One Million Strong: Ready to Work Reaches Major Milestone

What does $1 million look like? In the hands of Texas A&M University-San Antonio Ready to Work participants, it looks like opportunity. It looks like a prosperous future, and a city that believes in its people.

Since San Antonio Ready to Work started at A&M-San Antonio in October 2022, the program, funded by a 1/8 cent sales tax approved by voters, has awarded over $1 million in tuition assistance to participants pursuing a certificate or bachelor’s degree. It’s a remarkable accomplishment that builds a stronger, more skilled workforce and helps boost the local economy. 

“What an incredible milestone to reach $1 million given to A&M-San Antonio participants. It serves as proof that our program is doing exactly what it set out to do – remove barriers and create opportunities,” shared Adriana Contreras, associate vice president and executive director of the Mays Center for Experiential Learning and Community Engagement. “We are so thankful to the City of San Antonio and its people for investing in themselves, as every student who comes through this program is a reminder that when we invest in our students, we invest in the future of San Antonio.” 

The San Antonio Ready to Work team sees day in and day out the difference these funds make in students’ lives. They may, within a single week, help a student who has a past due balance and can’t enroll in a program at any institution find a way to finish their degree at A&M-San Antonio. Later, they’ll provide emergency funding to a student who needs help covering their light bill or has a flat tire and doesn’t have the funds to cover those expenses and buy groceries. And over the course of the program, they’ll help over 350 Jaguars pay for their degree and set them on a path to land high-demand roles in San Antonio. 

Students and participants in the San Antonio Ready to Work program experience firsthand how the support provided can mitigate challenges, restore hope and keep them moving toward their educational and career goals. With nearly 70 percent who are the first in their family to go to college, these students are blazing a new path for themselves and their families.

"What an incredible milestone to reach $1 million given to A&M-San Antonio participants. It serves as proof that our program is doing exactly what it set out to do - remove barriers and create opportunities." ~ Adriana Conteras

“Reaching the $1 million milestone in tuition reimbursements for Ready to Work participants at Texas A&M University-San Antonio is a powerful testament to what strong partnerships can achieve,” shared Mike Ramsey, executive director of workforce development for the City of San Antonio. “TAMUSA has been an essential partner in helping San Antonians, particularly those from low-income backgrounds, complete their degrees and build brighter futures. By aligning academic pathways with workforce demands, TAMUSA is not only helping students succeed in the classroom, but also in the career fields that sustain our economy and strengthen our communities."

What does that $1 million look like in action? A&M-San Antonio graduates go on to great things after they complete the program. Nearly 200 San Antonio Ready to Work students have graduated from A&M-San Antonio. They now work throughout the city as elementary teachers, cybersecurity managers, bank fraud analysts, accountants and more. 

It’s not just A&M-San Antonio staff making this program run, but alumni are also making a big difference. Rose Hilt ’12 is the workforce manager for the City of San Antonio Ready to Work program, leading the employer partnership team.  

“As a proud graduate of Texas A&M–San Antonio and workforce manager for the SA Ready to Work program, it’s incredibly meaningful to witness the direct impact our efforts are having on fellow Jaguars. The collaboration between TAMUSA and SA Ready to Work isn’t just about employment, it’s about empowering our students with the skills, confidence and support they need to thrive in a competitive workforce,” shared Hilt. “We’re not just building careers; we’re transforming lives and strengthening the future of San Antonio.”