Illias Gomez was not always a focused and disciplined student. Middle school brought its challenges, and he wondered if he would be branded a troubled teen. But by the time he reached high school, he found his calling — designing computer games. It was a skill he knew he could master and parlay into a career in gaming technology.
“Gaming is very new. A lot of teens and young adults are introduced to video games. We are the founding generation of gaming,” said Gomez, a senior at Conrad High School H-TECH, a Pathways in Technology Early College High School or P-TECH.
Students who want to make a living at gaming, however, also need to know the business side of game design, he said. With the help of friends and mentors, Gomez has set himself up for a rewarding career in gaming by first “enrolling in a career” through Dallas College. He is on track to graduate next month with both a high school diploma and an Associate of Applied Science in Interactive Simulation and Game Technology.
In honor of Gomez’ success and the success of other “dual credit” students like him, Dallas College and Dallas ISD will recognize P-TECH and Early College High School graduates at a special celebration April 7 from 5-7 p.m. at the Communities Foundation of Texas.
This event will celebrate the vision of Chancellor Emeritus Joe May, Chancellor Justin Lonon and Superintendent Michael Hinojosa and the accomplishments to date of the P-TECHs and Early College High Schools resulting from the extensive work of Dallas College and Dallas ISD to create this unique educational pathway for Dallas students, the majority of whom are the first in their families to attend college.
Dr. Hinojosa said the accomplishments of this partnership and the success it yields align with the goals of Dallas College and Dallas ISD to serve students from all backgrounds and present opportunities to ready them for post-high school success. Through its partnership with Dallas College, Dallas ISD helped students earn postsecondary credit while still in enrolled in high school.
“Here’s the story of Dallas College helping us,” Dr. Hinojosa said. “I’m embarrassed to tell you that in 2009, only 7% of our Dallas ISD graduates went on to get a college credential of any kind six years after high school. In 2020, 628 seniors in the program finished high school with their associate degrees already in hand. This year, [at least] 910 — 10% of Dallas ISD’s entire senior class — will walk across the stage with already having earned their associate degrees.”
Gomez, who has also been accepted to the University of North Texas, where he wants to continue his education and eventually pursue a law degree, says his dream is to start his own gaming studio and become an industry partner. He credits the P-TECH program at Conrad with helping him find his passion.
“In these classes, professors don’t see you as children,” he said. “You have to pay attention. These classes are not lectures. You have to do the work. You have to create.”
Partnership Between Dallas College and School Districts Pays Off
Gomez is among the many success stories in this nontraditional high school experience designed to motivate students who are to be commended for their tenacity in obtaining a college degree upon graduating from high school. Dallas College partners with 16 school districts to offer 85 Early College High Schools, P-TECHs and T-STEM College and Career Readiness School models, involving 42% of the almost 30,000 students enrolled in dual credit courses annually.
Gomez is not only impressive with his class work, but he has also made the rounds meeting industry partners, said J. David du Mars, workplace learning coordinator at Conrad. “He’s been very proactive. He’s getting his degree, but he’s also taking advantage of the workplace learning side of this. He’s using all of his resources. I’m excited for him.”
“Early College High School gives these students an opportunity to jump-start their careers,” said Anna Mays, vice provost for educational partnerships at Dallas College. “I think they have a great opportunity and a great future as a result. These students will likely exceed their potential and change their communities. Their training and education will launch them into four-year degrees or put them on the path to securing a position that offers a living wage.”
The ongoing collaboration with and support from the University of North Texas at Dallas and 95 regional industry partners will also be recognized at the April 7 event. The success of the collective partnerships will be highlighted, and “the goal is to use this celebration of our work to-date to inspire our stakeholder attendees to strengthen and expand the work into the future,” Mays added.
Dallas ISD has 26 P-TECH/ECHS campuses that are making college accessible to more district students than ever — at no cost to students or their families. Students can earn a high school diploma, up to 60 hours of college credit or an associate degree, plus career experience via hands-on learning, mentoring or internships.
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