STEPHENVILLE (October 12, 2016) — The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) has named Tarleton State University one of six 2016 Star Award finalists for its efforts to meet one or more goals of the state’s new 60x30TX strategic plan.
Winners will be announced Wednesday, Oct. 26, at the annual State of Higher Education luncheon—part of the 2016 Texas Higher Education Leadership Conference in Austin.
The 60x30TX strategic plan—adopted in 2015—is designed to meet Texas’ growing workforce needs by ensuring that 60 percent of the state’s 25 to 34 year olds hold a postsecondary certificate or degree by 2030.
Tarleton captured THECB attention with its innovative Intern 2 Learn program. With an emphasis on academics and work experience, the program gives undergraduate students the opportunity to gain marketable skills related to their chosen career and encourages completion of academic programs.
Since its start in 2013, Tarleton’s Intern 2 Learn program has helped some 400 undergraduates gain real-world employment experience through paid, on-campus internships. Interns work in positions related to their academic curriculum and are eligible for promotion and pay increases as their experience and knowledge grow. Participating departments mentor and coach student interns so that they function as additional staff.
Intern 2 Learn is gaining momentum off campus, too, thanks to recent partnerships with several area nonprofit organizations.
“Intern 2 Learn is clearly a formula for success,” said Kyle Parsons, the program’s coordinator. “Data collected over the last three years show a positive impact on the degree completion goal and marketable skills objective identified in 60x30TX. More than half of all Intern 2 Learn participants finish their degree program.”
Other 2016 Star Award finalists are El Paso Community College and Texas Tech University, Texas A&M University-Commerce, University of Houston-Clear Lake, The University of Texas at Austin and The University of Texas at Tyler.
For more information on Tarleton’s Intern 2 Learn program, visit http://www.tarleton.edu/intern2learn.
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