CREEED’s third annual Education Matters Summit continued the tradition of bringing together education, business, and community leaders from across El Paso to focus on a shared priority: ensuring more students have the opportunities and support they need to succeed in school, college, and future careers.
The 2026 summit featured a keynote presentation from TEA Commissioner Mike Morath, leaders from school districts and higher education, community partners, and regional advocates for educational attainment. Conversations throughout the morning focused on some of the most important issues shaping El Paso’s educational and economic future, from strengthening the educator workforce to improving college and career readiness and building stronger connections between K-12 schools, higher education, and the workforce.
The summit also marked the launch of Ascend: Building a Talent-Strong El Paso, a new three-year regional program designed to help more students successfully move from high school into postsecondary education, earn credentials of value and enter high-demand careers.
“Educational attainment remains one of the most important drivers of economic mobility and regional prosperity,” said Richard Castro, CREEED Board Chair, in opening the summit. “While we have made meaningful progress, there is still significant work ahead to ensure every student has access to the opportunities they need to succeed.”
Commissioner Morath delivered the summit’s keynote address, bringing a statewide perspective to the opportunities and challenges facing public education. As commissioner of the Texas Education Agency, Morath oversees the agency responsible for providing leadership, guidance, and support to school systems serving more than 5.5 million Texas public school students.
His keynote helped frame a morning focused not simply on individual programs, but on how El Paso can strengthen the systems that support students from their earliest years in school through postsecondary education and into the workforce.
According to data presented during the commissioner’s keynote, 54% of El Paso-area third graders met grade level or above in reading in spring 2026, compared with 52% statewide. El Paso students also slightly outperformed the state in eighth-grade reading, with 62% meeting grade level or above compared with 61% statewide. These results show encouraging academic progress and the importance of continuing to strengthen high-quality instruction and support for students across the region.
One of the summit’s major announcements was the launch of Ascend: Building a Talent-Strong El Paso, a three-year program led by CREEED in partnership with Anthony, Canutillo, Socorro, and Ysleta ISDs and El Paso Community College (EPCC). Ascend will strengthen the transition from high school to postsecondary education through dedicated student support and better coordination and data sharing among partners.
The summit also highlighted efforts to strengthen El Paso’s educator pipeline. A panel on the El Paso Regional Educator Pipeline Community of Practice featured Jina Pacheco of Socorro ISD, Jim Littlejohn of Clint ISD, Dr. Erika Mein of UTEP and Stephanie Otero of the El Paso Community Foundation, who discussed regional efforts to develop, support and retain educators.
Among the region’s promising models is UTEP’s Teacher Residency Program, which Commissioner Morath highlighted as a proof point for the state, noting that UTEP residents outperform every other pathway into teaching in both reading and math achievement. The program demonstrates how partnerships between higher education, school districts, and community organizations can build a stronger educator pipeline while improving outcomes for students.
A final panel brought together our region’s newest superintendents, Dr. Josue Borrego of Canutillo ISD, Dr. Brian Lusk of El Paso ISD, and James Vasquez of Socorro ISD, moderated by CREEED Board Member Ruben Chavez, to discuss college and career readiness and their priorities for student success. The discussion also highlighted promising work already underway across the region, from expanding student internship opportunities and career and technical education programs to improving academic performance. These efforts are helping more students gain the skills, experiences, and preparation they need to succeed in college and the workforce. Together, the conversations reinforced the importance of strong educators, schools, and partnerships in preparing El Paso students for opportunities after graduation.
CREEED also presented the Richard Castro Excellence in Education Award to Dr. Jesica Rendon Arellano, Executive Director at Canutillo ISD, recognizing her leadership and commitment to expanding educational opportunity in El Paso. Dr. Arellano has served public education in roles ranging from teacher and instructional coach to principal, central office administrator, and interim superintendent. Her work has included efforts to expand access to 8th Grade Algebra, strengthen literacy instruction, develop career and technical education pathways, participate in the regional educator pipeline initiative, and help launch Ascend.
Across each discussion, a common theme emerged: no single school district, college, nonprofit, business, or community organization can strengthen El Paso’s education-to-workforce pipeline alone. For more than a decade, CREEED has worked with partners throughout the region to expand educational opportunities and improve outcomes for El Paso students. The Education Matters Summit provides an annual opportunity to bring those partners together, examine where the region is making progress, and identify where collaboration can create greater impact.
The 2026 CREEED Education Matters Summit was made possible with support from Raiz Federal Credit Union, Sunflower Bank, The Hospitals of Providence, The University of Texas at El Paso College of Education, WestStar, and the Woody and Gayle Hunt Family Foundation. To learn more about CREEED, Ascend, and opportunities to support educational attainment in El Paso, visit CREEED.org.
