Summary of Accomplishments
2017 – 2018
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