Category Archives: EMERGE

HISD Board of Education votes to accept $8.5 million in grants for college readiness programs

The Houston Independent School District Board of Education voted Thursday to formally accept $8.5 million in grants for programs designed to help high school students get into and graduate from college.

The Houston Endowment awarded the district with two separate grants — $5.5 million and $3 million — in February. The $5.5 million grant will be used to expand the district’s successful EMERGE program to all high schools, while the $3 million matching grant will be used to deploy 28 new college success advisors to campuses across the district.

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HISD Board of Education to accept $8.5 million in grants for college readiness programs

The Houston Independent School District Board of Education will vote Thursday to formally accept $8.5 million in grants for programs designed to help high school students get into and graduate from college.

The Houston Endowment awarded the district with two separate grants — $5.5 million and $3 million — in February. The $5.5 million grant will be used to expand the district’s successful EMERGE program to all high schools, while the $3 million matching grant will be used to deploy 28 new college success advisors to campuses across the district. Continue reading →

EMERGE fellow credits program with making his Stanford dream a reality

Felipe Guillén has been a student at Stanford University since last fall, but the Chávez High School graduate might not be at his “new home” at all if it weren’t for HISD’s EMERGE program.

“My dream became a reality because of those who believed in me,” said Guillén, who was this year’s featured student speaker at the State of the Schools luncheon on Feb. 11. “The EMERGE program changed my understanding of the world and opened my mind up to new things.”

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HISD Superintendent Terry Grier focuses on global education, higher education in 2015 State of the Schools address

Placing a strong emphasis on college attendance and completion, Houston Independent School District Superintendent Terry Grier on Wednesday unveiled plans to expand the district’s successful EMERGE program and double the number of college counselors available to high school students. Continue reading →

eNews Highlight: It’s over—all of my college applications are done!

Now, EMERGE scholar can just wait and let the acceptance letters roll in

Some people thought Olaide Sode was crazy when they found out she was planning to apply to almost two dozen different colleges and universities this year.

But the Carnegie Vanguard High School senior persevered, and she wrapped up the last of the 23 batches of paperwork this week. Now, she is basking in the glow of her accomplishment—and waiting for the acceptance letters to start rolling in.

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EMERGE scholars reunite to reflect on college experience, prepare for internships

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Graduates of HISD’s EMERGE program reflected on their first semester of college and learned how to begin a summer internship search during a “homecoming” event held especially for them on Jan. 6. The EMERGE Scholar Homecoming, which took place at the University of Houston, reunited students who came home for the winter break from colleges such as Columbia University, Oberlin College, Smith College, and Yale University.  Continue reading →

eNews Highlight: Awkward conversations and way too many acronyms

Felipe Guillen poses for a photograph, July 9, 2014. (Houston ISD/Dave Einsel)

When Felipe Guillen first arrived at Stanford University, he was worried about what kind of reception he would experience. But the warm welcome he received, the friendly people he met, and the whirlwind of activities that took place shortly afterward helped him feel comfortable right away.

Read more about how the Chávez High School alumnus weathered his new student orientation at an Ivy League university in the Dec. 12, 2014, edition of eNews. Continue reading →

eNews Highlight: Furr HS alumna on the value of ‘the road less-traveled’

EMERGE graduate gives advice on the importance of taking risks in this week’s edition

Graduating seniors face a dizzying array of choices when considering a college to attend. In addition to selecting programs and possible majors, students have to decide whether to stay close to home or leave everything familiar behind by enrolling in a university thousands of miles away.

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eNews Highlight: Meet the Carnegie senior who’s applying to 23 colleges

Read why this EMERGE student is keeping her options open in this week’s edition

While most seniors are fine-tuning a short list of colleges and universities they might want to attend, one student at HISD’s Carnegie Vanguard High School is doing exactly the opposite. Learn why Olaide Sode is pushing herself to apply to almost two dozen different schools, and how the EMERGE program is helping Olaide and other economically disadvantaged students to reach for the stars in the Nov. 7, 2014, edition of eNews.

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Emerge recruiting students to prepare for college at top universities

A group of Eastwood Academy 10th and 11th graders learned what it takes to be in HISD’s Emerge program, which helps prepare high school students to receive college acceptances and scholarships to the nation’s top colleges and universities.

“We’re looking for students who aren’t afraid to work hard and show their drive,” said Emerge program manager Karthik Soora at an Emerge information session Tuesday at Eastwood.

Emerge is holding information sessions this month at various high schools across the district to encourage more students to apply for the program. The deadline for students to submit an Emerge application is Nov. 1. Continue reading →