College can often feel overwhelming. We're here to offer you a network of support — advisors, instructors, mentors and classmates — who care about your dreams, too.
Dallas College’s Ascender program treats you like
familia. You’ll make friends, develop leadership skills, learn to thrive academically, celebrate Latinx culture and receive structured guidance as you prepare to transfer to a university.
This free program is open to all first-year students wanting to earn a bachelor’s degree. You do not have to be Latinx to join the program. Students from all areas of study are welcome to apply.
Why Join Ascender?
You’ll prepare for university transfer alongside a group of peers, receive one-on-one mentoring, career and transfer skills development, attend family-friendly events and much more!
The goal is to help you achieve college readiness, earn certificates and associate degrees and transfer on to four-year universities and beyond.
Community
As a member of Ascender, you will join a learning community based on your educational background. Each learning community takes certain in-person classes together during the first two semesters of college.
Group 1: For students who place directly in English 1301 (TSI met students). Classes for first semester: ENGL 1301 (composition 1) and EDUC 1300 (learning frameworks).
Group 2: For students who need extra reading and writing support to be successful in ENGL 1301. Classes for the first semester: DIRW 0315 (integrated reading and writing), ENGL 1301 (composition 1) and EDUC 1300 (learning frameworks)
Navigation Support
The Ascender team helps you clarify personal and professional goals while supporting you as you work toward them.
Holistic advising. A success coach (advisor) will help you plan your education by developing a comprehensive education plan customized to fit your needs, building effective relationships and networking opportunities, creating a personal action plan to successfully accomplish goals and much more.
Designated staff. We work with you from recruitment into the program until successful graduation and/or transfer.
Student Engagement
Participation in Ascender encourages you to deepen your peer networks and leadership skills outside of the classroom.
Mentorship. You will be paired with a mentor who has successfully navigated higher education to give you advice and encouragement in your first year of the program.
Cultural and community events. Throughout the year, you will attend events that either deepen your understanding of college and/or celebrate cultural and academic milestones. Events include Family Night (Noche de Familia), a career and transfer readiness program for students and parents.
University tours. You and your classmates will visit nearby universities to explore transfer opportunities and create a sense of belonging at the transfer institution.
Leadership opportunities. Strengthen or deepen your connection to the campuses and community with the following activities:
- Join the Ascender student club during your second semester to create a sense of community and belonging.
- Become a work-study student on campus and earn while you learn.
- Attend career and college workshops with sessions including financial aid, scholarship applications, soft skills development, employer networking opportunities and resume and employment preparation.
- Attend the annual statewide Catch the Next Transfer Motivational conference for students at the University of Texas at Austin.
- Participate in the Catch the Next internship. Aspiring writers are paid to cover Ascender through the John Siceloff Journalism Internships at all partner institutions.
Interested in Joining Ascender?
Don’t wait, seats are filling up fast! For more information, email AscenderSupport@dcccd.edu.
Ascender is supported by
Catch the Next, an evidence-based college readiness and completion nonprofit.