Dallas Fort Worth Nonprofit Business Journal

Category: Education

  • Parrish Classic delivers more than football: four UNT Dallas scholarships awarded to Duncanville and DeSoto students

    Parrish Classic delivers more than football: four UNT Dallas scholarships awarded to Duncanville and DeSoto students

    Roland Parrish and State Sen. Royce West fund scholarships valued at up to $40,000 for students at the two high schools

    Today’s Parrish Classic football game between Duncanville and DeSoto high schools provided more than a thrilling competition between arch-rivals. During half-time at the Cotton Bowl, four scholarships to UNT Dallas were presented to the schools’ principals – each valued at up to $10,000.

    The scholarships are funded by two donors, both dedicated to education and public service. Two were provided by Roland Parrish, the pioneering entrepreneur and CEO of Parrish Restaurants, for whom the Parrish Classic is named. State Senator Royce West, who was instrumental in getting UNT Dallas built in southern Dallas, provided the other two. UNT Dallas is the only four-year public university in the city of Dallas.

    UNT Dallas President, Warren von Eschenbach, PhD, presented the four checks to the Duncanville and DeSoto principals on the 50-yard line of the historic stadium.

    “On behalf of the University of North Texas at Dallas, I’m honored to help present four $10,000 scholarships that will open doors for DeSoto and Duncanville students,” said President von Eschenbach.

    Each school will receive one scholarship named for Mr. Parrish and one named for Senator West – a $20,000 investment in DeSoto High and a $20,000 investment in Duncanville High, for a total combined gift of $40,000.

    The four recipients have not yet been chosen; they will be graduating seniors in spring 2027 and will be named at a later date. The scholarships apply to the 2027-2028 UNT Dallas academic year, beginning in August 2027.

    “To every student in this stadium — thank you for considering UNT Dallas. We built this university for students like you: passionate, driven and ready to realize your dreams,” said President von Eschenbach.

    Beyond the scholarships presented today, UNT Dallas offers numerous additional scholarships, grants and financial aid opportunities to assist students and families. Through the Trailblazer Tuition Trust, launched in May 2026, Texas high school graduates whose family incomes are $100,000 or less a year can attend UNT Dallas completely free of tuition and fees.

    “Congratulations again to the DeSoto Eagles, the Duncanville Panthers and every student who calls these schools home,” said President von Eschenbach . “UNT Dallas is proud to empower students, transform lives and strengthen communities.”

    Source: Press release

  • Junior Achievement of Dallas and Richardson ISD open JA Discovery Center at Greenwood Hills

    Junior Achievement of Dallas and Richardson ISD open JA Discovery Center at Greenwood Hills

    Junior Achievement of Dallas (JA Dallas) and Richardson Independent School District (RISD) opened the JA Discovery Center at Greenwood Hills Learning Center on Thursday, Aug. 27, with a ribbon-cutting followed by a community open house. The experiential learning center is a hands-on financial literacy and career readiness space where students run a simulated city and build a personal budget.

    Every RISD fifth grader and every RISD seventh grader will participate in learning experiences at the center. That totals 5,000 students in the first year, and more than 7,500 annually at full capacity.

    Speakers in the ribbon-cutting ceremony included:

    1. Tabitha Branum, superintendent, Richardson ISD
    2. Chris LaTurno, president and CEO, JA Dallas
    3. Angie Lee, executive director of student success and leadership, Richardson ISD
    4. Wendy Stewart, board chair, JA Dallas

    Attending the evening’s celebration were Richardson Mayor Amir Omar, Richardson ISD board of trustee members, JA Dallas board of directors members, community sponsors of the JA Discovery Center and students who attend RISD schools and their families.

    The center is built as a small city with familiar Richardson-area landmarks like Main Street and storefronts sponsored by area businesses including CORE Construction, Credit Union of Texas, FedEx, Glenn Partners, Richardson ISD, State Farm and Toyota.

    RISD fifth graders will spend weeks in the classroom on business and economics, then come to the center for JA BizTown. They apply for jobs, run the storefronts, open bank accounts, pay taxes, meet payroll and take out and repay business loans.

