Texas Association of Chicanos
in Higher Education
2007 Conference
February 2, 2007
College Connection:
A Closing the Gaps
Initiative
Empowering Latinos to Seek Higher Education
Dr. Maggie de la Teja, Dean of Student Services
Dr. Richard Armenta, Assoc. VP, Student Success
Austin Community College
What is “Closing the Gaps?”
• Too few high school graduates entering college
• Rapidly changing population increases among traditionally
underrepresented groups
• By 2025 Latinos and Blacks will account for more than
55.4% (16.4 million) of Texas population
• College-going rate lags among minorities
• In 2002 Latinos and Blacks accounted for 51% of the age
group 15-34 population, but only 36% of college and
university enrollments
• Texas 2000 initiative to increase college enrollment,
especially of underrepresented students
Closing the Gaps
• State must increase Latino college-going participation rates by
2015
• Goal to increase overall enrollment in higher education by
630,000 by 2015; increase overall college-going rate from 5.0%
in 2000 to 5.7% by 2015
• College-going rate lags among minority populations,
particularly Latinos, 3.7% in 2000
• Goal is to increase college-going rate for Latinos by 2010 to
4.8% and to 5.7% by 2015 so as to improve quality of life and
to maintain State economic advantage
Closing the Gaps
• Closing the Gaps warns that if more Texans do not
receive college degrees by 2030, the State could lose up to
$40 billion in annual household income
• Most students (over 50%) will elect to start at a
community college, especially Latinos
• Austin Community College expects 15,000 more students
by 2015
Goals for Improving High
School to College Transitions
• Create a culture/expectation that “college is in everyone’s
future”
• Improve/increase percentage of high school graduates who
enter college
– About 54% college-going rate in Texas1
• Improve/increase number of high school students who
earn college credit while in high school
- About 6% are dual enrolled in Texas2
1 – Source: http://www.thecb.state.tx.us/Reports
2 – Source: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ovae/pi/hsinit/papers/dual.pdf
Improve “College Readiness”
• Reduce high school drop-out rates
• Reduce number of students who need developmental/
remedial education before entering college credit
– 60% of Latinos are under prepared in Texas1
• Enhance science and math education
1 – Source: Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board – Developmental Education: Statewide Data Profile
Steps to a College
Connection Initiative

Identify school districts/schools in service area
and data about college-going rates

Designate high-level college administrator to take the lead for
the College Connection program

College administrator (lead) meets and discusses College
Connection with superintendents of the school districts

Participating school personnel invited to meet with the
college administrator lead and a team of Student Services and
other college representatives to plan the various high school
senior student activities (complete the Activity Grid)
College-Going
Rates
College-Going Rates
• Average Rate – 50% for 26 school districts1
• Range – 30% in Luling ISD (124 Seniors) to 72% in
Dripping Springs ISD (234 Seniors)
– Compared to 54% college-going rate for Texas
1 – Source: http://www.thecb.state.tx.us/Reports
District Service Area
ACC: A Critical Regional Resource
Black = In-district
Green = Out-of-District
ACC Service Area Ethnic Distribution
18-44 Population (2005)1
Hispanic
217,406
32%
White
373,753
56%
1 – Source: Austin Community College Fact
Book 2005-2006
Black
50,289
7%
Other
34,748
5%
ACC Student Ethnic Distribution (Fall 2005)1
Hispanic
7,456
23%
Black
2,383
7%
White
19,097
61%
1 – Source: Austin Community College Fact Book
2005-2006
Other
2,972
9%
May 2006 High School Graduates Participating in
College Connection
Ethnic Distribution1
Total Students Served
Hispanic
2,673
39%
6,803
White
2,793
42%
1 – Source: Austin Community College Office of
Institutional Effectiveness and Accountability
Black
778
11%
Other
559
8%
May 2006 High School Graduates Participating in
College Connection Enrolled Fall 2006 At ACC
Ethnic Distribution1
Hispanic
449
37%
Total Students Enrolled
1,200
White
555
47%
1 – Source: Austin Community College Office of
Institutional Effectiveness and Accountability
Other
73
6%
Black
123
10%
Steps to a College Connection
Initiative

