Nearly 7,000 graduating seniors are taking part in a Tarrant To & Through Partnership program designed to tackle “summer melt,” the months where students can get distracted and lose sight of their goals.
The organization, which works with around 24 high schools and partners with area colleges, has been doing the Summer Launch Program for four years. The program is part of the group’s mission to ensure more students get postsecondary credentials and also succeed in college.
“We want students not to dip off in the summer and lose that momentum toward their future. Summer Launch is just that,” said Natalie Young Williams, president and CEO of Tarrant To & Through Partnership, also known as the T3 Partnership. “It’s continuing that momentum, continuing that connection and relationships with our T3 staff members, our College Advising Corps members (and) our career coaches.”
T3 Partnership Summer Launch Program
T3 Partnership has been in touch with graduating seniors at participating high schools about the program. Students looking to find out more details can email support@T3partnership.org.
T3’s Summer Launch Program has grown from 350 students to today’s 6,800.
The organization also coaches students who are entering the workforce as well as students who are enrolling at colleges outside T3’s partner institutions.
About half of the students in the program are going to college, while the other half will be launching their careers, program leaders said.
“A lot of (the program is) probably more focused on: How to college,” said Jason Titus, managing director of programs. “It could be things from grit to time management to communication. How do you communicate with the registrar’s office? How do you communicate with financial aid?”
The program breaks down bureaucracies and teaches students how to navigate them. Coaching students takes place in a variety of ways, from emails, text messages and phone calls to in-person meetings.
For the T3 leaders, the program is about creating a space for belonging, building up a support network and giving students the tools needed for college success.
“This is the season where we lose the most students to what is next for them,” said Titus. “Whatever (the student’s) dream was just a month or two ago (could change). Lost dreams happen the most in this season.”
It’s the organization’s mission that it is not just a one-stop shop, but it is working with students in high school, on their way to college and to their careers — and in every spot in between.
Shomial Ahmad is a higher education reporter for the Fort Worth Report, in partnership with Open Campus. Contact her at shomial.ahmad@fortworthreport.org.
The Report’s higher education coverage is supported in part by major higher education institutions in Tarrant County, including Tarleton State University, Tarrant County College, Texas A&M-Fort Worth, Texas Christian University, Texas Wesleyan University, the University of Texas at Arlington and UNT Health Science Center.
At the Fort Worth Report, news decisions are made independently of our board members and financial supporters. Read more about our editorial independence policy here.
Related
Fort Worth Report is certified by the Journalism Trust Initiative for adhering to standards for ethical journalism.
Republish This Story
Republishing is free for noncommercial entities. Commercial entities are prohibited without a licensing agreement. Contact us for details.