    Seventh graders will come for JA Finance Park beginning in spring 2027, where they build a personal budget, evaluate financial choices and manage real-life scenarios tied to income and expenses.

    “At The JA Discovery Center, we aim to help young people see themselves and opportunity differently,” said LaTurno. “It’s about a fifth grader realizing they could own a business someday, and a seventh grader understanding that the smart financial choices they make today can shape the life they build tomorrow. “The fifth grader who discovers maybe I could own a business someday. The seventh grader who begins to understand that the choices they make today can shape the life they build tomorrow.”

    The JA Discovery Center also revives a piece of district history. RISD previously ran its own simulated city, Enterprise City, at Canyon Creek Elementary starting in 1985, and generations of RISD graduates still name it as a favorite school memory.

    “One of the most difficult moments as a superintendent just a few years ago was making a recommendation to consolidate schools, and this school, Greenwood Hills, was one of them,” said Branum. “But we delivered a promise that we were going to continue to invest in it and make it something special for their students and for generations to come. We have taken a space that, if we allowed, could be empty of dreams, and instead it hosts a whole new generation of dreams,”

    “The open house ran from 6 to 8 p.m. with guided tours, a DJ, giant games, face painting, the Richardson Library outreach van and food provided by the Credit Union of Texas Community Grill. The first student sessions at the JA Discovery Center begin Sept. 15.

    Source: Press Release

  • Texas Woman’s University, Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas partner to expand higher education opportunities

    Texas Woman’s University, Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas partner to expand higher education opportunities

    New collaboration creates admissions, scholarship and college readiness pathways for Gold Award Girl Scouts

    Texas Woman’s University (TWU) and Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas launched a strategic partnership that creates expanded admissions, scholarship and college readiness opportunities for Gold Award Girl Scouts.

    TWU and Girl Scouts leaders celebrated the partnership during a recent signing ceremony at Texas Woman’s University’s Brackenridge Hall Auditorium. The agreement establishes a framework for ongoing collaboration between the two organizations while strengthening the pipeline of future women leaders through education, leadership and service.

    “As Texas Woman’s University celebrates its 125th anniversary, this partnership reflects our longstanding commitment to recognizing leadership and expanding educational opportunity for women,” said Dr. Carine Feyten, chancellor and president of Texas Woman’s University. “Gold Award Girl Scouts have already demonstrated the perseverance, initiative and service that define exceptional leaders. We are proud to recognize those accomplishments and help these young women continue their leadership journey at Texas Woman’s.”

    Through the partnership, eligible Gold Award Girl Scouts will receive admission consideration after completing their junior year of high school, subject to university admission requirements. Additional benefits include merit scholarship opportunities for qualifying students, admission application fee waivers, dedicated admissions counseling, financial aid guidance and college readiness programming. Eligible students also may qualify for TWU’s Zero Tuition Guarantee.

    Beyond student benefits, the partnership creates new opportunities for collaborative educational outreach, student engagement and leadership development initiatives while increasing awareness of Texas Woman’s University among Girl Scouts throughout Northeast Texas.

    “Leadership begins long before a young woman arrives on a college campus,” said Jennifer K. Bartkowski, chief executive officer of Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas. “Through Girl Scouts, girls develop the courage, confidence and character to lead, and Texas Woman’s University will help them build on that foundation through higher education. Together, we’re building the leadership pipeline for Texas.”

    The Girl Scout Gold Award is the highest achievement in Girl Scouting and recognizes girls who demonstrate extraordinary leadership through sustainable projects that create lasting community impact. Under the partnership, Gold Award recipients will have expanded access to admissions support and educational resources designed to help them successfully transition to college.

    As Texas Woman’s University celebrates its 125th anniversary, the new agreement reflects the university’s continued commitment to expanding educational opportunities and preparing future generations of women leaders through education, leadership and service.

    Two individuals shake hands at a table during a signing event, with supporters applauding behind them against branded backdrops.

