the support of America’s Promise Alliance ($15,000)

Created new name/logo for P-16 Council: Education to Employment Partners

Developed iDiscovery Safari, a grassroots career and education fair

Developed “Bridging the Gaps” Math Symposium Held leadership luncheon with Dr. Victor Saenz

Held Legislative Update leadership luncheon

Hosted Ready for College and Career Conference for high school seniors, Junior League of Corpus Christi, and counselors

Provided industry tour for counselors

Served on Education/Workforce Taskforce for Mayor Nelda Martinez and Rep. Todd Hunter Participated in area Jobs Town Hall Meetings

Served as Mayor’s designee for national Postsecondary Success City Action Network Served on state AVATAR committee Received numerous grants – Ed Rachal Foundation Coastal Bend Community Foundation, Hands for Hillcrest (Citgo), American Bank, Kenedy Foundation, Scripps-Howard, Dougherty Foundation, HEB, Wells Fargo, Kenedy Foundation, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.

Invited to Promise Conference in Indianapolis by Lumina Foundation Articles printed for Shale Oil and Gas Magazine Presented information about Coastal Compass at local, state, and national conferences.

2006 – 2013

September 2013 – Sponsored Leadership Seminar Panel Discussion, The Impact of the 83rd Legislative Session on Schools, Community, and the Workforce

June 2013 – Selected to participate in Year 2 of the statewide Academic Vertical Alignment Training and Renewal project

May 2013 – Established Coastal Compass Education and Career Resource Center located in Corpus Christi’s La Palmera Mall

May 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011 – Celebrated Generation Texas Day

April 2014, 2013 – Awarded $5000 in scholarships to local students through the Generation Texas Scholarship Program

April 2014 — Awarded Community STAR Awards honoring community businesses involved in educational issues in our area

April 2013, August 2012, February 2012, September 2011, February 2011, August 2010, September 2008 – Hosted Leadership Seminars for business and community members focused on education topics.

October 2014, February 2014, March 2013 – Hosted Preparing High School Students for Postsecondary Success Mathematics Symposium, an effort to improve vertical alignment between secondary and postsecondary.

March 2014, February 2013 – Held iDiscovery Safari, an education and career event for children.

June 2012 – Selected to participate in a statewide Academic Vertical Alignment Training and Renewal Project (AVATAR).

May 2012, May 2011, June 2010 – Recognized local educators for outstanding programs or practices with monetary awards.

February 2012 to present – Implemented the Generation Texas Campaign through a grant awarded by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. Generation Texas campus kits were delivered to 30 high schools and included materials to encourage students to pursue postsecondary education.

February 2012, February 2011, August 2010 – Hosted the Feria Para Aprender (The Learning Fair), an opportunity for students and parents to learn about the educational programs and services in the Coastal Bend.

November 2011 – Recognized outstanding educators at the Celebrating Excellence Luncheon.

September 2011 – Provided professional development from the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation to local social studies teachers.

August 2011 – Completed a School Readiness Brochure for parents in partnership with ESC Region II and Workforce Solutions of the Coastal Bend. August 2010 – Sponsored Teaching with Passion and Style professional development with Murray Banks for educators.

August 2009 – Hosted Dropout Prevent Leadership Summit for educators.

September 2008 – Provided professional development with Dr. Ruby Payne, A Framework for Understanding Poverty.

Fall 2007-Spring 2008 – Held a series of public forums titled “Closing the Achievement Gap”.

August 8-9, 2007 – Provided professional development for educators on Professional Learning Communities.

Fall 2006-Spring 2008 – Implemented Full-Service Community School Pilot Project

Accomplishments

Summary of Accomplishments

2019-2020

2018-2019

2017 – 2018

2016

2015

2014

2006 – 2013

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