Harold Willis

Mental health professional Harold Willis works with troubled clients, young and old. Many are jobless, bereft of direction. Willis offers his life-changing solution -- TCC. He's an alum and a fervent advocate. "I tell clients that TCC will give you empowerment you've never had." 

He knows from experience. "TCC made it possible for me to get my degrees and enter a health-related career that has been very good to me," he said. Willis earned his associate degree in mental health in 1992, then transferred to The University of Texas Southwestern School of Health Professions where he earned a baccalaureate degree in gerontology. 

His is one of many paths that TCC can open, he said. "High school dropouts get that look of hope when I tell them, 'You want to be a certified mechanic or a certified whatever? TCC can do that for you.' 

"I've had clients who enrolled and who came back to tell me about obtaining an A.A. degree in a health-care field and how they now have a job for life. 

"As a student, you get incredible support from faculty and staff. I remember when I was a student how (Mental Health Associate Professor) Dolores Sutter helped me through some very tough times. I had a dysfunctional family, troubled marriage and was working full time, but (Sutter) helped me through it all. She did that for anyone. She gave us tremendous clinical support. And she got us paid internships. 

"So, yes, I'm eager to share with clients the hope that TCC offers. I tell them: Get on that campus. TCC is designed for you. It's a level playing field." 

-- By David House