    Source: Press Release

  • Folds of Honor North Texas helps fund scholarships for 53 students

    Folds of Honor North Texas helps fund scholarships for 53 students

    This spring, Folds of Honor – North Texas brought together business leaders, community partners, and supporters across Dallas-Fort Worth to help fund educational scholarships for the spouses and children of military members and first responders.

    The nonprofit hosted two major fundraising golf tournaments raising $421k benefiting local scholarship recipients, including the Wingman Open at Ridglea Country Club in Fort Worth on April 13 and the North Texas Golf Classic at Dallas Athletic Club on May 11.

    Funds raised through the North Texas Golf Classic alone directly supported over 53educational scholarships for local families. For many recipients, these scholarships help offset the growing financial burden of education and provide long-term stability following sacrifice and service.

    The tournaments drew strong support from North Texas companies and community partners, including McLane, Rescue Air, Suntex Marinas, and the SRS Raise the Roof Foundation.

    Source: Press release

  • Huffines Foundation Awards Nearly $78,000 to Mesquite ISD Students and Teachers Through Innovative Academic Incentive Program

    Huffines Foundation Awards Nearly $78,000 to Mesquite ISD Students and Teachers Through Innovative Academic Incentive Program

    Huffines Achievement Day Celebrates Student Growth, Teacher Excellence, and Measurable Academic Success Across Mesquite ISD

    The Huffines Foundation and Mesquite ISD celebrated hundreds of students and educators during Huffines Achievement Day, awarding nearly $78,000 in academic incentives through the Huffines Reward Program for 2025-2026 school year- an innovative initiative designed to motivate student achievement in math, reading, and STAAR preparation through mastery-based learning and real financial rewards.

    Held at Horn High School, the event recognized outstanding academic growth among elementary students, teachers, and campuses participating in the program’s pilot year across Achziger Elementary, Smith Elementary, and Gentry Elementary.

    Through the Huffines Reward Program, students earned real cash rewards for mastering grade-level math and reading skills with 100% accuracy. Students received $20 for each mastery badge earned, with subjects ranging from phonics and addition to algebra and reading inference.

    Since launching the pilot initiative, participating students have completed more than 1.35 million practice questions and earned nearly 2,900 mastery badges, resulting in more than $58,000 paid directly to students and their families.

    “This program is about more than incentives, it’s about building confidence, discipline, and a lifelong belief that hard work creates opportunity,” said Phillip Huffines. “When students see a direct connection between effort and achievement, learning becomes exciting. We are proud to partner with Mesquite ISD in creating a model that celebrates academic excellence while supporting teachers and families in meaningful ways.”

    In addition to student rewards, the program provided more than $10,000 in direct performance-based bonuses to teachers and principals whose classrooms demonstrated strong engagement, academic growth, and STAAR readiness outcomes.

    Mesquite ISD Superintendent Dr. Ángel Rivera praised the partnership and the impact the program has had on student motivation and classroom culture.

    “We are proud to celebrate the hard work and academic growth of our students and teachers,” said Dr. Rivera. “Programs like the Huffines Reward Program create excitement around learning while reinforcing the importance of perseverance, achievement, and student success.”

    A total of 444 out of 492 participating students earned at least one mastery badge during the pilot year, representing a 90% student participation success rate. More than 110 students mastered all 12 available badges during the spring semester alone.

    The event also featured the presentation of the prestigious Huffines Cup, awarded to the highest-performing campus based on average badges earned per student. Achziger Elementary earned top honors with an average of 8.17 badges per student and more than 1,270 total badges earned.

    The celebration included appearances by community leaders, educators, families, and special guests, including longtime Dallas Mavericks entertainer Mavs Man, who joined students in recognizing the year’s accomplishments.

    Source: Press release

  • UNT Dallas launches Trailblazer Tuition Trust, covering full tuition and fees for eligible Texas students

    UNT Dallas launches Trailblazer Tuition Trust, covering full tuition and fees for eligible Texas students

    President Warren von Eschenbach unveils four-year affordability commitment during his Investiture, marking a new chapter for the only four-year public university in the city of Dallas

    The University of North Texas at Dallas (UNT Dallas) announced the launch of the Trailblazer Tuition Trust, a transformative new program that will cover full tuition and mandatory fees for up to four years for eligible Texas high school graduates pursuing their first bachelor’s degree at UNT Dallas. The announcement was made by Dr. Warren von Eschenbach during his Investiture as the fourth president of UNT Dallas, opening a defining new chapter in the university’s 15-year history.

