Grayson College's Texoma Promise grows with $1 million grant from Greater Texas Foundation
Grayson College is making it easier for students across the Texoma region to see a clear path from high school to a living-wage career.
The College is a lead regional partner in The Rural Promise of Economic Mobility, a new three-year initiative funded by a $1 million grant from Greater Texas Foundation (GTF) to Economic Mobility Center (EMC).
“This investment strengthens the work already underway through Texoma Promise and our commitment to helping students see what is possible beyond high school,” said Grayson College President Dr. Jeremy McMillen. “By working alongside our K-12 partners, employers and community organizations, we can create clearer pathways for students to continue their education, earn valuable credentials and ultimately build successful careers right here in our region.”
“Rural students often face disconnected pathways between high school, college, and the workforce, making it harder to earn credentials that lead to economic opportunities,” said Bree Miller, Programs & Strategy Associate at Greater Texas Foundation. “This initiative will create clearer pathways to credentials of value while helping rural colleges build systems that can sustain these efforts beyond the grant period.”
In Texas, only 54% of working-age adults hold a degree or high-value credential beyond high school, and rural and low-income adults consistently attain credentials at lower rates than the state average. Closing that gap is central to why EMC and Grayson College are investing in this next phase of work.
The project builds on Texoma Promise, a partnership between Grayson College and EMC launched in 2021 that has already strengthened college access systems, advising support and data infrastructure for the region. This next phase adds new investment in advising redesign, dual credit alignment, work-based learning and a shared regional data hub connecting K-12 districts, employers, workforce boards and community organizations.
“For students, this work is really about making the path forward easier to understand and navigate,” said Dr. Logan Maxwell, Vice President of Student Services at Grayson College. “We want students to have the right information and support at the right time, whether they are beginning that journey in high school, transitioning to Grayson College or preparing to enter the workforce. This investment allows us to strengthen those connections and better support students every step of the way.”
Grayson College serves approximately 4,843 students, including a significant population of dual credit and first-generation students, with an estimated 40–55% qualifying for Pell Grants and nearly 32% enrolled through dual credit before age 18. The region combines rural roots with rapid economic growth, and the initiative is designed to align with Texas House Bill 3 and House Bill 8 so state outcomes-based funding translates into stronger, better-coordinated support for students from high school through employment.
“Howard College (Open Roads Promise) and Grayson College (Texoma Promise) are inspiring and supporting more students through postsecondary education to good regional jobs,” said Dr. Eric Ban, Founder of Economic Mobility Center. “We are excited to build on this foundation to reach students earlier, develop stronger regional infrastructure, and ensure alignment to regional workforce needs and state policies that improve and sustain funding.”
Anabel Romero-Juarez, Ed.D., Managing Director of Regional Partnerships at EMC, is leading day-to-day implementation of the initiative.
About Greater Texas Foundation
Greater Texas Foundation (GTF) is dedicated to ensuring all Texas students are prepared for, have access to, persist in, and complete a postsecondary education, with particular focus on underserved and socioeconomically disadvantaged populations. Since its founding in 2001, GTF has funded initiatives across the state that expand access to affordable, high-quality postsecondary pathways for Texas students.
About Grayson College
Founded in 1965, Grayson College is a public community college with its Main Campus in Denison, Texas, and South Campus in Van Alstyne. The College serves more than 4,000 students each term through six academic pathways and more than 60 degree and certificate programs spanning university transfer and technical education, under the leadership of President Dr. Jeremy McMillen.
About Economic Mobility Center
Economic Mobility Center (EMC) partners with K-12 districts, community colleges, employers and workforce boards across Texas to build technology platforms, digital credentials and case management tools that help more students complete degrees and enter the workforce in high-demand, high-paying jobs.
To learn more about Texoma Promise and The Rural Promise of Economic Mobility, visit the Economic Mobility Center website.