Humble Beginnings to Greatness: A Recipe for Success

How Promise-to-Promise is breaking barriers

Ochoa: What the Jaguar Promise does now is extend that opportunity to students who choose a different pathway and those who will come to go through the Alamo Colleges. And that is, if you transfer with an associate's degree from a community college in Texas, but 80% of our transfers come from the Alamo Colleges District, so they're eligible to be considered for the Promise Program, our Jaguar Promise Program, which is very, very critical. It also honors the opportunity for those students who chose to do an early college high school through the Alamo Colleges, and if they come in with 30 hours or more, they're eligible for this program as well. 

Flores: Well, that's wonderful. I think you know one of the things that you mentioned earlier and during the announcement was the ability to work together... and so that it is a common purpose. 

Ochoa: It's about really, and I say that with all sincerity and heart, building a community of common purpose, and to me, you know, we have to honor the way students want to do that, but in my heart, I know that in for community colleges and for the Alamo Colleges, your desires for that student to continue. So it's about creating that pathway, and for me, when you do that, and you see students achieve an additional level of academic attainment, that joy comes from them. Still, it behooves you, me, your presidents, and our collective teams to work together to create that pathway because it is daunting for many students.

How the Alamo Colleges & TAMU-SA are working together on other transferability initiatives 

Ochoa: I've seen the successes when they have seamless transitions, articulation agreements, and literally where we go to the students at the community colleges. It says we're in this together, and I firmly believe that.

Flores: I want to commend and thank you for that perspective because the bridges and pathways are so critical.

How Promise-to-Promise is making an impact on Aubri’s college journey

Lalinde: So, during my educational journey at McCollum High School, I got pregnant in my junior year of high school, and my teacher was telling me to go to school, but my counselor, Ms. Priest, was excellent. She stood by my side, encouraged me to finish off at McCollum, and even encouraged me to go to Palo Alto College to give my son the better life he deserves. Before the baby, I wasn't sure if I would like a university that scared me. Still, having a baby, getting these opportunities, the Promise-to-Promise, everybody who's been by my side, and the resources encouraged me to further my education and maybe consider getting a master's degree.

Palo Alto College was similar to high school, which I loved, but better in a way. …My reaction was that I was very excited and grateful for this opportunity, especially for people who are student parents like me. They don't always have opportunities to be able to go to college or for their education, or they don't have family by their side…. I'm grateful to have family by my side and the education supporting me.