Norma Ortiz McCormick, former Director for the Region One Office of College, Career and Life Readiness, is a highly recognized advocate for students and families who have been underserved and underrepresented. In her 28 years as a Texas educator, Mrs. McCormick emerged as a leader excelling at partnership building developing high quality programs directly serving over 40,000 students in five federal grant-funded programs and in additional state and privately funded grants that focused on expanding work force and other partnerships. In addition to serving as Director for the Office, she led efforts as Coordinator of a New Schools Venture Fund Grant, in partnership with ACT and acted as Interim Director for the College Now - Career Set! GEAR UP Partnership Grant. Additionally, she served as the principal investigator for a highly successful "GED for All and Elevate Beyond" Grant which focused on supporting adult learners from GED attainment to post-secondary credentials. She indirectly provided ongoing support to over 430,000 students, educators and families in the Region One service area. She and her team managed over 20 million dollars in funding annually in a diverse portfolio and have led efforts in attaining over 180 million dollars in grant funding. Mrs. McCormick, and her team, focused on transforming schools into college-going communities, are instrumental in leveraging team efforts to quadruple Center for Excellence in College and Career Readiness service and support offerings open to the public.Ms. McCormick, a first generation American and college graduate, graduated from the University of Texas-Pan American with her Bachelor of Arts and Master of Counseling and Guidance with Magna Cum Laude distinction. She earned the Project Management Certificate from Cornell University and the University of Texas. She led federal, state and private grants secured funding to ensure that her community had the supports needed in the area of education. She established and sustained local, state and national partnerships with various organizations including ACT, the National Council for Community and Education Partnerships, local ABC affiliate, Channel 5 News and co-developed numerous local, state and national pilots that have been sustained over time. Her philosophy is that all children will be successful if they are provided with the tools and the information needed and the results of her work epitomize the positive effects that may be leveraged through high-quality networks of support.