HOUSTON -- Now that Texas Southern University has passed tougher admission standards, it is doing everything possible to help potential students succeed, including new programs led by a former NFL great and a partnership with a community college, KPRC Local 2, Your Education Station, reported Tuesday.

NFL Hall of Famer Jim Brown is tackling a new opponent.

Brown's Amer-I-Can program partnered with TSU to help students who do not meet tough new admission standards.

"You can inspire them to want to learn everything because that image of information and knowledge gives you so much power," Brown said.

He is training facilitators who will teach management skills to students enrolled in the conditional summer academic program.

The goal is for students to gain full admission to TSU.

"It is a personal commitment on our part to do everything here at TSU to make sure these youngsters are successful," Brown said.

For students who are not successful in the summer program, TSU is partnering with community colleges to first earn an associates degree before moving on to TSU.

"We have a fondness toward Texas Southern and we look forward to working very diligently with them to produce better students, and therefore better professionals for the work place," said Dan Arguijo with the Houston Community College.

Beginning in the fall, incoming freshman at TSU must graduate from high school with a 2.0 GPA.

With open admissions no longer the policy, the university hopes to improve its academic image.

"We wanted to get graduation rates up and reduce the dropout rate," TSU provost James Douglas said.

As for Brown, he said he believes helping each student succeed will take teamwork and practice.

"Now you have a chance to demonstrate what you have learned can bring about success and victories," Brown said.

For more information about the Amer-I-Can program, visit www.amer-i-can.org.