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Community colleges are crucial for rural communities, acting as economic and social anchors. They provide access to education and workforce training, fostering economic development and improving local employment opportunities.
This is one of the driving forces that helped develop the partnerships behind the Alliance for College & Career Student Success (ACCSS). ACCSS is a collaborative program involving Blinn College District and eight regional independent school districts.
The original five that founded the partnership include Flatonia, Schulenburg, Weimar, Columbus and Fayetteville ISD’s. Now in their expansion phase, ACCSS has added Moulton, Dime Box and Sealy ISD’s.
Believing that rural youth deserve the opportunity to dream big and pursue their goals, the ACCSS program works to ensure that every student, regardless of background, has access to the opportunities needed to thrive in the pursuit of their educational and career aspirations by providing academic and career resources, guidance, and comprehensive support essential for students to attain post-secondary credits or workforce career credentials.
A priority for ACCSS is creating more opportunity for our rural youth to access the academic and technical dual credit that they need to be prepared for their post-secondary journey.
In working with ACCSS partner education agencies to help develop pathways and streamline transition to college, it has become apparent that one of the resources that may limit obtaining this goal is identifying and hiring qualified faculty.
In order to be credentialed to teach academic dual credit courses, candidates must have a master’s degree in the field of study they will teach, or a master’s degree with a minimum of 18 graduate hours in the field of study they will be teaching.
The qualifications are very different for trade or workforce training. These areas usually require an associate’s degree or higher and 3 years non-teaching work experience in the field.
ACCSS will be holding an information session at 5:30 PM on Wednesday, April 30, at the Blinn College - Schulenburg Campus, 100 Ranger Dr., in Room 120. Anyone interested in exploring teaching at a college level who believes they may have the qualifications is encouraged to attend.
If possible, it is suggested that attendees bring their college transcripts for review. There are a wide variety of needs for instructors currently, so please consider attending to learn about the flexible opportunities that will help increase access to dual credit and workforce training for our rural youth.
For more information on this session or ACCSS, please contact Susie Shank, ACCSS Director, at 979-7435239.
