Called Grad TX, the project is part of Gen TX, a statewide public relations campaign aimed at building a college-going culture in Texas. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board created both projects with a $9.25 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education.

“Once you are out of the (university) system, it is difficult to get back in,” said Dominic Chavez, a spokesman for the board. “We are not just reopening the door, we are rolling out the red carpet.”

In 2009, the U.S. Census Bureau reported that more than 3 million Texans over 25 had some college credit but no degree.

Coordinating Board data suggest that in the last five years alone, 68,000 students who had racked up 45 hours or more at a Texas public university stopped without earning a degree. More than half of those had earned 100 hours or more, 20 hours shy of a typical bachelor’s degree.

“There are a whole lot of reasons why this population stopped out. Some of them we can’t overcome,” said Van Davis, special projects director at the board. “The sad thing is that some think it is out of reach and don’t even consider the possibility.”

Starting a family is a common reason, so going back to school is likely to be a juggling act between kids and full-time jobs, Davis said.

The eight partner institutions include University of Houston-Downtown, University of Houston-Clear Lake, Lamar University, Midwestern State University, Texas A&M University-Commerce, Texas Tech University, University of North Texas System and the University of Texas at Brownsville.

Returning students don’t have to live near one of the institutions; many of the programs and courses are offered online. Others are offered during the evening to accommodate working adults, Davis said.

If the program is successful, the Coordinating Board plans to expand the number of institutions and degrees.

GradTX.org will also include testimonials from people like Michael Hanks, a Houston resident with a wife and three kids who earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Houston-Downtown while working full-time as a mailman.

Hanks went to class after work and often did not see his kids all day. He studied at night, sometimes closing the book and getting ready for work. But he also found that he loved school. Formerly a B and C student in high school and community college, Hanks made A’s at UH.

“It was important that I do this for my kids,” Hanks said. “I wanted them to see that getting a degree is important.”

GenTX Day is a day for communities to show their support for Texas students, particularly the graduating class of 2011, by celebrating their accomplishments and encouraging them to pursue higher education as a critical next step for their futures.

In recognition of GenTX Day, H-E-B encouraged over 50,000 of their partners (employees) in all Texas stores to join Texans across the state in showing their support for the students of Generation TX by wearing their favorite college t-shirt. H-E-B employees also wore customized “GenTX + H-E-B” buttons for the day to highlight this partnership and express their continued support for Texas students.

“H-E-B has always been a strong supporter of education,” said Jorge Elizondo, H.E.B vice president of consumer insights and Generation TX Board Member.

Generation TX is an initiative of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, with funding from the federal College Access Challenge Grant.

In recognition of GenTX Day, H-E-B will encourage over 50,000 of their Partners (employees) in all Texas stores to join Texans across the state in showing their support for the students of Generation TX by wearing their favorite college t-shirt. H-E-B Partners will also wear customized “GenTX + H-E-B” buttons for the day to highlight this partnership and express their continued support for Texas students.

“H-E-B has always been a strong supporter of education,” shares Jorge Elizondo, H-E-B Vice President of Consumer Insights and Generation TX Board Member.

“Through our partnership with Generation TX, we hope to make a positive difference for Texans considering or pursuing college or career education.” An initiative of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, with funding from the federal College Access Challenge Grant, Generation TX (GenTX) is a statewide, grassroots movement committed to creating what’s next for Texas: a culture of college and career readiness that leads to the most successful generation ever. On May 20, 2011, Generation TX is asking all Texans to wear their favorite college t-shirt in recognition of GenTX Day to paint a powerful picture of the state’s united support for the students of Generation TX, encouraging them on their path to higher education. Legislative resolutions and mayoral proclamations declaring May 20 as GenTX Day will also be issued to further recognize the accomplishments and great potential of these students.

Dr. Raymund Paredes, Texas Commissioner of Higher Education, stated, “H-E-B has always been a strong supporter of the communities it serves and of education in particular. I am extremely gratified, as are the members of our Board, at this strong show of support by H-E-B for the students of Generation TX.” About H-E-B: Renowned for its innovation and community service, H-E-B, with sales of more than $16 billion, operates 329 stores in Texas and Mexico. The company is recognized for its fresh food, quality products, convenient services, and a commitment to environmental responsibility and sustainability. It strives to provide the best customer experience at every day low prices. Based in San Antonio, H-E-B employs more than 76,000 Partners and serves millions of customers in more than 150 communities. For more information, visit www.heb.com.

About Generation TX: Generation TX is a statewide, grassroots movement creating what’s next for Texas: a culture of college and career readiness that leads to the most successful generation ever. For more information, please visit www.GenTX.org.

The event is to encourage youngsters, particularly the graduating class of 2011, to think about attending college.

Carmelita Freeman, regional director at the US Department of Justice community relations services, will speak at the event and discuss ways to seek financial help. There will be food, beverages, educational videos, and GenTX giveaways to help encourage students to move toward college.

Want to help out in a small way? It’s easy.

GenTX is encouraging all Texans to wear a t-shirt of their favorite college on Friday, just to let the new generation know they are supported as they go to college and become career ready.

This t-shirt thing could be scary. Most people’s alma mater shirts from way back when won’t fit over their beer bellies. The scary part is they’ll wear them anyway.

In a new video released today by Generation TX, an effort started last year by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to encourage students to pursue college, the former Longhorn QB says that when growing up on the south side of Houston, he didn’t think he’d ever get to go to college.

“I didn’t think that academic-wise I was smart enough, that I could keep up with other students,” Young says. “But when I set my mind to it, with the strong supporting cast I had with my family members, it pushed me to be the man that I am today.”

Young says that growing up he was told he would drop out and become a druggie. Instead, though, Young repeated ninth grade in night school, so he could get caught up and improve his grades. He ended up graduating from Madison High School and enrolling at Texas.

The experience taught him a lesson, he says, and at UT the standout football player says he made the academic honor roll.

The Vince Young Foundation and Generation TX strive to “inspire and engage [the] youth of Texas to become the most successful generation ever.”

The groups are partnering to host a “Unity in the Community” summit in Houston this weekend.

Young played at Texas from 2002-2005, leading the Horns to the 2004 Rose Bowl victory and the 2005 win over USC for the National Championship.

He left Texas to join the NFL and played for the Tennessee Titans until leaving the team at the end of last season.

Young is also a Life Member of the Texas Exes.