Generation TEXAS Upper RGV p-16 COUNCIL CASP Community Outreach

1. Generation TEXASUpper RGV p-16 COUNCILCASP Community Outreach …Because we are generation Texas!!!

2. Gen TX, what is it? • Generation TX is a grassroots, community-based movement united in the belief that every student—regardless of circumstances—belongs on the path to college or career education beyond high school. • Generation TX inspires Texas students to believe that college or career education is attainable and relevant to their lives. It brings together existing resources and clarifies the actions students need to take to pursue education beyond high school, connecting them to the right information and offering support at every step in the process. It galvanizes Texas communities to support the next generation, empowering students to generate a new future for themselves, their families, and all Texans. • We invite students, parents, educators, businesses, and community leaders to become part of the movement and to support this generation of Texas students. The first step to getting involved with Generation TX is simply to believe in the movement and its powerful purpose.

3. What does it look like? • Mindset: Generation TX is the mindset of believing—it is the spirit and attitude of this movement. • Wayfinding: Generation TX is the symbol of all things college/career. • Resource: Generation TX is a substantive resource that pulls together all things college/career: • Calendars • Online resources • Clinics/offline resources • Community: Share your stories/connect • Community empowered to rate/review resources/content/stories and to tell each other about great resources. • Community: Generation TX comes to life in communities—at campus level, community level. • Campus and Community Organizer Program • Public events • Campus events and contests • Block walks + yard signs

4. UTPA College Access and Support Programs Community outreach officegentx implementation The CASP Community Outreach office is part of the University of Texas-Pan American's (UTPA) Department of College Access and Support Programs (CASP) with the aim of providing outreach services to public schools and others in the community in support of the "Closing the Gaps" and “Generation TX” initiatives. GenTX has been integrated into all the CASP programs and has been introduced to all operating Go Centers supported by UTPA. (27 Go Centers located in Valley High Schools ranging from Hidalgo to Willacy Counties, and 4 community-based Go Centers at Boys and Girls Clubs)

5. gentximplementation • UTPA proposed to have 1,000 members from our community take the GenTX pledge, either by attending a presentation or visiting one of our table events. • The pledge allowed students, parents, school personnel, community members, and educational professionals, to pledge to prepare and commit themselves to support/pursue a higher education. • UTPA reached out to 3,000 members from our schools and community and they have taken the GenTX pledge in the RGV! (UTPA Mother Daughter Program, Go Center Program, and others) • We have conducted/participated in over 150 events sharing the GenTX message, while promoting this movement in our Go Centers! • UTPA supported Go Centers annually reach out to over 30,000 students.

6. gentximplementation • Generation TX has been an inspiring and informational movement for our staff, students, and school partnerships. We’ve worked with several programs to emphasize how this movement gives students a stronger and more unified sense of being part of something… • Programs we’ve worked with.. • Collegiate G-Force Mentorship Grant • Mother Daughter Program • Educational Talent Search • College Assistance Migrant Program • Upward Bound & Upward Bound Math & Science

7. Partnered Schools • 25 school partners • 4 Community centers

8. GENTXin the RGV

9. gentximplementation • The UTPA CASP Community Outreach Office has promoted the importance of believing in GenTX by conducting presentations, assisting students with profiles, as well as utilizing the free online resources. • Most importantly, GenTX is believing that every student is on the path to college/career readiness.

10. Create a profile! ………..UTPA Has! • We have continuously encouraged students to create profiles on gentx.org • The best way to recruit students on the site is to welcome them! • UTPA created a community group called the UTPA GenTXers where we talk to students about the importance of higher education through discussions and messaging.

11. UTPA Student speaker series • UTPA created a team composed of High School • G-Force mentors and Collegiate G-Force mentors to share their stories with others from the RGV! • These students have been the voices of GenTX at their schools and communities. We also created a UTPA GenTX DVD scheduled to premiere in the near future, made by students for students!

12. The Future of Generation tx in the RGV • Marketing Strategies for 2011-2012: • Continue to incorporate Generation TX into UTPA’s College Access and Support Programs (CASP), as well as any Upper RGV P-16 Council activities/events. • Promote utilization of GenTX.org • Continue implementing presentations in our schools and community, and provide promotional giveaways. • Co-Brand GenTX with all partnered Valley High Schools and local businesses. • Use GenTX as a college and career readiness symbol.

13. For More information contact • Barbara Jean GarzaAssociate Director, CASP Community Outreach956-665-7562bjgarza1@utpa.edu UTPA COLLEGE ACCESS AND SUPPORT PROGRAMS, BECAUSE WE ARE GENRATION TEXAS!