It's hard to believe in a city anchored by the University of Texas and six nearby colleges and universities, but across the State of Texas, higher education enrollment is lower than the national average. To increase enrollment to meet the national average, approximately 500,000 more students must enroll in institutions of higher learning by the year 2015. With this in mind, Skillpoint Alliance (formerly Capital Area Training Foundation) will launch the 2005 "Go To College" campaign in collaboration with the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. This regional campaign will use advertisements and public service announcements to reach students who might not be thinking about entering higher education.

"The campaign aims to tell youth and adults that $3 billion in college aid funds is available yearly to Texans," said Kirk Watson, Chairman of the Greater Austin Chamber. "Education holds our greatest promise for insuring a vital community with success for each and every citizen."

What: "Go to College" Campaign Launch
When: Tuesday, March 22, 10 a.m.
Where: Greater Austin Chamber, 210 Barton Springs Road, Suite 400

SPEAKERS/ B-ROLL OPPORTUNITY: Speakers will include Geronimo Rodriguez, the son of migrant workers, who enrolled at St. Edward's University through the school's college assistance program. Rodriguez graduated from law school and is now a successful attorney. A&M student, Idalia Silva, will discuss how financial assistance made her education possible. VHS copies of the PSAs will be available.

Maintaining a highly qualified workforce in the Greater Austin region is a goal of Opportunity Austin, the five-year, five-county economic development initiative that aims at creating 72,000 new jobs and a $14 billion boost to the economy.

Skillpoint Alliance, which changed its name this year from Capital Area Training Foundation, is a non-profit organization that builds relationships between industry, education, and communities that lead to college and career success for Central Texans.