    “UNT Dallas remains committed to providing access to those for whom higher education historically has been out of reach,” Dr. von Eschenbach said. “Universities are about people and community. We are a beacon of hope and promise for many. This is the transformative power of education.”

    Delivered before faculty, staff, students, alumni, civic leaders and members of the UNT System Board of Regents in Campus Hall at the UNT Dallas Student Center, Dr. von Eschenbach’s address positioned the Trailblazer Tuition Trust – benefiting Texas families with a total income of $100,000 or less – as the centerpiece of a renewed institutional mission: making a four-year-university education attainable for Texas families, while preparing graduates for purposeful lives and resilient careers in a rapidly evolving workforce.

    “UNT Dallas seeks to be the leading regional university in southern Dallas, Ellis County and beyond by delivering a holistic experience that integrates career-ready skills, leadership development and experiential learning throughout the curriculum,” said Dr. von Eschenbach.

    What the Trailblazer Tuition Trust covers

    The Trailblazer Tuition Trust will cover full tuition and mandatory fees for up to four years — or eight consecutive semesters — for graduating Texas high school seniors enrolling at UNT Dallas to pursue their first bachelor’s degree. Funding is delivered through a combination of federal, state, and institutional grants and scholarships, ensuring eligible students can complete their degree without the burden of tuition costs.

    To be eligible, students must:

    •  Be a graduating Texas high school,  senior enrolling at UNT Dallas in the fall semester

    •  Be a Texas resident graduating from a Texas high school

    •  Be eligible for the Federal Pell Grant

    •  Be eligible for Priority Texas Grant funding

    •  Have a total family income of $100,000 or less

    •  Be admitted to UNT Dallas and have a valid FAFSA on file by June 1, 2026

    Eligible students will be considered automatically — no separate application is required. To renew the award each year, students must maintain a 3.0 cumulative GPA at UNT Dallas, remain in good academic standing, and stay enrolled full time (a minimum of 12 credit hours) in both fall and spring semesters.

    “UNT Dallas has invested in bold strategies to grow enrollment, advance student success and community impact,” said State Sen. Royce West.

    The Trailblazer Tuition Trust builds on the proven model of programs like the Dallas County Promise, expanding tuition support to qualifying students from across the state of Texas. UNT Dallas will work closely with high schools, school counselors, and community partners to ensure prospective students and families understand how to take advantage of the program. More information is available through the UNT Dallas admissions office at admissions@untdallas.edu.

    More than a degree: a holistic educational experience

    Affordability is one piece of a larger vision. Dr. von Eschenbach has been clear that the priority at UNT Dallas is a holistic educational experience — not simply earning a credential or training narrowly within a chosen major but cultivating the full range of capacities students need to lead meaningful lives. That means rigorous academics paired with critical thinking, ethical reasoning, communication, civic engagement, and the personal growth that happens in classrooms, residence halls, student organizations, mentoring relationships and service in the community.

    Within that vision, the university is building an innovative curriculum and a multi-disciplinary education model designed to prepare students for AI-proof jobs – careers that draw on uniquely human capacities like creative problem-solving, ethical judgment, leadership, and the ability to work across fields and across difference. That investment is taking shape in distinctive programs, majors and course offerings that set UNT Dallas apart, blending the liberal arts with applied disciplines and connecting students directly to employers, civic institutions and community partners across North Texas.

    “We need to create an educational ecosystem that supports students in their personal, academic, social and cultural growth. We need to future-proof our students by instilling in them enduring and authentically human skills that employers seek, such as resilience, empathy, self-awareness and character,” Dr. von Eschenbach said.

    Recent milestones reflect that direction: the establishment of the university’s Center for Innovation in Teaching and Learning, the recent opening of a $100 million STEM Building, expanded health professions programming in collaboration with UNT Health Fort Worth, and continued investment in experiential learning and industry partnerships across North Texas.

