Stay the Course® expands to Texas Wesleyan, bringing evidence-based student support to Rams pursuing degrees and economic mobility
FORT WORTH, Texas – A college education can change the trajectory of a life. But for too many students, the biggest threats to graduation have nothing to do with academics. A car repair. A childcare crisis. A medical bill. An unexpected setback that forces a difficult choice between staying in school and meeting immediate needs.
On Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2026, from 9 to 10 a.m., Catholic Charities Fort Worth and Texas Wesleyan University will announce a new partnership to bring Stay the Course® to Texas Wesleyan students, connecting eligible students with personalized, one-on-one support designed to help them overcome barriers, persist in school and earn the credentials that lead to long-term economic opportunity. The announcement and signing ceremony will take place in Ballroom C of the Nick & Lou Martin University Center on the Texas Wesleyan campus, 3165 E. Rosedale St., Fort Worth, Texas 76105.
Developed by Catholic Charities Fort Worth, Stay the Course addresses the non-academic challenges that often derail college completion by pairing students with dedicated Navigators who provide individualized coaching, connect students to community resources and help remove barriers that stand between them and graduation.
Evaluated through a randomized controlled trial by the University of Notre Dame’s Wilson Sheehan Lab for Economic Opportunities (LEO), the program has demonstrated dramatic increases in credential completion. Students paired with a Navigator were four times more likely to graduate than their peers, and 35 percent of female participants completed a degree or credential within three years, compared to less than one percent in the comparison group.
Since launching in 2015, Stay the Course has served thousands of students across North Texas and expanded to college and university campuses throughout the Diocese of Fort Worth. The program is part of Catholic Charities Fort Worth’s broader strategy to end poverty by helping individuals earn credentials and degrees that lead to higher wages, stronger careers and lasting economic stability.
“Too often, we tell students education is the pathway to opportunity, then leave them to navigate every obstacle alone,” said Heather Reynolds, president and CEO of Catholic Charities Fort Worth. “The reality is that talent and determination are not enough when you’re choosing between paying a utility bill, caring for a child or staying enrolled another semester. Through this partnership with Texas Wesleyan, we’re making sure more students have the support they need to stay in school, earn a degree and unlock opportunities that can transform the future of an entire family.”
“At Texas Wesleyan, our mission is to transform the lives of students through education and this opportunity requires access,” said Dr. Emily Messer, president of Texas Wesleyan University. “Our partnership with Catholic Charities Fort Worth is about removing the barriers that stand between ambition and opportunity. Texas Wesleyan is proud to offer tuition discounts and scholarship support so that more students in our community can not only start college, but finish. When Catholic Charities’ legacy of service meets Texas Wesleyan’s commitment to life-changing education, the impact is real. We reach the students who need it most.”
This partnership reflects a shared commitment to student success, recognizing that persistence and graduation often require more than academic support alone. By addressing real-life barriers outside the classroom, Texas Wesleyan University and Catholic Charities Fort Worth aim to help more students remain enrolled, complete their degrees and enter the workforce prepared for long-term success.
About Catholic Charities Fort Worth
At Catholic Charities Fort Worth, we relentlessly end poverty through holistic, research-based solutions. Founded in 1910, CCFW serves tens of thousands of people in North Texas and across the nation each year. To learn more about Catholic Charities Fort Worth, visit www.catholiccharitiesfortworth.org.
About Texas Wesleyan University
Founded in 1890, Texas Wesleyan University is Fort Worth’s first institution of higher education. The small, affordable private university is located minutes from downtown Fort Worth and offers more than 40 areas of study in fully in-person, fully online and hybrid formats, along with athletics, fine arts and student organizations. Learn more at txwes.edu.