New Report | Innovation with Heart Community colleges are where nearly half of Texas students begin their postsecondary journey—and they’re also where some of the most impactful innovation is happening. Our new report, Innovation with Heart: How Texas Community Colleges Are Changing the Student Experience, highlights how Texas community colleges are:• Removing barriers to student success• Building systems that ... The post Vista: February 2026 first appeared on Greater Texas Foundation.
<img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" width="800" height="366" src="https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/27a466a3-2130-4e0e-0ed2-0fb43155e01b-1024x469.png" class="attachment-large size-large wp-image-15669" alt="" srcset="https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/27a466a3-2130-4e0e-0ed2-0fb43155e01b-1024x469.png 1024w, https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/27a466a3-2130-4e0e-0ed2-0fb43155e01b-300x137.png 300w, https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/27a466a3-2130-4e0e-0ed2-0fb43155e01b-768x352.png 768w, https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/27a466a3-2130-4e0e-0ed2-0fb43155e01b-1536x704.png 1536w, https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/27a466a3-2130-4e0e-0ed2-0fb43155e01b-2048x938.png 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /> New Report | Innovation with Heart Community colleges are where nearly half of Texas students begin their postsecondary journey—and they’re also where some of the most impactful innovation is happening. <img decoding="async" width="800" height="523" src="https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/ef9c7fd6-b38d-76ec-68e2-c5de5ecf07b0-1024x669.jpg" class="attachment-large size-large wp-image-21658" alt="" srcset="https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/ef9c7fd6-b38d-76ec-68e2-c5de5ecf07b0-1024x669.jpg 1024w, https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/ef9c7fd6-b38d-76ec-68e2-c5de5ecf07b0-300x196.jpg 300w, https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/ef9c7fd6-b38d-76ec-68e2-c5de5ecf07b0-768x502.jpg 768w, https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/ef9c7fd6-b38d-76ec-68e2-c5de5ecf07b0-1536x1004.jpg 1536w, https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/ef9c7fd6-b38d-76ec-68e2-c5de5ecf07b0-2048x1338.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /> Our new report, Innovation with Heart: How Texas Community Colleges Are Changing the Student Experience, highlights how Texas community colleges are: • Removing barriers to student success • Building systems that respond to real lives • Creating pathways to living-wage careers Innovation, when paired with deep care for students, is changing outcomes across the state. Read the Report “The thoughtful approaches we’re seeing from these institutions hold so much promise for replicating across the field at large.” – Leilani Lamb, Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute Recent Grants In its history, Greater Texas Foundation has awarded more than $165 million in grants to changemakers in Texas education. In January, we announced grants to the following organizations for projects that align with our Strategic Plan: CollegeSpring Inc Training Teachers to Bring College Readiness Into the Classroom $430,600 Competency-Based Education Network A Systems Approach to Expanding Apprenticeships in Texas $200,000 East Texas A&M University Foundation A New Online Pathway for Early Childhood and Elementary Educators $416,555 Institute for Evidence-Based Change Connecting Institutions to Create Seamless Pathways for Students $721,294 Texas Higher Education Foundation Clarifying Texas’s General Education Curriculum to Support Student Success $200,0007 Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania Turning Behavioral Science Into Scalable Student Support $160,033 Trellis Strategies Closing Service Gaps for Student Parents at Rural Institutions $383,216 Tyler Area P-16 Council Connecting East Texans to Skills, Credentials, and Opportunity $200,000 Victoria College Foundation, Inc. Building Capacity to Reconnect Adult Learners to College $300,000 Review all recent grants Recognizing Dr. Donald E. Thompson <img decoding="async" width="757" height="568" src="https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/4d64cd6d-4069-8b21-76b0-f4d281f7b4c5.jpg" class="attachment-large size-large wp-image-21662" alt="" srcset="https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/4d64cd6d-4069-8b21-76b0-f4d281f7b4c5.jpg 757w, https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/4d64cd6d-4069-8b21-76b0-f4d281f7b4c5-300x225.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 757px) 100vw, 757px" /> After almost 20 years supporting the mission of Greater Texas Foundation, Dr. Donald E. Thompson recently stepped down from the Board of Directors. We caught up with him between his ongoing consulting work and wide-ranging travel to talk about why he spent so many years with GTF and why creating hope for students is essential to Texas being a great state. Review all recent grants GTF Scholars Conference: Strengthening Programs, Empowering Students <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="481" height="132" src="https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/bed2279d-117e-be59-d84d-6bc61b6646ea.png" class="attachment-large size-large wp-image-21664" alt="" srcset="https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/bed2279d-117e-be59-d84d-6bc61b6646ea.png 481w, https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/bed2279d-117e-be59-d84d-6bc61b6646ea-300x82.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 481px) 100vw, 481px" /> In March, the foundation will bring together our eight GTF Scholars partner institutions for the annual GTF Scholars Study Meeting and Leadership Conference. Program leaders will gather for evaluation updates and small-group discussions focused on strengthening and adapting the program on their campuses. At the same time, up to three students from each institution will participate in an energizing leadership experience featuring team-building, an etiquette dinner, a keynote speaker, and interactive sessions designed to build confidence and leadership skills. Read the research that shows what makes our signature scholarship program so successful. Read the research The post Vista: February 2026 first appeared on Greater Texas Foundation.
