SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 527
WHEREAS, The South Texas College Dual Enrollment Academies
program was selected as a 2014 Examples of Excelencia finalist by
Excelencia in Education; and
WHEREAS, Headquartered in Washington, D.C., Excelencia in
Education is a national nonprofit organization that works to
accelerate Latino student success in higher education; the
organization's Examples of Excelencia initiative recognizes
programs around the country that effectively increase the
enrollment, performance, and graduation rates of Latino college
students; and
WHEREAS, One of 14 finalists for this prestigious honor,
the Dual Enrollment Academies program at South Texas College
allows hardworking high school students to earn an associate's
degree in two years by taking high school courses in the morning
and dual credit classes at the college in the afternoon; and
WHEREAS, The program got its start with the establishment
of the college's Medical Science Academy in 2005 and the
Engineering Academy in 2006; it continued to expand over the next
several years as the college added the Computer Science Academy,
the Criminal Justice Academy, and the School to Career Academy,
which includes specializations in both welding and electronic
health records; and
WHEREAS, The faculty and staff of the Dual Enrollment
Academies further assist students in reaching their career goals
through seminars, counseling, mentorships, development
workshops, and volunteer opportunities in cooperation with area
businesses and industries; in addition, academy students have
been offered more than $11.9 million in scholarships since 2008,
and several have received the Bill and Melinda Gates Millennium
Scholarship; and
WHEREAS, By providing an innovative opportunity to pursue
a college education while still in high school, the Dual
Enrollment Academies program has helped many young Texans
prepare themselves for future success, and its selection as a
finalist for the Examples of Excelencia Award is indeed well
deserved; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 84th
Legislature, hereby congratulate the South Texas College Dual
Enrollment Academies program on being named a 2014 Examples of
Excelencia finalist and commend the faculty, staff, and students
of the program for their dedicated efforts; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this Resolution be
prepared for the program as an expression of high regard from the
Texas Senate.
Hinojosa
________________________________
President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on April 9, 2015.
________________________________
Secretary of the Senate
________________________________
Member, Texas Senate