EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) -- El Paso Community College and the University of Texas at El Paso have begun their month-and-a-half-long Operation College Bound mission. They will make 22 stops at high schools in El Paso from now until May 3, EPCC said. Photos by Shaun Felice/KTSM Photos by Shaun Felice/KTSM This is designed as an "enrollment road show" to bring recruitment and student services departments to local high-school campuses, El Paso Community College said in a news release. It is a way to showcase academic opportunities and a way to help students register for the summer and fall semesters, EPCC added. Operation College Bound features EPCC and UTEP staff from departments like Admissions, Financial Aid, Registration, Testing, New Student Orientation, First-Year Experience, Counseling, and Recruitment Services, among others, aimed at making the enrollment process and course information easy to obtain, setting students up for college success at the event, EPCC said. “Since its inception in 2018, Operation College Bound provides students that community access,” EPCC Director of Recruitment Services Michael Talamantes said. “It removes barriers when a student might feel intimidated to go to a certain college campus, ask questions, get enrolled, so that’s why both EPCC and UTEP bring our staff members to the schools, remove all those barriers, and work with high school administrations to provide these resources to students.” On Monday, March 24, Harmony Public Schools said it made history by being the first charter school to host Operation College Bpound. "This milestone event will provide crucial support to high-school seniors as they navigate the college application and enrollment process, ensuring a seamless transition to higher education," Harmony said in a news release. The Monday's event took place at Harmony School of Science Middle/High. "This event is a major step forward in expanding college access for students in El Paso County. By partnering with a charter school for the first time, EPCC and UTEP are demonstrating their commitment to reaching a broader student population and ensuring that every senior, regardless of their school setting, has access to vital resources for college success," Harmony said. The Operation College Bound schedule features every school district in the County of El Paso, and on May 3, EPCC will host Tejano Day at the Transmountain Campus, which will serve as a "catch-all" for students and parents who were not able to attend any of the high school programs, including private and parochial schools, EPCC said. Tejano Day will be from 9 a.m. to noon on May 3 at the Transmountain campus and will feature food, music, tours, and information on attending EPCC, with the ability to sign up right then and there. On April 28, Eastwood High School will host Operation College Bound featuring the presidents from both EPCC, William Serrata, and UTEP, Heather Wilson. For more information on Operation College Bound, please visit: https://www.epcc.edu/Services/Recruitment. ...read more read less