2025 CCRSM Partners Connect

Located in Baytown, just 20 minutes southeast of Houston, Lee College serves over 3,100 students annually through a variety of dual credit programs. The diverse population of dual credit students includes first-generation, low socio-economic, and underrepresented students. Understanding the unique needs of these students, the Dual Credit Programs Team has focused on fostering positive relationships before addressing the more challenging aspects of the college experience.
Recognizing that early support is key to student success, the team implemented innovative practices to build strong connections with students. This includes a proactive advising model with a comprehensive advising syllabus that encourages early engagement and ensures students are prepared for their academic journey. A customized new student orientation with interactive breakout sessions sets clear expectations and provides tools to navigate college-level coursework. In addition, the college takes time to celebrate student successes and milestones throughout the year, reinforcing the value of positive reinforcement and recognition.
This session will explore the strategies Lee College’s Dual Credit Programs team has implemented to create a positive and supportive student experience, with a focus on relationship-building before the tough conversations arise.

Organizations are complex, dynamic systems in which people affect the success or failure of intended outcomes (Greenberg & Baron, 2003); the more complex the work, the more involvement from individuals and teams is needed to achieve success.

Beginning in 2018, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley began to partner with school districts within the organization’s geographic region to develop new collegiate high schools, focused on creating educational opportunities leading towards completion of a bachelor’s degree. The concept for the program evolved from longstanding partnerships already in place at the university; however, the new program would entail creating three unique high schools, each with their opportunities and challenges. Developing this program required an “interpreter” who could translate roles, responsibilities, tasks, norms, and expectations between the university and K-12 partners.

This session will explore lessons learned and best practices gleaned over the course of seven years and multiple phases of program development including academics, facility construction, and ongoing continuous improvement.

Participants will leave the session:
1. With an overview of critical elements needed to establish effective educational partnerships between K-12 and postsecondary sectors.
2. Having engaged in substantive discussions on elements needed for effective teams.
3. With examples of adapted project management tools that have proven useful when managing large-scale educational projects.