The energy was high this past Wednesday as Valero Energy Corporation, San Antonio Independent School District and SAISD Foundation came together for a historic announcement at Valero’s headquarters in San Antonio. An $8.4 million dollar grant was unveiled to support SAISD through the SAISD Foundation for the Pipeline to College Success Program.

The new program kickstarted by SAISD Superintendent, Pedro Martinez, aims to increase the number of students who enroll in and complete college. The goal by 2020 is to have 80 percent of graduates attend college, with 50 percent attending a four-year institution and 10 percent enrolled in a Tier-One university. The funds from this grant will be allocated for many components of the new program including hiring 14 new college bound advisors at 7 different high schools as well as sending 250 high performing seniors on campus visits across the country.

Joe Gorder, CEO of Valero gave an inspiring speech, later telling reporters, “I really do believe it is going to provide these kids with the confidence to take advantage of the opportunities that an education is going to provide for them. It’s going to be a wonderful outcome that is both great for our community and great for our state.” Over one hundred SAISD seniors were present at the event looking shocked and grateful for the contribution Valero is making to their educational success.

Mayor of San Antonio, Ron Nirenberg also spoke complementing Valero on their willingness to volunteer and be active in the community, saying the grant would make a big difference in the city’s workforce development efforts. The SAISD Foundation looks forward to continuing working with SAISD to ensuring the success of the Pipeline to College Success Program.