Alamo Colleges issued the following announcement on Jan. 16.
At a luncheon today, hosted by the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce, the Charles Butt Foundation announced the donation of $1.5 million to the district’s AlamoPROMISE tuition-free college program. Kate Rogers, director of the Charles Butt Foundation, presented an oversized “check” for the gift to Alamo Colleges students, officials and future PROMISE scholars. The luncheon also featured a presentation by Alamo Colleges’ Chancellor Dr. Mike Flores on the significant economic impact of AlamoPROMISE on the local community and the crucial role Alamo Colleges will play in the future of workforce development.
In his first year as chancellor, Dr. Flores has ushered in a new level of energy, excellence, and strategy for the future of Alamo Colleges and the entire region. Blending national best practices and robust local input, he is leading the charge to remove education attainment barriers and place the district’s more than 90,000 students on a path to economic and social mobility.
“Over a five-year period beginning in fall 2020, Bexar County could see as much as $1.7 billion in direct economic impact, a 1% GDP increase, as a result of AlamoPROMISE,” said Flores. “The program also will generate additional tax revenues for San Antonio, Bexar County and Texas, as well as achieving overall higher education-going rate growth,” he added.
“San Antonio area businesses consistently tell us that education and workforce development is their greatest challenge, and is one of our community’s most urgent needs,” said San Antonio Chamber President Richard Perez. “The San Antonio Chamber of Commerce is convinced the AlamoPROMISE Program will go a long way in increasing the educational attainment trajectory for San Antonio and Bexar County. The Chamber was delighted to be a part of the announcement of the Charles Butt Foundation’s gift to AlamoPROMISE. This investment recognizes the incredible impact the initiative will have on the quality of education available to all Bexar County Students, the influence it will have on our future workforce, and the ultimate effect it will have on the economic well-being of people across the city,” he added.
Following his presentation, Dr. Flores participated in a panel discussion focusing on AlamoPROMISE and partnerships that are transforming the way San Antonio’s education, business, and community leaders approach workforce development. Also on the panel were:
- Moderator Robert Rivard, Founder and Editor of The Rivard Report
- Kate Rogers, Director of the Charles Butt Foundation
- Dr. Jeanette Ball, Superintendent of Judson Independent School District
- Aaliyah Muriel, Wagner High School student and AlamoPROMISE Scholar
AlamoPROMISE provides last-dollar funding for completion of a credential or three years of college to Alamo Colleges’ students who plan to earn an associate degree, certification, courses for transfer or workforce training. AlamoPROMISE covers the gap between financial aid and the cost of tuition and required fees. Household income does not disqualify students. Currently, nearly 6,000 students have signed pledges for AlamoPROMISE. The deadline to pledge is February 14, 2020.
To become an AlamoPROMISE Scholar, a student must be a Bexar County resident and a senior graduating in 2020 from one of the 25 participating high schools with a high school diploma. By the fall of 2021, the AlamoPROMISE program will be available to students graduating with a diploma from an additional 20 participating public high schools in Bexar County. For more information, go to https://www.alamo.edu/promise
At the Alamo Colleges District, high quality education and affordable costs provide exceptional value to students and alumni who are major contributors to the economy and culture of our community. For more information, go to https://www.alamo.edu
Original source can be found here.
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