Exploring Effective Employer Partnerships with Educate Texas and Ascension Health

Educate Texas, a grantee from Round Three of the Catalyze Challenge, and Ascension Texas, a national hospital and healthcare system, have built an exemplary employer engagement model in Central Texas that connects high school students with real-world healthcare experiences, delivering impactful results for learners and the community as a whole.

Erica Simon, Deputy Director of Higher Ed Strategy formerly with Educate Texas, said that the partnership began through a network connection. “We were looking for an employer in the healthcare sector to partner with for our Catalyze grant. Luckily, we were introduced to Dena Shirley at Ascension Texas, who had already masterminded an amazing paid internship program for CTE healthcare students in Austin,” she said.

Once connected, Dena Shirley, who leads Ascension Texas’ internship initiatives, saw an immediate alignment with Educate Texas’ focus on underserved students. Through the partnership, students participate in paid internships across various roles at Ascension Texas hospitals. These opportunities allow them to explore healthcare careers firsthand while helping Ascension Texas build a pipeline of skilled talent.

“Our mission at Ascension Texas is to serve our community, especially the poor and vulnerable. Partnering with Title I schools allows us to meet students where they are,” Shirley said. “Interns in the program often don’t realize the range of roles available in healthcare — whether in radiology tech, labs or food service. By providing work-based learning experiences, we’re opening the door to many different potential careers. It’s eye-opening and confidence-building.”

For Ascension Texas, the program helps mitigate workforce shortages and enhance retention.

“There’s a demand in healthcare for workers at many skill levels. Paid internships and apprenticeships ensure that students want to return, stay and grow within these roles,” Shirley said. “Employers benefit from these programs by reducing turnover and gaining a work-ready workforce tailored to their needs. It’s a win-win for both sides.”

To best prepare students for healthcare careers, the partnership between Educate Texas and Ascension Texas emphasizes both technical and soft skills such as communication, time management and professionalism. The comprehensive curriculum ensures students are ready for both immediate employment and long-term career growth.

Both Educate Texas and Ascension Texas see their partnership as a replicable model that can be expanded to other business settings and locations. Educate Texas already has plans in motion to expand their programs across Texas, providing more students with healthcare career exposure and experience. 

For organizations looking to establish similar programs, both Simon and Shirley offered pieces of advice: 

“You need strong business and school leaders who believe in this work and are willing to lead,” Simon said. 

Shirley added, “Clarity of vision and patience are key. Be willing to pivot, learn and navigate challenges.”