UTSA Office of Community Outreach

P-16 Councils

History of the P-16 Council

“In Texas, the P-16 collaborative began in 1998 as an informal network called the Public Education/Higher Education Coordinating Group. That group was formed by the Commissioners of the Texas Education Agency (TEA) and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB), along with the executive director of the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC). Representatives from the legislature, the Governor's office, university systems and other state agencies, as well as education associations and business coalitions were invited to the meetings. It was important for the stakeholders and strategic partners to have a structure, however informal, to present ideas and discuss issues of mutual concern and interest such as the Advanced Placement/International Baccalaureate (AP/IB) Incentive Program, college readiness projects, role of community colleges, teacher recruitment and retention, dual/concurrent enrollment, minority enrollment and assessment. P-16 Council

Dr. Raymond Paredes, Commissioner of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board has further encouraged his network of P16 Field Specialists to foster the development of regional P16 Councils to serve as the change agents that can create a college-going culture throughout Texas.   The UTSA Office of Community Outreach Currently participates in the Region 7, South Texas Outreach Councils. The OCO also participates in the Go Center Steering Committee in Corpus Christi area.

Contact Information

Laredo –South Texas P-16 Council
Contact- Mr. Ricardo Hinojosa
Executive Director South Texas PREO
Laredo Community College
BOX 222, Laredo, Texas
richinojosa@laredo.edu

Rio Grande Valley- P-16 Council
Contact-Ms. Priscilla Martinez
P-16 Field Specialist-THECB
1902 N. Loop 499 Bldg. P
Harlingen, Texas
priscilla.martinez@harlingen.tstc.edu

San Antonio-P-16 Council
Contact- Ms. Elaine Mendoza
President & CEO
Conceptual MindWorks Inc.
9830 Colonnade Blvd. Ste. 377
San Antonio, Texas
emendoza@teamcmi.com

Corpus Christi Area-Go Center Steering Committee
Contact – Mr. Noe Ortega
P-16 Field Specialist-THECB
6300 Ocean Drive
Corpus Christi, Texas
Noe.Ortega@tamucc.edu