Dr. Donald E. Thompson believes in young people
Dr. Donald E. Thompson believes in young people A conversation about the importance of hope Dr. Donald E. Thompson was hired as a consultant in 2006 to help Greater Texas Foundation establish its new structure as a charitable foundation and draft its first strategic plan. In 2014, he joined the board of directors and served ... The post Dr. Donald E. Thompson believes in young people first appeared on Greater Texas Foundation.
Dr. Donald E. Thompson believes in young people A conversation about the importance of hope Dr. Donald E. Thompson was hired as a consultant in 2006 to help Greater Texas Foundation establish its new structure as a charitable foundation and draft its first strategic plan. In 2014, he joined the board of directors and served through 2025, drawing on his research expertise to chair the board’s Strategy & Learning Committee. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="757" height="1103" src="https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/image002.jpg" class="attachment-medium_large size-medium_large wp-image-20279" alt="" srcset="https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/image002.jpg 757w, https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/image002-206x300.jpg 206w, https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/image002-703x1024.jpg 703w" sizes="(max-width: 757px) 100vw, 757px" /> <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="768" height="513" src="https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/image001-2-768x513.png" class="attachment-medium_large size-medium_large wp-image-20278" alt="" srcset="https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/image001-2-768x513.png 768w, https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/image001-2-300x200.png 300w, https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/image001-2-1024x684.png 1024w, https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/image001-2-1536x1025.png 1536w, https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/image001-2.png 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /> Dr. Thompson at the dedication of the Student Services Suite and Deans Area in the College of Education and Human Development at Western Michigan University. Dr. Thompson is a professor emeritus in the department of Educational Leadership, Research, and Technology at Western Michigan University, where he previously served as Vice President for Research/Dean of the Graduate College, and Dean of the College of Education. He began his academic career at the University of Michigan and held joint professorial appointments in Education and Urban Studies; he also directed PURA, an evaluative metropolitan research center. On the national level, he served as Division Director and Assistant Director of the Education and Human Resources Directorate for the National Science Foundation. Today, Dr. Thompson continues to serve as a consultant to numerous foundations, public agencies, and Fortune 500 corporations. He lives in Chicago with his wife, Kathleen Wilson-Thompson, and their daughter Taylor. In this interview, Dr. Thompson spoke about his belief in young people and the big problems Texas needs to solve to give all students hope for their futures. What was it about the GTF mission that resonated with you? The mission of Greater Texas Foundation has always been clear: to assist students in getting to and through a postsecondary credential. Their “big idea” was to develop systematic ways to assist students. So they set out to be a trusted partner and collaborate with “big idea” partners to expand their footprint and impact the state in a positive way. Also, their board is both a learning board and a working board. The board has a reading list, the staff share current literature, they bring partners in to share knowledge, and they listen. That was important to me. How did the strategic focus of the foundation evolve in the years you served on the board? It hasn’t changed! They have always been about helping more high school students get to and through the baccalaureate. They want to collaborate, seek great ideas, bring partners to the table, share what works for students, create hope for students, and help students along the pathway. The focus is unchanging. GTF remains consistent and knows their role as a trusted partner. They don’t want accolades. Creating hope is a powerful idea… We have too many students without hope: rural students without internet service or science teachers, students who live in poverty who don’t believe they will ever “become,” white males dropping out of school and never knowing success, students who fear the impact of AI on their job prospects. How can we help them? How can we communicate with them and give them hope? Hope is critical to being a great state. What are the accomplishments that you are most proud of during your tenure with GTF? We brought people to the table to help make change. That’s why convenings are so important. In the early days, CEO Wynn Rosser and the staff looked at the data that suggested that math education enhances high school graduation and success in college. They convened partners to talk about why math mattered and what to do with the data. Later, we turned our attention to rural students. Most of Texas is rural which means small schools without infrastructure and limited resources. Greater Texas Foundation began a conversation about rural education and began to seed funding for rural education, and brought in others to help. GTF has no ego. They bring people together, convince people they can do this, and at the end of the day, Texas becomes better. How did your background in research inform your work with GTF and the Learning and Evaluation Committee? Back in 2007, they needed good ideas to make Texas better. Wynn Rosser understood data and was a quick learner. I know how to make decisions based on information and I was in position to help them understand the data they needed to get better. The staff and board read deeply and want to know and learn. Wynn and current CEO Sue McMillin have not been afraid of what the data has to say. What are your hopes for the foundation in the coming years? I would say, “big problems require big ideas.” Look at the problems and come up with some big, collaborative ideas to make a difference. Put a big number of the right people around the problem. These problems are standing in the way of Texas becoming great. Come up with great solutions and leverage other people’s money to solve them. As an educator, you must have met many students. Did any of them inform your work with the foundation? I’ve been a public school English teacher, a principal, and a university professor and dean. What informed my teaching still informs me today: young people know much more than we think they know. As parents and educators we need to believe in and trust our young people. I give students and people the chance to be great. When I taught at the graduate level, on the first day of class I would tell my students, “You are all getting A’s because you are all A students.” Instructors wrongly believe students need to learn it all from them. I start by believing students will work collaboratively, find the tools they need, figure it out, and succeed. I believe in them. You’ve had academic appointments in both education and urban studies. What is at the intersection of those two fields? Urban planning is basically life–how do you make a place function so people are successful and happy in it. It’s that simple. You develop solutions around the needs that you have and then share them. The two fields are at the intersection of living and teaching how to live. Life isn’t that hard. Just need to embrace learning and share it. Schools have always been a certain way and now AI comes in. How will we organize our schools and civilization around that? I tell students they need to figure out the right way to ask AI the questions to get info they need. Then they realize, “It’s just like talking to Mom and Dad!” “I believe people are much more capable than we think they are. We can’t help people if we think they are incapable or not worthy.” Are you still consulting with other foundations and corporations? Yes, I’m still working with foundations and municipalities. And doing more with my own family, having fun, and always traveling. On the topic of balancing the obligations of work and fun, I think of a quote by Clint Eastwood: “If you can do more, you should.” I like helping people do better. The post Dr. Donald E. Thompson believes in young people first appeared on Greater Texas Foundation.
