15 Students Win Texas Community College Essay Contest
Subheading: Texas Association of Community Colleges and Commit Partnership Celebrate Texas Students and House Bill 8
AUSTIN – On the one-year anniversary of the implementation of a historic investment in Texas community colleges, 15 community college students across Texas were honored as part of the Pathways to Success: Texas Community College Essay Contest held by the Texas Association of Community Colleges and the Commit Partnership.
In recognition of House Bill 8's $683 million investment in Texas community colleges, the essay contest celebrates community colleges for giving students the education and skills to land well-paying, in-demand jobs after graduation. Participants were asked to share their unique stories about how their community college experiences have shaped their journeys.
“My amazing community college education opened windows to thriving professional paths,” says Houston Community College student Avwerosuoghene “Avey” Etaghene in one of the winning essays. “I gained invaluable skills for well-paying roles in Texas' booming tech industry.”
The Texas Community College Essay Contest winners are:
- First Place: Yen, Wharton County Junior College
- Second Place: Avwerosuoghene “Avey” Etaghene, Houston Community College
- Third Place: Sarah Morin, South Texas College
- Fourth Place: Brandon, Navarro College
- Fifth Place: Hailey L., Austin Community College
- Sixth Place: Anatupenda Daphrose, Dallas College
- Seventh Place: Kathryn, Wharton County Junior College
- Eighth Place: Amy Maddux, McLennan Community College
- Ninth Place: Ana Toro, San Jacinto College
- Tenth Place: Nelsie Nash, Blinn College
- Honorable Mention: Aws Alezzi, San Jacinto College
- Honorable Mention: Kelly Bridges, Panola College
- Honorable Mention: James Colunga, Austin Community College
- Honorable Mention: Martha Chavez, Panola College
- Honorable Mention: Isabella R, Collin College
Students from nearly all of Texas’ 50 community colleges applied, with the winners representing 11 institutions from every corner of the state. First through tenth place winners received awards ranging from $3,500 to $300, while five more students received honorable mentions.
“The voices of our essay contest winners eloquently illustrate how our institutions equip students with the skills and opportunities they need to succeed in high-demand fields. We are proud to celebrate their achievements and the enduring impact of community colleges on the lives of countless Texans,” said Ray Martinez III, President & CEO of the Texas Association of Community Colleges. “House Bill 8 marks a new chapter in empowering community colleges to drive economic growth and social mobility across Texas.”
Signed into law last year and implemented in September 2023, House Bill 8 is transformative legislation that ties community college funding to student outcomes, rewarding institutions for meeting workforce needs in high-demand fields. As the provider of more than 90% of career and technical education in the state, community colleges are uniquely positioned to fill the skills-gap and ensure students have a clear pathway from enrollment to employment. The passage of HB 8 financially incentivizes community colleges to continue their support to students as they complete courses, attain credentials, and successfully transfer to four-year universities – with funding multiplied for adult learners and students experiencing economic and academic disadvantages.
“The inspiring stories of our essay contest winners are testaments to the power of Texas community colleges to transform students’ lives,” said Commit Chair and CEO Todd Williams. “Thanks to House Bill 8, these institutions can better meet the needs of employers and ensure even more students are on paths to economic mobility.”
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About the Texas Association of Community Colleges
The Texas Association of Community Colleges (TACC) is an organization representing Texas public community college member districts, community college presidents and chancellors. For over seven decades, the Texas Association of Community Colleges (TACC) has focused on their primary mission of improving statewide educational opportunities in community colleges through advocacy and policy change. For more information, visit their website at https://tacc.org.
About The Commit Partnership
Quality educational opportunities as a child lead to economic opportunities as an adult. Commit aims to break the cycle of poverty in Dallas County by examining the numerous root causes and working with others to remove systemic barriers to opportunity for all students. We find robust data insights and activate them via trusted relationships to innovatively change systems and unlock public funding . Our true north goal is that by 2040 at least half of all 25-34 year old residents of Dallas County, irrespective of race, will earn a living wage.