TCC’s future focus of advisory group
by Roxanna Latifi, reporter

    The TCC Roundtable sent suggestions for more international student scholarships, institutional effectiveness and internal marketing to committees during its initial meeting Oct.10.

   A panel of students, faculty and staff met with Chancellor Leonardo de la Garza to discuss issues regarding TCC’s progress.

   According to de la Garza, each member approaches the Roundtable as equals, each bringing forth issues of concern. The Roundtable has been an on-going project in works of improving the TCC district.

   One topic, lack of international student scholarships, was the concern of Ifeoma Offor, international student on SE Campus. Offor believes there should be more scholarships for her fellow international students.
Offor said many students want to attend college outside their countries, but there are not many scholarships available to them. After discussing this issue, members of the Roundtable decided this topic was worthy of further research and consideration.

   Institutional effectiveness filtered into a series of discussions, one being the technology that students and faculty members have access to. The group was reminded that the district is preparing for the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating board evaluations.

   Members agreed that students need to know of the visitors and of the resources and proposals that TCC offers.

   The group then turned their attention to marketing within the college. Several members said if TCC markets within to let students know what is offered, then the district will succeed in reaching its goals of expansion and academic excellence.

   Juan Torres, SE registrar, told the Roundtable that TCC was the best-kept secret.

   Members decided that one way to reach this goal would be to start with the Student Ambassadors, a student organization on each campus. The Ambassadors assist faculty and administration in promoting pride and a positive image of TCC, serve as liaisons between faculty and students and promote general welfare within the district.

   De la Garza said he would form committees for further study of issues discussed at the meeting.

   The downtown campus initiative was also discussed. De la Garza said funds set aside to repair TCCD buildings were not affected in the process of budgeting to build the downtown campus. The downtown campus’ status is still being evaluated and debated on.

   The Roundtable will meet again Thursday, Nov. 7, on NW Campus.