Aldine ISD Partners With Young Women’s Preparatory Network to Launch College Success Program

College Success Advisors now serving students at Aldine High School and Avalos P-TECH School.

Aldine ISD has joined forces with the Young Women’s Preparatory Network (YWPN) to introduce a distinctive College Prep program at Aldine High School and Avalos P-TECH School. This program offers personalized college guidance, including one-on-one support with college applications, financial aid, and career pathways. With a focus on individual needs, this two-year initiative is designed to turn students’ college aspirations into reality.

The program is made possible by a two-year grant awarded to YWPN. It is designed to provide comprehensive support to up to 200 students across the two campuses. Services include individualized guidance on college applications and essays, financial aid advising, college-readiness workshops, parent engagement programs, college trips, and access to advanced advising tools, such as Admit AI.

Why These Campuses?

“These two campuses were selected by Aldine ISD to participate in the program,” said Jeremy Cortez, Executive Director of College Success at YWPN. “We are excited to bring our College Prep program to these schools and provide sustained, personalized support to students.”

Cortez emphasized that YWPN’s model’s strength lies in one-on-one guidance tailored to each student’s needs.

“Our advisors work directly with students on applications, essays, career pathways, and financial aid navigation,” he said. “The program also provides parent engagement and tools like Admit AI, creating a supportive ecosystem to help students confidently navigate the college process.”

The program’s success will be measured through both qualitative and quantitative data, including milestone tracking, ongoing advising sessions, student and family feedback, college applications and acceptances, scholarship awards, and college matriculation rates.

College Success Advisors: On Campus, Full-Time

Meet our dedicated College Success Advisors, Javier Osornio at Aldine High School and Stephanie Mintz at Avalos P-TECH School. They are not just advisors, but also individuals who deeply understand the challenges and aspirations of the students they serve. Their full-time presence on campus allows them to build strong relationships, offer immediate guidance, and help students stay on track through every step of the college application process.

Aldine High School: Javier Osornio

For Aldine High School graduate Javier Osornio, this role is deeply personal.

“Serving my alma mater gives me a deep sense of purpose,” Osornio said. “When I graduated in 2008, I lacked many of the resources needed to thrive after high school. Returning now allows me to support students facing similar challenges by providing the guidance and opportunities I once needed.”

A first-generation college graduate who immigrated from San Juan del Río, Querétaro, México, Osornio uses both his experiences and his bilingual background to build trust with students.

“As a first-generation student, I know the confusion and fear that can come with the process — that connection builds trust,” he said. “With empathy, honest guidance, and unwavering support, I help students feel empowered and ready to confidently pursue their college journey.”

He encourages students to fully engage with all available resources.

“It’s not enough to just hear advice — success comes from taking action, applying what you learn, and using every resource at your disposal,” he said.

What excites him most about College Prep?

“The power to transform lives and shift mindsets at Aldine High School,” Osornio said. “Being the founding College Success Advisor means opening doors students didn’t know existed and shaping the trajectory of our community.”

Avalos P-TECH School: Stephanie Mintz

At Avalos P-TECH School, Stephanie Mintz brings a deep personal connection and a student-centered approach.

“I relate on a personal level to the students Aldine ISD and Avalos P-TECH serve,” Mintz said. “Many of their experiences mirror my own, and that drives my passion for supporting them.”

Mintz emphasizes perspective and balance in college preparation. “I teach students to outline responsibilities, break tasks into manageable steps, and stay focused on what they can control,” she said. “Sometimes they just need reassurance that they are capable and that they’re not alone in the process.”

She also works closely with families through virtual sessions, campus visits, and guided questions, helping them feel informed and confident as they support their student’s college journey.

One of the many success stories from our program highlights its transformative impact. A student, initially lacking confidence and believing college wasn’t possible, was accepted to several reach schools and chose to attend Texas Tech University. She is now set to graduate with a bachelor’s in political science and is preparing for law school. This success story is a perfect example of the program’s ability to help students realize their full potential.

“My favorite part is helping students realize their full potential and showing them that they are capable of great things,” Mintz said. “Watching them begin to believe it is truly the most rewarding part of what I do.”

A Shared Vision for Student Success

This is not the first time Aldine ISD and YWPN have worked together. They have had a running partnership with Aldine Young Women’s Leadership Academy since the school opened in 2021. The district is proud to expand its collaboration to strengthen college readiness.

“This partnership exemplifies our commitment to expanding opportunities for every student,” said Dr. Autumn Boyd, Aldine ISD senior executive director of postsecondary outcomes. “By working together with YWPN, we are creating pathways that help students imagine, plan for, and achieve a future in higher education.”

For more information about the College Prep program or to learn how students can participate, families are encouraged to connect with the College Success Advisor on their campus.