    Community, belonging, and shared prosperity

    Equally central to Dr. von Eschenbach’s vision is the conviction that a university must be a place of genuine community and belonging – where students feel seen, supported and rooted in something larger than themselves. Research and experience alike show that students who feel they belong are more likely to persist, graduate and thrive after college. For a university whose students often balance work, family responsibilities and the demands of a degree, that sense of belonging is not an amenity; it is a precondition for success.

    What happens on campus does not stay on campus. When students experience belonging at UNT Dallas, that experience radiates outward – into the southern Dallas neighborhoods that surround the university, into the families who watch a first-generation student walk across the commencement stage, and into the local businesses, schools, and civic institutions that gain confident, capable graduates as employees, neighbors and leaders. A university anchored in community strengthens the community in return.

    About President von Eschenbach

    Dr. von Eschenbach was appointed by the UNT System Board of Regents in August 2025 after serving as interim president since April 2024. He previously served as Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs of the UNT System and spent nearly 14 years at the University of Notre Dame in faculty and senior administrative roles, where he led international expansion, launched a multidisciplinary minor in technology ethics and helped open the university’s center in Rome.

    A philosopher by training, Dr. von Eschenbach holds a Ph.D. in philosophy from The University of Texas at Austin, an MA from Marquette University, and a BA from Trinity University. His scholarly work focuses on ethics and the human implications of emerging technology – a vantage point that informs his vision for an institution preparing students for careers shaped by rapid technological change. He succeeds President Emeritus Bob Mong, who led UNT Dallas from 2015 until his retirement in 2024.

    Looking ahead

    The Trailblazer Tuition Trust, paired with the university’s renewed focus on holistic education and career readiness, signals an ambitious decade ahead for UNT Dallas: deeper employer partnerships, expanded pathways into high-demand fields, and a clear-eyed commitment to making a four-year degree both attainable and economically meaningful for students across Texas. With Dr. von Eschenbach now formally installed and the Trust officially launched, UNT Dallas enters its next chapter — one defined by access, opportunity, and a renewed promise to the students, families and communities it serves.

    Source: Press release

  • Junior Achievement of Dallas celebrates record-breaking 2026 Dallas Business Hall of Fame

    Junior Achievement of Dallas celebrates record-breaking 2026 Dallas Business Hall of Fame

    Junior Achievement of Dallas (JA Dallas) honored four distinguished business leaders at the 28th annual Dallas Business Hall of Fame on Saturday, March 28, at the Omni Dallas Hotel. The fundraising gala—presented by Ryan, LLC—recognized Susan Adzick, Phillip Huffines, Allen Nye and Steven Williams for their lasting contributions to the Dallas business community and region. 

    The event raised a record-breaking $1.4 million in support of JA Dallas’ mission to inspire and prepare young people for success in a global economy.

    Dallas Cowboys Strength and Conditioning Coach Harold Nash served as emcee, kicking off the program by pondering aloud what exactly a Cowboys strength coach was doing hosting a celebration of Dallas business leaders—before drawing a convincing parallel between his work developing athletes and Junior Achievement’s work preparing students for the real world. Nash set a high-energy tone that carried through the entire evening.

    JaiMarie Bardwell, a senior at Irving High School, was named the 2026 Student of the Year and awarded the Sandi Smith Scholarship—a $15,000 award to support her higher education journey. Selected from a competitive pool of applicants, Bardwell was recognized for her leadership, service and commitment to creating opportunity for others, including her mentorship of younger students through the JA High School Heroes program. Casey Mellody, JA Dallas Vice President of Education, presented the award. Stephen Tigh, JA Dallas Board Chair, followed with a champagne toast before dinner.

    When Chris LaTurno, president and CEO of Junior Achievement of Dallas, took the stage, he emphasized the lasting impact JA has on students’ trajectories—and why the organization’s hands-on approach is exactly what the future demands.

    “Three in five JA alumni say they started or owned a business because of their JA experience—and 92 percent agree that as automation and AI change jobs and the economy, students who go through JA will be better prepared for the future,” said LaTurno. “Students are not just hearing about economics and personal finance—they are experiencing them.”

