Recent Updates & Materials
Isabel Torres, a member of the Texas Community College Student Advisory Council who is a student parent, testified to the committee that she completed her associate's degree at Austin Community College last year at age 41 after initially stopping when she became pregnant with her daughter in 2016.
Advocates Testify on behalf of HB 8 Merit Based Funding for Community Colleges
Texas Community College Students Head to the State Capitol for House Bill 8 Testimony
On September 24, two representatives from the Texas Community College Student Advisory Council (SAC) testified before the Senate Higher Education subcommittee to share their insights into the implementation of House Bill 8.
Passed in 2023, HB 8 established Texas’ new performance-based funding formula that rewards community colleges based on students’ successful completion of degrees and credentials. The testimonies provided by these students helped illuminate how this groundbreaking legislation is already beginning to improve opportunities and support for students across the state.
2024 Community College Association of Texas Trustees (CCATT) conference in Amarillo
For the third straight year, a delegation of students from the Texas Community College Student Advisory Council (SAC) attended the 2024 Community College Association of Texas Trustees (CCATT) conference in Amarillo on September 12-14. This annual event brings together elected trustees, higher education leaders, and policymakers to discuss opportunities to improve community college governance, student outcomes, and workforce needs in Texas. This year’s theme, “Collaborative Connections,” focused on partnerships with K-12 school systems and strategies to effectively implement the state’s new performance-based funding formula under House Bill 8.
We're thrilled to announce that applications are now open for the 2024 Texas Community College Student Advisory Council— a unique opportunity for 10-12 passionate individuals to learn about state and local policy related to community colleges, gain communication and advocacy skills, and use their voices to actively shape the policies impacting them.
Program Details:
Fellowship Duration: February to December 2024
Virtual/Remote Opportunity
Commitment: 10-12 hours per month
Monthly Stipend: $240
Apply Here: https://edtru.st/TXStudentAdvisoryCouncil2024
This fellowship is a chance to shape the future of community college education and policy in Texas. Submit your application by the deadline on Tuesday, January 16, 2024.
Apply Now for the 2024 Texas Community College Student Advisory Council!
The Education Trust highlights the Student Advisory Council’s major role in passing community college finance law
The Education Trust’s blog, The Equity Line, recaps the efforts of the Student Advisory Council over the past year and how the member's dedication & advocacy have been instrumental in shaping transformative community college legislation in Texas, specifically House Bill 8.
State education advocates thank the Student Advisory Council for their instrumental efforts in the passage of House Bill 8 & SAC members thank state leaders
In June 2023, Texas adopted a game-changing community college finance law to help more Texans earn the credentials needed for good-paying, in-demand jobs. Governor Greg Abbott signed House Bill 8 after steady advocacy from current and recent community college students.
In these videos, state education advocates thank Texas Community College Student Advisory Council members and students across Texas for their efforts and advocacy in helping pass this bipartisan legislation, and student members of the Texas Community College Student Advisory Council applaud state leaders.
Member and former Austin Community College student Isabel Torres shares her experience as a student-parent - highlighting how she successfully completed her associate degree while navigating the challenges of motherhood due to available resources.
The Texas Tribune discusses how lawmakers in Texas are taking steps to provide essential support for students like Isabel and recognizing the importance of their success in shaping the future of education.
Student Advisory Council member’s journey of success featured in The Texas Tribune
Member and former Dallas College student Ángel García Donjuán shares his experience as a dual credit student - highlighting how having access to the program was transformational for his higher education journey.
Ángel urges state legislators to support HB 8 and invest in dual credit programs that are free and accessible for students across Texas!
Student Advisory Council member’s Op-Ed on the importance of Dual Credit featured in The Dallas Morning News
The Dallas Morning News features Student Advisory Council member’s incredible Op-Ed on the importance of HB 8 & SB 2539 for Texas Community Colleges
Member Daisy Donjuan shares her journey toward higher education at Dallas College - highlighting her struggles as an economically disadvantaged student and how the support she received propelled her success and advocacy.
Daisy urges state legislators to support HB 8 and SB 2539 for community colleges across Texas and invest in opportunities for students like her!
Student Advisory Council members joined student leaders from across Texas at Community College Day at the Capitol
The Texas Association of Community Colleges in partnership with Texas Pace, The Education Trust, and Young Invincibles hosted Community College Day at the Texas Capitol on January 26. Community college students from across Texas had the opportunity to engage with their state senators and local representatives.
Student Advisory Council members led the Student Debrief, highlighting higher education advocacy and discussing the experiences of students who attended.
Texas Observer features Student Advisory Council members in a fantastic piece about community college
Members Kay Trent & Isabel Torres shared their higher education experience, struggles and how recommendations from the Texas Commission on Community College Finance could benefit Texas students, especially those facing outside stresses.
Read the final recommendations from the Texas Commission on Community College Finance
In the final report, the Commission highlights the work of the Student Advisory Committee.
“A panel of students from diverse backgrounds and regions, including adult learners, who shared their experiences and discussed the needs of students from the classroom to the workforce”
Members of the Community College Student Advisory Council (SAC) recently attended TribFest in Austin. Each year, the nonprofit news organization The Texas Tribune puts on the festival, which includes a series of discussions centered on public policy issues in Texas.
Texas Community College Students Take Advocacy to #TribFest
SAC Testimony at the September Meeting
Austin Community College student Isabel Torres testified before the Texas Commission on Community College Finance on September 12, 2022. Torres is a member of the Student Advisory Council, a program organized and supported by The Education Trust in Texas, Young Invincibles, Every Texan, and Breakthrough Central Texas as a joint initiative of the Texas Postsecondary Advocates Coalition for Equity (TX PACE).
Student Advisory Council member Isabel Torres was featured in KUT Austin
Juggling the costs of college and child care is the primary challenge facing students who are parents, according to new research from The Education Trust. The nonprofit advocacy group looked at the expenses low-income student parents face in all 50 states. For low-income parenting students, the “affordability gap” – the actual cost of attending a Texas community college after accounting for financial aid and working 10 hours per week - is more than $13,000 when including the cost of child care.”
Also, check out her testimony before the Texas Commission on Community College Finance on September 12, 2022.
The Student Advisory Council at the Community College Association of Texas Trustees Conference
Five members of the Student Advisory Council represented the group at the Community College Association of Texas Trustees conference in Houston. They shared their perspectives on being community college students and their recommendations for how to enhance the experience.
Invited testimony of Student Advisory Council members before the Texas Commission on Community College Finance on June 21
SAC Testimony at the June Meeting of the TX Community College Finance Commission
Testimony was given before the Texas Commission on Community College Finance.
“My relationship with community college began via dual credit in high school. While it was an incredible opportunity offered at no cost, more can be done to properly inform students on how credits transfer to a four year institution or an associate's degree. “
— Angel Garcia Donjuan, Dallas College
Recaps of the Texas Commission on Community College Finance
Education Trust and Young Invincibles have hosted virtual recap sessions after each of the meetings of the Texas Commission on Community College Finance. Watch the recap events here:
September 27, 2022 – featuring Student Advisory Council member Brendan Batchelder
June 24, 2022 – featuring Student Advisory Council members Kristie Davis and Cristina Navarro. Watch the post event recap here.
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Press Release – Introducing the Student Advisory Council