San Jac awarded federal GEAR UP Grant to strengthen college readiness in Galena Park ISD
Pasadena, Texas – San Jacinto College was recently awarded a Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness forUndergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) Partnership grant from the U.S. Department of Education. The $1.19 million award marks the first year of a seven-year grant totaling nearly $7.9 million. Funding will be used to provide sustained academic support, tutoring, mentoring, dual credit opportunities, family engagement, and college and career exploration activities formore than 1,500 students in Galena Park Independent School District.
Through this initiative, San Jacinto College will partner with Galena Park ISD to serve students beginning in seventh grade at Cunningham, Galena Park, North Shore, and Woodland Acres middle schools, continuing through high school graduation.
“This initiative is about equipping students and families with the knowledge, confidence, and resources to see higher education as an attainable and transformative goal,” said Dr. Alexander Okwonna, provost, North Campus and GEAR UP project director. “By collaborating closely with Galena Park ISD, we can build a strong college-going culture that supports students from middle school through college completion.”
The GEAR UP Partnership program is a competitive federal grant designed to increase the number of low-income students prepared to enter and succeed in postsecondary education. San Jacinto College’s project will focus on improving academic performance, increasing high school graduation and college enrollment rates, and helping students and families navigate financial aid and scholarship opportunities such as the Promise @ San Jac Scholarship.
“We’re proud to continue our long-standing commitment to educational access and equity in East Harris County,” said Dr. Brenda Hellyer, Chancellor. “Together with our school district partners, we are helping to open doors that will change the trajectory of students’ lives and strengthen our community forgenerations.”
The GEAR UP grant underscores San Jacinto College’s dedication to empowering students through academic support.
About San Jacinto College
Surrounded by monuments of history, evolving industries, maritime enterprises of today,
and the space age of tomorrow, San Jacinto College has served the people of East Harris
County, Texas, since 1961. The College is ranked second in the nation among more than
1,100 community colleges, as designated by the Aspen Institute and was named an Achieving
the Dream Leader College of Distinction in 2020. As a Hispanic-Serving Institution
that spans five campuses, plus an online college, San Jacinto College serves approximately
45,000 credit and non-credit students annually. It offers more than 200 degrees and
certificates across eight major areas of study that put students on a path to transfer
to four-year institutions or enter the workforce. The College is fiscally sound, holding
bond ratings of AA+ by Standard & Poor’s and Aa2 by Moody’s. San Jacinto College is
accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
