MetroNational Partners with SBEF to Offer Scholarships and More

From left: Mark Christensen, human resources director, MetroNational; Katherine Koslan and Katie Dickerson, both from Spring Woods High School; Sharonda Daniels, employment coordinator, MetroNational

Partnership is important to Spring Branch Education Foundation and Spring Branch ISD. For 25 years, the two have worked together to fund education-enhancing projects and scholarships that ensure student success. Along the way, community leaders, organizations and businesses have worked with the Foundation toward this common goal.

One such collaboration is with MetroNational, the firm that develops and manages 265 contiguous acres at the center of the Spring Branch/Memorial area.

This year, MetroNational has donated two $6,000 scholarships. Named the Memorial City Mall Scholarships, they are earmarked for graduates of Spring Woods High School: Katherine Koslan and Katie Dickerson.

“As part of the community, we understand supporting education is good for the community’s long-term health,” says Steve Nisenson, MetroNational’s director of marketing. “We work with Spring Branch Education Foundation to look for ways to contribute.”

“We’re especially interested in helping students who are the first in their families to go to college,” Mark Christensen, director of human resources, says. Scholarship recipients are encouraged to follow their dreams, whether that means college or trade school – a philosophy that mirrors SBISD’s T-2-4 measures designed to double student post-graduation success.

Supporting SBISD schools isn’t new to MetroNational.

Shadow Oaks Elementary welcomes its generosity of donations and people power at the school’s fall festival, teacher’s appreciation events and the fifth-grade observation of Earth Day. Every day is Earth Day when students walk through the butterfly garden built by MetroNational’s landscaping group.

MetroNational’s interest in the community is evident when one considers its acreage and buildings, and especially its people. “The majority of our 125 employees live in the area. We’re seeing our second generation of employees who are committed to the district,” Christensen says. Two employees, father and son, both graduated from Spring Woods High School.

MetroNational and the Foundation work well together, according to SBEF Executive Director Cece Thompson. When she was looking for a neighborhood venue for the 2nd annual Cookin’ for a Cause event, she turned to Scooter Hicks, MetroNational’s chief operating officer and an SBEF board member. Very quickly, he offered the former Sports Authority site at 10225 Katy Freeway. That’s what partners do.