    Auctioneer Scott Peterson followed with a competitive live auction featuring exclusive experiences, including trips to the Amalfi Coast, Sonoma Valley and Champagne, France, as well as a Texas Rangers package and a private dinner at Chamberlain’s Steak and Fish.

    The evening took an unforgettable turn during the live appeal, when Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott—in attendance at the invitation of his coach and mentor Harold Nash—took the stage and announced a personal gift of $25,000 to Junior Achievement of Dallas.

    “I am the man that I am, strictly because of the community that was around me when I grew up,” said Prescott. “It takes a village to raise somebody, and everyone in this room is a part of that community. So, I’m giving $25,000 tonight—I challenge each and every one of you to give to the leaders of tomorrow.”

    Prescott then tossed autographed footballs to guests making matching donations throughout the room.

    JA Dallas students introduced each of the evening’s four honorees.

    Susan Adzick, president of McLane Restaurant, leads one of the largest food service systems distribution companies in the country, with 45 distribution centers delivering to more than 34,000 restaurants. She has held executive roles at McLane and previously at PepsiCo Food Systems and has served on boards including the International Foodservice Distributors Association, National Restaurant Association and Women’s Foodservice Forum. She has also been involved with the Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas and the Dallas Arboretum Women’s Council.

    Phillip Huffines, co-founder and co-owner of Huffines Communities, has spent more than four decades transforming the North Texas landscape through real estate development. His firm has developed more than 20,000 single-family homesites and 2,500 multifamily units, generating billions in value and supporting regional growth. A dedicated mentor and philanthropist, he supports STEM education and entrepreneurship through the Huffines Foundation and is a longtime JA Dallas board member—named the organization’s Philanthropist of the Year in 2018.

    Allen Nye, CEO of Oncor, leads Texas’ largest electric delivery company, serving more than 13 million customers. Under his leadership since 2018, Oncor has emphasized safety, reliability and innovation while guiding the company through an era of rapid growth and modernization. He is also active in civic and industry organizations supporting public service, economic development and education.

    Steven Williams, executive vice president and vice chairman of PepsiCo, leads global commercial strategy, stakeholder engagement and growth initiatives across one of the world’s most recognized food and beverage companies. A PepsiCo veteran since 2001, he previously served as CEO of PepsiCo North America and serves on boards including State Farm, United Way of Metropolitan Dallas and UT Southwestern.

    The Dallas Business Hall of Fame raises funds to help JA Dallas provide students across North Texas with hands-on learning experiences in financial literacy, work readiness and entrepreneurship—equipping them with the skills, knowledge and confidence to become the next generation of leaders.

    Special thanks to sponsors, including:

    ·      Presenting Sponsor: Ryan

    ·      Achievement Sponsors: DHD Films, Oncor, PepsiCo

    ·      Elite Sponsors: Hillwood, Huffines Foundation, The Men and Women of Hunt Consolidated, Inc., McLane Food Service, Turtle Creek Wealth Advisors

    ·      Leadership Sponsors: BravoTECH, The Brierley Group, Ernst & Young, KPMG, Southwest Airlines

    Allen Nye, Steven Williams, Susan Adzick, Phillip Huffines, Chris LaTurno
    Dallas Business Hall of Fame awards
    Jorge Corral Harold Nash, Dak Prescott, Chris LaTurno

    Source: Press release

  • Goodwill North Central Texas launches free reentry GED Program

    Goodwill North Central Texas launches free reentry GED Program

    In recognition of Second Chance Month, Goodwill North Central Texas is launching a free Reentry GED Program to help individuals recently released from incarceration build skills, earn their GED and reconnect to the workforce.

    The program provides GED preparation courses taught by a state-certified instructor and is designed to help participants increase earning potential and pursue further training or college opportunities. Open to eligible residents across Tarrant, Johnson, Hood, Somervell and Erath counties, the program connects participants to the tools and support needed to successfully reenter the workforce.

