TAMU-CC and Corpus Christi ISD Sign Dual Credit Agreement Bringing College-Level Courses to Moody High School
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas –Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi and the Corpus Christi Independent School District have signed a memorandum of understanding establishing Foy H. Moody High School as the newest partner in the university's Islander Academy Dual Credit Program.
The agreement makes Moody High School the first campus in Corpus Christi to offer courses in the Geospatial Engineering and Land Surveying (GELS) pathway — an innovative STEM program which prepares students for careers in land surveying, mapping, and geospatial engineering.
“Today is a very exciting day as we welcome our newest Islander Academy partner,” said TAMU-CC President and CEO, Dr. Kelly M. Miller. “With the addition of Moody, our Islander Academy has grown to nearly 400 students.”
This fall, eight Moody High School students are dual enrolled in Digital Drafting and Design, a course introducing the principles of surveying and mapping through computer-aided drafting (CAD). The course marks the first step in the GELS pathway, which combines classroom instruction with hands-on learning and industry credentials.
“What makes this partnership especially impactful is its focus on connecting students to careers that are critical to the Coastal Bend region,” said Seneca Holland, Geospatial Science Program Coordinator.
Moody joins Klein ISD near Houston and A.C. Jones High School in Beeville as GELS pathway partners — programs where enrollment is thriving and graduates have gone on to pursue related careers or continue their education at TAMU-CC.
“Our goal is to support students as they progress through the GELS program, whether they choose to enter the workforce immediately or continue their education at TAMU-CC,” Holland said. “In either case, they will be well prepared to pursue meaningful careers that contribute to both their personal success and the needs of the Coastal Bend community.”
TAMU-CC's Geospatial Science undergraduate program is the only ABET-accredited program of its kind in Texas, and its graduates have achieved a 100% in-field job placement rate.
“The development of this dual credit pathway represents a forward-thinking investment in our students and our community,” said Dr. Enrique Vela ’99, ’04, ’23, Foy. H. Moody High School Principal. “This innovation creates meaningful opportunities for our students in high-demand, high-paying real-world fields.”
Demand for land surveyors in Texas is rising, with about 40% of current registered professionals expected to reach retirement age within five years. The average annual salary for registered land surveyors is $127,000.
Islander Academy offers students the opportunity to take college courses at their high school, fully online, or on the Texas A&M-Corpus Christi campus. In addition to earning college credit, students gain academic support, hands-on learning opportunities, and access to campus experiences such as Islanders athletic events and concerts. Current Islander Academy partners include Flour Bluff ISD, Gregory-Portland ISD, Incarnate Word Academy, Rockport-Fulton ISD, and Tuloso-Midway ISD.
Beyond academics, dual credit students receive full academic support and gain access to campus life — including Islander Athletics games and concerts. The program saves students time and money while building confidence and equipping them with essential skills such as critical thinking and effective communication.
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