Lee College to Showcase Learning Pathways Strategy at Talent Strong Texas Pathways Institute
Lee College has been selected as a Cadre 1 or lead college in the Texas Success Center's Talent Strong Texas Pathways initiative and will present its Guided Pathways strategy to fellow Texas community colleges at the Leading Talent Strong Texas Pathways institute this spring.
Guided Pathways is committed to transforming the student experience at Lee College by developing academic programs designed to provide a clear pathway to help ensure success in the classroom and beyond. Lee College's Guided Pathways are broken down into six areas:
- Applied Business
- Health Services
- Liberal & Fine Arts
- Manufacturing & Industrial
- Public Service
- Science, Technology, Engineering & Math (STEM)
While at the institute, Dr. Lynda Villanueva, Lee College president; Dr. Laura Lane-Worley, director of the Lee College Education Center – South Liberty County and Nicole Tunmire, Lee College instructional designer, will showcase how the college has been successful in developing a holistic roadmap and best practices to increase the number of credentialed students prepared for high-demand careers that offer sustainable wages.
The team will also work with Texas Pathways coaches on ways to take Lee's Guided Pathways to the next level.
"We are honored to share Lee College's framework with our colleagues," Villanueva said. "We also look forward to building on the strong foundation we've put in place for our students by participating in this next evolution of pathways to their success."
The state's higher education strategic plan, Building a Talent Strong Texas, targets expanding the attainment of valuable post-secondary credentials. The intent is to increase employment opportunities and income for individuals while creating a deeper talent pool for employers.
"Texas higher education has unique responsibilities and roles to play in what comes next, to expand opportunities for all Texans and ensure our economic competitiveness on a global scale" shared Harrison Keller, commissioner, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. "Now is the time to seize the vast, Texas-sized opportunities before us to achieve impact at scale and to dedicate ourselves to building a talent strong Texas."
A $16 million, five-year statewide economic mobility grant administered by the Texas Success Center, supports the state's community colleges with the scaling of inclusive talent pathways directing students through collaboratively designed programs beginning with short-term credentials and early workplace learning.
"Texas is very fortunate to have a set of funding partners willing to invest in the important work of the community colleges. We are very impressed by the college commitment to design and implement talent pathways" said Dr. Cynthia Ferrell, Texas Success Center vice president. "We are excited to work with Lee College as they continue to partner with local business and education leaders to provide valuable workforce and education opportunities."
Learn more about Lee College's Guided Pathways and the Texas Success Center.