    April is Second Chance Month, a time to recognize the importance of creating pathways to opportunity for people returning to their communities after incarceration. Each year, approximately 650,000 people are released from state and federal prisons, and an estimated 70–79 million Americans (nearly one in three adults) have a criminal record. When barriers to employment and education are reduced, communities are safer and local economies are stronger.

    Second Chance Month 2026 centers on the theme of opportunity in action, highlighting how employers, nonprofits and communities can work together to expand access to jobs, training and support services that help people rebuild their lives. Goodwill North Central Texas is demonstrating that second chances are not only a matter of fairness, but a practical workforce and public safety solution.

    Recent national research shows that state-level recidivism rates are about 23% lower than in 2008, reflecting the impact of sustained investments in reentry services, job training and community-based supports. These gains underscore what data and lived experience continue to show: access to stable employment is one of the strongest predictors of successful reentry.

    “Second chances change lives and strengthen communities,” said Romney Guy, Vice President of Workforce Development for Goodwill North Central Texas. “When people have access to meaningful work and the support they need to succeed, we see lower recidivism, a stronger workforce and safer neighborhoods. Second Chance Month is an opportunity to recognize the progress Goodwill® has made and recommit to expanding opportunity for even more people in 2026 and beyond.”

    During Second Chance Month, leaders and organizations are encouraged to advance policies and practices that remove unnecessary barriers to employment, support reentry services and open doors for people eager to contribute to their families, workplaces and communities.

    For more information about Goodwill’s reentry services and how you can get involved, visit www.goodwillnorthcentraltexas.org/relaunch.

    Source: Press release

  • Texas Woman’s University Honors Lee Cullum, Raises Record Funds for Graduate Scholarships 

    More than 500 guests attended Texas Woman’s University’s 24th annual Dallas Leadership Luncheon on February 17 at the Hilton Anatole, where Dallas journalism icon Lee Cullum was presented with the Virginia Chandler Dykes Leadership Award. The honor recognizes a civic leader whose work reflects “an enduring commitment to education and service.”

    The event raised a record $330,000 — more than double the amount raised last year — for graduate student scholarships.

    Cullum, widely known as the former host of CEO, KERA’s long-running interview series with prominent business leaders, has built a distinguished journalism career that has included commentary for PBS News Hour and NPR’s All Things Considered, as well as service as editor of the editorial page of the Dallas Times Herald. She currently contributes to The Dallas Morning Newsand Patron Magazine, and writes a Substack column titled La Vie en Orange. Cullum was selected for what Chancellor Carine Feyten described as her “thoughtful storytelling and reporting that reflects a range of perspectives” and strengthens the community.

    In her welcome remarks prior to introducing Cullum, Feyten underscored TWU’s growing impact.

    “When people hear the name Texas Woman’s University, they sometimes assume they already know our story,” Feyten said. “They think we are a small institution…or a university with a proud history, but a limited future. Nothing could be further from the truth.”

    Calling TWU “bold, modern and deeply relevant,” Feyten cited continued athletic success, expansion of the Doswell School of Aeronautical Sciences, the opening of the $107 million Health Sciences Center, and the success of the Dream Big fundraising campaign. She noted that TWU’s mission to expand opportunities for women has never been more urgent.

    The luncheon also recognized the 2026 Virginia Chandler Dykes Scholars — LaTonya Seldon, Valeria Millinga, Faith A. Tissot, Bitali Islam, LaToya Huntley and Marissa C. Gomez — who represent the university’s five colleges and are completing graduate studies in occupational therapy, nutrition, nursing, molecular biology, special education and human resources. Seldon spoke on behalf of the group.

    “TWU has been a pillar for me — a place to build both skills and community,” she said.

    A highlight of the program was a conversation between Cullum and her granddaughter, Lili Clark, a senior associate at Lyda Hill Philanthropies. Cullum shared intriguing anecdotes from her journalism career, including encounters with global leaders such as Nelson Mandela and Margaret Thatcher. 

    During the exchange, Cullum offered wisdom and insight drawn from decades in public life. “Do one thing at a time,” she advised. “Be calm after the change.” And, in advice that felt especially fitting for an event focused on supporting students: “Don’t just think of the answer. Become the answer.”