Opportunity Youth in Texas: What’s Changed Since 2021? Longtime partners may recall that in 2021, Greater Texas Foundation partnered with Trellis Foundation and T.L.L. Temple Foundation to convene more than 80 people around the question: “What would it take to reconnect Opportunity Youth to education and work equitably and at scale across Texas?” This convening ... The post Vista: November 2025 first appeared on Greater Texas Foundation.
<img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" width="800" height="366" src="https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/27a466a3-2130-4e0e-0ed2-0fb43155e01b-1024x469.png" class="attachment-large size-large wp-image-15669" alt="" srcset="https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/27a466a3-2130-4e0e-0ed2-0fb43155e01b-1024x469.png 1024w, https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/27a466a3-2130-4e0e-0ed2-0fb43155e01b-300x137.png 300w, https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/27a466a3-2130-4e0e-0ed2-0fb43155e01b-768x352.png 768w, https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/27a466a3-2130-4e0e-0ed2-0fb43155e01b-1536x704.png 1536w, https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/27a466a3-2130-4e0e-0ed2-0fb43155e01b-2048x938.png 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /> Opportunity Youth in Texas: What’s Changed Since 2021? Longtime partners may recall that in 2021, Greater Texas Foundation partnered with Trellis Foundation and T.L.L. Temple Foundation to convene more than 80 people around the question: “What would it take to reconnect Opportunity Youth to education and work equitably and at scale across Texas?” This convening coincided with the launch of the Texas Opportunity Youth Network and an $1 million Innovation Fund. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="524" src="https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/38108531-03ac-5cd8-f753-bde58133e627.jpg" class="attachment-large size-large wp-image-19866" alt="" srcset="https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/38108531-03ac-5cd8-f753-bde58133e627.jpg 800w, https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/38108531-03ac-5cd8-f753-bde58133e627-300x197.jpg 300w, https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/38108531-03ac-5cd8-f753-bde58133e627-768x503.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /> This year, we checked back with some of the partners from our 2021 convening to provide an update on the initiatives that serve Opportunity Youth (OY). What did we learn? In the last four years, educators, nonprofits, and funders have been working in concert to better serve opportunity youth, even in the face of significant changes in the economic and policy environment. This new report shares the progress made and our partners’ hopes for the future in serving disengaged young people. Read the Report Here are a few student-centered approaches shared in the new report: Rural Learners: Texas A&M AgriLife Extension’s Rural Student Success Initiative (RSSI) helps rural learners discover multiple postsecondary and career options, visit college campuses across the state, and receive training in financial literacy and resilience skills. Part-Time Learners: The University of Texas at Dallas completed an interdisciplinary and mixed methods study to support the design of policies that meet the needs of part-time students and increase their chances of academic success. Veteran Learners: Student Veterans of America is working to understand the successes, challenges, and unmet needs of U.S. military veterans in Texas who are currently enrolled in higher education to earn a degree, credential, or certificate. Opportunity Youth in Texas: <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="500" height="118" src="https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/7636c459-3bca-ba60-93bb-ea891cc4897a-1.jpg" class="attachment-large size-large wp-image-19870" alt="" srcset="https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/7636c459-3bca-ba60-93bb-ea891cc4897a-1.jpg 500w, https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/7636c459-3bca-ba60-93bb-ea891cc4897a-1-300x71.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px" /> Over the last two years, Public Agenda has talked with high-performing institutions in Texas, California, and Michigan to learn how their policies and practices are creating economic mobility for low-income students. Their website now has 14 case studies, including six from Texas schools. More on Economic Mobility: A Virtual Event How Community Colleges Advance Economic Opportunity Public Agenda researchers will share key findings from case studies of community colleges in Texas, California, and Illinois, including broad themes and replicable practices. Following the presentation, participants will be invited to ask questions to dig deeper into insights gleaned from these three states representing distinctive geographies and economies. Date: December 3, 2025 Time: 1:00 pm ET/noon CT/11 MT/10 PT <a href="https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__us06web.zoom.us_meeting_register_w65GTscTT1uBD43boNv1fQ-3Futm-5Fsource-3Dhs-5Femail-26utm-5Fmedium-3Demail-26-5Fhsenc-3Dp2ANqtz-2D-5FU3sBDGMMp659oau3gYcvX2RuRHXAHHla6R-2DyWwgjub7r3Jq-5FTipVaYTqQCMcY99fLblWD-23_registration&d=DwMFaQ&c=euGZstcaTDllvimEN8b7jXrwqOf-v5A_CdpgnVfiiMM&r=ZmHcABtTm4sXQDhk60152V6YCv-fJpgXxq37IYIy6Xa0DSLgLsY81nNT6n9B9uGW&m=m9QSyXvwfaFAU5CKxutgBmHVFB7WTF60002l0SSvHOjtlGbd9rKHV3Z1K53wZEp7&s=kdCTldV9LL5MK_KoJB1M-7Aewx8SugtNfi6Qlau2LK0&e=" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-cke-saved-href="https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__us06web.zoom.us_meeting_register_w65GTscTT1uBD43boNv1fQ-3Futm-5Fsource-3Dhs-5Femail-26utm-5Fmedium-3Demail-26-5Fhsenc-3Dp2ANqtz-2D-5FU3sBDGMMp659oau3gYcvX2RuRHXAHHla6R-2DyWwgjub7r3Jq-5FTipVaYTqQCMcY99fLblWD-23_registration&d=DwMFaQ&c=euGZstcaTDllvimEN8b7jXrwqOf-v5A_CdpgnVfiiMM&r=ZmHcABtTm4sXQDhk60152V6YCv-fJpgXxq37IYIy6Xa0DSLgLsY81nNT6n9B9uGW&m=m9QSyXvwfaFAU5CKxutgBmHVFB7WTF60002l0SSvHOjtlGbd9rKHV3Z1K53wZEp7&s=kdCTldV9LL5MK_KoJB1M-7Aewx8SugtNfi6Qlau2LK0&e=">Register here Recent Grants In its history, Greater Texas Foundation has awarded more than $150 million in grants to changemakers in Texas education. And 2025 has been a very busy year for grantmaking. Since our last newsletter, we have announced grants to the following organizations: Austin Community College ACC brings academic support services into the classroom $416,634 Texas Success Center Talent Strong Texas Pathways gets additional funding $1,800,000 E3 Alliance E3 Alliance strengthens and expands Central Texas College Attainment Network (CenTxCAN) $295,363 Sam Houston State University Sam Houston State University provides intensive support when students are most vulnerable $458,101 Jasper Independent School District Jasper ISD brings needed education and workforce opportunities to adult learners and opportunity youth $550,137 Center for Acknowledging the Values Accomplishments and Lives of Remarkable Youth CAVALRY creates degree-based apprenticeships to fill San Antonio workforce gaps $540,000 Panola College Panola College adopts integrated AI-powered system to improve learner communication $210,991 OneGoal OneGoal implements a system-level program to provide tailored postsecondary coaching $281,990 Aspen Institute, Inc. The Aspen Institute enhances curriculum for senior leadership at rural community colleges $524,950 Council of Independent Colleges Council of Independent Colleges launches a Texas consortium for experiential learning $300,000 Intercultural Development Research Association IDRA collaborates with ESC 1 to provide tailored on-site support for ECHS and P-TECH models in the Rio Grande Valley $500,000 Texas Tech Foundation, Inc. Assessing the impact of HB8 on rural Community Colleges $300,000 Review all recent grants The post Vista: November 2025 first appeared on Greater Texas Foundation.
How to achieve human connection on a system-wide scale? Year after year, analysis of our GTF Scholars program shows that human supports matter to student success in college, oftentimes even more than scholarship funding. Recently, a journal article and a report authored by outside evaluators shared the experiences of both college students and the staff who work with them to demonstrate ... The post Vista: August 2025 first appeared on Greater Texas Foundation.
