Published by Houston Public Media, this story highlights a $13 million investment in college advising for Houston ISD students—funding that will help more high-achieving students from low-income communities access top-tier colleges. EMERGE, a nonprofit partner of HISD, will expand its reach to serve 350 new students each year through intensive college counseling and mentorship. Former EMERGE founder and HISD Assistant Superintendent Rick Cruz shared that the district also plans to begin advising students as early as middle school to build a stronger college pipeline. EMERGE Executive Director Trisha Cornwell emphasized that this expansion will strengthen Houston’s future leadership by helping more students attend and graduate from selective universities.
