Texas Woman’s University Joins Initiative to Create Seamless Pathways Between Community Colleges and Universities
TWU is Latest Addition to Houston Guided Pathways to Success
By Mike Emery, 713-743-7197
Houston Guided Pathways to Success (Houston GPS) has long supported the academic aspirations of Texans. The consortium of universities and community colleges has taken the guesswork out of the transfer process to help students earn their bachelor's degrees on time and with less debt.
Now, Houston GPS adds a new institution of higher education to its roster of colleges and universities. Texas Woman’s University (TWU) becomes the fourteenth member of this groundbreaking consortium.
“Texas Woman’s has pioneered a distinctive space in the higher education landscape for more than 120 years,” said Texas Woman’s Chancellor Carine Feyten. “We are thrilled to be pioneering new opportunities for Houston-area students who can truly thrive at a public university with a woman-focused mission.”
Feyten added that becoming a partner in Houston GPS is the latest in a series of agreements the university has signed aimed at extending greater higher education access and opportunity to students across Texas.
As a Houston GPS member, TWU will partner with community colleges in offering streamlined pathways to its bachelor's programs and ultimately, toward graduation.
Houston GPS institutions collaborate to ensure students take only the classes they need to advance in their respective degree programs, which eliminates excess credit hours and additional debt. Using academic maps, students recognize the classes that will transfer, as well as those courses required to graduate with bachelor's degrees.
Other Houston GPS strategies include proactive advising and technology that tracks students’ progress in real time.
TWU joins some of the largest institutions in Texas in advocating for and supporting student success. Other Houston GPS partners include Alvin Community College, College of the Mainland, Galveston College, Houston Community College, Lone Star College, San Jacinto College, Wharton County Junior College, Prairie View A&M University, Texas Southern University, University of Houston, University of Houston-Clear Lake, University of Houston-Downtown (UHD) and University of Houston-Victoria. “Texas Woman’s University is an outstanding addition to Houston GPS,” said Loren Blanchard, UHD president and chair of the Houston GPS Governing Council. “Its academic reputation and commitment to its students is well known throughout the state, and we look forward to collaborating with its leadership in supporting student success.”
TWU Chancellor Feyten will join Blanchard and other college and university leaders as a member of the Governing Council. Comprised of presidents and chancellors, the council drives Houston GPS’ strategies to ensure the consortium remains engaged and efficient as it elevates higher education in the Lone Star State.
“Strength in numbers is indeed a good thing, especially when it comes to helping students realize their dreams of earning bachelor’s degrees,” said UH Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost Diane Z. Chase. “Adding TWU to Houston Guided Pathways to Success will bolster our efforts in ensuring more Texans earn degrees and are prepared for the workforce.”
Houston GPS supports more than 300,000 students. The initiative was developed by UH Provost Emeritus Paula Myrick Short with the goal of increasing and accelerating student completion and easing the transfer process from community colleges to universities. More details on the program can be found on the Houston GPS website.