Temple College had many accomplishments to be proud of in 2015. Here are just a few of our top stories from the year.
1. Website gets a new look
In January, Temple College launched a new version of its website, www.templejc.edu. The website features a content management system that allows users across campus to maintain their own pages with relative ease. The new site is mobile-friendly and makes content easier to find.
Read more here.
2. Temple College, Baylor sign transfer agreement
In April, Temple College signed an agreement with Baylor University that will make it easier for students to transfer credits to Baylor. The agreement provides a pathway to 70 majors for TC students.
Read more here.
3. Softball team goes to nationals
In May, the Temple College softball team made its fifth trip to the NJCAA tournament, after winning its conference.
Read more here.
4. Temple College recognized as a leader in student success initiatives
In September, Temple College was recertified as an Achieving the Dream Leader College by Achieving the Dream, a nationwide initiative dedicated to community college student success and completion. Leader College status recognizes the college’s commitment to improving student success and equity, and demonstrating measurable gains on important student success metrics over a three-year period. Only about 200 of the nation’s 1,200 community colleges have achieved Leader College status.
Read more here.
5. College completes its Strategic Plan for 2016-2021
In September, the Board of Trustees approved the goals and objectives for a new strategic plan that will cover the five-year period beginning in 2016. The overarching goals of the plan are: Fostering student success; Optimize community partnerships and outreach; and Manage resources effectively.
Read more here.
6. College hosts regional meeting for community college trustees
In October, Temple College hosted a regional meeting for members of the Community College Association of Texas Trustees (CCATT). The meeting, titled “Transforming Texas via Student Success,” was part of a yearlong trustee professional development program that aims to improve student success and increase college completion. The meeting drew trustees and presidents from Austin Community College, Blinn College, Central Texas College, Hill College, McLennan Community College, and Temple College, as well as representatives from school districts, businesses, and chambers of commerce from throughout the Central Texas region. Speakers at the meeting included former state demographer Dr. Steve Murdock and Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board Commissioner Raymund Paredes. The meeting was funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
7. College announces plan to offer new degree in surgical technology
In October, the college announced plans to offer an associate’s degree in surgical technology beginning in fall 2016. The college currently offers a one-year certificate program in surgical technology, but several accrediting boards and professional organizations have mandated that all surgical technologists have associate degrees as of 2021.
Read more here.
8. Trustees approve bond package to fund campus improvements
At its Nov. 16 meeting, the Board of Trustees voted to issue $4 million of revenue bonds to fund several facilities-related projects on campus. Among these projects is a 10,000 square-foot expansion of the Instructional Services Center (ISC) that will go on the side of the building that faces the H.K. Dodgen Loop (Hwy. 190). The bond package includes funds to renovate the east side of the ISC, as well as renovate portions of several other buildings on campus, including the second floor of the administration building, and several rooms in the Mary Alice Marshall Performing Arts Center, the Watson Technical Center, and the Newton Science Building.
Read more here.
9. Math Pathways project receives two awards
In November, Temple College received two awards for its leadership on the Math Pathways project, a statewide initiative designed to help community college students complete their required math courses in less time. The awards were presented by the Texas Success Center, which is sponsored by the Texas Association of Community Colleges. Temple College was named an Exemplar College for both Principle I (Multiple Math Pathways) and Principle 3 (Learning Skills) of the project’s four pathways.
Read more here.
10. Students earn recognition
Temple College students earned a variety of accolades in 2015. In November, second-year student Brandon Stone was selected as a 2015 Coca-Cola Leaders of Promise Scholar. Also in November, four students from Temple College received awards in the 36th annual Central Texas Art Competition, which was hosted by the college. And in December, 12 TC students were selected to perform in Texas community college All-State music ensembles in 2016.