Mar 19, 2026
A COM Graduate's decorated cap reads "Teacher in training"
A COM Graduate's decorated cap reads "Teacher in training"

College of the Mainland (COM) and Texas Woman's University (TWU) have been selected to join the Houston Teacher Pathways Consortium, a joint initiative of the Charles Butt Foundation and the Houston Endowment. Additionally, COM and TWU received a $96,000 grant from the Charles Butt Foundation to support student scholarships. Together, these milestones mark a major step forward in expanding access to the teaching profession for students across the Gulf Coast region, with the new pathway launching Fall 2026.

The Houston Teacher Pathways Consortium brings together community colleges and universities to build strong, affordable and seamless pathways for future teachers. The initiative focuses on creating vetted feeder patterns, strengthening transfer processes and increasing financial support for aspiring educators.

"This recognition reflects the strength of our collaboration with Texas Woman's University and our shared responsibility to prepare excellent educators for the communities we serve," said Helen Brewer, president of College of the Mainland. "By joining the Houston Teacher Pathways Consortium, we are expanding opportunity for our students through increased scholarship support, stronger transfer alignment and a clear, affordable pathway into the teaching profession. This is an investment in our students and in the future of our region's schools."

The COM–TWU teacher preparation pathway offers students a structured and affordable route to earn a teaching credential. Students begin their coursework at COM and upon earning an Associate of Arts in Teaching seamlessly transfer to TWU to complete a bachelor's degree program leading to teacher certification in early childhood–6th grade.

To further reduce barriers, COM provides office and classroom space for TWU faculty members to teach transfer students directly on the Texas City campus. Combined with TWU's Zero Tuition Guarantee and the new Charles Butt Foundation scholarship funding, 10–25 students per cohort will be able to complete the program nearly free of charge.

"Our participation in the consortium enhances the intentional design of our teacher preparation pathway," said Heather Rhodes, vice president for academic affairs at College of the Mainland. "From a student's first semester at COM through completion of their bachelor’s degree, we are aligning advising, coursework and financial support to promote retention, completion and successful entry into the classroom. This partnership strengthens our ability to respond to regional workforce needs while keeping the pathway accessible and student-centered."

Consortium membership requires formalized agreements between the community college and university, a residency-based educator preparation program and a demonstrated commitment to continuous improvement through advising, marketing and pathway development. The consortium convenes twice annually in Houston, along with several virtual meetings throughout the academic year, during which pathway partners collaborate to strengthen articulation agreements, identify scholarship recipients and plan for long-term sustainability.

Partners also work closely with area school districts to ensure residency placements and maintain a pipeline of teacher candidates who graduate from Houston-area public schools and return to serve those same communities, ensuring that the next generation of educators reflects and reinvests in the region they call home.