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Built for the moment: Why community colleges are central to Houston’s economic future

What’s happening: Nine Gulf Coast community colleges serve close to 200,000 students across a geographic footprint roughly the size of Connecticut. The next episode of Upstream unpacks how these colleges, a state intermediary, a research and learning partner, and Houston Endowment are working together to create pathways to meaningful work. Panelists will explore the central role of community colleges in our region’s future, what colleges are learning, and what this collaboration means for the economic mobility of Greater Houston’s residents.

On the mic: Houston Endowment Evaluation Officer Sara Jones will moderate the conversation with the following guests:

• Dr. Amanda Allen, president, Wharton County Junior College
• Kimberly Lowry, vice president, Texas Association of Community Colleges and executive director, Texas Success Center
• Trudy Cherasaro, director of research, Marzano Research
• Kaylan Connally, program officer-education, Houston Endowment

Upstream is a conversation about new approaches, promising findings, and the people who make this work possible. In each episode, we bring together researchers and change-makers to talk about what’s working, what’s exciting, and where we go from here.

Join the conversation: Upstream airs Tuesday, Oct. 27, at 12 p.m. Sign up and submit questions to our panelists.