<img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" width="800" height="366" src="https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/27a466a3-2130-4e0e-0ed2-0fb43155e01b-1024x469.png" class="attachment-large size-large wp-image-15669" alt="" srcset="https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/27a466a3-2130-4e0e-0ed2-0fb43155e01b-1024x469.png 1024w, https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/27a466a3-2130-4e0e-0ed2-0fb43155e01b-300x137.png 300w, https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/27a466a3-2130-4e0e-0ed2-0fb43155e01b-768x352.png 768w, https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/27a466a3-2130-4e0e-0ed2-0fb43155e01b-1536x704.png 1536w, https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/27a466a3-2130-4e0e-0ed2-0fb43155e01b-2048x938.png 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /> How to achieve human connection on a system-wide scale? Year after year, analysis of our GTF Scholars program shows that human supports matter to student success in college, oftentimes even more than scholarship funding. Recently, a journal article and a report authored by outside evaluators shared the experiences of both college students and the staff who work with them to demonstrate the power of human connection. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="524" src="https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/af739c14-3e3b-1b31-b49f-16eff89c4f8c.jpg" class="attachment-large size-large wp-image-19886" alt="" srcset="https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/af739c14-3e3b-1b31-b49f-16eff89c4f8c.jpg 993w, https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/af739c14-3e3b-1b31-b49f-16eff89c4f8c-300x197.jpg 300w, https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/af739c14-3e3b-1b31-b49f-16eff89c4f8c-768x503.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /> Admittedly, this is one program serving a relatively small population of students. So how can we take lessons from strong programs and scale those lessons to serve all Texas students? We highlight four grantees who are doing just that, working to extend successful programs across networks, systems, and collaboratives. Read about Human Connections Board Member Updates We are pleased to share that a staff member and an advisor have been elevated to new positions within the foundation. Leslie Gurrola has been promoted to Vice President of Programs and Strategy. Over the past 18 years, Leslie has made a lasting impact through a series of increasingly strategic leadership roles. Her deep experience, thoughtful approach, and unwavering commitment to educational access have helped shape the foundation’s direction. In this new role, she will continue to lead innovative, collaborative programs that advance the foundation’s mission and expand opportunities for students across Texas. Leslie is eager to hear your ideas for concepts that align with the foundation’s new strategic plan. Send in your initial inquiries here. Dr. Mary Hendrix has joined the board after serving as an external advisor to the Charitable Activities Committee of the board for seven years. Dr. Hendrix has a PhD in Educational Psychology and served as Provost and Vice President for Student Access and Success at Texas A&M University-Commerce (now East Texas A&M). <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="476" height="598" src="https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Mary_headshot_GTF.png" class="attachment-large size-large wp-image-19417" alt="" srcset="https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Mary_headshot_GTF.png 476w, https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Mary_headshot_GTF-239x300.png 239w" sizes="(max-width: 476px) 100vw, 476px" /> Please join us in congratulating these leaders who are shaping the future of GTF. Recent Grants In its history, Greater Texas Foundation has awarded more than $150 million in grants to changemakers in Texas education. Recently, we announced grants to the following organizations: The University of Texas at Dallas Study of English language learners at community colleges $195,091 The John N. Gardner Institute for Excellence in Undergraduate Education Transforming the postsecondary experience $1,144,898 Collegiate Edu-Nation CEN continues to expand their P-20 model in rural Texas $1,118,985 Review all recent grants What We’re Reading In the midst of working with our second cohort of community colleges in the Texas Emergency Aid Roadmap program, we took note of this blog from the Bipartisan Policy Center. It highlights data and lessons learned about the role of emergency aid in supporting student success. On The Road In September, we are heading to the 30th anniversary NCAN National Conference. GTF is proudly sponsoring the Rural Strategies conference track. Will we see you there? Register The post Vista: August 2025 first appeared on Greater Texas Foundation.
How Can We Scale the Power of Connection from One to 1.4 Million Texas Students?
