General

MSU wins award from College Board

16 February 2009
2 min read

In accordance with the mission of the College Board, the School College Partnership Award recognizes an outstanding partnership with strong collaboration across three segments of education working together to connect more students to college success and opportunity. This year's award was presented at the College Board's Southwestern Regional Conference in Oklahoma City held February 4

-6.

The 2009 award recipient is University Crossroads: a partnership of colleges and universities in north Texas. University Crossroads was co-founded by Michele Bobadilla, Senior Associate Vice President for Outreach Services, UT Arlington and Zeb Strong Jr., Director of Recruitment Initiatives, UT Arlington. Partner institutions include: Austin College, Dallas County Community Colleges, Midwestern State University, Paul Quinn College, Southern Methodist University, Tarrant County Colleges, Texas A & M University, Texas A & M University -Commerce, Texas Christian University, Texas Tech University, Texas Wesleyan University, Texas Woman's University, The University of Texas at Arlington, The University of Texas at Austin, The University of Texas at Dallas, University of North Texas at Dallas, and the University of North Texas.

The University Crossroads partnership works hand-in-hand with the Dallas ISD College & Career Readiness Department, non-profit agencies, community-based organizations, and P-16 field agents of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. Community partners include: Education Is Freedom, LULAC National Educational Service Center, the Greater Dallas Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and University Outreach, among others.

Since August of 2005, representatives from each of these organizations have worked collaboratively to ensure a seamless transition for students and to develop an enhanced college-going culture in Dallas ISD schools. Some of the partnership's successes include the following:

º During the first year of implementation, 174 students completed and submitted college applications at the College Roundup event. This number grew to 720 this year.

º During the Fall, Spring and Summer Camp SAT math prep sessions over 600 students were able to receive college exam preparation and tutoring free of charge. Classes are in such demand that they are now being offered in Dallas and Fort Worth.

º Over 2,000 students attended the first District-wide College Fair in October 2007. This year, 3,000+ attended.

º Over 50 college field trips were scheduled during the 2007-2008 school year.

º Over $400,000 in scholarships were awarded at the GDHCC's Rising Star Scholarship event.

We are pleased to recognize University Crossroads as an exemplary model of a school college partnership.

Contact: Kay Wilson kwilson@collegeboard.org