“Building Better Waco,” a report co-authored by Dr. Colby Humphrey and PS major Jackson Boone, is released by the Center for Public Justice

September 25, 2024

Dr. Colby Humphrey, a lecturer at the Political Science Department, and a senior in Mechanical Engineering and Political Science Jackson Boone (’26 Baylor University) published a report Building a Better Waco: CTE Programs for the Future with policy analysis and recommendations for the municipal government of Waco. 

Funded by 2024 Hartfield Prize for student-faculty collaboration, their report analyzed the entire network of workforce programs offered in the Waco community by public and private actors, including the role of federal and state policy and the work of local nonprofit organizations. 

During their research the co-authors of the report interviewed representatives from the Waco Chamber of Commerce, Mission Waco, United Way, Heart of Texas Goodwill Industries, Prosper Waco, the city of Waco's Economic Development Department, The City of Waco's Housing and Community Development Office, and the Texas State Technical College.

The report’s recommendations, which will be shared with local government agencies, include:

  • more direct support from the city to support wraparound services (childcare, housing, and transportation) to individuals participating in workforce programs;
  • more coordination and financial support from the city with community organizations focused on workforce development programs;
  • more robust evaluations of post-program completion to make improvements as needed.

Through their recommendations, the authors seek to improve workforce development in Waco and address local inequities for those struggling to enter or advance within the local economy. 

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