Orlando, Florida, February 22, 2024– El Paso Community College (EPCC) was presented with Achieving the Dream’s (AtD) Leah Meyer Austin (LMA) Alumni Award during AtD’s 20th annual conference. EPCC President, Dr. William Serrata, was presented with a commemorative challenge coin for being a previous LMA Award recipient. The college was also recognized as a Network Legend for EPCC’s long-time work with AtD.

EPCC earned the Leah Meyer Austin (LMA) Alumni Award in 2011. This recognition is the highest distinction a college in the ATD Network can earn and the award is given annually to a college that demonstrates outstanding long-term gains in student success and institutional equity. “EPCC is proud to be recognized as a Leah Meyer Austin Alumni Award recipient,” Serrata said. “Since earning this award, EPCC continues to make measurable advances in student success, including graduating more than 100,000 students, preparing our community’s workforce and transforming our region.”

Dr. William Serrata

The college has maintained its commitment to success and progress since receiving the LMA Award. One example is, between 2012 to 2022, El Paso saw a 50% increase in the number of individuals with an Associate’s Degree and the time to earn a degree has decreased. In 2012, when Serrata arrived at EPCC, the college had awarded around 50,000 degrees. In just over a decade, the number of degrees EPCC has awarded has doubled—in December of 2023, EPCC awarded its100,000th degree.
Not only do the degrees awarded help students and their families improve their lives, it also develops a skilled and trained workforce. Jasmine Saucedo is both a mother and a recent graduate who aspires to continue her education and serve our community as a nurse. “I had stopped going to school and I told my husband, I really need to finish this because it will give our daughter the best life. I want to give her more than I had,” Saucedo said.

EPCC Graduation

Other examples of how EPCC has continued advancing regional success since receiving the LMA Award is through its continued commitment to creating a college- going culture. Results have been demonstrated by working with K-12 and other partners to steadily increase FAFSA completion, which increased 4% in 2022-23 resulting in Region 19 currently leading the state in FAFSA completion at 84%. More area students have access to a college education while still in high school. In partnership with area school districts, EPCC now has 18 Early College High Schools and 19 P-Techs that allow students to simultaneously earn a high school diploma and a degree from EPCC. To date, more than 6,000 students have graduated from these programs and more than 51,000 Dual Credit students have been served by EPCC to date.

For more than 50 years, EPCC has offered affordable, high-quality education and career pathways. EPCC students graduate prepared to enter the workforce or to continue their education. “Higher education is the path to prosperity and a better life for students, their families and our entire community,” Serrata said. “Therefore, our laser focus on student success remains steadfast.”

Dr. William Serrata (2nd from Left) Representing EPCC at Achieving the Dream