SJC reaches $30M @Promise milestone
San Jacinto College and the San Jacinto College Foundation are celebrating a historic milestone that guarantees free college education for local students in perpetuity. The Promise @ San Jac Scholarship endowment has officially reached its $30 million funding goal, permanently securing the long-term future of the program and ensuring that a debt-free pathway to higher education remains wide open for generations of local high school graduates to come.
The completion of this fundraising campaign marks the permanent stabilization of a program that has already transformed thousands of lives. Moving forward, the fully funded endowment will self-sustain, removing financial barriers for all eligible students within the region indefinitely.
Launched nearly six years ago, the ambitious fundraising campaign brought together a powerful coalition of community support, including nearly 500 individual donors and almost 130 companies, organizations and philanthropic foundations. The endowment’s foundational momentum was accelerated by a historic, transformational gift from author and philanthropist MacKenzie Scott, alongside multiyear corporate partnerships and critical grants, such as a recent $400,000 investment from the Greater Houston Community Foundation.
“This accomplishment belongs to the entire San Jacinto College community and the hundreds of donors who believed in the power of education to change lives,” said Dr. Brenda Hellyer, San Jacinto College chancellor. “From the initial transformational gift from MacKenzie Scott to every dollar invested by our donors, these contributions have helped build an enduring foundation that will serve students in perpetuity. We are incredibly grateful to everyone who helped make this milestone possible. We are changing lives, expanding access, and building a lasting legacy of opportunity for families across our region.”
The Promise @ San Jac Scholarship operates as a “last-dollar” scholarship, covering 100 percent of in-district tuition, fees and required books for up to three years or 72 credit hours. It is designed to be radically inclusive: any graduating high school senior or dual-credit graduate who resides within the San Jacinto College taxing district is eligible, regardless of their family’s income or high school GPA. The program serves communities across the region, including Pasadena, Channelview, Deer Park, Galena Park, La Porte and Sheldon ISDs, as well as portions of Clear Creek, Humble, and Pearland ISDs.
Since its inception in 2021, the program has achieved staggering success:
– More than13,800 students have enrolled as Promise Scholars.
– Nearly $12 million has been awarded directly in tuition, books and academic support.
– A major educational ecosystem expansion is underway, bolstered by a concurrent $15.3 million grant from Arnold Ventures to integrate the highly successful Accelerated Study in Associate Programs (ASAP) model, providing Promise students with additional structured advisement and financial incentives to accelerate graduation rates.
This communitywide investment reflects a shared belief that access to higher education drives regional economic mobility. By eliminating student debt, the Promise program directly supplies the local workforce with highly skilled graduates in high-demand fields like healthcare, maritime, petrochemical manufacturing, aerospace and business.
For Promise graduate Cynthia Jennings, the scholarship was the precise catalyst she needed to launch her career. Jennings is now a registered nurse at the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) in Galveston and is actively pursuing her master’s degree in nursing leadership and management at Western Governors University.
“Once I received the Promise Scholarship, I began to excel in my academics at San Jacinto College,” said Jennings. “I made the dean’s list every semester. I am beyond grateful for having received the Promise Scholarship because it allowed me to fulfill my dreams, my career, and my future without financial burden.”
With the $30 million endowment officially locked in, San Jacinto College looks forward to hosting community celebrations to honor the donors, industry partners and advocates who turned this visionary program into a permanent regional institution.
To learn more about student eligibility, upcoming pledge deadlines or how to support the foundation, visit sanjac.edu/promise.
Nov. 3 general election results tabulated
Dems dominate, regain control of both chambers of Congress
A Democratic wave that swept across Texas and much of the nation Tuesday was reflected throughout the South Belt area, although two traditionally Republican legislative districts remained too close to call at press time Wednesday.
In Texas Senate District 11, Republican Dennis Paul held a lead (52 percent) over Democrat Shannon Dicely (48 percent). Meanwhile, Democrat Albert Wittliff (49 percent) was trailing Republican Scott Bowen (51 percent) in the open House District 129 race. At press time neither race had been declared with 99 percent of precincts reporting.
The competitiveness of the two races underscored the Democratic gains seen elsewhere. In House District 144, Democratic incumbent Mary Ann Perez was comfortably ahead, while South Belt voters in newly drawn congressional districts also generally followed the broader trend.
Democrat Leticia Gutierrez (58 percent) led Republican Alex Mealer (42 percent) in Congressional District 9, while Democrat Christian Menefee held a commanding advantage over Republican Ronald Dwayne Whitfield in District 18. Republican incumbent Brian Babin (54 percent), led Democrat Rhonda Hart (46 percent) in District 36.
Democrats also won major statewide contests. James Talarico defeated Republican Ken Paxton for U.S. Senate, while Gina Hinojosa ousted Gov. Greg Abbott. Democrats also won races for lieutenant governor and attorney general.
The trend extended to Harris County, where Democrats held advantages in numerous countywide contests as returns continued to be tabulated.
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