Vision:

Inspiring success and shaping a better future for all.

Mission:

Connecting people, resources, information, and services to improve educational attainment and career development in the Coastal Bend.

History:

In January 2002, a task force was appointed by the Board of the Corpus Christi Chamber of Commerce and charged with developing a work plan for the Chamber Foundation, focusing on addressing education and community leadership issues. Over the next several months, the newly-appointed Chamber Foundation board set about the work of establishing a local education fund. An inaugural board for the new organization was recruited, and Citizens for Educational Excellence was incorporated in August 2003. Founding funders were the Edna McConnell Clark Foundation, the Scripps Howard Foundation and the Caller Times, the Moorhouse Charitable Foundation, and the Public Education Network. Citizens for Educational Excellence (CEE) was launched publicly in November 2003, and immediately planned a series of “community conversations” focusing on the city’s dropout problem. In December 2003, Scott Elliff was selected by the board as the founding director for CEE. In 2009 CEE became a partnering organization with and fiscal agent for the regional P-16 council. The Council serves all educational entities in the area defined as Education Service Center Region 2, which includes the counties of Aransas, Bee, Brooks, Duval, Jim Wells, Kenedy, Kleberg, Live Oak, McMullen, Nueces, and San Patricio. Another program is Coastal Compass Education and Career Resource Center. Modeled after Café College in San Antonio, CEE brought the idea to the City of Corpus Christi where it gained the support of Mayor Joe Adame. Through the generous assistance of Gloria Hicks, the management at La Palmera Mall, and Mayor Adame, the Center was established in May 2013. In 2015, the Corpus Christi Charity League awarded CEE a grant to purchase the Coastal Compass Mobile Center. In December 2020, the name Citizens for Educational Excellence was changed to Education to Employment Partners to better reflect the mission of the organization.

Approved by Citizens for Educational Excellence Board – September 11, 2025

 

 

EDUCATION TO EMPLOYMENT PARTNERS Strategic Plan 2026-2029

GOALS:

I. EDUCATION: The Coastal Bend will be a community where all residents receive a high-quality education at every level and have access to a broad range of postsecondary opportunities.

Strategic Actions;

1. Advocate for and invest in critical supports—such as financial aid navigation, transportation, and comprehensive wraparound services—that enable individuals to enroll in and successfully complete postsecondary education.

2. Use data to drive equity and continuous improvement by developing and supporting regional data initiatives that uncover disparities and guide targeted programs and interventions.

3. Consistently provide the public with accessible information and resources to support awareness and engagement.

II. BUSINESS & WORKFORCE: The Coastal Bend will be a community that fosters collaborative partnerships to strengthen cross-sector alignment and expand work-based learning opportunities.

Strategic Actions;

1. Develop a scalable menu of options that clearly outlines the roles of employers, educators, and intermediaries in delivering internships, apprenticeships, job shadowing, and other experiential learning opportunities.

2. Launch a shared communication and data platform to enable real-time collaboration, program tracking, and cross-sector data sharing—measuring impact, identifying gaps, and elevating success stories.

III. FINANCIAL SECURITY: The Coastal Bend will be a community where residents are equipped and empowered to earn sustainable wages that enable them to build wealth for the future.

Strategic Actions;

1. Strengthen career navigation and financial coaching by providing residents with access to career counseling, job placement services, and financial literacy programs that support both immediate employment and long-term wealth-building.

2. Advocate for policies that enhance economic mobility by supporting local and state initiatives to expand access to childcare, transportation, affordable housing, and livable wages—critical factors that enable residents to sustain employment and improve their quality of life.

Approved by Citizens for Educational Excellence Board – September 11, 2025