The College administrator lead and data analysts obtain senior students’
testing scores and other data from the district

College Student Services leads in admissions, financial aid, assessment
testing, academic advising, counseling, and recruitment go to the school
campus and provide services

Completion of the Admissions Application is usually in the fall

Financial Aid services are provided in the spring to give students adequate
time to gather income tax forms. Parents are invited to be a part of this
process

Assessment Testing is usually in the spring

Online pre-advising (orientation) is then completed at the high school
during class time or during advisory periods

One-on-one academic advising is completed at the high school with a
college advisor/counselor in the spring
College Connection
Programs &
Activities
College Connection Program
• Many high school students find the college enrollment
process intimidating.
• Austin Community College provides hands-on, one-onone support to assist every student through each step of
the college admissions process.
• During graduation ceremonies, high school graduating
seniors receive acceptance letters to Austin Community
College.
What is the
Austin Community College
College Connection?
• Alignment of outreach efforts
• A collaboration among various departments at ACC and with
the school districts
• Removal of barriers to college information/enrollment
• Hands-on assistance to students
• Intensive connection with high school students and staff
• 100% high school senior participation
• Formal acceptance to college for every high school senior
College Connection
Activity Grid Sample
San Marcos Lead: Chad Kelly, 512-393-6800, chad.kelly@smcisd.net
Senior Count: 424 (SMHS)
Cecily Moore, 512-393-6800, cecily.moore@smcisd.net
16 (Pride HS)
ACC Lead: Mary Hensley, 223-7618, mhensley@austincc.edu/Luanne Preston, 223-7355, luanne@austincc.edu
Admin. Assistant: Esther Buzard, 223-7618, ebuzard@austincc.edu/Laurie Clark, 223-7353, lclark2@austincc.edu
Activity
Date
Signature Letter of
Release to Parents
August 1526, 2005
Senior Assembly:
-Access to
College
-Getting Started
-Financial Aid
-Career Planning
September
8, 2005
Admissions
Application
Sept 14,
2005
Make-Up Day
Sept 28,
2005
ASSET
Assessment
(paper and pencil)
Financial Aid
Information Night
Time
Location
Equipment
Communication
San Marcos HS Contact
(*Lead Contact)
Name@sanmarcos.isd.tenet.edu
ACC Contact
(*Lead Contact)
Name@austincc.edu
Boilerplate
letter
•Letters to parents
contest
*Cecily Moore
Cecily.moore
*Linda Kluck
Lkluck
9:45-11:15
a.m.
SMHS
Auditorium and
Library
•Notice in parent
newsletter
•Notice on high
school website
*Cecily Moore
Cecily.moore
*George Reyes
Rey
Amy Koch
Akoch
8:30 a.m. –
4:00 p.m.
San Marcos HS
Library 60
computers
•Intercom
announcements
•Notice to faculty
*Cecily Moore
Cecily.moore
*Amy Koch
