TCU’s College Advising Corps’ recent expansion to 64 college advisers working in area high schools was thanks to grant money from Rainwater Charitable Foundation. The organization donated $2.2 million to boost the TCU program. 

Rainwater, which has poured tens of millions of dollars into the community, also contributed to the creation of the nonprofit Tarrant County To and Through Partnership, which is an all-out effort to ensure that more area students obtain a postsecondary credential.

Rainwater president Jeremy Smith said the response from the Fort Worth community has been overwhelmingly positive.

“Educational institutions, the business sector, nonprofit organizations working in this space and families all recognize the importance and urgent need for supporting students at this critical time in their education,” Smith said. “We also know the reality of the current economy is such that the majority of future jobs will require a degree or credential.”

Smith added that the Tarrant To and Through executive council undertook a nationwide search to find the best college- and career-advising program to bring to Fort Worth. But it was already here: They deemed College Advising Corps to be the gold standard.

Matt Burckhalter ’11 MEd (MBA ’14), director of TCU’s chapter of the national organization, said that the university has embraced the program as part of its ongoing community outreach.

“Crossing the finish line and pulling the next person through the door of opportunity is part of the College Advising Corps’ DNA and part of TCU’s DNA,” said Nicole Hurd, founder of the corps and the president of Lafayette College in Pennsylvania.

“Both TCU and College Advising Corps are committed to being data-driven and learning while creating impact in the community,” said Hurd, who modeled the program after the Peace Corps and other national service models. 

“I cannot overstate the importance of this work.”