📍 Location

Dallas College – Eastfield Campus G Building – Rooms G101 & G102 3737 Motley Dr, Mesquite, TX 75150 Google Directions

🅿️ Free Parking available in Lot 8 (closest to G Building entrance)

About the Seminar

The Ascender Foundational Seminar is an immersive, five-day professional development event designed for faculty, staff, and administrators who support students classified as not college-ready. This year’s seminar focuses on dynamic, culturally relevant, and asset-based strategies that drive literacy across disciplines and student success through co-requisite and developmental coursework.

Participants will engage in interactive sessions covering:

• Inclusive syllabus design
• Reflective writing and metacognitive practices
• Active learning in digital environments
• Holistic advising and mentoring approaches
• Student tracking, progress monitoring, and success planning

Seminar Schedule

🕘 Start: Monday, May 19 at 9:00 AM 🕐 End: Friday, May 23 at 1:00 PM

🍽️ Lunch Provided: Monday through Thursday

☕ Snacks & Beverages: Coffee, water, and light snacks throughout the week

🍴 Dinner: On your own

Contact Us

For questions, contact:

📧 Maria Chavez – Maria.Chavez@catchthenext.org

📧 Anna Alaniz – Anna.Alaniz@catchthenext.org

📧 Juan Higa – Juan.Higa@catchthenext.org

Featured Keynote Speakers

🎤 Dr. Laura I. Rendón

Expert in contemplative education and validation theory, author of Sentipensante Pedagogy

🎤 Norma Elia Cantú

Author of Canícula: Snapshots of a Girlhood en la Frontera, founding member of CantoMundo

🎤 Dr. Tina Jackson

Assistant Commissioner, Texas Higher Ed Coordinating Board, Workforce Education

🎤 Diana Gorostieta Martinez

Coordinator of the Ascender Program at Austin Community College and CTN Board Member

CTN Speakers & Leadership

• Dr. Maria Martha Chavez Brumell – CTN CEO & Co-Founder
• Dr. Anna Bertha Alaniz – CTN Director of Professional Development
• Debra McBeath – CTN Director of Engagement
• Juan Jose Higa Jr. – CTN Director of Finance & Procurement
• Dr. Richard Armenta – CTN Consultant & Former VP of Student Success, ACC
• Dr. Jonathan Wayne Bell – CTN Leadership Fellow & Math Faculty, South Texas College

Stay connected for updates, event photos, and highlights on our social media pages.