COLUMBUS — The Live Oak Art Center will hold a scholarship fundraiser on Feb. 7 at 1014 Milam St. in Columbus. The evening starts at 4 p.m., and the Courtyard Wine Bar will 60 hours of college dual credit
or workforce certifications in high-demand, high-paying fields.
Funds will support the hiring of an additional student support coach and enable ACCSS to re- cruit two to five new partner dis tricts. It also will help develop industry partnerships to support work-based learning and program sustainability.
“This grant was designed to support the addition of new partners and strengthen our workforce connections,” said Susie Shank, ACCSS director.
The new grant marks the second major investment from the Greater Texas Foundation, which helped launch ACCSS with an $842,120 grant in 2021. The program, housed at the Blinn College-Schulenburg Campus, serves approximately 1,400 students across six districts.
"The first grant helped our ru ral school districts develop pathways for students and increase participation in both academic and workforce dual credit courses,” said Dr. Becky Garlick, executive dean of the Blinn-Schulenburg Campus. “Now the focus shifts to ensuring each student has a clear plan when they graduate from high school, along with the guidance and support necessary to help them achieve their goals. We are excited to have the opportunity to add additional school districts. This will sig- nificantly impact the number of students who benefit in our rural
communities.” serve cold beer and wine. At 5 p.m., until sold out, will be the shrimp boil. For entertainment, the always ever-popular duo of Darrel Appelt and Songbird Phil will play from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
The ACCSS mission is to provide every student, regardless of background, with the tools and support needed to pursue their educational and career goals. The program provides comprehensive academic and career resources, guidance, and support essential for students to earn post-secondary credits or workforce career credentials while in high school.
“This will give students opportunities that they normally might not have,” said Dr. Jeff Harvey, superintendent of Fayetteville ISD and chairman of the ACCSS Leadership board. “It’s a great day for all the school districts involved, and we’re looking at other groups and making sure that every school that comes in has an opportunity to enhance their programs. This truly is a collaboration and partnership between all the districts.”
Dr. Andrea Robledo, pro- gram and strategy officer with the Greater Texas Foundation, said the latest grant will allow ACCSS to enter its next phase.
“We awarded the grant initially to concentrate on covering rural areas. Now they can move toward enhancement of programs,” said Robledo. “This was a perfect synergy of seeing higher education come together with public schools. It brings together school districts around the geographic region to help students.”
For more information, contact Shank at 979-743-5239 or susie. [email protected].
