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Dallas College

Ascender

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Find your community at Dallas College! We're here to offer you a network of support with success coaches (advisors), instructors, mentors and classmates — who all care about your dreams.

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 your degrees and transfer on to a four-year university and beyond.

Do you Qualify?

This free program is open to all first-year, first-time in college students wanting to earn a bachelor’s degree. Students interested in participating must complete the TSIA2 Assessment and meet with a Success Coach to determine eligibility for English 1301 and Education 1300 (Learning Framework) courses.

  • New student at Dallas College and will attend college for the first time.
  • Eligible to enroll in English 1301 (composition 1) + Education 1300 (learning frameworks) during the first semester + DIRW 0315 (developmental coursework) if required.
  • Ascender is best suited for students seeking an Associate of Arts or Associate of Science degree. Students seeking a certificate or associates of applied science (AAS) are not eligible for Ascender.

Ready to Join

If you meet the eligibility requirements and are interested in joining the Ascender program, we invite you to fill out our Interest Form! A success coach will then reach out to you directly.

Complete the Interest Form

What to Expect

Dallas College’s Ascender program treats you like family and helps cultivate a sense of belonging on your campus. You’ll make friends, develop leadership skills, learn to thrive academically and receive structured guidance as you prepare to transfer to a university.

group of students smiling at camera
Group Placement

As a student of Ascender, you will be placed in a learning community based on your educational background. Each learning community takes certain in-person classes together during the first two semesters of college.

male student talking to female college couselor
Navigation Support

The Ascender team helps you clarify personal and professional goals while supporting you as you work toward them. A designated success coach (advisor) will work with you from recruitment into the program until successful graduation and/or transfer.

student clapping and smiling at conference
Student Engagement

Participation in Ascender encourages you to deepen your peer networks and leadership skills outside of the classroom. You can look forward to mentorship, cultural and community events, university tours and leadership opportunities.

Frequently Asked Questions

Any student that intends to earn a bachelor’s degree. We welcome students from all backgrounds and experiences.

No, students only must be First Time in College (FTIC) and not have taken EDUC 1300 and ENGL 1301.

Yes! Ascender welcomes students to join and participate during their first year in college by being a part of our academic learning communities. After your first year in the program, you are still invited to participate in our mentoring program, Ascender student club, events and university trips.

Our program is completely free to join. As a Dallas College student, you will have access to university trips, our mentorship program, workshops and much more at no cost.

Simply let a success coach know that you wish to join our program. Your coach will determine your eligibility and then place you into one of our academic learning communities.

That’s okay! Just connect with your success coach and let them know about your interest in the program. They will then help with making changes to your course schedule.

While this program is targeted towards students that wish to earn a bachelor’s, you can still enjoy the various benefits of this program, like professional and career & transfer skills development, mentorship, understanding professors, events and much more!

Students should have a discussion with a success coach on whether the courses we offer fit into their program of study.

Unfortunately, these courses are required in a student’s first year in the program and cannot have been taken prior.

You can either connect with a success coach or fill out our Interest Form. When you meet with a success coach, they will discuss your educational goals and ensure that Ascender is a fit for you based on your academic needs. They will then place you into one of our academic learning communities (grouped classes).

If you fill out our Interest Form, a success coach will contact you directly.

“Ascender has given me the opportunity to believe in myself as a person who is new to this country, helping me feel more confident and supported in this new journey.”

Read more Student Testimonials

headshot of Maricruz Reyes
Maricruz Reyes
Ascender Student

Interested in Joining?

 

If you are interested in joining the Ascender Program, please fill out the Interest Form and one of our success coaches will connect with you.

Complete the Interest Form

Contact Us

 

For general information, email: AscenderSupport@DallasCollege.edu

For university trip information, email: CareerAndTransfer@DallasCollege.edu

 

Ascender is supported by Catch the Next, an evidence-based college readiness and completion nonprofit.

 
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