Education Committee
Chair Erin Windham, Nacogdoches ISD
Mission - To enhance the quality of life for individuals of Nacogdoches County by linking education, economic development, and the community to support leadership, academic growth, and workforce readiness.
The Education Committee meets on the 3rd Tuesday of each Month; if interested in joining please contact Barbara Holl at chamber@nactx.com or 936-560-5533. Follow us on Facebook!
Programs of the Education Committee:
Leaders of Tomorrow – LOT Crew:
Subcommittee Chair – Micheal Stidham
The purpose of LOT Crew is to develop leadership skills in grade eight students, who were selected to represent their schools. The program provides opportunities for the LOT Crew students to explore different aspects of the community, city, county, and businesses. The program begins in September with a Saturday LOT Crew Retreat; the LOT Crew meets once a month throughout the school year for off-campus community exploration and leadership development. In late Spring, the LOT Crew students are honor with a graduation ceremony. For more information on the LOT Crew please click here for the program description. Applications are accepted in the Spring.
Call Barbara Holl at 936-560-5533 with questions.
Great Expectations:
The Great Expectations Program guides young people to consider a pathway to success. Chamber volunteers present the program using a selection of economic outcomes for various careers. The program is the first opportunity to present information on the N.O.B.L.E. Scholar program. The Great Expectations program encourages and motives students to aspire for future success.
Nacogdoches County’s Opportunity for Better Learning Experience (N.O.B.L.E.) 
Subcommittee Chair - Adam Freeland
N.O.B.L.E. Scholars:
N.O.B.L.E. students are challenged to take and master advanced classes and complete a community service project. Completing the N.O.B.L.E. curriculum will lead students to increased opportunities, better jobs and higher self-esteem, and the business community benefits from a stronger work force. N.O.B.L.E. stands for Nacogdoches County Opportunity for a Better Learning Experience. Click for more information.
N.O.B.L.E. Scholars are recognized at the annual N.O.B.L.E. Scholars banquet in the Spring of their senior year. All N.O.B.L.E. Scholars are presented with a medallion to wear at graduation. N.O.B.L.E. Scholars are eligible to apply for the N.O.B.L.E. Scholarship ($1,000) to attend Stephen F. Austin State University.
Are you interested in becoming a N.O.B.L.E. Scholar? Click here for infographic with QR code to sign up for more information.
These local businesses have volunteer opportunities available for High School students.
AAUW Nacogdoches Alcohol & Drug Abuse Council Bryant 1 Consulting
Coldwell Banker Blueberry Realty Royal B Threads LLC
Still Interiors at The Fredonia Timber Creek Church
N.O.B.L.E. Scholarship:
The N.O.B.L.E. Scholarship for $1,000 is awarded to selected N.O.B.L.E. Scholars who plan to attend Stephen F. Austin State University. The application is available in the Spring. The N.O.B.L.E. Scholarships 2021 were provided by major sponsor Citizens 1st Bank; Etech; Fairchild, Price, Haley & Smith, LLP; and Laird Funeral Home.
A selection committee from the education and business communities will review each application and determine scholarship recipients. Incomplete applications will NOT be considered for selection. Scholarships will be disbursed through the financial aid office at Stephen F. Austin State University and then dispersed to the student at the rate of $500 per semester in which the recipient is enrolled for 12 or more semester hours and is in good standing academically.
Future Programs in the development stage:
Adult Education:
Subcommittee Chair – Mario Torres
The Adult Education program is new to the Education Committee and is in the planning stages. The Adult Education program is looking at both professional and personal development through educational experiences. If you are interested in assisting with developing this program please contact Barbara Holl at chamber@nactx.com or 936-560-5533.
Career Exploration Program:
The Education Committee is exploring the possibility to provide a career exploration day for all Nacogdoches County grade eight students.
Job Shadowing Program:
The Education Committee is exploring the possibility of connecting high school juniors with the opportunity to job shadow with local businesses. Job shadowing hours may be applied to community service hours for the N.O.B.L.E. Scholars program.
