On January 31, the Austin City County presented a proclamation to Developmental Reading Instructor Vonnye Rice-Gardner and Austin educator Dr. Charles Akins, recognizing Black History Month and acknowledging the invaluable contributions of Black Austinites to the quality of life in Austin. 

Dr. Luanne Preston, executive director of Early College Start, presented on the “Early College High School,” January 30 at Education Open Source, the winter conference meeting of the Career & Technology Association of Texas.

Dr. Mary Hensley, vice president of College Support Services and ISD Relations, presented on the “College Connection Program:  Ready for Replication,” January 31 at Education Open Source, the winter conference meeting of the Career & Technology Association of Texas. She was joined by Dr. Leonard Rivera, Del Mar College director of off-campus programs. Drs. Hensley and Rivera also co-presented “College Connections:  Removing Barriers to Higher Education,” February 15 at TACHE, the Texas Association of Chicanos in Higher Education. They were joined by Doyle Valdez, former president of the Austin ISD Board of Trustees.