    She also spoke about the university’s impact, noting that TWU “gives opportunities to women who might not otherwise have them — and gives our community the trained and educated women that we need.”

    Near the close of the program, Cullum invoked the words of Rev. Jesse Jackson, who had passed away earlier that day: “Keep hope alive.” When asked what gives her hope now, she pointed to the scholars in attendance and to her granddaughter beside her.

    “Young people like you,” she said. “Anyone has the ability to forge on, no matter what.” 

    Another highlight of the luncheon was the surprise announcement of the Lee Cullum Endowed Scholarship. Guests contributed $35,000 during the event, and the fund reached its $50,000 endowment level within 24 hours.

    The luncheon was chaired by Lindsay Billingsley, Lucy Burns and Sumner Billingsley, with Lucy Billingsley serving as Honorary Chair and Ralph Hawkins as Honorary Chair Emeritus. Major sponsors included the Jane Bosart Foundation, the Billingsley/Burns Family, Luther King Capital Management, the Jane Nelson Institute for Women’s Leadership at Texas Woman’s University, Lyda Hill Philanthropies and Sue S. Bancroft.

    To learn more about the luncheon or to support the Lee Cullum Endowed Scholarship, visit https://twu.edu/advancement

    Lili Clark, Lee Cullum
    TWU mariachis
    Lee Cullum, Dr. Carine Feyten

    Source: Press release

  • Camp Fire Associate Vice President elected to National Early Childhood Education Governing Board

    Camp Fire Associate Vice President elected to National Early Childhood Education Governing Board

    Camp Fire First Texas announced that Yolanda Willis, associate vice president of early education workforce development, has been elected to serve on the Student Governing Board of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), one of the nation’s leading organizations dedicated to advancing high-quality early learning.

    Willis was selected as a Student Governing Board Member-Elect in recognition of her leadership in early childhood workforce development and her commitment to building equitable, high-quality pathways into the profession. In this national role, she will help inform NAEYC’s strategic direction, ensuring educator voices and workforce realities are reflected in policy, preparation, and leadership efforts.

    “Yolanda’s election to the NAEYC Student Governing Board is a testament to her vision, expertise, and the national impact of the work happening at Camp Fire First Texas,” said Brian Miller, president and CEO of Camp Fire First Texas. “Her leadership has strengthened early education pathways across Texas, and we are proud to see her voice elevated on a national stage.”

    As associate vice president, Willis leads Texas’ first and largest early education registered apprenticeship program, which provides structured, job-embedded pathways for early educators to earn credentials while working full time. The program includes pre-apprenticeship opportunities for high school students, allowing participants to earn a Child Development Associate credential before graduation through dual-credit coursework, hands-on practicum experiences, and professional mentoring.

    “These pathways are about more than credentials,” Willis said. “They are about access, identity, and long-term opportunity. When we invest in educators—especially those from underrepresented communities—we strengthen not only the workforce, but the children, families, and communities they serve.”

    Under Willis’ leadership, Camp Fire’s apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship models have emphasized equitable access, stackable credentials, wage progression, and retention-focused supports. She has built cross-sector partnerships with K–12 school districts, higher education institutions, workforce boards, child care providers, and policy leaders to align systems and expand sustainable workforce infrastructure.

    Willis is currently pursuing a Doctor of Education in organizational leadership at Abilene Christian University, where her doctoral research focuses on the impact of structured workforce development models on early educator retention. She brings expertise in program design, evaluation, strategic communication, and workforce policy, and is a frequent presenter and panelist at state and national early childhood convenings.

    In her role with NAEYC, Willis will represent student members and bring a systems-level perspective rooted in lived experience, research, and practice. She will advocate for practical, equitable solutions that support educators at every stage of their journey—from high school students entering the field to experienced professionals advancing into leadership.

    Founded in 1914, Camp Fire First Texas was the first Camp Fire council established in the state. The organization serves children, youth, families, and educators across North Texas through youth development, outdoor learning, and early education workforce development programs.

    Source: Press release