For the first time, YES Prep Public Schools and University of Houston–Downtown came together to host an exclusive college orientation designed specifically for YES Prep students.
The event marks a major milestone in the two-year partnership. What began as an idea has now grown into a large-scale, coordinated effort to support students at one of the most critical points in their academic journey, the transition from high school to college.
The University of Houston–Downtown is one of the top college destinations for YES Prep graduates, making this partnership especially important. This first-of-its-kind experience reflects a shared commitment to not only getting students accepted, but ensuring they are fully prepared to begin.
A New Approach to College Enrollment
More than 200 YES Prep seniors attended the event, joined by families, advisors, and university staff.
Unlike a traditional orientation, this experience was designed to be action-based.
Students spent the day meeting with advisors, reviewing class schedules, and completing key enrollment steps. From financial aid support to document follow-up, everything was available in one place. Transportation was provided, and families were invited to participate, removing common barriers that can delay or prevent enrollment.
“This is the first of its kind, an exclusive orientation just for YES Prep students,” said Ashanti Modlin, manager of alumni transition at YES Prep. “We designed it to remove barriers so students can actually enroll, not just get accepted.”
Students arrived prepared, many with declared majors in fields like nursing and science and technology, allowing them to move directly into advising and course planning.
The focus was clear. This was not just about introducing students to college. It was about helping them take the final steps to get there.
Expanding Access Through Partnership
For the University of Houston–Downtown, the partnership reflects a shared investment in accessibility and student success.
“We want YES Prep students to know they have an option at the University of Houston–Downtown,” said Dr. Elizabeth Villegas, assistant vice president for enrollment management at the University of Houston–Downtown, “This partnership is really about accessibility and making sure students feel supported from the start.”
By creating an orientation tailored specifically for YES Prep students, the university was able to provide more personalized support while helping students navigate the enrollment process with confidence.
“This also helps students build community early,” Villegas said. “They’re meeting classmates they’ll be with in the fall, often in the same majors and classes.”
Supporting Students Every Step of the Way
Throughout the day, students moved between advising sessions, resource tables, and group presentations, engaging directly with university staff and campus resources.
The structure of the event allowed students to make meaningful progress in a short amount of time. By bringing together advising, enrollment support, and key services in one place, students were able to complete steps that might otherwise take weeks.
For many, it was their first time navigating these processes with direct, hands-on support.
A Stronger Path Forward
As the partnership between YES Prep and the University of Houston–Downtown continues to grow, this model offers a new way to support students during one of the most important transitions in their education.
By focusing on access, preparation, and connection, the experience helps ensure students are not only accepted into college, but ready to begin.
For the students in attendance, it was a clear step forward.
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