Summit Takeaways

Deliverables from each of our biennial policy summits include panel recordings, a summary publication, and other highlights from the event.

2024 — Exploring Mental Health and Wellbeing as a Student Success Strategy

Summit Highlights: Exploring Mental Health and Wellbeing as a Student Success Strategy

Trellis Foundation’s third biennial postsecondary policy summit in Austin, TX, on April 19, 2024, explored mental health and wellbeing as a strategy for student success. The event brought together policymakers, practitioners, and experts to discuss the connection between basic needs support for students, their mental wellbeing, and college completion.

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Resources

Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute

Trellis Strategies Student Financial Wellness Survey: Fall 2023 Semester Results

A Decade of Improving College Mental Health Systems: JED Campus Impact Report

Student Voices on Mental Health

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Trellis Foundation invited students from across Texas to share their perspectives on postsecondary mental health and the role students play in improving mental health and wellbeing on college campuses. These students represent Austin Community College, the University of Houston-Downtown, and the University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley — all members of the Trellis Foundation’s Mental Health and Wellbeing Learning Community.

Welcome and Context

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Dora Ann Verde, Board Chair, welcomes participants to the third biennial summit. Executive Director Kristin Boyer provides context for the convening with Leilani Lamb of the Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute.

A Fireside Chat with Commissioner Keller

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Dr. Richard Rhodes, president of Texas A&M Central Texas in Killeen, sat down with the Commissioner of Higher Education for a conversation about the current landscape and opportunities for student success and institutional responsibility in Texas. Dr. Keller has served the state of Texas at the Higher Education Coordinating Board since 2019. Introduced by Welcome Wilson, Jr.

Federal Perspectives on Postsecondary Wellbeing and Student Success

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Our keynote panel – moderated by Dr. Mark Milliron, immediate past board chair of the Trellis Foundation and president of National University – included Sakshee Chawla, senior policy analyst for the State Higher Education Executive Officers Association (SHEEO); Dr. Zainab Okolo, senior VP for policy, advocacy, and government relations at the Jed Foundation; and Dr. Sunny Patel, who serves as senior advisor for children, youth, and families in the office of the assistant secretary at the Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Agency (SAMHSA).

The Role of Institutional Leadership in Mental Wellbeing and Student Success

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The second panel featured dynamic leaders from higher education institutions who shared their institutional priorities for mental health and discussed their current challenges and successes: Chancellor Mike Flores from Alamo College District in San Antonio; Retired Air Force Lieutenant General Ronnie Hawkins, President of Angelo State University; and Chancellor Brenda Hellyer, leader of San Jacinto College District since 2009. They also explored considerations for sustaining long-term efforts in the field of mental health. The conversation was moderated by Trellis Foundation Board member Susanne Walsh, who is also the President of Bennett College, a women’s college and HBCU in Greensboro, North Carolina.

The Current and Future “State” of Mental Wellbeing and Student Success

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In the third conversation of the day, three organizations operating statewide came together to discuss mental health programming through networks and technical assistance. The panelists shared what has been effective post-pandemic and how these lessons are shaping amazing opportunities ahead for higher education in Texas. The discussion was moderated by Jenny Achilles, Senior Program Officer at Trellis Foundation, and included Dr. Jennielle Médica Strother from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, Dr. Cynthia Ferrell of the Texas Success Center/Texas Association of Community Colleges, and Tegan Henke from the Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute.

2022 — Valu[ED]: Centering higher education in the quest for equitable outcomes for Texans

Summit Highlights: Value[ED]: Centering Higher Education in the Quest for Equitable Outcomes for Texans

On March 25, 2022, Trellis Foundation hosted a Summit on Postsecondary Access, Affordability & Attainment, convening many of the foremost stakeholders in Texas to discuss the value of higher education for Texans today. Regional, state and national experts shared their perspective on this year’s Summit theme.

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Grantee Posters

Trellis Foundation is proud to highlight examples of grantee projects, programs, and initiatives. Click on the posters below to learn about the different ways our grantee partners are working to improve postsecondary outcomes for students across Texas.

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Valu[ED]: Centering higher education in the quest for equitable outcomes for Texans

Trellis Foundation Student Video: The Value of Postsecondary Education

National Perspectives on the Value of Higher Ed – A Conversation

Texas Perspectives on the Value of Alignment – Tri-Agency Commissioners’ Panel

Regional Perspectives on the Value of Collaboration

2018 — Postsecondary Access, Affordability, and Attainment

Summit Highlights: Postsecondary Access, Affordability & Attainment

On March 23, 2018, Trellis Foundation hosted a Summit on Postsecondary Access, Affordability & Attainment, convening many of the foremost stakeholders in Texas to discuss both public policy and philanthropic levers to support statewide priorities, such as the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board’s 60x30TX. The Summit served as the formal public launch for our newly-formed foundation.

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Transforming Communities

An introduction to the education and philanthropy communities, highlighting Trellis Foundation’s history, grantee stories, and vision. (2:47)

Highlights from the Trellis Foundation Summit 2018

Trellis Foundation recently brought together a diverse group of leaders to explore solutions for increasing student success. The Texas Summit on Postsecondary Access, Affordability, and Attainment included panelists from the Texas Education Agency, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, nonprofit organizations, and community colleges, with each panel focused on ideas to produce more college graduates. (4:54)

Keynote Presentation – Rob Kaplan

In a moderated conversation with award-winning journalist Evan Smith, Kaplan will explore the needs, challenges, and opportunities in cultivating college and career-ready students as well as student ready colleges and careers. (41:27)

Tri-Agency Panel Discussion

Discover the changes that high schools, postsecondary institutions, and various employment sectors are making to help Texas stay competitive by providing employers with the qualified talent they need to grow their businesses. (1:00:40)

Higher Education Panel

Learn how different types of institutions across the postsecondary space are approaching access, affordability, and barriers to completion in their efforts to increase educational opportunities for all Texans. (59:30)

Philanthropy Panel

How can we mobilize the work of nonprofits to complement the work of institutions to realize significant change? This panel examines how philanthropy and workforce can partner more effectively. (49:36)

6 Stories of Student Success

What does student success look like? Here are the stories of six remarkable students making the most of their opportunity to pursue a postsecondary degree. (3:34)