- 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.
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
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
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.
