Howard College San Angelo and Texas Trust Hold Signing Ceremony for Future Scholarships

Texas Trust Gives Foundation Pledges $20,000 for Teaching and Electrical Scholarships

Committed to building brighter financial futures, Texas Trust Gives Foundation has partnered with Howard College San Angelo (HCSA) to offer three scholarships each year, up to $20,000 over five years. 

Texas Trust Gives is the charitable arm of Texas Trust Credit Union, a full-service financial institution. The mission for Texas Trust Gives is to invest in local communities by giving back through scholarships, grants, and employee volunteerism. Texas Trust provides scholarships to help students achieve long-term financial stability. This is the first scholarship partnership in San Angelo for Texas Trust which awarded $60,000 in scholarships this year throughout the state of Texas. 

"We are so grateful for the ongoing and growing support from our community, state and national organizations," said Dr. Cheryl T. Sparks, President of Howard College. 

San Angelo Provost Pam Callan notes, "Partnerships such as this allow us to extend financial assistance to students with financial constraints who are training in crucial, high-demand career fields in the Concho Valley area as we strive to meet local workforce needs."

Beginning in the fall of 2024, two students entering their freshman year in a teaching major in the College of Arts and one electrical student in the Continuing Education program will receive the Texas Trust Credit Union Scholarship. Texas Trust recognizes the importance of workforce development programs such as electrical certification, and is committed to providing scholarships specifically designed to broaden access and opportunities for individuals seeking to enhance their skills and career prospects.

“Texas Trust provides scholarships to help students achieve long-term financial stability,” said Jim Minge, CEO of Texas Trust Credit Union. “Certified technical training or a degree provides many job opportunities and higher job satisfaction, which leads to improved financial well-being.”

Washima Huq (center) presented a ceremonial check for $20,000 to Howard College for new scholarships. Left to right: Pam Callan, Provost Howard College San Angelo; Cheryl Sparks, President Howard College San Angelo Foundation; Washima Huq, Executive Director Texas Trust Gives Foundation; Heather Collier, Branch Manager Texas Trust Credit Union; and Brett Nikolauk, VP West Texas Operations Texas Trust Credit Union

The signing for this scholarship partnership comes at the same time as two other important developments for HCSA. In December, the first cohorts of students from the "Texas 2-Step for Teacher Certification Program" graduated with their associate of arts in teaching and will now begin the second step at Angelo State University to finish the requirements to become classroom-ready teachers. This program has grown to include more than 55 students since its inception two years ago. Moving forward, two $1,500 scholarships from Texas Trust Gives will be given to students who are in this program.

Another significant project is the construction of a new electrical and plumbing instruction facility that will allow HCSA to increase the capacity for training skilled workers for the Concho Valley. With rising trends in renewable energy, an aging electrical workforce, and lower number of high school graduates pursuing construction trade careers, the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) estimates that for the next 10 years, there will be at least 80,000 openings for electricians annually.

To be eligible for the Texas Trust Credit Union Scholarships, prospective students must maintain full-time enrollment at HCSA, enroll as either a teaching major or electrical student, maintain a 3.0 grade point average (or its equivalent), and be a current resident of one of Texas Trust’s service areas, which includes San Angelo.

“Howard College and Texas Trust Gives understand the importance of breaking down barriers to student success.” Sparks said.

The first scholarships from the Texas Trust Gives Foundation will be awarded to HCSA students in the fall of 2024.