CREEED, EPCC and Partners Launch Ascend Program

The Council on Regional Economic Expansion and Educational Development (CREEED), El Paso Community College and regional education partners have launched Ascend: Building a Talent-Strong El Paso, a three-year program focused on helping more students move successfully from high school into postsecondary education, earn valuable credentials and enter high-demand careers.

The program begins with Anthony, Canutillo, Socorro and Ysleta independent school districts and EPCC, with an opportunity to expand to additional districts. It was announced during CREEED’s third annual Education Matters Summit, which brought together education, business and community leaders from across the region.

Through Ascend, participating school districts and EPCC will provide dedicated transition support for students. District transition coaches will begin working with students before graduation, while coordination at EPCC will help students transition to college and remain on track toward a credential. Partners will also use shared data to identify where students are leaving the education-to-career pipeline and improve those transitions.

EPCC President Dr. William Serrata participated in a panel titled “Ascend: Building a Talent Strong El Paso” with representatives from the participating school districts. Serrata said EPCC is committed to building the workforce the region needs and connecting K-12 schools, postsecondary institutions and employers around student success.

Ascend grew from a regional analysis commissioned by CREEED on coordination between El Paso school districts and EPCC. The analysis found that the region has Career and Technical Education programs, dual-credit partnerships and institutional support, but students can lose momentum when transitions are not clearly supported or connected through shared data.

For the Class of 2024, the analysis estimated that area school districts generated about $7.1 million in HB 3 outcomes bonus funding, compared with an estimated $51.4 million in potential funding tied to student outcomes. The difference was cited as an opportunity to improve college and career completion outcomes.

The summit also featured a keynote address from Texas Commissioner of Education Mike Morath.