College of the Mainland and Texas Woman's University Join Houston Teacher Pathways Consortium, Receive $96,000 Grant to Expand Affordable Educator Preparation
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College of the Mainland and Texas Woman's University Join Houston Teacher Pathways
Consortium, Receive $96,000 Grant to Expand Affordable Educator Preparation
College of the Mainland and Texas Woman's University Join Houston Teacher Pathways
Consortium, Receive $96,000 Grant to Expand Affordable Educator Preparation
Mar 19, 2026
A COM Graduate's decorated cap reads "Teacher in training"
College of the Mainland (COM) and Texas Woman's University (TWU) have been selected
to join the Houston Teacher Pathways Consortium, a joint initiative of the Charles
Butt Foundation and the Houston Endowment. Additionally, COM and TWU received a $96,000
grant from the Charles Butt Foundation to support student scholarships. Together,
these milestones mark a major step forward in expanding access to the teaching profession
for students across the Gulf Coast region, with the new pathway launching Fall 2026.
The Houston Teacher Pathways Consortium brings together community colleges and universities
to build strong, affordable and seamless pathways for future teachers. The initiative
focuses on creating vetted feeder patterns, strengthening transfer processes and increasing
financial support for aspiring educators.
"This recognition reflects the strength of our collaboration with Texas Woman's University
and our shared responsibility to prepare excellent educators for the communities we
serve," said Helen Brewer, president of College of the Mainland. "By joining the Houston
Teacher Pathways Consortium, we are expanding opportunity for our students through
increased scholarship support, stronger transfer alignment and a clear, affordable
pathway into the teaching profession. This is an investment in our students and in
the future of our region's schools."
The COM–TWU teacher preparation pathway offers students a structured and affordable
route to earn a teaching credential. Students begin their coursework at COM and upon
earning an Associate of Arts in Teaching seamlessly transfer to TWU to complete a
bachelor's degree program leading to teacher certification in early childhood–6th
grade.
To further reduce barriers, COM provides office and classroom space for TWU faculty
members to teach transfer students directly on the Texas City campus. Combined with
TWU's Zero Tuition Guarantee and the new Charles Butt Foundation scholarship funding,
10–25 students per cohort will be able to complete the program nearly free of charge.
"Our participation in the consortium enhances the intentional design of our teacher
preparation pathway," said Heather Rhodes, vice president for academic affairs at
College of the Mainland. "From a student's first semester at COM through completion
of their bachelor’s degree, we are aligning advising, coursework and financial support
to promote retention, completion and successful entry into the classroom. This partnership
strengthens our ability to respond to regional workforce needs while keeping the pathway
accessible and student-centered."
Consortium membership requires formalized agreements between the community college
and university, a residency-based educator preparation program and a demonstrated
commitment to continuous improvement through advising, marketing and pathway development.
The consortium convenes twice annually in Houston, along with several virtual meetings
throughout the academic year, during which pathway partners collaborate to strengthen
articulation agreements, identify scholarship recipients and plan for long-term sustainability.
Partners also work closely with area school districts to ensure residency placements
and maintain a pipeline of teacher candidates who graduate from Houston-area public
schools and return to serve those same communities, ensuring that the next generation
of educators reflects and reinvests in the region they call home.
Contact
Jose Salazar
Senior Communications Specialist
409-933-8923
1 888-258-8859, ext. 8923
jsalazar18@com.edu
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