Today, Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo officials awarded several Houston-area community colleges and technical institutions with $400,000 in Vocational Scholarships for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Each program that receives educational funding through the Rodeo’s Vocational Scholarship Program will manage the selection and distribution of its scholarship funds. Two additional schools will receive vocational funding in 2024—Del Mar College and Victoria College—expanding the Rodeo’s geographic impact and increasing the total number of schools to nine. The remaining Houston-area colleges include Houston Community College, Lamar Institute of Technology, Lee College, Lone Star College, San Jacinto College, Texas State Technical College, and Wharton County Junior College.
“It is our mission at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo to nurture the next generation of skilled workers. There is a continuous demand for these individuals in our workforce and we are proud to be able to support them in their post-secondary education journey,” said Chris Boleman, Rodeo president and CEO. “We are thrilled to be able to expand our impact this year, creating more opportunities for students in Houston.”
At a glance:
- 75 scholarships awarded to support 22 different associate degrees or occupational certificate programs
- Top programs: nursing, HVAC, welding, radiologic technology, and construction management
- 37% of the 2024 Scholarships were awarded to healthcare related degree programs
- The majority remains focused on the industrial degree programs
- New: Del Mar College’s Aviation Maintenance Associate’s Degree
The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo recognizes the growing need for healthcare professionals, which is why HLSR is now allowing schools to request support for these types of degrees or certifications. Some of those include nursing, radiologic technology, medial lab technology, pharmacy technology, physical therapist assistant and occupational therapy. Students interested in funding through the Rodeo’s Vocational Scholarship Program can reach out to the school’s financial aid office for more information on available scholarships.
These Vocational Scholarships represent a portion of the Rodeo’s annual commitment to Texas youth and education. Since the Vocational Scholarship Program began in 2015, the Rodeo has allocated more than $1.9 million to this program. Additional information about the Rodeo’s Vocational Scholarship Program can be found here: https://www.rodeohouston.com/scholarships-and-grants/vocational-scholarships/
About the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo
The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo promotes agriculture by hosting an annual, family-friendly experience that educates and entertains the public, supports Texas youth, showcases Western heritage, and provides year-round educational support within the community. Since its beginning in 1932, the Rodeo has committed more than $600 million to the youth of Texas and education. The 2025 Rodeo is scheduled for March 4 – March 23. The 2025 World’s Championship Bar-B-Que Contest, presented by Cotton Holdings, is scheduled for Feb. 27 – March 1. For more information, visit rodeohouston.com and follow @RODEOHOUSTON online via Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube for all the latest news.