Texas Woman’s University has teamed up with two partners to build an innovative pathway for students to earn bachelor’s degrees, gain Texas teacher certification and teach in Gulf Coast school districts, starting Fall 2026.

The Charles Butt Foundation awarded TWU and its partner, the College of the Mainland, a $96,000 grant to support student scholarships. College of the Mainland students with an Associate of Arts in Teaching can seamlessly finish a bachelor’s degree at TWU, leading to teacher certification in early childhood-6^th grade or pre-kindergarten-3^rd grade.

Building on the partnership, College of the Mainland provides office and classroom space for two TWU faculty to teach the transfer students on site at the COM campus in Texas City. With the grant, combined with TWU’s Zero Tuition Guarantee, 10-25 students will be able to complete the program nearly free of charge.

“We are expanding access to affordable, high-quality education for aspiring educators right here in the Gulf Coast region,” said TWU Houston President Monica Williams, PhD. “This effort helps strengthen local school districts by preparing and retaining educators from within their own communities, enhances workforce readiness across Houston and Galveston, and deepens the impact of both institutions in addressing regional needs.”