Millions invested in Dallas County’s higher education institutions

(Special to The Dallas Examiner) – A second transformative $50 million investment in North Texas higher education institutions to expand opportunity and improve degree completion for Dallas County students was recently presented from the O’Donnell Foundation. In conjunction with the investment of $60 million late last year to the Dallas County Promise, this collectively represents one of the largest philanthropic investments to grow postsecondary success in the history of our region.

The contribution was announced at a special event at the Dallas Museum of Art, Oct. 6.

The grants will support four institutions – Dallas College Foundation will receive $20 million, University of North Texas at Dallas will receive $17 million, University of Texas at Dallas will receive $8 million and Southern Methodist University will receive $5 million.

“At Dallas College, we are committed to busting barriers that too often keep students from completing their higher education journey,” said Dallas College Chancellor Justin Lonon. “This investment will help ensure all our students – regardless of background – receive the support, guidance, and resources they need to thrive. We are grateful to the O’Donnell Foundation for believing in our students and investing in their futures.”

In its 60th year, Dallas College is one of the largest community colleges in the U.S., consisting of seven campuses – Brookhaven, Cedar Valley, Eastfield, El Centro, Mountain View, North Lake and Richland, plus a dozen centers located throughout Dallas County.

“UNT Dallas accepts this generous and transformational gift, which is the largest in the university’s history, with deep gratitude and appreciation,” UNT Dallas President Warren von Eschenbach said. “It will support expanded classroom-to-career initiatives and ensure UNT Dallas students have access to the resources they need for a successful, purpose-driven, career-ready future.”

UNT Dallas will use a significant portion of the funds to establish a new team of Student Success Coaches, who will support students from admission through graduation, helping them navigate college and ensuring they have the necessary resources to succeed.

The coaches are one of several university-wide initiatives announced by von Eschenbach at the start of the 2025-26 academic year. He said they will be “the connectors” between students and resources that help them thrive and graduate fully prepared for a competitive, evolving workforce.

The investments will provide the following for all institutions:

• Expand Success Coaching to provide individualized support to thousands of Pell Grant-eligible students transferring from Dallas College to regional Promise four-year partner institutions as they pursue bachelor’s degrees, ensuring students have personalized coaching throughout their college journey.

• Establish the Dallas County Promise Transfer Success Fund, providing financial assistance toward cost of attendance, including living expenses, for select students transferring from Dallas College to regional Promise four-year universities who agree to sign reverse-transfer credit agreements with Dallas College. The Dallas College Foundation board agreed to substantially augment this Success Fund with a $10 million Foundation allocation, bringing the initial size of the Fund to $30 million.

• Launch and sustain early recruitment programs at SMU, UTD and UNTD targeting Dallas County Promise middle and high school students experiencing economic disadvantage to expose them to the possibilities of higher education and encourage their continued focus on college readiness and enrollment.

“By aligning school districts, higher education institutions, philanthropy, and community partners, we can absolutely change the trajectory for Dallas students and our region,” Commit Partnership CEO Todd Williams said. “These investments are not just in institutions – they represent investments in the lives of our young people who will fuel the future prosperity of North Texas.”

The initiative builds on the work of the Dallas County Promise, a coalition of school districts, colleges, universities, foundations, and nonprofits aimed at expanding postsecondary access and success for the region’s students.

“The O’Donnell Foundation’s generosity allows us to launch the Dallas County Promise Transfer Success Fund – an unprecedented endowment that will ease the financial burden for thousands of students as they continue their education,” said Dallas College Foundation Executive Director Josh Skolnick. “This is about more than financial aid; it’s about creating a connected, coherent set of supports that give students the confidence and resources to transfer, thrive and earn a four-year degree.”

With this investment, Dallas County Promise students will gain greater financial support, tailored advising, and long-term pathways to success – strengthening the region’s workforce and economy for years to come.

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