This story is adapted from remarks written by EMERGE scholar Ambriel Jones as part of EMERGE's year-end appeal. The first time Ambriel Jones ever felt crisp air in the summer, she was standing on a college campus in Connecticut — a sixteen-year-old from Houston who...
This story is adapted from remarks delivered by EMERGE scholar Diana Villatoro Sorto at the 2026 Build the Village Luncheon. At six years old, Diana Villatoro Sorto stood at the base of a mountain near her village in El Salvador, staring up at a path that felt...
More than 400 supporters gathered March 3 at River Oaks Country Club to invest in Houston’s future, raising more than $760,000 to expand opportunity for high-achieving students from low-income communities. The 9th annual Build The Village Luncheon celebrated the...
While many college students spend winter break resting and resetting, EMERGE college scholars returned to Houston to invest in something just as important: their future. On Friday, Jan. 9, EMERGE hosted its 2026 Winter Scholar Summit in partnership with CareerSpring,...
Five steps every student can use to create a competitive and career-ready resume A great resume is one of the strongest tools you can use to open doors to internships, research opportunities, part-time jobs, and your first full-time role after graduation. For college...
This year, we are excited and proud to celebrate a major milestone for EMERGE students. In October, 40 EMERGE seniors were named QuestBridge Finalists, a tremendous honor. QuestBridge is one of the most competitive college scholarship programs in the country, and...
Nearly 200 supporters from across Houston’s philanthropic, civic and business community gathered on Thursday, November 13, at the Greater Houston Sports Club for the sixth annual EMERGE Sporting Clays Tournament, celebrating a day of spirited competition and...
As EMERGE kicks off First-Generation College Celebration Month, CEO Ashley Cash reflects on her own journey as a first-generation college student, one filled with uncertainty, resilience and hope. Now leading an organization that supports thousands of Houston...
On October 15, 2025, EMERGE students and their families came together for a Financial Aid Workshop designed to help them complete the CSS Profile — a key step in accessing need-based financial aid from top colleges and universities. With laptops open and support from...
Connecting Houston Scholars with the Nation’s Most Selective Colleges On September 26 and 27, EMERGE hosted its annual Top Tier College Experience, a two-day, invite-only event that brought together more than 200 Houston high school juniors and seniors and admissions...