HOUSTON (January 5, 2023) – The Greater Houston Partnership is collaborating with a national mentorship organization to launch a first-of-its-kind regional mentorship initiative. Ahead of the launch this month, 10 companies have committed to providing professional mentors for the program, while more than a half-dozen universities will offer the mentorship opportunity to their students.  The initiative, dubbed PartnerUp Houston, is designed to proactively address the equity and skills gaps in the region, increase the workforce readiness of Houston’s college graduates, and strengthen the talent pipeline of the local economy.  “Since 2017, the Partnership has facilitated collaboration between higher education leaders and the business community to strengthen the region’s talent pipeline and ensure more opportunity for Houstonians,” said Partnership Chair Thad Hill, who serves as President and CEO of Calpine. “We believe a robust, regional mentorship program like PartnerUp will help accelerate career outcomes for students and help Houston area employers identify and cultivate great talent.”   Companies including Calpine, Boston Consulting Group, and HP have signed on to provide professional mentors to the PartnerUp Houston program. Area universities offering the mentorship opportunity to their students include Houston Christian University, Prairie View A&M University, Rice University, Sam Houston State University, Texas Southern University, University of Houston, University of Houston Downtown, and University of St. Thomas. Area companies interested in joining PartnerUp to provide professional mentors, as well as individuals interested in becoming a career mentor, are encouraged to visit this page to learn more.  PartnerUp Houston is a collaborative venture between the Greater Houston Partnership and Mentor Collective, the preferred partner for large-scale peer and alumni mentorship solutions and Lumina Foundation Impact Investment. Since 2016, Mentor Collective has facilitated more than 250,000 successful mentorship matches and has had a proven impact on student retention, career-decision self-efficacy, and sense of belonging. “The United States increasingly lags behind the developed world in economic mobility. Proactively bridging these equity and skills gaps requires local employers and post-secondary institutions to collaborate on initiatives that allow students to acquire professional experiences and skills.” said Jackson Boyar, Co-Founder and CEO of Mentor Collective. “Institutions enrolling and graduating a diverse class with strong employment outcomes are those implementing holistic student support, including career mentorship. Mentor Collective is proud to play a role in the PartnerUp Houston initiative and offer the technology needed to scale high-impact practices that drive student and economic success.” Companies and individuals can continue to sign on for mentorship through January 20, for the spring semester.  ### Greater Houston Partnership The Greater Houston Partnership works to make Houston one of the best places to live, work and build a business. As the economic development organization for the region, the Partnership champions growth across 12 counties by bringing together business and civic-minded leaders who are dedicated to the area’s long-term success. Representing 950+ member organizations and approximately one-fifth of the region’s workforce, the Partnership is the place companies come together to make an impact. Learn more at Houston.org. Mentor Collective Mentor Collective—the leading provider of high-impact, large-scale mentorship solutions in higher education—is a collective of institutions and thought leaders dedicated to closing the equity gap through mentorship. Founded in 2014, Mentor Collective has delivered 800+ unique mentorship programs, established 180+ institutional partnerships, and formed over 250,000 mentoring relationships through expert-led services, and technology. As an impact-first investment of the Lumina Foundation, Mentor Collective partners with forward-thinking institutions that are committed to equity, inclusion, and relationship-centered education. Download the EdTech For Equity white paper to learn more.  Contact:  A.J. Mistretta amistretta@houston.org   504-450-3516 Samantha Emelock Content Marketing Manager Samanthaemelock@mentorcollective.org 978-778-8489

Meeting the needs of a new generation of students while preparing them for a competitive and evolving workforce are just a few of the challenges discussed during the Partnership’s fourth annual State of Education event this week.  The region’s education leaders and influencers gathered to hear from one of Houston’s most prominent higher education leaders, Renu Khator, Chancellor of the University of Houston System and President of the University of Houston. Chancellor Khator shared some of the knowledge she’s gained through her impressive career, including the years she’s spent advancing the University of Houston, the city’s largest public university.  During her keynote address, Khator reminded attendees that a strong education system is essential to Houston’s ability to remain competitive with a talented workforce and is directly tied to long-term success. “Education is the best opportunity and promise we can make in order to make a socially just, equitable society,” she said. Under Khator’s leadership, UH has joined the Big 12 and recently celebrated the opening of the new Tilman J. Fertitta Family College of Medicine. Khator spoke on the ways she is ensuring the University of Houston is working to drive innovative education solutions that are critical not just to our region's workforce, but also the broader future of our community. She said she’s also focused on breaking financial barriers for students to provide high-quality, accessible education and is working toward changing perceptions of higher education.  With three Tier One universities offering premier learning education opportunities, it is no surprise that students seek out Houston. Khator said Houston’s strong higher education system is evident as more students than ever are staying in Houston postgraduate, evolving into industry leaders who will shape our city in the years to come.  In addition to the success of this progression, Khator discussed some challenges, such as finding ways to engage with younger generations and reaching individuals who debate whether higher education is an option for them. Efforts such as Houston GPS help offset challenges by providing resources for public schools and addressing achievement gaps early on, particularly in low-income neighborhoods. Click to expand “Higher Education is needed more today than at any time in history,” Khator said. “We know that higher education provides the best opportunity for transforming lives and generations.”  Despite challenges, the mission for higher education remains consistent: to prepare students not just for the workforce, but a competitive workforce. And to not just teach students but prepare them for a career that will help them make a positive impact on their communities.   From energy transition initiatives to world class research centers, UH’s priorities are aligning with Houston’s and helping propel the city forward. “Great communities build great universities, and great universities build great communities,” Khator said.  Houston-area colleges and universities educate nearly 425,000 students and graduate more than 56,000 students annually. Partnership President and CEO Bob Harvey said Houston is “one of the few places in the world that offer the concentration of higher ed opportunity supported by a growing economy and the many attributes of the great global city.” Over the past seven years, four-year institutions in and around the Houston area have seen 10% growth—a remarkable figure in light of the pandemic, Harvey said. The region is home to 31 universities and colleges, including three Tier 1 universities: the University of Houston, Texas A&M University and Rice University.