Texas Woman's University intends to open a new campus in downtown Dallas next year, offering a business administration degree. The Denton-based institution is collaborating with the New York-based nonprofit Come to Believe to create a program designed for academically qualified students who may face obstacles to traditional college enrollment.
Christopher Johnson, the newly appointed president of the Dallas campus, noted that thousands of high school graduates in Dallas County possess grade point averages of 2.5 or higher but are not currently enrolled in any educational institution. He stated that the partnership aims to identify and address the specific factors preventing this population from pursuing higher education.
Rev. Stephen Katsouros, founder and CEO of Come to Believe, explained that the organization helps institutions launch colleges for under-served students, including first-generation and low-wealth individuals. Katsouros has previously established similar models at Loyola University in Chicago and the College of Mount Saint Vincent in the Bronx.
He emphasized that the program provides rigorous academics and holistic support without the burden of high tuition or student loans, noting that graduation rates for this model are higher than those at many community colleges.
The new campus is expected to enroll its first 150 students next year, with capacity to eventually reach 300 students. Incoming students will receive wraparound services, including free breakfast and lunch, a laptop, and an annual DART pass. Come to Believe has provided a $500,000 grant to assist with the launch, which Texas Woman's University is required to match.
