Dr. Manson B. Johnson II
Executive Director
In 1998, Dr. Manson B. Johnson, II, founded EastSide University Village Community Learning Center as the educational branch of the non-profit South East Houston Community Development Corporation. Dr. Johnson has served as Holman Street Baptist Church Shepherd-Teacher since 1977. He was born in Nashville, Tennessee and reared in Starkville, Mississippi. His father was a pastor and his mother a schoolteacher. After earning a Bachelors degree in History and Government from Texas Southern University and a certified degree in mathematics from Prairie View A & M University, Dr. Johnson went into the field of education and began teaching at Cullen Middle School in the Houston Independent School District. Dr. Johnson is a founding board member at Texas Southern University and serves on many boards throughout the city and state including Crimes Stoppers and the Sports Authority. His tireless commitment to changing the educational, economic, and physical landscape of Houston's Third Ward and the Greater Houston Area is the driving force behind EastSide University.
Jackie Aguilera
CEO
Jackie Aguilera has over 25 years experience in adult education and curriculum development. She has taught basic literacy, ESL, college success courses, and workforce readiness skills development at UH Downtown, University of Houston, Houston Community College, and the Houston Center for Literacy. Jackie served as Program Manager for English@Work, a work site based instruction model, and as the Director for Adult Education at the Houston Center for Literacy. She is on the advisory board for the PVAM Cooperative Extension Program for Family & Consumer Sciences, a member of the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation Partner Network, COABE Host AEL Strand Partner, and a member of the adult education committees for Houston Money Week and the Alliance for Economic Inclusion.
M. Bracy Johnson III
Student Services and Facilities Manager
Bracy Johnson received his B.A. in Business Administration from Texas Lutheran University. He is a native Houstonian and resident of Houston's Third Ward. As a devoted father of two daughters, Bracy is committed to the future of our community. He is the founder/Executive VP of the Senate Distrcit 13 PAC, founder and board member of Happy Angels Learning Center, and a member of the Harris Early Voting Ballot Board. As VP of Student Services at EastSide University, Bracy insures that the school provides innovative, effective appr
Dr. Manson B. Johnson II founded the Southeast Houston Community Development Corporation (SEHCDC) as a Texas Community non-profit 501 (c) 3 Corporation in 1995. The SEHCDC is certified and recognized by the City of Houston’s, Housing and Community Development Department ( HCDD) and the State of Texas, Department of Housing and Community Affairs as a Community Housing Development Organization (CHDO).
In 1998, SEHCDC established the East Side University Village Community Learning Center (EastSide University) as an outreach project for very low to moderate-income youths and adults. Its mission is to provide educational assistance and job skills development through information and computer technology resources and is designed to supplement existing community resources. EastSide University is a workforce readiness and adult education center dedicated to re-entry education and development.
A Champion for Literacy, East Side University:
• Bridges the digital divide by providing tuition-supported technical and vocational skills classes and access to information and resources needed to positively impact the cycle of generational poverty since its founding in 1998 by the South East Houston Community Development Corporation.
• Serves over 200 unduplicated adults and their families each year, providing a second-chance educational alternative to those who were previously “living on the edge" but desire a new found purpose and the marketable skill set required to succeed as productive citizens.
• Consists of a diverse group of students from all over the globe with backgrounds ranging from high school dropouts, to under/un-employed, ex-offenders, single parents, military veterans, employed seeking promotion, immigrants, and retired seniors.
• Utilizes a "literacy pipeline" approach to learning that helps students transition to, and succeed in, vocational training, college, and the workplace.
• Operates as one of only fourteen “special purpose schools” in Houston, Texas, accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS/AdvancEd).
• Provides accredited, quality instruction and learning based on equity, high expectations, learning support services, student engagement, progress monitoring and feedback, learning application, management, and technology integration.
• Provides a community based response to “real life” issues facing 21st century urban living and inner-city neighborhoods and families.
• Provides a gathering place for knowledge for people of all ages offering educational assistance and job skills development through information, computer technology, and existing community resources.
• Offers computer skills, English for non-native speakers, GED preparation, Spanish, basic literacy (reading, writing, and math), citizenship exam preparation, parenting and nutrition, college and career preparation, and financial education classes through the generous support of community partners.