How Can We Scale the Power of Connection from One to 1.4 Million Texas Students? Everything we do at Greater Texas Foundation is focused on helping Texas students achieve postsecondary success. Part of that work includes our long-running GTF Scholars initiative, a scholarship program for graduates of Texas Early College High Schools (ECHS). And year ... The post How Can We Scale the Power of Connection from One to 1.4 Million Texas Students? first appeared on Greater Texas Foundation.
How Can We Scale the Power of Connection from One to 1.4 Million Texas Students? Everything we do at Greater Texas Foundation is focused on helping Texas students achieve postsecondary success. Part of that work includes our long-running GTF Scholars initiative, a scholarship program for graduates of Texas Early College High Schools (ECHS). And year after year, analyses of the GTF Scholars program show that, even more than scholarship funding, human supports are essential to student success in college. A newly published article by our evaluation team emphasizes how much a caring professional can mean to a student, especially in a time where technological solutions are becoming more and more common. While we understand the importance of affordability and financial support, numerous focus groups with students and GTF Scholars program leads have demonstrated the power of human connection to student persistence, even during difficult circumstances like COVID. And what do we mean by human connections? Having an adult on campus who is invested in your success. Working with a peer mentor to learn time management skills. Being part of a cohort of learners with similar life experiences. In short, this is people-to-people work. We are proud of the outcomes – both the stories of student success and the learning to share with the field. We also understand this is one program serving a relatively small population of students in a state with 1.4 million postsecondary students at public and private institutions. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="768" height="549" src="https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/GTFScholars2025story-e1752694746142-768x549.jpg" class="attachment-medium_large size-medium_large wp-image-19765" alt="" srcset="https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/GTFScholars2025story-e1752694746142-768x549.jpg 768w, https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/GTFScholars2025story-e1752694746142-300x215.jpg 300w, https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/GTFScholars2025story-e1752694746142.jpg 1004w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-8faa0bf e-transform elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor" data-id="8faa0bf" data-element_type="widget" data-e-type="widget" data-settings="{"_transform_translateX_effect":{"unit":"px","size":0,"sizes":[]},"_transform_translateY_effect":{"unit":"px","size":0,"sizes":[]},"_transform_translateX_effect_tablet":{"unit":"px","size":"","sizes":[]},"_transform_translateX_effect_mobile":{"unit":"px","size":"","sizes":[]},"_transform_translateY_effect_tablet":{"unit":"px","size":"","sizes":[]},"_transform_translateY_effect_mobile":{"unit":"px","size":"","sizes":[]}}" data-widget_type="text-editor.default"> The GTF Scholars program provides a last dollar scholarship and wraparound support services to graduates of Texas ECHSs at eight universities in the state. Since 2012, we have worked with an external evaluation team to share learning from this program with the participating institutions and with the field–lessons about ECHSs, the student transition from ECHS to a university, how to support students through completion of a bachelor’s degree, and student success in general. How can we take lessons from strong programs and scale those lessons to serve all Texas students? Many of our grantee partners are doing just that. Here is a sampling: The Texas Success Center helps community colleges engaged in Talent Strong Texas Pathways scale practices that meet students’ basic needs, foster wellness and create belonging. This sense of security creates the foundation for academic success and pathway completion. The Institute for Evidence-Based Change is working to implement its Caring Campus program across regional collaboratives in Texas to increase students’ connectedness, sense of belonging, and academic success. The Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute partnered with Texas Success Center to begin the Minding College Minds Project, They are engaging community and campus stakeholders to establish a mental health framework with individual-level responsiveness. University of Houston’s “CLASS 2+2 Pathways Program” works by guaranteeing transfer admission for certain degree programs and engaging students prior to their arrival on UH campus. With a dedicated staff focused on transfer success and connecting students with organizations and activities, transfer students will feel a sense of belonging at UH even before they enroll. These are just a few examples from our incredible partners working to improve support and personal connections for all students. Our new strategic plan will continue to emphasize student success at the systems level. We invite you to learn about our funding process and share your ideas for investing in human connection to support student success. The post How Can We Scale the Power of Connection from One to 1.4 Million Texas Students? first appeared on Greater Texas Foundation.
