The series kicked off with workshop at Sam Houston MSTC on January 22. Director of College Access and Success, Melissa Martinez, presented and followed by helping senior students and their families complete the FAFSA for the 2015-2016 school year.

Over 120 students participated in a 2 day workshop held at the University of Houston designed to help them understand the difference between a career and a job. Students participated in an interactive project led by UH College of Engineering Program Manager, John Matthews and a group of UH engineering students. Students also gained valuable information on how to design a pathway that leads them from high school to college to a career they love!

On the evening of Thursday, June 5th, GRAD Scholars Alumni members honored the 2014 GRAD Scholar college graduates for their achievement. Alumni members also encouraged the new crop of graduates to join the so that they may gain valuable networking contacts and support as they embark on their professional career journey.

The Shell Advanced Mathematics Institute at Rice University Official Page provides rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors with an opportunity to learn why math is the building block for everything from computer gaming to C.S.I. Students get an excellent preview and introduction to their next year’s math course. Some of today’s leaders will be speaking to the students about their careers and the important role of mathematics.

Project GRAD AmeriCorps College Access & Success Monthly Team Meeting: Morning training at Project GRAD office and afternoon team building activity at Hermann Park.

Students attending the Summer Maritime Academy at Texas Southern University went on a boat tour of the Port of Houston. This was a first-time experience for the students on board. Rising 11th & 12th grade students learned about Houston’s rapidly growing maritime industry and how transportation affects every aspect of our lives and our thriving economy. Students also toured the U.S. Coast Guard and the Battleship Texas during this weeklong program of summer learning.

Summer learning continues at the JPMorganChase Mid-Skills Institute taking place at Lone Star College-North Harris. Over 75 students from our GRAD communities and Aldine ISD learn hands-on about high demand and well-paying jobs in welding, processing technology, and machining technology. Thank you JPMorgan Chase for your support of this quality program.

Students received tips on writing effective and winning college essays.

AmeriCorps 20th Anniversary Celebration and National Swearing In "Project GRAD joins in AmeriCorps' 20th Anniversary celebration. At GRAD we are #gettingthingsdone with the service commitment of our GRADuation Pathways members. We salute those in community service dedicated to building America."
- Dr. Ann B. Stiles, Executive Director, Project GRAD Houston — at Harris County Department of Education-Houston.

The Favrot Fund Advance Biology Institute at UTHealth Science Center Houston in the heart of the Texas Medical Center exposes rising juniors and seniors to medical and health careers. Students explore biology at its smallest level of chemical compounds and they investigate the biology of organs and systems.

These photos are from the GRAD College Transitional Workshop at University of St. Thomas - Houston. These 70+ college bound students will enroll this fall in colleges outside of the Houston area. Our Project GRAD Scholars received valuable tips and information to help them prepare for college away from home.

Over 70 GRAD Scholars from five area high schools participated in today’s Transitional Workshop held at the Houston Community College-Northeast. The workshop provides students with information and resources to successfully navigate through their first year in college. Students learn about campus support services and resources available to them. Additionally, students are advised about college success skills (time management, etc.). They are encouraged to establish systems of support during their freshman year, including GRAD’s College Success Programs.

GRAD AmeriCorps College Success Coach Emile Rivera presented a workshop titled “Getting Ahead” on April 15th at the HCC Northeast - Northline Campus for GRAD Scholars and HCC students. Students learned helpful tips to survive college life on a budget. The presentation was followed by a panel of Student Services Department Managers summarizing services available on campus for student support. Departments represented were Advising, Counseling, Financial Aid, Testing, Career Resources, and Financial Coaching.

Finding “The One” Isn’t Easy - The Project GRAD Scholars Alumni Association hosted it's latest gathering at Piola in Midtown on November 7th where Alumni in attendance had an opportunity to network and practice interview skills that win the job! Many thanks to PG Board Member, Alberto Antenangeli and his associates from JPMorgan Chase, Gregory Dillard and Jeremy Munnerlyn who each donated their time.

Over 35 students are participating in the 11-day Jones Business College Institute at Rice University Official Page where rising 11th & 12th graders experience first-hand exposure to the fundamentals of money, the markets, and business at the Jones Graduate School of Business. ConocoPhillips Company, the world’s largest independent exploration and production company, offers students with a diversity of career opportunities. Students took time for lunch and welcomed a guest speaker, a geologist with ConocoPhillips. Thank you Jones Graduate School of Business and ConocoPhillips for making this incredible opportunity possible for Houston area students!

Municipal Court Judges Fraga, Hartle, Marshal, and Deputy Director Santos visit cafécollege on February 4, 2016.

During College and Career Institutes, students learn about careers that are in high-demand and pay well.  They also learn about the 2-year and 4-year postsecondary programs necessary to achieve these careers.

College and Career Institutes hosted by: Houston Community College, Lee College, Lone Star College - University Park, San Jacinto College, and Texas State Technical College.

 

Career focus:

Houston Community College: Accounting, Computer Science, Paralegal/Legal, and Education

Lee College: Education, Accounting, Paralegal/Legal, Computer Science

Lone Star College - UP: Accounting, Engineering, Education, Computer Science

San Jacinto College: manufacturing, allied health, instrumentation, computer science, and auto technician.

Texas State Technical College: Computer Science, Welding, Machine Tech, Diesel Equipment Tech, and HVAC