{"id":584,"date":"2020-06-09T22:10:17","date_gmt":"2020-06-09T22:10:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.stthom.edu\/encounter\/?p=584"},"modified":"2020-06-09T22:28:32","modified_gmt":"2020-06-09T22:28:32","slug":"students-rise-education-at-work","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.stthom.edu\/encounter\/2020\/giving-opportunities\/students-rise-education-at-work\/","title":{"rendered":"Students Rise: Education at Work"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"StudentsRise_600x300\"As higher education continues to play a key role in the development of our nation\u2019s future workforce, there is an ongoing need to provide first-generation and low-income students the opportunity to make that dream a reality. To help solve this issue on a local level, the University of St. Thomas launched the Rising Stars work-study program to give students with limited financial resources access to the best education possible and help them emerge from college as strong leaders with in-demand skills.<\/p>\n

\u201cAt the heart of UST is the imperative to serve, especially those with limited access to educational excellence,\u201d said Richard L. Ludwick, president of UST. \u201cWith this in mind, we launched the Rising Stars work-study program to propel scholarship-dependent students into the professional environment as future contenders for top positions.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Rising Stars program came to fruition after the University\u2019s Chairman of the Board Curtis Huff had a notion to create a program that mirrored the successful Cristo Rey work-study model, in a college environment. Based on his own experiences growing up in a low-income neighborhood, Huff knows the importance of earning an education and the life-changing impact it can have on those who are dealt a challenging hand.<\/p>\n

\u201cI want to see students who don\u2019t have great opportunities have the chance to attend college,\u201d Huff said. \u201cThe Rising Stars program isn\u2019t aimed at just helping the students, but it also helps the entire community.\u201d\u2019<\/p>\n

In fall 2019 Huff and UST\u2019s executive leadership formed a partnership with Cristo Rey Jesuit College Preparatory School of Houston and gave the first cohort of five Cristo Rey entering freshmen the opportunity to continue their educational journey at UST with little to no out-of-pocket tuition cost. The Rising Stars students gained valuable work experience by working onsite at their corporate sponsors\u2019 offices throughout the academic school year and built personal connections that will influence them beyond college.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s a strong need to have good employees, and the added benefit of the Rising Stars program is the fact that employers have the ability to watch these students mature and grow over the course of four years. It is an unbelievable opportunity and a worthwhile experience,\u201d Huff said.<\/p>\n

As the first cohort of Rising Stars gear-up to start their second year of college, UST is preparing to grow the program significantly for fall 2020. In order to continue on this upward trajectory, we are focused on building a robust network of like-minded corporate sponsors who will help us make a positive impact in the community and elevate the future workforce.<\/p>\n

The Rising Stars program is mutually beneficial for both students and corporate sponsors.<\/p>\n

Each student earns a substantial portion of UST\u2019s tuition costs while simultaneously gaining relevant work experience.<\/p>\n

In return, corporate sponsors receive reliable entry-level workers who are poised for future employment.<\/p>\n

THE POWER OF EDUCATION AT WORK<\/h2>\n

Benefits to your Business<\/p>\n

Motivated talent<\/p>\n

Diverse pipeline of skilled workers<\/p>\n

Payroll cost savings<\/p>\n

Community impact<\/p>\n

THE IMPACT OF WORK ON EDUCATION<\/h2>\n

Benefits to students<\/p>\n

Affordable college education<\/p>\n

Hands-on experience<\/p>\n

Professional growth<\/p>\n

New opportunities<\/p>\n

GET INVOLVED<\/h3>\n

Mallory Wendel \u201911, Director of Corporate Relations
\nwendelm@stthom.edu<\/a> \u00a0 | \u00a0 713-525-3507<\/p>\n

Rising Stars Students:<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n