Annual Report:How to make higher education work for 1.4 million students. We know each Texas learner is different and has their own unique journey to and through postsecondary education, and Texas’ higher education systems continuously strive to support all learners. To help institutions meet students where they are, the foundation supports research and practice that can be ... The post Vista: June 2025 first appeared on Greater Texas Foundation.
<img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" width="800" height="366" src="https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/27a466a3-2130-4e0e-0ed2-0fb43155e01b-1024x469.png" class="attachment-large size-large wp-image-15669" alt="" srcset="https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/27a466a3-2130-4e0e-0ed2-0fb43155e01b-1024x469.png 1024w, https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/27a466a3-2130-4e0e-0ed2-0fb43155e01b-300x137.png 300w, https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/27a466a3-2130-4e0e-0ed2-0fb43155e01b-768x352.png 768w, https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/27a466a3-2130-4e0e-0ed2-0fb43155e01b-1536x704.png 1536w, https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/27a466a3-2130-4e0e-0ed2-0fb43155e01b-2048x938.png 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /> Annual Report: How to make higher education work for 1.4 million students. We know each Texas learner is different and has their own unique journey to and through postsecondary education, and Texas’ higher education systems continuously strive to support all learners. To help institutions meet students where they are, the foundation supports research and practice that can be used throughout the state to better support all learners, no matter their background or current situation. By funding research, innovative and scalable programs, and convenings with practitioners in the field, Greater Texas Foundation supports student-centered solutions that make the education journey more seamless for all students. In this Annual Report, we take a five-year view to share notes and learning from work done by 30+ partners across our 2020-2024 Strategic Plan. Read the Report <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="407" src="https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/9b713d43-40fc-947a-703c-afccfcf3e989.jpg" class="attachment-large size-large wp-image-19574" alt="" srcset="https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/9b713d43-40fc-947a-703c-afccfcf3e989.jpg 800w, https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/9b713d43-40fc-947a-703c-afccfcf3e989-300x153.jpg 300w, https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/9b713d43-40fc-947a-703c-afccfcf3e989-768x391.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /> Here are a few student-centered approaches shared in the new report: Rural Learners: Texas A&M AgriLife Extension’s Rural Student Success Initiative (RSSI) helps rural learners discover multiple postsecondary and career options, visit college campuses across the state, and receive training in financial literacy and resilience skills. Part-Time Learners: The University of Texas at Dallas completed an interdisciplinary and mixed methods study to support the design of policies that meet the needs of part-time students and increase their chances of academic success. Veteran Learners: Student Veterans of America is working to understand the successes, challenges, and unmet needs of U.S. military veterans in Texas who are currently enrolled in higher education to earn a degree, credential, or certificate. Read the Annual Report The post Vista: June 2025 first appeared on Greater Texas Foundation.
New Strategic Plan already has momentum Building on the success of our prior work, Greater Texas Foundation has crafted a new Strategic Plan for 2025-29 that is an evolution of our grantmaking focus and a recommitment to collaboration and knowledge sharing. We unveiled the details of the new Strategic Plan at a webinar last December 9, attended ... The post Vista: April 2025 first appeared on Greater Texas Foundation.