Akoch
Nov 8 & 10,
2005
8:30 a.m.12:45 p.m.
SMCISD Fine
Arts Theater
and Library
•Schedule to
parents and on
web site
*Cecily Moore
Cecily.moore
*Amy Koch
Akoch
Feb. 15,
2006
9:00 a.m. –
4:00 p.m.
San Marcos HS
Library
Use incentives
for seniors to
attend
Information sheet
disseminated to
students @
school & via web
site
*Cecily Moore
Cecily.moore
*Terry Bazan
SHADED – Required College Connection Activities
Tbazan@austincc.edu
Students Receive Services
at the High School:
Required
• Admission application
• ASSET or COMPASS college
readiness testing
• Pre-advising (ACC 101)
• Academic advising
• Acceptance letter at graduation
Optional
•
•
•
•
Student life information
ACC video teleconference
ACC campus tours
Register for ACC classes
Recommended
• Senior presentation
• Financial aid application
Uses of Technology
• Listservs to facilitate communication
• Website with activity details
• I-cal online calendar
• Senior Assembly/Student Recruitment Presentation on
Internet
• Admissions Application on Internet
• FAFSA
• Teletour on Internet
• Pre-advising (101) on Internet
Mobile Go Center
The ACC Mobile Go Center stops at schools, shopping malls,
community centers, and other locations to bring college-related
information, motivation, and assistance directly to students and
their families. Mobile Go Centers are part of the College for
Texans Campaign to support state Closing the Gaps efforts to
draw an additional 630,000 Texans into colleges and
universities by 2015.
Participating
School Districts
College Connection Program Participants
2003-2004 (Year 1)
2004-2005 (Year 2)
2005-2006 (Year 3)
2006-2007 (Year 4)
San Marcos CISD
Austin ISD
Austin ISD
Bastrop ISD
Bastrop ISD
Del Valle ISD
Del Valle ISD
Leander ISD
Hays CISD
San Marcos CISD
Leander ISD
Austin ISD
Blanco ISD
Bastrop ISD
Del Valle ISD
Elgin ISD
Fredericksburg ISD
Harper ISD
Hays CISD
Jarrell ISD
Johnson City ISD
Lago Vista ISD
Leander ISD
Liberty Hill ISD
Lockhart ISD
Luling ISD
Manor ISD
Nixon-Smiley CISD
Pflugerville ISD
Prairie Lea ISD
Round Rock ISD
San Marcos CISD
Smithville ISD
Manor ISD
Pflugerville ISD
San Marcos CISD
School Districts Participating in the College
Connection Program 2006-2007
School District
Number of High
Schools
Number of Seniors
Year
Started
Austin ISD
12
4,200
2004
Bastrop ISD
1
560
2004
Blanco ISD
1
77
2006
Del Valle ISD
2
367
2004
Elgin ISD
2
234
2006
Fredericksburg ISD
2
236
2006
Harper ISD
1
33
2006
Hays CISD
3
665
2005
Jarrell ISD
1
60
2006
Johnson City ISD
1
49
2006
Lago Vista ISD
1
89
2006
Leander ISD
4
1,386
2004
Liberty Hill ISD
1
138
2006
Lockhart ISD
2
376
2006
Luling ISD
1
124
2006
Manor ISD
2
226
2005
Nixon-Smiley CISD
2
73
2006
Pflugerville ISD
2
436
2005
Prairie Lea ISD
1
20
2006
Round Rock ISD
5
2,597
2006
San Marcos CISD
2
484
2003
Smithville ISD
1
115
2006
41
12,545
Total (22)
Steps to a College Connection
Initiative

