Institutions Across Texas Recognized for Building a Talent Strong Texas 

Dec. 13, 2024, Austin, Texas – The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) has announced five recipients of its 2024 Star Awards. Institutions were recognized for exemplary support for students pursuing postsecondary pathways. 

“The Star Awards recognize institutions that continue to develop new, innovative ways to build a talent-strong Texas,” said Dr. Fred Farias, chair of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. “This year’s honorees shine a bright light on higher education in Texas as they carry on the tradition of our great state leading the way in helping students achieve their goals while meeting the needs of our growing economy.”

This year, 44 institutions were nominated and 36 submitted applications across the following categories: College and Career Advising, Digital Learning, Financial Aid, Transfer, and Workforce Development.

Awardees include:

  • Workforce Development: Laredo College, for Laredo CARES
  • Financial Aid: Odessa College, for Affordability & Accessibility
  • Digital Learning: The University of Texas at San Antonio, for online bachelor’s degree programs
  • Transfer: Blinn College and Texas A&M University System, for RELLIS Academic Alliance
  • College and Career Advising: Grayson College, Career and Pathway Coach

Awardees were honored Dec. 12 at the Higher EDge 2024 conference in Austin. The theme for this year’s conference was “Today’s Student. Tomorrow’s Texas.” Higher EDge is an annual conference that brings together leaders in higher education, government, business and industry, and philanthropy to discuss critical higher education issues. 

This year’s programming included student panelists during a range of engaging sessions on topics including admissions redesign, transfer, student success initiatives, student mental health, course sharing, workforce transitions, and much more. Attendees also had the opportunity to hear from the incoming Commissioner of Higher Education, Dr. Wynn Rosser, during a Q&A session with Interim Commissioner Sarah Keyton.

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