DENTON, Texas — A new educational partnership has been formalized between the University of North Texas (UNT) and Harmony Public Schools (HPS), aimed at creating enhanced pathways for charter school students to transition into higher education.
The collaboration, marked by the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding, outlines the plans of both institutions to combine efforts in supporting HPS high school students. UNT’s Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, Michael McPherson, highlighted the long-term nature of the partnership and its intended benefits for students in the North Texas region.
Central to this collaboration is the shared objective of improving college preparation, readiness, access, and the overall success of HPS students. UNT is slated to offer outreach activities and workshops at HPS campuses, train HPS educators and counselors in the college admission process, and host HPS students to experience campus life. In return, HPS will continue its support for its alumni attending UNT, offering them opportunities to serve as peer mentors.
Khalid Alazawi, a UNT freshman and Harmony School of Innovation-Fort Worth graduate, is already stepping into a mentorship role. Alazawi attributes his preparedness for this role to the leadership skills he developed at Harmony.
The partnership further extends to offering UNT education majors classroom observation opportunities at HPS. Harun Karan, the North Texas District Superintendent for HPS, expressed confidence in the partnership’s potential to not only support individual students but also to enrich the broader learning community.
About Harmony Public Schools: Harmony Public Schools operates 62 public charter college prep schools in Texas, delivering a rigorous, STEM-focused education to over 41,000 students. Established in 2000, Harmony has since expanded to serve students in seven distinct regions across the state, maintaining a commitment to equipping students from traditionally underserved communities with the skills needed for global citizenship.