{"id":61,"date":"2016-12-13T13:43:27","date_gmt":"2016-12-13T13:43:27","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.tcc.fl.edu\/president\/?p=61"},"modified":"2017-06-13T16:01:30","modified_gmt":"2017-06-13T16:01:30","slug":"reflections-on-our-50th","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.tsc.fl.edu\/president\/reflections-on-our-50th\/","title":{"rendered":"Reflections on Our 50th"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"ThirdIn Tallahassee Community College\u2019s 50 Anniversary video, \u201cCelebrating a Legacy, Building a Future<\/a>,” Dot Binger, the third employee hired by Tallahassee Community College in 1966, said \u201cYou need always be grateful for founders.\u201d That quote has stuck with me throughout this year as we looked back at the rich history of this College.<\/p>\n

Being at the helm during such a milestone anniversary has been both a privilege and a far greater responsibility than many realize. TCC started in 1966 with 698 students in borrowed space at Godby High School. Today we serve nearly 40,000 credit and non-credit students annually in hundreds of classrooms across seven locations in three counties. Class offerings have expanded and curricula have been infused with technology. Buildings continue to be added to accommodate emerging needs of our students and our community.<\/p>\n

While so much has changed at TCC in the past 50 years, the College\u2019s core values have remained true. Since founding President Fred Turner, each of TCC\u2019s presidents have led the College through the challenges of their time to meet the educational and vocational needs of the communities we serve with a focus on individual dignity and worth, equity of opportunity, and individual responsibility.<\/p>\n

Access<\/strong><\/p>\n

TCC\u2019s open-access policy is arguably our single greatest attribute. We do not require a certain GPA or extracurriculars to enroll here, just a desire to learn. And with service centers in each county and plenty of flexible online and hybrid class offerings, we are able to meet students where they are. As a result, we welcome a vibrant and diverse group of students every year, each with unique goals and perspectives. In addition, we maintain one of the lowest tuition rates in the state and to help students in need of financial assistance, we award more than $30 million in scholarships annually. This year we were able to develop scholarships for certificate and non-credit programs that do not qualify for traditional government assistance.<\/p>\n

This means a college degree is accessible at TCC.<\/em><\/p>\n

Local Governance<\/strong><\/p>\n

TCC serves the regional needs of the three counties of Leon, Gadsden, and Wakulla. Our Board of Trustees, appointed by the Governor of Florida from those three counties, insures that the academic and workforce programming of the college meet real needs in a flexible and responsive manner as those needs change over time.<\/p>\n

This means TCC is committed to meeting the needs of the communities we serve.<\/em><\/p>\n

\"TwoDemand-Driven Programs<\/strong><\/p>\n

The College has stayed focused on our purpose of meeting the educational and vocational needs of our communities. Of the top ten most in-demand jobs in our region, TCC now offers training for all ten. We are also the #1 transfer institution to both Florida State University and Florida A&M University and we continue to develop and grow the Golden Guarantee Program.<\/p>\n

This means we are not only meeting the needs of the universities where we transfer our graduates, we are meeting the needs of the businesses who hire our students as well.<\/em><\/p>\n

Affordability<\/strong><\/p>\n

The value of the education we provide is well-documented. Our students enjoy a\u00a0<\/span>16.8% average return<\/a>\u00a0<\/span>on their educational investment, and a student with an associate\u2019s degree in Florida earns on average 35% more than a student with a high school diploma. We are proud that for two years in a row now, TCC has been recognized as one of the top community colleges in the nation for cost, return on investment and student success by the investment website SmartAsset.com.<\/p>\n

This means students can rest assured that their tuition dollars are for skills that will pay the bills. TCC ensures students are making a smart investment here for their future.<\/em><\/p>\n

These four aspects \u2013 ensuring access, local governance, demand-driven programs, and affordability \u2013 are what sets TCC apart. They have kept us relevant in the lives of our students and the community for the past 50 years and will keep us relevant for the next 50 because they keep us focused on what\u2019s most important \u2013 the success of our students.<\/p>\n

Even while we celebrated our 50 Anniversary we also:<\/p>\n