<img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" width="800" height="366" src="https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/27a466a3-2130-4e0e-0ed2-0fb43155e01b-1024x469.png" class="attachment-large size-large wp-image-15669" alt="" srcset="https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/27a466a3-2130-4e0e-0ed2-0fb43155e01b-1024x469.png 1024w, https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/27a466a3-2130-4e0e-0ed2-0fb43155e01b-300x137.png 300w, https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/27a466a3-2130-4e0e-0ed2-0fb43155e01b-768x352.png 768w, https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/27a466a3-2130-4e0e-0ed2-0fb43155e01b-1536x704.png 1536w, https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/27a466a3-2130-4e0e-0ed2-0fb43155e01b-2048x938.png 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /> New Strategic Plan already has momentum Building on the success of our prior work, Greater Texas Foundation has crafted a new Strategic Plan for 2025-29 that is an evolution of our grantmaking focus and a recommitment to collaboration and knowledge sharing. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="334" src="https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/4d566096-2cb7-9a11-bffd-d9c583bb5d1d-1024x427.jpg" class="attachment-large size-large wp-image-18618" alt="" srcset="https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/4d566096-2cb7-9a11-bffd-d9c583bb5d1d-1024x427.jpg 1024w, https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/4d566096-2cb7-9a11-bffd-d9c583bb5d1d-300x125.jpg 300w, https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/4d566096-2cb7-9a11-bffd-d9c583bb5d1d-768x320.jpg 768w, https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/4d566096-2cb7-9a11-bffd-d9c583bb5d1d.jpg 1208w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /> We unveiled the details of the new Strategic Plan at a webinar last December 9, attended by over 250 grantees and partners. GTF team members outlined the plan and answered participants’ questions. Did you miss the webinar? We’ve got you covered! Watch the recorded webinar Review the webinar slides Are you short on time? Check out our 2-minute video synopsis of the plan Watch the Video Ready to Apply for a Grant? We’ve refined our grant application process for 2025. Learn how to submit an Initial Inquiry. Ready to Apply for a Grant? In its history, Greater Texas Foundation has awarded more than $150 million in grants to changemakers in Texas education. Since the launch of our new Strategic Plan, we have approved an impressive group of grants focused on addressing systemic challenges in postsecondary pathways: The Education Trust Effective Practices for Addressing Student Unmet Financial Need $490,846 The University of Houston College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences 2+2 Pathways $377,752 Public Agenda Economic Mobility in Texas Higher Education Institutions $365,000 Empower Schools Scaling and Launching Rural Pathway Excellence Partnerships across Texas $750,000 Temple College Rural CTE Co-op $888,691 Urban Institute Data-to-Action for Parenting Students in Texas $454,812 Review Our Recent Grants Board Member Updates Greater Texas Foundation wished a fond farewell to longtime board member Dr. Samuel Gillespie, who retired from the board in 2024. Dr. Gillespie began his board tenure in 1984 and chaired three different committees before being elected Vice Chair. In honor of Dr. Gillespie’s many years of service, the foundation made a grant of $50,000 to Texas A&M Foundation to establish the Dr. Samuel Gillespie Endowed Scholarship. Read Dr. Gillespie’s reflections about the evolution of GTF and his many years of teaching in an interview on our website. Read the Interview <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="800" src="https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/f986e39b-c339-5df8-6a2d-0d5d51d173f0.jpg" class="attachment-large size-large wp-image-18623" alt="" srcset="https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/f986e39b-c339-5df8-6a2d-0d5d51d173f0.jpg 1004w, https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/f986e39b-c339-5df8-6a2d-0d5d51d173f0-300x300.jpg 300w, https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/f986e39b-c339-5df8-6a2d-0d5d51d173f0-150x150.jpg 150w, https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/f986e39b-c339-5df8-6a2d-0d5d51d173f0-768x768.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /> Also last fall, Janet Handley joined the board and became chair of the Finance & Investment Committee. Ms. Handley’s deep experience managing significant financial portfolios is especially valuable to the foundation. She previously served as an ex-officio advisor to the board’s Finance & Investment Committee. Read the Interview The post Vista: April 2025 first appeared on Greater Texas Foundation.
Widening the horizons of opportunity for more Texas learners The post Strategic Plan 2025-29 first appeared on Greater Texas Foundation.
This professor of marketing is also a student of history The post Dr. Samuel Gillespie looks back first appeared on Greater Texas Foundation.
Look what we accomplished together! In 2020, Greater Texas Foundation launched a new strategic plan, carefully structured to meet the needs of Texas learners. Partners and changemakers across Texas responded by bringing us hundreds of innovative proposals to consider. Working together, we have achieved significant progress towards helping more Texas learners achieve a valuable postsecondary ... The post Vista: November 2024 first appeared on Greater Texas Foundation.
