EDUCATION
CORPUS CHRISTI SELECTED TO PARTICIPATE IN NATIONAL COHORT TO INCREASE EQUITY AND BUILD LOCAL PATHWAYS TO HIGHER EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT
The National League of Cities ( NLC ) selected Corpus Christi as one of six cities that will take part in a two-year project to explore and build equitable pathways to postsecondary and workforce success . The Mayors of each city participating in NLC ’ s Building Equitable Pathways to Postsecondary and Workforce Success cohort have made a commitment to increasing access and decreasing barriers to succeeding in higher education and to gaining meaningful employment .
“ Postsecondary and job attainment are high priorities for Corpus Christi . New business and industry continue to come to the Coastal Bend and the new Harbor Bridge project is expected to need over 1,000 workers with varying skill levels . Ensuring that our citizens have the education and skills necessary for these and other jobs is critical to Corpus Christi ’ s economic prosperity ,” commented Mayor Pro-Tem Carolyn Vaughn .
To increase the percentage of Corpus Christi residents with high school credentials , postsecondary certifications , associate degrees , and bachelor ’ s degrees , members of the Education / Workforce Committee are currently working on the city ’ s education strategic plan with the goal of 60 percent of the city ’ s population holding a credential or degree by 2030 . Through the two-year NLC Project , the strategic plan will be finalized , and NLC will assist in developing education pathways that lead to Coastal Bend jobs . Members of the team that completed the city ’ s application for the NLC project include Dr . Janet Cunningham , executive director of Citizens for Educational Excellence ; Dr . Beth Lewis , Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs for Del Mar College ; and Dr . Gilda Ramirez , Vice President of Education and Small Business , United Corpus Christi Chamber of Commerce .
13 BUSINESS MATTERS MARCH 2017