Star Awards
About
Through the 2024 Star Awards, The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) celebrates outstanding institutional contributions to a talent-strong Texas. This year’s awards highlight institutions demonstrating exemplary support for students pursuing postsecondary pathways, aligned with the theme “Today’s Student. Tomorrow’s Texas.” Institutions will be recognized for their contributions in the following categories:
Transfer
Recognizing institutions fostering consistent and aligned educational outcomes for transfer students, particularly those pursuing a degree in a revised Field of Study (FOS).
Criteria:
- Successful implementation of revised FOS, including:
- Improvement in persistence and completion rates of transfer students
- Consistent applicability of transfer credits in revised FOS
- Efficacy of college and career advising services related to revised FOS
- Increase in the number of Texas Direct Transfer Degrees awarded
Digital Learning
Implementation of innovative efforts to enhance opportunity and affordability through digital learning experiences.
Criteria:
- Leveraging innovative technologies for creative digital instructional delivery or support services
- Impact of affordability initiatives on student outcomes
- Innovative course or program design that maximizes the value of academic and career pathways
Workforce Development
Celebrating institutions equipping students with the skills needed for a 21st-century workforce.
Criteria:
- Creation or expansion of short-term workforce education and training programs in high-demand occupations
- Productive partnerships with local/regional employers, economic development corporations, workforce boards, or trade associations
- Promoting a culture of continuous education and upskilling for the current workforce, helping workers adapt to technological advancements and changing job roles, ensuring they remain competitive and capable of meeting new challenges
Financial Aid
Highlighting institutional programs providing financial assistance and related comprehensive student support services to high-achieving, low-income students.
Criteria:
- Improved student outcomes in cohort supported by the program
- High enrollment and persistence rates of student cohorts
College and Career Advising
Recognizing institutions providing comprehensive advising to students, including adults, displaced workers, and those transitioning from high school to college.
Criteria:
- Established partnership with THECB to provide comprehensive advising and student support services that advance student success and completion
- Efficacy of academic and college and career advising services
Star Awards winners will be celebrated at Higher EDge 2024, the state’s annual higher education leadership conference, on Dec. 12, 2024.
Contact
Inquiries regarding Star Awards should be sent to the Star Awards team.