<img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" width="800" height="366" src="https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/27a466a3-2130-4e0e-0ed2-0fb43155e01b-1024x469.png" class="attachment-large size-large wp-image-15669" alt="" srcset="https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/27a466a3-2130-4e0e-0ed2-0fb43155e01b-1024x469.png 1024w, https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/27a466a3-2130-4e0e-0ed2-0fb43155e01b-300x137.png 300w, https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/27a466a3-2130-4e0e-0ed2-0fb43155e01b-768x352.png 768w, https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/27a466a3-2130-4e0e-0ed2-0fb43155e01b-1536x704.png 1536w, https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/27a466a3-2130-4e0e-0ed2-0fb43155e01b-2048x938.png 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /> Look what we accomplished together! In 2020, Greater Texas Foundation launched a new strategic plan, carefully structured to meet the needs of Texas learners. Partners and changemakers across Texas responded by bringing us hundreds of innovative proposals to consider. Working together, we have achieved significant progress towards helping more Texas learners achieve a valuable postsecondary credential. Five years later, we are pleased to reflect on the important work of our strategic plan. This Impact Report is a moment to pause, measure the results, and celebrate our collective accomplishments. Of course, there is important work still to be done in our state. We are putting the finishing touches on our next strategic plan, and are excited to introduce it to you in December. Read on…. In the last five years, $58 million in GTF funding went to 117 programs and benefited 1.2 million learners across Texas. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="395" src="https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/9fbd162a-d2e4-986a-4852-840341dccc01-1024x505.png" class="attachment-large size-large wp-image-15670" alt="" srcset="https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/9fbd162a-d2e4-986a-4852-840341dccc01-1024x505.png 1024w, https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/9fbd162a-d2e4-986a-4852-840341dccc01-300x148.png 300w, https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/9fbd162a-d2e4-986a-4852-840341dccc01-768x379.png 768w, https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/9fbd162a-d2e4-986a-4852-840341dccc01-1536x758.png 1536w, https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/9fbd162a-d2e4-986a-4852-840341dccc01.png 1842w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /> Save the Date: Webinar You are invited to a preview of Strategic Plan 2025-29, where we will share our new goals and funding areas with grantees, partners, and future collaborators. Please plan to attend our webinar on December 9 at 2:00 pm. Detailed invitations will be arriving in your inbox soon. Staffing Updates We are pleased to share two staff changes at the foundation. Bree Miller joined us as Programs & Strategy Associate. Bree brings a wealth of experience from her time in Dallas, where she focused on program evaluation and data analysis across the education continuum, from K-12 to higher education and workforce development. Bree will support strategic projects and programs such as the grantmaking process and internal and external communications. As the Texas Success Center celebrates “five years of improving community colleges,” we invite you to check out their website for videos and stories about member schools who are implementing Texas Pathways. Read Bree’s Bio We are also pleased to share that Chris Woodruff has been promoted to Learning & Evaluation Officer, becoming the first employee to hold this new position. Chris will lead efforts to synthesize key insights from our grantmaking and learning agenda, while overseeing the annual collection, analysis, and reporting of data related to our long-term goals and organizational performance. Chris will work closely with both our grantees and the GTF team to strengthen our learning and evaluation practices. Read Chris’ Bio Congratulations to Bree and Chris on their new roles! Second Cohort Begins Texas Emergency Aid Roadmap In the Fall of 2021, Greater Texas Foundation launched the Texas Emergency Aid Roadmap program, a three-year, $1.5 million grant program to help ten community colleges develop efficient, equitable, sustainable emergency aid programs to ensure students receive the support they need to persist through financial crises. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="530" height="420" src="https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/072751af-004d-3516-b527-358e2330ebf1.png" class="attachment-large size-large wp-image-15674" alt="" srcset="https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/072751af-004d-3516-b527-358e2330ebf1.png 530w, https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/072751af-004d-3516-b527-358e2330ebf1-300x238.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 530px) 100vw, 530px" /> <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="530" height="420" src="https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/7caa5507-6b73-a1f3-462a-b86cdd616b01.png" class="attachment-large size-large wp-image-15673" alt="" srcset="https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/7caa5507-6b73-a1f3-462a-b86cdd616b01.png 530w, https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/7caa5507-6b73-a1f3-462a-b86cdd616b01-300x238.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 530px) 100vw, 530px" /> <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="530" height="420" src="https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/c3309318-c533-a713-6866-6d93f03383af.png" class="attachment-large size-large wp-image-15676" alt="" srcset="https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/c3309318-c533-a713-6866-6d93f03383af.png 530w, https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/c3309318-c533-a713-6866-6d93f03383af-300x238.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 530px) 100vw, 530px" /> <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="530" height="420" src="https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/49ef1b44-8c96-b0ad-4d25-ebb2acf358f2.png" class="attachment-large size-large wp-image-15675" alt="" srcset="https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/49ef1b44-8c96-b0ad-4d25-ebb2acf358f2.png 530w, https://greatertexasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/49ef1b44-8c96-b0ad-4d25-ebb2acf358f2-300x238.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 530px) 100vw, 530px" /> Based on the success of that cohort, we invited 10 more colleges into the program and brought them together in October for a kick-off workshop with Reos Partners. During the workshop, school teams developed student personas that reflect their campus student body. With these personas in hand, they explored ways to effectively center student needs in the process for seeking and securing emergency aid. This gathering established the foundation for working collaboratively across a community of practice, supported by funding from GTF and technical assistance from Reos Partners. Learn more: This Case Study reveals lessons learned and progress made at two participating colleges and shares the hallmarks of an effective Emergency Aid program that any school can emulate. Read the Case Study Grantmaking Update In its history, Greater Texas Foundation has awarded more than $150 million in grants to changemakers in Texas education. Since our last newsletter, we approved grants to the following organizations: College Possible Developing a blueprint for growth and organizational capacity $100,000 Communities in Schools of Central Texas Bringing the CIS model to a community college environment $196,190 Student Veterans of America Understanding how veterans succeed on Texas college campuses $563,750 Texas A&M University Advise Texas is expanding its college advising support in the Brazos Valley $381,996 Texas A&M University San Antonio Foundation La Familia Program is helping parents support their college-bound students $236,875 University of Houston Improving economic opportunities for Gulf Coast students in noncredit education programs $292,186 View Our Recent Grants The post Vista: November 2024 first appeared on Greater Texas Foundation.