UT Austin, Education is Freedom form $3 million Dallas partnership

by Shawn Williams of Dallas South News

The schools that will be part of the academy are Lincoln, North Dallas, Roosevelt, Skyline, A. Maceo Smith, and Sunset.

Photo by Shawn Williams

Last week William Powers, Jr., president of The University of Texas, was at Lincoln High School to officially launch a pilot program involving six DISD Schools. UT, along with local nonprofit Education is Freedom, kicked off the Longhorn Pre-College Academy, which will provide a pathway for historically under-served but high-achieving students to The University of Texas-Austin.

The academy will provide academic enrichment programs and services, but most importantly UT has committed a total of $3 million to 46 annual scholarships over the next three years. The schools that will be part of the academy are Lincoln, North Dallas, Roosevelt, Skyline, A. Maceo Smith, and Sunset.

Education is Freedom President Marcia Page welcomed Dr. Powers and University of Texas Vice President for Diversity and Community Engagement Dr. Gregory J. Vincent to the Lincoln High School library for the announcement. Also on hand were State Senator Royce West and DISD Superintendent Michael Hinojosa.

Photo by Shawn Williams

Lincoln High School Senior Jeniece Madison talks about what Education is Freedom has meant to her.

Jeniece Madison was part of the celebration and is a senior at Lincoln. This is her second year in the program. Madison plans to attend the University of Oklahoma in the fall, but says scholarships will play a huge part in her final decision. She credits Education Is Freedom adviser Brian English with helping her get prepared for college.

“Mr. English helped me prepare my essays and scholarship applications,” says Madison, “he’s been a teacher and father figure.” Besides being a varsity cheerleader, Madison is on the academic decathlon team and is treasurer of the student council.

“The Longhorn Pre-College Academy is going to make a powerful impact on our students,” Dr. Hinojosa said in a statement about the program. “I truly appreciate the commitment that Education is Freedom and The University of Texas at Austin are making to help our students prepare for and succeed at college.”