A high-level college administrator participates in the high
school graduation ceremony if requested; each high school
senior student participant receives a college admissions letter
at the same time he/she receives a high school diploma

Evaluation of the College Connection program activities
occurs at the college and at the high school to improve the
process for the next year

While all these activities are occurring the administrator
responsible for the College Connection program seeks grant
funding to expand the program and funds for student
scholarships
College Connection
Program Works
The ACC College Connection Program
Works!
District
Students
Enrolling
at ACC
Fall 2003
Students
Enrolling
at ACC
Fall 2004
Students
Enrolling
at ACC
Fall 2005
Students
Enrolling
at ACC
Fall 2006
% Increase
of Students
Enrolling at
ACC
2003-2006
560
527
630
741
32.32%
Bastrop ISD
33
35
70
55
66.67%
Del Valle ISD
38
31
58
49
28.95%
Hays CISD
61
70
66
77
26.23%
173
165
242
209
20.81%
Manor ISD
16
20
19
19
18.75%
Pflugerville ISD
83
79
67
95
14.46%
San Marcos CISD
33
48
49
36
9.09%
997
975
1,201
1,281
28.49%
Austin ISD
Leander ISD
Totals
Source: http://www.txhighereddata.org/Reports and ACC Office Of Institutional
Effectiveness and Accountability
The Austin Community College
College Connection Program Works!
District
San Marcos
Austin
Bastrop
Del Valle
Leander
Students Not
Located in Texas
Higher Education
Fall 20031
Students Not
Located in Texas
Higher Education
Fall 20042
273
2,155
286
293
444
219
2,066
234
312
459
66%
56%
69%
77%
48%
55%
56%
57%
80%
48%
Students Not
Located in Texas
Higher Education
Fall 20053
234
2,005
239
236
422
% Increase of
students
Located in
Higher
Education
59%
54%
54%
66%
42%
Districts Initiating the College Connection Program in Fall 2005
Hays
281
57%
311
57%
290 55%
Manor
51
57%
74
57%
87 62%
407
44%
470
49%
404 43%
Pflugerville
Blue=Year after College Connection started
1-Source: http://www.txhighereddata.org/Reports/PDF/0961.pdf
2-Source: http://www.txhighereddata.org/Reports/PDF/0963.pdf
3-Source: http://www.thecb.state.tx.us/Reports/PDF/1161.PDF
7%
2%
15 %
11 %
6%
2%
-5 %
1%
College Connection Results for
Austin Community College
Fall 2005
• Positive effect on fall enrollments
– 28.49% increase in enrollment from College Connection High
Schools from Fall 2003 to Fall 2006
• Positive effect on Early College Start/Dual Credit
enrollments
– 25.6% increase in enrollment from Fall 2004 to Fall 2005
• Positive effect on Tech Prep enrollments (high school
students are able to take college technical courses for free and
earn Tech Prep credit after the student successfully completes one
college credit course at ACC)
– Significant increase in number of students receiving Tech Prep
credit from Fall 2004 to Fall 2005
College Connection
Budget Implications
• ISDs not charged—free to them
• Replaces traditional recruitment activities
• FY06 Budget
College Connection $100,000+additional institutional
funding=$989,000 (Covers existing, redeployed staff and
resources plus additional Student Recruitment, Admissions,
Financial Aid, and Testing staff and materials)
• FY07 increased grant funding—$277,000
College Connection
Expansion
College Connection
Related Initiatives:
• Mini-College Connection for Adult Education
• College Connection Scholarships
Other Community Colleges
Adopting College Connection
Program
•
•
•
•
•
•
Alamo Community College District
Coastal Bend Community College
Del Mar Community College
Houston Community College District
Temple Community College
Victoria Community College
Steps to a College Connection
Initiative

Austin Community College
College Connection Program
is a 2006 Texas Higher
Education Coordinating
Board Star Award Winner

College Connection is the
2007 Bellwether Award
winner from the Community
College Futures Assembly

Your institution’s Next Step?
Create an award winning
College Connection program
“Attaining advanced levels
of education for
disadvantaged students
cannot be done without
developing a college-going
culture in every middle
school and high school in
the state of Texas...then
suddenly, (going to college)
changes from being a
possibility to an
expectation.”
--Raymund Paredes
Commissioner, Texas Higher Education
Coordinating Board
January 6, 2005
College Connection
Web Site
www.austincc.edu/isd
College Connection Website
To see a copy of this presentation,
please go to this link:
http://www.austincc.edu/isd/tache/020107.ppt
Dr. Maggie de la Teja
Austin Community College
Dean of Student Services
1820 W. Stassney Lane
Austin, TX 78745
(512) 223-9154
(512) 223-9174 (fax)
mteja@austincc.edu
Mary Hensley, Ed.D.
Austin Community College
Vice President College Support
Systems and ISD Relations
5930 Middle Fiskville Road
Austin, TX 78754
(512) 223-7618
(512) 223-7895 (fax)
mhensley@austincc.edu