Special Guest: Dr. Jonathan Fuentes

Dr. White and Keagan sit down with Dr. Jonathan Fuentes, Vice President of Academic Partnerships, to talk about the work Odessa College is doing to make education accessible across the Permian Basin.

Main Points:

1. Introduction of Dr. Jonathan Fuentes

2. Odessa College's Reach: The college's service area spans 33,000 square miles, covering 13 counties, making it as large as the state of Maine.

3. Dual Credit Program: Almost 50% of Odessa College's students are dual credit students, meaning they earn college credits while still in high school. This program allows students to graduate with both a high school diploma and an associate's degree or technical certificate.

4. Community Engagement

5. Dr. Fuentes’ Background: He attended Harvard for his undergraduate studies and later pursued his master's and PhD at the University of Michigan. Despite opportunities elsewhere, he chose to return to the Permian Basin to serve the community he loves.

6. Odessa College's Impact